Chapter 6 – Buried Past (2)

Students were not the only customers visiting the canteen.
The small space provided at the outdoor table was a great place for patrolling guards or professors who were tired from their experiments to take a breather.
It was through their mouths that word of mouth spread the fastest about some students who stood out each time a new semester began and about their families.

— Professor Marco, I heard that during your first class, there was a student who cast second-level magic without chanting?
— Yes-. His name is Carl, he’s a kid from southern Montana and he’s quite talented.
— The overall level of students this year is very high. I was very worried about the class competition since there is the eldest son of Liv Labre and Viscount Cloud in the second year, but we can proceed as is.
— There is a princess, and there are rumors that the Holy Kingdom will also transfer a student during the semester… In fact, the second year may be pushed back later.
— I had really high expectations for the child of Count Rocheire…
— … Let’s leave that story aside. By the way, it looks like Helzeb will be on the agenda at the regular meeting held in Mizar next month.

Their voices, carried by the wind, were heard unfiltered in my ears as I sat at the counter reading the morning newspaper.
As expected, the evaluation of Adela is at rock bottom.
By the way, I didn’t know the princess had entered the school. Are you that old already?
It’s definitely a good world that even royals who don’t necessarily need to be into magic are joining the academy.

“Hello, Mr. Lewis.”

Meanwhile, I heard a voice and raised my head to say hello.

“Welcome, Professor Roylen. “Do you need anything?”
“It’s not like that in particular~. “I was wondering what you were doing.”

She came this way with her quick steps. It also came with a refreshing citrus-based scent.
It seemed like he was bored hanging out with the chatter of old professors.

“Why are you covering your face? “Do you have any pimples anywhere?”
“I’m just reading the newspaper.”

They say that even rivers and mountains change in 10 years, but 10 years is not a long time to forget painful history.
There is no problem with the students, but there may be some professors who accidentally meet me at the front line.
I didn’t really want to get to know them, but Professor Roylen drew their attention by touching various items in her canteen.

“Wow~. “These wands are all magic.”
“It’s the new semester. “Everyone will probably use the staff or sword they brought from their families, but some students will need it, so I prepared it.”

A magician is a tool needed to use magic more efficiently.
Most of them are wands, but in fact, wizards who have reached a certain level are not limited by their appearance.
Terra was said to have the best firepower and even carried cannons.
She had never seen a weirdo like her, but in any case, each wizard used various types of magical weapons.

“Shall I buy one too?”

Looking at Roylen’s blonde hair, holding the cane and tilting her head, I shrugged and said,

“Aren’t those earrings magic?”
“You have a good sense of vision, don’t you? That’s right. “It’s made by melting down gold collected from the canal in Saschala.”
“I didn’t know that much in detail.”
“I’m just saying this too… Huh? Is this made from metallurgical wood? There won’t be many places that handle this type of material…”

Perhaps because it was a magic-related item, the professor’s sense of touch was quite sharp.
Metallurgical wood was a high-quality material with better hardness and magic conductivity than ordinary wood.
When the roots are alive, it has considerable magic resistance and is not easily damaged by an axe, so it was a difficult planting for woodcutters.

“I saved it.”
“Are you Mr. Lewis?”
“Yes. It’s winter. “The processing was left to the workshop.”

But her expression hardened slightly after hearing my answer.

“I spent this year in Farencia instead of going back to my hometown. Hasn’t entry to the western forest been banned since December? “I heard it’s dangerous because there are a lot of monsters.”
“… Ah, last year.”
“Last year, the heavy snowfall was so severe that an evacuation order was even issued at the guard post…”
“…”

After looking for a second excuse in the list of meaningless letters in front of me for a moment, I finally put down the newspaper and said,

“Would you like to take a cane?”

Your mouth is straight.

***

“Nice to meet you all. I’m a little late, but my name is Ersebet Brunhart de Baor, and I’ve just entered the Parencia Academy. “I came here to learn about magic, just like you all.”

Beautiful blonde hair that fades even the sunlight shining outside the window.
The brooch on the chest was a royal emblem that only one person at the academy could wear.
Professor Vincent broke into a cold sweat upon learning that the princess of Penheim had entered his class, but surprisingly, the students did not feel too much distance from Erzsebet.
This is because, due to the nature of nobles interacting frequently in social circles, everyone already knew each other.

“It’s been a while, Osen. Has the flood damage from last fall subsided now? “We have decided to lower taxes until this year, so please give my regards to Count Kronov.”
“Gourmonde confectionery? I know. Isn’t this the most famous dessert shop in the royal capital? It also appeared in Parenzia? “Then let’s go together next time.”
“I don’t have any plans yet on which salon I will build. “First of all, I plan to run for the election held in May and join the student council.”

