47
Chapter 47
"How did you get out of the academy? I heard security has been tightened significantly."
It was an expected question.
As the Magic Tower Master said, various spells had been added to the existing security magic, and the number of guards had increased.
Of course, I could've managed on my own, but carrying the burden that is the Imperial Princess made it a bit tougher.
When I subtly poked the Dean about my reinstatement, I learned that permissions for leaving the grounds had become strict; without a valid reason, it was now difficult to go out even if accompanied by an instructor.
No matter what excuse I came up with, leaving with the Imperial Princess—whom everyone knows—would draw too much attention.
Besides, I'm an instructor for the Ranger Class, not the Magic Class.
I heard the Emperor isn't aware of my involvement yet, but doing that would surely lead to a report reaching him.
Given the Emperor's personality, he wouldn't just sit back; he'd try to interfere somehow.
Firing a single instructor is easier than twisting a child's finger if he puts his mind to it.
If it were last semester when being fired was my goal, I would have welcomed it, but now things are different.
Last time it was an Imperial recommendation, but this reinstatement is entirely my own will.
I can't hide my identity from the Emperor forever, but the later he finds out, the better.
"Belliard Academy has been around for a long time, hasn't it? There are a few little holes in the fence that aren't well known."
"Hmm, really? I heard they work hard on repairs every year. That's curious."
It was an excuse I'd prepared in advance, and fortunately, he didn't seem too suspicious.
"Anyway, I'll be bringing the Imperial Princess here every evening, so I'll leave her in your care."
"Every evening?"
"Wouldn't evening be better to avoid prying eyes?"
"No, she can just train in the private training ground, so that part is fine, but every day is a bit..."
He wants to just do his research in peace?
"Don't tell me your words about sincerely supporting the Imperial Princess were just lip service?"
"No. I was certainly sincere, but..."
He seems to be trying to wriggle out of it, but not a chance.
"My apologies. I doubted the Tower Master."
I immediately bowed my head in apology.
"No..."
"Master! If there's a private training hall that can't be seen from the outside, I can come during the day on weekends too."
At Helena's words, the Tower Master's expression stiffened.
"If it's too much of a burden..."
The Princess is about to throw cold water on the oatmeal she just made.
"No, Imperial Princess. Our Tower Master is an 8th Class Great Wizard. A burden? That's an insulting thing to say to the Tower Master."
"Um, Bio..."
"Are you ignoring the strongest 8th Class Wizard in the Beluga Empire right now?"
"Ah... no, I didn't mean it like that."
"He's going to do his best to teach you, even taking an Oath of Mana, so if saying that isn't insulting, then what is?"
I intentionally raised my voice, pressing the Princess.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize how Master felt. I'll work really hard! On weekends, I'll come from the afternoon—no, from the morning to learn."
Old Man Roy's face turned completely sour.
"...Well, I mean, the Imperial Princess must have things to learn at the academy, so I'm concerned this schedule might be too demanding."
"Nothing is more important to me right now than Master's teachings. I'll really work hard."
Good job, Helena.
"Ah... I understand."
Tsk tsk. See? He should have just agreed when I said I'd bring her every evening.
Serves him right.
I moved to the training hall and watched the two of them practice their magic.
It was boring, but I had to be there if I wanted the Imperial Princess to return.
I couldn't use the warp device in front of Old Man Roy.
He'd probably try to seize it by force if he saw an artifact that could teleport two people, considering how he'd practically salivated over a dog food bowl.
Still, doing this for four hours every day... no, not four, five hours.
Today ended an hour early because of the time spent on the wild ginseng and explanations.
Since he said weekdays go until midnight, that's five hours. Weekends until 10...
Ugh, the mere thought of it makes me dizzy.
I managed to endure today by practicing my Mental Cultivation Method, but from tomorrow, I'll drop her off and find something else to do.
Just sitting there and watching is torture.
