Prince Rial
The Caterpillar golem passed through the academy gate and parked in its usual spot at the workshop. By the time they had carried the golems inside one by one,
"Whoa, it's covered in dust."
Having been empty for so long, an enormous layer of dust greeted them. Eisen looked around and quickly came to a conclusion, nodding.
"The Alchemy Department guys only dug up potatoes and didn't bother maintaining the place."
"The Alchemy Department aren't exactly your subordinates, Eisen."
Noel offered some common sense, so he just nodded. Still, in this state, they'd probably dug up and eaten all the potatoes too. The seed potatoes should be safe, so they'd have to make do with cleaning for a while.
"Anyway, let's call it a day. Everyone go rest."
"Good idea. You worked hard."
Mina turned to leave without hesitation. Then Erika raised her hand and shouted,
"Ah, I'll stay. Gotta do guard duty!"
"...Wanna stretch a bit?"
Mina turned back around. Somehow, manpower was secured. All that was left was to send off the frail Noel.
"In the name of Nexia, exert power as you will."
"Huh?"
Noel had already cast a spell. Electricity crackled briefly around them, and suddenly the dust began clumping together.
He'd psyched himself up for a thorough cleaning, but in an instant, dust balls were rolling around everywhere.
"...Handy."
"It's just life magic."
Noel looked at him like it was the most normal thing. He felt a bit deflated, but getting clean wasn't bad. It was fine.
As he started unpacking, the three headed to the reception room and began setting out their things one by one.
"This is my cup... and my tea set goes here."
"Hmm, the tools I kept here feel light now. Might as well replace them..."
"My cushion. Right here."
...The reception room felt more like their bedroom, but he rarely used it anyway, and it had always been their hangout spot. No problem.
"Oh. Eisen. Let's expand this room a bit. Two beds."
"Not hard, but you planning to sublet it or something?"
"Not a bad idea. Rent it out. But top-grade materials for the walls. And since we're putting in beds, make 'em big."
Replying appropriately to Mina's joke, they settled on just getting a quote for today. Staying here meant no need to mind others, so she apparently wanted her own sleep chamber.
"But isn't there a dorm? Is illegal expansion for beds okay?"
"Of course you need permission. If you hide here, I can't find you when I need to. Family issues require finding the person involved—don't make extra work."
Professor Reina was right behind him. He gaped in surprise, and she grinned.
"Startled? It's presence-blocking technique. I practiced on the mission."
"Professor, are you a knight or an assassin? Getting confused."
"Would an assassin charge head-on with a sword?"
There were such people in stories, but... better not say that. If she approached with her neck bared, it'd be chilling. Anyway...
"I, uh, didn't do anything wrong."
"...At this point, that's our greeting. And whatever you did wrong, we'll discuss later."
Reina replied calmly. As he pondered how to spin the idea of testing the Knight's ranged weapons against the academy's renowned Minis gate on the way in to minimize pain, Noel finally snapped out of her panic—later than him—and reacted.
"Ah, uh, h-he—"
"Yes. Good to see you too. And yes, I have business."
"Mind reading too?"
By now, he wondered if this professor transcended everything. Reina sat at the reception room table. Noel sat opposite and brewed tea, which Reina savored before speaking.
"Nostalgic aroma. Without Eisen, my headache meds decreased—nice—but no Noel tea was inconvenient."
"Ah, uh..."
"Thanks? Just facts."
Reina interpreted Noel's still-slurred words perfectly. Her coming in person meant big trouble.
"What's up?"
"First, announcement for you and the other three."
Reina smiled faintly.
"Important: Prepare for exams. This is an educational institution—you didn't think no tests, right?"
"Combined class days this year barely hit half a year."
"I know. Still, take the exams."
Apparently academy rules. Evaluations wouldn't be harsh, though.
"Territorial nobles come and go for months or years. Tests check what they've forgotten or newly learned."
"Low score means extra classes?"
"Correct. You won't worry."
His case got leniency. As a baron student, probably.
"Perks of noble rank."
Taste of power. Small win.
"But you wouldn't come just for exam notice."
She cared, but not that much.
Reina nodded.
"Right. This should've been Mina first, but you're together anyway."
Mina alone would be church-related, but including him...
"Some foreigner wants to buy Cyclops?"
"Why's your intuition sharper? Noel tutoring?"
Slight issue of how she saw him usually, but correct.
Reina sighed.
"Eisen's blind to continental politics... Starting with the Empire..."
"Ally against Empire sends high-up to buy Cyclops. Made academy hard-to-refuse offer, right?"
If not, no reason for her cautious personal visit. Leaving stunned Reina, he asked proud Noel,
"Where from?"
"Too many candidates, but mentioning Mina means Saras Church."
"Gandharva United Kingdom. Has Saras holy site. Academy went yearly for pilgrimage till Empire cut it; lull now, so invite."
"What they offer... money! Famous trade route, rich nation."
Chatting with three sorted it fast. Situation clear; one question left.
"Who wants me?"
"...Can't guess everything. Relief...?"
Reina looked conflicted. Maybe enjoyed teaching clueless him; robbed of petty joy.
"Haha."
"...Tease me, pay the price."
She caught his sass instantly. But she relaxed soon.
"Anyway, as you guessed. Prince Rial of Gandharva wants to meet you all."
"Prince Rial?"
Noel looked troubled.
"Problem?"
"Well, he's..."
"Rich, rude, womanizer. Famous for it."
Mina nailed it, smirking.
"Maybe not all, but."
"You know?"
"Rumors."
Mina seemed knowing, relaxed unlike worried Noel.
"Can't ignore a prince. Gotta meet."
"No choice. See him to know."
Noel smiled at him.
"With Eisen, no weird stuff happens."
"Thanks for trust, but embarrassing."
Her smile made him turn away sheepishly. Mina and Erika giggled.
"Eisen's combat power is top-tier."
"Got weak spots though."
"...Guys. Not in front of me."
Reina's face darkened oddly. What's her deal? As he considered teasing,
BAM!
"I heard all four are gathered here!!"
Someone burst in, slamming the door. Muscular build in exotic clothes laden with flashy gold jewelry. Tanned skin, sharp features, black eyes. Glowing golden hair.
As eyes drew to him involuntarily, Reina shouted in dismay.
"Prince Rial...!"
"Professor Reina! If arranging a meeting, bring me right away!"
His rude grin made Noel, Mina, and Erika duck behind Eisen instantly. Feeling his patience snap,
The man bellowed,
"Behold! I am none other than Rial Kabir Gandharva..."
"The Golden Sun!!"
Screw manners. Way too much.