Yet Another Four
As I was stationed at the academy, I ended up experiencing all sorts of things.
There was no other way about it, after all, this was a place where all sorts of people gathered. Not just our Empire's noble students, but also students from the two neighboring kingdoms and even elves.
It was only natural that duke's sons and daughters, and in the past, even imperial family members had been there. And recently, members of foreign royal families had come to study here.
So, even if it's a Lasquer princess, there's nothing particularly surprising about it.
Of course, there was one thing that was special for me. A student who was still enrolled receiving the Imperial Medal of Honor. Not once, but twice. And the Legion of Honor, the savior of the academy, and so on.
"Here now, Lepia student. If you internalize everything I've explained so far and live accordingly, there won't be any major issues during your four years at the academy."
"I am grateful for your diligent explanation."
"This is my duty. If anything happens, please inquire with the academy administration."
My duty was complete. Now, it was up to this princess to navigate things on her own. Well, if she navigates, it might make the academy look strange, so cancel that. She'll manage fine.
"Try not to feel too burdened. From what I've heard, she's a person who was almost expelled from the Lasquer royal family. Treat her with the same courtesy as important foreign dignitaries, but only up to that point."
Suddenly, the words of my senior came to mind. When the direct members of the royal family came, he was tense, and then he said that.
At first, I was a bit worried, but seeing Lepia's reaction, it settled down. Clearly, she knew her own position.
"Here, then. Follow me. I'll guide you to the dormitory building where you'll be staying—"
As I opened the door, I saw unexpected people standing outside.
"...Selena student?"
"Hello. Manager-nim. It's been a while."
Four years had passed? The Ifreet family, the daughter of the Marquisate of Naplio, whom I first met back then. It was said she graduated with the highest honors but decided to enter graduate school?
Honestly, when I heard that news, I couldn't help but sigh 'why?' in my heart. A noble family's daughter, and not just any noble family but the daughter of a marquisate, making such a choice.
Graduate school was mostly chosen by those who had a passion for academics or commoner students aiming for a better future, through master's or doctoral degrees.
From that perspective, Selena student had no reason to do so. Especially since from her freshman year, the interest from male students was immense.
Considering that most of them were nobles, when she eventually entered high society after graduation, it would be an enormous storm.
Well, before entering high society, she quickly made a lover.
At one point, it caused the academy to stir. The first love of all male students, and the returning student who contributed the most to the history of the Imperial Academy.
Even the two were once in a situation where one confessed and the other rejected it.
"Yes. It's been a while. But on the side..."
"Ah, my mind. I'll introduce you. This side is Eloise Lohengrin, the exchange student from the Heigens side this time. On the opposite side is Lavrenti who will be entering as a freshman. By the way, Lavr is a recipient of the Silver Star Medal."
...What? Is it because my boyfriend is an amazing figure? The people around her aren't ordinary either.
First, I have a rough idea of Eloise the elf as an Empire official. From what I heard, she worked in the Heigens army. Not just any unit, but a special unit?
From recent news, the elf students who had been keeping to themselves at the academy suddenly changed and tried to mingle with the Empire students somehow.
It was sudden, but hearing the story, it seemed like this student Eloise had something to do with it.
Right, with the Heigens home situation being noisy, there was no time to worry about the students.
Next to her, the prospective student Lavrenti. No surname, so probably commoner.
Of course, even if I am noble and she is commoner, she is a Silver Star Medal recipient. If a bureaucrat like me treated a medal recipient disrespectfully, it would be my head.
Recently, Karl student has been too popular, and people misunderstand. Actually, it's right to see receiving the Medal of Honor as a miracle in itself.
Below that, the Cross Medal, and the Silver and Bronze Medals are actually the realistic highest honors for Empire soldiers.
Receiving the Silver Star Medal means she's definitely not an ordinary person. I can stake my entire bureaucratic career on it.
"Hello. I'm Eloise. Manager-nim. We met once before, right?"
"First time. I'm Lavrenti..."
