episode_0038

“Oh, Your Highness! I will pour the tea myself!”

“Just think of it as a favor between friends.”

“Tch, you’re my friend! How dare someone like me… … … .”

“I already think of you as my friend.”

A dessert cafe located in the Academy’s magic department.

This place, which was established within the academy by the former dean of Billend with the permission of the chairman, was no less than the best attraction in the field of magic.

The desserts made by the 6th-grade wizard are amazingly delicious, created through a combination of delicate magic and outstanding baking skills.

Actually, if we really had to compare it to other famous dessert shops in the kingdom, it wasn’t much different, but it was a place where there was always a line because the prices were really cheap under the pretext of a student discount.

And the best room in that dessert cafe.

Beatrice and Milia were having tea time on the rooftop terrace, which offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area.

“Your midterm grades were good, and the week on the deserted island wasn’t bad either. You met a good person through this opportunity.”

“But I’m so embarrassed… … .”

“To be honest, I’m not royalty in this country, I’m just a princess of a small country right next door. And I’m the fourth princess, so you don’t have to feel too uncomfortable.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Even if we can’t get along completely comfortably, wouldn’t it be possible to at least be friends? It wouldn’t be bad for Millia either.”

“… … I understand, Your Majesty.”

As she spoke, Milia still looked uncomfortable, but she seemed to have grasped the true meaning of what Beatrice was trying to say.

All students attending the Academy are not ordinary. It is so obvious, and even if the chairman were to enforce equality among the Academy students with his authority, it would only result in numerous objections.

However, instead, the chairman gave ‘equality of opportunity’ to all students. He guaranteed equal opportunity to apply for classes, learn, and study, regardless of whether they were royalty, nobles, or commoners.

Of course, it is impossible for royalty and commoners to live equally in an academy like that, even if it is a foreign country.

If the royal family makes a concession first, a reasonable level of friendship, like being friends who talk to each other, is entirely possible.

And if that happens, it would be a huge opportunity for the common people. Millia noticed that.

That’s why.

‘Suspicious.’

That is precisely why Beatrice was keeping an eye on Milia.

At first glance, it seems kind and insignificant to be able to discern the true meaning in words, which is not an ability that ordinary commoners have. It doesn’t matter what rank you have. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this kind of speech style is a characteristic of nobles.

This is especially true if Millia wishes to join the Carpenter’s Guild.

‘A wizard who simply practices woodworking skills, or someone who hopes to join the Carpenter’s Guild, would not be accustomed to this kind of speech.’

But Millia ‘understood’ what Beatrice was saying. An ordinary commoner would have continued to bow and feel uncomfortable, let alone understand.

It wasn’t just that he was quick-witted, it was as if he was used to this type of speech.

‘Ruth Spero can do that.’

They say it doesn’t matter what the rank is, but it’s different when you reach rank 6 or 7. Even if you’re a commoner, you can obtain a title of nobility that cannot be inherited in the kingdom if you reach rank 7. Depending on your achievements, you can even be incorporated into a noble family later on.

Being born with noble blood is also a quality of nobility, but in environments where strength is always needed, such as against monsters or enemy countries, a high rank also becomes a quality of nobility.

How was the current 8th-rank Chairman treated in the Kingdom? Why was everyone surprised when 6th-rank Ruth Spero entered the Academy?

I heard that in an empire, which is a hegemonic power, even if you are a high-ranking commoner, you are discriminated against. However, in a kingdom that must be wary of the empire, even if you are a high-ranking commoner, they do not discriminate much.

Because it is always the pursuer who is desperate, not the pursued.

Anyway, at that age, a 6th-grade Ruth Spero might be familiar with the nobles’ way of speaking. She might be able to figure out their true intentions simply by sensing their heartbeat or movements, and she would have been in contact with many nobles and royal families.

But Millia is a different story. It’s a 3rd grade, obviously high, but if you look at it another way, it’s only a 3rd grade.

‘Because honestly, anything below grade 5 doesn’t have that big of an impact.’

Beatrice is also a 5th-grade on paper. But if you ask if she really has the same level of abilities as Chloe Pisti, then of course not.

There is a reason why there is a clear ‘condition’ for having a sword or a strong weapon starting from the 6th rank. If you are a member of the royal family or a noble family, it is common for you to lie about the 5th rank.

