Chapter 46. The Unexpected

“What are your thoughts?”

The school principal, Albus Veridian, asked as he set down his teacup. Across from him sat Lucian Keller, the Herbology professor who had prepared the exam.

“I expect it will take about a fortnight.”

Veridian nodded at Keller’s answer. He had asked how long it would take to complete this exam.

“The average for the previous entrance exam was a week, wasn’t it?”

“That is correct.”

“A fortnight… It will be difficult to get a good score, then.”

“Wouldn’t there be an issue of fairness? So, I raised the difficulty slightly.”

“I see. Although there was a reason, a latecomer is still a latecomer. Then what about the level of danger?”

At the following question, Keller fiddled with his glasses and pictured the specific situation of the exam in his mind.

“It will require a lot of time, but it is not very dangerous.”

“Isn’t the student taking the exam Maxim? The 5th Prince.”

“Maxim’s academic performance is somewhat lacking. However, he is a cadet who has been educated at Saint-Denis Academy. He should have no trouble with about ten ruffian-like fellows.”

At Keller’s answer, Veridian stroked his beard, lost in thought.

“He just returned after being seriously injured, will he still be alright?”

“I actually met with him to check. There was nothing particularly wrong. In fact, he seemed even healthier.”

“Then that is a relief.”

“Yes, you do not need to worry too much. He will return without any major problems. The new student named Michelle is going with him, and Odekerkh has gone as well.”

“I see. I also heard that Cadet Adellian and Cadet Piontek went with them this time. Looking at it that way, there shouldn’t be any particular problems.”

At Veridian’s words, Keller gave an awkward smile.

The two paused their conversation for a moment and shared tea.

“How is your work going these days, is it going well?”

It was Veridian who broke the awkwardness.

“It is much the same as always. Still, I have acquired a valuable ingredient this time, so I believe there will be progress.”

“By a valuable ingredient… are you referring to the blue poppy?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“So you have found it.”

Veridian nodded, trying his best to maintain a calm expression.

Keller showed an awkward smile. It was because he knew well that Veridian was not favorable towards the research on blue poppies.

The blue poppy was a plant banned by the Empire. If a blue poppy was discovered in any country other than the Empire, they would not hesitate to dispatch troops. Veridian was worried about that part. He had said, ‘If it becomes known that research is being conducted within the academy, they will force the academy to close.’ But Keller could not give up his research on the blue poppy. If he could just erase the side effects of the blue poppy and extract only its efficacy…

‘I can make it so that the weak are no longer ignored.’

Keller, having organized his chaotic thoughts, looked at Veridian with determined eyes.

“If I find a meaningful result, we will no longer have to be wary of the Empire.”

“Is that so? Then I hope it goes well.”

“You may look forward to it. This time, I will definitely obtain results. Since I have also acquired the blue poppy.”

Keller revealed his will with sparkling eyes.

“Professor Keller.”

Veridian spoke in a calm, yet admonishing tone.

“Research is good. But we must not forget our duty. The duty of guiding the cadets correctly for the future of the Poinus Kingdom.”

“Of course. The reason I am conducting this research is also for those friends.”

Having finished his words, Keller showed a calm smile and lifted his teacup. The tea, which had been boasting hot steam, had cooled down and lost its flavor.

Veridian wiped the moisture from his beard and cleared his throat.

“How is John doing?”

He then asked very carefully.

“...He is well at home.”

“I see. If there is anything I can help with, please tell me…”

“It is alright.”

Keller cut off Veridian’s words. His face stiffened. Then he let out a long, very long hot breath.

“Professor.”

Keller called Veridian.

Veridian nodded, conveying that he should say whatever he wanted.

“You do not need to worry so much. Isn’t that what martial arts competitions are like? What happened then was because John was weak.”

“Still, as the principal, my heart is heavy.”

“It is alright. John thinks so too. That it is no one’s fault.”

Having said that, Keller nodded and drank the cold tea.

Veridian, watching this, stroked his beard and looked at him. Veridian thought that the reason Keller was obsessed with the blue poppy was because of his son, John Keller, and that it was to treat him, who had become a cripple from a fatal injury in a martial arts competition.

“Professor, what are your thoughts on this year’s martial arts competition?”

Keller changed the subject to clear the uncomfortable atmosphere.

Veridian, not unaware of this, tried to accept it with a gentle expression.

“Won’t Dwight be the winner? According to the rumors, he has achieved the 2nd Circle.”

“That is fast. It is fast even considering the amount of support he received.”

“In terms of talent alone, they say he is comparable to Philip III, so he is the most likely candidate. Professor Keller, is there a cadet you are keeping an eye on?”

“I am paying attention to Egbaldo.”

“Was that the friend who is the grandson of the King of Fists?”

“That is correct. His physical completion is superior to any other cadet, so I believe he will shine the most in the martial arts competition.”

“Then what do you think about Adellian?”

At Veridian’s question, Keller was lost in thought for a moment.

“Adellian… although she is the top student, her martial prowess is not outstanding. She will get a decent result, but it is my personal opinion that winning will be difficult.”

“I also agree to a certain extent.”

And so, the two continued their conversation about the martial arts competition for a little longer. About the cadets who were considered candidates for victory and who the new faces that might threaten them were, and so on.

Knock, knock, knock.

When the awkward atmosphere had cleared to some extent, someone knocked on the principal’s office door.

“Yes, what is it?”

Veridian responded, looking at the door.

