Black and gold light, brimming with magic power, swirled around me. The light, dizzying sensation and the nauseating blurriness before my eyes made me squeeze them shut.
"Welcome to the Noble Academy's Ehrenfest Dormitory, Lady
The voice addressing me told me I had arrived at the dormitory, and when I slowly opened my eyes, I found myself in a room with a transfer circle guarded by two knights. I needed to quickly clear the area for
Prompted by Richarda, I stepped out of the transfer room where the magic circle was, and found all of my retainers lined up and waiting.
"We've been waiting for you, Lady Rozemyne."
"Then, My Lady. Please relax in the multi-purpose hall for a while. I'll go prepare your room."
Watching the workers carry our luggage away, Richarda said that and gave a look to my retainers. She immediately set off to handle the luggage, and I summoned my treader, climbed aboard, and headed to the multi-purpose hall with my retainers.
"It's been a while since I've been at the Noble Academy dormitory, but it doesn't feel very nostalgic."
"That's probably because the castle's atmosphere and interior are similar. I don't feel like I've moved much either. That's precisely why first-years can settle into the dormitory without being too on edge," Judith said with a gentle smile.
Her parents were knights serving the Giebe of Kílrenberg, so Judith had her
"At first, I was nervous about the castle being so much larger than the Giebe of Kílrenberg's summer estate, with so many unfamiliar nobles. But during the winter social season, I went to the Children's Room every day, and gradually I became used to the castle."
After spending three winters like that, it became an annual tradition, and she was eventually able to enter the castle without any particular nervousness.
"I was also nervous about moving to the Noble Academy, since it meant starting a new life. But the layout and interior are similar to the castle, and more than half of the faces there were people I'd spent time with in the Children's Room, so I felt relieved."
Upperclassmen only saw each other during the few days of moving to the Noble Academy, but they weren't complete strangers, so the level of nervousness was different.
I listened to Judith's story with admiration, realizing that the Children's Room served a much larger purpose than just helping children make acquaintances and get used to noble society.
"So the Children's Room had a much bigger role than I expected."
"Once you and Lord Wilfried joined, there were lots of fun additions like Karuta cards, playing cards, and prize sweets. And we started studying more seriously too, so the Children's Room's role grew even larger."
As we talked, we entered the multi-purpose hall. The mostly empty hall was dominated by a brand-new bookshelf. Not a single book had been placed in it yet, but it occupied a corner of the hall with impressive presence.
It was a substantial bookshelf befitting the dormitory owned by a Lord, with intricate carvings all over. Looking more closely, it appeared to have been coated with something like varnish and polished to a shine, because my face was reflected in the glossy wood grain.
"Ohh," I breathed in admiration, gazing up at the large bookshelf. A bubbly, excited feeling spread through me. The brand-new bookshelf in the multi-purpose hall, where everyone gathered, held not a single book yet. I was going to fill it with books.
"I want to put books in it right away."
"Then I'll help Richarda sort the luggage and bring the books in."
Lieselotte, who had been preparing tea with Brünhilde, said this and quietly slipped out of the multi-purpose hall.
I was gazing at the bookshelf with a look that practically wanted to nuzzle against it when Brünhilde told me, "You can see the bookshelf just fine from here."
Sipping my tea, I surveyed the multi-purpose hall with the bookshelf at its center. Last year, all the upperclassmen had been there to welcome the first-years, and it had been lively, but this year very few people were in the multi-purpose hall, making it very quiet.
"What is everyone doing?"
"Preparing for classes. Unlike first-years, upperclassmen have a lot to prepare. Once Lord Wilfried arrives, you should also get ready and then go gather materials."
"Huh?"
"We need to gather ingredients for the practical mixing class. ...It shouldn't take long, though."
We had materials gathered in Ehrenfest as well, but those were meant to be saved for mixing outside of class. It was apparently recommended to gather at the Noble Academy because matching the quality and types made conducting lessons easier.
"Until now, the upperclassmen apprentice knights would gather everything in bulk and sell it to everyone else, but this year we're all going together so we can practice fighting while guarding. As a third-year, I'll be gathering every day," Brother
Yesterday the third-years had gone gathering, and today it was the second-years' turn. Since the first-years didn't have practical mixing lessons, they didn't need to gather either, so today would be the last day of consecutive gathering.
