Chapter 15
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Normalizing the Broken Ducal Family (3)
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The original novel The Lady Survived Today Again unfolded against the backdrop of the Academy.
The Future Sword Saint from the Swordsmanship Department, the Future Magic Tower Lord from the Magic Department, and the imperial prince from the General Studies Department.
Those three idiots I'd seen competing over Elena at the banquet earlier.
Well, none of that had anything to do with the current situation.
In any case, since the original story was set at the Academy, I knew quite a bit about it myself.
'It was supposed to be incredibly tough to get into.'
The great and glorious founding emperor of the empire had wanted an educational institution where talent could bloom regardless of social status.
And so the Academy was established, allowing anyone to enroll irrespective of birth.
Anyone hearing that for the first time might cheer long live the founding emperor, hurrah, hip hip hooray—but the Academy had one massive problem. The entrance exam was ridiculously, absurdly difficult.
Commoners were too busy worrying about putting food on the table from birth to have time for studies. Being able to read and write already made one an 'impressive' commoner.
That's why, out of every hundred enrollees at the Academy, ninety-nine were nobles. Even then, most from baronial families followed in their house's footsteps to become knights or focused solely on agriculture, so it was safe to say they were all from count families and up.
Anyway, to sum it up:
1. Getting into the Academy is insanely hard.
2. I hadn't done much studying since arriving in this world.
3. From now on, I had to balance sword training and studies to prepare for the Academy entrance.
And on top of that, I still had to serve as Elena's attendant. Even two bodies wouldn't be enough.
But what could I do? Elena wanted us to go to the Academy together.
When your lady says jump, you jump. That was an attendant's duty, so I had no choice but to follow.
"Luke, got a moment?"
"Yes, sir."
In the middle of my usual sword training, Chrome suddenly called me over.
I lowered the sword I was holding and focused on what he had to say.
"Your swordplay's gotten sloppy compared to usual. Something on your mind?"
"It's not exactly a worry, but..."
"Speak freely, whatever it is. Back in my day, I made plenty of women cry, so even romance troubles are fine. So, who's the girl? Yulia? Sein?"
Chrome's eyes sparkled with curiosity. Apparently, other people's love lives were prime entertainment regardless of era or generation.
Makes sense—in an age already short on fun, things would get boring without stuff like this.
Unfortunately, I couldn't provide that entertainment.
"The Young Lady wants to enroll in the Academy."
"She wants to enroll, meaning you're going too, right?"
"Yes, sir."
"But that's still a ways off... No, wait. Better to start preparing early."
Education doesn't happen overnight. You had to build it step by step from childhood for it to stick.
I'd thought cramming for college entrance exams was the end of studying to get into school, but here I was doing it again. What a cursed life.
"Speaking of the Academy brings back old memories."
"Did you attend the Academy too, Captain?"
"Eh, just tales from my reckless youth. Anyway, when you're old enough to enroll, I'll write you a recommendation letter. Assuming I'm still alive, that is."
Chrome burst into hearty laughter.
Unlike him, I managed only an awkward smile. His words didn't sound like a joke at all.
Soldiers shouldn't joke about their lives...
"Don't worry too much. The Swordsmanship Department's written exam is a breeze. The practical makes up for it, but you'll do fine."
"I'll do my best."
"Good. Let's resume training."
Under Chrome's guidance, I picked up my sword and continued training.
Maybe venting helped—my sword tip moved a bit sharper than before.
I had no idea how tough the Swordsmanship Department's practical exam was, but...
'Gotta give it my all anyway.'
Doing my best was the only thing I could do right now.
Time passed, and after finishing sword training, I returned to Elena's mansion.
"It's Luke."
"Come in."
I knocked to report my return, and her voice came immediately from the other side.
I opened the door and stepped inside, coming face-to-face with Elena and Cecily. They sat across from each other at the table, sipping tea.
"I've completed sword training and returned."
"No injuries?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Then come join us. Master Cecily's been waiting to explain once you got here."
I'd wondered why Elena, whose magic training usually ended earlier than mine, was with Cecily. Looked like they had other business.
I approached the table where they sat, and Cecily began speaking.
"I spoke to His Grace about enrolling both of you in the Academy, and he approved readily."
Meaning Cecily had handled my enrollment too. I was grateful she'd gone out of her way for a mere attendant.
At first, I hadn't been thrilled about her, but she was growing on me.
"His Grace will cover your enrollment fees too, Luke."
"Really? I don't know how to thank him..."
"Just do your duty well, right? Not that I'm in a position to tell you how."
"Understood."
In short, a duke had no real expectations of a nine-year-old, so just focus on your role.
Couldn't argue with that. All I had to do was take good care of Elena.
"Anyway, starting tomorrow, I'll oversee your studies too. Normally, the Young Lady's magic training ends first, so we can do lessons after your sword training, Luke."
"Studies...? You're good at studying too, Master?"
"Immodest as it is to say, I was a top graduate of the Academy."
Cecily boasted casually while sipping her tea. Her nose was so high, it might poke the ceiling any second.
Fair enough—graduating top of the Magic Department, packed with elite mages, was worth bragging about.
The issue was that it flew right over Elena's head.
"Top...? Like a stone...?"
"T-Top isn't a stone...! Well, it can mean that sometimes, but I meant the most outstanding one."
"The most outstanding person...?!"
"Immodest as it is, yes."
Cecily's deflated nose perked right back up.
She said it was immodest, but she sure seemed thrilled...
No need to point it out, though.
'How did the duke even recruit someone like her?'
She handled two affinities and was Academy top graduate level genius. She could've been a royal mage or held a key Magic Tower position—anything she wanted.
The duke's personal letter carried weight, sure, but she could've dodged it if she tried.
Unless she came willingly...
'Whatever, it'll come up naturally later.'
No point dwelling. It wasn't important anyway.
"So starting tomorrow, studies too—steel yourselves. You know this already, Young Lady, but I'm pretty strict."
Cecily warned emphatically, but it bounced off Elena.
"Studies...!"
Elena just seemed excited to learn something new.
Exactly the kind of student professors dream of.
Time flowed on to the next day.
After sword training, I headed to the mansion's drawing room with Elena.
"Have a seat and wait a bit. Still prepping."
A blackboard on one side, two chairs in front of it. The former drawing room had become a makeshift classroom.
'Guess the Academy's schools aren't much different from back home.'
Makes sense—it was a novel written by a modern person, after all.
As I sat, Elena poked my shoulder with her finger.
"Luke, Luke, what's that big thing?"
"Probably for writing on. Gotta make it big to see well."
"Exciting. Studies, studies."
Elena's short legs swung back and forth.
Was chatter the same in every world? With the blackboard in front, Elena seemed a tad chattier than usual.
And where there were chatty students, there was inevitably...
"Young Lady, no talking during class."
"R-Right."
"First time, so forgiven."
Cecily had transformed into a proper teacher. Holding a magic wand instead of a pointer was a bit funny, but she looked the part.
"Today, we start with mathematics."
Of course it had to be my least favorite subject.
My brow furrowed just as—
"Young Lady, if you have one apple and add another apple, how many?"
"Two...!"
My mind went blank for a second.
'Am I maybe the smartest nine-year-old in the world...?'
I was reminded anew that I was a possessor.