5. Carla, Carla della Cascata (2)
The one who was most surprised was undoubtedly Ivan.
After all, Ivan had spent much time with the young Carlo and back then, Carlo was undoubtedly a boy. If his memory wasn’t mistaken, Carlo was definitely a boy—but the lady called Carla standing right in front of him now, the distinct aura radiating from her, was eloquently testifying that she was none other than Carlo.
Moreover, both Ivan and Regina were well aware that the Cascata family only had two children.
The eldest son, Carlo della Cascata, and the second son, Fabio della Cascata. Neither of them knew of any sister to make up a sibling pair.
“Well, I understand why you’re surprised, but the situation is quite simple.”
Seeing the two of them immediately lost in confusion, Albina sighed softly.
It wasn’t really so uncommon, after all.
“Carla has been living as a man by using the art of disguise—it was to protect Fabio della Cascata, the heir. It’s not that uncommon. To protect the true heir, they sometimes hide the real one and use someone else…”
While saying this, Albina glanced at Carla sideways.
“…For example, they disguise a daughter as a son to pretend to be the heir.”
To deflect any assassination attempts against the heir son,
they make an unnecessary daughter into a sacrificial lamb.
“So Carla…no, Carlo was protecting Fabio?”
“There’s no need to know the details. It’s best not to interfere too deeply in the matters of the nobility. In any case, now that Carla has reached adulthood and Fabio is also old enough to take on his role, she’s returned to her true form, so there’s no need to be so shocked.”
It was hard to fully grasp.
But if Albina said so, and if the friend they once thought was Carlo was, in fact, this lady named Carla, and if it seemed completely normal to her, there was no reason for Ivan to question it.
Ivan approached Carla in large strides.
The chill in those violet eyes hadn’t changed, despite her returning to her true form.
“Now that I look, there’s a lot of Carlo left in you…I wouldn’t have guessed we’d meet this way. It would’ve been better if you had told me earlier.”
Ivan extended his hand toward Carla—somehow, it seemed like the right thing to shake hands.
“—Get lost.”
However, Carla violently slapped away the hand Ivan extended.
The action eloquently spoke of her complete lack of intention to shake hands, leaving Ivan somewhat taken aback.
“I have no reason to tell you anything about my circumstances. Get out of here, commoner.”
With a somewhat awkward laugh, Ivan withdrew his hand.
She really had gotten even sharper—despite returning to her true form.
Things were fine for Ivan, but the atmosphere had already deteriorated.
Though it was a rather thrilling incident, Carla continued to send icy vibes towards Ivan, while Ivan stood there looking lost—resulting in chaos inside the office.
“Wow…looks like they’re about to fight.”
As Emil showed a frightened demeanor, Regina shook her head and muttered softly.
“Carlo used to have this kind of personality, but not to this extent…”
In contrast, Albina let out a deep sigh.
“This generation’s truly not easy to handle. Anyway, everyone back to your places.”
Ivan returned to his seat, and Carla also sat down in her chair.
‘Of course, people are bound to feel strange when someone’s gender suddenly changes like this.’
The cold atmosphere that had settled didn’t show any signs of thawing.
While Alina, who had to lead the Academy with this group, felt her worries pile up like a mountain, she couldn’t afford to leave things as they were.
“Anyway, let’s all calm down, and I suppose I should introduce myself again? Although I’ve already done it once…my name is Albina Patrone. I graduated from the Empire Central Academy 12 years ago. After that, I entered a research lab and studied summon magic. Seven years ago, during the war, I joined the Mage Corps and served as a captain…since retiring, I’ve started teaching here.”
“So, someone of high enough rank to serve long-term in the Mage Corps.”
It was Liam’s question.
To be the captain of the Mage Corps was akin to being at the beginning of a bright career path—those who achieved greater feats could aim for positions like battalion commander, regimental commander, and division commander as part of the elite path. It made little sense to someone from such a position to leave and become a teacher.
“Well, that’s something we can discuss another time. It’s personal matters, Liam. May I call you Liam?”
Liam nodded, and Albina looked at the watch on her wrist as she spoke.
“It’s time. Now, we should meet the Western Division as well. Let’s head to the auditorium.”
The Western Division had already arrived.
It was a friendlier atmosphere compared to the Eastern Division, as they were chatting comfortably with each other. Lucas, however, glared as he saw the Eastern Division members walking through the main doors.
