014 Partial Punishment

Pedia and Archer were running laps. Though dusk had settled, the light fading and the night wind cooling the air, the two brothers remained out on the open training grounds, circling again and again. Sweat soaked most of their bodies, yet their pace showed no signs of slowing—though Pedia’s breathing had grown heavy and labored, clearly approaching his limit.

They had run eighteen laps, and only after completing twenty did Archer half-support Pedia into the adjoining quiet chamber. Inside, three were already seated: Amos, Betty, and Teresa. With the arrival of the brothers, the Aubrion family was now fully assembled.

No one knew exactly who had informed Amos early on about the wager between Pedia and Joannes, along with Teresa’s subsequent disappearance. As soon as the trio returned to Maple Court, Amos was waiting at the main hall entrance, catching them in the act. The brothers were immediately punished with twenty laps, while Teresa, under Betty’s supervision, waited in the quiet chamber until their run was complete.

Teresa gazed at her brothers, breathing heavily and drenched like they’d been fished out of a river, her eyes filled with guilt. Her lips moved slightly, but she dared not speak, for Amos’s imposing presence was overwhelming.

Naturally stern-faced, Amos’s expression was now even darker, like an iceberg pressing down from above. The quiet chamber truly lived up to its name; apart from the sound of breathing, not another noise could be heard.

Pedia and Archer, upon entering, did not sit, but stood properly before Amos, upright as soldiers awaiting instruction.

“Do you know what you did wrong?” Amos spoke slowly.

“We shouldn’t have acted rashly. We shouldn’t have put Tess in danger,” Pedia replied, though out of breath, his words steady and calm.

“At least you’re not muddle-headed,” Amos’s severity softened somewhat at Pedia’s self-critique, but discipline was still necessary. He continued, “Today’s wager showed you two were too arrogant. From now on, you’ll have an extra month of training.”

“Yes, Father.” Pedia and Archer obediently bowed their heads in acceptance.

Amos waved them off to shower, then turned to Teresa. “Tess, do you know what you did wrong today?”

“I do,” Teresa replied, eyes lowered. “I followed my brothers and caused trouble despite not being able to protect myself. I realize my mistake.”

“Good,” Amos’s tone was noticeably gentler with Teresa than with the brothers. “Since you know your error, punishment is still due. From today, you’re confined for two weeks, fasting for two weeks. You may not leave Maple Court, nor eat sweets.”

Surprised by the punishment, Teresa looked up at Amos—how could confinement and fasting be considered punishment? Compared to the brothers’ twenty laps and a month of added training, her penalty was as light as a feather.

After her shock, Teresa remembered something. “Uncle Amos, today at that old estate, an elderly man asked me to serve him twice a week…”

“What?” (“Really?”) The Aubrion couple exclaimed in unison, with Betty’s eyes wide with shock.

Once the surprise passed, Betty pressed Teresa for details about the old man’s appearance. After Teresa described him, Betty shook her head in amazement. “I can’t believe you caught the master’s eye. This is the only good news we’ve heard all day.”

Teresa blinked in confusion at Betty, her adorable expression prompting Betty to grasp her cheeks, kneading them before letting go.

“Master Twilight is the most renowned alchemist in Cervantes City. Legend says he’s a half-elf and has lived here for over sixty years. That estate appeared almost overnight when he settled here—the land was once empty, and suddenly his mansion occupied it. No one knows how he managed it. The master’s temper is eccentric; those who trespass are thoroughly tormented and thrown out, while only a few are kept on as servants—your weekly duties are to serve as one,” Betty explained, leaving Teresa stunned.

“What standard does the master use to choose servants? And what do servants do?” Teresa asked in bewilderment.

