One week after Princess Regina’s birth, I, along with Prim, Athena, Ed, Fiana, Raus, Carol, and Seras, were summoned to Amagi Castle by Emperor Reinhardt.
“I apologize for troubling you,” Emperor Reinhardt said as we entered his office. Princess Elice and Princess Ciel were there, and to my surprise, so was Rika.
“What is Rika doing here?”
“It’s no trouble at all. You summoned us, is there something you require?”
“Ah, yes. It concerns the General Academy opening next spring. Marquis Frederica, please.”
“Understood.”
The thing about the General Academy? I understood that Rika, as the Lord of Memoria, would be involved since the Memoria General Academy was located there. However, I felt that Alca would have been a more suitable location for this discussion than Amagi Castle.
“As you know, the Memoria General Academy is a four-year institution with a capacity of around 200 students per grade. As of yesterday, the number of applicants has reached 538.”
I had heard this before. I didn’t remember the exact breakdown, but I recalled that nearly half of them were adults.
“Of the 538 applicants, 136 are registered and active with a Guild. Another 179 will reach adulthood by the new year. The remaining 223 are minors who have not yet registered with a Guild. Their ages range from 9 to 15, but we plan to admit these 223 students.”
It was understandable that the 136 applicants already registered and active with a Guild would not be admitted. Most of those reaching adulthood next year were also reportedly registered with a Guild. Since the General Academy is intended for children, I could understand why they would also be deferred, though I felt a bit sorry for them. As for the remaining children, even though the number was slightly higher than expected, it was the first year, so I thought they could manage.
What surprised me was that there were seven members of the Royal Family among them. Prince Lucia Minato Torencia, 12, and Princess Diana Minato Torencia, 10, from Torencia, and Prince David Alegria, 10, from Alegria, were apparently enrolling. The remaining four would be from the Three Duchies.
“So, royalty will be enrolling right away. Well, we anticipated this, and eventually, Rest and Regina will enroll too, so I don’t see it as a particular problem?”
I agreed with Prim. Especially for the three from the Three Kingdoms, their ages were just right.
“Regarding the Three Kingdoms and the Three Duchies, I agree. However, the problem is the small nation in the Solemnne region that is scheduled to become independent next spring.”
A small nation in the Solemnne region becoming independent in the spring? That was the first I had heard of it.
“Huh? You’re letting them become independent already?”
“It’s earlier than I expected, but will it be alright?”
Raus and Ed looked surprised, and I also felt it was too soon.
“Your concerns are valid, and it’s not yet finalized. In fact, the central region will require several more years, no matter how quickly we try. However, there is one region where independence is likely to cause fewer problems.”
Indeed, the central region of Solemnne had experienced a noble’s rebellion about six months ago, and the eastern part was still understaffed due to the Allied Forces’ march. The south and west were dominated by the Praia Desert, with no towns in the west, and only two noble families ruling the south. I had heard that the southern region was relatively better off, but wasn’t one of the governing nobles punished for treason?
“No, not the southern region, but the northern one. You will recall a Lord with a good reputation from Hilde, won’t you?”
“Ah, yes, I remember now.”
The northern region of Solemnne had, I believe, seven territories. Three of those Lords had revolted with the Lords of the central region and were executed by Hilde. The remaining four Lords were neither particularly rebellious nor entirely submissive. One of them had a good reputation among his people and managed his territory well, and he had not produced any outcasts. Like the other Solemnne nationals, that Lord was unable to use Inn magic. However, he did not treat those who could use Inn magic as outcasts. Consequently, about half of his subjects could use Inn magic. I had never been there, but Hilde had met with that Lord several times and held him in high regard.
“Ah, that Lord. The other three Lords treated outcasts no differently than other Solemnne nobles. However, the proposal is to grant him independence as a small nation and entrust him with the three territories that were confiscated.”
Another reason, Emperor Reinhardt continued, was that the noble’s territory and the confiscated territories were adjacent. I see, so they want me to help them come up with a name for this nation.
“No, that’s not all. There’s more. Marquis Frederica, if you would.”
There’s more?
“Yes. That Lord, Count Cuervo Istorias, has two children. His male heir is currently 12 years old, and Count Cuervo wishes for him to enroll.”
So that was the main point. Still, I had intended for Solemnne to enroll in the General Academy eventually, and if this was the son of a Lord scheduled for independence, I didn’t think enrolling him in the first year would be a problem.
“It is a problem. Count Cuervo is not the issue, but his eldest son, who wishes to enroll, is quite problematic.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. He looks down on his subjects and believes that everything in this world exists for his own benefit. It seems his tutor, appointed by Count Cuervo, was a pure Solemnne person who provided him with a biased education. Count Cuervo only recently realized this, so he wants to enroll him to change his son’s character.”
My, my… According to Rika’s account, Count Cuervo had four wives, and this idiotic son was the child of his third wife. Although he was the eldest son and thus the heir apparent to Count Istorias, the Istorias family was unusual among Solemnne nobles for not oppressing outcasts and had poor relations with neighboring nobles. For this reason, Count Cuervo’s first and second wives were from vassal families. However, after ten years of marriage, neither wife had conceived, casting a shadow on the continuation of the Istorias family line. Therefore, the third and fourth wives, a noble’s daughter and her attendant from a central region territory, were brought in. The Istorias family had apparently been secretly engaging in trade with Torencia and Libertà. They were prosperous among Solemnne nobles and possessed wealth and military power that even the Imperial Family could not easily interfere with, making them a target for usurpation. As expected, the third wife, the noble’s daughter, gave birth to a son, who became this eldest son. Her family must have rejoiced greatly.