That’s why there’s a joke among the rich that the next most common class on the continent, after the first and second class, is the fifth class. That’s why those with some power often lie and say they’re only fourth or fifth class.

‘anyway.’

In any case, Millia has a sense of humor that is not befitting her status and rank as a commoner. The fact that she has skills that seem to be too excellent and systematic for a commoner, third-class magician, is also evidence of this.

So Beatrice came to the conclusion.

‘Either he’s a noble who’s hiding his identity, or if not, he’s definitely not a commoner.’

If you look at it that way, it seems somewhat meaningful that she was invited to join the student council. Was she really invited because of Millia’s abilities?

Skillfully hiding her many questions, Beatrice took a bite of the cake with a bright smile.

“Let’s be friends from now on.”

“Yes… … !!”

The reason I want to be friends with this suspicious student is simple.

Beatrice’s current goal is.

“Then, as a friend, can I ask you one thing?”

“Oh, that’s fine!”

“I heard that the invitation to join the student council is done by directly calling the student to the student council office. If you are not a student who has been ‘invited’ in that way, you cannot enter the student council office.”

“Yes… … That’s true… … .”

“I want to hear the story from that time.”

Entering the student council right away.

And according to the rumor going around, he was the finance minister’s junior and they still know each other personally──

“Student Body President.”

“… … … !!”

“I’m curious about what kind of person you are.”

──Meeting the student body president.

That was the first step in Beatrice’s ‘Adam Keynes Transfer Plan’.

*

“… … … .”

“Chief of Finance? Why are you suddenly feeling so… … Do you have a cold?”

“Huh, if I had trained earlier, I wouldn’t have had a cold like that.”

“Captain of the 1st Guard, shut your mouth.”

“… … Yep.”

“Anyway, Minister of Finance? If you feel cold, hold my hand. I’ll give you some energy.”

“No, I’m fine. I don’t have a cold, though.”

anything.

I had a very ominous feeling. It was even more unsettling because it was just a feeling.

What on earth is the reason?

‘Did Beatrice start destroying buildings again? Did the magic lab explode? Did unexpected expenses arise? Or was it the main character? Or was it that damned junior?’

There are so many parts that I have to guess at that it’s confusing.

However, no matter how much you think about it, you won’t be able to find the source of the ominousness.

I just ignored him like I usually do and looked at the chairman who had a worried expression on his face.

More importantly, why does it feel like you’ve been glancing at the back of my neck for a while now?

“I’m fine, so don’t worry about it. Let’s go in now.”

“Okay, Captain of the 1st Guard?”

“Yes!”

“Please guard the VIP room until I and the Finance Minister come out. After that, um. You can talk to that guy Julius as you wish. ”

“Thank you!”

I wonder why he likes it so much that he takes his helmet off even though they are both 7th rank, but Sir Julius is on a different level even among 7th ranks.

The position of Royal Knight Commander is the position that directly protects the royal family, especially the king. As such, it is the most honorable position for a knight.

Just ten years ago, dozens of 7th rankers gathered together to hold a tournament to select a Royal Knight Commander, and the one who won without a single scratch was none other than Sir Julius.

The problem was that there were very few people who went from rank 7 to rank 8, almost none at all. As a result, rank 7 was considered the rank with the largest gap in the same rank, with veterans who had been at rank 7 for decades and newbies who had just reached rank 7.

And among those 7th graders, one of those known to be closest to the 8th grade was Sir Julius.

If you think about it, he is someone who could become a future Count or Chairman.

‘The chairman said he was a fool, but I don’t think that’s really true.’

He may have acted like a fool only in front of the chairman or the Count, but in reality, he may have a different personality.

Anyway, since I had never seen it in a game before, I was a bit nervous as I entered the VIP room.

Inside it.

“Sister! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you! I, Julius, will bow to you───”

“Take a seat, Julius.”

Bam!

“Cough!? Ha, but how can I do that to Master’s older sister… … … .”

“Just staying still helps.”

“… … Yes.”

what.

Just now, a large, middle-aged man, presumed to be Sir Julius, was trying to bow and got kicked by the chairman? It was so fast that I couldn’t see it.

No, more than that.

It’s even more surprising that he was unharmed after getting kicked by the chairman.

