Magic power filled the transfer circle, and it radiated black and gold light. At the same time, the magic stone set into my brooch began to glow. The space before me shimmered and wavered, and I was struck by a sensation like a momentary bout of dizziness.
As if noticing my head sway, Richalda reached out slightly and let me lean against her. A sigh of relief escaped me the moment I had something to support me, but in the next instant, the figures of everyone standing before me warped and distorted.
Startled by the warping of my vision, I blinked several times and rubbed my eyes. When the scenery before me became clear again after just a few seconds, the group who had been there to see me off was nowhere to be seen.
"Welcome to the Noble Academy's Ehrenfest Dormitory, Lady
Before me was a pair of wide-open doors, and two knights stood monitoring the transfer circle. The transfer circle at my feet was the same one, and the room closely resembled the one I had departed from. There were chairs for the two knights and various small magical tools, and with no one left to see me off, I could tell this was a different location.
"My lady, if you are feeling well, shall we leave the room?"
I was given a gentle push on the back as Richalda urged me to exit the transfer room. Apparently, the servants needed to bring luggage to my room before
When I left the transfer circle room with Richalda, there was a waiting room just like the one at the castle. It was the room where, during transfers, the next person's luggage was loaded while they waited for their turn.
"Lady Rozemyne, we have been awaiting you."
Accompanied by Cornelius and Angelica, I left the waiting room and found a corridor and doors that looked remarkably similar to those in the castle. It was so alike that I wondered whether I had truly been transferred to the Noble Academy.
"Is this really the Noble Academy? It feels no different from the castle."
"The dormitories at the Noble Academy were created by the Lords using creation magic, so in essence, every territory's dormitory bears a similar feel to the castle."
Richalda told me that each territory's dormitory had its own characteristics—ornate buildings, sturdy and practical buildings, rounded and elegant buildings, stark square buildings stripped of every unnecessary flourish… all sorts.
Cornelius nodded in agreement.
"Each territory's dormitory has its own unique character, and it's enjoyable just to look at them. People from other territories can't go inside, though, so you can only admire the exterior."
The brooch given by the Lord at the dedication ceremony was apparently a magical tool of discrimination that distinguished citizens from non-citizens. It could tell apart registered citizens with the Lord's unique magic from everyone else. Because of that, merely stealing a brooch would not grant access to another territory's dormitory.
"Then, I shall leave the two of you in charge of my lady."
"Leave her to us."
At the foot of the stairs, Richalda handed things over to Cornelius and Angelica, then promptly went up the stairs.
"Lady Rozemyne, this way please. Tea has been prepared."
"Angelica, Cornelius, where are you heading?"
"It is a venue to welcome the new students."
Those who had transferred from the castle to the dormitory were all unable to enter their own rooms while their attendants set things up, so they had to wait in the hall until everything was ready. Upperclassmen who had already finished arranging their rooms would be there to welcome the new students.
"Lady Rozemyne has arrived."
An upperclassman shrine maiden apprentice poured tea and served snacks, entertaining us. When I looked around, I could see fellow new students of my cohort holding their tea with nervous expressions.
"Lady Rozemyne, please come this way. …That outfit is absolutely splendid. You've incorporated the trends of the Noble Academy and also used the floral ornaments you designed yourself, haven't you?"
"I made it based on information from
Brunhilde, who had been with me at my debut at the age of seven and was now twelve, should be a third-year. Her deep crimson straight hair flowed smoothly. Her candy-colored eyes narrowed with pleasure as she looked at me.
"I'm glad I could be of use. I wish to spread the outfits and hair ornaments you designed to the center, Lady Rozemyne. During my time at the academy, even if just once, I want Ehrenfest to set the trend."
Brunhilde, who was sensitive to fashion and trends, said that by the kingdom's standards, Ehrenfest was considered a backwater territory with nothing worth seeing, and as a high-ranking noble of Ehrenfest, she found this humiliating.
"The trends you've set over these past few years will surely be accepted in the center as well, Lady Rozemyne. I once asked the Lord and his wife if I could set a trend myself, but I was forbidden from spreading anything freely until you came to the Noble Academy. So I've been eagerly awaiting your arrival. I simply cannot wait for this year's Noble Academy."
With amber eyes burning with ambition—much like my mother when she had been considering setting new trends within Ehrenfest through snacks and floral ornaments—Brunhilde smiled.
