Chapter 9: The Bond Between Mother and Daughter! A Miraculous Reconciliation Called Forth by a Masochist!

Question: This masochist was apparently good enough to get a scholarship, so why does she always think and act so stupidly?

Answer: Being good at studying and being intelligent are two different things... (looks away)

Chapter 9: The Bond Between Mother and Daughter! A Miraculous Reconciliation Called Forth by a Masochist!

Contrary to Mima's heart-wrenching cries, Maria simply fainted.

Well, "simply" is relative to Maria's perspective.

For a normal magic user, losing such a massive amount of magic so rapidly would likely cause immense pain, as if their very body were being torn away.

Therefore, they could suffer mental breakdowns or even fall into a state where their life is in danger.

However, Maria's mind was abnormal from the start,

She was an extreme masochist who, in her previous life, had rejoiced in the excruciating pain of having her life functions cease at the brink of death.

A smile of pure ecstasy was etched on her face as she fainted.

However, this was a smile from an exceptionally beautiful young girl, which made it all the more disturbing.

To an unsuspecting third party, it simply appeared as the expression of a devoted "Saint" who, despite the suffering, felt she had accomplished what she had to do.

This expression struck Mima, who was on the verge of panic, and Sougi, who was stiff with tension. It moved them with awe and admiration, as if struck by lightning.

Without regard for herself, she would readily sacrifice her life for her cousin whom she had just met today.

Surely, she is such a loving "Saint," isn't she?

It was a huge overestimation, but seeing Maria's life-risking actions, all for the sake of Tomoe, it wasn't unreasonable to make such an extraordinary mistake.

Tomoe unable to comprehend what was happening. Kanaya, her personal maid, who was embracing Tomoe, and Kanaho, Kanaya's younger sister, who was standing nearby, all shared the same feelings.

These three hadn't consciously considered the concept of a "Saint," but they understood it intuitively.

What had just unfolded before their eyes was a noble and precious act of sacrifice from such a young but overly kind girl.

However....

In reality, it was something done on a whim, based on the thought, "Oh yeah, there was a scene like that in the original story," and the smile she had while unconscious was a result of a twisted masochistic spirit, like, "THANKS FOR THE REWARD!!!"

"Maria-ojou-sama's body temperature is dropping rapidly. We must take immediate action," Sougi said succinctly, touching Maria's body.

Just as Sougi said, Maria's entire body had lost its heat, as if enveloped in the winter air.

This was evidence that she had lost so much magical power that her life was in danger.

Her temperature fluctuated rapidly, rising and falling within a short period of time each day.

She was a truly troublesome little girl.

However, to Mima and the others, who were unaware of the truth, it was undoubtedly a serious situation, with the life of a young, innocent child hanging by a thread.

──Sougi quickly, but gently, picked up Maria's body and laid her down on the bed.

Then, she pulled back Maria's nightgown and placed her right hand on her bare skin.

"Madam, Maria-ojou-sama must be in a state of magical depletion. If you and I share our magical energy into Maria-ojou-sama's body, there should be no longer any danger to her life."

"──Uh, ah, yes, that's right."

Sougi's calm words brought Mima, who had been on the verge of panicking, back to her senses, and she nodded.

She placed the Phoenix Staff she was holding on the pedestal near the bed, and then, just like Sougi, she placed her hand above Maria's chest.

"...Please time it right—3, 2, 1, now!"

Mima and Sougi, master and servant with a long-standing relationship, began to pour their magical energy into Maria's body, their breathing perfectly synchronized.

As their magical energy flowed into her, Maria's body, which had been chilled due to the immense depletion of her own magical energy, quickly regained its warmth.

Mima, touching Maria's body, felt this directly and was greatly relieved.

Similarly, Sougi, having observed Maria's stabilizing condition, made a suggestion to Mima.

"Madam, Maria-ojou-sama should be fine now. I will now share my magic with her, so please rest, madam."

"....No, I'd like to stay a little longer..."

"Madam. It would be counterproductive if you were to fall—"

"Sougi. You shouldn't underestimate your Mistress. Besides, this child will be my other daughter from today."

Saying this, Mima glanced at Tomoe, who was being held by Kanaya.

Then, she spoke in a quiet, yet warm voice.

"...Tomoe. Come here."

Tomoe was bewildered by her mother's gentle voice, which she hadn't heard in a long time, but she let go of Kanaya's embrace and hesitantly walked towards Mima.

Mima released Maria's body for a moment and knelt before Tomoe.

Then, she slowly embraced Tomoe.

"I'm sorry."

"Okaa...-sama......?"

Tomoe couldn't believe her ears at her mother's unexpected apology.

"I've been so harsh on you all this time,
because you couldn't use magic. You did nothing wrong."

Mima tightened her embrace around Tomoe.

"I should have considered how you felt. It's not your fault that you can't control your magic. I'm so sorry for being such a terrible mother..."

"Okaa-sama..."

The warmth of her mother's embrace brought tears to Tomoe's eyes, and she was speechless.

Little Tomoe didn't fully understand the series of events that had unfolded since she was summoned by her mother to this room.

But she knew it instinctively.

Her mother had returned....

And all of this was thanks to her cousin—No. Her Onee-sama, Maria, whom she had met for the first time.

Earlier, when Maria poured her magic into Tomoe, Tomoe directly received Maria's unspoken wish for her happiness, and as a result, Tomoe trembled with joy.

(Onee-sama came to save me...!)

While not entirely wrong, her perception was incorrect, and Tomoe's brain was completely consumed by her misunderstanding of Maria.

Truly, all we can do is give our deepest condolences.

Amen....

Now, let's keep letting them get the wrong idea... (゜∀゜)