Volume 1

    Chapter 6

    Two months have passed since the start of the first term in Bertram Kingdom’s Royal Institute .

    Since Rio was entering in the middle of the term, it was only natural that he became the centre of attention .

    It was arranged for Rio to be introduced in the first home room .

    “Starting today I will be studying together with everyone in this class . My name is Rio .  Please take care of me for the next six years . ”

    In a flat tone, Rio introduced himself without hesitation .

    “A transfer student in the middle of the term?”

    “He doesn’t have a family name . He must be a commoner . ”

    “Why is a commoner entering in the middle of the term?”

    “From what I heard, he’s the orphan who rescued Christina-sama from danger . Enrolling in the Royal Institute on His Majesty’s recommendation was his reward . ”

    “An orphan? And thanks to that, this kind of guy is enrolling in the Royal Institute?”

    No applause came .

    Instead, the sound of murmurings could be heard from the students who were evaluating him . Their eyes gathered on Rio .

    A tinge of hatred surfaced, this seven year old kid already tainted the place for nobles to study .

    As for the kids of high class nobles who served in the royal castle, they already knew about this beforehand .

    Naturally they also knew that Rio was an orphan and were looking at Rio as if witnessing a strange animal . It was understandable since they all came from a privileged class .

    As for Rio himself, he already expected that things would turn out like this .

    With his facial expression completely calm and serene, Rio surveyed the entire class .

    From the looks of it, he judged that there were over 100 people in the room .

    Classes 1 to 3, each class consisted of 100 students1 .

    It was very clear that the population was divided by social status with a distinct wall between nobles and commoners .

    The noble class was further hierarchized . School regulations dictated that discrimination based on social status and connections were not allowed but judging from the classroom’s atmosphere, it was clear that it was only a fa?ade .

    (Well by creating relationships during the time at the institute, once you graduate you will have a large number of connections . N…?)

    Suddenly, Rio’s gaze rested on a familiar face .

    The person sat in the far corner of the classroom .

    Around her were students from high pedigree sending despising gazes towards Rio .

    When her line of sight matched with Rio, Christina pouted her lips in displeasure .

    It seems that she hates me quite a bit; Rio thought that while cynically laughing in his mind .

    He also had no intentions to involve himself with Christina .

    If she hated him, it will only be more convenient .

    “Fumu, any questions? …so there aren’t any .  Yosh .  Rio .  You can sit at that empty seat . Basically you can sit wherever you want but I recommend you sit there for now . That’s all . ”

    “Understood . ”

    The lecturer standing beside Rio simply said so and urged Rio to sit . Rio who also preferred to not stand any longer in front of the class quickly moved to the empty seat .

    Thus Rio’s life in the Royal Institute began .

    There were four classes in a day with an hour for each class .

    But problem arose in the very first class .

    And that was math class .

    “Well . Okay, let’s see . Rio the transfer student . Please solve this problem . ”

    Said the lecturer in charge of the current class . Each class had a different lecturer .

    The one in charge of math class was a considerably young lecturer .

    If it was in Japan, she would be around the age of an upper grade elementary schooler .

    However she was actually closer to that of a junior high schooler but her appearance betrayed her .

    Rio was asked to solve a problem that could be compared to a first grade elementary school problem in Japan which anyone could solve .

    Unfortunately Rio did not understand what was written .

    “E~~tto, sorry but I can’t read the numbers written . ”

    Rio could not read numbers .

    And, following that was a moment of silence followed by bursts of laughter .

    “Oi oi . Enrolling in the Royal Institute but not being able to read . ”

    “To share the same class with this lowly fellow who can’t even read numbers…”

    “A~, that’s right . He didn’t take admission test . ”

    “I can’t accept such a lowlife . He’s also stupid . ”

    The class remembered he was of the same age and began to immerse themselves in a sense of superiority .

    Their ridicule of Rio could be heard from all directions .

