After several consecutive days of practical magic classes, I have gradually adapted to the rhythm of the academy. Although I maintain a distant and cold image on the surface, deep inside, I have begun to reexamine everyone in this environment.

With no classes scheduled for this afternoon, I decided to go to the library to research some materials about ancient magical language. While passing through the central courtyard, I heard some suppressed conversation.


"I really appreciate Senior Lina's kindness, but..."

The owner of the voice was a boy who looked only fourteen or fifteen years old, with slightly messy brown short hair and clear green eyes. He wore the academy uniform, but judging from the fabric quality and style, it was obviously the cheapest standard version.

I know him.


Not know him now, but had seen him in my previous life's memories. His name was Thomas Green, a student of commoner birth, possessing quite good water magic aptitude. In the original timeline, he would be forced to drop out of school at this time because he couldn't afford the tuition fees, disappearing from the magical world thereafter.

"No need to be so polite, Thomas," Lina's sweet voice sounded, "We are all classmates, helping each other is what we should do. Besides, you're so talented, it would be such a shame if you had to give up your studies because of a small financial problem."


I stopped my steps, pretending to organize the books in my hand, but actually carefully listening to their conversation.

"But the condition senpai proposed..." Thomas's voice carried obvious distress, "I really can't do it."

"Oh, what's so difficult about this?" Lina's tone remained gentle, but I could hear the hidden assertiveness in it, "I just hope you can tell other classmates some truth about Ethelgard. After all, everyone has the right to know, don't they?"

Truth?

I let out a cold laugh. In Lina's definition, the so-called "truth" probably refers to clichés about how arrogant I am, how I oppress commoner students, and how I bully others using my status.

"But," Thomas appeared even more troubled, "Senior Ethelgard has never done anything excessive to me. On the contrary, although she seems cold, she never deliberately makes things difficult for anyone. It doesn't seem right for me to speak ill of her..."

Hearing these words, a subtle warmth welled up in my heart.

At least someone can view me objectively, rather than blindly believing those malicious rumors. This child called Thomas has more principles than I imagined.

"Thomas, you need to understand something," Lina's voice began to carry a subtle trace of coldness, "In this academy, there is a gap between nobles and commoners. Ethelgard comes from a duke's family, her arrogance is ingrained in her bones. She just hides it well, so you haven't noticed it."

"But—"

"Moreover," Lina interrupted Thomas, "I heard you've been troubled recently about purchasing materials for magic potions? Those materials are indeed expensive, quite a burden for commoner students. If you're willing to cooperate with me, all these problems can be easily solved."

Thomas fell silent.

I know what he's thinking. For an impoverished commoner student, the help offered by Lina is indeed tempting. But at the same time, his conscience is preventing him from doing something that goes against his morals.

This inner struggle, I experienced it in my previous life too. Except back then, no one gave me the chance to make a choice.

"I... I need some time to think about it," Thomas finally said.

"Of course," Lina chuckled softly, "but don't think for too long. After all, the final exam for Potion Studies is next week, and if you can't submit your practical assignment, the consequences will be quite serious."

After saying this, Lina left. I heard her footsteps gradually fading away, while Thomas remained standing in place, seemingly deep in thought.

I peeked out quietly and saw Thomas sitting alone on a stone bench in the courtyard, his head in his hands, his expression extremely pained.

My memories from my past life tell me that Thomas is indeed a very gifted child. His achievements in water magic are even more outstanding than some noble students. But because of his poor family background, he has never been able to obtain enough resources to realize his potential.

Eventually, he will drop out of school because he cannot afford the tuition, then return to his hometown to become an ordinary farmer, cutting off all connections with the magical world.

This is a tremendous waste, and also a reflection of this world's unfair system.

I stood in the shadows, watching Thomas's pained expression, a complex emotion welling up from deep within my heart.

Reason tells me this is none of my business. I should focus on my own survival and development, not create complications for myself over a student I don't even know. Moreover, if I help Thomas, I might expose my true character, thereby drawing unnecessary attention.

But another voice speaks up in my heart.

That was the family motto of the Ethelgard family: "The honor of nobility lies not in how much wealth and power one possesses, but in how many innocent people one can protect."

These words were taught to me by my father, the former Duke of Ethelgard. Although in my previous life, I did not practice this principle well, it still remains deeply imprinted in my heart.

Thomas is indeed innocent. He simply wants to learn magic and fulfill his dream, yet he is troubled by the cruelty of reality and the malice of others.

If I have the ability to help him, yet choose to stand by and do nothing, how would I be any different from those cold-hearted nobles?

"Ah, really now..."

I sighed softly, acknowledging the decision in my heart.

No matter what, I cannot stand by and watch a talented child ruin their future because of poverty. Moreover, Lina's actions have already crossed my bottom line. Exploiting someone else's difficulties to achieve her own goals is truly despicable.

I need to think of a way to help Thomas without exposing myself.

After returning to the dormitory in the evening, I began to formulate a specific plan.

