By the Grace of the Gods

Today, nine chapters were updated simultaneously.

This story is the third chapter.

While Ryoma was leisurely traveling by carriage, classes were being held at a certain academy in the Royal Capital.

“Alright, let’s begin today’s lesson. First—”

The teacher read aloud from the textbook in a dull, monotonous voice. The students listened silently. Among them was a young lady named Eliaria.

She sat up straight, looking directly at the teacher on the podium, paying attention to the lesson, but inwardly she felt bored and was enduring the tedious time.

When the morning classes ended, she stood up and hurriedly headed to the magic practice area in a corner of the school building. Although it was open for students’ voluntary training, it was rarely used outside of classes. In other words, it was unpopular.

Eliaria sat on a bench in the corner of the practice area, ate the prepared lunch, and passed the time training magic until the lunch break was over. After finishing the afternoon classes, she returned to the dormitory room assigned to her.

It had already been about a month since Eliaria enrolled in this academy, and this had become her routine.

“Phew…”

Stopping her magic casting, Eliaria sighed.

(It’s only been one month, but it’s already so boring I’m at my limit… I never expected the classes to be this dull…)

At this academy, from the first to the third year, students learn various basics and general knowledge. From the fourth to the sixth year, they focus intensively on specialized knowledge and skills. After graduation, they undergo training or become apprentices according to their career paths.

The classes Eliaria was taking as a newcomer were the most fundamental basics: basic national history and geography, arithmetic, magic, and swordsmanship aimed at physical training. These were all things that, for a noble, would normally have been learned before even entering the school.

Therefore, the classes were too easy for Eliaria. Though her grades were good, she gained no sense of accomplishment. Moreover, there were nearly 40 students in her class, but none tried to talk to her. This was not because of ignoring or bullying, but because both commoner and noble students feared her status as a young lady of the Duke Jamill’s household and her high mana, so they avoided unnecessary contact.

Aware of being avoided, Eliaria did not actively seek interaction. Although there were some students she simply could not get along with personality-wise, she also disliked forcing relationships that might frighten others and make them unable to refuse.

As a result, after a month at school, she had zero friends. She spent boring times at the academy, enduring loneliness day by day.

“I knew this before enrolling, but… sigh…”

Just as she sighed a second time, a sudden voice called out.

“What’s the matter, young lady?”

“Eh!?”

Eliaria hadn’t noticed when the person had come up behind her, but she recognized the voice.

“Oh… you’re from Count Wildan’s household…”

When Eliaria turned around and showed her face, the other party looked surprised but introduced herself with a bow.

“My apologies. I am Michelle Wildan, eldest daughter of Count Wildan’s household. I didn’t recognize you as a young lady of the Duke Jamill’s household from behind. Please forgive my rudeness.”

This was Michelle Wildan, a noble young lady from a count’s household, but one who did not exude much femininity. Her hair was roughly cut just above the shoulders, and she wore a combination of men’s trousers and a women’s shirt. She carried a large black bag, plain and practical, with no decoration. Her face was rather androgynous, giving the impression of someone dressed in men’s clothes.

“There’s no rudeness here; status differences don’t matter at this academy. Besides, I try to keep a low profile.”

At this academy, to avoid emphasizing class differences, all students, noble or commoner, were required to wear uniforms. However, there were no regulations on accessories.