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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“Ah! It was 546! In 536, Prince Florence attempted to assassinate the Emperor!”
“Correct. It seems you got them mixed up.”
Professor Galleon looked pleased.
Judging by the whispers among the students, it seemed many of them didn’t know the answer.
History wasn’t a popular subject here either.
“Miss Milia, you scored an 82 on the history portion of the transfer exam. I have high expectations for you.”
“Hee hee, thank you!”
A good score, but not outstanding.
The professor’s pleased expression suggested that the average score for history wasn’t very high.
His eyes were filled with admiration.
A student who actually studied history diligently was a rare sight in his class.
He might even be considering her for graduate school.
The professor seemed happy, the atmosphere in the class was positive, and everything seemed to be going smoothly.
Until Milia raised her hand.
“Professor! I have a question about the drought that occurred in the year 656 of the Imperial Calendar!”
Milia, stop.
You really might end up in graduate school.
The professor’s eyes crinkled into a smile.
He was clearly delighted.
The other students, however, were bewildered by Milia’s question.
“Someone’s actually asking a question in Continental History?”
“Is this the first time this year?”
“Even then, it’s not usually this…”
“No, no one asked any questions in the first semester. This might be the first time for the first-years.”
“Transfer students are different.”
Were these students really elite? Shouldn’t elite students be peppering the professor with questions?
I felt a strange mix of shock and camaraderie.
At least I went to a school on the outskirts of Seoul. This place was like Harvard.
…Well, whatever.
Even here, there were unpopular lectures. Continental History happened to be one of them.
I leaned against the wall, watching Milia’s barrage of questions and Professor Galleon’s enthusiastic responses.
I only needed to keep an eye on Karina, so it didn’t matter what Milia did.
We had at least an hour before the next class anyway.
Milia could do whatever she wanted.
Safe distance maintained. No abnormalities on the walls or ceiling. Multiple gazes detected, but none directed at Karina. Secret passage entrance secure. Escape route confirmed.
“Hee hee, look! I asked so many questions!”
After the barrage of questions ended and the professor left the lecture hall, Milia showed me her notebook. It was filled with neatly written notes, albeit a bit messy.
She looked like a student brimming with academic enthusiasm.
“You had a lot of questions.”
“Yeah! It was fun!”
“Milia doesn’t like homework, but she’s very enthusiastic about learning.”
“But homework is boring.”
Karina, who was moving in her wheelchair, added a gentle compliment for Milia.
I hadn’t seen Milia study before, but she seemed to have worked hard. It was like she had studied for months to get into a prestigious university.
Karina’s tutoring must have helped as well…
“I-I was surprised… I-It’s the first time I’ve seen someone ask a question…”
“If you have a question, you raise your hand and ask, right?”
Milia seemed genuinely puzzled.
Her reaction made me chuckle.
No professor would dislike a student asking questions.
“Yes, you’re right. But it’s better to ask the professor privately.”
“Why?”
“Other students don’t like it when the class runs late.”
“Is that so?”
Karina, who had been listening quietly, tilted her head.
It seemed this was her first experience with school life as well.
As the Saintess, she would be adored no matter what she did, as long as she didn’t suddenly go crazy and start causing trouble.
But Milia was just an ordinary transfer student, so attracting too much attention could lead to gossip.
It was a common occurrence for people to be criticized simply for standing out.
Considering the prevalence of elitism in this world, it was hard to say whether standing out was a good thing.
Should I try to earn some kind of merit and get a noble title?
Having a title would make things easier.
…Perhaps I should seriously consider it.
“Yeah, yeah. Like Mister said, a lot of students don’t like it when class runs late.”
“That’s interesting.”
“You’ll understand once you start attending classes, Saintess.”
“You can call me Karina.”
“But… calling the Saintess by her name is a bit…”
“I-I agree…”
Viola, having only met Karina a few days ago, still seemed awkward.
Elisa nodded in agreement, indicating that she also felt uncomfortable.
It was understandable.
Our relationship with Karina wasn’t quite that of friends, more like friends of friends.
Even Elisa, who had known Karina the longest, still saw her as a benefactor.
The gazes of the other students also made it difficult to be casual.
She wasn’t just a noble, she was the Saintess. The only person treated as an equal to the royal family.
Speaking casually to the continent’s only Saintess could have dire consequences.
Fanatics were everywhere, so it was better to be cautious, as Viola had said.
The Theology students were already glaring at Milia and Elisa. They wouldn’t dare to cause trouble with Karina and me around, though.
“Is that so…”
Karina’s face fell slightly.
Viola’s words seemed to have bothered her. I understood how she felt, even though I wasn’t in her position.
Knowing the original story, I understood Karina’s feelings.
The pressure of being the “Saintess.” The distance she felt from others, unable to be called by her name even by those close to her.
Loneliness.
“Can’t we call you Karina? I’m going to call you Karina.”
Milia, unfazed by the stares of the other students, blurted out.
Her genuine indifference brought a smile to Karina’s face. She seemed happy to hear Milia’s words.
I added,
“Karina, don’t be discouraged. Viola has only known you for a few days. It’s fine to be more casual once you get closer.”
“I suppose that’s true…”
Karina’s expression brightened considerably.
Good, keep smiling. Don’t frown with that beautiful face.
The gazes of the surrounding students softened at Karina’s change in expression.
