“Something feels magical.” wink
On the gondola gliding over the surface of the water, Leje recited her short impression.
It seemed she had adapted to the swaying of the gondola, as the anxiety in her eyes had vanished over time.
“By the way, it’s your first time riding a boat, right?”
“Yeah. There aren’t any rivers or lakes in the Duke’s House.”
The water resources in the Duke’s House were mostly underground.
So, it was perfectly understandable that this was Leje’s first experience on a boat.
“So? What do you think of your first boat ride?”
“I’m still not sure. It feels like seeing the same place from a different location… how should I put it…? There’s not a huge difference?”
Just then, as Leje pondered Rudell’s question…
Paaaah!!
“Huh?”
As the sun completely disappeared beyond the castle walls, the surroundings suddenly began to brighten.
Street lamps along the road lit up all at once.
“Wow…”
As the scenery around them began to change rapidly, and countless lights reflected and sparkled on the river, a low exclamation escaped Leje’s lips.
The light spilling from the buildings on the riverbank and the decorative lights installed here and there colored the river in vibrant hues.
“It’s beautiful…”
“…”
Leje let out an exclamation at the sight she was seeing for the first time.
“Isn’t it? I think this is my first time seeing something like this.”
“Y-Yeah, it looks like it…”
Rudell nodded in reply to her question.
Indeed, the view before them resembled a river made of light.
However, in Rudell’s eyes, it was the brightly smiling Leje that appeared even more beautiful than the scenery itself.
Wow, was she this pretty…?
Her beauty had been an ongoing topic in the original story.
The only person whose looks could rival hers was the yet-to-appear princess of the kingdom.
Even then, it was often mentioned that the princess fell short compared to Leje throughout the story.
Yet, Rudell had never thought about her appearance until now, thanks to her lively personality.
Given her naturally bright and sociable character, Rudell had viewed her as more of a friend than something more.
But… combined with the glamorous atmosphere, Leje’s display was more than enough to shake Rudell’s heart.
Get a grip, Rudell. Leje is just a friend.
As Rudell tried to steady his mind, someone seemed to say:
A tiny crack can eventually break the dam.
“Why are you like this? Did something go wrong?”
“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing! I’m just seeing this for the first time too…!!”
Calm down, Rudellheit. I need to stay calm…
The moment he became aware of their previously unrecognized relationship, the walls in Rudell’s heart were gradually crumbling.
“Are you okay? You’re not hurt, right?”
“I-I’m fine! Just a bit hot, haha…!!”
Wearing a concerned expression, Leje asked, and Rudell forced out an awkward laugh.
I… I need to change the subject somehow…!!
Just as he thought to turn his head, it happened.
“Look over there! There’s something!”
What he saw were countless lights floating down the river.
They were candles set on small wooden boats.
Hundreds of tiny boats carrying their own candles floated down the river.
This was definitely not an everyday sight.
“Wooden boats? Candles? What the heck is this?”
Fortunately, Leje seemed intrigued by Rudell’s attempt to shift topics.
Rudell let out a short sigh, feeling relieved…
“Do you know what that is?”
“Well, I don’t know either; it’s my first time seeing it.”
Rudell shook his head at her question.
“Those are the offering ceremonies conducted at the temple of Akelon, the deity of rivers and seas. Every year around this time, fishermen gather to offer gifts to Akelon for a smooth sailing year.”
“Oh, I see.”
Leje nodded, looking intrigued by the mention of the god of rivers and seas, Akelon.
Described as a giant turtle, he was a deity that had minimal significance in the story.
The only time he appeared was near the end, giving blessings to the protagonists, typically referred to as a blessing shuttle.
He was someone with whom Rudell would have almost no interactions.
As the boats carrying candles and coins passed by the gondola that Rudell and Leje were on…
“Today is such a great spectacle. It’s all thanks to you.”
“What do you mean, thanks to me? You’re the one who suggested coming here.”
“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have even come this far.”
“Is that how it works?”
Rudell tilted his head at Leje’s statement.
He wasn’t sure, but if she said so, then it must be true.
At that moment, Rudell had neither the time nor the luxury to think too deeply about it.
Just then…
“Hey, Rudell.”
“Huh? What is it?”
“What do you want to learn at the Academy?”
“At the Academy? I haven’t thought about it.”
Caught off guard by her sudden question, Rudell tilted his head.
What he wanted to learn at the Academy.
Honestly, Rudell had never deeply considered that.
Swordsmanship was a total flop for me…
Once, he thought about learning swordsmanship, but it didn’t take long for him to abandon that idea.
That was because he had no talent for physical activities.
[Young master, it might be best for you to give up on swordsmanship.]
So much so that even the instructor who taught him suggested he quit swordsmanship early on…
That remark became the reason Rudell started to practice magic early.
At least I’m fortunate to have talent in magic…
If he had lacked talent in magic too, he would have been nothing more than an utterly powerless ordinary person.
“Well, I haven’t thought about it deeply.”
“Hmm… I see.”
In any case, Rudell had no reason to choose a path for himself right now.
The first year at the Academy involved everyone following the same curriculum, and afterward, it was the basic educational policy of the Academy to find their own path.
Choices could always be made later, and it would never be too late.
“So what are you planning to learn?”
“Um… I might consider learning swordsmanship.”
At Rudell’s question, Leje thought for a moment and then said while looking at him.
“Swordsmanship?”
Given she was a sword-wielding warrior in the original story, it was only natural.
“I know. You must think it’s odd for a noble to engage in swordsmanship.”
At Rudell’s reaction, Leje waved her hand as if to say there was no need to elaborate further.
After all, it was only natural for her to react that way.
For nobles, physical labor was seen as something for the lower classes.
Often, women were more inclined to learn administrative, commercial, social skills, or magic than physical activities.
Her reaction stemmed from that societal perception.
“But how should I say this? After experiencing the incident on my birthday, I thought I should at least know how to protect myself.”
“Hmm…”
The reason she learned swordsmanship in the original story was due to the incident during her coming-of-age ceremony.
After the duke fell into a comatose state, she had to take over the Duke’s House at a young age; thus, she chose to learn swordsmanship to become a knight.
In order to control the factions surrounding the Duke’s House, she had to cultivate the strength and charisma to represent the Duke herself.
Though the duke was not in a comatose state in this world, it was clear that the incident had left an impact on her.
“Am I being weird…?”
Noticing Rudell looking at her without answering, Leje started to gauge his reaction and soon, Rudell slowly opened his mouth.
“No. I actually think it’s okay.”
“What?”
At his answer, Leje let out a dumbfounded voice.
Seeing her like that, Rudell continued.
“If that’s your choice, then who cares what others say? Are you really someone who worries about others’ opinions?”
“Of course not.”
Aside from the royal family and members of other duke houses, no one else in the kingdom would have mattered to her.
In fact, others were likely to be the ones worried about her.
“Then that’s settled. Just because it’s a path not often taken doesn’t mean it should affect your decision.”
“Rudell…”
Leje seemed genuinely touched by his words, flashing a faint smile before turning her head with a relieved expression.
In that moment, Rudell saw a girl who had decided to genuinely walk her own path, no longer just a child.
After a moment of staring into space, a soft laugh escaped Leje’s lips…
“Honestly, I think becoming friends with you is the best choice of my life.”
“If you feel that way, then it’s an honor for me.”
Rudell replied with a slight smile to her words.
Thus, the first day at the Royal Road was passing by.
