"The final exams are now over. You all have worked hard this semester."
The exams had ended.
I was somewhat taken aback by the higher-than-expected difficulty of the exams, but it felt like business as usual.
I looked out the window.
The weather had turned quite cold, and I could see that people's clothing had gotten thicker.
The leaves had fallen from the trees, leaving only bare branches behind.
It felt like just yesterday winter had passed, yet here it was again, bringing with it a fresh sense of nostalgia.
"The student council is over now, too."
With the end of the final exams, the semester had come to a close, which also meant the end of the student council.
I remembered relying heavily on the student council's help, whether it was for studying or other assistance.
After meeting with Professor Robert, I decided to stop by the student council room.
I planned to tidy up my stuff and express my gratitude to the other members.
Being involved in many unusual activities myself, the others in the student council had it tougher than me.
Especially Rie, thanks to whom I could move around freely.
Without Rie, the student council wouldn't have functioned properly.
Eager to talk to the student council, I quickly made my way to Professor Robert's lab.
As I approached Robert's lab, a voice reached my ears.
"Professorrrrrrrrrrrr! You really came back! I'm so glad!!!"
It was a familiar voice.
But having not heard it in a while, it made me smile.
As I opened the door, I saw Gracie, making a fuss over Robert, and Robert himself looking at her with an air of disdain.
"How much I suffered in your absence, Professor…"
"Hello, Professor Gracie."
"…Huh?"
Gracie, who was in the middle of her passionate speech, turned to look at me.
"What are you doing, Professor? You're not a child."
"Uh…"
Gracie blushed and grabbed her head at my comment.
Robert burst into laughter at her reaction.
"For once, you're saying something sensible. Gracie, you're a professor now, behave like one."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})"Ugh… I was just excited to see you. That's all."
Gracie stammered her reply, and Robert sighed.
"Grow up a little."
"Yes…"
Gracie, scolded by Robert, glared at me.
"Besides, Rudy Astria! You! If you're all better, you should be attending the lab!"
"Me?"
I looked at Gracie, puzzled.
"Do you know how much work has piled up in the lab!"
"…Professor, do you not know anything?"
"…Huh?"
"I'm now a third-year student."
"Is that so? A third-year…"
Realization dawned on Gracie, and her eyes widened.
"Oh…"
Typically, students belonging to a lab participate in research internships within the academy during their third-year social practice.
But there's no reason for me to be doing this, right?
"Since you're here, I might as well tell you now. I'll be heading to the capital in a couple of days. Thank you for everything you've done for me."
I felt that it was actually Gracie who owed a debt of gratitude, but I made the customary farewell.
"Right... your family..."
Gracie seemed to recall something about my family, standing there with her mouth agape.
"But, weren't you pushed out of the succession battle? I thought that's why you..."
"I just joined because we were short on funds."
I wondered if I had told Gracie too little about myself.
We were always busy working together, but I had never shared personal details.
"Then you should have at least mentioned it..."
"I thought you knew since it was around the final exams."
"So... you're leaving, and Yuni too..."
Gracie muttered to herself, then seemed horrified.
"What am I going to do now!"
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})"It's only been a few seconds since I told you to act mature."
Gracie looked at Robert with a gloomy expression.
"But..."
"As a professor, you should know how to stand on your own two feet. You can't depend on the students for everything."
Robert clicked his tongue several times and waved Gracie off.
"If you're done, leave. I have something to discuss with Rudy."
"You're too much! Professor! You should at least offer some comfort to this novice professor!"
"Why would I say such a thing? If you want consolation, go to Cromwell. He's your mentor."
"Ah..."
With her shoulders slumped, Gracie walked away weakly.
"Understood... I'll see you later then."
"Yes, see you in a bit."
Gracie then tilted her head in confusion.
"In a bit?"
"There's a dinner tonight. All the other professors will be there, aren't you coming?"
"Oh... I forgot about that."
"Let's have a drink and talk there. It's not appropriate to behave like this in front of the students."
Robert gestured towards me as he spoke.
It seemed he only scolded Gracie because I was present.
Even though I'm deeply involved with the professors, the student-professor relationship remains unchanged.
Gracie nodded vigorously at Robert.
"Yes, yes! See you later!"
"Alright."
After Gracie left the room.
Robert watched the space where Gracie had disappeared for a moment.
"Ah..."
Then, he let out a deep sigh.
"Such a bothersome fellow."
"Still, she works hard. Please be kind to her."
"Yes, it's been a long time since someone like her joined the academy..."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})The reason Gracie was struggling with her professor duties was because she did everything meticulously.
She didn't shirk her duties, managed her own work, and even helped other professors, so it was natural she was busy.
"Usually, other professors only focus on their own work, often neglecting other responsibilities.
In such an environment, it seemed that even Robert was inclined to take care of someone like Gracie.
"By the way, what did you call me for?"
"Nothing major. I just wanted to discuss the Astria family with you."
"The Astria family?"
I laughed awkwardly at that.
Even though it's the Astria family, I knew very little about it.
I had been at the Astria household for only a week since my arrival here.
In the game too, there wasn’t much detail about the Astria family, so I didn't have much to say.
"Do you know the current status of the Astria family?"
"…Only what you've told me. About the Astria family's connection with necromancers…"
"Yes, the necromancers. There are three reasons why the Astria family stands as a central ducal house in the empire. First, the necromancers."
Robert raised one finger.
