**Side: Prim**
A week after their inspection of the Royal Academy of Memoria, we arrived at Plumass, the capital of the Flug Beast Duchy.
The Flug Beast Duchy was originally a baronial territory of Freiheit, but because its last lord, Streihait Freiheit, colluded with Solenne, it was unable to make the capital, Freiheit, its ducal capital.
Therefore, Plumass, a city second only to Freiheit, was established as its ducal capital.
The Beast Duke was originally of the Granchario Ducal House, one of the four great ducal houses of Valentia, but when they became one of the beast ducal houses, they were granted the name Flug by Brother Rai, and it has remained so to this day.
Although Plumass was the second-largest city in the former baronial territory of Freiheit, it had not developed as much as the capital and was not large enough to be called a ducal capital.
In fact, Plumass is the smallest among the ducal capitals, and even smaller than Istrias, the capital of Count Enlo Istlias’s county.
However, it was taboo to make Freiheit, the former residence of the baron Streihait, who was publicly executed as a traitor, the ducal capital, and since other towns were smaller than Plumass, there was no other choice.
Moreover, since Streihait was a traitor who colluded with Solenne and the land of Flug had no military actions other than the Streihait subjugation force dispatched by His Majesty Gumnos during the Valentian civil war, it was not very ravaged.
Therefore, the Flug Beast Ducal House is prioritizing the expansion of Plumass.
Although abandoning Freiheit is difficult, there are plans to rename it and reduce its scale in the future.
The reason for coming to Plumass is to meet the daughter of the Flug Beast Duke, Aurora Flugel.
Laura is also a white fox, a Foxy, like me. Until recently, we were both daughters of dukes, but now we are both daughters of beast dukes, so I feel quite close to her.
We were already acquainted, and she seemed to admire me, so she also looks up to me like an older sister.
“It’s been a while, Sister Prim!”
“It’s been a while, Laura. How have you been?”
“Yes!”
Perhaps because she admires me, Laura is considering hunter registration and is receiving axe guidance from a Beastar.
For this reason, her level is 19, slightly higher than the average for her age, and she has already experienced monster subjugation several times.
It may sound like hearsay, but I’ve actually gone hunting with her twice.
“Laura, these are my husband and co-wives. And these are your fellow students who are hunters.”
The reason I came to Plumass this time is as I just mentioned.
I have visited Flug several times since its founding, and among my co-wives, Mana, Mako, Meena, and Aria have also been here. However, Yamato, Flam, Lydia, Ludia, and Athena had never visited.
Sister Hilde and Rika are here because they have duties and governance work, but Yuri, who is a fellow student, managed to make time.
I’ve also brought Raus and his friends, who are also fellow students. Actually, Laura is very interested in the Wing Crest and asks a lot of questions about it, so I’ve also told her that Raus and Rebecca have evolved into the Ancient Class.
Not only Raus and Rebecca, but also Carol is on the verge of evolution, and so is Yuri. Therefore, I need to officially introduce them first and make sure they keep quiet.
Level and evolution are not confidential, but they are not something to be spread around.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Aurora Flugel, the First Princess of the Flug Beast Duchy. Your esteemed reputations reach even here in Flug.”
Laura curtsied slightly, holding the hem of her skirt, and announced herself.
“Nice to meet you. I am Yamato Mikami Fraydlancia.”
“My name is Raus Woodlandlight. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Princess Laura.”
Yamato, clad in his Crest Defender Coat, and Raus responded by placing their hands on their chests and bowing, then introducing their wives and fiancées.
It is a bothersome custom, but it is also a matter of courtesy.
However, once the initial greetings are over, there is a lot of flexibility, so this is just for first meetings.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Seras Lichtenfels, the Third Princess of the Lichtstern Grand Duchy.”
I haven’t forgotten, but Lichtstern is also independent, so Seras’s title is also Princess.
I had told Laura about Seras, but since she only had me as someone of the same status and close in age, Laura seemed interested in Seras.
Although Seras is younger, she is only one year apart, and since we will be academic friends from now on, I would be happy if they could become friends.
After the introductions, we were guided to the reception room in the private quarters of the Beast Ducal family.
The Horn Beast Duchy, with Centro as its capital, uses the former Beast King Castle as is, but the other four Beast Duchies have built new Beast Ducal Castles, and the southern Blume Beast Ducal Castle was recently completed.
The Flug Beast Ducal Castle was completed two months ago, and as expected, the castle facilities are still like new, as only that much time has passed.
“The Flug Beast Ducal Castle looks a lot like the Beast King Castle.”
“Not just Flug, but all Beast Ducal Castles are modeled after the Beast King Castle.”
The Vald Beast Duke’s Castle is also like that, and if it is to be built in a short period, it is inevitable to refer to existing castles.
Nevertheless, the exterior has been differentiated as much as possible, so they should not be mistaken even if placed side by side.
“By the way, I hear you are all hunters. What departments will you be choosing?”
At the General Academy, departmental classes begin in the second year.
Laura, aspiring to be a hunter, intends to choose the Knight-Hunter Department. As she is also in line to succeed the Beast Duke, she will likely take classes related to territorial management in the Noble Department.
