Ch.71Academy Expo (1)

As the days passed, the excited atmosphere at the Academy grew more intense.

The Academy Exhibition, scheduled to coincide with the first Emperor’s birthday, was truly just around the corner.

Students desperately trying to find partners for the party were frantic, while those who had already secured commitments were leisurely awaiting the festival day—this was the current state of the Academy.

Amid the Academy’s daily life of contrasting joy and sorrow, I pondered.

‘Regarding the exhibition partner matter… I should ask Serin for understanding.’

The true purpose of having a partner was less about touring the exhibition and more about attending the evening party. That’s why even if they acted separately during the day, it was important to hold hands and attend the party together at night. I knew this, which is why I had accepted Serin’s partner request.

But the request I received this morning ended up shaking my resolve.

[Excuse me, Professor Elhader.]

[Ah, good morning.]

When a professor visited me early in the morning, I thought it must be something unusual. But his next words were quite heavy for a morning greeting.

[Actually, I wanted to ask Professor Elhader for a favor.]

[Ah, yes. Please, go ahead.]

[You see… Professor Rupert apparently had a carriage accident yesterday evening.]

[… Is he alright?]

[Yes, he was seriously injured, but there shouldn’t be any major issues if he rests for a while.]

[That’s a relief.]

Even just colliding with a pony could cause serious injury. It seemed Professor Rupert was truly born under a lucky star.

[However, the problem is… Professor Rupert was responsible for overseeing the elementary division’s evening party on the exhibition day.]

In principle, all Academy evening parties are conducted under the guidance of professors. This wasn’t about controlling every aspect of the party according to the professor’s wishes, but rather to prevent any possible accidents.

[Actually… I didn’t want to trouble Professor Elhader, who is also the Grand Duke, but given the circumstances, I had no choice but to come to you. I was wondering if you could possibly oversee the elementary division’s evening party… Would you please take charge of it?]

[I have no intention whatsoever of using my outside position. If I have a duty, I should naturally fulfill it.]

[… Thank you. I was concerned it might be an imposition, as you must have received plenty of partner requests yourself.]

[Well, I have received some.]

[T-Then…]

[I’m not saying I’m refusing. It’s fine.]

[Ah…!]

[It’s work. I’ll accommodate as needed.]

[Then… I’ll be counting on you.]

I accepted the responsibility of overseeing the evening party while recalling my promise to Serin. In any case, neglecting my duties for my own convenience would be inherently unfair.

I can only apologize to Serin multiple times and hope for her understanding.

So while teaching the elementary division’s third-year class, I brought up the matter.

“… This will soon be announced to the entire elementary division, but due to Professor Rupert’s unfortunate accident, I will be overseeing the elementary division’s evening party.”

“Gasp! That’s terrible.”

“Please be quiet, student Eshtiel.”

“Ugh…”

Eshtiel made a disgruntled sound, but I lightly ignored it. I’m sure she was planning to cause some mischief while I wasn’t around. Either way, she’s a little sister I can’t take my eyes off.

“While the Academy’s evening parties are fundamentally meant for enjoyment, they’re also excellent opportunities to test your etiquette. It would be good to approach it as a practical application of the etiquette you’ve learned.”

The students murmured at my words. Various topics circulated among them, but the main sentiment was complaints that I was too rigid.

They’re at an age where they just want to throw aside etiquette and play to their heart’s content. I should accept their expressions of discomfort graciously.

“… That’s just a suggestion. Don’t misunderstand.”

“Eh, that sounds like a lie. I bet you’ll lecture us later.”

“Well, I certainly would for family.”

“Urgh.”

Perhaps it’s because she’s in front of her friends. Eshtiel’s way of backing herself into a corner is truly spirited.

Come to think of it, I became curious about something new, so I declared an early end to the class.

“We’ll end today’s class a bit early. However, I’d like to use the remaining time not as a professor, but as Eshtiel’s brother.”

“Huh?”

“The exhibition is approaching soon. I imagine you all are at the stage of requesting partners. While I often hear stories from Eshtiel, I’ve never once heard about her receiving partner requests.”

The children wouldn’t possibly be considering my feelings when requesting partners. Even for a doting family, interfering with that would just be misguided affection.

“So if it’s not impolite, I’d like to hear your thoughts about Eshtiel… would you allow me?”

“That’s rude to me!”

“Shh.”

“Hmph.”

After I took the initiative to silence Eshtiel, their opinions gradually spread among themselves. They seemed to be carefully considering how much they could say. With that in mind, I decided to ask more specific questions.

“Ahem, is there anyone here who has requested Eshtiel to be their partner?”

“…”

“…”

Silence.

They only exchanged glances, suggesting there truly was no one.

“It seems our child is surprisingly unpopular. Even setting aside my bias as her brother, I think Eshtiel is quite cute in her own way.”

“Cough!”

Someone coughed violently as if caught off guard by my comment. I couldn’t help but chuckle at that innocent reaction.

Perhaps that helped ease the children’s wariness, as one boy began speaking in a gentle voice.

“Well… Eshtiel is popular, but… um, how should I put it… it’s a bit…”

As that child trailed off, another student who had been watching cautiously joined in.

“She’s too childish…”

“She’s stronger than us too…”

“She kind of looks like a fortune-teller…”

I fully understood the childish part.

Eshtiel didn’t have proper opportunities to learn language during her time as a laundry girl, so she still had pronunciation issues, and she was considerably shorter than children her age. Regrettably, that was Eshtiel’s current situation.

However, reasons like being strong or looking like a fortune-teller were puzzling. It seems there’s something that only the children who spend time with her can perceive.