I myself had only come up with things on a whim or made them because I wanted them, so I didn't have that much enthusiasm for setting trends. I listened while feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of Brunhilde's passionate appeal.
"Brunhilde, you mustn't assert yourself so strongly. Lady Rozemyne must be feeling uncomfortable."
From behind Brunhilde, a girl stepped forward quietly. She had emerald-green hair parted in two, carefully braided, the resulting braids gathered together in the back. She looked slightly smaller than Brunhilde, but I had no memory of speaking with her, so she must have already entered the Noble Academy when I made my debut.
"Lieselota. …I apologize, Lady Rozemyne. It seems I was so overjoyed that I lost myself."
"No, I could clearly feel Brunhilde's enthusiasm to strengthen Ehrenfest's influence. I think it's a vital quality for a high-ranking noble."
As Brunhilde retreated with a look of relief, the girl called Lieselota said, "I'm sorry for the disturbance, Lady Rozemyne. Please take your time to relax," offered a reserved smile, and then quietly withdrew.
Lieselota's hair was neatly arranged so as not to get in the way when she moved, and her deep green eyes held an intellectual light. The coloring was different, but Lieselota's facial features seemed similar to Angelica's. Sisters, or perhaps cousins—they had to be related.
"Lieselota, you look quite a lot like Angelica."
"Yes, she is my younger sister."
Lieselota was quick-witted—preparing a cloth for wiping hands after picking up snacks, pouring refills of tea for nearby new students—spinning around busily. She never wasted words, never forgot to smile, and her reserved work style made it clear that their parents had raised them well.
…I suppose this is where the bloodline of capable attendants is concentrated?
Angelica and Lieselota looked alike but behaved in completely different ways.
"Unlike me, Lieselota is exceptional and the pride of our parents."
"Oh my? Angelica may not have been suited for being an attendant, but as a knight, she's excellent, isn't she?"
"That is indeed the case, Lady Rozemyne."
I was blinking in surprise at Angelica's sudden interjection on her own behalf, and Angelica called the girl's name with a slightly troubled expression—"Eudiett."
I had seen Eudiett three years ago during winter in the children's room. I seemed to recall she was one year older than me. She had fluffy, bright orange hair tied in a ponytail like Angelica's, and her violet eyes sparkled brilliantly.
"Angelica is a middle-ranking knight, yet she has mastered Body Enhancement magic and was recognized by
I listened to Eudiett's earnest praise of Angelica's abilities with narrowed eyes. Having my own guard knight praised was, after all, a wonderful feeling.
"So Angelica is really amazing for being able to do Body Enhancement? I heard from Bonifatius that she grew a lot during the two years I was asleep."
"Yes! She was recognized by Bonifatius himself. I want to become that strong too. Angelica is my role model."
…It seemed Eudiett was something of an Angelica devotee.
"Eudiett, please stop."
"Indeed. If you're too noisy, Lady Rozemyne won't be able to relax. She even shows such thoughtful care toward her mistress—I must learn from that as well. Lady Rozemyne, please forgive us."
I could tell that Eudiett had taken Angelica's words and interpreted them in her own favorable way.
When I glanced up at Angelica, she was looking away from Eudiett with a troubled expression, and Cornelius was struggling to suppress his laughter. Pursued by Eudiett, Angelica—who was not accustomed to being praised—was blushing and didn't know how to respond.
"Eudiett is a good girl who admires Angelica, isn't she?"
"…No. She's not a good girl—she's an odd one, Lady Rozemyne."
Chuckling at Angelica's correction, I looked around the room. The room had a warm carpet on the floor and tapestries on the walls, all of which used the same color as our mantles.
"They use the territory's colors in the decorations too."
As I said this, what caught my eye was a group of people sitting in a somewhat isolated position. Everyone had their heads slightly lowered, giving off a dark atmosphere, and the glances they cast our way occasionally carried a frustrated sense of exclusion.
Among them, I spotted Roderich, who had been diligently gathering information for me, and my eyes narrowed slightly.
"Cornelius, why are those children sitting so far away?"
"The ones gathered over there are children whose parents belonged to the old
The Veronica faction, originally the largest faction, had many members. Even after two years, it hadn't completely collapsed, and apparently about a quarter of the Noble Academy's students were still considered cautionary targets. If fifteen out of the sixty-five students living in the same dormitory were in that kind of situation, I thought it would be difficult for everyone to cooperate in improving Ehrenfest's overall grades.
