With so many people around, there was no way I could have my foster father clear the room and discuss Roderich's name offering and the increase of elements. All the students who had to offer their names to survive had already completed the ceremony to receive divine blessings, so there was no urgent need to consult. It could wait until we returned to Ehrenfest.
Once the Aub couple returned to Ehrenfest, I went back to my room and gradually poured magic power into magic stones while lowering the compression rate within my body. Until now, I had been compressing unconsciously, but from now on I would have to be careful to compress as little as possible.
... Compressing magic power and cramming it in is something I'm used to, but spreading it thin is difficult if I don't focus on it.
Unlike during my commoner days, when I had to cram even a little magic power in to create gaps in the vessel holding it and keep myself alive, it seemed that control became possible if I spread it thin and reduced the amount of magic power remaining in the vessel.
"Hm?"
As I continuously released magic power into the magic stone, a moment came when I suddenly felt lighter, a sensation of something settling into place. Instinctively realizing this was the Staff's limit, I let a bit more magic power flow into the stone.
"Yeah. ...This should be fine now."
... I hope it really is fine.
The next day, after breakfast, all the students were gathered in the multipurpose hall. It was to discuss the details of the purge. Since everyone knew that the Aub couple had visited the dormitory, all the students wore tense expressions. The children of the former
"As you are all aware, the Aub came to see us last night. The reason was his meeting with Teacher
As originally planned, those who had offered their names to
"The five who cannot survive without offering their names are
"... So even if it takes time, I'll be able to see my family again."
The one who let out a relieved sigh saying "Thank goodness" was a first-year boy who had been wrapped up in
It was understandable that most people would relax upon hearing they didn't need to offer their names, and I too was glad that his family was not among those who had offered names to Georgine.
However, Bartolt and Cassandra, who would lose their families and have their names bound, had pale, bloodless faces. When I looked at them with concern, I noticed them forcing strained smiles. Realizing that my worry would only make them feel they had to maintain their composure, I quietly looked away.
"As for the children from the orphanage, their arrangements going forward are as I explained previously. Those whose cases can be settled with fines should be able to return home by the time the Noble Academy term ends, but for those with heavier sentences who will have to perform labor for a while, their children will remain in the city dormitory until their family's labor is complete. Since it hasn't been fully determined yet who committed what crime, please don't forget that."
When the announcement ended, I could see natural, relieved smiles spreading across the faces of children who had been constantly tense and anxious about never being able to see their families again. While feeling relieved that the atmosphere had softened, I checked on my attendants. They didn't seem particularly displeased.
"Lady
When Matthias and Laurentz approached calling out to me, Leonore and the others stepped forward with stern expressions. Brünhilde and
Blocked by the guard knights, the two of them knelt on the spot.
"Our stones are prepared. Whenever you are ready to receive our names, please call upon us."
"Let us accept them as soon as possible. That way, Leonore and the others won't have to be so on guard. Lieseleta, please prepare a room. Would it be acceptable for my attendants to witness the ceremony?"
"Yes!"
Since I had already accepted Roderich's name once before, I was able to accept their names without much ceremony. While my guard knights stood watch, I called Matthias and Laurentz one at a time and accepted their names in turn. The moment I bound them with my magic power, both of them looked like they were in considerable pain.
"With this, Matthias and Laurentz are now my attendants. I look forward to serving alongside you as guard knights."
"The pleasure is all ours."
After accepting their names and returning to the multipurpose hall, Muriella looked at Matthias and Laurentz with envy. She kept her distance from me and let out a disappointed sigh.
"I would like to perform my name offering as soon as possible as well, but I don't have the proper materials on hand."
"If Lady Rozemyne gives her permission, I would like to accompany Muriella in hunting for her materials on the next Earthday."
I immediately granted permission based on the words of Matthias and Laurentz. It would be difficult to act together with children who were celebrating their families' salvation. I wanted to make Muriella my attendant as soon as possible.
"Yes, please do. ...Brünhilde, Leonore. Would it be all right if I called for
"We need to discuss Gretia among ourselves first, my lady. What did you intend to say?"
Liebharda looked at me with a stern expression.