After the lesson, I had her put her robe back on, and the Imperial Princess and I left the Magic Tower.
"Bio, could you please slow down a little?"
I looked back to see her panting, her face pale.
I was so eager to go back and rest that I hadn't thought about her.
She must be exhausted after training for four hours.
"My apologies."
I slowed my pace and we entered a private house I'd arranged near the Merdi Magic Tower.
"We'll head out immediately."
Since she'd done it once, the Imperial Princess naturally reached out her hand.
We interlaced our fingers, and I used the warp device to return to the academy warehouse.
"How do we get inside the dormitory?"
Using the warp device would be easier, but I didn't have the coordinates for a place I'd never been.
So today, we'd have to go the hard way.
"Hop on my back."
"What?"
"Or can you scale the walls by yourself, Your Highness?"
She shook her head but still looked hesitant.
She had no problem interlacing her fingers, though.
"Do you have some fatal disease that kills you if you touch a Baronet's back?"
I wanted to go rest, and her hesitation made me sarcastic without realizing it.
"It's not that, it's just that I might be too heavy..."
"Aren't you tired? You should go and rest."
"Yes."
I lowered my posture to make it easier for her to climb on and hoisted her up.
She's not even heavy; she's overthinking it.
She's not exactly a feather, but her slender frame wasn't a burden.
"Please don't scream."
As I spoke, I channeled internal energy into my feet and bolted toward the dormitory.
"Hold on tight."
"Wai... wait! We're going to hit the..."
She thought we'd crash, but I used the momentum to run straight up the wall.
I used to climb the pipes, but with the Imperial Princess on my back, that wasn't an option.
Now that I'd become a Sword Master—even if only partially—I felt capable of climbing this way.
It was a bit close at the end, but we arrived safely on the rooftop.
"Wow! I never imagined we'd get up here like this. You're amazing!"
"This is just the basics."
When I headed toward the rooftop entrance, I found it was still just a single, rusty old lock.
It seems they don't suspect the culprit of the previous incident used the roof to enter.
I easily opened the lock and told the Imperial Princess to wait for a moment.
Since there's only one black uniform that can nullify the alarm magic and video recording crystals.
"But you said earlier that we shouldn't tell Shine..."
"I'll just tell her she needs to use the restroom for a bit."
Asking her to step aside for a moment wouldn't be a big problem.
"Won't Shine find it strange if you go alone? It's not that she dislikes you, Bio, but she can be a bit... prickly."
"You're worrying for nothing. I've become quite close with her, so if I make up a good excuse, she'll cooperate."
"You've become close with Shine?"
"Of course."
I answered confidently, but the Imperial Princess still looked anxious.
As long as I held the 'reward' card, Shine had no choice but to be cooperative.
Just a moment ago, I saw her scowling and trying to pick a fight, but she changed her tune the instant I mentioned taking my reward tonight while the Princess slept.
She had also been very obedient when I told her to leave the Princess and go on her own.
After telling the Imperial Princess I'd be right back, I headed down from the rooftop.
The Imperial Princess's room was number 601.
Perhaps because she's Imperial Family, it was on the very top floor.
I only had to go down one floor, so I arrived in no time.
I pushed the door gently, but it was locked.
However, a clicking sound followed, and the door opened to reveal Shine in her casual clothes.
"Instructor Bio? Where is the Imperial Princess?"
"I'll be bringing her soon, but please excuse me for a moment before that."
I pushed past Shine and stepped inside.
The room was remarkably clean, likely because she maintained it well.
And there was a familiar... Ah! It was the lavender scent I'd smelled on the bed before.
"How dare you just walk into the Imperial Princess's room..."
She looked quite displeased.
"Have you already forgotten what we talked about?"
I spoke slyly as I took a step toward her.
Shine retreated, but I kept closing the distance until her back hit the wall.
"I... I can't believe I'm actually agreeing to such a ridiculous request..."
