Ch.15Academy Admission? (4)

During a meal with my master, I heard some surprising news.

“My disciple, did you see that when you went out?”

“Huh? See what?”

“What else? A woman jumping out of the Duchy of Gideon’s carriage.”

“…What?!”

“From your reaction, I guess you didn’t see it? I thought you might have since it was near the workshop.”

I had seen the Duchy of Gideon’s carriage as soon as I left the alley. But I immediately hid myself and took another route, so I didn’t see what happened afterward.

My master continued after swallowing the remaining sandwich in one bite.

“The woman was dressed elegantly but looked completely emaciated. I thought she might be suffering some kind of abuse.”

“The Duchy of Gideon wouldn’t be that kind of place…”

I recalled the memories in my head. Though all I knew was what Lael had told me, considering she was the daughter of Duke Gideon, it must be the truth.

The stories about the Gideon family from Lael’s mouth were nothing but praise. How her father was incredibly strong, how delicious the food made by their chef was, how close the family was. But whenever she spoke of these things, she always added:

‘Still, I prefer how things are now. I don’t want to go back.’

Honestly, her words bothered me quite a bit at the time. After all, she was saying that being an adventurer camping in the forest was better than the luxurious life of a duke’s daughter.

But now it’s none of my business. Neither her worries nor someone falling from a carriage.

The bond of the party that connected the duke’s daughter and the mage has already disappeared.

But unless someone was insane, they wouldn’t think of jumping from a fast-moving carriage. Could she have been hit by some Black Magic? Something like confusion, devastation, or something that drives one mad.

“My disciple, in my opinion, it’s devastation.”

It seems my master had the same thought as me. Like master, like disciple indeed.

* * * * *

Before going to bed, my master and I sat across from each other at the table again. There were two mugs on the table, but it would be difficult to call it tea time. After all, the mugs contained warm milk.

Indeed, a warm cup of milk before bed is the way to go.

My master held her mug with both hands and said:

“My disciple, we’re leaving early tomorrow.”

“Have a good day, Master.”

“No, you’re coming with me.”

“…Why?”

“When your master says we’re going, we go. Why do you have so many questions?!”

I shrugged at my master’s scolding and sipped my milk.

I had asked my master countless times to go out together. Not for any particular reason, but I thought it might make things easier for her if I handled the deliveries. But my master adamantly refused. I don’t know why, but once she refused, I had no choice but to become a house-sitting dog. And now she suddenly wants to take me for a walk—how could I not ask questions?

My master sighed deeply and sipped her milk. Then she stared intently into my eyes.

“We’re going to the Academy.”

“What? The entrance exam is still two weeks away.”

“I never told you to take the entrance exam. I said I’d get you in.”

“But that’s not…”

My master deliberately set her mug down with a thud, cutting me off mid-sentence.

“Are you a child? Figure it out yourself.”

“No, you could just tell me…”

With those words, my master went to her room without listening to anything else I had to say.

I stared blankly at the spot where my master had been sitting, and what came to mind was naturally:

Couldn’t she at least take her mug to the kitchen?

The night passed quickly. Well, I wouldn’t know since I was asleep. I just opened my eyes to find the sun up and birds chirping.

My master and I finished preparing and met at the back door of the workshop. Normally we would have received customers from the morning, but today was a temporary closure. I couldn’t believe she would close temporarily just for me. It’s hard to believe that my master, who is nearly a workaholic, would do such a thing.

My master wore the sky-blue dress with white frills that she had liked that day. When she returned home after buying the clothes, she swore she would never wear them. So I thought she would have just stuffed them in the closet, but seeing it without a single wrinkle, I guess that wasn’t the case.

“My disciple, dress properly. What is this?”

My master reached out and adjusted the tie I was wearing. Was it crooked?

There was a smile on her face, so I couldn’t feel bad about it.

“There, that’s better.”

“Thank you.”

“What thanks? I did it because I’d be criticized if my disciple went around dressed like that.”

With that, my master and I left the workshop and walked through the streets of the Royal Capital.