"Lady Rozemyne, I think it's thanks to Lord
Judith happily reported that she had grown stronger. "Judith, who's been working so hard because she wants to beat
"I want to apply the strategies I've been studying to Ditter somehow, but it's difficult. The challenge this year is figuring out how to compensate for
...She'd been a drag in the classroom portion, but she was the main force in practical sessions.
While we were talking, Wilfried arrived too. As he drank the tea my retainers had prepared, I pointed to the brand-new bookshelf.
"Look, Brother Wilfried. It's the new bookshelf Father prepared for us. How would you like to arrange the books? If you have any preferences, I'd love to hear them."
Wilfried looked at me, glanced at my retainers, and shrugged. Then he let out a light breath.
"I don't have as much attachment to bookshelves as you do. Why don't you arrange them however you like?"
Joy at the prospect of filling an empty bookshelf with books and the happiness of being able to classify them however I wanted burst outward, making the bookshelf seem to glow. The effect was so strong that even Wilfried seemed to glow alongside it—like he had a halo behind him.
"Brother Wilfried...!"
I had never seen Wilfried look so handsome. I was glad my fiancé was someone who would leave book-related matters entirely to me.
As I was overflowing with gratitude toward Wilfried, everyone around us held their breath, and
"Lady Rozemyne, please calm down. You're too excited."
"...I'm sorry. I was just too happy."
After spending a good while talking about how to arrange the books, we started discussing today's gathering. One by one, second-years who had changed into their treader outfits and put on cold-weather gear began filtering into the multi-purpose hall.
At the same time, an attendant came to report that our rooms were ready.
"Then, Rozemyne. Let's get changed and head out."
"Yes, Brother Wilfried."
When I returned to the multi-purpose hall after changing, all of the second-years and all of the apprentice knights had assembled. Everyone was bundled up in cold-weather gear, and the apprentice knights wore their magic stone armor properly with cloaks fastened.
...Come to think of it, can knight armor also serve as cold-weather protection?
"The second-years will focus primarily on gathering. We'll stand guard against Magic Beasts."
Brother Cornelius had apparently taken the lead in organizing this gathering as a way to train the apprentice knights in coordinated defense.
At Brother Cornelius's command, the apprentice knights moved out, sandwiching the second-years between them as they exited the hall. I rode my treader as usual, alone on my Lesser Bus.
...Huh?
We left the multi-purpose hall, crossed the entrance hall with doors leading to the central wing, and moved a little further inside. Apparently there was another exit, and we were using a different door. I'd used the meeting rooms in this area before, but I'd never gone any deeper.
Passing through the section with the meeting rooms and turning a corner, we came to another entrance hall. Two apprentice knights worked together to push open a pair of large double doors.
These were doors that led directly outside the dormitory. Through the wide-open doors, I could see snow falling and a forest of trees. Every tree was dusted with snow, and the surroundings were blanketed in white.
The biting cold air hit my cheeks, and I couldn't help but shudder.
"Summon your treaders in order. We're moving out."
The apprentice knights leading the way summoned their treaders, mounted them, and took to the air. The second-years summoned their treaders one after another as well. Philine was from a lower-ranking noble family, but she was used to summoning her treader since she regularly traveled between the
...Experience really matters.
As my treader soared high into the air, I could see a single, clearly defined circular area without any trees right near the dormitory. From farther away it might blend in with the snow, but at this height, I could make out a pale yellow light glowing in a cylindrical shape.
"That's Ehrenfest's gathering area."
Leonore, riding beside me, pointed to the place glowing yellow. As we descended on our treaders, the scenery changed in an instant—like passing through the barrier of a magic mirror. In the pale yellow area, grass grew lush and green for some reason. The perimeter had tall trees bearing some kind of fruit. It was obvious that only this area was in the wrong season.
"...What is this place?"
Seeing the second-years' wide eyes, Brother Cornelius explained with a light smile.
"I heard from Brother
Because of this, every dormitory had a snow-free area like this nearby where good medicinal herbs could be gathered. And Magic Beasts were drawn to those herbs and fruits. The knights would hunt them and obtain Magic Stones. The area apparently served as the dormitory's hunting ground as well.
"Be careful never to set foot in other duchies' gathering areas. It might be a remnant of the Treasure-Stealing Ditter era, but they'll attack without question."
