Published: August 15, 2025
There were still several days left until the practical day for learning the basic use of the stave. I spent each day working on picture book manuscripts and preparing ahead for the second year.
Once I mastered how to use the stave, I would finally be allowed to go to the library. I eagerly counted down the days until the practical session where they would teach me the basics of using the stave.
“Right now, I can’t help but envy Lady Rosemine’s excellence,”
“Truly.”
Brunhilde, who wanted to quickly set up a tea party with the music teachers, and the girls planning to go to the library with me to take measurements of Schwarz and Weiss, were all desperately studying to pass the theoretical exams.
“Lady Rosemine, you don’t have to rush so much to pass.”
“If I keep going like this, I might not be able to go to take measurements of Schwarz and Weiss.”
The girls were studying with the same desperate expression as first-years aiming to pass on the first try. Seeing that, the boys who still had theory left also put more effort into studying.
Looking around the multipurpose hall, I shook my head with a smile. I had no intention of waiting any longer to go to the library.
“I’m going to hurry and pass, then hurry to the library. I’m almost wishing the stave lectures would start as soon as possible.”
When I said I was determined to pass on the first try, Hartmut chuckled softly.
“Learning the basics of the stave is not that simple, Lady Rosemine. Lower nobles really take the entire allotted period to master it. Even among lord candidates, I rarely hear of anyone passing on the first day.”
Hartmut said it was impossible, but hearing that only made me want to pass even more out of stubbornness.
“I will do everything I can to pass. When it’s for going to the library, I can put in as much effort as needed.”
“That’s right, Hartmut. There’s no way Lady Rosemine will stop this streak in front of the library. We, your attendants, need to make plans keeping your fastest possible passing in mind.”
If she locked herself away in the library at this pace, it would be difficult to even set up the tea party, Brunhilde muttered, lowering her gaze to her reference book. It seemed that if Brunhilde passed this lecture she was holding, all theory would be done.
“I see. So for the library, no slacking at all. It’s about putting in your full effort.”
“Exactly.”
“Well then, I look forward to Lady Rosemine making a new legend.”
With that encouragement from Hartmut, I headed to the practical session to learn the basics of the stave. As usual, I entered the small hall with Wilfried and the senior nobles.
Hilsure and Rufen entered. They were today’s instructors. Rufen clenched his fist and began explaining the stave.
“The stave is a tool that only nobles can use, and it only works once you have incorporated god’s will within you.”
“What you obtained in the innermost chamber is the stone most suited to you. It blends best with your mana, and if you incorporate it properly, you can use mana very efficiently.”
To be recognized as a noble, you need enough mana capacity to obtain “god’s will.” This selection is done during the baptism ceremony to confirm mana capacity.
One of the things god gave the first king was this stave. Before that, the king struggled to control his mana, but thanks to the stave given by god, he gained the ability to freely manipulate his mana... that’s what the founding myth in the Sacred Scripture said. I wasn’t sure if everything in the Scripture was true, but I could now accept that the events behind those stories must have really happened.
“We start by shaping the stave. Each of you create a stave that feels easy to handle. To confirm stability, you will summon and dismiss your stave three times.”
Hilsure said, “Once you can reliably create the shape, come to me.”
“Alright, I’ll make an awesome stave.”
I’m sure everyone thought the same. Everyone started creating their own staves, trying to make intricate shapes and sizes. Lord candidates, somewhat accustomed to handling mana, considered what kind of stave suited them best and worked hard to create the perfect one. Senior nobles less skilled with mana struggled just to move their mana enough to form the shape.