Honestly, it would be a lie to say I wasn’t nervous. The Academy is at least the largest educational institution in this country. Considering that royalty and nobles’ children attend, I wonder if a mere commoner like me would even be able to breathe there.

The morning air in the Royal Capital was cooler than expected. It was just the right temperature for me, wearing a shirt and a robe, but not for my master in her dress. She kept rubbing her shoulders with both hands.

“Are you cold?”

“Yes, I’m cold. This is why I said I wouldn’t wear clothes like this. They’re expensive but inefficient.”

Honestly, I couldn’t argue with that. It was certainly true that the performance was lacking compared to the price. But isn’t that not what they’re made for?

I took off the robe I was wearing and draped it over my master’s shoulders. She tried to take it off out of pride, but when I even buttoned it up for her, she sighed and accepted it. Her expression brightened compared to before, so it was clearly effective.

After walking for quite some time, we arrived at the entrance of the Academy. I had heard about it several times, but the Academy I saw in person exuded an atmosphere beyond my imagination. Its enormous size felt majestic, and the decorations placed here and there exuded luxury.

While I was expressing my admiration, a soldier in armor approached me.

“What brings you here?”

“Um… well…”

“Potion delivery.”

When I couldn’t answer, my master answered for me. But the soldier didn’t back down and held out his hand to me.

“Since Riano has been here many times, it’s fine, but first-time visitors need to present identification.”

I searched the magic pouch at my waist and handed my ID to the soldier. The soldier took the ID and went into a small building. Soon he came back out and returned my ID to me. It seems the identity verification was complete.

“Yes, you may enter now.”

My master clicked her tongue, apparently displeased with the soldier’s attitude, and started walking. I followed closely behind her.

The Academy seen up close was like a building, or rather, more like a village. The sight of several small buildings lined up around a massive central building gave the impression of a lord’s castle and the homes of his subjects.

In any case, it’s certainly impressive.

The place my master and I arrived at was the largest building in the Academy. We stood in front of a door labeled “Headmaster’s Office.”

My master knocked on the door, and a voice came from inside.

“Come in.”

My master opened the door to the headmaster’s office, and I faced an old man. Since he was in the headmaster’s office, I assumed he must be the headmaster.

Assumed?

The headmaster put down the documents he was looking at and slowly raised his head to look at us.

“Riano, what brings you… Could it be?”

“Yes, this will help a bit with the Warlock problem you mentioned before.”

“Oh! Thank you very much. Please, have a seat. Let’s talk.”

My master moved with familiarity and took a seat on a long sofa. I sat right next to her, sticking close.

Honestly, the atmosphere here doesn’t put me at ease. It feels like something I would never get used to, even if I worked as a professor.

Well, all I had experienced in my life was my master’s workshop filled with alchemy equipment and the lodgings where I stayed as an adventurer. I was far removed from such luxurious places.

The conversation began with the headmaster bringing out tea.

“Let me introduce myself first. I am Benin Strum, the headmaster of the Academy.”

Benin Strum…? That name sounds familiar. But I couldn’t recall exactly, so I introduced myself as well.

“I’m a B-rank magic…”

The introduction from my adventurer days came out of my mouth habitually. But there was no need for that now. No, since I came as a Warlock, I should introduce myself as such.

“I’m Crow, a Warlock. Pleased to meet you.”

I extended my hand, and the headmaster grasped it, responding to the handshake.

Suddenly, I felt a pain in my side. When I turned my head, my master was frowning and glaring at me.

Thinking about what I might have done wrong, I realized the problem was that I, a commoner, had initiated a handshake with the Academy headmaster, who was clearly a high-ranking noble.

I apologized to my master with my eyes.

With that, the brief greetings ended, and the headmaster moved on to the main topic.

“Crow, I believe you’ve heard the basic information from Riano.”

No, I haven’t heard anything at all.

“So I’d like to give you a test right now, if that’s alright with you?”

I looked to my master for guidance. Honestly, it wasn’t a matter I could decide on my own. My master must have anticipated this situation and accompanied me for this reason.

My master slowly nodded. It meant I should go ahead.

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Excellent. Then I’ll prepare the test paper right away.”