episode_0047

A classroom where classes are in progress.

There, about thirty students were participating in the class, each maintaining different levels of concentration and posture.

“As a result of the witch hunt that began like that, most of the witches in the eastern part of the continent were unjustly massacred. In the process, many people, including Mina Adelan, a first-generation witch, lost their lives, and their disciples, Rosebeta and Celeb, as well as the second-generation witches and magicians, fled to the empire to escape danger..”

The lecture being held now is a history class.

Learning about the history of the Empire and the short but eventful history of the Principality of Dragona was the most comfortable and interesting lesson for Zeros.

‘What should I say… It’s called a history class, but it actually feels like a serious lecture on the settings of a fantasy novel. On top of that, they explain in great detail stories that weren’t in the original work.’

Zeros is attending class with such great interest in many ways.

At that moment, he suddenly began to see Katlena, who was participating in class with half-open eyes.

Katlena sits with a blank expression on her face, seemingly about to nod off.

She always tried to show her mature side in front of Zeros, but at times like this, Zeros felt anew that she was still a young girl, and he began to smile slightly without realizing it.

‘Honestly… Sometimes I wonder if this person is really 10 years old, but when I look at it like this, I think he’s actually quite cute.’

Catlena, with her cheeks as white as jade and pale as snow, resting them on her palms, looks forward with her hazy red eyes.

That sight was cute, but at the same time, it was a little funny.

‘There’s even saliva at the corner of your mouth… You must be really bored with class, right? Well, come to think of it, in Katlena’s case, it’s likely that you’ve already heard that story from the person involved.’

The history of the entire empire, if not the Duchy of Dragona, could be said to be the life of her mother, Duchess Rosetta.

Since the main character of the story that the teacher in front of her is telling right now is also her, there is nothing new to say about this story from Katlena’s perspective.

With that thought in mind, Zeros gave a warm look to Katlena, who was finally starting to nod off, and then began to focus on the lecture that was taking place in front of him again.

*

‘Haa… Really. I have to take this annoying class again. This is also quite hard work..’

In a half-conscious state, Katlena was wandering between sleep and wakefulness, doing her best to avoid falling into complete slumber.

Although the class content itself was about her mother, whom she loved, Katlena found the class boring as it only taught her very basic things.

‘Besides, I don’t like the way the teacher speaks… Haa, I want to finish quickly and have a meal with Zeros.’

Even though she was a member of the student council, she was still only a ten-year-old freshman.

Although he was being given small tasks like organizing simple documents under the pretext of new recruit training, there wasn’t anything special that could be considered after the previous patrol mission with Senel.

‘Still, being called to the student council room once a week to see Sister Elios… was still a bit burdensome.’

To be honest, regardless of the difficulty of the task, if possible, I would like to refuse it or make up an excuse to get out of it.

However, since she had already decided to make her relationship with her older sister more friendly, she was able to show that much patience.

In addition, I also wanted to escape from this situation where I would be traumatized and anxious whenever I saw my older sister.

‘In that sense, at least I can say that it’s an achievement that my heart doesn’t pound as if it’s going to burst just by looking at my sister’s face anymore… but I can’t help but be surprised sometimes…’

Katlena was wasting her time absentmindedly, thinking of such random thoughts.

At that moment, the bell signaling the end of class began to ring in her ears, and Katlena began to stretch, feeling glad that she could escape this tedious situation.

‘Whew… It’s finally over. Then, shall we go have a meal with Zeros?’

Katlena gets up from her seat while thinking that.

And then, as usual, Zeros followed naturally, and the two of them left the classroom and started heading towards the restaurant area.

*

“So what do you want to eat today? Tell me anything, Zeros.”

“Umm… I’m fine with anything. I’ll follow Princess Katlena’s wishes.”

Zeros chooses the most common answer to the question, “What should I eat today?”, which can be said to be the greatest puzzle for mankind.

However, since Katlena was the one who basically held Zeros’ purse strings as the owner, she felt a little regretful and began to think about today’s menu.

‘I ate chicken just yesterday, so today… how about having seafood for the first time in a while? Something like fish might go surprisingly well…’

With that thought in mind, Katlena enters the alley where the restaurant she often visits is located.

Although it was located in a relatively quiet area, it was her favorite place because she could get a quick, good meal without having to wait.

There, Katlena looks forward to spending cozy times with Zeros as usual.

at that time..

“Sob.. sob.. ugh..”

“Huh?”

The next moment, a crying sound suddenly came to Katlena’s ears.

Katlena turned her head at the sound coming from a deserted place…

There, in her memory, was the face of a girl whose information remained.

A girl who appeared to be around the same age as Katlena, with black hair and brown skin that gave her a somewhat cute impression.

As she figured out who she was, Katlena asked the girl in a polite voice.

“I.. Are you okay? If you need any help, please let me know.”

“Sob..sob.. That.. That. I. Lost my way so..”

The girl answered with a tearful voice. Katlena remained silent for a moment, then spoke to her with a smile on her face.

“I see, are you lost? Then let us help you. Where were you going?”

Literally, Katlena talks as if she were a woman in her 20s talking to a 10-year-old kid.

At this, the girl stopped crying slightly and continued speaking cautiously.

“Well..so. Originally, I was going to go to the 3rd building annex..but I..”

“I see, it’s the 3rd building annex… That’s fortunate, since it’s right in front, I think I can take you there right away.”

“Is that true, Your Majesty?”

“Yes, really. Just follow me. Let’s go, Zeros. We have time to spare anyway, so let’s go right away.”

“..Yes, Your Majesty.”

Zeros responds to Katlena’s words in a quiet voice.

Katlena smiled quietly at his appearance and then started walking towards the 3rd building annex.

It was an even quieter place than it already was, with few people around.

As she walked along, Katlena glanced at the face of the girl who was holding her hand tightly.

So, just after finally realizing that there were no more eyes watching around.

She stopped walking and looked at the girl as she spoke.

“Okay, we’re all here. There’s no need to be hesitant anymore.”

“..Huh? What..what is that..”

A girl who looks perplexed by Katlena’s words.

Looking at her, Katlena roughly cut off the girl’s hand that was holding her back and then distanced herself from the girl.

Immediately after that, Zeros blocks Katlena’s path while drawing the wooden sword he always carried.

At his actions, Katlena asked with a slightly surprised expression.

“What.. You knew that too?”

“That.. That’s.. What I wanted to ask. Well, thanks to Serif-nim’s training, I can sense presence, so even so, how about Katlena-nim..”

“That’s…ah, that. Well…even though I look like this, I’ve heard that I’m quite talented in magic. This much is easy.”

“Ah..yes.”

The two people gave appropriate answers to each other’s slightly difficult questions.

And, looking at them like that, the girl who had been sobbing just a moment ago slowly began to change her expression.

“Hoo..”

No, it wasn’t just his expression that changed.

Her hair length, her height, her clothes, even her body type.

Everything began to change before their eyes, and then the girl.

No.. she said to the young boy and girl in front of her with a voice full of interest.

“That’s pretty good. Both of you.”