First, I need to understand Thomas's specific difficulties. As far as I know, the first-year potion-making course does indeed require students to purchase some materials at their own expense to complete practical assignments. The cost of these materials is nothing for noble students, but it's a considerable burden for commoner students.

Second, I need to find a suitable way to help him without allowing anyone to trace it back to me.

From my memories of my previous life, I knew that the academy actually had a scholarship system specifically for outstanding commoner students. However, the application process for this system was quite complicated, and few people actively promoted it, so most commoner students were unaware of its existence.

If Thomas could successfully apply for this scholarship, it would not only solve his current predicament but also provide continuous financial support for his future studies.

Besides this, I also remembered a small trick about herb cultivation. On the mountain behind the academy, there was a plant called "Moonlight Herb" which, though inconspicuous, could become quite a valuable magical material after being processed through special cultivation methods. This method was something I only accidentally heard about later in my previous life, and very few people knew about it.

If Thomas could master this method, he could earn living expenses by growing and selling the improved Moonlight Herb.

After finalizing the plan, I began to make preparations.

I found some official documents and application forms from the academy, and organized in detail every step of the scholarship application process. Then, I copied the entire process in my neatest handwriting, ensuring that Thomas could understand it easily.

Next, I wrote a detailed explanation about the improved cultivation of Moonlight Herb. This explanation not only included specific operational steps, but also marked the optimal planting time, soil requirements, and information about sales channels.

To avoid revealing my identity, I deliberately altered my usual writing habits, using a more neutral handwriting style.

Three nights later, I quietly came to the student dormitory area.

Thomas lived in the dormitory building reserved for commoner students, where conditions were much more modest than the noble students' residences. However, this also made my actions more convenient.

I tiptoed to Thomas's room door, and after making sure no one was around, I slipped the prepared documents into his storage cabinet.

The entire process took less than a minute, then I quickly left.

The next morning, I went to my magic theory class as usual. During the break, I overheard some students talking.

"Have you heard? That commoner student Thomas apparently got approved for the academy's special scholarship!"

"Really? Isn't the special scholarship very difficult to get?"

"It's absolutely true! I saw it posted on the bulletin board. And I heard he also found some way to make money on the back mountain, so he doesn't have to worry about living expenses at all now."

"That guy has way too much luck..."

Hearing these words, a sense of satisfaction welled up within me.

It seems Thomas had made good use of the information I provided, not only successfully applying for the scholarship but also starting his Moonlight Herb cultivation business.

However, what happened next exceeded my expectations.

When I returned to my dormitory after class, I found traces that someone had been in my room. Although nothing seemed changed on the surface, some small details had been subtly moved from their positions.

What surprised me more was a letter placed on my desk.

There was no signature on the envelope, but judging from the texture of the paper, it should be the stationery from within the academy.

I carefully opened the envelope, inside was a neatly folded letter.

「Dear Benefactor,

Although I don't know who you are, I know that you are the one who helped me. The scholarship application guide and herb cultivation methods you gave me have completely changed my fate.

It took me a long time to analyze the handwriting and various clues to deduce your identity. Though I cannot be one hundred percent certain, I believe you are Senior Ethelgard.

Although you disguised your handwriting, certain habitual strokes still revealed your identity. More importantly, only someone as knowledgeable as you would know those secrets that even professors might not understand.

I know you don't want to be discovered, so I won't tell anyone about this. But I want you to know that your kindness has been deeply imprinted in my heart.

From now on, I will use my entire life to prove that your choice was correct. Whenever and wherever you need help, Thomas Green will be at your service without hesitation.

Your forever admirer,
Thomas Green"

After reading this letter, I felt a complex emotion.

On one hand, I was surprised by Thomas's cleverness. To be able to deduce my identity from so few clues proves he is indeed a smart child.

On the other hand, I was also worried about my identity being discovered. Although Thomas promised not to tell anyone, once a secret is known by someone, it's difficult to guarantee it will never be revealed.

More importantly, I began to question my own actions.

"I really should mind my own business..."

I smiled bitterly, shaking my head, and carefully put away the letter.

This good deed did help Thomas, but it also made me realize a problem: in this complex world, any action can produce unexpected consequences.

I initially just wanted to quietly help a gifted student, but accidentally gained a "follower" for myself. While this relationship isn't necessarily a bad thing, it certainly increases my risk.

If Thomas has truly developed excessive admiration and dependence on me, then when he encounters difficulties, he'll likely think of asking me for help first. This means I need to take on more responsibility.

And currently, I don't even have complete confidence in my own future.

"Forget it, since things are already like this, let's just take it one step at a time."

I ultimately accepted the situation.

In any case, being able to save a talented child is better than watching them sink into despair. Moreover, in a sense, Thomas's success also proves the accuracy of my judgment.

Perhaps the occasional "meddling" isn't such a bad thing.

However, I need to be more careful to ensure that similar good deeds don't bring more trouble.