Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Turbulent Academy (2)
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Imperial Princess Erze Kaiser.
Her hair was the same golden blonde as her younger brother Evan's. That radiant color was proof of her status as a great and noble member of the imperial family.
That was exactly why I could recognize them right away. If I had to compare it to something, it was like finding gold coins dropped in a dingy alleyway. Two of them, no less.
That said, how on earth did so many members of the imperial family all end up with blonde hair?
Was the gene for blonde hair dominant? Or was it really like the Middle Ages with inbreeding... No, no way.
It was probably best not to think too deeply about it. It had nothing to do with the truth anyway, and it might just plant weird preconceptions in my head.
"If it's Sir Luke..."
"Yes, sister. He's the knight who saved me at the entrance ceremony. And the lady next to him is the one from the Frozenheart Ducal Family I mentioned earlier."
"I knew it."
Erze's gaze slowly turned toward us.
What was it? I couldn't read her intentions at all. To be precise, I couldn't even see her pupils.
She had those perpetually narrowed eyes, like the villains in stories.
But she wasn't a villain. It was just her appearance—her personality was actually on the kinder side. Even in the original story, she didn't have any major incidents.
"What a coincidence. To run into the two heroes of the entrance ceremony like this on the street. I'm Erze Kaiser, Evan's older sister."
Erze gave a light bow. Her lips were still smeared with sauce, and she held a skewer in her hand.
She seemed overly casual. But that didn't erase her position as an imperial princess, so I couldn't relax.
In any case, once she'd revealed her imperial status, there was only one proper response.
"The empire's little sun..."
"The empire's little sun..."
Elena and I both dropped to one knee simultaneously. It was the highest form of greeting, permitted only in the presence of imperial family members.
But something about it must have been off, because Erze let out a small laugh.
"Here at the academy, I'm just an ordinary student. You don't need to be so formal."
I glanced at Elena, and she glanced at me. Our eyes met in midair before we both nodded and stood up together.
It was a bit embarrassing, but no regrets.
Worst case, if Erze was the type to throw her weight around even at the academy, it was always safer to err on the side of politeness.
Better to act on good intentions and risk a momentary laugh than assume wrongly and earn her ire.
"Come to think of it, you two probably haven't tried the academy's famous specialty yet."
Erze proudly held up the wooden skewer in her hand.
Evan was nodding enthusiastically behind her, which only made it more baffling.
A street vendor's skewer as the academy's famous dish...?
It was like saying that I—an extra number one, not even the protagonist Elena—was the main character of this world.
"Come on, don't be shy. Try some. As thanks for saving my brother, it's on me."
Despite my doubts, I stepped forward. Elena did the same.
Refusing an imperial princess's gratitude wouldn't have been polite, after all.
It didn't take long to realize why this ordinary-looking meat skewer was the academy's pride and joy.
The taste and aroma were exceptional. It hit the taste buds like MSG, holding up perfectly against 21st-century food. In this medieval world, it was downright overwhelming.
Elena seemed to feel the same. Her eyes were wide as she chewed away nonstop.
Erze watched us with a pleased smile.
"From your expressions, it looks like it suits your tastes."
"Yes, it's delicious. As expected of the academy's specialty."
I answered for Elena, who was still munching away.
"So, what brings you two out on the streets so early in the morning?"
"Nothing in particular. We just wanted to look around."
"In that case, how about I show you around? I was just about to guide Evan anyway."
"Well..."
I trailed off and glanced at Elena. Even though we were together, the final say was hers.
Nod.
She caught my meaning and gave a small nod.
"Then we'll gladly accept, Your Highness."
"You can just call me Erze... but that might feel awkward. Princess Erze will do."
"Yes, Princess Erze."
Unlike with Elena, she wasn't being picky about it.
I thought that as I looked at Elena, but she was just tilting her head and steadily working on her skewer.
I wondered why she was taking so long on one skewer, but nope—she was already on her second.
This traitor...! I wanted a second one too...!
"If there's anywhere you're curious about or want to visit, just say the word."
After that, I let Erze guide Elena, Evan, and me around the streets.