As soon as the lecture ended, Erzsebet said a kind word to the people who came.
Several nobles stared at the polar colors on her shoulders as if they were amazed.
Meanwhile, Hergé Bet was looking for one of her classmates taking a break in her classroom who she had not yet said hello to.
It was Adela, Rosh Erga’s second daughter and the only one among her new students to possess the Order of Four Leaves.

‘She must definitely stand out…’ …’

She had never been seen in social circles, but at the level of Rosh Ar, it would be normal for her to attract people like the crowds gathered around her now.
However, there were a few notable factions of Erzsebet—— Among them, the blue water-colored hair that was the symbol of Rochear was not visible.

“Princess, is there someone you are looking for?”
“Yes. “I heard that Ice Snowball’s younger sister is in this class. Was she absent today?”
“Oh, that’s…”

As soon as she said those words, a strange aura filled her entire classroom.
Then, in the far corner, at the back of the window, I heard the sound of someone waking up.

“Hey, hey, wake up Adella!”
“Hmm…”
“The princess has arrived! “He’s looking for you now!!”
“Huh?”

A student who had his head on his desk with his cape upside down like an upside-down umbrella suddenly raised his head.
Now that I think about it, I think I was like that throughout class… Erzhebet approached her cautiously.

“Miss Adela? Nice to meet you, my name is Erzsebet.”
“Hmm~. Yes, hello.”
“Our kingdom has always been indebted to the Rochear family. How are you, Ice and Snowball?”
“Hehe, thank you-. I don’t know much about my sister. “I’m sure you’re well.”

An attitude as if it had nothing to do with you.
Besides, what is this sense of distance?

“Well, I see. The next lecture is probably the last today, right? “If you have time, wouldn’t you like to have a meal together?”

Although she was a little embarrassed, Erzsebet composed herself and suggested dinner.
Although it was forbidden to emphasize one’s status within the academy, the customs of aristocratic society did not disappear completely.
The first meal required appropriate formality.
There is a member of the Count Roche Ar family in the same class, and if he calls out people of lower rank, there will definitely be backlash.
However, Adela expressed her refusal without any sign of regret.

“I don’t like it.”
“Yes… ?”
“Ah, ah, ah, Adella! Are you out of your mind!? Sorry princess! “He has a bit of a stubborn streak!!”

Lina, who was apologizing next to her, hit the back of Adela’s neck! And grabbed it. It was impossible if one dared to think of one’s social status.

“I apologize quickly! “Fuck your head!”

Bean! Bean! Bean! The desk rings.

“Oh, it hurts! I have to go to the canteen. The bread there is delicious…”
“That thing is going down your throat right now!? You idiot! “You idiot!!”

Erzsebet, who was watching the scene, narrowed her eyes at the words that came out of Adela’s mouth.

“Store… “What?”
“Oh, no! He’s just out of his mind… From last time, why don’t you stop talking nonsense about how the owner there is a great wizard or something? “No need to worry!”
“Isn’t it? I saw it clearly with my own eyes… “Kwaang!”
“No, stop it, friend. Are you okay.”

Erzébet stopped Lina from slamming Adela’s head into her desk like a woodpecker.
Then he made eye contact with her as she touched her red forehead and her nose.

“I can’t help it because you’re busy. “I’ve already been meaning to go to the store, but this is a good opportunity.”
“Princess?”
“Miss Adela. “I’m not yet familiar with the academy’s geography, so would you mind taking me there?”
“Now?”

Perhaps the daughter of Count Rocheire knows something.
Ergébet nodded her head in response to Adela’s question, which did not show any sign of such on the outside.

“Yes. Right Now.”

***

— Are you there~? Are you there~~!?
– What? Where have you been? Is it time to close already?

I quietly hid myself in the corner of the counter, avoiding Adela, who was looking around inside with her forehead against the windshield.
Who knew that trying to catch a thief would end up like this? Her obsession was almost pathological.
I’m so scared that I can’t even turn on the fire on the second floor.

— Hey, I guess you went to bed early.

As the sound of trudging footsteps receded, I breathed a sigh of relief.
I don’t think I was this nervous even when I was running away from Antiope of Yoak, one of the executives of the Demon King’s army.

‘Did he go?’

Just as I was about to get up, I felt someone’s presence and quickly held my breath.
1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds…
When I couldn’t tell how much time had passed, I heard a small murmur.

— There really isn’t one.

My heart was pounding. What crime have I committed that I have to live in hiding like this?
I heard a voice wondering if Adela had come alone.

— It was originally open at this time, but I guess you went somewhere or went to bed early today.
— Oh, really? Well then, I’ll come back next time. Miss Adela, please go back first.
— What about the princess?
— I’m going to look around a little bit and then go to the dormitory. There are many interesting things to see when you leave the castle.

Crack, thump, thump.
Quick steps that allow you to immediately identify who has left.
And then, the sound of a small bird was heard.

— P.E.

“…”

— Pee! Pee! Pee!!

“I know everything is there. “Don’t hide.”

Holy shit.