“Those slowpokes, is it because a commoner is mixed in that they’re late…oh?”
Lucas’s eyes sparkled.
One stunning beauty, distinctly among the Eastern Division members, had captured his attention.
Tall stature, white skin, sharp, upturned eyebrows.
Plus, a voluptuous chest that captivated male gazes and the clearly feminine curves, along with the long, elegant legs.
Without even realizing it, Lucas had stepped before her and extended his hand.
“I don’t recall meeting you during the entrance exams, but may I ask which house’s young lady you are?”
Carla looked at Lucas with an indifferent expression.
This fool really has no saving grace. He’s like a useless insect that doesn’t even deserve attention—Carla gently shook his extended hand.
And with all her might—she sent an electric shock through it.
—Buzz!
“Aaaaah!”
With a scream, Lucas collapsed. The shock was so fierce that it left the impression of burning the peripheral nerves. It was terrifying; the only fortunate part was that he didn’t wet himself.
“What…what did you do—”
“To think you’d want to shake hands with a fool from the Cascata family who’s being outshone by his own younger brother. Impressive.”
At Carla’s words, Lucas, now more surprised, abruptly stood up.
“Fool…Carlo was definitely a man, wasn’t he?!”
“Not being able to recognize such a disguise means you don’t have eyes, just empty holes. Perhaps it would be better to gouge out these useless eyes.”
Thereafter, Carla showed no further interest in Lucas.
With shoulders straight and chest held high, she confidently walked past her Eastern Division comrades, who were observing her, and took her seat at the chair placed in the center of the auditorium.
In an awkward atmosphere, the Eastern and Western Divisions somehow managed to sit, divided into their respective groups, waiting for the instructor.
As the front doors opened, a man with a mustache entered and ascended the dais to look around at the students.
“Future Grand Mages have gathered here. It’s nice to meet you all. I’m Dario Artigiano. Whether you aim to become researchers of magic or join the Mage Corps to become commanders is yet unknown, but I hope each of you will do your utmost towards your respective dreams.”
Upon hearing this, Carla smirked derisively.
The utmost effort—he certainly knows that there are definitely things that effort alone can’t achieve.
She knows it well since she spared no effort, surpassing everyone in that regard.
And knowing that there are still things beyond reach makes that statement particularly grating.
“You there, Carla della Cascata. What is your dream for the future?”
Unaffected by the sudden call, Carla leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs.
“To be a mage that surpasses every mage present here, including everyone in this room and every mage alive.”
Upon hearing this, the auditorium buzzed with whispers. It was indeed a remark of supreme arrogance.
By “everyone here,” it included Instructor Albina and Instructor Dario.
“Indeed. Worthy ambitions from a student who ranked top in the entrance exams. Your future is something to look forward to.”
Dario smiled calmly, but his casual words could easily be interpreted otherwise.
“Even a commoner whom she can’t defeat…”
The moment Carla heard this insult from Lucas, she glared at him—and disappeared.
The next moment, she stood in front of Lucas—and her hand had grabbed his collar. With one hand gripping Lucas’s collar and the other crackling with lightning near his face, Carla warned:
“It’s better to think before opening your mouth, moron. I was about to kill you, you know?”
As Lucas opened his mouth to likely retaliate, Dario appeared beside Carla, gently disentangled her hand, and said:
“Enough, now. It’s good to foster competition between the two teams. Competition inspires motivation, after all. But harsh criticism and violence lead only to hatred. So, that will be all.”
Carla glared silently at Dario, whose hand still held hers. Despite the fact that the thunder still sparked from Carla’s hand, Dario remained perfectly calm.
‘…Is it a difference in strength?’
“Hmph.”
Carla shook off Dario’s hand and turned around.
“To the mages of the same division, I say this.”
At some point, Dario had returned to the dais—truly an astonishing speed—
“Mages share confidences, even secrets about intricate magics, spells, and even magic circuits. We are comrades in that regard. So, it’s best to get along. I’ve seen far too many lives lost on battlefields due to old grudges formed during the Academy. So, get along with each other. Now, let’s continue the opening ceremony.”
After the ceremony, there were no classes on the first day.
Since the primary focus was on introductions among the students, once the introductions and the opening ceremony had concluded, they were free to go home. Those staying at the dormitory or commuting from home could choose their preference.
“I’m from far away, you know. I’ll be staying in the dorms…how about Ivan?”
“Uh, me? I’ll be in the dorms, too.”