“Hey! I already have someone to go with! Don’t ignore me!”

“Oh, really?”

“I didn’t know…”

“Who asked you?”

The class children were surprised by Eshtiel’s declaration. And since this was also news to me, it was natural for my interest to be piqued.

“Who did you agree to be partners with, Eshtiel?”

“Big brother Tesser. He’s super nice to me, so I said yes.”

“Serin’s brother…”

What an odd combination.

The connection between Eshtiel and Tesser couldn’t have been that deep. It was difficult to gauge when they had become close.

No, more importantly…

“… Eshtiel.”

“Yeah?”

“Tesser is… a second-year in the middle division.”

What this meant was that for Tesser to accompany Eshtiel at the evening party, he would have to come to the elementary division’s party venue.

In other words, Tesser, a second-year middle division student, would have to mingle with the little children of the elementary division. As a professor at the Academy who had observed the children’s behavior, I knew this would be considerable mental torture.

And while Eshtiel claimed she had granted Tesser’s request, it was probably different from the truth.

It was clear that Tesser was unilaterally accommodating Eshtiel. He’s truly a thoughtful child in many ways.

“Ahem! Then may I assume that everyone else has already decided on their partners?”

“Yep, because I helped everyone!”

The children nodded in agreement with Eshtiel’s confident answer. Hard to believe, but Eshtiel’s statement didn’t seem entirely false.

“Oh, but two people still don’t have partners.”

“Two?”

I was curious for a moment, but I quickly identified the two people Eshtiel was referring to. That’s because only those two hung their heads as if they’d been caught.

‘Hmm.’

It was the male student Shturn and the female student Lucia Epentel.

Lucia was a student I only knew by name due to her inconspicuous presence, but Shturn had left a strong first impression that remained vivid in my memory. That’s because I still clearly remember the scene of him losing an arm-wrestling match to Eshtiel.

I think they’ve been getting along well without any trouble. Perhaps the hierarchy was perfectly established through strength.

“There’s still plenty of time, so please don’t rush. It’s not like you absolutely need a partner anyway.”

Though I tried to smooth things over, even I could tell my words were weak.

It seems I slightly abused my authority out of curiosity about the children. Perhaps this could be a genuinely painful topic for them…

While considering what kind of compensation I could offer to Shturn and Lucia later, I concluded the class.

◇

“What’s this?”

“Oh my.”

Rodrick skillfully cut open the seal of the letter delivered to Count Elenot’s estate. Across from Rodrick, Baroness Raden, who was sipping tea, recognized what the letter was at a glance.

“It’s an invitation to the Academy Exhibition. My, the seal design hasn’t changed at all.”

“Well, I never thought I’d receive something like this in my lifetime.”

Though Rodrick outwardly dismissed it as making a fuss, his heated voice contained a strange sense of emotion. Seeing right through it, Baroness Raden subtly asked.

“It’s one of the few opportunities for outsiders to properly explore the Academy. Why don’t you go?”

“Well… I am curious about how the children are doing day to day…”

“I’m also curious to see how much of the Academy I remember remains.”

Naturally, the invitation was Rodrick’s.

As Baroness Raden had no acquaintances at the Academy, she hadn’t received an invitation.

Of course, if she set her mind to it, she could obtain one even if it meant spending money, but what she truly aimed for wasn’t just an invitation.

“I’m curious though…”

Baroness Raden glanced at Rodrick.

In response to her rather blatant behavior, Rodrick reluctantly offered.

“… If you don’t mind being my partner, would you like to attend?”

“I’d love to!”

“Alright… let’s do that.”

Rodrick was by no means insensitive.

The truth that Baroness Raden viewed him romantically was far beyond the realm of his understanding, but he accepted it nonetheless.

When a woman ten years younger shows interest, it’s impossible to feel displeased. Moreover, this woman is a noble and one of the wealthiest people in the Empire. Not to mention her beauty, which seems to have preserved her appearance from her twenties.

Apart from her goodwill, the Baroness’s presence feels too excessive, making him cautious.

‘Human relationships are truly unpredictable…’

During his days as an assassin and information broker.

After being firmly rejected by a certain viscount’s daughter who would later claim the Empress’s throne… he hadn’t given women a second thought.

Now, a woman he felt unworthy to even touch was showing interest.

What was more absurd was his own heart gradually responding.

‘Though I’ve completely moved on from my old love… somehow I feel very guilty.’

He wondered if he was welcoming the Baroness’s goodwill because he didn’t want to grow old alone. Without certainty, he felt apologetic.

… But he couldn’t just remain still while expressing regret. If only for the sake of the Baroness who had chosen this aging man.

Rodrick ran his hand through his hair to shake off the frustration. At that seemingly insignificant action, Baroness Raden quietly set down her teacup and stared blankly at Rodrick.

‘My goodness, how is this considered the appearance of a middle-aged man?’

The clean, straight line of his forehead revealed beneath his swept-up hair. And his thick eyebrows extended as if to emphasize his distinct features.

Below his sharp jawline, his collarbone line and thick shoulders, bearing traces of training, exuded presence.

Above all, perhaps due to his long life as a mercenary, a dangerous wildness seemed to create a peculiar atmosphere.

‘I never really noticed before… but he’s so handsome.’

Baroness Raden had repeatedly realized that Rodrick perfectly matched her ideal type. That made her all the more eager.

‘I should make an effort, thinking of this as my last chance.’

This year, she was determined to shed the title of old maid.

And thus devote herself to producing an heir to continue the family line.

In this way, Baroness Raden made a pledge full of personal ambition.