"Finally, you found out..."
Rie spoke to me with a calm face.
"I'm sorry, it was a request from Astina, so I couldn't just go about it carelessly."
"...It's okay,"
I couldn't blame Rie or Luna for not revealing something that Astina had asked to be kept secret.
Considering it was a rumor that was quite famous in the Empire, the fact that Astina tried to hide it suggested she knew I would find out eventually.
Rie patted my shoulder, which was shadowed with worry.
"There's no need to worry that much. The position of the Deputy Commander of the Royal Army isn't that dangerous."
Her words were true, but from another perspective, the Deputy Commander was the second target of the rebels.
It was a position safe yet vulnerable to threats.
The rebels would go to any lengths to capture the commander.
"I'm more worried about the people around Astina..."
Even if it wasn't Astina, those around her could be threatened.
Not just us, who had become close at the academy, but Astina's family could be targets too.
We might be safe within the academy, but Astina's family was a different story.
The Persia family, despite being a viscount family, did not possess strong powers, excluding Astina.
They weren't a family that rose through magic or swordsmanship, despite being a viscount family.
The Persia family had earned their status through administrative work.
When I visited the Persia territory last time, the enormous size of the commercial city there proved this point.
It was a commercial city more bustling than the capital.
That's why I was more worried.
From the rebels' perspective, capturing the Persia territory meant they would be ready for war in terms of supplies.
With many merchant companies there and their warehouses, it was an ideal environment to seize supplies.
"The Empire won't be unaware of this. They will probably send soldiers or wizards to protect the Persia territory."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})"Right? The Empire isn't foolish enough to overlook such an important stronghold."
The Persia territory, a target for both Astina and supplies, was indeed a crucial point.
However, its distance from the capital was a concern.
Rie tapped the book in front of her.
"Worrying like this won't change anything. We can't do much right now. Focus on your studies for now. The final exams are just around the corner. Astina probably didn't tell you about her matters so that you could focus on your own. But now that you know, what are you going to do?"
I nodded at Rie's words.
"...You're right. I need to concentrate on my own tasks."
If the rebels really were planning to attack the Persia territory, the Empire would catch wind of it.
There was no harm in worrying later.
As I nodded and composed myself, Rie smiled.
"Besides, can you see well now?"
Rie waved her hand in front of my eyes.
"I can see somewhat. It's not like my old vision yet, but it should return soon."
"Hmm... Then you don't need glasses?"
"Glasses?"
"Ah, no. I heard you wear glasses when studying."
"...Were you listening to conversations in my room?"
The only time I wore glasses was in my room.
During class, I sat in the front row so there was no need to wear glasses, and when I was walking around, Yuni was always by my side, so there were no major issues.
I only wore glasses in my room when my vision was poor, and it hurt to read.
"How could I not be bothered when you say you're alone in your room with another girl?"
"Another girl? That's your sister."
"Even if she's my sister, a girl is still a girl. And Yuni has been bothering me too..."
"Yuni bothers you?"
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})As I tilted my head in confusion, Rie shook her head.
"No, it's not like that. Or, rather, don't you wear glasses outside?"
"No, it's uncomfortable."
"Ugh..."
Rie clicked her tongue, looking somewhat disappointed.
"What's the big deal about wearing glasses? It's not that serious."
"Usually, you want to see every aspect of someone you like."
"Ahem..."
I turned my head slightly at Rie's unexpected remark.
After a moment of thought, I glanced at my bag beside me.
"If you really want to see..."
Although I didn't wear glasses outside, I carried them just in case I needed them for something I couldn't see.
I took out the glasses case from my bag and put on the glasses.
"Wow..."
Rie gasped in admiration when I put on the glasses.
Was there a reason to like it that much?
Yuni had a similar reaction; perhaps liking glasses was a trait in this family?
"It shouldn't make that much of a difference."
"No, it changes a lot. Your whole impression changes."
"Really? How so?"
"When you don't wear glasses, you have a bit of a delinquent vibe, but with glasses, you look like a smart delinquent?"
"..."
That's still saying I look like a delinquent.
But I didn't intend to deny it.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})Even I thought my face had a delinquent look.
With blond hair and sharp eyes, I naturally had a fierce look.
Rie leaned her chin on her hand, staring at me with a foolish smile.
"Hehe, I like the glasses."
"But you said I look like a delinquent."
"Well, that doesn't mean you are one. That's enough for me."
As Rie continued to smile and stare, I gradually felt embarrassed.
When my face started to turn red, I quickly took off the glasses.
"What, why did you take them off?"
"I showed you, that's enough."
"Show me more!!"
Ignoring Rie's tantrum, I quickly put the glasses back in their case.
"That's it. I won't show you."
"So stingy, over something like that..."
Rie glared at me, grumbling.
"By the way, why hasn't Luna come? She said she would join us."
We were in the library to study.
