Hirschur's Apprentice

After learning the improvements to the magic circle from Raimund, I was immediately sent on my way. It was because Hartmut and Brother Cornelius hurried me along.

I wanted to ask Raimund about the magical tools the High Priest had left behind and their improvements too, since he'd been so thorough and patient in teaching me about the magic circle, but since my retainers were on edge, I couldn't stay any longer.

The moment we returned to the dormitory, Brother Cornelius and Hartmut told me to write a letter to Ehrenfest.

"You should consult with Lord Ferdinand. As Hirschur's apprentice, he should know how to handle this."

"I'll gather information on Raimund. ...I doubt anyone among the third-year intermediate apprentice scribes would know much, though."

We returned much earlier than our scheduled lunch, and Wilfried, who was in the multipurpose hall, blinked in surprise at the sight of our bustling retainers.

"What happened?"

"Hirschur's newest disciple is an apprentice scribe from Ahrensbach."

"What!?"

Wilfried's deep green eyes went wide.

"If they've been helping with research and have access to Hirschur's study, there's a chance they've gotten wind of our information. ...Setting aside how much Hirschur herself knows since she doesn't live in this dormitory, we need to confirm just how much information has leaked."

Still, I was fairly certain that everything related to the magical tools and magic circles Hirschur was researching had already been discovered. Given the state of that room, she clearly wasn't hiding anything during her research.

Lieseloreta, who had caught my muttering, looked at me with a worried expression.

"Does that mean the magic circles embroidered on Schwartz and the others' clothing are also known about?"

They were magic circles meant to protect Schwartz and the others, but if someone knew what kind of magic circles they were, what actions would trigger them, and how they operated, there was no guarantee the defenses couldn't be bypassed.

"I think it depends on how much information Lord Ferdinand has been feeding Hirschur, but I'd assume she knows most of what she took home as research materials."

I sighed and began writing an urgent letter to the High Priest. My letter would be sent to Ehrenfest immediately. After that, all I could do was wait for a reply.

The multipurpose hall in the afternoon was full of first-years who had finished their lectures, while most second-years had left for practical training. A handful of third-years and above could be spotted here and there. Of my retainers, only Brother Cornelius and Richarda were in the multipurpose hall. Hartmut had rushed out of the dormitory almost as soon as he finished lunch to gather information.

I looked over the magic circle Raimund had corrected and reviewed his modifications. The magic circle I had originally created and the one Raimund had fixed were so different they might as well have been entirely separate designs.

"Is Raimund a third-year?"

If Raimund had just become a third-year, his regular coursework should have been almost identical to mine, having completed the second-year lectures. However, because he'd been cooped up in Hirschur's study devoting himself to research—and also showed up for Gundolf's lectures—there was a considerable gap between Raimund's and my knowledge of magical tools. I could see the traces of Raimund's effort in his corrections, and I let out a soft sigh.

"He's been studying magical tools this much, after all. He must have been dying to read Lord Ferdinand's books."

"He's from Ahrensbach."

Brother Cornelius said this while glaring at me. He had spent the two years before I awakened constantly blaming himself for failing to protect me despite being my guard knight, so his eyes toward Ahrensbach were sharp.

"I know. But the desire to read books isn't something you can just suppress, is it? There are books right in front of him that he wants to read, and yet he can't. I really felt sorry for Raimund."

"...We don't need that kind of sympathy."

Brother Cornelius sighed, his shoulders drooping as he crouched down right in front of me. Feeling vaguely like I was patting Gil's head, I reached out toward Brother Cornelius's light-green hair.

"You're a bit too tense. Being cautious is natural, but if you don't relax a little—at least inside the dormitory—Brother Cornelius, you'll collapse."

"It'd put my mind more at ease if Rozemyne were more on guard. Right now you're sympathizing with the person we need to be wary of."

"Well, geez," I said, shrugging my shoulders.

"Being unable to read is the greatest misfortune, so sympathy is only natural. But I do understand that sympathy and vigilance are separate things. I hate pain and scary things, and I don't want to put myself in danger over and over again."

As I was saying this to the skeptical-looking Brother Cornelius, a knight who should have been waiting in the transfer room came rushing into the multipurpose hall with a letter.

