Father, I Won’t Do Anything

* * *

“The Tower Lord had a hidden daughter?”

“And you’re telling me our classmate Jaina is that daughter?”

News that Jaina was the Tower Lord’s hidden daughter bearing the Bellafanian surname swiftly spread across the Empire.

When Jaina returned to the academy after a period of recovery, people inquired about her wellbeing and whether the rumors of her being the Tower Lord’s daughter were true.

“I never mentioned my surname, so everyone assumed I was a commoner.”

“But to think you’re the daughter of the Tower Lord himself. Why did you hide it all this time?”

Having anticipated this, Jaina responded calmly without flustering.

“The Tower Lord asked me to keep it a secret due to those bearing ill will.”

“Ah, I see.”

Some of those who had previously bullied Jaina shortly after her academy enrollment were also present.

Approaching her awkwardly with forced smiles, they spoke hesitantly.

“It seems we’ve been quite disrespectful towards you…”

“We’re truly sorry.”

However, Jaina waved them off dismissively.

“It’s alright. That’s all in the past now.”

Initially taken aback by her unexpected reaction, they soon praised Jaina’s gracious character.

“Lady Jaina is as virtuous as she is skilled in magic!”

“I sensed from the very beginning that she was no ordinary person.”

However, the ringleader Amelia was nowhere to be seen.

“Lady Amelia, could you move aside for a moment?”

“But I was here first…”

“I asked you to move.”

The other students, who had previously deferred to Amelia, began ignoring her in the wake of Jaina’s revelation.

Though ostracized within her department, Amelia could no longer act as arrogantly as before, keeping a low profile due to her past misdeeds towards Jaina.

“Come to think of it, Lady Jaina resembles the Tower Lord. Why didn’t we notice before?”

While those who had known Jaina since childhood, like Mikael and Hilvenzia, failed to discern it, and Jaina herself remained oblivious, her features increasingly mirrored Diamid’s as she matured.

‘When I was younger, I looked a lot like my mother.’

Jaina found it peculiar to see traces of Diamid in her own appearance.

“By the way, there have been strange rumors circulating throughout the Empire lately. Are those true as well?”

As a notoriously tactless student posed the question to Jaina, the classroom fell into an uneasy silence.

In addition to the rumors of Jaina being the Tower Lord’s daughter, whispers blamed her for the recent demonic beast attacks and drought.

“Lady Jaina must already be troubled by these absurd rumors. To ask such a rude question only adds insult to injury.”

Cecil swiftly intervened on Jaina’s behalf.

“Let’s not be swayed by strange rumors. We should be supporting Lady Jaina instead.”

As the two bantered, Jaina pondered the malicious rumors spread by the dragons.

‘When I lived among them, they scorned me for bearing human blood. Yet here among humans, they seek to isolate me.’

Despite living as a human for the most part, never fully transforming into her true dragon form, even this was unacceptable to them.

It seemed the dragons would only be appeased by her demise.

While the academy’s secluded location and Diamid’s recently reinforced barriers provided safety, the outside world would undoubtedly condemn her due to the temple’s rumors.

‘Had the Tower Lord not publicly acknowledged me as his daughter, I might have faced an uprising…’

Jaina gained a newfound appreciation for Diamid’s influence within the Empire.

Merely residing under his shadow afforded her such security.

‘So this is what it feels like to be protected…’

Jaina wrote her Bellafanian surname on a blank sheet of paper.

Jaina Bellafanian.

Just inscribing her name evoked a peculiar feeling – a fluttering sensation in her chest, coupled with a sense of responsibility to uphold its honor.

‘Family is truly a difficult matter.’

Caressing her face, Jaina recalled the events of a few days prior.

When Diamid stated she doesn’t need to regard him as her father, that a superficial acknowledgment as his daughter would suffice, she had unconsciously nodded in assent.

Upon her nod, Diamid had promptly withdrawn, as if he had achieved all he desired.

Swiftly, as if to avoid imposing further burden before Jaina could respond.

“…”

Though shielded by his status for the time being, Jaina felt an inexplicable unease.

‘This feeling is strange.’

An indescribable hollowness churned within her.

That’s not right.

A voice whispered from her depth.

* * *

After months of unrelenting drought, the imperial family announced extensive relief efforts.

As a result, the academy dispatched magicians specializing in certain attributes to aid the cause.

As students were required to complete mandatory service hours before graduation, the magic department’s students readily participated in the ‘civilian support’ initiative without complaint.

“I want to go as well.”

Jaina expressed her intent to join the drought relief efforts.

“Usually, water-affiliated magicians participate… You’re a sky-attribute magician, Jaina. Moreover, the rumors surrounding you could put you at risk. Don’t overexert yourself.”

“No, that’s precisely why I want to attend.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Remaining idle won’t resolve the issue. If the rumors are unfavorable, I’ll address them directly by taking action.”

Faced with Jaina’s unyielding stance, Seiden ultimately had no choice but to grant her permission.

