Chapter 30

‘When speaking of those who suddenly rise in status, the phrase “the savvy rise from slavery” comes to mind. Serek, you son of a bitch. I really don’t know how you could do that to someone out of anger. What a terrible person.’

“I don’t care.”

The emperor nodded. Honestly, it wouldn’t have mattered what I said. Nothing would have changed―the emperor just wanted me to say what he wanted to hear.

He waved his hand as a dismissal. “Well, now that we’re done, we’ll just have to deal with the requirements for early graduation. I hope you cheer up.”

“I’m glad you’re looking forward to it.” Smiling as politely as I could with my teeth clenched, I withdrew from the room, suffering a great sense of defeat.

As I trudged to my room, there was no more fear left from what happened on my way home. I felt only sympathy for myself for getting played by the emperor’s tricks, which worsened at the thought of the difficulty of early graduation requirements.

I calmed down and looked at the school uniform I would wear the next day, and I sighed. The sleeves were a mess.

But unlike the high-ranking men who can live well by relying on the work of others, I had lived a life where I could survive only by doing everything with my own hands. It had been up to me to fix the clothes when they wore and tore. My clothes, Samidion’s clothes, Serek’s clothes.

Just the thought of his name made me grit my teeth. Come to think of it, Serek should have done that himself, no matter how dirty he was. His fingers weren’t broken, so what right did he have to make me do it?

I worked diligently, regretting my foolish childhood.

I cut off the sleeves from the burnt school uniform to make short sleeves. With a bit of meticulous work, it looked presentable. It would look even better if it was worn with a winter cape on top.

Considering that the academy tolerated some of the students changing their school uniforms to look more fashionable, I didn’t think they would say much.

I lay down on the bed, exhausted but quite satisfied, my school uniform hanging neatly in the corner. There were still many concerns on my mind, and nothing had been resolved yet, but I felt much better.

***

The morning after, I woke up refreshed. However, to my surprise, when I came out to go to the academy, there was a huge carriage decorated top to bottom with gold and silver waiting outside. Even the imperial seal was emblazoned on the front, and the two sturdy iron shaft wheels were shiny and decorated with gold cloth.

I looked around for my plain carriage, thinking it had nothing to do with me. I checked the vacant lot where my carriage had once been, but there were no other carriages other than the fancy one in front of me.

As I snooped around, I heard the driver’s voice from the splendid vehicle.

Looking back, I saw the knight dressed as neatly as always. No, he was wearing an even more colorful cape than the usual. Like what someone would wear to a formal event.

“Get on here.”

“What? What happened to my carriage?”

“This is Celestia’s carriage.”

“This? But my carriage…”

I liked taking the shabby carriage even when I was going out. I was already getting more attention than necessary, so I tended to avoid doing things that would make me the center of attention.

However, the driver’s answer was firm. “I’ve heard that you’ve decided to reveal your identity. From now on, I will guard the main gate. I don’t think there’s a need for disguises.”

“That’s not wrong, but…”

It was as he said. There was no longer any need for camouflage. But it was burdensome. Alas, it was really burdensome.

I had no choice but to get on the wagon with gold decorations everywhere, even on its colorful footrest, as I lost my reasons for refusing.

The carriage started moving, and the driver silently sat the way he always did.

I wondered if he had been scolded by the emperor yesterday, but I couldn’t read his face because he was as expressionless as ever.

“I think you may have had to hear bad things yesterday because of me… I’m sorry.”

“No, I wasn’t good enough.”

“Oh no, you really must have heard something.”

The driver wordlessly turned to the window. He arrived at the entrance of the academy without speaking to me any further. Unlike the usual, the wagon did not turn towards the alley where the wagons were parked, but towards the entrance of the academy.

The other students from noble families seemed to notice the markings on the carriage.

“The Imperial Mark.”

“Oh my God, you can’t…”

In the space where the carriages were usually parked, the students were busy whispering amongst each other because of the emergence of a new wagon.

“Is today the day of His Majesty’s visit?”

“Oh, I don’t know. If it is, I should have dressed up more.”

“Or is the Empress? If not… Did a secretary or an advisor come?”

There was also Vicky’s voice among the voices I heard from close by. At this point, I didn’t even want to get off the carriage.

