Chapter 8: Prelude 1: Maria Josefon Leonora Gisela Aragon
/From Maria's perspective/
Why did it come to this?
With empty eyes, I pondered the origin of my foolishness.
Stripped of all my clothes, and with a lock around my neck and hands, how must I look?
Surely, I must be the most ridiculous person in the world.
I was escaping from reality... that's what I was doing.
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Nobles are chosen individuals.
And I believed without a doubt that I was a chosen existence.
There is an invisible distance between commoners and nobles.
I think there is a class difference that is never spoken of.
When was the turning point for me?
It was the moment I was born with this beautiful appearance that was said to be of an unsurpassed beauty, and the fact that I was born as a descendant of the oldest witch.
From the moment when many possibilities were born, an environment was created where I could choose any option.
Many lords proposed to me.
I thought I was born with everything.
As a child, I was called the prodigy of the god Rin in my hometown.
An examination to measure magical aptitude was conducted at birth.
There, it was determined that I had two levels of magical aptitude.
Many people do not even have a qualification for magical aptitude.
There is a certain amount of Odor in the ether that makes up the body.
Even if you have magical power, many people cannot use magic.
The Odor that resides in the body is the magical power.
Mana, magical power that fills the natural world.
A qualified person for magic... a qualified person is someone who can manipulate those two things freely.
Being able to use magic means being a chosen existence in the world.
An existence loved by the world.
An existence blessed by all things.
I had it.
The "fire magic" given to a brave person who guides many people.
The "moon magic" given to those who reach the depths of this world.
Those were the two qualifications.
... Maybe I was too conceited.
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I knocked on the gate of my family's estate first thing.
I took a leave of absence from school and hurried back home.
My mother's condition was not good.
When I returned first thing in the morning, my mother was lying on the floor, her face pale.
There was no life in her weakened face, and most of her magical power was gone.
Her regular doctor said the cause was unknown.
If this state continued, she would die soon.
As I watched my mother grow weaker day by day, I couldn't help but worry.
"Miss, it's not good for your health."
I accompanied my mother and for the past few days, I had done nothing but stare at her.
Perhaps this would be our final farewell in this life.
I was powerless. I couldn't do anything at a time like this. How helpless was I?
"Yes, thank you. I'll rest for a bit."
"That would be best."
"But by the way, who are you?"
An unfamiliar servant. I didn't recognize this face.
"Yes. I was recently employed."
His gentlemanly behavior was trained. There should be no complaints.
"I see..."
I had the servant prepare a simple meal and returned to my room, looking up at the sky.
I let out a sigh.
I was thinking about many things.
If my mother passed away, I would be all alone in the world.
I hated being alone.
I had been born with everything in my hands...or so I thought.
I closed my eyes to shake off the discomfort swirling in my heart.
When I closed my eyes, I was struck by intense drowsiness and before I knew it, I was being drawn into the darkness.
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"My mouth was covered, and I was so short of breath that I panicked.
What's happening?!
Before I knew it, my clothes had come undone.
Was someone trying to violate me?!
"Mmm?!"
I used all my strength to pull off whoever it was that was straddling me.
"Why are you able to get up..."
The person seemed surprised that I had opened my eyes unexpectedly.
I had been attacked while sleeping and nearly violated, but I managed to fight off the attacker and assume a fighting stance.
I quickly distanced myself and identified the person.
The man who tried to violate me was an unfamiliar servant.
Over the past year, the number of unknown servants in my family's mansion had increased.
Most of the familiar servants had been dismissed, and even Andersen, who had served our family for many years, had been ordered to take a long vacation by the time I came home.
In an instant--"
"Before I could be surprised, a fist came at me.
"Huh?!"
No good. I couldn't avoid it.
It was all over in an instant.
--A dull pain--
Intense pain and nausea in my abdomen.
An unpleasant creaking sound echoed from within my abdomen.
The dull pain seeped out from deep inside my organs.
I'm weak against melee combat since I have no knowledge of it.
"....huh!"
I bit my lip and, despite almost losing consciousness from the pain, I managed to hold on with sheer determination.
I took a deep breath and focused my eyes.
This man is quite capable. Even my eyes couldn't keep up with him.
His ability to close the distance in an instant is reminiscent of powerful magic or the movements of an Arts practitioner.
Above all, his combat stance indicates that he's used to fighting.
Who is he? He's certainly not just an ordinary servant.
I tried to counterattack by gathering magical power in the palm of my hand.
But he didn't wait for that.
He slapped me in the face.
The impact made stars appear in my eyes.
"...aah!"
An inaudible cry.
The impact was enough to send me flying to the corner of my room.
I managed to keep my consciousness barely.
The taste of iron spread in my mouth.
It hurts so much.
To hit a woman like this without mercy...
...I can't think about that now.
I glared at him and tried to focus my magical power."
"What's going on?"
Shock.
I can't control my magic well.
Whenever I try to control it, the flow of magic stops as if the fuse has blown.
"Poison..."
I now clearly understand the desperate situation.
I feel sweat trickling down my forehead.
It's a poison that inhibits magic generation. It's also a medicine used in medical settings.
I know it as "Asteroid" from my knowledge.
I glare at them with all my might. That's all I can do in this situation.
"Wow, you're a fine lady."
The man, who could be called a villain, sneers at my intimidation.
He grins as he looks me up and down, as I am half-naked.
"Do you think you can get away with doing this for free?"
There are other servants in this mansion besides this man.
Help should be coming soon with the noise we made just now. I just need to buy time until then.
"Ku...haa!"
The man bursts out laughing as if he sees through my plan.
"What's so funny?"
I look at him with an angry face.
"Master, sorry. I couldn't neutralize her."
The man muttered to the void.
"No, it's okay. It was expected."
I recognize that voice.
It's the man who is...my mother's partner, who has taken over half of this mansion.
"Lord Eleanor..."
He's a despicable fox.
Eleanor Greveletchman.
"You...just what are you doing?"
The sound of him swallowing his saliva echoes in my skull.
I imagine the worst possible scenario.
"Miss, please don't make such a scary face. Lady Sophia is worried about you. Be a lady."
Eleanor laughs mockingly.
My spine freezes as I look around and see the lascivious looks of the men.
What will become of me?
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
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