Dear Lydia,
Sorry, I know this is sudden.
I'm writing you from a northbound train.
No doubt word has already reached you,
but it seems I failed the court sorcerer exam.
It truly is a shame, Allen.
I never dreamed you'd fail.
I don't see how either the written or practical exam could've given you trouble.
Do you have any idea what could've gone wrong?
No.
But that aside, Professor,
I'm ashamed to say it, but I can't afford the trip home to my family.
Again?
Sending money home is laudable, but spare a thought for yourself.
I suppose.
I do know of a job opening.
An old friend of mine is looking for someone to tutor his daughter.
Only until spring, but he'll pay handsomely.
What do you say? Will you give it a try?
A tutoring job?
Yes, please. I'd be—
Yes, it's me.
I think I've found your man.
You know, the boy I'm always going on about.
He's one of the finest minds I've ever had the pleasure to teach!
Professor?
Is that so?
Then I'll send my familiar with the particulars.
He'd love to have you.
Your pupil is Duke Howard's daughter, a scion of the Four Great Ducal Houses.
Tina hopes to enroll in the Royal Academy come spring.
Private tutor to a duke's daughter?
That sounds like quite a challenge.
Then again, I guess she's a duke's daughter, too.
I've already bought your ticket.
You leave at noon today in a first-class carriage.
Professor!
You set me up, didn't you?
I wish you the best of luck.
The Duke's Magically Impaired Daughter
Episode
The professor sounded thrilled.
Who knows what kind of ordeal I'll find waiting for me.
It's freezing.
Let me see. The duke's mansion is—
I beg your pardon. Might you be Mr. Allen?
Yes, I am.
I am Duke Howard's head butler. Graham is my name.
And this is Ellie, a maid-in-training.
I-It's a pleasure to meet you.
The pleasure is mine.
Now, shall we be on our way?
Please follow me, sir.
It's a little cramped, sir. Do forgive me.
Ellie, would you mind riding on Mr. Allen's lap?
Huh?!
Of course she minds.
Surely all three of us can squeeze onto the seat somehow.
P-Please, don't mind me.
You see, sir? Ellie has no objection.
Well...
P-Please excwooz— I mean, excuse me.
Could she be...?
Look at all that snow.
It hasn't started falling in earnest yet, if you can believe it.
Soon we'll be forced to shut ourselves indoors and wait for spring.
You don't say.
You must be cold wearing that.
Oh, no.
Here.
What?!
Do you mind if I warm up the car with a bit of magic?
With magic, sir?
I don't see why not.
In that case...
A-Amazing.
You made it look easy.
It's not a difficult spell once you get the hang of it.
You must crave rest after your long journey, sir.
We have arrived at Duke Howard's residence.
If you would.
Thank you.
Allow me to assist you.
Huh?!
Please accept my sincere apologies for causing Your Highness discomfort.
Huh?
H-H-How...?
I mean, um, when did you figure it out?!
When we met at the station.
H-How could you tell?!
Because you don't look like a maid.
You aren't wearing a headband, and your uniform doesn't fit you.
I suspect you borrowed someone else's in a hurry.
Also, that snow-white ribbon in your hair is embroidered with gold thread.
I've only seen a handful of pieces to match it, even in the royal capital.
And who else would go as far as disguising herself to get a look at me?
You live up to your reputation, sir.
E-Excuse me!
W-Wait...
My scarf...
I beg your pardon, sir.
Lady Tina insisted on coming along.
No matter.
After you, sir.
Thank you.
Thank you very much for coming.
It's quite warm inside, I see.
The house was built to withstand the wintry climate.
Ellie, our guest has arrived.
Take his luggage to his room.
Y-Yessir!
Welcome ba—
A-Are you all right?
Y-Yessir!
How many times must I tell you not to run in the house?
Now...
When do you plan on releasing our guest?
I b-beg pour yardon!
That's all right. I'm glad you weren't hurt.
The real Ellie, I presume?
Huh?
Oh, um, well, that's...
I see, Mr. Allen, that you live up to the professor's description.
What did he say about me?
That you have "a natural way with young ladies."
Wh-What a misleading way to put it!
I have a little experience working with people younger than me, that's all!
Is that so, sir?
Please, follow me.
My master is expecting you.
He didn't believe me for a minute.
You've come a long way. I appreciate it.
Not at all. Thank you for agreeing to hire me.
My name is Allen, Your Highness.
I see.
Walter Howard.
"Walter" will do.
I consulted the professor about my daughter,
and he assured me you're the only man for the job.
You know how it is, but I trust you'll do what you can.
I will.
But the professor only told me that I would be tutoring Lady Tina,
who wishes to enroll in the Royal Academy.
