Library Committee Secured!

The next day's lectures were arithmetic, theology, and magic. Each one built upon last year's knowledge, going deeper. I had prepared for all of them thoroughly, so there were no problems at all. The faces of the Ehrenfest second-years seated in the lecture hall looked bright and confident.

For second-year arithmetic, the task was learning to use calculators to handle large-digit calculations. To that end, I had been taught how to use a calculator. The Chief Priest had drilled me to the point where he told me, "Use a Slate for everything except exams. For checking your work, don't use the calculator—do Handwritten Calculations instead."

Of course, we also studied the essential budget items for a territory, their proportions, and tax calculations to some degree, but it wasn't particularly difficult. All you needed was an elementary school level of math, roughly from the middle to upper grades. Anything beyond that was for the students in the civil official course.

"I am quite confident in arithmetic, as I have been well trained through my work at the Temple," Filine declared, her leafy-green eyes sparkling after finishing her exam preparation in the lecture hall.

Wilfried's brow furrowed slightly at this, and a look of distaste crossed his face, as though something had come back to mind.

"Temple work, you say—that would be helping my uncle, yes?"

"Yes, Lord Wilfried. I was thoroughly trained over the course of about a year."

"...Filine, you go to the Temple?"

Roderick stared at Filine with his dark-brown eyes widened in surprise. A typically noble reaction—strong revulsion toward the Temple—and it made me smile a little.

"I am the High Priest, after all. As Filine is my close aide, she must come and go from the Temple. Hartmut and the apprentice guard knights also enter and leave on a daily basis. Roderick, I would appreciate it if you considered such matters carefully as well."

Matthias had told Roderick to hold off and deliberate carefully before offering his name, but it seemed Roderick's resolve to pledge himself was solidifying. Recently, he had been making an effort to deepen his relationships with my close aides, starting with Filine, and during lectures in the lecture hall, he often ended up sitting near me.

Perhaps because he had once declared his intention to offer his name, my close aides had stopped being overly wary of Roderick approaching and weren't trying to push him away. Instead, their gazes had grown sharper—as though they were evaluating, or perhaps observing him closely.

Arithmetic ended easily, just as I had expected from the start. I had reminded everyone to always do a check calculation to catch errors, so I doubted there were many mistakes.

"It was much easier compared to helping the Chief Priest," Filine said with a small smile. "If I made a mistake, I wasn't scolded, and there was no redo." When Filine had first started helping, she had been quite discouraged by the combination of unfamiliar calculations done under pressure and the Chief Priest's cold, relentless barrage of "You're wrong. Redo it." Recently, her calculation errors had decreased, and she seemed to have realized that the Chief Priest's expressionless face didn't actually mean he was angry. Her calculation speed had improved as well.

"Next up is theology."

For theology, we had to choose one god from our birth season along with that god's divine retainers, and then one additional god and divine retainers, and memorize their names and what they governed. This might be difficult for someone who hadn't memorized any of it, but at Ehrenfest, the children had already learned about all the gods through Holy Book picture books and card games before they even reached second year. It was a walk in the park.

"Rozemyne, which god will you choose to write about?"

Those with only one element could choose any god and divine retainers they liked, but those with multiple elements had to choose from within their own. This was important because by third year, knowing which god you were most likely to receive blessings from would matter when seeking divine protections.

In my case, being born in summer, memorizing the Fire God Leidenschaft and his divine retainers was already decided. I had to choose one more element. Since I had all elements, any god would work.

...Well, the god I wanted blessings from had long been decided.

"I plan to choose Wind and its retainers, since they relate strongly to libraries and books. I believe I offer the most prayers to the Goddess of Wisdom, Mestionora, after all."

"That sounds like you. I'm choosing Water for my birth season, and I want to deepen my connection with Fire for future growth," Wilfried replied.

Born in spring, Wilfried wanted to strengthen his relationship with the Water Goddess and her retainers as well as the Fire God and his retainers. He said he wanted to grow and become stronger.

"What about you, Filine?"

"I only have Earth as an element, so for the other one I'll choose Wind, just like Rozemyne. I want the divine protection of the Goddess of Wisdom, Mestionora."

"Any civil official would be happy to have that. What about you, Roderick?"

When I turned to Roderick, he glanced around enviously at the others, then slowly shook his brownish-orange head.