“No one knows his criteria—young or old, noble or common, mage or warrior—it’s all a mystery,” Betty replied, her expression full of curious frustration. “As for the duties, don’t worry, Tess. At most, you’ll care for his pets or tend his herb gardens. The work isn’t strenuous. And there’s another benefit to being the master’s servant that you’ll love…”

Betty stopped, smiling mischievously, teasing Teresa. But Teresa didn’t fall for it easily; she tapped her chin, pondering for a while before tentatively guessing, “Books?”

“Oh Tess, how can you be so clever, so clever, so clever!” Betty cried, unable to keep up her tease, and hugged Teresa tightly, rocking her in her arms to vent her frustration. The affection in her actions was so endearing that even Amos, stern for most of the day, couldn’t help but soften, his severe features relaxing, a hint of laughter in his eyes.

☆☆☆

The autumn festival slipped past during the trio’s confinement, and as time went on, Teresa found herself ever more cherished by Amos and Betty. Take the punishment, for example—her confinement and fasting were already mild, but the extra leniency allowing her to leave for service twice a week and the partial fasting (only sweets forbidden, other snacks permitted) meant Teresa’s days were as pleasant as ever.

Day by day, time passed. With less than two days left of her confinement, Teresa went out again, for the entrance examination to St. Alberta Academy was scheduled for that day. Early in the morning, Betty urged her up, dressed her carefully, and sent her off by carriage, making the already “porous” confinement even more meaningless.

…

St. Alberta Academy lies several kilometers north of Cervantes City, entering the campus zone as soon as one leaves the city. The academy is famed nationwide for its semi-open campus; only certain areas require student badges as “keys.”

On entrance exam day, carriages carrying children to school could be seen everywhere outside Cervantes City. As the flow of vehicles merged into St. Alberta’s campus, most of the girls about to take the exam were both excited and nervous.

Nansis Bitray entered the flower-shaped waiting hall with her mother. Comfortable seats were arranged seemingly at random throughout the hall, yet their placement was full of artistic beauty. When mother and daughter entered, the hall was already sixty percent full, but there was hardly any noise—only the faint hum of low voices melding together.

The entrance exam comprised ten testing rooms, each accommodating ten candidates at a time. The sequence in which girls took the exam depended on the status of their sponsor; the higher the sponsor’s rank, the earlier the candidate’s turn. This arrangement served as motivation—St. Alberta produced the finest ladies, who married into prominent families, and a touch of hierarchy spurred the girls to excel.

The Bitray mother and daughter picked a seat and soon struck up conversation with several nearby girls and parents, all similarly positioned for the exam. Despite the modest number in the hall, groups had already formed based on attire and style. The Bitrays’ chosen companions were of similar standing—a clear case of birds of a feather.

The parents discussed “insider information” about the exam, while the girls boasted about the treasures they’d seen. Four or five gathered together, chatting happily.

After about ten minutes, a small commotion arose in the hall, drawing everyone’s attention. The side door, long closed, swung open, and a group of women in St. Alberta faculty uniforms entered, escorting four exquisitely dressed young ladies and four beautifully adorned little girls.

At the sight of this procession, many parents nearby stood and bowed from a distance, indicating the four ladies’ extraordinary status in Cervantes City.

The four ladies and four girls walked into the testing rooms under watchful eyes and respectful greetings. Shortly after, a St. Alberta staff member struck a bell to signal the start of the exam, and girls numbered five through ten entered their respective rooms with their parents.

Buzzing discussions erupted throughout the hall, but Nansis heard none of it. Her azure eyes widened in shock and disbelief, her fists clenched so tightly her sharp nails dug into her soft palms, bringing a sting that snapped her back to herself. She hurriedly lowered her gaze, but the shock and resentment in her heart fermented, rising and rising…

Mrs. Bitray was the first to notice her daughter’s distress. She quickly took Nansis to a secluded spot under the pretense of going to the restroom, then embraced her, asking anxiously, “Nansis, Nansis, my darling, what’s wrong?”

“Mother, I didn’t see wrong that day! I didn’t! Teresa is inside—she’s really inside! Number three, Mother, how could she get number three, how!”