“Y-Your Highness, the Princess! I’ll personally brew the tea!”
“Just think of it as a friendly gesture between friends.”
“W-What do you mean friends! How could someone like me dare to…”
“I already consider you a friend.”
At the dessert café located within the academy’s Field of Magic.
This place, established by a professor who was the previous headmaster with the headmistress’s permission, was practically the crown jewel of the Field of Magic.
The desserts made by a Rank 6 mage, through exquisite magic and outstanding baking skills, created astonishing flavors.
To be honest, if we’re being picky, there isn’t much difference from other famous dessert shops in the kingdom, but they were always in line because the prices were ridiculously cheap under the student discount.
And in this very dessert café, the best room.
On the rooftop terrace, which afforded a view of the surroundings, Beatrice and Millia were having tea time.
“The midterm exam results were good, and the week on the deserted island wasn’t bad, right? You met some great connections this time.”
“But it’s just too overwhelming….”
“To be honest, I’m not even royalty in this country; I’m just the princess of a small country next door, the Fourth Princess no less, so there’s really no need to feel too uncomfortable.”
“Y-Your Highness.”
“While it may not be possible to be completely at ease, wouldn’t it be perfectly possible to at least be friends? It wouldn’t be bad for you, Millia.”
“…Understood, Your Highness.”
Though Millia still appeared uncomfortable, she seemed to grasp the true intent behind Beatrice’s words.
Every student attending the academy was extraordinary. It’s a plain fact, and even if the headmistress tried to impose equality among the students by her authority, only massive opposition would arise.
However, instead, the headmistress granted ‘equality of opportunity’ to all students. Whether they were royalty, nobility, or commoners, they were guaranteed equal access to lectures and learning.
In an academy like this, it was, of course, impossible for royals and commoners from different countries to coexist as equals.
But if a royal takes the initiative to yield, a suitable level of friendship and conversation is entirely possible.
And this creates an enormous opportunity for commoners like Millia. She had figured that out.
Thus.
‘Suspicious.’
That’s why Beatrice was keeping an eye on Millia.
Grasping intentions hidden within seemingly kind and casual words isn’t a talent typical for ordinary commoners. It has nothing to do with rank. Such a manner of speaking was typically a noble’s trait.
Let alone, if Millia desired to join the carpenter’s guild, it would be even more so.
‘A simple mage honing woodworking skills, someone hoping to join the carpenter’s guild wouldn’t be accustomed to this way of speaking.’
However, Millia had ‘understood’ Beatrice’s words. A typical commoner wouldn’t just understand, they would be too busy bowing and feeling uncomfortable.
This was not merely quick-wittedness; it gave the impression that she was familiar with this style of speech.
‘Ruth Spero could do that.’
It’s said that it doesn’t matter regarding rank, but if you hit rank 6 or 7, the conversation changes. Just attaining rank 7 as a commoner grants you a noble title that cannot be inherited. Depending on future contributions, one could even be incorporated into the noble class entirely.
Noble blood, born from birth, is a quality of nobility, but in circumstances demanding power—like monsters or enemy nations—a high rank also becomes a quality of nobility.
How was the rank 8 headmistress treated in the kingdom? Why was everyone surprised when Ruth Spero entered the academy as a rank 6?
Even though it’s said that in the empire, commoners with high ranks face discrimination, the kingdom, wary of the empire, doesn’t discriminate much against high-ranking commoners.
Usually, it’s the chased ones who are desperate, not the chasers.
Be that as it may, if Ruth Spero, at that age, was a rank 6, he might be familiar with the language of nobility. He might be able to read the heartbeat or movements of opponents to understand their true intentions, and once he must have interacted with various nobles and royalty.
But Millia is different. Rank 3, certainly high, but on another hand, only rank 3.
‘Folks below rank 5 honestly don’t hold that much sway.’
Even Beatrice was rank 5 on paper. But if asked whether she truly holds capabilities on par with Chloe Pisty, who’s also rank 5, the answer would obviously be no.
It’s not without reason that there’s a clear ‘condition’ from rank 6 onwards regarding sword aura or ki. Nobles or high nobility often exaggerate their rank, claiming to be rank 5.
