I gave
I called the two of them to the High Priest's room and presented the magic stones. Nicola happily said, "I'll do my best for Lady Rosemine no matter where I go," while peering through the stone to admire the crest, beaming with delight.
"Vilma, will you become my personal illustrator? Or would you prefer to be my mother's personal illustrator?"
"I would like to become Lady Rosemine's personal illustrator. Lady
Vilma gave a little laugh and accepted the magic stone. Good. While Vilma and I were sharing that moment, the bell signaling
"Lady Rosemine, it seems Lady
"Oh, she's earlier than expected. I'll go welcome her at the entrance, so please have tea and sweets prepared."
The last of the group to return from the Harvest Festival was Charlotte. Hartmut and I went together to greet her at the front entrance. "You gave magic stones with crests to Nicola and Vilma too?" he asked. Around his own neck glowed a magic stone bearing a crest. He had come along, insisting he wanted one no matter what, bringing along stones for himself and
"I have returned. Big sister."
"Welcome back, Charlotte. The long journey must have been taxing, yes? Care for some tea?"
"I would love to join you."
I invited Charlotte to the High Priest's room, and over tea and sweets, I heard about the Harvest Festival. Apparently, once the ceremony to call spring was established in the northern regions, crop yields had surged dramatically, and the residents' lives had become considerably easier.
"The Grundwalde entwicken has been completed, so from next year, once enough magic power has accumulated, it may be possible to rebuild the ritual site each time. Given a little time, the northern nobles could be brought over to the lord's family's side."
Charlotte really is remarkable when it comes to noble socializing.
While listening to Charlotte's report, Nicola brought a refill for the tea. The magic stone with its hastily tied cord was visible on her chest. Seeing the magic stone worn by a Gray Priestess—who normally wore no ornaments—made Charlotte's eyes go wide.
"My, is that the emblem of the Mine Workshop? Hartmut was wearing one earlier too. Does it have some special meaning?"
In response to Charlotte's question, I explained how I had given them to prevent the people I intended to bring with me when I came of age from being bought away, and to keep them from being seen as abandoned. I also mentioned how Hartmut and Clarissa had insisted on having ones for themselves and had brought their own magic stones.
"Big sister, I want one too."
"Eh? Charlotte too? But those are for my attendants and the people I'm taking with me..."
I had never expected Charlotte to say something like Hartmut, and I blinked in surprise. Charlotte nodded, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Yes. I won't be able to follow you, and I intend to remain in Ehrenfest forever. But those stones serve as proof of the protection you have granted—a magic stone that shows who one's master is, even from afar. I thought I wanted something that would show I am your sister, even when we're apart."
Her words struck right at my sisterly heart—a desire for something to signify a sibling bond, not a master-servant one. This was absolutely something I had to make happen, no matter what.
After all, this was my adorable little sister making a request! She wanted something to show they were sisters even when separated! There was nothing to do but make it! As a big sister!
"What kind would you like, Charlotte? I'll do everything I can to accommodate your wishes!"
"Oh no! I cannot take any more of your time than I already do. A metal ornament made by a craftsman in the lower city would be perfectly fine."
"A craftsman in the lower city...?"
"Yes. If it resembled a token of master-servant bonds, that would be confusing, so it doesn't need to be a magic stone. As long as others can see the connection between you and me, that's enough."
Charlotte said that something the size of a coin, with the Mine Workshop crest engraved on it, would be perfectly sufficient. Since a master-servant bond and a sisterly bond carried different meanings, apparently it was better to use a different material.
I discussed the design with Charlotte, settling on the size and materials, and sketched out a design. Then I called Gil and asked him to commission
"Johann's craftsmanship is excellent, so I'm sure he'll make something wonderful."
"I look forward to it, big sister."
Once the Harvest Festival ended, it was time for Winter Preparations. It was work I was used to by now, so leaving the orphanage and the High Priest's room to
I left the Temple's preparations to everyone there and focused on my own tasks. I had to finish the magic paper
...This time, I'll send Ahrensbach-style dishes redesigned to my own taste, making use of fish dashi.
For those accustomed to Ahrensbach cuisine, the modifications were extreme enough that they might exclaim, "It's delicious, but this is completely different! It's a fake!" but I wasn't worried about that.
"That said, Ferdinand's workshop really does have all sorts of materials. One could get everything here without having to go out collecting at all, couldn't one?"
