But every time you praise her...
Every time I see her improving...
foul feelings well up inside me!
So I...!
Tina!
Allen, sir?!
Stay back, Ellie!
Tina!
Her mana is raging out of control.
It wouldn't activate for anything we tried, so why now?
It will endanger Her Highness if it's not stopped!
Lady Tina!
Ellie, fetch Mr. Walker!
Y-Yessir!
First things first. I need to do something about this blizzard.
My magic can't break through.
And what's this awful feeling, like something's crushing my heart?
There's something here I don't understand!
This may call for a certain desperate measure,
although I'd hoped never to resort to it again.
Tina!
If you can hear me, answer!
Tina!
Sir?
In the Wake of Tears, Flowers Bloom
Episode
Mr. Allen?!
What's going on?!
Thank goodness.
Keep calm and listen to me.
Right now, you're letting your mana run wild.
If it keeps up, you'll run dry and, at worst, lose your life!
Th-Then, um, what should I do?!
I'm going to link my mana to yours.
That will allow me to bring your mana under control.
I-Is that even possible?!
I've done it successfully before.
I know it's not a pleasant thought, but please let me link our mana!
I understand.
Don't worry, sir. I believe in you!
Thank you!
Now brace for it!
Handing control of one's mana to another
is tantamount to placing one's life in their hands.
Her Highness bet her life on me,
so I'll risk mine to save her.
Where is she?
I have her!
I can't believe she has so much mana.
Her latent ability rivals Lydia's
or maybe even surpasses it!
...y...
Why...?
Why can't I do magic?
I'm the Howards' useless "cursed child"!
I wish I'd never been born!
Her Highness's thoughts are flowing into me.
Forgive me, Father.
Forgive me, Mother!
What should I do?
What can I do?!
Someone, help me!
Tina!
Sir...?
What is that?
The blizzard weakened?
Is it trying to assist me?
In that case...
Mine can't hold a candle to the real thing, but...
Firebird!
Tina!
Sir.
Thank goodness you're safe.
What is...?
At last, I meet a key.
Tina, did you see or hear anything in that blizzard?
No, sir. Nothing but your voice.
I see.
Um, sir...
being linked to you is... such a funny feeling.
Oh dear. I left us linked, didn't I?
I'm so glad you're safe.
Th-Thank you.
Now, let's go fetch Ellie.
She must be worried about—
No.
Keep holding me like this.
For now... just for now...
you're my tutor and no one else's.
Very well.
My lady! Sir!
Thank goodness!
Are you hurt?
That's out of the question.
Don't even think about trying it with anyone but me.
I'd better start working on a good excuse...
Mr. Allen!
Sir?!
It's nothing serious.
I'm only a bit tired out.
Don't move!
Stay lying down!
I'll fetch a medicinal tea!
I'm sorry about this.
Sir, is it because you linked our mana?
Don't worry. I'll be fine.
More importantly, that was quite a shock.
You see, I can't help sharing thoughts and feelings when I'm linked with someone.
That reminds me, sir.
You called me "Her Highness" in your head, didn't you?
Huh?
How do you explain that?!
I said no "highness"! I categorically forbid it!
I understand.
Now, I've discovered a few points about this ability of mine.
I can control the mana of the person I link with.
That person's will affects the amount of their mana I can use.
And once I've formed a link with someone,
it becomes very simple to link with them again.
Is that so?
Then, you've done similar things before?
Yes. I've formed links with my sister Karen and...
Lady Lydia, perhaps?
Yes. I had no other choice then, either.
Linking mana with someone means taking their life in my hands.
This power can be dangerous.
It allows me to use others' mana as I see fit.
It must never be used carelessly.
So please, keep this just between us.
Just between us? A secret just for us two?
Yes. You mustn't tell anyone. Not even Ellie.
I won't.
What was that entity within Tina?
How is it connected to her?
This calls for a thorough investigation.
Please conduct your magical training here from now on, sir.
It's quite spacious.
I couldn't wish for better.
Now, Tina, see if you can activate a spell.
Yes, sir!
What incredible power.
Is whatever is inside Tina influencing the result?
It does seem to have stopped getting in the way of her spells.
And due to linking mana, some of my command of magic has rubbed off on Tina.
Well done, Tina.
Let's start learning how to temper the force of your spells.
I... did magic.
All your hard work paid off.
I'm proud of you.
You're an amazing girl, Tina.
My lady!
Th-Thank goodness!
I'm so, so happy for you!
Jeez. You're such a crybaby.
But thank you, Ellie.
With a little more practice, you'll gain a much freer control over your magic.
Once you have that, you'll both be ready for the Royal Academy.
I must inform Duke Walter at once.
The master is away on official business and will be for some time, sir.
Is that so?
I'd like to inform him as soon as possible.
I'm certain he'll be delighted.
I suppose he will, sir.
Dear Professor (the faculty member sixth most likely to incur gambling debts),
It's been far too long.
You see, a certain schemer packed me off to the snowbound north.
Come in.
Hey there!
How's it going? Any news from Allen?
The mail griffin just brought me a letter from him.
Oh! How's he doing?
He calls me "the faculty member sixth most likely to incur gambling debts."
That sounds just like him!
I'm actually the fifth most likely.
I intend to request a correction.
Let me see that.
There are many things I'd like to say to you,
but I'll start by reporting that Lady Tina has successfully cast a spell.
Pursuant to which,
please send military-grade ice-resistant barrier scrolls as soon as possible.
As things stand,
your dear student will become an ice sculpture before you see him again.
He sounds like he's having fun!
I hope he realizes that diverting military supplies is easier said than done.
Still, to think he awakened Her Highness's talent for magic.
I knew he was my student for a reason.
That's our Allen for you!