"Hm? Well... I was going to ask whether she still wished to serve me, even though she no longer needs to offer her name..."
My attendants immediately shook their heads.
"Lady Rozemyne, Gretia has family among the former Veronica faction. She cannot serve without offering her name."
"Indeed, Lady Rozemyne. It is precisely because she has offered her name that those around us would consider it safe to keep her by your side."
"If you were to make Gretia your attendant without any guarantee, the slander from those around us would be terrible, and it would be Gretia who suffers."
Hearing everyone's objections, I hung my head slightly.
"... Could we not at least have her serve only at the Noble Academy, like
While the city was one thing, the shortage of attendants at the Noble Academy was serious. My words caused Brünhilde and Lieseleta to think with troubled expressions. As attendants, the two of them would understand better than anyone the need for early education of the next leader. However, they maintained their troubled expressions and shook their heads.
"Those who serve at the Noble Academy will become the most deeply bonded retainers in the future. Considering what lies ahead, we oppose including Gretia as an attendant without a name offering."
I could only hang my head in the face of everyone's opposition.
Unlike Matthias and the others, whose lives were at stake, Gretia had a choice. There was no way I could force a name offering on her. Roderich had said that a name offering was a ceremony in which one pledged their loyalty to the lord they had designated as their master, offering everything—including their very life. I did not believe that Gretia possessed that level of resolve and devotion.
"Unless Gretia herself comes forward with an offer to serve by offering her name, you must give up on the idea."
"... Yes."
The morning was dedicated to the lord candidate's lecture. Accompanied by my attendants, who were carrying the goods we had prepared in the previous lecture—including gold dust and town blueprints—I headed to the lecture hall. I would part ways with my attendants in front of the room, but as Liebharda handed over the items needed for the lecture one by one, she began to look worried.
"My lady, are you sure? There's still the gold dust..."
"I-I'm fine. It's my luggage, so I'll carry it myself."
The result of being the only one to charge ahead through the curriculum was this enormous load. Blueprints, gold dust, magic stones I would need from now on—there was far too much for one person to carry. This was supposed to be a curriculum where things could be brought in gradually. It was not supposed to be the kind of curriculum where a lord candidate got crushed under their luggage.
"Rozemyne, hand those over. It's clearly too much for you to carry alone."
Wilfried took the bag of magic stones from me and picked up the bag of gold dust that Liebharda had been holding.
"Thank you very much, Brother Wilfried."
Among the desks lined with miniature garden territories, I went to the desk with the step stool and placed only the blueprints next to the box. Brother Wilfried placed the bags of gold dust and magic stones for me.
"Good day, Lady Rozemyne, Lord Wilfried."
"Good day, Lady Hannalore."
After greeting Hannalore at the adjacent seat, Wilfried left to speak with his friends. As I watched him go while expressing my thanks, Hannalore looked at me with an amused smile.
"Lord Wilfried is so kind to help you carry your luggage like this. What a wonderful fiancé—I'm so envious."
Being looked at with such admiration, I couldn't help but shake my head. Wilfried and I were not the kind of relationship that warranted such a gaze.
"It's only because with my build, I'd be crushed by the luggage. I'm sure Lord Restiraut would help you as well if you were in trouble, Lady Hannalore?"
Hannalore's expression grew slightly distant before she smiled brightly.
"Yes, that's true. I believe my brother would call attendants to help me, though."
... So that means he wouldn't carry things for you personally?
"More importantly, Lady Rozemyne, I have a question. Have you not been visiting the library recently? When I went to provide magic power to Schwarz and the others yesterday afternoon, I was called 'Princess,' and I was quite startled."
"Hm? Lady Hannalore!?"
It seemed that before Ordonia could become the librarian in charge, Hannalore had already become one.
"Well, I was told that since a new Senior Librarian had joined the library, I was not to provide magic power because the librarians in charge would be changed."
"Hm? Hm?... Then, that means I..."
"Teacher
Both of them were librarians. One or the other should have been in the reading room. If I had gone to provide magic power often enough for the librarians in charge to change, I would surely have seen Ordonia, and Solange would have at least said something.
