Published: August 25, 2025
Two days had passed since Anastasius summoned me. Eglantine had said there would probably be an invitation to a tea party, but that seemed like something for later, and no contact had come yet. It was likely after the lectures ended and the social season kicked off.
I took it easy, going to the library, pouring mana into Schwarz and Weiss, and spending time reading book after book.
Today’s companions were Brynhildr, Filine, Judith, Leonore, and Brother Cornelius.
Leonore and Brother Cornelius were discussing how to rethink the poor coordination among the knight apprentices, which had become clear through Treasure Hunting Ditter, and how to make it easier to defeat monsters. They had realized firsthand how much difference it made to not only race in speed but to face the enemy properly.
Judith, still a second-year who hadn’t taken the knight training course, found these military strategy discussions difficult. So she was entrusted with guarding the library, which was mostly deserted, while Leonore and Brother Cornelius copied books and consulted with each other nearby. From the outside, it looked just like a library date.
Secretly cheering on Leonore in my heart, I kept reading one book after another. Filine was diligently copying a manuscript at the next desk.
The light signaling closing time shone, casting various colors on the covers of the books I was reading. Brynhildr closed my book and said, “Closing time, Lady Rosemine.” I let out a soft sigh.
“Princess, it’s time to finish for today.”
“Princess, I want to borrow some books.”
“I understand. Schwarz, Brynhildr, please handle the lending procedures for these books. Weiss, please return the keys to the desks.”
I read right up to closing, then completed the lending procedures to continue reading later. Brynhildr carried the books, and I returned to the dormitory. This was my brilliant, happy everyday life after finishing all my lectures.
“Lady Rosemine, I’ve finished copying all the information about monsters today.”
Leonore smiled happily on the way back to the dormitory, saying they had found unexpected weaknesses in some monsters. Brother Cornelius nodded and spoke.
“Since we’ve gathered information on the monsters, I’d like to thoroughly study the reference books I borrowed from Brother Eckhardt on coordination. Then, I want to visit the knights order commander to hear about coordinating attacks when facing strong monsters.”
“You’ll be able to return home once your lectures end, right? We need to finish them quickly for that.”
My father, the knights order commander, was busy as a guard knight accompanying the lord to social events and preparing for the huge task of defeating the lord of winter.
Still, all the nobles gathered for the Winter Social Season. It’d be very meaningful to hear from the generation of knights who took part in Treasure Hunting Ditter and their instructors who drilled coordination into the new recruits.
Leonore nodded eagerly at my words.
“…I never thought the classroom lectures would be so directly connected to coordination. When we did Treasure Hunting Ditter in the territory competition, everyone probably desperately studied tactics, putting their heads together on how to outwit the enemy.”
Brother Cornelius said that since Ditter was a speed race where everyone could charge in and win, there wasn’t much need to think about coordination or tactics. Now he finds all these considerations enjoyable. Leonore, looking at him and smiling, seemed to feel the same, happily so.
…Yeah, this is quite a nice atmosphere, isn’t it?
I smiled broadly as I watched Brother Cornelius and Leonore. Brynhildr seemed to notice and quietly whispered to me.
“Lady Rosemine, are you supporting Leonore?”
“No, I’m not doing anything. Brother Cornelius seems quite popular, so I don’t want to cause unnecessary trouble.”
As the lord candidate and his younger sister, if I openly supported Leonore, it might look like a done deal. I hadn’t even confirmed with my family about the rumors that Angelica might marry one of the brothers yet, and I didn’t even know Brother Cornelius’s feelings. It’s better not to meddle.