Ch.317317. Have You Met Madeline Belcatri?

“Young master, have you been well?”

Wilfred had come to the library.

In just a week, his skin had become noticeably tanned.

I tilted my head and spoke.

“Why is your skin so tanned?”

“Ah… I’ve been training outdoors quite diligently, so my skin seems to have gotten a bit tanned.”

“You must be enjoying your swordsmanship training?”

“Y-yes, I am.”

“Have you met Madeline Belcatri?”

At my question, Wilfred’s face turned bright red.

“I’ve run into her, but I haven’t had the courage to speak to her directly.”

“Why not?”

“Since Madeline focuses on magic classes and training, we don’t have many points of contact. Even when we do meet, I don’t know what to talk about.”

“Ah… is that so? That’s a problem. She has talent in swordsmanship, but I can’t just tell her to study magic instead.”

As I was stroking my chin with a troubled expression, Wilfred spoke up.

“That’s why I requested to see you, young master—to seek your advice on this matter.”

It’s true that I’m concerned as well.

I had hoped Wilfred would approach the anger-filled Madeline Belcatri and impart some positive energy to her, but I can’t just transfer Wilfred, who has natural talent in swordsmanship, to the magic department.

Is there a good solution somewhere?

“Federicks, are you outside?”

As soon as I called, Federicks entered the library, and I immediately raised my voice to him.

“Go and bring Professor Edwin here.”

“Yes, sir!”

As Federicks left the library again, Wilfred looked at me with hopeful eyes.

“Have you found a solution?”

“I’ll handle that part. You just focus on properly learning swordsmanship.”

“…Pardon?”

“Women naturally like men who are stronger than them. What I mean is that becoming stronger will be advantageous in winning Madeline over.”

“I-I’ll work hard then.”

“Is there anything else you wanted to discuss?”

Wilfred straightened his back and spoke.

“About the swordsmanship training. Could you possibly teach me a little, young master?”

“W-what did you say?”

“Being here, I couldn’t help but hear about your tremendous achievements. They say your swordsmanship is excellent…”

“Well, that’s not a lie.”

“If I become stronger quickly, it might be easier to win Madeline over.”

He used to be reluctant about the very idea of wooing her, but now he’s openly talking about it.

Well, this fellow had feelings for Madeline since his butler days, so he’s like a fish in water now.

“Hmm, but I think you’re still too lacking for me to train you right now.”

“I-it doesn’t have to be now. Just promise that you’ll teach me when my swordsmanship skills improve.”

Looking at Wilfred’s determined eyes, I sighed as if I couldn’t dissuade him.

“Alright, I look forward to you becoming stronger as soon as possible.”

“Thank you!”

Knock knock knock-!

After that, we exchanged some brief conversation.

And just as our conversation was ending, Professor Edwin entered with a knock.

I sent Wilfred out of the library and adjusted my posture.

“Professor Edwin, have you been well?”

“Yes, I have been well.”

“Are you adapting well to your professorial duties at the academy these days?”

“Thanks to the exceptional students, each day has been a joy.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Professor Edwin took a step forward and spoke.

“May I ask why you called for me?”

“Ah… about the students. What does their daily routine typically look like?”

Seemingly taken aback by my sudden question, Edwin collected himself and continued.

“Most students attend theory classes in the morning and go outside for practical training in the afternoon.”

“And after all classes are finished?”

“Most return to their dormitories and spend their time freely.”

“What about weekends when there are no classes?”

“Well, similarly, they spend their personal time, perhaps going out.”

Clearing my throat, I narrowed my eyes at Edwin.

“Is there good interaction among the students?”

“…Pardon?”

“You see, I despise it when students ostracize or look down on others.”

“Ah… I apologize. I haven’t given that much thought yet.”

“It’s alright. I understand that you have many things to handle with the academy just being established.”

Professor Edwin shifted his gaze nervously.

“…While it’s true that there’s much to do with the academy just starting, the issue of students ostracizing others is a problem that every academy must address.”

