Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Silver Rookie Theo # 4
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“Regardless of the time, rest is essential. Even something simple like meditation and a cup of tea—that alone can provide sufficient respite.”
The professor in charge of the tea time lecture was a gentleman known as Sir All Gray.
“Stopping your busy daily routine, even if just for five minutes—or one minute—to simply sit still and rest. That’s the core of this lecture.”
An elderly man in his early sixties, impeccably suited in a gray outfit. His pointed mustache, slicked-back hair, and monocle left a striking impression.
As he poured boiling tea from a beautiful porcelain teapot, he continued.
“In fact, introducing tea time during breaks for patrol guards defending the barrier led to a measurable increase in efficiency.”
Kalron clapped enthusiastically, and maids appeared wearing crisp white aprons over black dresses, delicately pouring tea into the empty cups on each table.
━Today’s tea is Kalron white tea.
The fragrant aroma made my mind drift into a haze, but only for a moment.
I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of doubt about a lecture where simply sitting and sipping tea could earn an A grade.
Is this for real?
Elga seemed to share the same skepticism.
She gulped down her cup of tea in one go and grumbled.
“What a boring lecture. They’re saying we just sit here drinking tea all semester and get an A? What kind of class is this? The others are kinda similar, sure.”
The water must have been around 60 degrees Celsius—didn’t it burn?
As I marveled at the resilience of Elga’s mouth and throat, Mirna Draco elegantly lifted her teacup, took a light sip with a soft slurp, and spoke.
“That’s what an A-grade lecture is like. Just taking this class proves your skill already.”
Her words brought back memories of the warzone that was course registration. Everyone fighting, yelling, scrambling to snag the best classes.
I’d even snatched this one right out from under Ephside.
So, landing a spot in such a competitive class already validated our abilities—giving everyone an A wouldn’t be strange at all.
But Elga snorted, clearly unimpressed.
“So, just course registration proves your strength? Lame. You only know for sure after clashing head-on.”
Her sapphire-blue eyes scanned the surrounding tables like a predator sizing up prey. No attempt to hide it—an outright challenge.
Reflected in those eyes were the other powerhouses taking this lecture.
━Heard about it? Something massive was spotted beyond the barrier. Some huge structure, they say.
━My body’s itching for action. Man, I shouldn’t be sitting here—I need to head over there ASAP.
Most of them wore gold brooches, ranking in the top 100. Even at a glance, they looked like elite heroes, every one formidable.
The barbarian Ephside would look like a rank amateur by comparison.
Elga, with her keen instincts, picked up on it too. Her dissatisfied expression faded, replaced by a toothy grin exposing her fangs.
“Huh, plenty of tough-looking guys here. Real deal powerhouses, all of them. This place has some players worth crossing blades with.”
“Elga, my cousin. Since we’re here, why not find yourself a husband?”
“What?”
Elga crumpled her face like a wad of paper at Aira’s words. Aira sipped her tea casually and pressed on.
“For a noble lady of a great house to reach marriageable age without wedding—that’s practically disloyalty to Angmar. It’s right there in the ancient Angmar mural, Chamoe-do.”
Chamoe-do? Is that like a knockoff watermelon?
Anyway, Aira’s topic was intriguing.
The three noble ladies seated here were all at the peak blooming age by Angmar Kingdom standards—prime marriage material.
For them, marriage and romance were major discussion points.
“...”
Even Mirna Draco, who’d been pretending disinterest by sipping her tea, was sneaking glances at Elga and Aira, ears perked.
That’s when Elga crossed her arms, looking thoroughly annoyed.
“I know that, but I need someone I actually like first.”
Elga seemed eager to shut down the conversation, but Aira was persistent.
“What about that southern admiral who proposed to you before?”
Southern admiral?
Was there such a guy?
Unfamiliar territory—my ears perked up.
Well, Elga was a lady of a great house, and by looks alone, she was rumored to be one of the kingdom’s top beauties.
Proposals pouring in made sense. Probably dozens a month.
But Elga shook her head in disgust.
“You mean five years ago? He’s weaker than me. And an old geezer!”
“Yeah, true. That’s why I’m saying pick one here. The Academy’s full of young, strong heroes. You could pop out a bunch of little Lionesses and boost Angmar’s might.”
“Hmph. I can handle my own affairs.”
Probably only her cousin Elga could be that rude to Aira without repercussions. Aira simply sipped her tea, sparing her cousin further embarrassment.
Unexpectedly, Elga brought it up again.
“But come to think of it, there’s someone who’s been on my mind lately.”
“Oh…?”
Aira raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Even the usually silent Lady Mirna chimed in bluntly. “Lady Lioness, you have someone catching your eye?”