"I went only to provide magic power to Schwarz and the others, and since I was in a hurry—I didn't even have time to read—I never entered the reading room. I had no idea that a new librarian had arrived and was changing the librarians in charge..."
"Has
"I heard it would be during today's lunch break."
... Ah, the timing is really terrible!
"When you were called 'Princess,' didn't you think to consult Teacher Solange?"
"I thought that once Lady Rozemyne provided magic power, everything would return to normal, so I didn't think it was that serious."
The two of us held our heads in our hands, saying "What shall we do?" and I began to feel strangely about the whole situation. Hannalore was a lord candidate from an upper duchy with a lot of magic power, but Ordonia was a Senior Librarian from the central district. If Ordonia had been pouring in magic power daily, it shouldn't have been so easy for Hannalore to become the librarian in charge. That was precisely why I believed Solange had not told the collaborators to stop providing magic power.
"We need to contact the library and discuss how to handle this. Lady Hannalore had no ill intentions, and the library had asked the collaborators for their help, so this shouldn't become too serious."
"You're right. I'll send an ordinanz to discuss it."
Just as my conversation with Hannalore reached a stopping point,
"Um, Lady Rozemyne. If I'm reading this blueprint correctly, does this mean you intend to make the entire town a library?"
"Yes. This is my ideal town."
When I answered proudly, Eglantine gave a slightly pained smile and murmured, "I can't say it's very practical, though..."
... Eglantine's face is saying, "It's mean to crush a child's dreams, isn't it!"
I hurriedly added an explanation to my town blueprint.
"It is practical! The zoning is properly organized—this side on the right, from the highway and the harbor, is the commercial district, and the left is the industrial district. There's a commercial area that orders and sells books from various regions, and an industrial area that produces them. And this here is a tourist area lined with lodging facilities and restaurants for visitors coming to the library from all over..."
"Then let's start building it right away."
... She brushed me off!?
"Lady Rozemyne, please come this way."
I was led by Eglantine into a smaller room further inside. It was a tiny room with just one magic circle.
"Please fill this magic circle with magic power. Once you have filled it with sufficient magic power, you will receive the names of the
"Hm?"
"It appears that the Supreme God has more than one name. There is an anecdote about a lord candidate long ago who, upon trying to verify this, received the Supreme God's name—researchers who questioned him were consumed by gold and dark flames and vanished, and the lord candidate who leaked the Supreme God's name was thereafter unable to receive blessings or divine aid even when reciting it, and was stripped of his position as lord candidate."
... What?! That's terrifying!
"Lady Rozemyne, please be very careful never to speak it carelessly or where others might overhear. I shall be in the next room, so please come find me once you have memorized it."
"Understood."
I nodded in response to Eglantine's words.
After confirming that Eglantine had left the room, I knelt upon the magic circle. I placed my hands on it and assumed the usual prayer posture.
"I offer prayers and gratitude to the gods who created this world."
As I offered my prayers, I poured magic power into the magic circle. Despite not being a particularly large magic circle, no matter how much I poured in, it never felt full.
... It was a good thing I lowered my magic power after this lecture. The timing is terrible.
I reached for my waist pouch with one hand and took out recovery medicine. I drank a kindness-infused dose in one gulp and continued pouring magic power in.
Before long, I heard a voice that resonated directly inside my head. The Supreme God's name appeared in my mind, as if written in light.
... The God of Darkness is Schicksaltracht, and the Goddess of Light is Feuerspräche.
They were long, hard-to-memorize names of gods that I always struggled with, but as for the Supreme God, they seemed to be written directly into my brain, so I didn't think I would forget.
"The Supreme God who rules the lofty and majestic heavens is the God of Darkness, Schicksaltracht, and the Goddess of Light, Feuerspräche."
The moment I whispered the Supreme God's name that was clearly floating in my mind, the Staff appeared spontaneously in my right hand.
"Hwah!?"
While I was still floating in midair, golden light and dark blackness rising from the magic circle were drawn into my Staff. Even though it was my Staff, floating in the air and separated from my hand, I could still feel magic power flowing back into my body, as if connected to me. It was my own magic power that I had been pouring into the magic circle, so the discomfort wasn't great, but the sensation of backflow was unfamiliar and somewhat unpleasant.