“However, Solemnne was destroyed by war, and the noble’s family was also dismantled for plotting a rebellion. Therefore, there is no longer a need to forcibly place this eldest son as the heir. Still, he is still his child, so you wish to enroll him to correct his personality, is that it?”
“That is correct.” Rika replied to Ed with a sigh. This was beyond troublesome.
“Surely, Lord Rika, you intend to enroll some of the minors from Wing Crest to monitor him, or to protect the students from him?”
“Precisely!” Carol asked, frowning, but Rika answered with a beaming smile. No, seriously? And anyway, at the General Academy, regardless of whether one is royalty or nobility, there are no status differences, and anyone who flagrantly abuses their power is subject to punishment, right?
“We don’t want any dropouts from the very first year, but if we succeed in reforming the next Count Istorias, it will bring hope to the governance of the Solemnne region. Of course, even if we don’t succeed, the second son has been raised well by his first and second wives and is of good character, so there will be no shortage of heirs.”
“So, this eldest son is being enrolled as a sort of trial, with the hope that he can be reformed?”
“That’s how it is. Of course, we have conveyed this to Count Cuervo, and he has agreed to the forfeiture of his succession rights if he is expelled. Even though it is a small nation, if such a person were to ascend to the throne, the consequences are unimaginable.”
In other words, if this idiot son can be reformed, that’s good. If not, the Istorias family will be inherited by his younger brother. That sounds incredibly troublesome.
“Raus, what do you think?”
“Me!?” Raus exclaimed, jumping up as if startled. I had wondered why Raus was summoned, but it seemed that both Emperor Reinhardt and Rika wanted Raus to enroll.
“Judging by the flow of the conversation, it seems Raus and the others will be enrolling. Fiana and Aria would also be eligible based on age alone.”
“There’s also Yuri, but he’s already engaged in Celestial Rank work. Besides, Raus and Rebecca are in the Ancient Class, and it’s only a matter of time for Carol. Even if something happens, we can handle it, right?”
“That’s too forceful! And besides, aren’t other problems going to arise?”
I doubt anyone would dare to challenge someone in the Ancient Class, but Raus and the others are minors, so there’s still a non-zero chance they might retaliate through more subtle means. Well, in that case, we would simply step in.
“Since we are asking you to go above and beyond, we will provide support. Furthermore, Raus, we would like you to not only monitor that Larva Istorias but also to act as a guard for the royalty.”
Ah, so that was the other reason. There are seven royalty scheduled to enroll, most of whom are crown princes or prince consorts. Due to their positions, they are potential targets, and the Ritter’s Guild will dispatch guards. However, since the guards are not students, they cannot be by their side at all times. If Raus and the others enroll, their class placement is uncertain, but it would not be strange for them to be nearby. Moreover, Raus and Rebecca are in the Ancient Class, and Carol is on the verge of evolution, so they would be more than sufficient as guards. While they cannot be present constantly due to the number of individuals needing protection, simply being within the same school grounds would serve as a deterrent. Furthermore, in the event of an emergency, we from Wing Crest could also intervene.
“I know there’s no reason for you to enroll, but this is the very first General Academy, and the rights of royalty and nobility will not apply. Still, there will likely be those who try to push their way through, and while Orders will be stationed there, it is fundamentally a facility for children. We want to avoid major problems from the very first year. Therefore, it is best to have trustworthy individuals enroll.”
So, Raus was the first person to be chosen. He is certainly trustworthy, and his abilities as an Ancient Class student are more than sufficient. On top of that, he is a minor, so he can enroll normally. While there’s the question of whether there’s a point to him enrolling, considering his primary role is guarding, it’s acceptable. And if his residence is established with the Marquis Amatista family instead of the dormitory, he can return to Alca at night.
“…You’re really covering all your bases, aren’t you?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Well, I understand the reason. However, I will be an adult next year. Didn’t you say earlier that those reaching adulthood would not be admitted this time? Will that be alright?”
“If you are willing to enroll, we intend to grant admission to a few.”
Well, I suppose there’s no other way.
“If that is the case, I don’t mind. I’m curious, and it might be a good opportunity to study trading.”
Carol is registered with the Healer’s Guild and the Hunter’s Guild, but she intends to study trading once she enrolls. It’s true that even as guards, they won’t be constantly by their side, and it would be strange to enroll without studying anything. So, if she wants to do it, I will respect her wishes.
“Ah, right, studies. In that case, perhaps I should study Orders too.”
Raus, looking convinced by Carol’s statement, said, “Perhaps I should study Orders too.” But let’s hold on there for a moment.
“No, no, you’re an outsider, but you’re also a Jade Knight, aren’t you?”
“That’s precisely why. Although, the Knights Department will likely have practical combat, so that might be an issue.”
As Ed mentioned, Raus has been granted the title of Jade Knight and is an A-rank Order. However, he is an outside collaborator, an Outside Order, so he lacks the knowledge of a knight. Raus seems to want to learn that. Since Orders will have joint classes with Hunters, combat training and practical exercises are naturally included, and I do see that as a problem. Well, it’s not a major issue.
“We haven’t officially decided who the teachers will be yet, but we will inform the academy and the Scholar’s Guild about you. We must inform the Knight-Hunter Department in particular, or things could get out of hand.”
In the worst-case scenario, I, Emperor Reinhardt, or the Grand Order’s Master might have to personally intervene.
However, both Raus and Carol are positive about enrolling, and Emperor Reinhardt and Rika seem relieved. It’s not exactly like we forced them, but I should also be ready to support Raus and the others. Oh, and when I get back to Alca, I need to ask Aria about it too.