Thus, among gossipers, there’s a joke that the continent has more rank 5s than ranks 1 and 2 combined. Power does tend to lead people to lift their rank to 4 or 5, so they’re often caught lying about it.
‘In any case.’
Putting that aside, Millia exhibits an intuition unbefitting of her status and rank as a commoner. The skill displayed is far too exceptional for a rank 3 commoner mage and appears to reflect systematic training.
Thus, Beatrice concluded.
‘She’s either a hidden noble or she’s certainly not a plain commoner.’
In that context, receiving an invitation to join the student council also seemed somewhat significant. Was she really invited because of her abilities?
With numerous questions concealed masterfully, Beatrice, with a radiant smile, took a bite of her slice of cake.
“Let’s be friends going forward.”
“Y-Yes…!!”
The reason for wanting to befriend such a suspicious student is simple.
Currently, Beatrice’s goal is.
“Then, may I ask just one thing as a friend?”
“Um, feel free!”
“I heard that invitations to join the student council are made by directly calling the student to the student council room. Only those who have been ‘invited’ can enter the student council room.”
“Yes… that’s true….”
“I want to hear about that time.”
Specifically, getting into the student council.
And according to rumors, she was a protégé of the Finance Director, and they still knew each other personally—
“The Student Council President.”
“………!!”
“I’m curious about what kind of person they are.”
—Meeting the Student Council President.
That was the first step in Beatrice’s ‘Adam Keynes Recruitment Plan.’
*
“……….”
“The Finance Director? Why suddenly do you seem so ill… have you caught a cold?”
“Hmph, if I had trained earlier, I wouldn’t catch a cold like that.”
“Chief of the First Guard, shut your mouth.”
“…Yes.”
“Anyway, Finance Director? If you feel cold, just hold my hand. I’ll infuse some ki into you.”
“No, I’m fine. It’s not a cold, but….”
Something.
There was an exceptionally ominous feeling. Just a mere feeling, which made it all the more unsettling.
What on earth is it?
‘Could it be that Beatrice started demolishing buildings again? Is the Field of Magic research lab now going to boom? Has an unexpected cost occurred? Or is it the protagonist? Or could it be that damned brat from earlier?’
Too many guesses leading to confusion instead.
But thinking too hard wouldn’t help find the source of the ominous feeling.
I just looked at the headmistress with a worried expression, ignoring it as I usually would.
By the way, why does she keep glancing at the back of my neck since earlier?
“I’m fine, so don’t worry about me. Let’s head inside.”
“Understood. Chief of the First Guard?”
“Yes!”
“Make sure to guard the guest room until the Finance Director and I come out. After that, um… you can chat with Julius as you wish.”
“Thank you!”
I was wondering why someone at rank 7 was acting so happy like that, but Julius is of a different caliber even among rank 7.
The captain of the royal knight squad holds a position that protects royalty, especially the king directly. Thus, it is the most prestigious position for a knight.
Ten years ago, several rank 7s gathered to select a captain for the royal knight squad, and Julius won without a single scratch.
The number of those rising from rank 7 to 8 is extremely rare, almost non-existent. As a result, rank 7s have been branded to have the greatest gap within ranks, combining veterans who’ve been at it for decades with fresh new rank 7s.
And Julius, among those rank 7s, was known to be the closest to rank 8.
Considering this, he could very well be a future duke or headmaster.
‘I mean, the headmistress being a pushover isn’t necessarily true, right?’
After all, she might just be acting like a pushover in the presence of the headmaster or duke, but may have a different personality otherwise.
Anyway, since I hadn’t seen this in a game before, I felt slightly tense as I entered the guest room.
Inside, there was.
“Sister! It’s been so long since we’ve met! I, Julius, would bow to you───”
“Sit down, Julius.”
Thunk!
“Choke!? B-but how can I—your sister’s mentor…”
“Just staying still helps me a lot.”
“…Yes.”
What was that?
Did Julius, presumed to be a stout middle-aged man, just attempt to bow and was kicked by the headmistress? It was so fast I didn’t even see it.
No, more importantly.
It’s even more amazing that he’s fine after taking the headmistress’s kick.