Maybe because most academy students were nobles, even the clothes in ordinary shops were high quality. Naturally, the prices matched.
As we wandered, we arrived at a teahouse. The quiet atmosphere, antique interior, and faint aroma of tea were quite appealing.
Soon, four teacups were placed on the table.
Erze sipped her tea and set the cup down silently.
"Come to think of it, you two probably don't know about clubs yet."
"Clubs?"
Elena echoed the word after sipping her own tea.
It was only natural. The term "club" wouldn't come up in everyday medieval life.
Especially not in the Frozenheart Ducal Family, which had little interaction with other houses.
"Yes, it's like a hobby group. Students gather outside of department classes to do activities together."
"I see. Does Princess Erze belong to one?"
"Yes, I'm in the gardening club."
Gardening. A club for growing plants.
It suited her elegant, leisurely image as a princess, but I couldn't easily picture her getting her hands dirty or watering plants.
"You're welcome to visit. I'll brew you tea from the leaves we grow ourselves."
"If I get the chance, I definitely will."
Elena smiled and sipped her tea.
It was probably just politeness. Even if she visited the gardening club, she wouldn't join.
A ducal lady getting dirt on her hands and watering plants? No reason for her to do such grueling work.
'What did Elena do in the original story...?'
If my memory was right, she hadn't joined any clubs. She'd avoided getting involved with others as much as possible.
Of course, that personality was already fixed...
But gardening still felt like a stretch.
It definitely wasn't because I didn't want to dig in the dirt, water plants, or smell fertilizer in her place.
About an hour later.
My desperate wish shattered to pieces.
"Luke, the gardening club sounds nice."
"...Are you serious?"
"Yes. We could grow vegetables and make salads, and understand the hearts of farmers in the process."
"Won't you have to touch dirt? And use smelly fertilizer for sure."
"That's exactly why we should try it. There's no other chance outside an educational institution like the academy."
Elena seemed set on it. She was the type to stick to her decisions once made, so convincing her otherwise was hopeless.
...Why is this real?
The thought of shoveling dirt again like I did gleefully in the army made a smile creep onto my face unbidden.
"I think it's a great idea too, miss."
Ah, this is going to be fun.
Time passed, and the next day arrived.
In other words, the first official day of classes at the academy.
"See you later, Luke."
"Until later, miss."
We exchanged brief goodbyes at the fork in the road, and Elena headed straight for the Magic Department building.
'She'll be fine... right?'
This was the longest we'd been apart since I became her exclusive attendant.
The entrance exam day was similar, but things had been so hectic I couldn't worry about her then.
Anyway, she'll be fine. Elena's got a well-rounded personality now.
She'll probably make lots of good friends and won't even call me on holidays.
I watched her retreating figure, praying fervently as I set off.
The classroom I arrived at had familiar faces. We'd taken the entrance exam together, so it made sense.
The problem was the unwanted face mixed in among them.
"Luke!"
It was Yubel. He'd spotted me while chatting with the others and called my name loudly.
I had no desire to get close to him, but since he'd end up tied to Elena anyway, no need to make enemies.
Who knew? He might become her husband and my new meal ticket.
"Good to see you, Yubel Lutwalt."
"Just call me Yubel. We were just talking about you—perfect timing."
"About me?"
"More precisely, the lady from the Frozenheart Ducal Family you were with."
So these guys were talking about our miss?
I hadn't planned to join the conversation, but this changed things.
"What were you saying?"
"Just how amazing she is. How many people would volunteer to take her place as a hostage?"
She was amazing. But as her exclusive attendant, I couldn't just let it slide.
"And her face is incredibly beautiful."
Her looks were beyond reproach, that much was true.
"Plus her family is top-tier. Is there anyone else that perfect?"
A ducal house was among the empire's elite.
And I'd raised that Elena from snot-nosed kid days, wiping her nose and all, so my shoulders puffed up with pride.
"I wonder what her type is...? Would a future Sword Saint catch her eye?"
"If I get the chance, I'll ask her next time."
It looked like the romance was kicking off in earnest.
As a third party, it was all good for me.