"It's an urgent letter from Lord Ferdinand."

Brother Cornelius's expression tightened and he sprang to his feet. Richarda moved faster, snatching the letter and handing it straight to me.

I opened the letter and read through it, my eyes going wide with surprise.

"...It says Lord Ferdinand is coming tomorrow afternoon."

"Ha!?"

"Apparently, normally one wouldn't come to the Noble Academy, but he needs to discuss with Hirschur the disposal and handling of the many magical tools he created. He wants us to invite Hirschur to dinner tomorrow evening and speak with her directly, so we're to prepare an invitation. He also says he wants to hear about the situation beforehand, so we're to compile information about what was discussed in Hirschur's study and everything related to Raimund."

There was a mountain of specific instructions: information on which faction Raimund belonged to within Ahrensbach, whether he had any connection to Count Bindewald, materials showing his level of knowledge and talent regarding magical tools, and Ehrenfest's relationship as seen from Ahrensbach's side—prepare all of it.

"There's way too little time!"

"...Lord Ferdinand making unreasonable demands is nothing new, and it sounds like he'll be deciding whether to invite Hirschur to Schwartz and the others' changing of clothes. We have no choice but to throw everything into gathering information."

If the High Priest was going to move to keep Hirschur in check, we had to fully support him to make things easier. Charlotte, who had been listening alongside us, nodded firmly.

"Sister, I'll have my retainers help gather information as well. Rather, everyone in the Ehrenfest dormitory should be pitching in. We're the ones who asked him to come. He's going out of his way to make this trip, so let's prepare as thoroughly as we can."

At dinner that evening, I explained that Hirschur's apprentice was an apprentice scribe from Ahrensbach, that the High Priest was coming to determine how to handle future dealings, and asked everyone to help gather information the next day.

"So it's become a hassle again, has it?"

The moment Justus and Brother Eckhart stepped through the transfer circle with the High Priest, he said just that. He sat down in a chair in the multipurpose hall, held out his hand, and said, "The materials." Hartmut, who was accustomed to working with the High Priest in the Temple, immediately handed over the documents and began a brief explanation.

"Raimund is an intermediate apprentice scribe who isn't particularly valued in Ahrensbach. His mother is from Berkelstock, and since she served the second wife who was executed, he grew up in a family that had fallen out of favor. His magic power is on the low side even within his family, so he hasn't been given high expectations. He's devoted himself to Hirschur, who recognized his talent."

"Hmm. ...Any connection to Count Bindewald?"

"Nothing we've been able to determine so far. His magic power is low, and apparently he struggles with research. He wanted to try making the magical tools and magic circles Lord Ferdinand created himself, but he didn't have enough magic power, so he's currently working on improvements."

Hartmut added that Raimund appeared more devoted to the High Priest than to Hirschur.

"He apparently finds Lady Rozemyne, who has abundant magic power and can directly ask Lord Ferdinand to teach her, extremely enviable. He kept saying things like he wished Lord Ferdinand would teach him too, or that he wanted to have research discussions with him."

After last year's Interduchy Tournament, Raimund apparently wanted to join the research discussions that Hirschur had been having through the night. Additionally, Hartmut said Raimund also found Hartmut himself enviable, since he had the opportunity to work with the High Priest and was entrusted with his books.

"...From what I'm hearing, he sounds like Heidemarie."

Justus looked at Brother Eckhart and the High Priest with an expression that seemed to be suppressing laughter. Brother Eckhart's face soured, and the High Priest nodded, saying, "Indeed." When I tilted my head in confusion, wondering who that was, Richarda explained, "She was Eckhart's late wife." Apparently, she had also served as the High Priest's scribe and brewing assistant.

...Wait? So, a couple who both adored the High Priest!?

Even as I was still blinking at this first-ever mention of Brother Eckhart's wife, the conversation was rapidly moving forward.

"Are there any materials that show Raimund's research results?"

"He corrected my magic circle yesterday."

The High Priest looked at my magic circle and said with a wry smile, "You really packed a lot in here." He studied the corrected version intently, murmured, "Interesting," then closed his eyes as if sinking into thought.

"...I'd like to maintain a degree of contact with Raimund while using him as a piece to gather information from their side."