They were clearly captivated by her beauty. It took considerable willpower not to be mesmerized by her face.
“Alright, let’s head to the next class. Milia, pack your things.”
“Okay!”
Milia started clearing the long table. Her movements were surprisingly efficient.
Had she been taught how to do this? Perhaps Karina had a talent for teaching.
“Mister Johann, wait a moment.”
“What is it?”
Was there something else?
Karina looked around cautiously before asking,
“May I speak with my classmates for a moment?”
As a knight escort, I should have refused, but I wasn’t going to deny Karina’s earnest request. I could just be more vigilant.
I stepped back and said,
“…If that’s what you want.”
“Thank you.”
Karina’s bright smile was all the reward I needed.
I discreetly tapped Rue, which was hidden under my clothes.
[Yawn. Is that boring history class finally over?]
“…Rue, attach yourself to the back of Karina’s wheelchair. If you sense any hostility, let me know immediately.”
[That’s a bother…]
“You can continue sleeping in the corner if you prefer.”
[That’s workplace harassment!]
My grimoire alarm.
Rue, with its unusually strong self-awareness, could be assigned tasks like this.
As a grimoire specializing in mental and summoning magic, it was adept at sensing emotions, making it a perfect alarm.
Rue immediately bounced over and attached itself to the bottom of the wheelchair.
It was an acrobatic feat only possible with tentacles, but no one noticed, as all eyes were on Karina.
“Saintess, I’m Neville from the Moore family. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you too.”
That bastard, trying to get close to Karina… I briefly considered hitting him with my shovel, but he seemed to notice the glares from the other students and backed away.
If he tried that again, I would have to intervene.
“I’m Martina Raymond. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Saintess.”
“You can call me Karina.”
“I’m…”
“I’m Milia Quartz! Nice to meet you!”
Milia seemed to have attracted a crowd as well.
I shifted my gaze from Karina to Milia.
The students who couldn’t approach Karina seemed to be flocking to Milia, who appeared to be close to her.
Milia, with her usual high energy, chatted excitedly with the students. She seemed to genuinely enjoy being surrounded by people.
It made sense.
Her goal was to make a hundred friends.
Just being around people must have made her happy.
I walked over to Viola and Elisa, who were watching the two with worried expressions.
“Mister, are you sure it’s okay to leave them like that?”
“I attached a grimoire to the wheelchair. It’ll alert me if it senses any hostility.”
“Thorough…”
“A-Amazing… I-It’s difficult to use a g-grimoire like that…”
“You’ll be able to do the same once you get a grimoire.”
Or rather, I would make her do the same.
Considering her personality, a grimoire with a strong personality would be a good match, but I wasn’t going to let it run wild.
I would throw it into a volcano if I had to.
“A g-grimoire… H-How could I…”
“You’re more than capable.”
Being able to use second-tier magic at her age was rare.
And considering the unique magic of witches, Elisa had the potential to become an Archmage.
I placed my hand on her shoulder and said firmly,
“Have some confidence. You’re already a remarkable mage.”
“That’s right! You’re second in the Magic department. And you got the highest score on the final exam.”
“Th-That’s true, but…”
I wished she wasn’t so socially inept. But then again, would she still be Elisa if she wasn’t?
Still, some improvement was necessary.
I gently brushed her gloomy hair back and pinned it in place.
“M-Mister Johann?!”
“Wait a moment. Viola, do you have a comb?”
“Here.”
I combed Elisa’s hair.
With her face hidden behind her bangs, it was easy to overlook, but Elisa was actually quite beautiful.
She had a curvy figure as well, though her slouching posture hid it.
I combed her hair, pinned it back, and applied some of Viola’s cosmetics.
In an instant, the gloomy Elisa transformed into someone who could turn heads.
“Mister, have you done this before? You’re quite skilled.”
“Who do you think combs Milia’s hair?”
“Ah.”
While I didn’t do it every day, I did it often enough.
“Oh…”
Elisa, her face now visible, covered it with her hands. Her blushing cheeks were visible between her fingers.
I slipped my hand under her arm and lifted her up.
Lifted into the air like a long cat, Elisa looked at me with surprise, but I ignored her and charged towards the other students.
They parted like the Red Sea at my approach.
“M-Mister Johann?”
I glared at the noble lady who had been subtly trying to get close to Karina, effectively chasing her away, and placed Elisa next to Karina.
The students’ attention shifted to us.
I chuckled and said,
“I forgot something.”
I patted Elisa’s shoulder and stepped back, sending a silent message to Martina, who happened to be looking at me.
She nodded, seemingly understanding.
I observed the situation from a distance.
Elisa was frozen in place, her face tense with anxiety.
Viola looked at Elisa with concern.
“Will she be alright?”
“Sometimes, you need to be bold. Nothing will change if you just cower like a frightened animal.”
I listened intently again.
Some of the gazes that had been directed at Karina were now focused on Elisa. The general atmosphere was one of bewilderment.
“Was she always here?”
“Why did he make her sit next to the Saintess?”
“Miss Elisa, you look lovely like that.”
“M-Martina…”
“Martina, do you know her?”
“This is Miss Elisa from the Magic department. She was second in her class in the first semester.”
Surprised gasps filled the air.
Being second in the highly competitive Magic department meant she was someone worth getting to know, both professionally and socially.
Elisa’s face turned red, and she stammered, managing a shy smile,
“Y-You’re too kind…”
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