"I was born in the Wind season, and my other element is Earth, so I have no room to choose."

"Having elements means you're more likely to receive divine protections even without a choice, so I'm envious of you, Roderick."

When Filine said this with a light sigh, Roderick murmured, "So there's that way of looking at it too." He must have been quite envious of everyone discussing their choices.

"Ehrenfest passes, everyone!"

Theology was completed without issue as well. I even felt nostalgic for the time I first entered the Temple and had nearly cried at the length of the gods' names while memorizing them.

For magic, it was the basics of magic circles, which the Chief Priest had already taught me, so there were no particular problems. It mostly involved memorizing the symbols needed to draw magic circles and various precautions. Simply put, we had to learn which combinations of elements were dangerous when mixed, which combinations had synergistic effects, and so on.

...Just remember that the Life element repels everything except Earth, and you'll be fine.

In the second-years' practical session where we actually drew magic circles, we basically practiced single-element magic circles, and even for multi-element circles, we only used combinations with synergistic effects. Things wouldn't get complicated until the civil official course.

After breezing through the morning lectures, the afternoon session was the music practical.

The practical wasn't held in the lecture hall but in a small reception room. Since only lord candidates and high-ranking nobles were present, the number of people dropped considerably. Looking around, I could see everyone's faces at this size. However, the number of people whose faces matched their names remained as low as ever.

"This year's assignment piece is here."

A large board was slapped with a small sheet of sheet music. Immediately after, the sheet music grew larger and larger until it was visible even from a distance.

"In addition to the assignment piece, please also perform one piece of your choosing."

During first year, we had grouped together by territory not only during lectures but during practicals as well. However, thanks to the interactions between students after I had passed, the territorial groupings had broken down. As soon as the teacher announced the assignment, Wilfried grabbed his feystpiel and headed off toward Ortwin and the cluster of boys. Looking around, everyone seemed to be practicing with their close friends, and Hannalore was surrounded by her female friends as well.

...What should I do?

It would be easy to grab my feystpiel and head over to Hannalore's group, which seemed open to having me join, but if I got caught up in the girls' chatter and the camaraderie of "let's practice together and pass together," it would become difficult to pass on the first try and leave the lecture. This year, as last, I was aiming for the fastest possible completion to get to the library. One or two lectures would be better spent finishing quickly on my own.

...It's a little sad to be thought of as someone with no friends, but I can't help it.

The assignment piece was one that had come up in the Chief Priest's practice assignments about half a year ago, so if I practiced a bit to get my finger movements back, I should be able to pass. For the free piece, I could choose from the songs that had been assigned around the same time, and the difficulty and popularity should be fine.

While everyone chatted lightly as they practiced, I diligently worked through the assignment piece and the free piece, then headed to the teacher. I would pass quickly and be done with music class. Experiencing this lonely time twice or three times was just too much.

"Teacher Pauline, may I request my examination?"

I called out to Pauline, who had been playing her own feystpiel after giving out the assignment. Pauline was the teacher who had invited me to her tea party last year. She stopped playing her feystpiel and blinked several times.

"Oh my, Rozemyne, are you ready already?"

"Yes. The assignment piece this year was one I had practiced before."

I sat down in the offered chair and took up my feystpiel. Being the first to take the exam, I could feel the gazes of everyone suddenly turning my way. The small reception room, which had been full of the mixed sounds of practice and conversation, gradually fell silent.

Startled by the sudden attention, I slowly breathed to calm my mind, then plucked the strings. A high note ringing out the main melody from my right hand, a deep note from my left hand, spread through the small reception room.

"That is quite excellent. You've improved considerably in one year."

Since I was made to practice without fail both at the castle and at the Temple, I passed without any particular difficulty. Though Pauline offered praise, she also gave me a slightly reproachful look.

"However, your free piece is rather expected. I had hoped that Rozemyne might perform a new piece. ...Do you not have a new one?"

It wasn't that I didn't. I had provided the original compositions for a few songs after Rosina pestered me. I just had no intention of standing out by announcing "This is a composition of mine" in a setting like this class. If Wilfried hadn't revealed it last year, I would have played a familiar, well-practiced song and been done with it.

But now, if I performed an original composition, everyone would surely think, "For someone who has no friends, she sure is attention-seeking." Standing out as a loner served no purpose. I wanted to finish the lecture quickly and quietly disappear. My goal was for the fact that "the Ehrenfest lord candidate was all alone" to quietly fade from everyone's memory along with me.

