Ascendance of a Bookworm

“Welcome back, Lady Rosemine.”

“I'm back, Angelica, Darmel.”

At the forefront of the group waiting in the room with the teleportation circle were two Guard Knights. Darmel looked very tired, probably from another round of training with grandfather. Brother Cornelius stepped out of the teleportation circle and began handing over the Guard Knight duties.

“Angelica, Darmel. Please take over Lady Rosemine’s protection. I’ll be heading back to the noble academy right away.”

“Are you going back so soon?” Angelica tilted her head and glanced behind. At her gaze were the guardians who had come to greet us—lord and lady of the territory, the knights order commander and his wife, the head priest, and grandfather all standing in a row. Brother Cornelius looked over at them and let out a small groan.

“Oh, Cornelius. You haven’t finished your important conversation yet, have you? Since you’ve just returned, don’t say you’re going back immediately. You should rest at least for one night,” said Mother, stepping in and interrupting the handover. She smiled sweetly as she came forward, but that smile was meant to prevent Brother Cornelius from escaping. Cornelius forced a strained smile and took a small step back, trying to evade Mother.

“Mother... As I told you the other day, I haven’t finished my lectures yet. I will definitely return after they end and talk to you.”

After hastily completing the handover of the Guard Knights, Brother Cornelius turned around and stepped back into the teleportation circle. He looked like he wanted to say something, but Mother just chuckled softly and saw him off as he returned to the noble academy.

“There’s no way you can escape. Next time, come back with a man’s resolve... together with the other person,” Mother said. Cornelius’s grimace flickered and disappeared. He had said he wanted to enjoy his final year as a student, but it seemed he was only trying to avoid Mother’s questioning.

“So, when you say ‘together,’ does that mean Mother knows who the other party is?”

“We’ll talk about the details at the tea party. I have many things I want to ask as well,” Mother replied with a smile, stepping back and turning around. Pushed gently on the back by Richarda, I greeted the rest of the guardians lined up.

“I’ve just returned from the noble academy.”

“I didn’t expect you to finish your lectures so quickly, Rosemine. My granddaughter is truly excellent,” said Grandfather, praising me. I was very happy, but since I had ended the lectures simply because I wanted to go to the library, I wasn’t sure how to respond to such praise. I couldn’t proudly say, “Isn’t it amazing?” and instead humbly said, “It’s thanks to Lord Ferdinand, who taught me so I wouldn’t struggle.”

“Rosemine, I will join you for dinner tonight. Please tell me about the subjugation of Tarnis Befaren then. According to the civil official’s report, it seems you were very active.”

I hadn’t read Hartmut’s report because it had been sent while I was bedridden. I only heard from Filine that there were praises of the saint.

Besides, I didn’t really do much. Unfortunately, my attacks didn’t hit. I didn't want to tell Grandfather that.

“I’ll talk about the knight apprentices’ efforts. Everyone worked hard. Thanks to Grandfather’s training, they managed to coordinate a bit.”

For a moment, I thought about promising and making a pinky swear, but then I realized that if I made a pinky swear with Grandfather, I might break a bone, so I immediately rejected the idea.

After finishing the conversation with Grandfather, Foster Father stepped forward.

“I’ve been waiting, Rosemine. Change your clothes and come to my office.”

The tone in Foster Father’s voice lacked energy. Last year he had stood like a fierce guardian, but this year he seemed exhausted. I wondered if it was just my imagination because his voice sounded tired.

…Did something happen?

After promising to have tea with Mother and Foster Mother, I returned to my room with Richarda and the Guard Knights. After changing clothes, I headed to Foster Father’s office.