"It was. Nice to meet you again. Eloise student. And Lavrenti student? We haven't met before. We'll probably meet again later regarding the freshman matters."
After exchanging greetings, I was about to do my duty again, but Selena student stepped forward again.
"The person next to you is a face I haven't seen before. Is she a freshman?"
"Yes. Um, you'll know later... Lepia student? Please introduce yourself. One is a senior to the student, and the other two will be the same first-year."
"Ah! I see. Nice to meet you. I'm Lepia from Lasquer. Please take care of me from now on."
Hmm. Good. She didn't show any sign of being a royal person and maintained a modest attitude. Education is well done.
"Ah, is it the fifth princess from the Kingdom of Lasquer?"
"Yes, I am. Still, here, I'm just one student like you, so please treat me as a junior or peer, and I'll be grateful!"
"I see. Um, then. Manager-nim? Are you going to guide me to the dormitory?"
I nodded, and Selena student suddenly smiled. What? Why is she smiling?
"Also to greet the junior, and I'd like to talk with you. Manager-nim, you have a lot to do, right? Can I guide you to the dormitory?"
"By Selena student?"
I briefly looked at Selena student. First, there's no problem. Daughter of the marquisate, already a senior who has been at the academy for four years. Maybe she can give more advice to Lepia than I can.
Honestly, as a bureaucrat, it's better to associate with fellow students, which would suit this somewhat pitiful princess.
I turned my gaze to Lepia this time. If this side was uncomfortable, I was ready to refuse immediately. After all, she's a guest from another country, so I have to treat her well.
From that perspective, Lepia student could also be seen as positive.
"I'm fine. Manager-nim. It might be better to talk with the senior and the peers."
"If you think so... um."
Guiding an important student from another country is one of the duties of a manager. I can't leave it to others.
But it's not just anyone, it's Selena Ifreet. Top scorer, Naplio marquisate daughter, and decisively, the lover of Karl Adelheit student.
Can I entrust her...?
After some more deliberation, I eventually handed Lepia student over to Selena student.
I wonder, what could happen? As a senior, she would give various advice.
*
After the manager left the position, immediately after, Lepia's maid came close.
The look of surprise was evident, but it was only natural that instead of the manager, suddenly three students were taking their master.
"I, um. I will accompany you too. I am her attendant. No, I will continue to follow Lady Lepia—"
"Ehehe! What are you saying. This is the Empire Academy. Even if it's an important foreign dignitary, inside here, she's just a student. What about attendants? Isn't that right, Senior Selena?"
Eloise asked with a bright smile, and Selena slowly nodded her head.
This was true. The sons and daughters of other noble families in the Empire. Even the nobles of the imperial family. All of them had accomplished everything on their own as students in this academy.
There was no special treatment for foreign royal figures. They couldn't bring their attendants far. They could stay at the academy but only from a distance. Any behavior interfering with student life was prohibited.
"Still..."
"I'm fine. Since it's fine, go. I heard there's a separate space for the attendants. Stay there. It was hard coming all this way, so think of it as a vacation."
Lepia herself said that, so the maid no longer expressed opinions and withdrew.
With this, finally only the four remained, and Selena, Lavrenti, and Eloise looked at each other and slowly nodded their heads.
"Here then."
First, Selena smiled brightly and secretly blocked Lepia's front.
"Could you tell me a bit more in detail, junior?"
"Yes, yes?"
"You said you were hugged by Karl, right?"
"Indeed, I was hugged."
"In Master's arms..."
Something ominous atmosphere was sensed by Lepia, but it was already too late.
*
"Eh?"
What? This strange discomfort. Not the kind of discomfort that something big would happen... what to say.
The sensation of something constantly tickling the tip of my nose.
"Karl? What's wrong."
"Ah, no. Father. Just, I feel a strange feeling."
"Um?"
"Finish what you were saying."
It seems the other four guys are doing some nonsense. Now that I've adapted, I'll ignore it.