    “I see, so you can’t read . You haven’t been taught that .  …All right . I’ll give you extra lessons afterward .  Please come to my laboratory afterschool .  For today just listen to the lecture and if you don’t understand please ask . ”

    She said that while shaking her head at disbelief of Rio’s lack of education .

    “Understood . ”

    Rio then decided to accept the advice given to him and listened to the lesson .

    “Nee~, you . ”

    A voice called out to Rio after math class .

    Looking at the one who called him, he saw the perfect example of an Ojou-sama standing in front of a crowd of her fans .

    Rio noticed that they were the group who were sitting around Christina .

    “Yes, what is it?”

    “What is it?  Well, I’m sorry .  What did you mean in the previous class?”

    “Huh? No . What about the previous class?”

    The girl showed an expression as if lamenting for Rio .

    “What about it? It’s about you who can’t even read numbers . In this prestigious Royal Institute, especially when you’re enrolled in the same class as Christina-sama and myself, for a monkey like you to be mixed in it . ”

    Apparently Rio received a complaint from this girl . Sighing both in his mind and out loud, he gave an answer to the one raising the complaint against him .

    “Sorry, but I’m illiterate . ”

    It was true that he was illiterate in this world .

    These sorts of rotten people would only increase after knowing about this .

    The kind of person who tells it to him flatly would be the most decent .

    Up until now, thanks to the people from the privileged class, he developed some kind of stress resistance and gained more than enough of an understanding towards this world’s society .

    “Since you’re entering in the middle of term, I had expected that you have already learned the four basic math calculations2 so I’m extremely disappointed . ”

    The girl was staring at Rio with disdain in her eyes .

    “Really . I assumed you’d be a bit poor when compared to Her Highness Princess Christina and a daughter of Duke Fonsyn, but I still had some expectations from you . ”

    Apparently the leader of the group’s name was Roana .

    Many students standing near Roana started agreeing with her .

    “Not being able to read numbers made me laugh quite a bit . No, I already expected that . ”

    A boy spat out that line while pointing at Rio and looking at him with a ridiculing expression .

    “Haa~ . With this, my expectations for another class have been shattered . ”

    Said Roana sighing .

    “First you should question yourself as to why you are even allowed to be sitting in this place . If you are aware of how blessed you are to be here, then burn it into your mind since it’s obvious that you don’t belong here . ”

    “Understood . Roana-sama . Thank you for your consideration . ”

    Rio said that while lowering his head .

    Seeing that, Roana was left agape for a bit admiring his manners .

    “Ara, it looks like you at least have some courtesy .  All right then .  You just need to be more diligent since it’s also my responsibility as class representative along with Christina-sama to help you .  Besides, it’s a noble’s duty to lead the commoner . ”

    “Thank you very much . ”

    As if it was a natural thing, Roana said it with an expression full of confidence .

    That must be her true feelings .

    “As expected of Roana-sama . ”

    Her fans started agreeing with her immediately .

    Suddenly, they noticed Rio was looking at them with a smirk on his face . Somehow it was like he was grateful that their self-esteem was lower than his own .

    Rio already knew Roana’s fans had wicked minds .

    “Next is history class but you also can’t read right?  It’s frustrating that even with great effort, you’ll only be able to catch up a little bit . “

    After saying that, Roana returned to her seat .

    And before long the next lecturer came .

    As expected, Rio could not write nor read the letters on the blackboard . As such he did not even attempt to open his notebook and spent the time trying to memorize the contents of the lecture .

    And thus, the last class of the day was martial arts practice .

    Training in martial arts and magic was done together, but for the elementary grade, the martial arts training was not too rigorous as it would be harmful to their bodies .

    For the first year in the elementary course, students only needed to familiarize themselves with a wide variety of weapons and armour .

    “Now, today we will be learning about different types of swords .  We will do one set for 10 minutes and a sufficient break will be given afterwards . You will be practising the sword stance that I taught in the previous lesson . Then, let’s start with three sets . HA!”

