As soon as I saw the sign reading "Witch's Astrology Demonstration," the first person who popped into my mind was the academy’s only witch, Lara.
After all, her identity as a witch was so ingrained that she was even called "Witch Lara" as a title.
However, knowing her personality, there was no way she would open an astrology shop that dealt directly with customers like this. In the end, there was only one candidate left in my mind.
"She's really squeezing out every last bit of knowledge she's learned, isn't she?"
The surprising thing, though, was how Ethan found out about this place. I knew he didn't have a personal connection with Rizy, unlike Karaham.
“How did you hear about this place, young master Ethan?”
“...Guests who visited yesterday were talking about it, so I asked them a bit. I heard it's a fairly accurate astrology shop.”
“I see. It does look interesting.”
“Would you like to go in?”
“Yes, young master Ethan.”
Standing at the end of the moderately long line, which was formed due to the shop's growing reputation, Ethan and I waited our turn.
As we got closer, I caught a glimpse of the person directing people at the entrance. My suspicions about it being Rizy solidified into certainty.
“Please line up in order... Ah, isn’t this young master Ethan and Lady Lilith!”
“...So it was you after all. You stood out even from a distance.”
“Seeing that young master Karaham is guiding the customers, I assume it's Rizy performing the astrology demonstration.”
“Well, uh... It might not be her!”
“Huh?”
“My sister decided to adopt the concept of a mysterious astrologer, so she said she’s hiding her identity! Officially, it's supposed to be Lara conducting the demonstration...”
“...Lara isn’t someone who would hold a demonstration in front of so many people one by one, is she?”
“Well, when you put it that way, I suppose that makes sense...”
Karaham wasn’t exactly a good liar, but his intention to disguise Rizy as Lara came across clearly enough.
Though Rizy had gained knowledge from the Witch’s Forest, it seemed she wasn’t publicizing it as openly as Lara. After all, she wasn’t originally from the Witch’s Forest. In the last century or two, Rizy was probably the first outsider to become a witch, so no one would believe it anyway.
While we waited, the last person in line exited, and it was finally our turn. As Karaham guided us inside the lecture room, we were greeted by exactly the person I expected.
“Uh, w-welcome... Wh-what brings you two here...?”
“We already know it's you, Rizy, so you don’t need to act.”
“I can see you put in the effort, but compared to the real thing, it's still rough.”
“...Tch. How boring. Can’t either of you at least pretend I look a little like her?”
With a wig of messy purple hair and purple circle lenses, Rizy stammered through her role as Lara. But since both Ethan and I had met the real Lara, there was no way we could be fooled.
“You’re working hard, Rizy. It must be tough pretending to be Lara.”
“Haah, to be honest, it’s exhausting. The wig is stifling, my head’s constantly sweaty, my eyes are dry, and trying to stammer on purpose dries my mouth out.”
“And yet I hear you’ve been doing this for four days straight.”
“Well, it’s worth the money. People don’t hesitate to throw down gold coins just for a quick reading about their love or fortune.”
That money-driven mindset of hers hasn’t changed at all.
Considering she’s from the Auguste family, she doesn’t even need to work this hard for money. I guess it’s just in her nature.
“So, what kind of fortune do you two want me to read?”
“...I’m not sure, what can you read?”
“Since you’re academy students, most ask for love fortunes. After that, it’s honor, and then there’s quite a bit of interest in money and exam luck as well.”
“Hm...”
“Surely the second-in-command of the swordsmanship club and the heir of the Blackwood family didn’t come here curious about exam or honor luck. You don’t need to pretend, do you?”
“...Love fortune, please.”
“Yes, just a moment. Young master Blackwood’s love fortune is...”
With Ethan’s response, Rizy began stroking the crystal ball on the table, as if reading something from it.
This was my first time seeing Rizy do witchcraft, but she definitely had a witch-like atmosphere as she concentrated.
“Hm, the results are in.”
“So, what is it?”
