Published: September 9, 2025
This chapter is from Arisa’s perspective.
Note: Typo corrections were made on 2015/1/6. Sorry, I forgot to update the main text with the corrections made on 1/5.
“Nice to meet you, Baron Tachibana. I am Rithumaier, the principal of the Royal Academy.”
A dignified elderly woman greeted me from behind her desk.
I had brought the children to visit the Royal Academy located in the Noble District.
Her name was unusual for the Shiga Kingdom. It sounded more like a family name common in the western continent.
I handed the letter entrusted to me by my beloved Master to the principal.
Since it was a letter of introduction from his grace Duke Oyugok, I didn’t think we would be outright rejected. But I never expected to be granted a meeting with the principal so directly.
“I understand you wish to enroll as trial students here, but does that apply to the children behind you as well?”
The principal frowned as she glanced at the children behind me.
“To enter this academy, reading and writing skills and basic arithmetic are essential. Even with the duke’s recommendation, without such academic ability...”
“Tama, can you do arithmetic and read and write?”
“Even Pochi can write novels and is great at math!”
“I can too!”
“Me too!”
In response to the principal’s question, Tama, Pochi, Shiro, and Kuro answered in that order.
Mia seemed uninterested in the conversation with the principal and was fascinated by a landscape painting hanging on the wall.
“And you over there as well?”
“Hmm?”
Mia turned around at the call, her twin tails flying out from her hood with the momentum, pushing the hood back.
“E-Elf?! Could you be the Elf from the Forest of Boruenan?”
“Mm, Mia.”
Surprised, the principal leaned forward over her desk, and Mia nodded in response.
The nobles we’d met in the past two days had been polite but ordinary. This woman must be an elf enthusiast.
Because Mia accompanied us, we were able to enroll for a trial at the Royal Academy without any issues.
◇
“To summarize, our academy offers various departments beyond the basic curricula. Which department do you wish to join?”
To cut short the principal’s lengthy explanation, the academy had six campuses and twelve departments: Advanced School, Noble School, Maiden School, Knight School, Magic School, and Early Childhood School.
Since our trial enrollment was temporary and not for settling in the Royal Capital, we decided to ask around and visit three campuses.
I and Mia would attend the Magic School, Pochi and Tama the Knight School, and Shiro and Kuro the Early Childhood School.
I had considered the Maiden School for bridal training or the Advanced School for politics and economics, but my interest in researching magic won out.
My cheat Master might end up creating his own kingdom or empire, so learning territory management or imperial studies might be better, but that would be incomplete in a trial enrollment, so I decided against it.
At the last minute, I felt that sending only Pochi and Tama to the Knight School might be a bad omen, so I decided to accompany them for the first day.
From the next day on, I’d ask my Master.
◇
I, along with Pochi and Tama, was led by a teacher to the Knight School.
Only nobles or those recommended by nobles could enroll here.
“I’m sorry, but just in case, you will need to take a simple test.”
“Got it!”
“Tests are my specialty!”
“What kind of test is it?”
I asked the muscular teacher.
“For those aiming to become knights, it’s simple. You’ll just lift a sword and swing it. Please try swinging it ten times.”
With a speed so fast the sword tip was invisible, Pochi and Tama swung their swords while seated.
The teacher’s jaw almost dropped in surprise.
I admonished the two and took Pochi’s sword.
—Oh, it’s heavier than it looks.
Maybe the center of gravity is toward the tip?
Since they had leveled up to ordinary knight-level stats, they could handle it, but swinging it recklessly would ruin their posture.
Secretly, I cast my silent fire magic “Body Support (Power Assist).”