Claris sa, who was pulling out materials according to
"A great deal was collected by Ferdinand himself, but apparently even more was gathered by
I chatted about these things while using magic to save time, studying the recipe and mixing compounds with determination. Ferdinand's recipes were tedious, with many steps and numerous ingredients.
...It would be so much faster if I could just burn through magic power and pour in all the gold powder at once. Hmph.
While I was preparing for the Royal Academy like this, an ordundance flew in from
"I will need a fitting session. When would it be convenient to bring them to the Temple?"
"Three days from now should work. The mixing should be finished by then."
"Taking the days off into account, let's make it five days."
As a result of the ordundance exchange, Gretia and Melchior's attendants would bring the outfits to the Temple in five days. Since these had been passed down from the Aub, the blue-ranked apprentices would select the outfits they needed in Melchior's room. Winter Baptism Ceremony outfits, outfits for the children's room, dark-colored outfits for those going to the Royal Academy, riding beast attire, mixing robes—there were many things they needed.
"I'll go to the orphanage to do the outfit fitting for Dirk and Bertram."
I took Gretia and the attendants to the orphanage and began the fitting session with Dirk and Bertram in the children's room on the first floor. The two of them also needed outfits for the Baptism Ceremony and the children's room. Working efficiently, Gretia sorted the outfits into two baskets.
"We get to wear such beautiful clothes? That's amazing."
"For the Baptism Ceremony, these are awfully cheap-looking and old, aren't they?"
"Oh my, for the children of criminals, these are already more than appropriate. If you're dissatisfied, you should have tailored your own. That would have saved me the trouble of collecting them."
"What!?"
Bertram whipped around in surprise at the unexpected words, and Gretia stared back at him with a cold smile. Her blue-green eyes, usually hidden behind her bangs, gleamed unmistakably with contempt.
"You clearly don't understand your situation at all. The Aub did not save us out of mercy or kindness. It was to secure the number of future nobles. If the children of criminals are judged to be disruptive elements, those who were merely spared from collective punishment will be disposed of immediately."
Bertram's expression froze under Gretia's cold gaze and harsh words. Perhaps it was because he had never been spoken to like that at the orphanage. Gretia pressed further as she looked at the wounded Bertram.
"Escaping the collective punishment that has persisted for generations is no simple matter. Those who cannot appreciate how fortunate the current situation is become nothing but liabilities. Should we not eliminate them before they're let outside,
"Gretia, that's going too far."
When I instinctively intervened, Gretia gave a small smile and turned her stern gaze on me.
"The fact that more than ten lives depend on the behavior of a fool is real, as is the fact that his older brother Laurenz's education has been insufficient. If you're going to say sweet things like we can't eliminate an innocent child even if they're a liability, you should at least drill your own position into your head. Indulgence is not kindness, Lady Rosemine. If this continues, the lives we so carefully rescued from the collective punishment of a criminal family will be lost because of a foolish child."
That's not what you really meant, is it? Gretia stared at me intently. She was teaching me that just because I had saved them once didn't mean it would last forever, and I nodded in understanding.
"The rings will be prepared by the Aub, who serves as guardian. And I will accompany Dirk, while Melchior's attendant will accompany Bertram."
"...Even though you wish for my elimination, you'll still serve as escort. I am grateful, Gretia."
Gretia smiled faintly, then said, "I'll leave behind only the outfit for the day of the Baptism Ceremony. I'll take the rest to the children's room, same as last year," before standing and carrying the baskets back to the castle. Laurenz patted the crestfallen Bertram on the head.
"Bertram. Her words are harsh, but they're the truth. Once you're living in the castle, you'll see the reality whether you want to or not. It's not the gentle world of the orphanage."
After that, Dirk and Bertram chose their rooms and furniture for use starting in spring. Selecting attendants would wait until they returned in spring. Conrad planned to stay at the orphanage a while longer as a Gray Priest apprentice, hoping to gain a room as a blue-ranked apprentice once his body had grown enough and his magic power had increased sufficiently to perform rituals.
Dirk and Bertram practiced giving blessings using the rings I had lent them, rehearsed their Feuespiel for the presentation, and memorized the sequence of rituals and the noble hierarchy for the Baptism Ceremony. The days flew by in a flurry of preparation, and winter arrived.
