By Zephyria 
Saturday.
It was the second time I had entered Rubel’s room today. I had already memorized the way when I visited before to learn the dance, so I had told him he didn’t need to come out to greet me.
The door was half-open as if inviting me in. I deliberately made my presence known as I stepped inside.
At the beginning of the month, Rubel had pushed the table and sofa all the way against the wall. This time, the sofa and table were pushed back from their original positions, but not so much that I hesitated to sit down as before.
Was it because he knew he had overdone it last time, or was he planning to spend his time on something other than dancing the steps he had already learned?
Rubel, who was pouring cold tea into a cup with his own hands, greeted me with a bright smile.
“Ah, you’re here? Do you want something to drink first?”
“Yes.”
As we sat facing each other in the child’s room, sipping tea, my mind kept wandering.
I couldn’t tell if it was because Rubel was dressed so smartly today, or because he was chattering away in an excited tone after seating me.
However, I couldn’t ask if he had called me over under the pretense of dancing. If asked why I thought so, I had no answer.
Wasn’t I the biggest problem, just following along with whatever he wanted?
My cheeks tingled because Rubel, who had received permission to be seen, kept his gaze fixed on me.
I sat with both hands wrapped around my teacup and talked about the exam.
The Monster and Philosophy class I took with Rubel, true to its nature, often discussed monsters considered weak.
Before the midterm, we learned about low-level monsters like slimes, and this month, we studied monsters with low intelligence but the ability to communicate, such as goblins and orcs.
The topic we focused on today was treasure goblins.
Goblins were small monsters among the small-sized monsters. They typically had tough green or blue skin, and their adult size rarely exceeded 130cm. Being small in stature, they often became prey for other monsters, and they could learn human language for a short period.
Monsters that spoke human language. Indeed, someone with a soft heart might pity them.
Humans were easily impressed even by the sound of a sword crying out as internal energy was channeled into it. How many martial artists were there who cherished their swords as if they were their own children? Against a living beast, it would likely be even more so.
Goblins had a habit of liking shiny things and greedily hoarding them. Goblins who were high in status or strong, carrying various treasures with them, were called treasure goblins.
That was all we learned in class.
“I read in a book recently that most treasure goblins are found in the Shatun Desert. They said there are many near an oasis, quite a ways west of Owen.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. They take the belongings of wanderers who got lost and died in the Shatun Desert and then try to trade with living humans. They usually want to exchange for food, or for other shinier items. Just as there are goblins who speak human language, there are apparently people who speak goblin.”
Rubel’s eyes sparkled with interest. A good idea suddenly struck me.
“Speaking of which, didn’t you say you wanted to become a historian?”
“…Mm. I did, at one point.”
My father was still a viscount. My grandfather was alive, so I hadn’t inherited the count’s title.
Even though he was a grown man with three children, it was the same for this child, wasn’t it? He could do whatever he wanted before he inherited the Emperor’s throne.
“Maybe someday.”
But I couldn’t finish my sentence and fell silent.
It was absurd to think of traveling with this child alone.
Hadn’t I already experienced it during the last House Ernhardt outing? Those of high status couldn’t just wander around alone like my past self. I had no desire to request a leisurely trip that involved dragging along attendants and knights.
Besides, it wasn’t just the fact that this child was a prince that was the problem. I saw Rubel lean closer to me, his eyes shining with interest.
How long would this child consider me this close?
“Maybe, what?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
“…Why? What were you going to say?”
“Well…”
Rubel bit his lower lip anxiously. “Don’t do that,” I said, reaching out to stop him from biting his lip. It wasn’t like it was an unspeakable thing.
“I was going to say that if you ever wanted to travel to another country in the future, I would serve as your escort.”
“…Mm. But…?”
“I don’t think it will be necessary.”
“Huh? Why, why won’t it be necessary?”
“Well, there will be more than one person to protect you, Senior…”
“No, it’s necessary.”
“…”
Was it escort that was needed, or was it me?
Unable to ask, I downed the tea in front of me in one gulp. I placed the empty cup down carelessly, making a clatter. As I stood up, I looked down at the child.
“Shall we do what we planned for today? Practice…”
“Mm-hmm.”
“It would be best to eat out.”
“Okay, let’s do that.”
Looking at his beaming smile, I felt a sudden fear, though I didn’t know what I was afraid of. I hooked my fingers behind Rubel’s waist and moved my feet to the rhythm of a good melody.
The boy’s hand, resting lightly on mine, was warm and soft.
It felt like I was committing a great wrong. A very great wrong.