Of course, that would be the case.

Before my possession, there was a “bad custom” in every school where at least one student in each class was ostracized.

Either they were left out during the initial formation of groups,

Or they committed some mistake that made other students avoid them,

Or like Madeline Belcatri, they isolated themselves.

The reasons were truly diverse.

Moreover.

This world has a clear class society.

If even people of equal standing divide themselves into factions, then a place with a class system would be even worse, not better.

I could solve it perfectly, but it seemed I should at least try.

I raised an eyebrow at Edwin.

“I can understand. Forcing incompatible students together won’t necessarily make them become friends.”

“Y-yes, that’s right. This was always an issue at the previous academy I attended, but there was no particular solution.”

“What efforts did other academies make?”

Edwin pressed his lips tightly at my question.

That’s to be expected.

In this world, most ostracized students are either commoners or children from fallen noble families.

There would also be professors with a strong sense of privilege, who would naturally ignore such issues or dismiss solutions.

Professor Edwin wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and spoke.

“To be honest, it was always a raised issue, but we always ended up back at square one.”

“…So I’ve thought of a method.”

“Y-you have a method?”

“It’s not definitive, but I think we should try.”

At that, Edwin’s eyes lit up.

“Please tell me! If there’s a way, I also want to do my best to help the ostracized students.”

“The main problem is that they don’t mingle together, right?”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

“Then how about encouraging more interaction among students?”

“…Pardon?”

I smiled at Edwin, who was blinking in confusion, not understanding my words.

“For example, students aspiring to be knights only meet with others like them, right? The same goes for those aspiring to be mages.”

“Yes, that’s correct. There are classroom lessons, but most students become close during practical training.”

“And since both theory and practical classes are divided by skill level, the people they can mingle with are limited, right?”

“…That’s right.”

“So, what if we implement after-school activities?”

“A-after-school activities?”

“Yes, after-school activities.”

Edwin tilted his head and continued.

“If you’re referring to club activities, we plan to implement those in the future.”

“No, not club activities, but after-school activities.”

“…What’s that?”

I crossed my arms firmly and smiled gently.

“Club activities are optional, right? And usually, people who are already friends form groups to create clubs.”

“…Most would do that.”

“After-school activities are different. Think of them as additional classes.”

“A-additional classes?”

“Yes, through faculty meetings, professors would form teams by grouping students who otherwise wouldn’t have points of contact at the academy.”

“The academy is just starting, and the professors are already working without sleep. If we add additional classes, there will be considerable complaints.”

I clenched my fist, extended my index finger, and waved it from side to side.

“The professors’ job is just to form the initial groups and evaluate the students’ results, that’s all.”

“What kind of results are you referring to?”

“Students would plan and execute projects that benefit the academy or Lake territory, then report the results to the professors.”

“Ah…”

“If we offer bonus points, everyone will work hard, right? Plus, I’ll personally provide benefits to the three best teams each year.”

“What kind of benefits…?”

“Full scholarships for the next year for all students in the three teams.”

Edwin stammered with wide eyes.

“Y-you’ll provide full scholarships to all students in the three teams?”

“We can set each team to have exactly ten students. It would only be thirty students total, which isn’t a burden at all. For the future of the academy, that amount is a worthwhile investment.”

“Ah… I understand what you’re saying.”

“Just make sure not to group students who already seem friendly or have points of contact.”

“Yes, I’ll discuss this with the other professors.”

Despite his answer, Edwin still wore an expression full of question marks as I continued.

“I’ll organize the detailed plan and send it to you, so please pay attention to this. After Headmaster Rupert, you’re the one I trust most at the academy.”

With that slight encouragement, Edwin hesitated before raising his voice.

“I-I’ll do my best.”

“Good, I’m counting on you.”

Clank-!

Just as Edwin was bowing respectfully and about to leave the library,

Federicks opened the door without knocking and entered.

His urgent expression was an added bonus.

“Y-young master… Master Evander Alphonse has come to visit Lake territory.”