"Is there some way we could bring them to our side?"
"That's how factions work. I heard from Brother
"…I see."
I thought about whether the High Priest had also been looking at the largest faction with that same kind of expression, but I couldn't quite imagine the dynamic.
…He seems to have had a hard time at the castle, but from what Brother Eckhart tells it, he was thriving at the Noble Academy.
Taking advantage of not being bothered, I could only imagine him cheerfully marching down the road of a mad scientist. He must have used every excuse and justification at his disposal, fiercely protecting his freedom to act as he pleased, and settled in at the Noble Academy.
…He definitely moved everyone around "for himself" just like this time.
"Lord Wilfried has arrived."
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Wilfried entered with his guard knight apprentices and bureaucratic apprentices, who had apparently gone to greet him on his behalf. They looked like attendants as they prepared tea and snacks, and while several people bustled about, Wilfried took the chair that had been prepared next to mine.
"So this is the Noble Academy's dormitory. It feels very similar to the atmosphere of the castle."
A voice suddenly answered him from behind—"Yes, it does"—in response to what had seemed like a muttered remark to himself.
When I turned around, a thin, serious-looking woman stood there with a gentle smile. She appeared to be in her late thirties or early forties.
"I am
Hirschur was originally a noble from Ehrenfest. Because of her excellent grades, she had been assigned to work in the capital, and she now served as a teacher at the Noble Academy, giving lectures on magical tools.
"The other day, I received a letter from Ferdinand after quite some time. I hear Lady Rozemyne is Ferdinand's beloved disciple? A gifted child who excelled in everything—lord candidate, knight apprentice, bureaucratic apprentice, top marks across the board—and his beloved disciple at that. I simply cannot wait to see what she will accomplish."
…Ferdinand's beloved disciple? When did I become that? Huh? Isn't the bar incredibly high all of a sudden?
Before I could formulate a response, Hirschur gave a small smile, moved to the center of the room, and began her explanation of the dormitory for the new students.
Apparently, the third floor housed the girls' rooms, the second floor the boys' rooms, and the first floor had shared spaces like the hall and dining hall. Boys going up to the third floor was strictly forbidden, and knight apprentices would take turns standing guard at the stairs.
The innermost rooms on each floor belonged to the Lord and his wife, to be used during lord conferences.
"If you fail your exams and end up remaining at the Noble Academy through spring, the Lord and his wife will remember your face and name—for the worse. Please keep that in mind."
…Wow, Angelica.
Each floor had three rooms prepared for lord candidates, and the surrounding rooms were for attendants. Except for attendants, the inner rooms were for higher-ranking nobles, while those closer to the stairs were for lower-ranking nobles. The rooms for lower and middle-ranking nobles were shared among multiple people, but apparently you could get a private room by paying extra.
Meals would be taken together, and we were told the dining hall hours. Bathing was handled individually in one's own room, just like at the castle.
"There will be a promotion ceremony and a social gathering two days from now, and lectures will begin the day after that. Until then, new students should familiarize yourselves with dormitory life and prepare for the lectures. Preparation is essential in everything. Are there any questions?"
"Yes!"
I raised my hand energetically. Naturally, Hirschur and all eyes turned toward me.
"Where is the library in this dormitory?"
"There is no library in the dormitory. The Noble Academy has a library, however."
"Then when can I enter the library? Can I go now? What are the library hours?"
Not a reading room but a library—the very word sent my heart racing. I asked while suppressing my urge to dash out immediately, and Hirschur smiled with a slightly troubled expression.
"The library does not open until after lectures begin. Each territory takes turns explaining its use to new students. Access to the library comes after that."
"…I see."
Having to wait until lectures started before I could access the library was quite disappointing.
"If there are studious lord candidates, everyone else will naturally follow suit. I have high hopes for you, Lady Rozemyne."
…So in other words, if I—the lord candidate—read books, everyone else will be inspired to read too? I'll have to do my best!
Around the time Hirschur finished her explanation, Richalda had apparently finished arranging the room and came to the hall.
"Lady Rozemyne, your room is now ready."
At Richalda's words, I headed for my room. The corridor was long, so I was told to use a riding beast, and I summoned mine and climbed aboard.
"I can only accompany you this far."
As a man, Cornelius could only go up to the second floor. After that, only Angelica would serve as my guard knight.
