Ailanthus had plenty of workers. They were responsible for many things, including keeping the castle clean and proper. And although their responsibilities were similar to a servant's, their status was far higher than one.
In a magical academy it was only natural that the people responsible for cleaning did so with the help of magic. Somehow, Ailanthus was able to make many skilled mages be satisfied with the work of a cleaner.
Many lesser nobles accustomed to treating those who are wearing a servant's cloth however they please often had a rude awakening in this place.
The disheveled middle-aged man cleaning the streets while holding a broom would actually turn out to be a powerful mage. And that broom was there simply because he was bored and wanted to look the part.
The worker had their own living quarters, and they were only a little bit worse than the students'.
Cyril was here to find Ophelia, his one contact here with the Thorne family, among other things.
"Why should a master find his servant? Shouldn't it be the other way around?"
You wanted to wait until when she usually comes by?
"No... Still feels wrong."
Cyril didn't know where exactly she lived, so he stopped a random servant walking out at this early hour to ask them.
"Ophelia? The woman with facial paralysis?" One man asked him in turn, his eyes widening.
She has a reputation already?
"...Yes. Do you know where she is?"
The man gulped, looking around as if to make sure no one was nearby, before staring at him with caution.
"Young man, please reconsider trying to find her. That woman is dangerous!"
She is an archdemon.
Cyril stood still, trying to fight the helplessness welling up inside of him.
"...Even so, I want to find her. Tell me."
As Cyril remained determined, the worker frowned, staring at him as if at a lost soul.
He reached with his hand to Cyril's shoulder, his voice becoming more solemn. "I am not joking. That woman will put you-"
Suddenly, the worker froze, his face growing pale immediately. He stood at attention as an awkward smile emerged on his face.
"Ophelia! You are up early today, haha!" he loudly greeted, winking at Cyril all the while.
Though Cyril didn't take his advice. He turned around in the direction the man was looking.
Ophelia, still wearing her maid uniform, walked up to him, her hands in front of her. She respectfully bowed, greeting him.
"Good morning, Master."
She didn't even look at the worker, which made the man breathe a sigh of relief. Without looking back, he ran away, escaping far.
"Ophelia, there's something I need from you," Cyril said, observing the man's disappearing back.
"Before the lessons start today, get me magic items to boost my power. Anything that will increase the strength of my spells, mana regeneration, or mana quality."
Just to be cautious, he didn't specifically say his need for mana regeneration. Let this demon maid think he simply wanted to get an edge in today's lesson.
The shopping list might get a bit longer, but it was a necessary expense. "The Thorne family can handle it with ease!"
At his words, Ophelia's face remained as expressionless as ever. Only her deep black eyes had a spark light up within them.
"As you wish, Master. Shining Goods should have all you need."
"Shining Goods? Isn't that in the city center? Will you make it in time?" Cyril said with a frown.
The trip to the city center and back will take a significant amount of time. He thought she would simply buy something from close by.
"Don't worry, Master. If I hurry, the carriage should be fast enough," Ophelia replied, the spark in her eyes turning into a flame.
I see.
Cyril nodded, understanding it all completely.
Indeed, in such a strict time frame, Ophelia simply has no choice but to race through the city as fast as she possibly can. It couldn't be helped. It has nothing to do with her own desire to experience the thrill of the road.
"Then, come by my dorm later."
Cyril turned around and walked away, leaving Ophelia to her own devices. He could only pray for the other nobles riding their carriages at this time.
...
About two hours have passed.
Morpho flew away on her training, and Tigris went back to sleep, while Atheris happily coiled around Cyril.
They didn't tell them about his slight problem to avoid startling them.
Currently, Cyril sat in front of his desk, reading through the illusion spellbook Margaret gave him.
Suddenly a few knocks came from his window.
That's fast.
He opened it, and sure enough, there stood Ophelia, looking just the way he left her.
"I have succeeded, Master," she said, bowing.
She then stretched out a wooden box in her hands, presenting it.
"Good job... How was the road?"
Ophelia nodded, her eyes sparkling with a certain sense of satisfaction.
"Lively."
"I see."
Let's hope I won't find anything strange in tomorrow's newspaper.
Cyril put the box on his table and slowly opened its cover. Immediately he was greeted by a golden shine, blinding his eyes.
As if a treasure chest from some story, the box was filled to the brim with enchanted, intricate, clearly expensive jewelry. Things were haphazardly thrown in with no regard to the item's value.
…It's all golden jewelry?
Cyril slowly glanced up at Ophelia, who once again bowed to him.
"I'll take my leave then, Master. The carriage requires maintenance."
"...I see."
She walked away, her footsteps proud.
...
Maybe I should call her back to change it? All this gold is a bit...
"But Ophelia already bought it! Let's not waste it~"
Cyril sat for half an hour by his table, combing through all the jewelry. Miraculously none of it was damaged from the delivery.
The magic creatures, even Tigris, were on the table near him, observing the jewelry with intrigue.
Whenever he took out a piece someone liked, they would let him know, voting in its favor.
"What about this necklace? It has good mana regeneration." Rhamn pointed to a particular one among the pile.
Surprisingly, it was of a less intricate design, somewhat more subdued. He curiously grabbed it, bringing it close to himself. It didn't seem half bad.
"What do you all think?"
Tigris, Morpho, and Atheris all nodded in approval, cheering for this item.
Hmm.
However, as Cyril tried to wear the necklace, the clingy snake discovered a big problem.
Atheris glanced at the necklace, then at herself. Won't the necklace be in the way?
"Hiss!" She hissed threateningly at the golden necklace, her eyes as if looking at her worst enemy.
"Fine," Cyril mumbled with a subtle smile.
Necklaces are off the table then.
They continued choosing together, each offering their input. Though it quickly became clear that the one with the most opinions was Atheris.
Beyond practicality, it seems this snake cared a lot about style. She was quite harsh.
Even the gradually diminishing mana did not shake his calm. Cyril relaxedly went through all the items, choosing what he liked.
There's so much…
Maybe they can act as gifts?
While it wasn't common in his household, he heard about the interesting tradition of gifting things on somebody's birthday. Edmund would particularly look forward to that day every year.
I don't even know when their birthdays are. I should ask.
"Just don't gift people any rings."
I won't. I am not clueless.
…But a ring can be a casual gift, can't it?