"Unfortunately, it is not polished enough to perform during a lecture."

"Then, let us have another tea party this year. I would very much like to hear Rozemyne's new piece. Do bring your musician along again."

"I am pleased that Teacher Pauline enjoyed it so. My musician will be proud as well."

...Ugh, another tea party has been added to my schedule. As long as there are no royalty this year...

Though I had passed quickly, if I left on my own without my escort even though they hadn't arrived yet, I would surely get an earful from Richilda. While I considered how to kill time, I looked at how the others were doing and spotted Wilfried, who had little interest in music to begin with, pursing his lips and glaring at the sheet music. The girls' group, meanwhile, had their mouths moving far more busily than their fingers.

...If only I had a book, being alone wouldn't bother me at all. But a feystpiel...

With nothing else to do, I sat back down in my chair and cradled my feystpiel. That was when Hannalore timidly approached me. I tilted my head, and she gave me a warm smile.

She may have come over out of concern for me being all alone. Just thinking that made the world before my eyes brighten.

...Hannalore is truly wonderful! She is my friend of the heart!

"You passed so quickly, Rozemyne. You must be quite skilled with the feystpiel."

"I wouldn't say skilled, exactly. I have a very strict teacher. I would rather be reading books than practicing the feystpiel, but things rarely go the way I want."

If Rosina hadn't pleaded, "Please let me work as your exclusive musician," and if the Chief Priest hadn't checked my progress and assigned exercises, I would have prioritized reading over feystpiel practice.

"Besides, if I don't pass quickly, I won't be able to visit the library before the dedication ceremony. Schwarz and Weiss are waiting for me, after all..."

"Speaking of Schwarz and Weiss, are those the large, schumil-shaped Magical Tools that help out Teacher Solange in the library?"

She tilted her head slightly as she asked to confirm, and I nodded. The names Schwarz and Weiss might not be widely known.

As I was thinking this, Hannalore placed her hand against her cheek, her red eyes gleaming, and let out a small, "Oh my."

"Schwarz and Weiss are so adorable. Last year, I saw them working in the library, and it healed my heart."

Then, as though suddenly remembering something, her eyes widened, and Hannalore's expression shifted to one of concern. She began glancing around. Her pale-colored hair, tied in two sections, swayed gently.

Watching her hair sway, I quickly retraced my words. Had I said something that might cause Hannalore trouble if someone overheard? I had been scheming to invite her to become a library committee member, but I hadn't said anything about it yet.

...There shouldn't be any mistakes like leaving price tags on things or having my zipper open, like in my life as Urano.

My attendants made sure everything was tidy, so there shouldn't have been any visible faux pas that I'd be hesitant to point out. I touched things lightly to check—no, my hair ornament wasn't about to fall off. I shouldn't have made any major mistake.

Hannalore, while casting glances around us, closed the distance slightly and lowered her voice. I swallowed nervously and waited for her words.

"Um, Rozemyne. There is something I have been wanting to apologize for."

"...I cannot think of anything that warrants an apology from you, Hannalore. If anything, I should be the one apologizing for suddenly collapsing at the tea party."

I blinked in surprise at the unexpected words, and Hannalore let out a sigh. "It is not about myself. It is about Dunkelfelger."

In the din of feystpiel practice that nearly drowned out conversation, Hannalore told me the truth behind Restleraut's demand last year to hand over the rights to Schwarz and Weiss.

"I heard that because I murmured about how cute the schumils were and that I'd like to be their master, I caused trouble for Rozemyne and Ehrenfest. By the time I learned about it, it had already reached the prince's ears, and I was truly shocked."

In summary, Restleraut had heard his adorable little sister mutter, "I wish I could be the master of those cute schumils," and had been frantically working behind the scenes—going in circles—to make Hannalore their master.

...What an annoying, meddling brother!

"On top of that, I have heard that Luevenke has been repeatedly challenging ditter. I have been trying to stop him as much as I can, but he may continue to cause trouble. I—I was worried that Rozemyne might start to dislike me..."

She looked on the verge of tears as she said, "I had meant to apologize all along, but I never had the chance, and now it has become so late."