❖ ❖ ❖
November. The month of exams had arrived.
Monster and Philosophy, Introduction to Estate Management, Growth and Understanding of Magical Creatures.
As I only had theoretical exams in these three subjects, I was relatively at ease. Rubel provided notes for the Monster and Philosophy exam, and Shayden and Damian helped me brainstorm answers for Introduction to Estate Management. Edwin took care of the Magical Creatures exam.
It seemed I had good fortune with people, both in my past and present life. My heart rejoiced.
As usual, I received the exam scope and questions in the first week, and in the second week, I studied with the children. I frequented the library, reading several books.
Since there were midterms and final exams each semester, this was already my eighth exam period.
I passed on the notes I had received and took care of Bill Brown, who was struggling with the exams, as he was still clumsy.
Seeing me like this, Shayden held back his laughter all day, then patted my shoulder in the evening and burst out laughing.
“Why are you laughing like that?”
“No, you’ve really become a senior. It’s amazing… You’ve grown up, Mika.”
“Of course. It’s about time I got used to it.”
I knew what Shayden meant. He must have been reminded of when I was startled by Calypse’s class for the first time and hid in my room. Now, thinking about that day no longer made me feel embarrassed or shy.
I simply pushed Shayden’s head down and urged him to go do his work.
Wednesday evening.
Wilton Roberts taught me how to handle threads made of special metal once I became accustomed to precisely controlling the sensation in my fingertips.
I pulled on a thread so fine it was invisible and retrieved a flying dagger lodged in a large log.
I had heard of martial arts using silkworm thread in the Central Plains as well.
Silkworm thread was spun from the mythical silkworm, which lived for a thousand years. It was a cruel technique, used by the assassins of the Silver Moon Group, to sever an enemy’s limbs in an instant, unseen, by channeling internal energy to create a strong cutting force.
Curious about that martial art, I had once spent time focusing, channeling internal energy and aura alternately into a fishing rod. Clearly, the mithril thread Wilton had given me was more suitable as a weapon than an ordinary fishing line.
I draped the mithril thread over my five fingers and looked at Wilton.
“…Hmm.”
I knew it was praise even without hearing any words of commendation. Wilton was a man of few outward emotions. Seeing the corner of his mouth twitch upwards slightly, I smiled too.
“Alright, this is all I’ll teach you for this month.”
“Does that mean…”
“Yes, starting next week, you should focus on studying for your exams. I won’t be coming anymore either.”
I was startled.
Although I had learned throwing knife techniques, stealth techniques, and a few tricks using mithril thread, I was still far from reaching the same level of mastery.
It was a regrettable thing to say to Rubel, but there was a vast difference between the throwing knife techniques I learned from Rubel and those I learned from Wilton, like the difference between heaven and earth.
Seeing me hesitate, unable to answer immediately, Wilton let out a snort.
“We’ll meet at the same time next semester, on Wednesdays.”
“…Yes!”
Ah. It dawned on me that Wilton, too, would be leaving after the semester to spend his vacation. Only then did I smile in relief.
Wilton, who stood leaning against a large tree, dressed head to toe in black with his arms crossed, spoke in an uncharacteristically gentle voice.
“Alright, then, for the last question of this semester.”
In every class, I would ask things like, “What if this footwork was used this way?” or “Shouldn’t this martial art be used like this?”
After experiencing this a few times, Wilton would answer my questions at the end of class.
However, what I learned today was a process of refining what I had learned before, so I didn’t have much to ask. I pondered for a moment and then asked,
“Where will Professor be going now?”
“What?”
“I was curious about which region you would be visiting during the vacation period… You don’t have to answer if it’s an unnecessary question.”
I asked this question, feeling a sense of familiarity with Wilton Roberts.
I had been attending his classes or seeing him weekly for a year and a half. Yet, I knew nothing about his personal life. I didn’t even know why he only came to the academy twice a week.
I vaguely assumed he would be traveling for work related to the Imperial Almanac department.
“Yes, you’re curious about that, aren’t you…”
“Yes.”
I thought he might not answer, but Wilton smiled with satisfaction and stroked his chin. His chin was smooth and slender, with no trace of a beard, making it seem like there was nothing to touch, yet it suited him perfectly.
“Want to see sometime?”
“Yes?”
“What I do with my life.”
I hadn’t wanted it that badly, but it was undeniably interesting. I nodded with a bright expression. Wilton chuckled and straightened up.
“Then, after the exams… set aside just one day. If possible… Tuesday would be good.”
“Yes, Professor. I will do so.”
My heart pounded with a strange sense of anticipation.