Damn the rascal.
Have I been misinformed?
I do want to hire you as her private tutor.
However...
Your job is to make her give up on the academy.
I'm to dissuade her from applying?
I'd better start by telling you something of the Howard line.
You know about the Four Great Ducal Houses, of course.
Of course.
For their great contributions to founding the kingdom,
the four houses received vast domains, one in each of the cardinal directions,
and each duke guards those lands to this day.
Deep ties to the royal family
have earned you the honor of "Highness" rather than "Grace."
Exactly.
We Howards have governed the north on behalf of the crown for generations.
We take pride in our martial prowess.
But that ends with me.
My wife passed when Tina was very young,
leaving my two daughters my only children.
My eldest, Stella, has enrolled in the Royal Academy,
but I can't pretend she has a gift for magic.
I doubt that she will ever master her inheritance, the supreme spell of our house.
My youngest, Tina, has no magical ability whatsoever.
None?
She has mana, but she can't cast so much as an elementary spell.
A number of famed sorcerers have examined her, but none of them could explain it.
I've never heard of a case like it.
Tina has a strong sense of responsibility.
As a scion of our house, she considers it her duty
to study sorcery and swordplay at the Royal Academy,
despite the other paths open to her.
Such as?
See for yourself. It will save time.
What are these?
Plants Tina has been cultivating.
After reading my late wife's books,
she started studying ways to make them grow in this land.
Tina's research is a valuable asset to the duchy.
I want her to remain here and continue it.
This will be an even bigger challenge than I feared.
Damn that professor.
I understand how you feel.
Personally, however, I feel that Her Highness ought to choose her own path.
If she learns to perform magic to the Royal Academy's standards,
and if she still wishes to enroll, would you consider allowing her to do so?
Very well.
In that event, I'll give my permission.
You have my word.
Thank you.
A girl who has mana but can't cast spells?
It will be a tricky problem, but a problem worth solving.
Cheers to our visitor from afar!
Cheers!
Livelier than you're used to in the royal capital, I'll bet.
It's our custom here to take our meals with the servants.
I like things lively.
I beg your pardon.
Oh, Tina.
And you, too, Ellie. Join us.
Yes, Father.
Y-Yessir!
Let me introduce you.
My daughter Tina.
Tina, this is your new tutor, Allen.
It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Tina Howard.
Your reputation precedes you.
I look forward to our lessons together.
As do I. The pleasure is mine.
I've already made Ellie's acquaintance.
You weren't too cold in the car, were you?
I-In the car, sir?
M-Mr. Allen, may I have a moment?! I have so many questions for you!
Of course.
Allen, I'd like to ask one more thing of you.
Ellie.
Y-Yessir!
Ellie is Graham's granddaughter and only heir.
Their family, the Walkers, has stood by the Howards since time immemorial.
Allen.
Yes?
I'd like to place her in your charge as well.
Graham has already given his consent.
May I take it that Miss Walker will be enrolling in the academy as well?
Well, while we would like nothing more...
I'm sorry.
I'm not much good at magic,
so I'm certain I'll be a nuisance to you.
Miss Walker, may I ask you something?
Y-Yessir!
What do you want to do?
Um... I'll do as I'm told, sir.
That isn't what I mean.
Do you want to attend the Royal Academy with Lady Tina?
Of...
Of course I do!
I adore Lady Tina!
I'm her personal maid!
I'm relieved to hear it.
Miss Walker, I look forward to our lessons together.
Y-Yessir!
And, um, Allen, sir,
would you please just call me "Ellie"?
Then call me Tina!
Very well.
A black kitty cat!
So you're here, too, Anko.
The professor recommended me for this job. Anko is his familiar.
Is...
Isn't it adorable?!
A room inside a greenhouse?
Come in. It's not locked.
Good morning.
I see you aren't wearing a maid uniform today.
I see you have a mean streak, sir.
My humble apologies.
B-Before we begin,
as I said last night, I forbid you to call me "Highness" or "lady."
I understand.
And I forbid you to tell lies.
Even if what you have to say hurts,
I'm ready to hear it.
Very well. I won't sugarcoat things.
She seems awfully sensitive about it.
Her magical impairment must have caused her a lot of pain before now.
We won't start our lessons yet.
I'd like you to take a written test today.
Huh?
I assume you know that the entrance exam has three parts:
a written test, an interview, and a practical magic exam?
Yes, of course!
We should spend most of our time working on practical magic.
But first, I'd like to know how prepared you are for the written test.
But don't they make a new test every year?
It's famously hard to prepare for.
That's a lie.
Huh?!
There are patterns to questions the academy asks, just like any other test.