Upon arriving at the drought-stricken area, Jaina gazed up at the scorching sky, so hot it seemed to singe.

Given the prolonged absence of rain, it was evident the Blue Sky clan had manipulated the heavens to prevent precipitation.

However, the sky attribute wasn’t exclusive to the Blue Sky clan.

-I, too, am a sky-attribute magician.

-Well, Jaina is the daughter of the sky-attribute Tower Lord.

Briefly recalling her conversation with Seiden, Jaina clenched her fists resolutely.

Among academy students, few could properly wield sky-attribute magic.

Yet Jaina had received tutelage from the prodigious Mikael over the past few years, even being told she had attained the skill level of a Magic Tower magician.

Wheeeing-

As Jaina focused her gaze skyward, a chilling breeze swept over her.

Until now, she had primarily utilized the wind-based aspects of sky magic, the most accessible.

Moreover, manipulating water proved even more challenging in such arid conditions.

‘But I will somehow make it rain.’

With fervent determination, Jaina channeled her mana.

She could no longer tolerate the incessant claims that the recent misfortunes were her fault.

Though unintentional, Diamid hadn’t become the villain depicted in the original storyline, nor had Rosian become a vengeful spirit.

‘So perhaps I can allow myself a bit of confidence? That my birth into this world of is a good thing.’

Jaina closed her eyes serenely.

“Oh, look over there!”

“Goodness!”

Dark clouds began rolling in from the distant horizon. And then…

Shwaaaa-

…Rain finally fell upon the parched earth, the first in months.

All present marveled at Jaina’s feat.

“Student Jaina has achieved something incredible in resolving this drought!”

“If other sky-attribute magicians continue providing support, the drought issue should be resolved!”

Overhearing the professors’ remarks, a sense of pride blossomed within Jaina.

‘Since they claimed I was the cause of the drought, this should quell those rumors, right?’

However, those who placed absolute faith in the temple’s words continued believing the rumors.

Baron Kegan, summoned here as a fellow sky-attribute magician due to the arid fissures, was a prime example.

“If you can bring forth rain, could you not also prevent it from falling?”

“Baron Kegan!”

“Jaina Bellafanian, do you have any proof that you’re unrelated to the recent events?”

Jaina let out a brief sigh.

“Baron Kegan, have you attended any high society gatherings recently?”

“I haven’t, but why bring that up? Are you attempting to change the subject?”

Jaina had inquired based on her knowledge of the dragon accomplices primarily operating within high society, but her question seemed to further vex Baron Kegan.

“Now that the rain has fallen, return to the academy at once.”

The professor escorting Jaina and the other academy students stepped forward in her defense.

“How rude. To accuse Student Jaina of causing the drought without evidence?”

“Did not the Oracle foretell a future without this child’s existence?”

“How does her absence from the future implicate her as the cause of the drought?”

“Conversely, there is no proof that she is not the cause, is there?”

“But there is no proof that she is the cause either! How can you demand evidence of her innocence?”

As the professor exasperatedly raised his voice, it was at that precise moment…

Whiick!

Reflexively channeling her mana, Jaina deflected a rock hurled in her direction before whipping her head towards its source.

“Well, what are you looking at, you witch?”

“…”

“A witch, you say? A witch?!”

The professor raged as if personally affronted.

“Professor, I’ve accomplished my task here. Let’s return. It seems my presence only breeds further discord.”

“Student Jaina doesn’t need to feel disheartened. It appears the local temple is merely spouting nonsense!”

It was then that Jaina comprehended the reason behind the hostile gazes she received, even in remote areas far from high society’s influence.

The professor shouted indignantly:

“To blindly believe the words of the oracles!”

“Your words border on blasphemy!”

“Baron Kegan, you should be ashamed as a magician. For one who seeks truth to blindly accept such illogical claims is incomprehensible!”

And inevitably, word of this reached Diamid’s ears.

At Diamid’s request, Seiden had been providing him with regular updates on Jaina’s wellbeing.

—Student Jaina attended drought relief efforts today… but she seems to have faced unpleasant comments. The accompanying professor defended her, but it must have been hurtful for Student Jaina.

“…”

—She hasn’t been at the academy for very long, which is regrettable. Shall we bring Jaina back to the Magic Tower for the time being?

“Is there anyone at the academy denouncing Jaina?”

—No, the academy students don’t seem to say anything, likely due to your influence. They’ve even become somewhat friendly with her.

Diamid responded coolly:

“It makes no sense for Jaina to tread carefully when she has done nothing wrong.”

—Diamid…

“Is it not so? That the victim must exercise caution while the perpetrator remains unrestrained?”

—…

“And how long must she endure this stigma? This stain may persist for her entire life.”

—Your words ring true, but is there no solution?

A chilling gleam flickered in Diamid’s eyes, akin to cold madness, causing even Seiden’s spine to shiver.

“The dragons who spread these outrageous rumors must be eliminated.”