Caren! Felicia!
We've all oversle—
Oh, that's right.
I ran away from the dormitory, and then...
Shelley?
Just leave me be. Please.
Pardon the intrusion.
I had no idea the Howards kept a villa here.
Good morning.
G-Good morning.
Episode
On a Night when the Moon and Stars Shine Bright
I mean, h-how did you get in?!
I took the liberty of dispelling the barrier.
Mrs. Walker told me I would find you here.
Do you have business with me?
I won't go to school, and I have nothing to say to you.
You're lying.
Lying?
Yes, lying.
Nothing gets past him. Nothing.
I knew my best friends would be frantic to find me if I disappeared.
And that they would turn to Mr. Allen.
How underhanded I am,
using their kindness to call him to me.
We're alone here. We won't be overheard.
I believe you wanted to tell me something?
Mr. Allen...
Yes?
Didn't it bother you, keeping company with a prodigy like Lady Lydia?
I know you're impressive as well,
but you said you can't even cast advanced spells.
That's right. I can't.
Didn't you ever envy her?
Didn't you ever want to get away from someone so gifted?
Being with Lydia has earned me a lot of unkind remarks,
but I've never thought of leaving her because of them.
But I have wondered if there's any point in staying at her side.
Lydia is a true prodigy—stronger, nobler, and more beautiful than anyone else.
I, meanwhile, lack status, influence, and even mana.
F-Forgive me.
Don't let it bother you.
There must be countless people out there more impressive than me.
But that's no reason why I shouldn't make an effort.
Nothing forces me to compare myself to anyone else.
You really are strong.
I could never follow your example.
I mean...
Caren truly is incredible!
I'm no match for her at anything,
but because she's beastfolk and not a noble, she couldn't lead the student council!
That left me to become president simply because I'm Duke Howard's eldest daughter.
Felicia is truly strong, too, mentally.
I never dreamed she would choose her own path
and even leave the Royal Academy to follow it.
I never could!
I know Ellie and Lynne have more talent than I do.
And my sister...
Tina has mastered supreme magic.
She couldn't so much as cast a spell before!
I'm certain Father considers her his heir.
All my hard work has been pointless! Wasted!
I don't... know what to do with myself anymore!
Lady Stella.
Would you skip class today and join me for a date in the city?
Huh?
I'll let Caren and Felicia know not to worry.
I'm counting on you.
Now, shall we be on our way?
M-Mr. Allen!
Not to worry. Your outfit is all ready.
Mrs. Walker, please come in.
Lady Stella.
Shelley...
Please, change into these.
I shall assist you.
Wait, Shelley. I...
Well then, I'll be waiting outside.
U-Um... Mr. Allen...
Wh-What on earth possessed you to take me on a d-date?
Does it displease you?
H-How can I skip classes to go out on the town dressed like this?
You look lovely.
Th-Thank you for saying so.
Let's start with breakfast.
I know a popular restaurant nearby.
Th-This is delicious!
Not that the food at the last place wasn't.
The professor introduced me to both of them.
Did he really?
He's a gourmand, you see.
He's given many more places around the city his seal of approval.
I hardly know a thing about the royal capital.
I've spent all my time either studying or training.
Then let's make the rounds of its most famous sights today.
We'll stop for sweet treats as needed,
since you seem so fond of them.
Th-This too scrumptious for words.
I must remember to report it to the professor.
We have a rule that all his students have to share tips about good food.
O-Oh, it's, um, nothing.
How happy they look.
If only I could fly like them, free as the air, to wherever I pleased.
It's nearly time.
Let's head to the cathedral.
Of course.
Oh, it's gorgeous!
Those are the Great Spells, aren't they?
So it's said,
although no one these days knows much about them.
Um...
From right to left, is that Thunderbolt, Falling Star, Resurrection, Radiant Shield,
Blaze of Ruin, Watery Grave, Quake Array, and Dividing Wind?
U-Um... Did I make a mistake?
Who taught you the names of the Great Spells?
My mother did.
She told me, "The people in the old legends did magic like you wouldn't believe!"
I've never heard some of those names before.
No record of them survives.
Not even the professor or the headmaster know them.
So how did Duchess Rosa?
Um... Mr. Allen?
Thank you for telling me.
As thanks, I'd like to show you something I normally keep to myself.
Like a secret spot?
I'll show you the way.
Excuse me, Mr. Allen, but where are we going?
Would you take off your hat and close your eyes?
Wh-What?
I, um... I mean...
Please.
Oh, um, o-of course.
Now, off we go!
Huh?
Wh-Wh-Wh...
What?!
M-Mr. Allen!
You can open your eyes now.
R-Right.
It's... It's beautiful.
What a lovely view.
"On nights when you can't sleep,
watch the moon and stars like this, and don't make a sound.
If you do that, the elementals will show you the way."
"You have nothing to fear."
You have nothing to fear, Stella.
I got that from a picture book my mother once read to me.
I think it was about a saint who lost her way and a magician who helped her find it.
I always remember that line.
And when I feel blue, I still come here alone to look at the moon and stars.
I haven't met any elementals, though.
Always alone?
Never with Lady Lydia or Caren... or Tina and her friends?
None of them know.
You're the first I've shown it to.
Am I really?
I have an inflated reputation as "the Brain of the Lady of the Sword,"
but I'm no one special, really.
Still, I want to see.
See? See what?
I think Lydia and the girls will leave their marks on history in the near future.
I want to see them do it.
To do that, I need at least enough strength to stay with them and survive.
So I keep forging ahead, one step at a time.
Here.
I sent my birds to fetch it.
