Please Bully Me, Miss Villainess!

Chapter 123 : Magical Contract

"That's the final assignment. Your grades will be mailed to you later, so don't worry, alright?"

"...Thank you."

With the final consultation concluded, Yvonne finally breathed a sigh of relief and began organizing the study materials and notes she had just been using.

Seeing her serious demeanor, Yuna couldn't help but laugh:

"Yvonne is still so diligent... Couldn't you just pass like Ellie with the minimum credits?"

Yet she still managed to get full marks in such a short time.

"Because there's not much time left to be a student... so I feel I need to study as much as possible."

She replied somewhat bashfully.

...What a good child.

Yuna couldn't help but sigh inwardly, once again feeling deeply remorseful for her past judgments based on appearances.

The process of acquiring knowledge itself is actually a joyful thing, allowing one to gain confidence and a sense of existence, and enrich oneself.

Yvonne had always believed that people who truly dislike learning itself don't exist. Most people who claim to dislike it actually just dislike the programmed and achievement-oriented learning process imposed on them.

In the era she had once lived in, the words 'studying' became much heavier after being linked to that life-changing exam.

Students couldn't choose the knowledge content they wanted to learn, and it was more about competing for the sake of competition.

Achievement-oriented learning, except for a few elites, most people would forget seven or eight tenths of their student-era knowledge later in life. That's why it made people feel anxious and restless, feeling like they were wasting time.

However, this world is different—

Because of the existence of 'magic', 'knowledge' can truly be transformed into genuine power.

Therefore, even if it might not be very useful in the end, Yvonne wanted to master more knowledge about magic.

She didn't want the gap to widen further.

Elsa had run too far ahead, making it somewhat difficult for her to catch up.

At the very least... she needed to have the power to walk side by side with her.

"Here—sign in this place next."

What was handed to her was the "Myriad Leaves Gold" employment application form. Teacher Yuna had already completed the academy's procedures on her behalf, with the red seal of the Emerald Star Institute already stamped.

"Oh... has that person already signed?"

Looking at the familiar handwriting in the co-signing space, Yvonne felt slightly disgruntled.

It was as if she could see Elsa running ahead of her, turning back to stick out her tongue.

The protagonist who always runs ahead of her in everything...

When would she ever be able to catch up to her pace?

"Now, as soon as Yvonne signs, the contract will take effect!"

Seeing her hesitation, the small teacher in front of her reminded her kindly once again.

"...I know."

Having made up her mind, she picked up the fountain pen filled with special alchemical ink. Yvonne took a deep breath and prepared to sign her name next to Elsa's.

After this, the two of them would enter the magic society together for a six-month internship, facing the unknown main storyline.

Once the name is signed, according to the contract's power, there's no turning back.

The tools for implementing magical contracts are all expensive. To save money, all students from the same school sign on the same piece of paper.

The contract paper is much softer and more durable than the coarse paper used daily, a clean white paper. Just placing a hand on it, one can clearly feel the difference in texture compared to hard paper.

It seems to contain special magical beast fur fibers, making it more ink-absorbent. When writing on it, one needs to write quickly, or the ink will bleed.

The magic ink specially used for contracts seems to contain some kind of special magical mineral, writing in vermilion red, very much like dark red blood.

It's probably not just similar; it might actually contain some magical beast blood.

However...

Upon seeing the signature field, Yvonne realized something.

Somehow, signing her name next to Elsa's like this... felt a bit strange.

"Come to think of it—"

As if eavesdropping on her inner thoughts, Yuna chuckled and teased:

"Putting two people's names together on the same paper like this, doesn't it look a bit like a marriage contract?"

"!!!"

So that's what that déjà vu feeling was—!!

Understanding this point, a heat bomb exploded on her face, quickly turning it red.

"Don't joke about that... Ma-marriage and such, it's far too early!!"

Oh ho...

Seeing this reaction, it seems these two are indeed dating.

Watching the reaction of this young girl caught in the throes of love, Yuna felt a bit embarrassed herself.

"...I'm signing!"

Yvonne, red-faced, hurriedly signed the contract. As she put down the final stroke, the text on the contract, along with her newly written signature, began to glow. Then, the entire paper emitted a dazzling light, just like the special effects often seen in fantasy movies, before quickly returning to normal.

She felt an invisible magical force enter her brow.

So this is a magical contract...

When she still held a noble title, Yvonne had seen her father sign similar magical agreements with others, but this was the first time she had signed one herself.

"~Done! That completes it!"

Yuna helped her fold the contract paper and put it in an envelope, sealing it with wax, and solemnly handed it to her.

"Just show this to those people when you join the society."

"Understood."

Although magic will forcibly make both parties fulfill the contract's contents, the original paper contract still needs to be presented as proof when reporting.

"Although the power of the contract won't endanger life, you still need to abide by it carefully, okay?"

"I understand."

Originally swinging her small hands while giving this final pre-departure guidance, Yuna thought of something and lowered her head somewhat sadly.

"...Ugh."

"What's wrong, Teacher Yuna?"

Seeing the other's expression that looked like she was about to cry, Yvonne's heart trembled, and she hurriedly asked.

"As a teacher, sooner or later, one must part with students... I know, it's unavoidable..."

Saying this, she stuffed a pre-written note into Yvonne's hand. It contained her contact address. Biidori can recognize special magical symbols, just like postal codes, delivering letters accurately to the corresponding addresses.

She sniffled and put on a bright smile.

"However—teachers are adults after all, able to do many things only adults can do! So... if you need any help, feel free to contact me."

"Thank you..."

As a student, Yvonne felt warmth in her heart.

She was surrounded by such good people; how much luck had she spent to receive care from these individuals?

Sometimes being too fortunate can actually make one worry.

She bowed deeply, expressing gratitude to her mentor.

"I'm truly grateful, teacher... I feel so fortunate to have been your student."

She spoke these heartfelt, sincere words.

"~~~Yvonne!!"

Yuna jumped down from the small stool she had been standing on and rushed towards her, seemingly wanting to hug her.

But she quickly stopped, face red, waving both hands.

"No, no~ I'm an adult now! It's not good to let students be too affectionate anymore!!"

...She said such words as if persuading herself.

However, coming from a body that looked no older than 10 years old, these words seemed to lack persuasive power, and her naive exterior that so easily revealed her inner thoughts was the complete opposite of 'mature'.

Small folk races grow slowly and don't show much aging, making it difficult for ordinary people to discern their exact age from appearance.

"You are my excellent students... Teacher believes in you! But you know... if you ever encounter any problems you can't solve, make sure to contact a reliable adult like me right away! Don't forget, okay?!"

Yuna was still somewhat worried. Although this child seemed quite reliable, from her years of experience, she knew—often, it's students like this who like to push themselves too hard.

However, this time, she who had been maintaining a tense expression finally smiled, opening her heart to Yuna.

"...Then I'll trouble you when the time comes."

Yuna felt quite moved.

"Yes! When that time comes, feel free to trouble your teacher!"

She patted her small chest, making this promise.