17
Chapter 17
As soon as I opened my eyes, I checked the alarm clock by my bedside.
Luckily, it wasn't time for the alarm to go off yet.
I set it just in case, but I didn't want to disturb my friends' weekend sleep if I could help it.
I turned off the alarm, carefully climbed down, grabbed the clothes I'd packed yesterday, and headed to the communal bathroom.
I was startled the moment I opened the door.
A tall, brown-haired person was leaning against the wall right in front of me.
I expected the place to be empty so early in the morning, but that wasn't the only reason I was surprised.
They were wearing a black suit that looked completely out of place in a bathroom, with a sword at their hip, and they looked like a man... wait, no.
With the short hair, sharp eyes, and a height that rivaled most male instructors, I was confused for a second, but there was no Adam's apple.
"Who...?"
"The Eighth Imperial Princess is inside. Wait here."
"What? Oh, okay."
I immediately stepped back out of the bathroom.
It must be the Imperial Princess's escort knight I'd heard rumors about.
I'd heard she was a second-year in the Wizard Class, but since we were in different majors and years, I'd never seen her.
I was curious because everyone who had seen the Princess agreed she was breathtakingly beautiful.
My heart fluttered for a moment at the thought that I might finally meet her, but the excitement was short-lived.
What should I do?
The instructor told me to be at the main gate by 7:30 AM.
Looking at the clock on the wall, it was just past 6:10, so I had some time, but I remember my friends saying that high nobles and royalty take ages to bathe.
I decided to wait a bit and head to another floor's bathroom if I felt I was running late, just as the door opened.
"I greet the Imperial Princess."
I bowed immediately, even before I could see her face.
"Oh? Someone else came to bathe at this hour? But why are you just standing there...?"
"I told them to wait because they were about to enter the bathroom."
"Shine, I told you not to do that."
"But this isn't the bathroom you usually use. Besides, it's suspicious for someone to be bathing alone this early..."
"That's enough. How can they be suspicious when they're being so polite? And you, stop bowing. I'm just a trainee within the academy. There's no need for royal formalities."
"Yes... understood."
When I looked up, I immediately understood why everyone praised the Princess so highly.
Her hair was lustrous and flowing like sunlight, and her skin was as white as jade.
Her blue eyes were like a lake that could pull you in; if angels from myths truly existed, they would look just like this.
"Why are you staring so intently?"
"Ah, I'm sorry. You're... you're just so beautiful."
I bowed my head again and apologized.
"No need to apologize. Anyway, thanks for the compliment. You're quite pretty too. A first-year?"
"Yes. I'm May Levi from Ranger Class B."
"Levi is your family name, right? I'm not familiar with that house. Sorry. You aren't a Central Noble, are you? Where is your estate?"
"There's no need to apologize. My family is just a small Barony with a few villages near the Arianne Region in the South, so it's only natural you wouldn't know us."
After revealing my identity, I felt the escort knight's gaze become even sharper.
Does she know my family?
No, I must be imagining things.
Someone capable of being the Princess's escort knight would be a lady from a very high-ranking noble house; there's no way.
"Hey, don't be like that. I'd be upset if I didn't know, so I'll make sure to remember you from now on, Junior May."
"I'm honored that you'd remember me."
"You can just call me Senior. Oh, do you know my name?"
I'm doomed.
I'd definitely heard it several times, but perhaps because I was asked suddenly, my mind went blank.
"Helena de Beluga."
"Ah! I... I'm sorry. I did know it!"
"You just forgot, didn't you? I'm still a bit disappointed. I thought I was a reasonably famous figure here at the academy..."
"I am truly sorry."
I bowed my head repeatedly in apology.
"I didn't know the Levi family, so shall we call it even? But you have to remember it from now on."
The Princess gave a playful smile and left, adding that she'd check again next time.
To forget the name of a member of the Imperial Family—if this weren't the academy, I'd have no excuse even if I were punished for lèse-majesté.
I felt lucky that the Princess was generous, then quickly bathed and changed my clothes.
When I returned to my room to set down my clothes and prepare to leave, Ria, who shared the next bed, woke up.
"May Unnie? Isn't today the weekend?"
"Ah, Ria, I woke you up. Sorry. Yes, it is the weekend."
"Mmm, I got confused because you were already awake. Where are you going at this hour? The dining hall doesn't even open until eight on weekends."
"Oh? I... I have a make-up class."
Since I was told not to let people know I was going out, I simply said it was a make-up class.