Didn't you say it's a memento of your mother?
Mr. Allen.
Yes?
I've made up my mind.
So...
would you please lend me your help?
She's Tina's sister all right. And Caren's best friend, too.
She has the courage to stand up and keep going.
She just needs a little support.
Of course, Lady Stella Howard.
You want to fight us?!
Yes.
I'm sorry if I worried you.
But I've decided.
I can't move on with things as they stand.
Please, meet my challenge with spells and steel.
B-But it's so sudden. I mean, a duel to decide the future Duchess Howard?
I don't want to do it.
And you'll step down and make me president if you lose? It's ridiculous.
You don't stand a chance challenging all of us on your own.
That's why Lady Stella and I will be teaming up.
Huh?
Allen!
I think two against three will make for a fair fight.
But not right now.
I'd like to advise Lady Stella for two weeks or so.
Will you tutor us at the same time?
No, but I'll assign you two week's work in advance.
I'll give you notebooks to help with self-study, so train with Caren.
D-Dear Brother, what about me?
You can ask me for any one thing when this is over.
W-Well, in that case...
Stella.
Do you think you can beat me?
H-Hey, Caren!
Then what's the point of all this?!
We won't know who wins until we fight.
Even I have my pride, Caren.
I never dreamed of inheriting the dukedom.
Tina.
The Four Great Ducal Houses are the pillars of the kingdoms.
Those born into them have a duty.
The most fit of us should lead.
But... I won't lose.
Lady Stella...
Ellie.
Do you know, I've envied you, too?
You used to be a crybaby and a scatterbrain,
but now you're a better sorceress and fighter than I am.
Even so, I won't back down.
Giving Stella two week's of Allen's time is hard to stomach...
But if it will make her happy, why not just do it?
Lydia!
Keep your voice down.
Are you afraid you'll lose?
I'll win.
Tina, Ellie.
Your big sister has made up her mind.
Would you please rise to meet her courage?
All right.
Thank you. All of you.
We will fight in two weeks.
I'll let you know where later.
Here's the training ground.
Use it as much as you like.
I owe you, Gil.
Still, a duel to decide who gets the dukedom?
Oh, don't get me wrong! I'm impressed.
I could never work up the drive myself.
I don't have what it takes to try and lead my house.
Good luck. I'll be rooting for you.
Thank you for saying so, Lord Gil.
I won't leave this circle.
If you can make a mark on anything inside it, you win.
I won't hold back, you know.
I wouldn't want you to.
Now, show me the best you can do!
Y-You dispelled them?
Never give your opponent an opening.
Light?
Even elementary spells have their uses.
Do you concede?
Certainly not!
I've only just begun!
Herbal tea, my lady.
Thanks, Ellie.
I didn't notice a thing.
I had no idea Stella felt so desperate.
Neither did I.
But I have some idea how Lady Stella feels.
Before I met Mr. Allen, I had no faith in myself academically or magically.
Sometimes I lost heart comparing myself to you or to Grandpa and Grandma.
Ellie...
I thought I'd die of nerves when I asked to join your lessons with Mr. Allen.
I'm sure Lady Stella did, too.
I want to take this as seriously as she is.
Yes.
You're right, Ellie.
Let's give this all we've got.
Yes'm!
Lady Stella's spells contain traces of light mana.
She doesn't seem to realize it,
but the addition of light enhances their strength
and reduces her mana consumption.
If she can use that well, she has a chance. Still...
I'll cut to the chase.
The way things are going, you'll lose next week.
You see that, don't you?
I do.
I don't think we'll be able to update your spell formulae in time.
Try to stick to your standard formulae in the fight.
B-But wouldn't it be better if I used the formulae you made, like Tina and Ellie do?
They hadn't really started learning magic yet,
so they were able to make the switch quickly.
We'll compensate in other ways.
Other ways?
Yes.
Tina generally favors long distance,
Ellie favors midrange but can also fight up close,
and Caren can adjust to any distance.
You do everything flawlessly,
and you excel at casting multiple spells at once.
I don't make mistakes, but that's all.
No. First, you can beat Tina.
Have you forgotten my sister knows a supreme spell?
Not to worry. Just get close to her before she casts it.
And you can break through her barrages of lesser spells if you focus on defense.
You can beat Ellie, too.
Just keep your distance and make her fight you with magic alone.
That leaves Caren.
We'll handle her with teamwork.
You're fighting two-against-three, not one-against-three.
B-But I have to fight my own battles.
You shouldn't get hung up on doing everything yourself.
I don't know where I'd be without a lot of people's help.
May I count on your help?
Please do.
But don't count on me for everything.
If you emulated a certain other duke's daughter
and dumped everything except fighting in my lap,
I fear I'd weep.
I don't think I'd mind making you cry.
I'll give my all.
When this is over, would you grant me a favor?
A favor?
Yes. I'll be able to fight even harder if you do.
Do you mind?
If we win, ask me anything.
But please, keep it within reason.
Two weeks sure is a long time.
Just one more day, my ladies.
Now, Ellie!
Well done.
I don't know what tricks my brother will pull tomorrow,
but we'll win no matter what!
Right!
Let's call it here.
I... I can keep going.
No. Go home early and get a good night's sleep for tomorrow.
B-But I can't just...!
Don't worry.
You made it.
Lady Stella?
No more titles.
Two whole weeks.
I finally, finally landed a blow in that circle.
Let's win this, Stella.
Yes, let's!
Translator: Timer: Editor: Quality Control: Final Quality Control:
William Varteresian Henry Lin Meagan Smith Gabriella Ramirez Elizabeth Ellis