On the day of the Baptism Ceremony, I was having Lietrat and
"After today's ceremony, this outfit gets taken to the Royal Academy, correct?"
"Yes. Lord Klassenburg contacted my foster father, and they've decided to hold the Dedication Ritual shortly after the Royal Academy term begins."
To borrow the divine instruments from the Central Temple, one had to avoid the Dedication Ritual period, and for the third-year students to receive as many blessings as possible during the blessing ceremony, it was better to experience the rites as early as possible. After discussions between the Central Temple, the Royal Academy teachers, and others, it was decided that the students' Dedication Ritual would be held shortly after the Royal Academy opened, split into three sessions for lower, middle, and upper ranks.
"My schedule is being ignored entirely. What do you think, Lietrat?"
"It's nothing new for decisions from the Central Territory and upper territories to be imposed. But
"That would be a great help."
It was certain that ritual preparations and meetings would take up time, so I needed to finish lectures quickly or I wouldn't make it back in time for Ehrenfest's Dedication Ritual.
"The blue-ranked priests who accompanied us during the Lords' Conference have also been granted permission to enter the Royal Academy, so until the Dedication Ritual is over, we'll have plenty of guards. That's reassuring."
"It seems the sudden decision to have them accompany us has thrown the winter social calendar into chaos and made preparations for the Royal Academy quite hectic, though."
Hartmut as High Priest,
Once my changing was finished, an ordundance flew in from Gretia. Dirk, Bertram, and the blue-ranked apprentices had apparently all arrived at the castle.
"Welcome the children of the new Ehrenfest."
At Hartmut's words from the podium beside me, the great doors swung open, and the children who would be joining the ranks of the nobility filed in. Among the twelve children, Dirk and Bertram walked at the very back.
Six children were receiving their Baptism Ceremonies here. Hartmut recounted the myth, and magic power registration was conducted from lowest status upward.
"Dirk."
Dirk stepped forward with a tense expression when his name was called. I held out the magic tool for the magic power inspection. Dirk took the tool's wand and made it glow. Applause erupted. I smiled warmly at the visibly relieved Dirk, then took out a medal, pressed the magic tool to it like a stamp, and registered him.
...What is this?
The magic power registration was done, but the color had barely changed. Everything had an extremely faint tinge of color, as if colored and yet not colored at all—a strange sensation. If forced to say, the wind attribute seemed strong.
...What am I supposed to do in a situation like this?
I turned around looking for Ferdinand but instead locked eyes with Hartmut. There was something a little awkward about it.
Not seeming to notice my discomfort, Hartmut approached and peered into the medal. Then, wearing the same puzzled expression I had, he murmured, "It seems there's a good chance of the wind blessing." I was aware myself that the wind blessing seemed likely.
...It seems even Hartmut doesn't know.
No amount of thinking would produce an answer, so I turned my gaze to Dirk and smiled.
"You have the blessing of wind. By striving for deeds worthy of the gods' blessings, you shall receive even greater blessings."
A slightly unusual occurrence, but the magic power registration on the medal was complete. I placed it in the box Hartmut managed. Once registration was finished, my foster father came onto the stage wearing the ring equipped with the magic tool.
The great hall immediately began to buzz with whispers. "Is that a child of the former Veronica faction?" "One who was spared from collective punishment." The murmuring voices rose. I could see clearly the castle reality that Gretia had described—how the children of the former Veronica faction who had been spared from collective punishment were regarded.
Completely ignoring the whispers around him, my foster father held out a ring to Dirk.
"To Dirk, recognized by the gods and all: I present this ring. I shall henceforth serve as your guardian. Therefore, your rank shall be determined not by your parents' status, but by your own magic power. A new middle-ranking noble is born. Congratulations, Dirk."
"I give my heartfelt gratitude, Aub Ehrenfest."
Dirk replied with a composed smile that showed no trace of nervousness and lowered his gaze to the red magic stone ring on the middle finger of his left hand.
"To Dirk, I grant the blessing of the
I sent the blessing, and Dirk returned it just as he had practiced. A soft, warm light rose and reached me.
Scattered, sparse applause was heard. A creeping unease spread through my chest at how different the atmosphere was from past Baptism Ceremonies I had experienced. But with this, Dirk's Baptism Ceremony was concluded.
"Bertram."
