Flare's Happy(?) Researcher Life Begins
Flare's Happy(?) Researcher Life Begins
The day after Yune declared, "Then I'll go get Mom's permission to become an undergraduate researcher!"
As Flare headed to her lab that morning, her expression stiffened before she even reached the door.
'...My lab door is open...? And there's a ridiculously good coffee smell, too.'
The door she'd locked before leaving was now slightly ajar, and the scent of coffee wafting through it was so exquisite the aroma alone screamed top-shelf luxury.
She double-checked the nameplate to make sure she hadn't mistaken the lab, then cautiously pushed the door open and peered inside.
'...A grad student from the Department of Knight Studies?'
A woman was inside the lab. Silver bobbed hair, blue eyes, and the distinctive uniform of the Department of Knight Studies.
She sat with her legs crossed, calmly sipping from a teacup as if she owned the place, radiating the unmistakable poise of high nobility. Almost as if she were a grand aristocrat.
Considering graduate student positions were typically filled by commoners or low-ranking nobles, it was an oddly incongruous sight.
'...Who the hell is she?'
Flare just stood there, speechless at the sheer imbalance. The woman glanced at her sidelong, calmly set down her teacup, and spoke.
"Professor Flare, a pleasure to meet you."
Flare was at a complete loss for words.
It was inconceivable for a graduate student to act that way toward a professor, even a newly appointed one like Flare—regardless of department or noble status.
Too bewildered to even be angry, Flare asked.
"U-um. What business brings a graduate student from the Department of Knight Studies here...?"
"...? Ah. You're a new professor. I didn't expect there would be a professor who didn't know me. My apologies for the discourtesy."
A flicker of puzzlement crossed her face.
Then, still seated with her legs crossed and arms folded, she spoke.
"I am Margarete von Nordkirchen. The second daughter of the Nordkirchen Grand Ducal House and... the sister of Yune, whom you met yesterday."
"...!!"
Flare was stunned to learn her identity. She'd guessed the woman was a high-ranking noble, but never imagined a Grand Ducal House.
In truth, if you looked closely at Mar's face, it was somewhat obvious she was Yune's older sister...
But Flare had never imagined someone in a Department of Knight Studies graduate uniform could share the blood of a Grand Ducal House. The shock hit her twice as hard.
'I thought she was just a grad student brushing me off because I'm a new professor, but if she's Yune's sister, that makes sense... If I were in her shoes and had a younger brother like Yune wanting to be an undergrad researcher, I'd stop him too.'
In the midst of her mental turmoil, Flare realized the woman had come not as a graduate student, but as Yune's sister and the second daughter of the Grand Ducal House.
She quickly pulled herself together and tried to explain the situation to Mar...
But a far greater trial still awaited her.
"The reason I sought you out today, Professor, is that our Yune consulted me about wanting to become your undergraduate researcher."
"Ah... yes."
"I believe we should discuss this matter. Do you have time right now?"
"Yes. That's fine."
Mar had already confirmed Flare had no morning classes, but asked out of courtesy.
Then Mar drew a crystal ball from her coat and handed it to Flare.
"This is...?"
Flare stared at the crystal ball, confused. Why a crystal ball all of a sudden?
But her expression soon crumpled into one of sheer embarrassment.
-...It's been seven years. A pleasure. Flare.
"!!?"
'That voice...'
-This is Grand Duchess Erengard von Nordkirchen.
* * * * * *
The moment Flare took the crystal ball.
In the far northern reaches, far from the Imperial Capital, three women—mother and daughters—were gathered in the Head of House's Office at the Nordkirchen Grand Ducal Residence, staring at a crystal ball.
-Y-Your Grace. It has been far too long.
"...It connected!"
"Why are you so excited over something like this, Sis Charl?"
When a stranger's voice came through the communication orb that had been connected to Mar, Charl realized it was the fabled Flare and grew animated. Albert chided her for it.
Erengard silently gestured for her two restless daughters to be quiet, then smoothly began to speak.
"You may dispense with pointless formalities. More to the point: I heard that you told Yune to obtain my permission if he wished to become an undergraduate researcher."
-...I-I never meant to trouble Your Grace! My apologies!