"The necromancers supply the Astria family with mana stones, which are used to create powerful magical tools. This helps the family sustain its resources. And secondly, the Astria family's spatial magic. I won’t go into detail on that."
Robert put down his hand and lifted a stack of papers onto the desk.
"Lastly, the families around the Astria family. They support the Astria family, making it difficult for the empire to act rashly against them."
There isn’t just one or two families supporting the Astria family.
One-third of the empire's nobility, a significant faction, supports the Astrias, preventing the emperor from easily meddling with them.
"There are two things you need to do in the capital. First, learn spatial magic. Second, win over those noble factions for yourself."
"…Win over the noble faction for myself?"
I was surprised.
I have long been marked as a supporter of the emperor's faction in the central empire.
How would I manage to attract the noble faction under these circumstances?
"Don't overthink it. These people aren't united under some noble cause; they're just together for their own interests. It should be easier to persuade them."
I nodded.
In essence, I was to convince them that supporting me was more beneficial than backing the current Astria family.
This thought somewhat eased my mind.
"The challenge is how to entice them."
"Exactly."
The benefits they could gain by abandoning the original Astria family and supporting me.
Is there something like that?
The Astria family has been garnering the support of the nobility by advancing noble interests over those of the commoners.
Exploiting the common folk for a world that favors only the nobles.
Could I offer a benefit greater than the Astria family without exploiting the commoners?
As my expression darkened with these thoughts, Robert snorted dismissively.
"If you can't think of anything, why not use what you're good at?"
"Something I'm good at?"
A few things came to mind.
I had been making progress with black magic, and I was confident in my understanding of mana control, rivaling even the professors.
Recently, I had been diligently studying elementals.
Were these what he meant?
But what Robert suggested was completely unrelated.
"Win over one of the noble ladies. You're exceptionally skilled at charming women, aren't you? Gain support through a strategic marriage."
"What are you talking about?"
I was already dealing with complications in my relationships with women.
Was he suggesting I make it even more complicated?
Seeing my reaction, Robert chuckled.
"I'm joking. But seriously, think about how to win the support of the noble faction."
"I understand… I'll give it some thought."
"The necromancy-related matters, I'll handle them. You focus on your tasks."
Hearing Robert say this was reassuring.
As I nodded, Robert's expression turned serious.
"And remember this one thing. Ian Astria is not your enemy."
"My brother?"
Ian's reputation and achievements were too significant to be dismissed.
He was regarded as one of the most talented in the empire.
Seeing my puzzled look, Robert elaborated.
"I'm not saying he's insignificant. He's capable, but he can't step out of the shadow of your father. You'll understand what I mean once you're in the capital."
"I appreciate the advice. I'll keep it in mind."
I bowed to Robert and gave a grateful smile.
"Yes, and sort out your affairs with women. It's unbecoming for a man to dither."
"I'll keep that in mind too."
I nodded awkwardly and bowed to Robert.
"I'll visit when I have time, Master."
"That title again…"
Now, he just chuckled and shook his head whenever I called him 'Master'.
With that, I left Robert's office and headed towards the student council room, just as I had planned before visiting the lab.
"Will Rudy ever show up? My legs are starting to cramp…"
"He should be here soon…"
"Didn’t you say something to him?"
"Well, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I had…"
Despite the lights being off, voices could be heard in the student council room.
It was Luna's surprise.
She had informed Rie earlier to prepare a surprise for Rudy.
With the end of the final exams and the conclusion of the student council activities, Luna planned a party to celebrate their hard work.
The problem was that they hadn't informed Rudy.
Rie, who had been in on the preparations, assumed Luna would have told Rudy since she was keen on organizing the event.
Busy wrapping up student council matters and preparing for final exams, they hadn’t paid attention to this detail.
"Should we tell him now?"
"Shall I fetch him?"
Kuhn, who was hiding nearby, popped his head out and suggested.
Rie pondered for a moment, then sighed.
"Everyone, come out. My legs are aching."
Locke crawled out from under a desk, Emily and Kuhn emerged from the cleaning cupboard, and Luna squeezed out of the storeroom.
"We can’t keep doing this, not knowing when he’ll come…"
Rie, feeling slightly disappointed that Rudy hadn't come straight to the student council room after the exams, let out a sigh.
Luna looked down, feeling guilty.
"…Sorry."
"It’s not just your fault. I should have checked too. Let's stretch a bit and think…"
Thud─ Thud─
As they spoke, footsteps were heard outside.
Everyone’s eyes widened at the sound.
"Hide!"
They quickly concealed themselves again.
The footsteps stopped outside the student council room, and the door opened.
As the person entered, everyone silently counted.
"One, two… three!"
Bang─
"Rudy, great job!"
"Rudy, well done!"
"Rudy…?"
They all jumped out, setting off small fireworks.
However…
"…Luna? Sis? Kuhn?"
The person at the door was Yuni.
Yuni looked bewildered as she gazed at everyone.
Confetti from the fireworks stuck to her hair.
"…Ah."
Rie held her head and sighed deeply.
"…Sorry, everyone."
Luna looked back at the others, her voice wavering.
Yuni squinted slightly and looked at them all.
"If you all make that face, I’ll feel hurt."
Just as Yuni wore a sulky expression,
"…What’s going on?"
Rudy peeked his head in from behind Yuni.
Everyone let out a deep sigh.
"It’s a total mess."
"Indeed…"
"Sorry…"
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