But because the academy drafts decades' or centuries' worth, no one notices.
So, it is possible to go in prepared?
Yes.
Here.
These are some sample test questions.
Do your best to answer them today.
I'll be.
No doubt about it.
This young lady could rival Lydia's brilliance.
Lydia, the albatross around my neck,
is the eldest daughter of Duke Leinster, guardian of the south.
While she's known as the "Lady of the Sword," she also excels academically.
She graduated from the Royal Academy and University at the head of our class.
Her mana is equally impressive, and she's mastered the supreme spell Firebird.
And, at least academically, Tina is her equal.
You worked hard yesterday.
Here's your test back.
Take a look.
Y-Yes, sir.
You're already well-equipped to pass the written test.
In fact, I think you could have the highest score.
Your essay, in particular, was outstanding.
Th-Thank you very much.
I'd like to spend less time preparing for the written test
and focus on practicing magic for the practical exam, starting today.
Yes, sir.
Try to cheer up.
You never know until you try.
I've tried and tried, and I fail every time.
I've had plenty of tutors before you,
and I've disappointed every single one.
I know what it's like to disappoint people myself.
I did it just recently, in fact.
Huh?
But the professor sung your praises.
Lydia is famous, but so are you, sir— as the "Brain of the Lady of the Sword."
People just talk about me because I'm the one person who can put up with Lydia's whims.
I have far less mana than average.
I think they only let me into the university
because they thought I'd be good at keeping Lydia in line.
So I know how grueling the Royal Academy can be.
Classes are taxing and strict, and half the students fail to graduate on time.
Before we begin our lessons, tell me one thing.
Do you really want to go to the Royal Academy?
Not just because you think it's your duty?
I want to go the Royal Academy, and not out of a sense of duty.
You could always choose to continue your botanical research.
I love plants, but...
You won't laugh, will you?
No, I won't.
When I was little,
my mother read me picture books.
I always admired the Great Spells that the people in the legends used to use.
I wanted to master magic like that someday.
Like the Great Spells?
No one alive can cast those.
Th-That's why I asked you not to laugh!
I won't laugh.
We'll try everything we possibly can.
If you have the will and keep forging ahead,
we will find a way.
Thank you.
Pardon me.
Allen, sir, I brought the things you—
Whoa there.
That was a close call.
A-Allen, sir!
Um, well, I mean...
S-Sir!
Get away from Ellie this instant!
You're too close! It's indecent!
Um... Right.
N-Now then, let's refocus and start our lesson.
First, Tina, tell me the fundamental elements of magic.
Yes, sir.
The elements of magic are fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, light, and darkness.
Every person is born with an affinity for one of these seven elements
and excels or struggles accordingly.
Exactly right.
And what about House Howard?
We have an affinity for water and wind,
and we can combine them to cast ice magic.
That's half right.
Only half?
Tell me, what does it mean to "have an affinity"?
Well...
I cast a temperature-control spell in the car yesterday.
That spell combined three elements: fire, water, and wind.
Fire and water are opposites, so it went against the theory of affinity.
This is just my pet theory,
but I don't believe there's any such thing as one's "natural element."
I'd like you to try a variety of different elements with an open mind.
B-But how...?
Experience is the best teacher.
I'd like you to work magic on these eight candles,
using all seven elements as well as ice.
Ellie, what sorts of spells can you cast?
W-Well, only a little fire and wind magic.
In that case, light a flame on one candle.
Y-Yessir!
Relax. Easy does it.
Yessir.
Well done.
Next, try conjuring up a wind.
A-All right.
You have a bright future ahead of you if you can use two kinds of magic already.
Th-Thank you very much.
But I'm hopeless, really.
Not at all.
I have no doubt you'll be ready for your entrance exam.
You should aim to pass with honors.
H-Honors? Me?!
Now it's your turn, Tina.
Give it a try.
All right.
I feel mana stirring.
Her spell formula is neat and clean.
A model student's textbook effort to—
I'm sorry.
You have nothing to apologize for.
We know you have mana.
We only need to work out why your spells don't activate.
Now, let me give you a demonstration.
You'll both be learning to do this yourselves, so pay close attention.
Ordinary elementary spells won't do much to excite them.
I think I'll add a little something for show.
It's not so hard once you get the hang of it.
After all...
Even I can do it, and people used to call me hopeless.
And so, I'll be staying with the Ducal House of Howard until spring.
Pray that I manage to earn my keep without too much trouble.
PS: I'm nursing a broken heart,
so I'd appreciate it if you went a little easy on me when next we meet.
Maybe stop hurling Firebirds by as a greeting. It scares me stiff.
Without even asking me?
I'll make him regret this.