...Oh my. Hannalore is so adorable it's breathtaking! She had wanted to become the master of Schwarz and Weiss—she really is a kindred spirit among book lovers!

If I was going to invite Hannalore to the library committee, now was the time. I looked up at her.

"There is no reason for me to dislike you, Hannalore. So you wanted to be the master of Schwarz and Weiss, then? In that case, why don't you become a library committee member together with me?"

Hannalore tilted her head, bewildered.

"Um, what exactly does a library committee member do?"

"Supplying Schwarz and Weiss with Magic Power, and helping Teacher Solange. You like books too, don't you, Hannalore? How about joining me?"

Startled by my enthusiasm, her eyes widened slightly, then she placed a hand against her cheek in her usual gentle manner and thought for a moment before smiling. "Spending time with Schwarz and Weiss in the library does sound enjoyable."

...I did it! Library committee secured!

I had been wondering how and when to invite Hannalore to the library committee, but it had all come together remarkably smoothly. I wanted to jump up and shout "Yahoo!" but restrained myself, and though I wanted to pray to the gods in gratitude, I held that back too, simply clenching my fist tightly.

"Um, Rozemyne. I have another rather presumptuous request, if I may."

"Go ahead?"

I was thinking that I would agree to anything my new library committee friend asked, and I gestured for her to continue. Hannalore fidgeted before speaking.

"Would it be possible for you to allow my musician to play the pieces you composed, Rozemyne?"

She explained that during last year's tea party, after the music portion, a teacher had played the new pieces I had composed. She said softly that she wanted her musician to learn them. Just as had been done at the music teachers' tea parties, she wanted to have Rosina's pieces memorized by her own musician.

Having Hannalore's musician play pieces attributed to me was a sign of friendship. I nodded with a smile.

"Then shall we arrange the book lending and borrowing at our tea party? Do bring your musician along."

"Thank you so much, Rozemyne. I look forward to preparing the next book I can lend you."

...Hannalore and the library committee! Hannalore and tea parties! Hannalore and book exchanges! I'm not alone anymore!

When I left the small reception room after finishing music class, my heart fluttering with the promise of new friends, Richilda and my close aides were all waiting for me. Brother Cornelius saw me and smiled slightly.

"Rozemyne, that face says you passed, doesn't it?"

"Yes. I passed music as well."

When I reported this proudly, Filine approached with her cheeks flushed a lovely rose color, beaming with delight.

"Rozemyne, I passed too! The music teacher praised me. She said I had improved tremendously compared to last year."

Having practiced feystpiel alongside me at the Temple under Rosina's instruction, Filine had received praise for a level of improvement rarely seen in low-ranking nobles.

"It is because I practiced together with Rozemyne."

"Even if the teacher is the same, you won't improve without diligent practice. Your progress is due to your own effort, Filine."

"Also, Teacher Pauline invited me to a tea party, and I made all sorts of promises with Hannalore of Dunkelfelger. I've been working hard at socializing too, haven't I?"

When I reported that I had made a friend, my close aides all widened their eyes in surprise. "More important than the library?" they seemed to ask.

The next day's lectures were passed just as easily. Normally, this would go without saying, since the material for one season was something everyone studied over an entire year, so knowing it all was only natural. However, maintaining a perfect pass rate was anything but normal from everyone else's perspective.

Ortwin of Drewanchel came over, his emerald-green mantle billowing, to check on how things were going.

"Wilfried, is Ehrenfest still going for a perfect pass rate?"

"Yeah. I think everyone can pass the lectures. There's something we absolutely can't give up."

"...Something you can't give up?"

Ortwin blinked and leaned in toward Wilfried with keen interest.

For a moment, Wilfried looked like he'd let something slip, but he caught himself, then put on a noble smile and deflected.

"Well, what that is remains an Ehrenfest secret."

...We have no intention of bringing tarts to the Royal Academy this year.

Wilfried had only been vague because he didn't plan on introducing them as a trend, but to Drewanchel, it must have sounded like an enormous secret. The students' eyes lit up with almost frightening intensity.

"Hmm, Ehrenfest's secret to improved grades... I'll definitely figure it out, Wilfried."

"You won't find it so easy."

...Yeah, you two go for it.

I continued working through my lectures one by one, and I successfully recruited Hannalore.

Then, Ehrenfest and Drewanchel locked eyes.

Next time, still riding high on securing a library committee member, I head to the library.