Although Rie had barged into this plan made by Luna, Luna, who had arranged the meeting, hadn't shown up.
"Luna is having a talking with Professor Mcguire."
"Professor Mcguire?"
"I'm not sure why. Should I find out?"
"No, it's okay. If it's important, Luna will tell us."
I said this as I looked towards the library's door.
"You still haven't submitted your career aspiration form, have you?"
"Yes..."
Professor Mcguire spoke to Luna, who was sitting in front of him.
"The semester is about to end, you need to submit it quickly. That way, the academy can decide what to do."
"Yes... I know..."
Luna, with a dejected face, fidgeted with her fingers and looked only at the floor.
"You don't need to make such a face; I'm not scolding you."
Mcguire had come to the academy after a long time and was attending to various duties.
During his work, he heard a piece of news related to Luna.
It was about Luna not submitting her career aspiration form.
While everyone else had already submitted theirs, Luna was the only one who hadn't.
Mcguire had called Luna to hear her reasons.
"...I've been having a lot of concerns lately."
"Concerns?"
As soon as he heard that, Mcguire thought, 'Rudy Astria.'
In the year Luna had spent with Rudy, there weren't many times she had such concerns.
When she was in such a contemplative state and he asked her about it, she would say, 'This is about someone I know...'
She used to talk about love stories as if they weren't her own.
Mcguire thought it might be a similar story this time.
"Go ahead, tell me about it. I'll listen to everything."
Mcguire said with a kind smile.
"I don't know what to do these days... Even though our family isn't well off, I wonder if it's better to inherit it. But I also want to study more about magic."
"..."
"And even if I study magic, the problem is how and where to study... Just studying isn't feasible since our family doesn't have money..."
"I'm... sorry."
"Excuse me?"
Mcguire had assumed it would be a sweet, romantic dilemma like 'I want to be someone's wife, but how do I go about it...'
However, Luna's concerns were serious future-oriented issues that any student might have.
Mcguire chided himself for having almost responded with a generic 'Do what your heart desires.'
He smiled with his eyes and gestured with his hand.
"No, it's okay. Continue, please."
"Yes... I know that doing what I love is best, but reality doesn't allow us to live just by doing what we love."
"That's true."
However, Luna's interests and talents coincided.
Luna's favorite and best skill in magic was constructing magic circles.
Not only did she have immense talent, but her current skills were not inferior to those of practicing wizards.
"Luna, you could continue focusing on constructing magic circles."
"But... if I do that, our family..."
"There's no need to inherit the family right away."
Mcguire smiled and patted Luna's head.
"I used to have a lot of concerns like that when I was young. But lessons in succeeding the family or managing a territory can be learned slowly. You can take over the family later. But not with studying. The younger you are when you study, the more growth you can achieve. When you get to my age and try to start something new, your body aches, and you just want to stick to what you're used to."
Although it's said that learning never stops, it's not always the right thing to do.
When you get older, your mind becomes rigid, and it's harder to accept new things.
Mcguire felt this acutely when he recently attended a conference.
He just wanted to stay at the academy comfortably, doing what he had been doing.
Even so, Mcguire had endured and stayed at the conference.
"Don't worry about money with your level of skill. Someone will want to hire you, even if it means they have to sponsor you."
He wanted to suggest that Luna stay at the academy.
If Luna stayed, she would be an extremely valuable addition to the faculty.
Many professors at the academy also came from families with territories.
A lordship could be managed by a deputy while holding a professorship.
There was no need to always be present in one's territory.
However, he couldn't make such a suggestion.
Luna wanted to see more and experience more.
Mcguire did not want to hinder Luna's growth for his own selfish reasons.
After all, Luna was his student.
It was natural for a teacher to wish for their student to grow and become a greater person.
"So, what should I do...?"
"There are many conferences in the world. There are those sponsored by private families, or you could join the Royal Wizards. But you don't need to decide right now. That's why there's an internship, to help alleviate these concerns."
"But..."
Even as Mcguire said this, Luna's expression did not brighten.
"You can do anything, Luna. I've seen that in you as my student."
Mcguire tilted his head slightly, smiling kindly.
"Is that an answer for you?"
"Yes... But...!"
Luna clenched her fists tightly and looked at Mcguire.
Mcguire wondered if there was some concern he was unaware of.
Despite his well-intentioned advice, it might not apply to Luna's situation.
He looked at Luna carefully, and she blurted out:
"If that happens, I'll be separated from Rudy for too long... Wouldn't it be better to receive the family education and be free to move around? I heard that conferences restrict freedom a lot...!"
She spoke passionately.
"..."
"The others go to their families for education and have the freedom to move around! What if Rudy..."
"...Luna."
"Yes?"
"Have you considered staying at the academy?"
Mcguire thought it would be better to have her educated by his side than to have her harboring such foolish thoughts.
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