"Then should I stop helping you starting now?"
She shook her head, her expression full of resentment.
"But you haven't even properly helped the Imperial Princess yet, so the reward is..."
"She was very satisfied with what I did today. If you don't believe me, you can ask her when she returns in a moment."
As I spoke, I brushed my right hand through Shine's hair.
She shuddered, not knowing how to react.
"B... But I haven't confirmed that yet..."
She was quite desperate.
"I see. Fair enough. I won't take the reward today, so would you mind stepping aside for a moment?"
"Step aside? You're the one who..."
"It'll only take about five minutes, but if you keep questioning me, I'll have no choice but to take the reward right now..."
"I... I'll just go to the restroom."
Shine vanished in an instant.
Her reactions are so great; teasing her is truly a delight.
I can't do this every day, so I'll have to tell the Princess to make Shine vacate the room every midnight.
I can't think of a believable excuse, but I'm sure the Princess can figure something out.
After all, Shine follows the Princess's orders without question.
I left the room, went back to the rooftop, and then escorted the Princess back to her quarters.
Wait.
"Was that your spot, Your Highness?"
"Yes, this is my bed and the other one is Shine's. Is something wrong?"
There was delicate lace on the bed, and the blanket, pillow, and mattress were all made of luxurious material. Being pink, I naturally assumed the opposite one belonged to the Princess.
The Princess's actual bed was a plain blue, the standard issue from the academy, exactly like mine.
Is this for real?
"It's nothing."
"Shine's bed is a bit flashy, isn't it? I don't like pink and can sleep anywhere, but Shine can't sleep unless she has her own bedding."
Talk about a pampered royal.
"I... see. I sent Shine to the restroom. If she takes too long, you might want to go get her."
"Alright."
"Just to be safe, let me remind you again about how you got here..."
"That it's a secret? Don't worry. I won't tell a soul."
Seeing the Princess reply with a bright smile put me at ease.
"Well then, I'll be taking my leave."
After saying goodbye, I took out the warp device to head back.
When moving with two people, we have to interlace fingers, but for solo travel, I just need to infuse it with magic power, like a 1-person warp device.
"Wait a moment, Bio."
"Is there something else you wanted to say?"
"I just wanted to thank you once more. You told me what you think of Anna, but I really just protected my aunt's grave as best as I could. It wasn't anything great..."
"You were only fourteen, yet you looked after the grave of a stranger out of pure kindness, didn't you?"
"It's not that we were unrelated. The National Cemetery is where the empire's meritorious retainers are buried. As a member of the Imperial Family, it's only right that I care for them, but my abilities were lacking..."
How many members of the Imperial Family think like that?
The patriotism that had evaporated while I was grinding in the Intelligence Agency almost made a comeback.
"You've done something quite impressive. And helping you isn't just because of Anna."
The Princess's cheeks suddenly flushed.
The room was warm, so it wasn't from the cold. Was it too hot in here?
"T... Then why me?"
"Do you remember when you first came to me, I told you that you weren't in the right mindset to learn?"
"Ah, I was really rude back then. I'm sorry."
"It's alright. There's no grand reason; I just felt that you've finally developed the right attitude toward learning."
I haven't forgotten how she tried to bind me with absurd excuses at first, but she hasn't made a single mistake with me since that day.
I even heard that when word got out that I'd disappeared, she told the old man that it was okay not to look for me.
It was truly unexpected.
I never imagined the Princess, who was desperate enough to seek me out in a rural place like Seinti, would say such a thing.
Even though Shine was waiting, that journey was clearly a rogue action.
It wasn't a lack of desperation; she was being considerate of me.
"Thank you for seeing me in a positive light."
"Don't mention it. I'll continue to do my best for you, Your Highness."
Fighting malice with greater malice, and kindness with greater kindness—that is my creed.
But her cheeks seem even redder now. Was my lip service too much?
"Well then, I wish you a peaceful night."