As Brother Cornelius said that, he transformed his Stappe into a sword in an instant and cut down a Magic Beast that had been approaching us. The creature dissolved like melting mud, then fell to the ground as a glittering Magic Stone.
"You need this leaf for recovery potions. Also, please pick up these yellow fruits."
A third-year junior apprentice knight stood guard while telling the second-years what materials they needed for mixing. We chanted "Meisser" to transform our Stappes into knives and began gathering.
"Judith, hunt the Zantze on that tree over there.
Leonore, who had succeeded in enhancing her eyesight through physical augmentation, surveyed the area while issuing alerts and directing who should take down which Magic Beast.
The Magic Beasts that approached were taken care of by the apprentice knights one after another, so we could gather in peace.
When we returned to the dormitory, we each bought as many Magic Stones as needed for class from those the apprentice knights had hunted. This was apparently a valuable source of income for the apprentice knights.
"...Until last year, we also had income from the materials we gathered ourselves, didn't we?"
"That's true, but this is part of the training."
Brother Cornelius was from a higher-ranking noble family and didn't struggle for money, so it might not matter to him, but for lower-ranking nobles, it must have been an important source of income.
It was important for apprentice civil officials and attendant apprentices to have the experience of gathering with their own hands, and it was equally important to practice fighting while guarding. But if it was just dismissed as "part of the training," such a valuable proposal probably wouldn't last long.
"Then how about paying the apprentice knights a guard fee roughly equivalent to the value of the gathered materials, Rozemyne? It's an effort to improve everyone's grades, and it should be coverable from the increased budget."
"That's a great idea, Brother Wilfried. Let's do some calculations."
Wilfried had proposed paying guard fees even before I could voice it. The expressions of the lower- and middle-ranking knights brightened immediately. It really had been a valuable source of income.
As soon as the gathering was over, it was time for dinner. We had to change out of our treader outfits. I went back to my room and had Richarda and the others help me change.
At dinner, we discussed welcoming the new students. We would prepare sweets and have the upperclassmen serve as hosts to welcome them. We decided on the division of roles, and my and Wilfried's assignments were determined first.
"Lord Wilfried and Lady Rozemyne, please simply remain seated."
"If the Lord Candidates brought us sweets and tea, we'd be too nervous to enjoy them. Just tell us about the dormitory rules and how last year went."
...Dormitory rules, huh. Maybe I should create some rules about how to use the bookshelf.
Here, books were so precious they might as well be chained to a bookshelf. In Ehrenfest, printing had produced many books and we'd managed to lower their prices somewhat, but they were still expensive. It would be a real problem if people took them without permission or sold them on their own.
"Hartmut, do you think we should create some guidelines or instructions for how to handle the bookshelf and the books on it?"
"That would be necessary. Almost all the books on the shelf are your personal property, Lady Rozemyne, so it's important to make everyone aware of how they should be handled."
Not removing books from the multi-purpose hall, always returning read books to the shelf—these were basic things, but writing them down would ensure everyone knew. I nodded firmly, satisfied.
The next day, the new first-years arrived through the transfer circle with their respective attendants. After greeting them and offering them seats, the upperclassmen entertained them. During this time, they received explanations about the dormitory's meal schedule, how to use their rooms, and so on.
Finally,
After calling me "Sister," Charlotte set down her cup and shook her head lightly.
"Sister, when hosting guests, you should start with small talk. Jumping straight into explaining how to use books and bookshelves would leave people at a loss."
"You told
"...The bookshelf usage rules are about the dormitory, and the number of volumes and new book topics are like greetings, aren't they?"
"No, they're not."
Charlotte shot me down immediately, but to me, conversations like "What have you read lately?", "Found any interesting books?", or "A book you wanted to read came into the library!" were classified as a type of greeting, like "Good morning" or "How are you?"
"I've never heard of such greetings. When exactly would you use them, and with whom?"
"When I meet friends who love books."
"That's not at all common."
Even Wilfried said that to me, and I pouted with dissatisfaction. Here, where books were scarce, my kind of greetings weren't recognized as normal.
...Someday, I'll make them standard greetings!
"Oh right, I almost forgot. Brother Wilfried, Charlotte—I'm planning to gather the children from the former
She had been trying to let me know, and I had intended to encourage them by myself, but if this was a chance to bring even some of the former Veronica faction children into our fold, it would be better for all three Lord Candidates to be present.