When we reached the third floor, I could see doors lining both sides of a long corridor. My room was at the far end. Quite a distance. If I had to climb the stairs all the way to the third floor and walk to the end of the corridor, I might collapse halfway without a riding beast.
"This is your room, my lady."
The room inside was arranged in a layout not much different from my room at the castle. This was the result of careful consideration—so that I could live comfortably without any sense of incongruity, and so that Richalda could work along familiar paths.
"Then, my lady. Let us decide on your attendants right away. Did anyone catch your eye during today's hospitality? Please choose from the list. We must make the announcement today."
The desk—no, here it was a study desk. Several sheets of paper had already been prepared on it. They were a list of students that I had asked Cornelius to compile, with circles marked next to those I could potentially take on as attendants, triangles next to those whose status or position was uncertain but who could be considered depending on my judgment, and crosses next to those who were cautionary targets and should be avoided. Those who were already attending to Wilfried or
"Brunhilde is a circle, Lieselota is a circle, Eudiett is a circle,
I murmured as I went through the list, checking against those I remembered.
"Roderich is someone who set up Lord Wilfried at the hunting tournament, so he is not suitable to serve as your attendant."
"Even if Roderich himself had no intention of setting him up, there's a high likelihood he simply followed his parents' orders, isn't there? Just as Lord Wilfried was given a chance to reform, I'd like to judge for myself by meeting the person."
My opinion was overruled by Richalda. She said it was impossible to take on an attendant when I barely knew the person. That was certainly true.
"Everyone besides Roderich who caught your attention will be appointed as attendants. Brunhilde and Lieselota as attendant apprentices, Eudiett as a guard knight apprentice. If you wish it, Lady Rozemyne, there would be no objection to including Philine as a bureaucratic apprentice."
Richalda, building on my input, proceeded to finalize the attendants one after another.
"However, we will need a senior bureaucratic apprentice who can support and guide Philine, a lower-ranking noble. If you have no objections, Lady Rozemyne, let us add
"Who is Hartmut?"
"He is Othilie's youngest son. He's an affectionate child who seems to enjoy interacting with people. He's also very skilled at gathering information."
"Then let's include Hartmut as well."
He had entered the Noble Academy before my baptism ceremony, so I didn't know him well, but if he was Othilie's son and Richalda recommended him, I saw no problem.
"Next—yes. We should also select a knight apprentice who can succeed Cornelius. How about
"Grandfather and Richalda's grandchild… Just hearing that makes him sound incredibly strong."
"Not at all yet. He's nowhere near comparable to Cornelius, who was taught Lady Rozemyne's magic compression method and trained as a guard knight by Bonifatius."
Traugott had apparently been considered for the position of Wilfried's guard knight apprentice, but since there was no telling when Wilfried would receive my permission for his guard knights to be taught the magic compression method, he had hesitated.
Wilfried, who had nearly been the next Lord before being removed from that position, had apparently struggled quite a bit assembling his own attendants as well.
"Also, there's no problem with putting Eudiett in as Angelica's successor, but Angelica herself is not suited for mentoring her replacement. What should we do about that?"
"That is as Lady Richalda says. I apologize, Lady Rozemyne."
At Angelica's voice, which didn't sound particularly sorry, Richalda sighed.
"While I said to have Cornelius handle the education, there are some things that are difficult to discuss without a woman. We'll need a female knight apprentice who can serve as a coordinator among female knights and work together with Cornelius in training. Do you have anyone in mind, Angelica?"
Even when asked by Richalda, Angelica simply tilted her head blankly, so I asked her, "Is there a female knight apprentice who would probably come up with all sorts of ideas in your place?" At that moment, Angelica's expression turned serious as she began to think.
"…How about
"So Angelica yourself has basically given up on thinking altogether."
"Yes. That's exactly right."
…I didn't know what to do. It felt like Angelica had abandoned thinking even more than she had two years ago.
"Hey, Master! It's not enough to simply give crisp replies. Every time you receive teaching from your own master, you rely more and more on instinct. You need to cultivate the habit of thinking a bit more."
Stenluke, the magical sword at Angelica's waist, began its lecture, so it seemed there was no role for me to play. I'd leave the scolding to Stenluke, who spoke just like the High Priest.
"Let's reach out to Leonore, and if we get a favorable response, we'll add her as a guard knight."
"Understood, my lady."
With that, the initial selection of attendants was decided.
Arrived at the dormitory.
And then, the new children began to emerge one after another.
Next is the Academic Improvement Committee.