“Haa… Well, it’s not like this is a good occasion to view it that way. I was quite rude, sister.”
“Your brother must have said plenty. As the captain of the royal knight squad, show some poise.”
“Haha! But what can I do about my nature? The princess even said it’s fine to keep quiet in public!”
“That’s not a good indication.”
“I know! Haha! More than that, is this person next to you…?”
“Sir Julius, greetings. I am Adam Keynes, the Finance Director of Grandis Academy───”
“Um, that… sister.”
“What is it again?”
“This friend looks barely over twenty, keep your age in mind….”
Ugh.
Wow.
Is the headmistress contemplating whether to throw a punch right now?
At this rate, Kraken Mk2 might just emerge, so I swiftly interjected between them.
“My apologies for the late introduction. I am Adam Keynes, the Finance Director of Grandis Academy.”
“Um, I am Julius, captain of the royal knight squad. I know my speech can be somewhat frivolous, so please forgive me, I am of somewhat humble origins.”
Did they think I was a noble because I had a surname? I just picked a name from an economist because I was heading into the administrative field anyway.
It’s a nice misunderstanding, so I didn’t correct it.
“I’ve heard you are a protégé of Duke Claudia. You must have a lot to discuss with my sister, but given the circumstances, I ask for your understanding.”
“Not at all. I was just too excited to see my sister after such a long while. More so, is working for my sister not exhausting for you?”
“Excuse me?”
“I thought it would not be easy to work under my sister. When I traveled with my mentor, I found myself only good at throwing punches….”
“You’re all within earshot, Julius.”
“Well, I’m right next to you, so how could you not hear? I’m saying this for your benefit, sister.”
“…I should contact my brother soon.”
“I’m sorry.”
Seeing all this, I understood.
Sir Julius knows significantly more about the headmistress than I might assume.
He knows what happened during their travels, during the time before the academy was founded, matters about the headmistress which I’m completely unaware of.
But that’s not what’s important right now.
“I apologize for interrupting the reunion, but I hear Sir Julius doesn’t have much leisure time. May I get straight to the point?”
“Uh, um, excuse me, Finance Director. I’ll pay attention.”
“I’ll summarize quickly. Sir Julius’s student, Kaern Deste, violated regulations while taking the midterm exam and used force on one of the islands owned by the headmistress in the Ruftlagina Archipelago.”
“……Foolish kid.”
“As a result, a crater over 30m in diameter was formed on the island, over 20 trees uprooted, along with other damages occurring. You can find full details in this report.”
Julius’s expression turned serious as he examined the report I handed over.
Despite the headmistress graciously holding the midterm exams on private property, the repercussions of the violation of the no-use-of-force regulation had caused significant damage to the island.
This would inevitably affect Julius’s reputation as he had acknowledged Kaern Deste as his student and granted him knighthood.
Honestly, it could lead to whispers like ‘What a fool to have accepted a brat like that as a knight.’
“Thus, Grandis Academy wishes to….”
“To seek compensation, I suppose. Understood. First, I want to apologize for my student’s foolish actions.”
Thud.
The royal knight captain bowed his head, creating a loud noise.
While seemingly lacking in intellect, the sincerity in his apology was evident.
“As his mentor and the one who granted him knighthood, I feel responsible. I sincerely apologize.”
“………….”
“So, as a token of my apology… I shall come to Grandis Academy to train your students free of charge. How does that sound?”
“…Pardon?”
So, he’s suggesting that the busy captain of the royal knights, rank 7, the strongest swordsman, would come to the academy and give lectures for free?
Caught off guard by this unexpected proposal, I silently turned my gaze to the headmistress. She seemed quite surprised as well and nodded at me.
Alright, looks like the headmistress thinks the same.
“That won’t be necessary.”
“W-Wait, Finance Director?”
“Finance Director?”
“What we want is a different kind of compensation.”
But what’s the point of having a lecture? It might be a character development event in a game, but it’s worthless here. It’s of no financial help at all.
More than that.
“For a different kind of compensation….”
“Of course, monetary compensation. Here’s an estimated bill.”
“…………….”
“Give me the money, give me the money.”
What are you trying to pull here, thinking of compensating with mere effort?
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