Chapter 133
Chapter 133
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Chapter 132
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The midterm exams had me a bit worried at first, but in the end, everything turned out fine.
Thanks to the candy gifts Grace gave her, I could tell without even asking for her exact score.
Ella and Nordal must have done great as expected, and I just took the tests to the best of my ability.
I hadn’t studied any harder than usual anyway, and there wasn’t much reason to, so that was only natural.
“Dear, how’d the exams go?”
“I did as well as I could. More importantly, how did you even know I took them?”
“It’s information, isn’t it?”
“...Well, yeah, I guess.”
Anyway, after finishing all the exams, I visited the Information Guild alone that weekend.
I hadn’t had time to drop by during the exam period, nor any real need to, but I made it a point to visit regularly.
As always, my nameless handler greeted me in the consultation room.
“And you got the highest score among all the academy freshmen on the Class Assignment written exam—how could I not be curious?”
“Really?”
“Yeah!”
Hmm... To be honest, I had no idea about my Class Assignment exam score.
I wasn’t particularly interested to begin with, and it didn’t help upgrade my dorm room anyway.
I’d just brushed it off without a second thought.
It was ridiculous that this woman knew more about it than I did.
“If you know my score, do you have info on the other students’ scores too?”
“Huh? Of course. If I look it up, I bet we have every single one.”
“Wow.”
That was impressive.
It was the Information Guild’s job, of course, and academy exam scores weren’t exactly top-secret, but gathering every last one was still something.
Not just some students, but every single one... yeah.
“Hehe, why? Got a crush you’re curious about?”
“No, just thought it was interesting.”
“If you got a little closer to me... I could sneak you even more info.”
As she said that, she slyly tried to place her hand on mine.
She pulled this every time I visited, and I still couldn’t wrap my head around it.
“I’m good.”
“Eek.”
“You already handle all my requests diligently. No need for secret extras.”
“There’s a brilliant idea!”
“......”
I really couldn’t read her mind.
She was the total opposite of Nordal—impossible to figure out in a different way.
Nordal was just quiet, so I never knew what she was thinking, but this woman... she talked a ton, and it still made no sense.
Her name? Who knows. All I knew was she always dressed head to toe, completely covered.
“Hmm.”
“What? Did I upset you?”
“No, not that.”
I truly had no clue.
“Anyway, what about those requests from last time?”
“Everything you asked for is ready. Starting with people connected to the Rose Family’s eldest daughter... and here’s stuff on the Nordal Family’s eldest.”
“Oh.”
I always thought this: regardless of her quirks, she got the job done.
That was a big reason I had no complaints about her as my handler after using the guild this long.
If she slacked off... I’d have requested a new one ages ago. But she was so competent.
That was the only reason I tolerated this weirdo.
“I looked into it like you asked, but Christina Rose? Super shady character.”
“Isn’t she?”
“She’s tied to four, no, five noble houses, easy.”
“Hmm... Guess I should read through it.”
I’d known something like that for a while.
Alexandra had mentioned Christina propping up the Rose Family that way and padding her own wealth.
It wasn’t exactly shocking.
Though five houses was news to me.
“Not bad info.”
“But why this? Isn’t it your mom’s sisters?”
“Yeah.”
Same Rose Family as Rozalin, after all.
She didn’t use the Rose name anymore, but they were still sisters.
“Why do you need this? Something up?”
“Hmm... Nothing major.”
“What, what is it?”
She looked curious, but spilling everything could cause issues.
Rozalin being the Rose Family’s illegitimate daughter wasn’t widely known.
Maybe only the Roses and I knew.
“Hmm...”
Of course, I wasn’t about to blab everything either.
She worked for the Information Guild.
No matter how long we’d dealt with each other, I couldn’t tell someone who might spread that Rozalin was the Roses’ bastard daughter.
“I’ll just say I don’t like the Rose Family.”
“Hmm... You don’t like someone?”
“For now. It’s not like I like everyone.”
“Hee~”
Weird how she seemed delighted.
With her face fully veiled, it felt even stranger. I still couldn’t get it.
Honestly, part of me wanted to use magic or something to bind her, rip off that veil, and uncover everything she hid.
But no point picking a fight with the Information Guild.
“Anyway, thanks for handling the requests so well.”
“Hehe, only I can, right?”
“Could be.”
“Eek... Such a lukewarm answer.”
“Bring better info next time, and I’ll give you a better one.”
We chatted like that to pass the time.
I hadn’t come for any special reason—just my habit of visiting once a month or so.
I’d done it forever, so I stopped by today too.
“But why request Nordal Ducal Family info? You usually ignore big names like that.”
“You’re right. I always asked about minor houses before.”
The reason I asked about the Nordal Family was simple.
I’d spent time with Nordal in after-school activities until midterms ended, but I still had zero clue what she was about.
Any info might reveal something, so I figured I’d try.
“Just got a bit friendly with the Nordal lady lately.”
“Hmm... Really? That’s wild.”
“Yeah. Somehow ended up connected to the Nordal Ducal Family of all people.”
Duke families and saintesses were the last things I’d expected.
I’d planned to avoid those circles as much as possible, but Ivana Nordal even joined my club...
It was absurd all around.
“But... it’s not much different from the freshman files I got before?”
“Well, it’s a ducal family. Even we struggle to dig deep.”
“Fair. Not like other houses—Nordal’s a powerhouse.”
I’d requested it, but yeah, they wouldn’t have an easy time.
Some basics, sure... but Northern family, unlike the Roses, still going strong.
“Hmm... A bit disappointing.”
“......”
“Kidding, of course.”
“I’ll try harder next time, dear.”
“No need to push yourself.”
Her suddenly subdued tone caught me off guard.
She was always playful—seeing her so quiet was weird.
“Hmm...”
“Any other requests? I could do one free this time...”
“Oh...”
No idea what was up, but I’d take the sudden perk.
Didn’t know why the gloomy face or the freebie offer, but passing up free gain? No way.
I’d never ignored opportunities like this in business.
My head buzzed with ideas, but the surprise made it hard to pick.
Still...
“Hmm... Easier to get Rose Family info than Nordal’s, right?”
“Yeah. They’re just counts, and they don’t tightly control leaks.”
“Oh...”
Music to my ears.
I’d decided to hold off screwing over Christina until I was of age.
I’d promised Alexandra, but that didn’t mean skipping prep.
“Then grab some key Rose Family info for me.”
That’s what I went with.
As an academy student, I didn’t need the volume I did for business.
“You said no fee, right? No need to overdo it—just a few decent ones.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“This benefits me more, so keep it moderate. Moderate.”
I handed her the new request like that.
I hadn’t brought it up—she had.
Just making good use of the opening.
“Hehe.”