“It seems like mutual and clear communication of feelings is necessary. If there’s a misunderstanding between you two, it would be better to resolve it early, or you might face difficulties later.”
“...Misunderstanding? I don’t know what you mean. What misunderstanding could there be between me and Lil—no, between me and her?”
Since this was a love fortune, I thought she would check for Princess Rainey, but it seemed she was looking at my relationship with Ethan.
Well, it couldn’t be helped. Rizy didn’t know about Ethan and Princess Rainey’s relationship, so she must have misunderstood and assumed the fortune was about me and Ethan. The supposed "misunderstanding" probably applied to Ethan and Princess Rainey, but Rizy mistook it as involving me and Ethan.
“The people involved in the misunderstanding would know that best. Additionally, here’s some advice: don’t hesitate. The person you’re interested in is like a wild dog—no, a free-spirited bird. If you want to keep them forever, I recommend preparing a leash—or rather, a cage.”
Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.
...Why do you keep looking at me while you’re saying that? I’m not the one you’re talking about.
“...A leash or a cage, is that a metaphor?”
“Do you think this is a midterm exam question? Who asks a witch to explain their fortune?”
“Hmm...”
“Anyway, that’s the end of young master Blackwood’s reading. The fee is one gold coin.”
“...That’s quite expensive. Do you charge the same for the other students?”
“I don’t answer questions unrelated to the fortune. But, Lady Lilith, since you’re here, shouldn’t you get a reading as well?”
“Ah, no. I’m fine.”
I was curious about the kind of fortune Rizy would give, but no matter how curious I was, one gold coin was too big an expense. I couldn’t afford to spend a quarter of my salary on five minutes of entertainment.
“It’s fine. Young master Blackwood already paid for your reading. I don’t charge Blackwood’s heir a full gold coin for a single reading.”
“...Even half a gold coin seems excessive.”
“What’s this? Are you saying you can’t afford to cover Lady Lilith’s fee?”
“...I didn’t say that. Well, Lilith, since I’ve already paid, why don’t you take this opportunity to see what the future holds?”
Seeing that Rizy wasn’t likely to offer a refund, and Ethan had already spoken, I nodded and asked her for a reading.
“Alright. Since young master Ethan insists, I’ll give it a try.”
“Alright, Lady Lilith. Let’s see your love fortune...”
“Actually, could you check my fortune with money instead of love?”
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
“I don’t really need to check my love fortune.”
After all, once I part ways with Ethan, I don’t plan on pursuing romance in this life.
As a former unicorn, whether my partner is a man or a woman, my romantic life in this lifetime will end when I graduate from the academy. Rather than a fortune that only lasts for a year, I’d rather hear something more long-term.
“You’re quite the passionate one. Alright then, if you don’t need a love fortune, I’ll read your money fortune instead.”
Rizy, who seemed to misunderstand my words, began checking my money fortune.
She explained the hazy, mist-like image that appeared in the crystal ball.
“...This is...a bit vague.”
“Pardon?”
“There’s a way to obtain enough wealth to live comfortably for the rest of your life, but you haven’t noticed it yet. It’s as if you’re about to let a pile of gold slip by because of your doubts.”
“...Sorry?”
“You need to calm down and stop overthinking things. Don’t let unnecessary suspicions make you miss out on the fortune that’s right in front of you.”
...What is she talking about?
Given what she just told Ethan, Rizy seemed to be spouting rather unbelievable things. Naturally, I started to doubt the legitimacy of her fortune-telling.
Maybe witches can’t actually predict the future, and she’s just making stuff up to make money. That suspicion started to take root.
“...I see. Thank you, Rizy.”
“You’re welcome, Lady Lilith! I hope my fortune helps you!”
Of course, I couldn’t exactly tell the daughter of the Auguste family that I thought she was a fraud, so I simply nodded, pretending to understand.
I never believed in fortune-telling in the old world either. It really is hard to take seriously.