As slowly as possible, I opened the door and stepped out.

“Celestia…” Vincenzo, approached with a surprised expression, alternating an admiring gaze between my carriage and me.

The driver confirmed that it was safe for me to go, then reassured me that he would come back later in time for school.

I think that was the main reason why I caught everyone’s eye. No matter how low the level of an imperial knight is, he is still the superior of common soldiers, and the driver who brought me was wearing a much more dazzling cape than usual.

I scratched my head and hurriedly stepped inside. Meanwhile, I saw Vicky’s face crumple, as if I’d taken away something that was hers.

It seemed like all the kids were talking about me that day until the class was over. At first, I thought I would be too self-conscious to meet so many gazes upon me. However, as time went by, and as more and more eyes were drawn to me, the commoners of the bureaucracy and the nobles eventually approached and told me that they wanted to get to know me well in the future.

Lunch had barely even started and I had already been approached by dozens of people.

I had to jump out of my seat and head to the instructor’s office as soon as it was break time to run away from the ever-increasing number of “friends”.

Knock, knock―

The door opened quickly and I came face to face with Instructor Xenon. Unlike the students whose attitudes changed instantly depending on who I went to school with, Xenon had always looked gentle and friendly. I felt calm and relaxed as the instructor opened the door wider.

“Come on in, Miss Celestia.”

I went in and sat on the small chair in front of him.

“What brings you here? Do you have any concerns?”

“I’m here to give my greetings. And… there’s something I need to talk to you about…”

“Tell me.”

Behind those big glasses, shining eyes stared at me calmly. The glasses made him look so kind and approachable, but sometimes I felt like they belied the intensity in his eyes.

The pressure from his gaze was too much, so I lowered my eyes without realizing it. When I came here to leave the noisy classroom, I didn’t have any other thoughts, but now, sitting in front of the instructor, the words didn’t come easily.

How on earth could I say, ‘I’m here to be consulted about an early graduation’? I was ashamed to say it with my own mouth.

My face flushed. I was embarrassed to say that I would graduate early, basically claiming that I was a really talented honor student. It might seem that I had gotten arrogant just because I received an award from the Imperial Family once.

Xenon took my silence as a cue to start the conversation himself. “You’ve changed your outfit. Did something happen to your school uniform?”

I glanced at the school uniform sleeves that I had mended myself and smiled softly. I couldn’t say it got burnt because I was attacked on the street.

“Ah, just… I wanted to change my style.”

“It looks good on you.” The instructor smiled kindly, but I didn’t feel comfortable.

‘I’m not here to chat like this.’

I couldn’t even open my mouth. I was too indecisive.

As the emperor said, I was now up to my neck in danger and conspiracy. He needed my support as soon as possible, and I needed a place to use my powers.

Gathering all the courage in my body, I began. “Well…”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“No, uh, premature…”

“What?”

“Early…”

“What?”

I felt my face burn, but I closed my eyes and poured out the words quickly.

“I came to ask for early graduation requirements. I want to graduate soon.”

If Xenon had looked surprised, I would have dug a hole for myself right there and then, but fortunately, he nodded seriously.

“Ah, that was your concern.”

My nervousness was probably glaringly obvious, given that he even offered me candy. It was sweet and smelled faintly of herbs, a treat that was often given out in class. I felt a little calmer as I unwrapped the candy and put it in my mouth.

Lecturer Xenon looked long at me, munching on his own piece of candy like any other thoughtful man. When I looked at him expectantly, he rummaged through some files and took out a piece of paper stuck in the corner.

“Let’s see…… There have been two other people who have already come to receive the early graduation assignments.”

I couldn’t believe there were so few people coming for early graduation assignments.

The documents I received that had caused me so much anxiety contained only a few brief assignments. However, upon closer inspection, the pages were crammed with words printed in a tiny font, and the difficulty level was dizzyingly high.

[…

Early graduation assignments shall be filled out as follows:

Page limit: 40 to 50 pages each according to the given items.

Submission method: According to the school policy.

Topic selection: Choose two of the following.

Effects and side effects of magic supplements

Causes of these magic effects

History of prohibited magic with examples and reasons for prohibition

Cases of rogue contract wizards

…]

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