"Without even eating breakfast? You're working hard. Have a safe trip!"
I told her I would and then left the dormitory.
I checked the time, and it was already 7:25.
I figured I could make it just in time if I ran at full speed.
I hurried down the dormitory stairs and crossed the campus, which was empty because of the weekend morning.
Even though I ran to the main gate without stopping once, it wasn't that tiring.
The distance from the dorm to the main gate is quite far, so it would have been exhausting before; I felt proud that my stamina had clearly improved.
"May, you're one minute late."
"Ah, I'm sorry. I woke up early, but something came up while I was going to bathe."
"I told you to come early in case you were late, so it doesn't disrupt the schedule, but..."
"It really was an unavoidable situation."
Worried that he might think I was making excuses, I told him about meeting the Princess in the bathroom.
"You forgot the Imperial Princess's name? Are you out of your mind?"
"She asked so suddenly that I just blanked... I honestly thought I was going to die. Her escort knight was glaring at me so scary, too..."
"Be glad the Princess is generous. Regardless, I understand the situation, but shouldn't there be a price for being late?"
"In... Instructor?"
"We still have some time, so let's get some morning exercise in."
I had just run all this way, and now he wanted me to run again.
Hoping he might let it slide, I looked at him with the most pitiful eyes I could muster.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Go to the main stadium over there and run five laps. Move it!"
"M... Move it!"
****
'Could you not have gone easy on her? She probably hasn't even eaten.'
'She'll develop bad habits.'
'You said she's not a kid.'
'Then she'll develop bad adult habits.'
As I waited and joked around with Ark, May returned before long.
She had left with a look on her face like she was about to die, but after five laps, her breathing wasn't that heavy and she didn't seem exhausted.
The grueling training of the past week had paid off.
However, I can't say for sure yet that this is enough to definitely win the bet against Amelia.
"Follow me."
"Yes."
I led May toward the main gate.
I showed the outing pass I had received in advance and left the academy with May.
Normally, visits and outings for trainees are strictly controlled during the semester.
Even for celebratory events like a relative's wedding, outing permits are rarely granted; they're usually only issued when a direct family member is critically ill or has passed away.
However, if an instructor accompanies them, it's not a difficult request to fulfill.
I had already secured a permit under the pretext of getting weapons tailored for the upcoming competition.
They didn't question it much; after all, it's standard practice to buy weapons after seeing them in person.
Anyway, May seems a bit more excited than usual.
"Does it feel good to be out?"
"I never imagined I'd be able to come out like this during the semester."
Seeing her reply with a smile, I suppose May is just a typical trainee.
"I see. Where is your home?"
"My home? It's in the Arianne region, but it's so small and has no local specialties that you probably wouldn't know it even if I told you."
"The Arianne region is in the South. I've spent a long time there, so I know most of the places."
In reality, I'm an orphan from the Holy Kingdom, but according to the personnel files, I served in the Callos Duchy.
"Really? I assumed you were from the Capital because of your accent."
"Didn't I mention at the start of the term that I was in Seinti before coming to Belliard? Before that, I served in the Callos Duchy, so I know most of the South. Is your home near the coast?"
"No. It's near the Kalabinz Mountains. Between the Peyton Viscountcy and the Callos Duchy."
"I see. Is there a Gate in your territory?"
"We don't have one in our territory, but there's a Gate in the Peyton Viscountcy about two hours away. But why are you suddenly asking about my home?"
Good, it's not too far.
"That shouldn't take long. You should visit your home."
"H... home? Weren't we going to buy weapons?"
She looks completely shocked.
"As long as we return by midnight tomorrow, we'll still buy the weapons, but I have somewhere to go first. Give me your address, and I'll pick you up tomorrow afternoon."
"Um..."
For some reason, she doesn't seem very happy about it.
Usually, people are thrilled at the prospect of going home, aren't they?
"Are you not on good terms with your family?"
"It's not that."
"Then what is it?"
"I... I don't have any money..."
That's a bit much.
I told her I'd buy the weapons today, but I figured she'd at least try to contribute something out of a sense of propriety. I didn't expect her to be completely broke.
"Did you forget your wallet?"
"No. I have my wallet, but it's a long distance, so the fare is a bit expensive."
Huh? It's not like she's traveling across the continent; the fare should be less than one gold coin. I'm bewildered that she finds it expensive.
Wait, isn't May a noble?
