Rrring!0

The alarm clock rang loudly on the desk, signaling morning.0

Then, with a stir, a hand reluctantly slipped out from under the blanket covering the bed. After a bit of groping around, it then fiercely tried to smash the button on the alarm clock.0

Clang-!0

However, an enchantment inscribed onto the alarm clock just lightly bounced the hand away, before it turned off. A few moments later, Lea crawled out from under the blanket, her hair sticking out in all directions.0

“I don’t want to go.”0

Her face looked even more haggard than it did when she pulled multiple all-nighters. She had been up all night thinking about the enchantments she had to work on when morning came, causing her whole body to shake, goosebumps forming all over.3

Should I just say that I’m sick and won’t be able to make it? She momentarily contemplated seriously making an excuse to avoid going.0

But, she just sighed deeply and got up from her bed.0

“Simply avoiding it won’t solve anything.”1

Regardless of the outcome, she had no choice but to give it a try.1

Quickly washing up, she casually tied her hair and then tucked in a hairpin that had a red gem on it.0

Whoosh-!0

In a flash, the enchantment carved into the hairpin instantly evaporated the moisture in her hair. Double-checking that her hair was completely dry, she then changed into her uniform and tucked in another hairpin, this one with a purple gem.1

Swoosh-0

Similar to the last one, the enchantment in this hairpin sent mana flowing through her hair. It then began to move as if it were alive, braiding itself into a single braid.8

“Hm… maybe it’s time to adjust the enchantment.”0

Observing that her hair was braiding slower than usual, she waited for it to finish while looking at a picture frame on the table.0

Inside it was a photo of a smiling man with long hair and round glasses. On his lap was a child who was playing with the man’s hair...0