Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Student's Duty (2)
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Originally, the term "study group" should be a word fragrant enough to adorn a page of youth all on its own.
⋯⋯Not this thin ice rink where everyone eyes each other warily, struggling for survival.
Everyone, including Carlyle, had books open in front of them, all staring off to one side.
Naturally, no books were anywhere near Gray, who sat at the head of the table with her eyes calmly closed as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"⋯⋯."
Why the hell.
Why wasn't the person who came here to study even bothering to open a single book?
And that was the worst part. It was impossible to guess what this woman was even doing here or what her intentions were.
"Um—"
In that breathless silence, the first to speak up was Princess Ilia.
She had the most at stake, so of course she would. Carlyle was the only one she could lean on. And being herself, she probably felt the least need to watch Gray's mood.
"Here, I have a question about this problem—"
"Hm, let's see. Which part?"
"It's the problem on page 34 of the algebra textbook⋯⋯"
Carlyle tried his best to ignore Gray and turned his gaze to the textbook Ilia held out.
"Let's see, this one is—"
"74."
Before he could even continue, the correct answer dropped from Gray's mouth.
As Ilia and Carlyle blinked at her in unison, her eyes slowly fluttered open.
"What."
"⋯⋯."
"I gave you the answer."
"⋯⋯Lady, Her Highness isn't just looking for the answer—she wants the solution process—"
"Elbton's proof for the first variable. Calculate the rest yourself."
"⋯⋯."
"If you've got a head on your shoulders, anyone can do the math, right?"
⋯⋯The Hero doesn't understand human hearts.
Just look at Princess Ilia, her eyes spinning as she asked her question.
"⋯⋯Um, could I ask what Elbton's proof is⋯⋯?"
"You don't know that either?"
"⋯⋯."
"Are you an idiot? How did you even get into Cradle?"
"⋯⋯S-Sorry⋯⋯"
Before Ilia could mumble those words in a voice like she was on her deathbed, Gray rested her chin on the table and continued.
"Algebra textbook, page 3. From the first paragraph to the third. Read it."
"⋯⋯."
The princess blinked vacantly.
She flinched and hurriedly flipped to that section when Gray gave her a chilling look.
"⋯⋯Wow."
Soon enough, after reading the paragraph that neatly explained exactly what Elbton's proof was, Ilia let out a short exclamation.
"Thank you, Hero!"
"It's not that impressive."
"No, really, thank you for helping!"
"No. I said it's not impressive."
"⋯⋯."
"How can you not even do this?"
"⋯⋯S-Sorry⋯⋯"
⋯⋯Watching the conversation loop like a broken record, Carlyle let out a hollow chuckle as he looked between Gray and Ilia.
For all her harsh words, it didn't seem like he needed to step in.
Gray was answering every question Ilia threw at her, after all.
No, more than that.
Her devastating memory, remembering exactly what was on which page, was one thing.
'She's actually pretty good at teaching.'
It was impressive how her genius intellect didn't falter—even when Ilia asked what something was, answers flew out instantly on where to look and what to read to understand.
And worth noting was how the princess followed those harsh instructions without missing a beat.
'This girl's got some real talent.'
The textbooks laid out before them were at a level college students by Carlyle's standards would tackle.
For a mere seven-year-old to absorb them so readily, even with spot-on guidance, was quite the sight.
[The Emperor's child. Makes sense she wouldn't lack ability. Were there ever any incompetents among the imperial family?]
'True enough.'
The imperial bloodline ruled the continent's largest empire. Each one inherited talent in at least one area.
[This princess was probably shunned by the family because she hasn't discovered her own gifts yet. There must be something exceptional about her.]
Imperial kin generally surpassed commoners and excelled markedly in at least one field.
It was a proposition close to law since the empire's founding.
The problem was the current imperials—humans who couldn't even reach the Emperor's toes in character.
'Remember the 1st Prince and 2nd Princess?'
[Scum we'd be better off ripping apart.]
'Sure, but.'
He responded that way but didn't bother correcting Gray's phrasing.
It wasn't hyperbole—if not for those two, the empire might have held out ten years longer against the hellish invasion.