“Phew… … Well, I didn’t see it as such a good thing. I was so rude, sis.”

“My brother must have said that. As the commander of the royal knights, you should have some weight.”

“Haha! But what can I do with such a nature? Even His Majesty said that it would be enough to just keep your mouth shut in public!”

“That doesn’t mean it’s a good thing.”

“I know! Haha! But, the person next to you, is it possible that… …?”

“Hello, Sir Julius. I am the finance director of Grandis Academy───”

“Um, that. Sister.”

“What else?”

“This guy looks like he’s in his early twenties, but you have to think about his sister’s age… … .”

Far away.

and.

Are you sure the chairman is thinking about whether to throw a punch or not?

I quickly got between the two, feeling like the Kraken Mk2 was going to appear if things continued this way.

“A late introduction. I am Adam Keynes, the Finance Director of Grandis Academy.”

“Well, I am Julius, the commander of the Royal Knights. My speech may be a bit frivolous, but please understand that I am of humble origin.”

Did you think I was noble because of my last name? I was going to go into administration anyway, so I named myself after an economist.

Since it was a good misunderstanding, I didn’t really correct it and just let it go.

“I heard you are the disciple of His Excellency Count Claudia. I am sure you have a lot to share with the chairman, but I ask for your understanding as this is a matter of personal interest.”

“No. I guess it’s because I haven’t seen you in a long time, but you’re so excited. More importantly, Director of Finance, isn’t your work hard?”

“Yes?”

“I don’t think it will be easy to work under you. Even when I traveled with you in the past, you said you didn’t know how to do anything except fight… … … .”

“I can hear you all. Julius.”

“Hey, you’re right next to me, so how can you not hear me? I’m telling you to listen, big sister.”

“… … I guess I should contact my little brother after a long time.”

“I was wrong.”

I understand when I see these things.

Sir Julius knows more about the Chairman than I thought.

Things that happened when I was traveling in the past, things that happened before I founded the academy, things that happened to the chairman that I don’t know about.

But that’s not what’s important right now.

“I’m sorry to interrupt you again, but I heard that Sir Julius is also not very busy. Can we get straight to the point?”

“Uh, um. Sorry, Mr. Treasury. I will listen seriously, so go ahead.”

“Let me summarize briefly. Kaern Desté, a disciple of Sir Julius and personally appointed as a knight by the Lord himself, broke the rules during the midterm exam and used force on an island in the Luftragina Archipelago owned by the Chairman. ”

“… … … You idiot.”

“The incident created a crater more than 30m in diameter on the island, uprooted at least 20 trees, and caused other damage. For more details, please refer to this report. ”

Sir Julius’s expression became serious as he looked at the report I handed him.

The chairman ‘out of kindness’ held the midterm exams on private property, which violated the ban on the use of force and caused great damage to the island.

This also affects the reputation of Sir Julius, who acknowledged and appointed Caerne d’Este as a knight.

To be honest, it’s something you can grumble about, like why did you recognize that kind of guy as a journalist?

“Accordingly, Grandis Academy to Sir Julius… … .”

“You are demanding compensation. Okay, first of all, I apologize for my disciple’s stupid behavior. ”

thud.

The Royal Knight Commander bowed his head so low that it made a noise on the desk.

It may seem a bit rude, but it was an apology that was more than sincere.

“As the teacher of Kaerne d’Este and the one who appointed him as a knight, I feel responsible. I sincerely apologize. ”

“… … … … .”

“So, as a token of my apology… … … I will train students at Grandis Academy for free. What do you think? ”

“… … Yes?”

therefore.

The Royal Knight Commander, who is busy with construction work, is telling me that the strongest 7th-rank inspector is coming to the Academy to give lectures for free?

At the unexpected words, I quietly turned my gaze to the chairman. The chairman also nodded to me, seeming quite surprised.

Okay, I guess the chairman thinks the same.

“No need.”

“Hey, Minister of Finance?”

“Minister of Finance?”

“What we want is a different kind of compensation.”

No, what’s the point of coming to that lecture? In a game, it would be a protagonist growth event or something, but it’s useless. It doesn’t help the finances at all.

More than that.

“If it is another type of compensation… … .”

“Of course it’s compensation. Here’s a rough estimate. ”

“… … … … … .”

Give me the money, money.

What are you trying to do with your body?