The High Priest opened his eyes slowly and said this quietly.

"This is different from before, when we could manage just by cutting off contact. We've risen to tenth, and now Ehrenfest is drawing attention and becoming a target for information gathering. We're doing business with Klassenberg in the central region, and Dunkelfelger and Drewanchel are watching us too. Stay on guard, but bait those who can be baited with harmless research materials and gather as much information as possible. I'll judge which materials can be allowed to leak, so gain experience at the Noble Academy. This is something adults who can't change their old ways will find difficult."

"Yes!"

The surrounding students nodded firmly at the High Priest's words. I answered in unison. Whether he heard my response, the High Priest turned his gaze toward me and then began lightly tapping his temple with his fingertip.

"However, Rozemyne, who has a tendency to let information slip due to emotion or impulse, is forbidden from making direct contact with Raimund. You are to communicate through the apprentice scribes only."

"Huh?"

...Just me!? I don't want that kind of special treatment!

When I stared wide-eyed at him, the High Priest narrowed his golden eyes in a sharp glare.

"Rozemyne, you have a tendency to become especially soft toward those who strike a chord with you. Having been raised in the Temple, your foundational common sense and judgment standards differ from ours, and I have no idea where you'll develop a sense of camaraderie or start treating someone as one of your own."

"Ugh..."

I had already stamped Raimund with my "fellow bookworm" seal in my heart, and I was at a loss for words. The High Priest was too sharp.

"You're closest to both my magical tools and the Library's, and you carry a vast amount of information that must be kept secret regarding trends and new technologies. The problem is we have no way of knowing what information might leak. If it seems you won't be able to protect secrets, I'll send you back to Ehrenfest immediately. Social experience is important, but much of your socializing has significant implications for Ehrenfest's future. Since you've already completed the second-year curriculum, it's safer to send you back before you make some catastrophic mistake."

I couldn't really argue against that, given my schedule was filled with tea parties with teachers and the greater duchies, but I didn't want to be forcibly sent home. I had things to look forward to this year besides reading.

"I don't want to be sent back before I can do library committee activities with Lady Hannalore."

"I'm not trying to prohibit you from interacting with your friends, but you've already made contact with the third prince and are being watched by Drewanchel. There may be circumstances where we have no choice. Be careful to make sure it doesn't come to that."

"...Yes."

When I accepted this, the High Priest turned to Wilfried and Charlotte and warned, "And the rest of you need to be even more careful."

"For now, since Raimund appears to be attending Gundolf's lectures as well, I plan to let some information about my research slip through him and redirect Drewanchel's attention from you to Raimund. I'll maneuver things so that Drewanchel's response is handled by Hirschur and Raimund, so tell them that only I would know the details."

The High Priest said it would be easier to deal with Drewanchel if information flowed from Raimund, whose information had been restricted, rather than from me, who had a wealth of information but lacked crisis management.

"Contact with researchers, starting with Raimund, will likely increase from here on. Hartmut and the rest of the lord candidates' retainers need to handle this properly."

"Yes."

The previous topic was important, but tomorrow's matter was even more so. I brought up what had been bothering me the most.

"Lord Ferdinand, what about Schwartz and the others' changing of clothes? That's tomorrow."

"I'll be asking both Hirschur and Raimund to refrain from that. I've already given Hirschur materials with hints, so as a researcher, she can piece it together herself. The magic circles I created are central artifacts. They're not something to show entirely to an apprentice scribe from Ahrensbach."

The High Priest said this matter-of-factly, then held his hand out toward me.

"Rozemyne, where are the materials I gave you to move Hirschur?"

"Philine."

"Here they are."

When I called out, Philine immediately produced the materials. The High Priest leafed through them, removed a portion, and handed them back.

"These can be leaked without much issue. Use them if something comes up."

"Thank you very much."

After we exchanged information and the High Priest reviewed the materials, it was time for dinner. Hirschur arrived and met with the High Priest. Her expression as she said, "I was surprised when I saw the invitation," was very calm, though she also seemed a bit tense.

"I never expected Lord Ferdinand to come here."

Adults basically didn't intervene in Noble Academy matters. Most responses were left to the students. Even if the students sent questions, adults wouldn't come in person and summon the teachers.