Trainees from noble or wealthy families usually bring plenty of money when they enroll.
Moreover, there's a small branch of the Central Bank on the first floor of the academy main building where they can withdraw the monthly allowances sent by their families.
While the academy provides uniforms and basic necessities, there is a school store, and vendors from the capital's boutiques regularly visit to sell clothes and accessories.
She isn't a non-hereditary noble without land like me; she belongs to a hereditary house with its own territory, so she should be well-off.
Like Ark said before, those who have the most can be the most stingy. Her parents must have some frugal streaks.
"I'll provide the travel expenses."
I pulled a ten-gold coin from my inner pocket and handed it to her.
"Th... this is ten gold! Instructor, it's too much."
"I don't have any change."
"I'll go and get it exchanged right away."
"Forget it. You haven't eaten breakfast, so you'll need to eat on the way. Since you haven't seen them in a while, buy something to take home as a gift."
"Th... thank you. I'll ask my parents and pay you back."
"No need to pay me back. It's pocket change to me."
'Oh, look at him trying to act all cool.'
Ark loves to be snide.
Honestly, if I'd had a five-gold coin, I would've given her that, but for some reason, I only had ten-gold coins.
I couldn't exactly tell her that; I didn't want to look like I was struggling for cash.
After walking for about ten minutes, I arrived at the gate nearest to the academy.
Even though it was early morning, the line was quite long—perks of being in the capital—but I passed through quickly by showing my instructor ID.
The gate to the Arianne Region was scheduled to activate before mine, so I let May go first.
"Hmm, a two-hour trip, but a one-hour gap between carriages is far too long."
I had a feeling since her estate was near the Kalabinz Mountains, but it seems it's a complete backwater.
"It's the countryside... freight wagons run often, but you probably wouldn't want that. Or, if you tell me the time, I can just be back in the capital by then."
I almost told her to do that, but then I shook my head.
She was seeing her family for the first time in a couple of months; she might as well spend as much time with them as possible.
"Arianne Region! Those heading to the Peyton Viscountcy or the western part of the Callos Duchy will depart in three minutes. Please line up at Gate 11!"
"I'll be going then, Instructor. Thank you."
I stopped May as she gave a polite bow and turned to leave.
"You can go, but you should take this with you."
I opened my subspace and handed her a small canteen I had prepared.
"What is this... wait, could it be...?"
"It's a tonic. The effect drops if you don't take it regularly, so I've prepared it separately."
May looked like she was about to cry at the mention of the tonic, but she took it, bowed again, and disappeared through the gate.
Now it was time for me to head out.
My destination was Anov.
It's a border city on the eastern edge of the Beluga Empire.
To be more precise, I was heading to the East Great Forest bordering Anov, which is why I sent May home first.
The East Great Forest is home to elves and other demi-humans and is crawling with monsters—not quite as bad as the North, but still—so it would be difficult to search for medicinal herbs while babysitting May.
Why go to the East Great Forest all of a sudden?
It's all because of the bet.
Considering May's rate of progress, I'd put the odds of her becoming the representative at about sixty percent.
Among trainees who are still clumsy at everything, simply having great stamina can give one a significant advantage.
But if I could just solve the problem of her lacking magic power, that chance would jump to a hundred percent.
A few methods came to mind, but each one took far too long to be useful now that the representative selection was only two weeks away.
Just as I was thinking I might have to leave the remaining forty percent to luck, Ark spoke up.
He mentioned that in his era, there was a medicinal herb that could significantly increase one's magic power.
I'd heard the legends about consuming a dragon's heart—the Dragon Heart—to increase magic power.
But this was the first time I'd heard about an actual herb with such effects.
I was skeptical, but Ark was adamant that I trust him.
He said he originally had no intention of telling me because he found my attitude irritating, but he changed his mind after seeing how sincerely I was teaching May.
When I asked if such a rare herb would be nearly impossible to find, Ark claimed he could use a specialized tracking magic.
"Those heading to the eastern border city of Anov, please line up at Gate 2!"
The time had come.
I stood up at the employee's shout.
'Ark, you're sure we can actually find it?'
'How many times are you going to ask? Have you been fooled your whole life?'
'I trust you. I'm just double-checking.'
I did trust Ark.
After all, I had found the artifact that I sold for a fortune by following his lead.
'Ark, what did you say the name of that herb was again?'
He remained silent, perhaps sulking because I had asked too many questions.
He said it was some kind of San something...
Was it Wild Ginseng?