    After saying that, the students dispersed and began mimicking the sword stance with wooden swords in hand .

    Upon finishing his instructions, the teacher came to a stop in front of Rio .

    “Rio . Since your progress is behind everyone else, I will personally teach you the sword stance . Come here . ”

    Following the teacher’s instruction, Rio separated himself from the rest of the students .

    “You, can you show me how you hold your sword?”

    “Yes . At once . ”

    “Hmm, I see . Then, I will first check your stance . Try to hit me once with that sword . Come whenever you ready . ”

    Right after saying that, the teacher readied his stance .

    Seeing that, Rio thought that it was a practical stance without any openings forged through experience .

    In the meantime he was seeing if he could find any openings in the teacher’s stance .

    Perhaps it would be an easy win if he strengthened his blow with magic by using physical and body reinforcement .

    He began to feel uneasy due his grade not being taught magic yet .

    But it was already known that he rescued Christina and Flora so it would not be unusual even if he showed his true strength .

    In the end, he decided against using flesh reinforcement and physical reinforcement so that he could gauge his ability without relying on it .

    Deciding to limit his ability, Rio readied his sword stance .

    “Is that self-taught stance?”

    Looking at his beautiful stance made the teacher wonder and ask Rio .

    “…No”

    “I thought so because of how you hold your sword .  I see . You have talent . ”

    Right after the teacher said that, Rio charged at him .

    After closing the distance, Rio released a blow while also watching his opponent’s sword .

    “Hou~ .  Good swordsmanship .  You won’t strain your wrist like that . ”

    The teacher said that while reacting to Rio’s sword . Looking at Rio and holding his sword with one hand, he blocked the incoming strike .

    As expected of a teacher with a sharp observation, by saying that it meant that Rio surpassed his expectations .

    It was difficult for Rio to hide the full extent of his ability using only basic swordsmanship .

    Well, it was fine if it was only that much .

    But, he already determined to not go all out so he had to limit himself .

    “Umu~ . Good! Rio, you’re suited to become a knight!”

    While warding off Rio, the teacher proclaimed with a smile . Nothing can be done about his hot-bloodedness . Honestly, it was a bit stifling .

    “Unfortunately I am not interested in becoming a knight . ”

    “Why? That’s fine, your time here has just started . Don’t worry, I will train you the way a knight fights . ”

    “!!!?”

    Suddenly a sharp blow was released against Rio by the teacher .

    “Hou~ .  Now how did you fend off that blow? “

    “Wasn’t it that Sensei wouldn’t attack me…?”

    “There is no need to abide to such rule!  I know that you’re skilled enough . Good, once again . ”

    The teacher swung his sword again .

    Moreover he was also trying to knock away Rio’s sword .

    “In terms of power and speed, generally it’s a perfect score for basic ability… Extremely fine movements . …Well, this institute teaches this kingdom’s swordsmanship which is very different style . Where did you learn such a style? “

    “From my deceased mother . ”

    Rio stated the most convenient explanation that came to his mind .

    “I see…  I’m sorry . You must be practicing it quite a lot . ”

    “Yes . ”

    Rio answered back indifferently .

    “Well your basic swordsmanship is very solid .  To the point that you won’t experience any negative effects even if you learn this kingdom’s swordsmanship style .  I’ll reshape your stance . ”

    It was decided that Rio would learn swordsmanship afterschool .

    (N?)

    When he was about to return, Rio suddenly felt as if someone was watching him .

    Looking over, he could see Roana and Christina .

    When Christina and Rio’s eyes met, she quickly averted her gaze but Roana became rock solid with a look of disbelief .

    He wondered if he was being watched the whole time .

    It was not like it was a big deal so what was the matter?

    Rio was slightly confused .

    But since he had no time to worry about such trivial things, Rio continued his sword stance training .

    1 . Three classes per year, each consisting of around 100 students

    2 . Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division