“Isn’t Cascata close from here?”
“It is, but…”
Emil probably knew he was a commoner. Ivan thought he perhaps didn’t understand what kind of living environment a commoner had.
“The living conditions aren’t great, so it’s better to stay in the dorms. How about you, Regina?”
“Ah, I’ll be in the dorms too. Though I could commute, I think it’ll be better for focusing on academics.”
“That’s good. All three of us will be in the dorms, then.”
Ivan was quite pleased to share the same dorm life with Emil, a new friend, and Regina, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time. Despite Carla being a concern, the environment was different, so he figured that couldn’t be helped.
‘Hmm?’
Then Ivan stopped in his tracks. He saw someone walking from afar.
Long, flowing black hair, tall stature—Carla.
“I’ll be back in a bit. I’ll hurry.”
“E, eh, Ivan! Where are you going?”
Regina’s voice called out, but Ivan just waved his hand and ran towards Carla.
“Carla!”
Carla scowled upon hearing a voice from behind.
It was a voice she didn’t wish to hear, and she didn’t want to face that person.
So, pretending she didn’t hear, she continued walking while quickening her pace.
“Car, hek, hah, la…! Hah, heeek.”
“…Your breath stinks, close it.”
“Sorry.”
Had her pace slowed, or had Ivan sped up?
It was probably the former…Damn it.
She glanced at Ivan, grumbling internally.
“Anyway, it’s been a long time. Carla.”
“It hasn’t been ten minutes since we parted. That’s it.”
“Wait, just a moment!”
With a sigh, clearly exasperated, Carla brushed her bangs aside.
It was incredibly frustrating. Irritating, irritating, irritating! Everything, absolutely everything, was irritating because of Ivan.
“To start with, I’m sorry! I’ll apologize!”
“…For what?”
An utterly random apology.
Carla frowned deeply while looking at Ivan, who scratched his head with the unmistakable expression of awkwardness.
“I’m talking about what happened ten years ago.”
At these words, Carla’s face stiffened.
“I honestly don’t remember exactly what I did, but one thing’s for sure—thanks to you, I won. And then, I guess my memory isn’t too reliable after that… Anyhow, considering you haven’t been meeting me since that day, I must have done something wrong, right? So, it’s my fault. I’m sorry.”
Carla felt her lips trembling.
It was as though a surge of white-hot fury consumed her mind.
A fiery rage akin to molten lava burned in her chest.
“…You don’t remember, do you? And you think I ‘let’ you win?”
“Yeah. Thanks to that, I won.”
Ivan must not be aware of his apparent dual personality.
The figure who emerged whenever Ivan’s personality flipped still gave me shivers just thinking about it now.
And ‘let him win’? Who on earth would let anyone win?
Carla, who used to be Carlo, gave it their all back then. To win, to beat Ivan, she fought relentlessly.
Still, she lost.
Even though she wanted to win so desperately, she lost.
Ivan, whether it was his alternate personality or his innate self, remained unmistakably Ivan’s strength.
Yearning for victory so strongly but losing,
Desiring a win so desperately but always falling short,
And now, after all this time, he says she ‘let’ him win?
Carla wanted to lash out at the Ivan standing in front of her.
But that would only result in her own disadvantage in the long run. Instead of fighting here and now, she should aim for a clear-cut victory in fair competition.
She suppressed the surging anger within her.
She tamped down, and suppressed further—until her mind was as cold and rational as ice.
“…I didn’t ask for your apology. Don’t misunderstand. I just want to surpass you…so be prepared.”
Upon these words, Ivan was reminded of Carlo’s figure from childhood.
—’I’ll surpass you! Definitely!’
“…Carla, the me back then was undoubtedly your friend. But somehow, I feel I don’t know much about you now.”
“What a coincidence. I agree. How on earth this insignificant commoner could become so powerful is beyond me.”
Leaving these words behind, Carla brushed past Ivan.
“Carla, I don’t fully understand your feelings. However, if you want to beat me, I’ll do my utmost too—I want a good match.”
Carla stopped abruptly.
But she didn’t turn around.
That match, those ten years ago.
Ivan tried to avoid it then, claiming there was no need to fight.
Back then, Ivan seemed like the type who disliked arguing or competing, only blurting out vague words. It was slightly surprising.
“…I’ll be waiting.”
With these words, Carla quickly walked away.
Ivan watched her receding figure quietly.