It even made him pity the princess for having endured such people.
"Anyone who can't do calculus in their head? Who's got no focus?"
"Sorry—!"
"⋯⋯."
Her current dressing-down from Gray only fueled those feelings.
[Hm.]
But the Holy Sword, watching it all, spoke up as if struck by a sudden thought.
[Isn't this a great thing?]
'Pardon?'
[Her intentions might be impure, but she's helping someone. That has merit.]
The Hero was sharing her talents with others.
Strange as it looked, it was undeniably impressive.
'Sounds like you're suggesting something?'
[How about setting up more sessions like this? It'd be good experience for me too, over there.]
-System Message
▶ Variable: 'Holy Sword's Suggestion – Hero Raises Princess' has been generated.
▶ Help 7th Princess Ilia Grace grow properly under the Hero's guidance!
▶ This is a variable not tied to quests.
▶ Acceptance or refusal is free, but success grants additional rewards!
▶ Grants additional growth points to the Hero.
▶ Provides benefits to the 'Main Quest'.
Carlyle blinked at the window popping up before his eyes.
It was sudden, but.
'⋯⋯No reason to refuse, huh?'
Every line was something he couldn't say no to.
Extra growth for Gray, benefits to the main quest—take your pick.
Gray might seem like she could shatter anything in one hit right now, but even the Holy Sword certified her as having "plenty of room to grow."
And Carlyle felt the same.
Compared to the monstrous Archdemons from before his regression, her current power still fell short.
Any means to fill that gap was worth grabbing.
Especially.
'⋯⋯Will the Hero's personality improve even a little?'
[⋯⋯Can't guarantee that part.]
Caring for someone might have that positive effect⋯⋯or so he could hope.
Anyone could hope, results or not.
'By the way, Hero.'
[Yes?]
'What do you mean her intentions are impure?'
He was asking about the Holy Sword's earlier words.
It had called Gray's purpose here impure. He genuinely didn't know what that meant.
The reason soon became clear.
"Um, Carlyle—"
While Ilia withered and grew under Gray's Spartan tutoring, Vespa dragged her chair over next to him.
"About this part?"
She set a book down in front of him, about to ask something.
⋯⋯Or trying to, at least.
If only Gray, mid-tirade at Ilia, hadn't drawn the Holy Sword from her back—scabbard and all—and yanked Vespa's book toward herself.
Gray glanced at the page with the tip of her eye.
"Go to the library, borrow World History Chronicles, and read from page 40 to 110."
"⋯⋯Uh, L-Lady⋯⋯?"
"If you're still lost after that, ask me."
"⋯⋯."
Vespa nodded blankly.
In the meantime, Gray flipped open her own book and tossed it in front of Carlyle.
She tapped a spot with the sword tip.
"This. I don't get it. Teach me."
"⋯⋯."
It was basic basics.
Absurd for someone who'd instantly grasped and solved Ilia and Vespa's issues to claim ignorance.
"⋯⋯Lady, are you really asking because you don't know?"
"I don't know."
"⋯⋯."
"Come teach me."
Gray patted the chair beside her.
Her eyes glared. Sit here now or get smacked—clear as day.
"⋯⋯."
Carlyle reluctantly sat next to her, and Ilia and Vespa rolled their eyes.
"—Lady, uh, Carlyle looks troubled—"
"Quiet."
"⋯⋯."
Vespa was sunk by that one word from Gray.
And so the situation dragged on.
With Carlyle seated beside her, she kept intercepting questions meant for him.
And kept him glued to her side.
⋯⋯What to call this.
From the start, her reason for joining seemed to be erasing any "reason" for Carlyle to help others.
Like she wanted to keep him from focusing on anyone else by holding him captive.
'Ah.'
⋯⋯So that's what impure intentions meant.
[Like a kid who's had her favorite toy snatched.]
'Tell me about it.'
[Well, you could be happy she values you as her most precious, hmm?]
'Not happy at all.'
[⋯⋯No need to be so cold about it.]
Why was this one sulking now?
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-System Message
▶ Target 'Vespa Luciana' grows confused by the Hero's attitude toward you!
▶ A special event related to the target will generate soon!
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