"Since it's about the disposal of magical tools I created myself, I have to be the one to act."

You had to clean up the magical tools you made yourself. You couldn't leave it to others. That was the official reasoning for the High Priest's involvement in this matter.

"There are deeper rifts between Ehrenfest and Ahrensbach than you realize, Hirschur, and deeper than you imagine. I myself have been saved by your philosophy of nurturing talent whenever you find it, so I have no intention of denying that. But as an Ehrenfest noble, appropriate measures are necessary."

Over dinner and continuing after it, the High Priest and Hirschur discussed Raimund's treatment, the handling of the magical tools made so far, and the provision of research materials going forward.

"You're going to treat Raimund as Lord Ferdinand's apprentice? I think he'll be delighted, but..."

"I'll select the harmless ones from the magical tools and magic circles I've made and give them to him as assignments. If he can improve them, have him send them through an Ehrenfest scribe for grading. In exchange for information about Ahrensbach, I'll provide new materials."

"I can already picture Raimund eagerly handing over Ahrensbach's information one piece after another just to get his hands on the materials."

Hirschur said this with a shrug. But it seemed that this was between Raimund and the High Priest, and not something Hirschur was involved in. She said, "It's only natural that a disciple's information would flow to the master, just as a master's information flows to the disciple."

The High Priest intended to take on a red-pen grading role, raise Raimund as his student, and invite him to Ehrenfest as his retainer once he came of age.

"Wouldn't Ahrensbach object to that?"

"Of course they would. Rather, if he grows into a good researcher, they won't want to let him go. To keep him, they'll grant Raimund a high position and he'll work his way into the upper echelons. That way, even better information will flow to me. As long as I don't disappoint Raimund as his teacher, it's perfectly fine whether he comes to Ehrenfest or rises through the ranks in Ahrensbach."

...No matter how things turned out, it seemed like nothing but a life as the High Priest's pawn awaited Raimund... If it was what he wanted, was that okay? Hmm.

While I was pondering, Hirschur said, "You've changed quite a bit, Lord Ferdinand," and let out a soft sigh.

"You used to have such a careless side—no matter how wonderful the magical tools you made were, once they were finished and you lost interest, you'd just leave them behind and tell anyone who wanted the information to take it themselves. To think you'd start selecting which magical tools to give away, grading from a distance, and raising a disciple..."

She apparently hadn't expected the High Priest to go so far for Ehrenfest, even if it was to gather information. I imagine Veronica had interfered, stolen credit, and all manner of things had happened.

"Circumstances change over the course of a few years. And naturally, the people swept up in those circumstances change as well."

The High Priest said this coolly, then led Brother Eckhart and Justus to Hirschur's study to retrieve the dangerous magical tools that Raimund had improved so that even intermediate nobles could use them.

After the High Priest and his group had been gone for a while, magical tools began appearing one after another from the magic circle near the transfer room. It was dangerous to accidentally supply magic power and activate them, so only lower-ranking nobles were assigned to carry them to the carts. The lower nobles kept piling the tools onto the carts one by one.

"Still, these are only the dangerous ones, right? Just how many magical tools did he make while he was at the Noble Academy?"

As I stared in disbelief at the magical tools being loaded onto the carts, Hartmut chuckled softly.

"Wouldn't Lady Rozemyne do the same thing?"

"I have no such plans."

"I can vividly see a future where you claim they're 'magical tools the Library needs' and keep creating strange magical tools one after another."

...I might not be able to refute that entirely.

As I pursed my lips in a pout, Hartmut bent down and asked in a voice only I could hear.

"Lady Rozemyne, I heard you've decided to take on the name of Roderich. When will that be?"

"Hartmut?"

"I'm graduating this year. I need to quickly train a scribe who can serve as an intermediary between Raimund and Lady Rozemyne."

If they were dealing with an intermediate scribe, then an intermediate or higher scribe would be preferred on our side. That's what Hartmut said. Philine was doing her best as a lower-ranking scribe, but class deficiency couldn't be overcome with effort alone.

When I glanced sideways, I could see an indescribable sense of urgency in Hartmut's amber eyes.

About handling Raimund the research nerd. The High Priest has taken him under his wing. Next time: Schwartz and the others' changing of clothes.