... If I was going to have such a startling experience, please tell me in advance, Lady Eglantine!
While I was mentally screaming at Eglantine, the Staff seemed to have absorbed all the light. No more light rose from the magic circle.
"What was that?"
Right after I murmured those words, golden light and dark blackness burst forth from the Staff this time, twisting into a spiral as they rose upward and vanished as if sucked into the ceiling.
"Wha-wha-wha-whoa!?"
The magic power that had flowed in was, of course, drained, but nearly all the remaining magic power in my body was stolen in an instant. Unable to maintain my kneeling position from the sudden change in magic power, I collapsed right there. My vision went white and I felt faint, as if anemic, so I hurriedly reached for my waist pouch and drank another kindness-infused recovery medicine.
After sitting there for a while waiting to recover, I heard Eglantine's worried voice from beyond the door.
"Lady Rozemyne, it seems to be taking quite some time—are you all right?"
"I seem to have used too much magic power and had to take recovery medicine. I'm waiting to recover now. Please give me a little more time until I can move."
"You can't move? May I open the door?"
Eglantine's voice grew anxious, and a commotion began beyond the door. It would be troublesome for everyone to see me sitting on the floor, unable to move. It was a rather undignified posture for a lord candidate.
"No, please. Just a little longer—please wait."
"Rozemyne, it's me. Did you collapse?"
"I just ran low on magic power. I drank Ferdinand's recovery medicine, so I should be able to move again soon."
"... That stuff. Got it."
I heard Wilfried's voice ring with understanding as he moved away from the door. He seemed to be conveying to Eglantine that there was no need to worry and reassuring her.
"... I think I should be about ready now?"
I shook my arms and legs, then slowly rose to my feet. I seemed to be able to move without any problems. I lightly brushed off my skirt, tidied my slightly disheveled hair with a hand comb, and left the small room.
"Lady Rozemyne, your body..."
"I'm fine. I used a large amount of magic power all at once, so it just took some time to recover. More importantly, I've memorized the Supreme God's name. What should I do next?"
I gave a smile to the worried Eglantine, making it clear that I was perfectly fine to continue the lecture.
Eglantine let out a resigned sigh and brought my miniature garden into the small room. It seemed we would conduct the rest here so that others wouldn't hear the Supreme God's name.
"... Then, let us proceed with Entwicken. This is the magic circle used for Entwicken. All elements are required for Entwicken."
Eglantine explained, though I already knew everything she was telling me. It had been drilled into me during Ferdinand's intensive lessons. I transformed the Staff with "Stilo," drew a magic circle in the air with magic power, and placed gold dust upon it. Once the magic circle was complete, I would recite the incantation and insert the blueprint. The paper used to draw the blueprint was also a magical tool crafted with magic power.
"Please draw this magic circle large enough to ensure there are no mistakes. Afterward, it will be reduced to match the size of the building."
After explaining the procedure and handing over a paper with the steps written on it, Eglantine left the small room.
I followed the procedure and performed Entwicken, creating my ideal town inside the miniature garden. Looking at it this way, though the scale was small, it was exactly the same as when Ferdinand had created the small temple.
"Teacher Eglantine, I've finished!"
"Oh my, you succeeded on the first try. Then, let's create the Border Gate over here."
I practiced creating a Border Gate by joining it with the miniature garden that Eglantine had made as an example. A Border Gate could only be created when the Aub of neighboring territories gave permission, making it a joint effort between two people. It felt like both parties simultaneously punched a hole in the barrier using magic circles to secure it.
"A Border Gate is always open so that people can pass through, but a National Border Gate requires the consent of both the King and the Aub, so it remains closed by default. Ehrenfest has a National Border Gate on the eastern side, doesn't it? Have you ever seen it?"
"No, not yet. However, I plan to visit Kilnberga next spring, so I'd like to see it properly then."
Having successfully created the Border Gate as well, I completed the lord candidate's lecture at the fastest pace.
I explained the purge to the students and received the names of Matthias and Laurentz.
Muriella will become my attendant a little later.
Then I memorized the name of the Supreme God, and the lecture is over.
What happens to the magic power that flew away will have to wait for another day.
Next up is the civil official course.