Under the scrutinizing gazes of nobles searching for flaws, Bertram stepped forward just as Dirk had and underwent magic power registration. Bertram's color changed normally. What had been going on with Dirk? Even comparing between two Self-Eating individuals, it was clearly different from my own experience.
...Though since I had all attributes, I might be the odd one out as a comparison.
"You have the blessings of water and fire. By striving for deeds worthy of the gods' blessings, you shall receive even greater blessings."
Once Bertram's magic power registration was complete, my foster father came forward with a ring again. This time it had a blue magic stone. Bertram, it seemed, had been born in summer.
"To Bertram, recognized by the gods and all: I present this ring. I shall henceforth serve as your guardian. Therefore, your rank shall be determined not by your parents' status, but by your own magic power. A new middle-ranking noble is born. Congratulations, Bertram."
"I give my heartfelt gratitude, Aub Ehrenfest."
Bertram spoke and then knelt on the spot, reaching out toward my foster father. He wasn't tall enough to take the man's hand and press his forehead to it, but my foster father seemed to understand what he intended. He leaned down slightly and extended his hand toward Bertram. Bertram took the Aub's hand and pressed his forehead to its back.
As Bertram offered his deepest gratitude to the Aub from the podium, the murmuring voices of the nobles fell silent for an instant.
After that, the Baptism Ceremonies for the other children were completed, and the Feuespiel presentations were held. Starting from the lower-ranking nobles, the performances proceeded to the middle-ranking nobles, with Dirk and Bertram playing in that order. Considering the limited practice time, I thought Dirk played quite well. Bertram's performance, too, clearly showed that he was the son of a noble who had received proper education—skilled and polished.
When the presentations ended, Hartmut's closing remarks brought a temporary dismissal for lunch. I changed, ate, and then headed back to the great hall. This time there was an investiture ceremony for the new students enrolling at the Royal Academy, along with the announcement of the departure date. I could see
At social gatherings, I was frequently asked, "Are you heading to the Central Temple?" and Wilfried, who was serving as my escort, could often be seen chasing away the nobles with, "Nothing of the sort."
After finishing greetings with the relevant nobles, I went around encouraging the former Veronica faction children with, "Let's do our best at the Royal Academy again this year." I noticed a few nobles enthusiastically devouring the food. A few years ago it might have been understandable, but seeing so many people at such a gathering utterly absorbed in dishes that were no longer rare was quite a sight.
...Odd people.
"Lady Rosemine."
I turned at Dirk's voice. Dirk was with Gretia as his escort, along with Bertram. They appeared to be expanding their social connections, centered on the blue-ranked apprentices.
"Dirk, don't be too familiar with Lady Rosemine. You're supposed to wait for Lady Rosemine to address you first."
Bertram tugged at Dirk's arm, teaching him the ways of noble society. Hearing Bertram's words, Dirk apologized to me, saying, "I am terribly sorry, Lady Rosemine." I gave Dirk a warm smile, then turned my gaze to Bertram.
"You were wonderful, Bertram. By expressing your gratitude to the Aub in such a visible way, you silenced the nobles' whispers, even if only for a moment."
Bertram looked as if he were at a loss for words and averted his gaze ever so slightly. He was probably embarrassed. Laurenz was the type to suggest something like "Shall I kneel in gratitude?" on a whim, so it seemed the brothers were quite different despite their shared blood.
"Bertram, after this, please keep an eye on Dirk with Gretia to make sure he doesn't make any major mistakes."
"Please don't burden me with too demanding a task, Lady Rosemine."
Watching over Dirk, who knew nothing of noble conventions, must have been exhausting. But even as Bertram wore a slightly reluctant expression, the sight of him quietly teaching Dirk little by little seemed to make him come alive in a small way, and that put me at ease.
"Bertram seems fine, Gretia."
"You're relieved far too early, Lady Rosemine."
As winter's social season began, I felt keenly through the glances and words directed at the children how the former Veronica faction nobles were made to feel unwelcome and constricted.
I couldn't make it to the Royal Academy.
Bertram was a source of concern, and Gretia—who couldn't afford to overlook it because her own life depended on it—was watching him closely.
Due to various things in the past, Laurenz and Bertram's father and brother are despised, so she's unsparing.
There was something puzzling about Dirk's magic power registration, but I've decided to let it go for now. The Baptism Ceremony is concluded.
Next, we head to the Royal Academy.