So much searching, and still not a single clue.
What on earth could that entity be?
This mark again?
It's as though someone anticipated what I'd want to research.
All right, Ellie, try a bit of dark magic.
Yessir!
I'll do my best!
Try to form a more concrete image in your mind.
What you felt when you touched Anko, for example.
Remember the flow of mana and the impression it left on you.
The impression of darkness...
Well done.
See? There's nothing to be afraid of.
Yessir!
Now you try, Tina.
Yes, sir.
Best of luck, my lady!
Tina, your mana is still too strong.
Focus more on restraining it.
Yes, sir.
Ellie, you seem to be making steady progress,
so let's try some sparring practice next.
Yessir!
Something tells me you have a soft spot for Ellie, sir.
Do you think so?
Well, um...
Mr. Allen is just a kind person!
Then he should be kinder to me!
No. Magic practice is no place for coddling.
What?!
That's unfair! It's mean! It's favoritism!
I most emphatically object!
Tina, does a girl who damages the roof every time she casts a spell need kindness?
She does!
In fact, she doesn't get nearly enough!
I consider it a dereliction of duty on her tutor's part!
Hmm...
Is it me, or is she starting to resemble someone?
Speaking of which, she hasn't written to me since that last letter.
I wonder what she's up to.
Your mind was somewhere else just now, wasn't it, sir?
What? Well, I...
What were you thinking about?
Tell us, sir!
"A natural way with young ladies."
Nothing of the sort!
Not a single wasted movement.
You'll never hit anything like that.
The Walkers subject themselves to daily training to better serve my house.
I'll show you how it's done.
That's the spirit, Ellie. Keep it up.
Thank you very much!
All right, Tina. Now it's your turn.
Yes, sir!
Rein it in a little more!
It's hard.
Their progress truly takes one's breath away.
Especially Lady Tina's, although I cannot discount Ellie's.
Words cannot convey my gratitude, sir.
The girls deserve all the credit for their hard work.
Now, about Duke Walter,
I notice that I haven't been able to meet with him recently.
The master is inundated with matters that demand his attention.
The way he's cut off communications,
I could almost believe he's avoiding me.
How do you imagine he feels
about Tina learning to use magic?
I beg your pardon, sir,
but I've told you all I can.
Just one question, then.
I hope you'll tell me the answer if you know it.
What would you like to know, sir?
It's about the books in the archive.
I've encountered several with the same owner's mark on the last page.
Do you know who it belongs to?
I can't say I do, sir.
Well, time to get to work.
I've taken mainly books with that mark to start with.
The key to figuring out Tina's magic may be in here.
Speaking of which...
At last, I meet a key.
What did it mean by "a key"?
Was it referring to Tina?
It couldn't have meant me. I'm just a run-of-the-mill commoner.
Come in.
My.
What seems to be the matter?
Well... Ellie says she can't sleep.
L-Lady Tina?! Th-That's not fair!
You came to my room because you got scared of the book you were reading!
I... I was not scared!
It's late. You both should be in bed.
Missed sleep will affect your training tomorrow.
But sir...
Fine. Help yourselves.
Thank you!
It's delicious.
With just a hint of sweetness.
You'd better go back to your rooms once you finish those.
And try not to make noise. I have research to do.
Yes, sir.
All of the marked books have something in common.
Could they be...?
Sound asleep.
I do want to help them go to the Royal Academy together.
Don't you, Anko?
Mr. Allen,
the master wishes to see you.
Very well.
Tina, Ellie, take a short break.
Yes, sir.
Allen,
I've done some thinking,
and I've decided Tina won't be taking the entrance exam.
May I ask why?
I can assure you that Lady Tina would pass with flying colors.
I cannot thank you enough for what you've accomplished.
My little Tina, doing magic...
I can hardly believe it.
In that case—
No.
Yes, she has learned to cast spells,
but she still lacks experience.
Even if she does pass the exam,
she'll be a nuisance to everyone at the academy.
As I wrote in my reports,
Lady Tina has gained a grasp of her mana in just the past few days.
That isn't the only issue!
N-No, forget I mentioned it.
It doesn't concern you.
I regret placing you in this position.
Naturally, I'll pay you handsomely.
Please don't insult my intelligence!
With all due respect, Duke Walter, you fail to see the bigger picture.
What?
This matter is not your concern alone.
Lady Tina's mother, Duchess Rosa Howard, has wishes of her own.
How would an outsider like you know what my wife wanted?!
I do know.
A look through your archive was all it took.
The volumes dealing with ice magic have an owner's mark in common.
Duchess Rosa's mark.
She must have hoped to help Tina develop her magical ability.
And she had faith that if she could not, someone would do so in her stead.
She left her mark to prove it.
You of all people must know what grueling pains Lady Tina has put herself through.
I beg you to reconsider.
I do not know your reasons, but please, give the matter more thought.
As for my own impertinence,
I am prepared to face the consequences.
Raise your head.
You're too kind for your own good.
I do not wish to make Tina give up on her dream.
I want to go the Royal Academy.
Very well. But on one condition.
What?!
A final exam?!
Yes. If you pass it, you'll be allowed to take the Royal Academy entrance exam.
S-So, what do we need to do for this "final exam"?
Duke Walter would've liked to test your abilities himself, but he hasn't the time.
He will appoint a skilled sorcerer to fight you in his stead.
A skilled sorcerer?
And we have to fight him? As in, a real fight?
Really?!
Don't worry.
I have every faith that you'll both be able to pass.
You're both my students, and I'm very proud of you!
You're always teasing us, but sometimes you come out with something so sincere...
Oh, well, I'm, um, a-awfully fond of you, too, sir.
Well, what are we waiting for? Let's start training!
Yes, sir!