However, she has not yet decided what to choose for the remaining one.
Perhaps it is not for this reason, but she is likely interested in which departments Raus and the others will choose.
“I… I am also an Order, so I will choose the Knight-Hunter Department.”
“I… I just registered too, so I plan to choose the Knight-Hunter Department!”
Raus is an A-rank Order with the title of Jade Knight but is also an Outside Order, so he does not have much knowledge or understanding of knightly conduct.
Therefore, Raus said he would choose the Knight-Hunter Department to learn it, but he has not yet decided which departments to choose for the other two. Reina, who is somewhat nervous, has decided to enroll in the Knight-Hunter Department to learn common knowledge of hunters, and the Crafting Department, which she has already registered for. Surprisingly, the Department of Religious Studies is also a candidate for the remaining one.
“Other than the Knight-Hunter Department, I plan to take the Commerce Department and the Noble Department.”
Carol decided on her elective departments the earliest, but as her younger brother is not even one year old, she is currently the legitimate heir of the Bernstein Count’s family. She did not choose the Healing Department because, as an M-rank Healer, there is no point in learning the basics. If she were to learn, she would receive guidance from Sayuri, an O-rank Healer.
“I plan to take the Natural History Department and the Noble Department.”
“I’m also planning to take the Natural History Department, but I haven’t decided on the last one yet.”
Seras and Rebecca have decided to take the Natural History Department to study monsters. Knowing what kind of attacks monsters will make beforehand makes a significant difference. Some hunters disregard information, but they do not live long, and even if they survive by luck, they often end up retiring as hunters.
“I see… In that case, would it be better for me to also choose the Natural History Department?”
That’s a bit tricky. The Knight-Hunter Department also teaches about monster ecology, but the Natural History Department allows for more in-depth study. However, as the name suggests, the Natural History Department does not solely focus on monsters. Rather, classes on monsters are only a part of it. Choosing the Natural History Department means you will also study things other than monsters, so it will likely be more challenging than Laura expects.
“I think that’s a possibility, but they say the Natural History Department covers not only monsters but also trees, metals, and water quality, so the scope of study is the widest.”
“What? You learn all that?”
Raus is thinking the same thing and is very unsure whether to choose the Natural History Department. Laura seems surprised because she didn’t expect it to be so extensive.
“It’s not finalized yet, but I’ve heard that if you choose the Natural History Department, you will have to conduct at least one independent research project.”
“The scope of study is too broad, so three years is not enough. That seems to be another reason.”
“However, water quality and material properties can also be useful for governance. If you are to inherit the position of Flug Beast Duke, Princess Aurora, then choosing it might be a good option.”
Laura’s face twitched slightly at the words of Raus, Seras, and Carol. She likely didn’t expect this, but the Natural History Department is a department of the Scholar’s Guild, and I’ve seen firsthand how difficult research is, so choosing it carelessly could lead to trouble.
“Is that so?”
As I thought that, Rebecca, like Laura, had a strained expression. You heard what the Natural History Department’s classes would be like when you were explained that, didn’t you?
“No, Rebecca. Didn’t Yamato and Lady Rika explain it to you the other day?”
“And you know that the Crafters have been conducting various experiments in the Crafting Hall, right? Research is the accumulation of such things.”
When Raus and Carol said that, Rebecca conspicuously averted her gaze. She wasn’t listening.
“Honestly. However, choosing three departments is practically very difficult. Since time is limited, there is an opinion that elective departments should be limited to two.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. Even the members of the Royal Family who are enrolling can decide on up to two, but they are having trouble with the third one.”
Carol, as expected, is listening carefully. Choosing three departments was Yamato’s idea, but departmental classes begin in the second year. Therefore, it means acquiring knowledge from three chosen departments over three years. However, since you will be working in the guilds of your chosen departments after graduation, there is a growing opinion that three is too many. Yamato, who proposed it, is also realizing this as he sees Raus and the others struggling, so the number of elective departments will likely be reviewed.
“It’s still tentative, but there’s a proposal to change the first elective department to a required department, and to have the second and third choices as elective departments. The required department will be taught thoroughly after registration with the guild as originally planned, but for the elective departments, the content will be slightly more advanced than the basic department, and whether to register or not will be left to the individual’s discretion.”
Yamato told me that this proposal was made at yesterday’s meeting and received much support. Originally, the plan was to register with the guild for the chosen department and then attend classes. However, this would mean being forced to register with three guilds. Registering with a guild means having to complete tasks, and mistakes can result in fines or even expulsion, which is too harsh for students. That’s why the proposal from the Grand Scholar Master was a blind spot for Yamato, who realized that not doing so would hinder their future.
Upon hearing this, Laura and Rebecca exchanged glances and, for some reason, nodded in agreement. They’re probably thinking of giving up on the Natural History Department and just going with the Knight-Hunter Department. Rebecca might be fine with that, but Laura, as the next Flug Beast Duke, will have to take the Noble Department. And Rebecca will have to choose one more, so the problem is not entirely resolved. Raus looks a little pale, but I’m also a little scared. I don’t mind them becoming friends, and I’m happy about it, but why is my anxiety greater? I know things will work out as they should, but I hope they don’t take things too lightly.
