episode_0050

“When was this decision made?”

After the first theoretical class of the new professor Iris.

Following the end of Professor Iris’s first theory class, I headed straight to her private lounge.

Upon hearing my knock, Iris opened the door and locked it as soon as I entered the lounge.

Sitting on the sofa, I found myself facing Iris.

After taking a sip of black tea from a fancy cup and placing it on the table, Iris spoke up.

“Hehe. Care to guess?”

“…Was it when you received the rescue request?”

“Correct.”

Iris clapped twice as if praising a child.

…In truth, it was more of a rhetorical question given the flow of the situation, but I had a rough idea.

Professor Laura’s betrayal was a problem faced by the academy, so the higher-ups, realizing this, swiftly sourced it directly from the academy.

Ariel Academy is the Imperial Royal Academy.

Therefore, sending a letter to the Swordmaster, who was already marked as the second professor candidate to quickly resolve the issue, aligned perfectly with the situation.

And coincidentally, that happened to be Iris.

-Swish, swish.

Leaning forward, Iris patted me on the head and said, “Indeed, Master Gong, you are remarkable. Your quick grasp of the situation and exceptional mental agility are truly impressive.”

“……”

An unexpected touch that I wasn’t accustomed to.

It felt oddly uncomfortable, like being treated like a cat raised by a peer.

Of course, in this world, my actual age is fifteen….

Let’s change the subject.

“How long will you be teaching for?”

In response, Iris withdrew her hand and replied, “The contract period is six months. Originally, the Empire demanded two years, but due to many tasks at hand, we couldn’t invest that much time, so we reached an agreement.”

“Until then, the Empire will find another swordsmanship professor.”

“That’s right.”

“…I look forward to working with you.”

“I, too. Hehe, I’m delighted to be able to teach Master Gong for a longer period.”

…Thus, after sharing a small incident with Iris and a few unanswered conversations, I politely bid farewell and left the professor’s private lounge.

As I pondered whether to wield a sword in the training ground for the remaining time, I was interrupted while walking down the hallway.

“I am truly grateful for your help….”

Just as I exited the classroom, a sudden figure appeared, bowing to me unexpectedly.

“…Princess?”

It was Rosaria.

She seemed to have been waiting for me in the hallway since I left the lounge.

Although I rushed to the lounge immediately after the class ended, perhaps she had been waiting for me even during the swordsmanship class.

I feel somewhat guilty for making her wait.

“Ah, isn’t she the Fourth Princess of the Second Year?”

“Huh…? It seems so…”

Students passing by lowered their heads, surprised to see Rosaria.

They seemed curious as to why she, who was rescued a few days ago, was bowing her head.

Interest quickly turned towards us.

“Let’s move somewhere else. Lift your head, Your Highness.”

Before any strange rumors could spread, I quickly stopped Rosaria.

‘The hallway is not a suitable place for conversation.’

With many eyes watching, I led her swiftly out to the backyard behind the building.

As soon as we arrived in the backyard, Rosaria bowed her head again.

“Thank you once again. I will make sure to show my gratitude not only where my hand reaches but also for what you did by asking Avamama for help….”

Her tone and attitude were firm.

It was different from when she always approached me innocently, asking to become her bodyguard.

“…Are you feeling alright?”

Instead of giving a formal reply refusing her gratitude, I turned the conversation around and asked about her well-being.

I had purchased expensive magic scrolls privately to go and rescue her.

There was no need to refuse each time she wanted to repay that.

“If it’s about my health, I’m… fine.”

Rosaria lifted her head but then cast her gaze downward.

She seemed particularly uneasy about something.

It was probably because of Emil.

When alone, the force that relentlessly targets you is the worst.

It was a significant mistake for her to have carelessly wandered alone to come see me.

As a result, Emil was lost.

The worry and disappointment stemming from that would be substantial.

“…Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

Rosaria, looking unsure of herself, turned around.

Was she just trying to express gratitude by seeing my face?

“Just a moment.”

I called out to her.

“What’s the matter…?”

“Allow me to speak about the matter concerning the bodyguard position.”

“…!”

Even though four days had passed, quite some time had elapsed.

My thoughts had already been organized.

There was no need to delay this matter any longer.

“To cut to the chase, I still do not wish to become a bodyguard.”

“…Ah.”

Rosaria, who already seemed dejected, lowered her head as if expecting this.

To not even be able to protect her own bodyguard and failing to even stand before me as a princess. Who would want to be the bodyguard of such a person? That must have been her thought.