"I do not intend to blame you. If anything, your judgment is commendable."
Flare overreacted, too many guilty spots pricked.
But Erengard dismissed the overreaction as a commoner's typical response to a grand duchess and moved on to the main topic without concern.
"I'll lead with the conclusion. I have no intention of preventing Yune from becoming an undergraduate researcher."
-...!!?
"Honestly, I would prefer he did not, but he is not asking to do something dangerous. How could I forbid him from wanting to study further?"
-Ah...
A despairing groan escaped Flare. Even the mighty Northern Grand Duchess couldn't stop Yune.
But Erengard was just getting started.
"And I have heard that becoming an undergraduate researcher aids early graduation. Is that true?"
-That is generally the case, but Young Master Yune is an unprecedented individual in many ways, so I cannot give a definitive answer.
"That is fine. Yune carries the blood of Nordkirchen, after all. I have absolute faith that he will succeed."
-H-however. I cannot imagine Young Master Yune enduring the rigors of undergraduate research...
"Ah, I trust you will naturally not assign him excessive work that would be too taxing, nor use him for private errands. If it is merely research, his stamina should be sufficient."
-...
A request so forceful it could easily be interpreted as an abuse of power by the Grand Ducal House.
But having experienced firsthand over the past two days just how desolate the mansion became without Yune, the three were willing to endure a degree of shame.
But Flare, hearing this from the other side of the crystal ball, looked troubled.
-I am ashamed to say it, but if that is your purpose, you would be better off seeking another professor. I doubt I can help the young master achieve early graduation from my lab.
"Oh? Why? Do you lack confidence in your skills?"
-I pride myself on having skills to spare and more... but I am a newly appointed professor with not a single graduate student under me. Without graduate students, never mind producing worthwhile research while looking after Young Master Yune—it is physically impossible.
Magic research simply could not progress without grinding up slaves called graduate students or undergraduate researchers, and a student from a lab with no magical research achievements could never hope for early graduation.
Flare reluctantly admitted that, given her current situation, she could not get Yune to graduate early.
But.
"If the issue is simply a lack of hands, then we will provide a solution from our end. How many graduate students do you need?"
-Pardon? Ah, well... three would probably ease the burden. But why do you ask?
"I shall select seven of the family's exclusive mages and send them to you. It is not the enrollment period, but I will push them through with my authority, so do not worry and use them as you see fit."
-...Excuse me? No, pardon?!
Having already been thoroughly briefed on Flare's situation by Mar, Erengard presented a straightforward solution.
A brute-force method: if there are no graduate student applicants, she would simply slot in the family's exclusive mages.
"With that many, could you let Yune participate in research without overworking him and produce enough research achievements for his early graduation within three years—no, two and a half—no, two years?"
-Well, that would be possible, but...
"Then it is settled."
"Just as you planned, Albert."
"Yeah. But can we really call this a plan...? It's just crushing the problem with money and titles."
This was exactly the strategy Albert had devised.
If Yune wanted to be a researcher, let him. No—go further and get him to graduate early. And to ensure Yune wouldn't struggle as an undergraduate researcher, the family would step in and provide all manner of support.
Of course, sending so many family members into the academy, where outsiders are strictly forbidden, was a move that would draw heavy scrutiny even for a Grand Ducal House. Albert had hesitated before suggesting it.
But if it meant seeing Yune two years sooner, the family's prestige could be set aside. Erengard adopted the plan without hesitation.
Unaware that Flare was gaping in stunned disbelief and dismay, she spoke with satisfaction.
"I shall handle the matter of the graduate students immediately. Take good care of Yune. He seems to be quite fond of you still, so you must fully live up to that expectation."
-Y-yes, ma'am!
"...Ah, and."
But then Erengard's face abruptly hardened, as if something had just occurred to her.
Her expression sharpened into a scowl, glaring into empty space as she recalled a certain scene she had witnessed seven years ago.
Then she directed a warning toward Flare.
"If Yune ever tries to cling to you or embrace you, avoid him at all costs. The moment a single finger of yours touches Yune... I trust you understand what follows without me saying it."
-...Ah, yes. I will bear that in mind.
...In many ways, a warning far too late.