Elga realized her slip, scratching her nose.
“Nah, not really on my mind—just kinda sticks out. A guy from the same lecture.”
Srrk.
Something slid between my knee and thigh. No need to guess— it was Elga’s soft bare foot.
I was utterly flustered.
“......”
What if we get caught?
Srrk, srrk.
Her foot ventured deeper between my thighs, inching toward more intimate territory.
“Tell us more, Elga.”
“I’m not that interested, but I’ll humor you.”
Fortunately, Aira and Mirna were focused on Elga’s story. Elga kept talking normally to hold their attention.
“A guy from the same lecture. Not sure about his age. Don’t even know his name. But he’s got this face that just begs to be tormented.”
“Ah, I get it. Someone who’d scream in that satisfying voice if you hit them. Or look good with a collar.”
Aira nodded knowingly, while Mirna furrowed her brow in confusion.
“What kind of talk is this? That’s not romantic interest, is it?”
At Mirna’s protest, Elga shot back.
“What about you, Mirna Draco? Anyone catching your eye?”
“None. I’m fulfilling the family head’s duties—no time for that. Though plenty are interested in me.”
Elga bared her fangs in a grin at Mirna’s haughty boast.
“Interested in you? Don’t lie. You mean the old pervert warlocks? Those geezers praying naked under the moonlight.”
Elga made a gagging sound, and Mirna Draco flushed red with genuine anger.
“H-how rude! Plenty confess to me, Mirna Draco! Just yesterday—”
“Yesterday?”
Elga pressed, and Mirna clammed up, looking caught.
Her face cycled through shock and other emotions before vanishing behind a sudden flutter of her black feathered fan.
From behind it, Mirna spoke.
“Ahem, yes. Just yesterday, I received a proposal. The floor was adorned with beautiful words and drawings. Amid flocks of swans and colorful peacocks, he knelt and proposed to me.”
“What time yesterday? Where? Who?”
“Uh, morning. Around ten. After lecture…”
“Sounds fake.”
“It’s not! He waited for me right up until I finished lecture.”
Hee hee hee—Mirna giggled, her ruby-red eyes gleaming妖しく from behind the fan as she continued.
“Yes. He craved my attention. Said he’d die without it. Did anything for it—even dueled a foe he couldn’t possibly beat.”
Morning around ten, floor writings, a duel, flocks of birds.
Holy shit, that’s my story.
「Calm situational judgment!
Gained experience via Talent 《Composed Thinking》.
All job experience +5」
Yup.
But when did I have dukes and swans? It was all disease-ridden pigeons. And the floor wasn’t a proposal—it was the Demon King’s magic circle.
Mirna Draco’s memory seemed seriously distorted.
But it struck a chord with Aira.
“Dueling an unbeatable foe? He must really like you, Mirna. Touching. Romantic.”
Elga, half dubious, half jealous, scoffed.
“Probably some loser. That’s why he grovels. Short, can’t fight, can’t magic, low status.”
Pfft, pfft.
It felt like darts hitting my heart. No idea how she guessed, but Elga nailed it.
Mirna retorted.
“Not at all! He holds a high court position. Low rank for now, but studious with high growth potential.”
My face burned.
Under the table, Elga’s bare foot stroked my thighs. Above, I endured Mirna Draco’s tightrope walk of a story.
This lecture was pure nightmare fuel.
Mirna drove the nail in.
“Lady Lioness. He’s more capable and clever than your guy. And much younger.”
“Hmph? Yeah? No way, but fine, I’ll bite. Bring him here then.”
“What?”
“Bring him. If he’s real, show us. Right? But you can’t, can you, Mirna Draco? You always lie to avoid losing to me.”
“It’s not a lie! But he’s so busy with duties, might be hard to show. He’s capable, after all.”
Flutter, flutter.
Her fan waved faster, harder.
But Elga, who loved tormenting people, wouldn’t let a weakness slide.
“That’s your excuse. If he really likes you, he’d clear his schedule. Admit it’s a lie now.”
Mirna growled at the provocation.
“Fine! I’ll bring him. If he’s real, you be my maid for a week, Lady Lioness.”
“Deal. But we’ll have Aira judge if he’s impressive. What do you say? Aira.”
“Hmm. Sounds fun. Bring him next lecture then. I, Aira von Tarantara, will judge.”
Srrk.
Only then did Elga withdraw her foot from between my thighs.
Lecture time was over—but for me, it felt like everything was just beginning.
Scrape.
As soon as it ended, I bolted up, bowing hastily to escape.
“Um, Your Highness. Ladies. I have another lecture right after, so excuse me.”
Rushing toward the dorm like a fugitive, I sensed someone chasing me.