"Of course I'll join."
"Ah, me too."
I left the conference room preparations to Richarda and looked toward the area where the former Veronica faction children were gathering. It was considerably better compared to last year, but once they returned to Ehrenfest, faction walls seemed inevitably to reappear.
"My Lady, everything is ready."
"Thank you, Richarda."
When I stood up smoothly, Hartmut spoke up.
"
Matthias and Roderick quickly glanced around the room with tense expressions. They must have understood immediately from "that matter"—the other children nodded in agreement. The three Lord Candidates and their retainers began moving, followed only by the former Veronica faction children. The others, unaware of the situation, watched them go with puzzled expressions.
When I offered seats in the conference room, everyone sat down with stiff expressions. There were over ten of the former Veronica faction children alone, making it quite a large group.
Among the row of former Veronica faction children, I could see Roderick looking toward me with clenched fists, seemingly wanting to say something.
"Thanks to the courage you showed in telling us about it, we were able to prevent the attack before it happened and complete the Star Bindings of
When I offered my words of encouragement, Matthias—probably the central figure—answered on behalf of everyone: "You honor us with your kind words." His deep purple hair swayed slightly.
Matthias was the youngest son of Viscount
"I heard from the Aub of Ehrenfest that you offered to teach magic compression as a reward."
"I heard as well that it came with very demanding conditions."
The condition of dedicating one's name to a member of the Lord's family was extremely strict. I'd heard that even loyal retainers rarely dedicated their names. The Chief Priest, to whom both Eckhart and
"I feel inadequate and sorry about that."
"No, as time passes and circumstances change, more lenient conditions may be possible—that's what the Aub of Ehrenfest told me. Depending on the situation, it's also possible that one might never be able to learn at all..."
If he wanted to learn the magic compression method right away during this growth period, dedicating his name was the only way.
As I said this and Matthias smiled awkwardly, Roderick stood up abruptly. His tightly clenched fists were trembling. His face was flushed as he looked at me. Everyone in the room realized what Roderick was about to say.
"...I—I would like to dedicate my name to Lady Rozemyne!"
"Think carefully, Roderick. This isn't something you should decide on impulse."
Learning the magic compression method was surely important for a noble. But I didn't believe it was worth giving one's life for. If anything, I didn't have the value that would warrant Roderick dedicating his name to me.
"Lady Rozemyne is right. This isn't something to decide on impulse. Think it over more carefully."
"Matthias, I..."
"The moment we dedicate our names, we sever ties with our parents. We were part of the former Veronica faction. Even if we dedicate our names and become retainers, some people around us will look at us like traitors, and there's no telling how the situation might change."
Matthias furrowed his brows tightly, a pained expression on his face.
"There was once a man who was devoted to the person who had been decided as the next Lord. He dedicated his name with the hope of continuing to serve as a Giebe, a loyal retainer, even after that person became Lord. But suddenly, the situation changed. That person was abruptly removed from the position of next Lord."
The people present swallowed hard.
That wasn't an impossible situation.
Veronica had held power for decades, and then it was suddenly overturned. It had only been a few years since then. There was no guarantee it wouldn't happen again.
"Lady Rozemyne spent only a few months at the Noble Academy last year, and in that time she formed numerous connections with royals and candidates from higher-ranking duchies. Her influence is astonishing, and considering all the blessings she has brought to Ehrenfest, I also believe dedicating our names would be worthwhile."
Matthias paused briefly there.
"But precisely because of that, we can't predict how such great influence will be exercised. If Roderick were dedicating his name to the Aub of Ehrenfest or his wife, I wouldn't try to stop him. But Lady Rozemyne, Lord Wilfried, and Lady Charlotte are all minors, and there's no telling how they might change. For us, who would be cutting off even the backing of our parents, to decide on impulse is dangerous, Roderick."
At Matthias's words, Roderick lost color in his face, his gaze shifting between me and Matthias.
"Think carefully..."
Matthias's voice, filled with anguish, flowed steadily—like words he had been telling himself all along.
A heavy topic when I was riding high from the new bookshelf and the gathering for the mixing practical.
Rozemyne isn't yet prepared enough to shoulder someone else's life, so she's troubled even when someone offers to dedicate their name to her.
Next: Promotion Ceremony and Friendship Gathering (Second-Year).