But one must listen to others until the end.

My words were not finished yet.

“It’s not that I don’t want to be your Highness’s bodyguard. I simply dislike being constrained.”

“….”

“Also, it is uncertain whether I possess talents of that caliber myself.”

“At the age of fifteen, reaching the third level of awakening is not a talent… No matter how many times you say it isn’t, I believe Sienna’s conviction to willingly assist those in need of strength, as she mentioned last time, is genuine.”

“It’s not just about conviction. However, if Your Highness values these things…”

Yes, conviction.

In the end, what was needed was someone with a certain level of skill and the upright knightly beliefs of a true knight, an individual with boundless potential for growth.

That was the crux of the matter.

Did it have to be me?

For some reason, I couldn’t understand why I was fixated on her, but ultimately, what she needed was a steadfast ally, wasn’t it?

“There is someone I would like to introduce.”

Someone with even firmer convictions than me.

With definite talent as well.

A person who would unfold a limitless future ahead.

“He is a swordsman. Although he did not participate in the class tournament, he is truly remarkable. He is of the same age as us, capable of manifesting his aura, dedicated to swordsmanship and training, hence he does not reveal himself to the world…”

***

A few days after the conversation.

Once again, Iris’s class time arrived.

The second lesson was a practical one.

We stood in the practice training ground, each holding a wooden sword made for practice, facing Iris at the center.

Confirming that everyone had gathered, Iris began speaking.

“Next week, we will have a grading exam.”

Already?

During Laura’s time as a professor, she used to give guidance in swordsmanship classes.

Based on the comprehensive test in the first semester of the first year, students are graded in the second year.

In the first year, regardless of grades, students attend classes in rooms with equal titles like Room 1 or Room 2.

From the second year onwards, students are divided into classes based on their progress, separating those with slower progress from those with faster progress.

“The first test will be a sparring match with me. I aim to assess your response capabilities and swordsmanship.”

A reasonable decision.

Having only heard about Laura’s teachings, Iris might be confused about what kind of progress was made back then.

So, it seems she will evaluate each of us individually through sparring matches to assess our levels. Is that what she means?

It was a rational method to divide the grades.

After that, Iris explained what students should pay attention to during the exam and what aspects would be emphasized.

The students seemed to be listening attentively, almost memorizing the information, showing signs of slight tension in preparation for the upcoming exam.

As Iris was finishing her explanation,

“That’s all. Any questions?”

A male student raised his hand at Iris’s question.

Everyone glanced at him with curiosity.

Iris nodded her head and spoke to him.

“What is it?”

“I’m curious about Professor Iris’s relationship status.”

Some students found the off-topic yet bold question disruptive, while others chuckled.

Well, they’re fifteen, so that’s to be expected.

While it might have been considered somewhat impolite for an older student to ask such a question.

Iris’s initial surprise at the question quickly faded, and she seemed to take it in good humor.

The tension that had built up in the room dissipated smoothly.

However, some male students still seemed tense.

Iris appears to be in her late twenties.

She has a moderate height, not petite, with a glamorous and pretty image.

There could very well be male students secretly admiring her.

“Oh, a love interest?”

She smiled as if enjoying the situation.

The male students who were struck by her smile seemed to hold their breath once again.

…Come to think of it.

Does Iris have a significant other?

Even when she was the family tutor for Sara, there was never any mention of a man.

Being a swordmaster traveling across the country, could she really have had no romantic interests?

Intrigued, I found myself focusing on Iris’s words as well.

“…What are you doing?”

Suddenly, Hedie, who was beside me, nudged my shoulder.

“I’m curious too.”

“Curious? About what?”

“I’m curious if Iris has a significant other.”

“Hmm….”

Hedie looked at me coldly.

It seemed like she was seriously misunderstanding something.

I was merely curious about Iris’s relationship status, without any particular feelings.

…Wait a minute.

But what does that have to do with Hedie?

‘……!’

Then suddenly, I remembered a fact that I had been keeping to myself.

During the tournament, Hedie mentioned that she had put on makeup to impress someone.

Both then and now, her reactions were clearly…

Oh, come on.

I really don’t want to drink kimchi soup.

…Even though I don’t like it.

Hedie’s eyes looking at me were so icy that it was hard to describe them as dry.

Why on earth is she acting this way?

“You know, there’s someone who’s marking territory.”

Just as I was about to express my doubts to Hedie.

My words were cut off mid-sentence by Iris’s intriguing statement.