The door opened and the Vice Principal, Minerva Potecus, showed her face.

“I am here to report that the students who took the exam have returned. As it happens, Professor Keller is here as well.”

At Potecus’s words, Veridian’s eyes widened as he looked at Keller. His gaze was filled with the question, ‘Didn’t you say it would take a long time?’

“N-no… the supplementary exam that was held this time… is that correct?”

Keller blinked his eyes, his nostrils flaring as if he couldn’t believe it.

“That’s right. It is the exam you gave, Professor Keller. I have a question. The exam schedule had the required time set for 10 days, but it only took half that time. What happened?”

“Th-that… is strange. It takes over a day just to get to the destination… Wh-what happened?

Could it be that they gave up on the exam?”

Keller’s face, which had expressed doubt, gradually hardened. He had given the acquisition of the blue poppy as the exam question, and he wondered if they had abandoned it and just came back.

“Well, I wonder. The person who gave the exam will have to check the details themselves, right? So, let’s move to the small auditorium immediately.”

“Yes. I suppose I should. Then…”

Keller let out a hot breath and rose from his seat.

Veridian looked at Keller with an unusual gaze.

“I will go with you.”

Veridian raised his heavy body.

At this, Potecus’s eyes widened as she looked at him.

“You do not necessarily have to go. If you have something to say to the cadets, I will relay it.”

“No. I will go and say it myself. You might be wondering why I am suddenly doing this, but I think it’s nice to speak face to face sometimes. I am also curious about the face of the cadet who took the exam this time.”

Veridian patted Potecus’s shoulder and left the principal’s office with wide strides.

***

“After all that trouble, how come there’s no one here to welcome us? So cold. So cold.”

It’s true that my body smells a bit from not washing for five whole days, and it’s true that a thunderous sound like a marching song is constantly coming from my stomach because I haven’t eaten properly, but isn’t it human nature to at least check someone’s face when they arrive?

“Who even knows that we’re coming?”

At my words, Adellian shook her head from side to side.

“Do we have to announce that someone is coming? If you see someone coming from afar, you should come out to greet them.”

“E-everyone has th-their own things to do.”

“This isn’t the royal palace.”

Odekerkh and Piontek added a word each.

I looked at them with a displeased expression. Seriously, after all the time we suffered together. Did they lose their ability to empathize after getting beaten up by those perverts…

“Ma-Maxim.”

Odekerkh, who had been walking diligently, stopped. In step with him, all of us stopped.

“Why did you stop all of a sudden?”

“N-no. Wh-where are w-we g-going?”

Ah? Ah! Come to think of it… I forgot. So I looked at Adellian, the smartest one among us.

Adellian let out a hollow laugh and shook her head.

“First, we go to the Office of Academic Affairs and report our return. The rest will be guided separately. We just need to move accordingly.”

“So she says. Then let’s head to the Office of Academic Affairs.”

Everyone moved their feet towards the Office of Academic Affairs without a word of complaint. Except for Michelle. She hadn’t eaten properly since the exam began. To be precise, she hadn’t eaten her fill. Anyway, having moved for a long time on an empty stomach, she must be desperate to eat something. Even now, she has her hand on her stomach and is looking towards the cafeteria.

“We’ll go eat right after we report. Just hold on a little longer.”

Next time we move, I’ll have to pack some bread or snacks for Michelle separately.

“This is not a place for beggars. If you want to beg, do it outside.”

The moment the entrance to the Office of Academic Affairs came into view, a group of men in uniform blocked our path.

“Beggars?”

Adellian, who was walking in front, reacted immediately.

“Are you saying that because you don’t know who we are?”

Piontek, his face completely crumpled at the word ‘beggar’, spoke in a sharp voice.

“Oh? Look closely, it’s the Black Lion Class princess and her attendant who haven’t been seen for the past few days.”

“Bryn. Watch your mouth.”

Piontek shielded Adellian with his body and placed his hand on his sword.

An interesting sight. A hostility I had never seen before was smoldering from Piontek. He likes Adellian, but his current action doesn’t seem to stem from that kind of emotion. It means he’ll see blood if they come any closer.

That Bryn fellow also seemed to have no intention of backing down. Judging by the way he was glaring at Piontek with force in his eyes and a vicious smile.

“Who is he?”

I asked Odekerkh who this Bryn person was.

“B-Bryn Willford, h-he hangs out with Hans…”

Odekerkh, feeling Bryn’s gaze, trailed off.

“Hey, pig. Who told you to talk?”

Bryn pointed a finger at Odekerkh and snapped at him. Even with Piontek growling in front of him, he lightly ignored him.

By the way, so that bastard is one of the group that bullied Maximilian Caesar? It’s nice and convenient that they pop out on their own like salt on a mudflat, without me having to look for them.

“Hey.”

It seems that bastard blocked the way because he wanted to see me. In that case, I should let him see me up close.

“What’s this now?”

“What? Are you happy to see me after so long?”

“...They said you came back from the dead, have you lost your mind?”

At Bryn’s incredulous reaction, I diligently picked my ear.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s something I hear so often, my ears feel a bit stuffy. Even good things get old if you hear them too many times, right? If you hear the same thing often, your ears get a bit like this.”

“This is completely cra…”

Chang!

The sound of a sword being drawn from its scabbard rang out very cheerfully.

“P-Piontek.”

“What are you doing?”

Odekerkh and Adellian were greatly surprised by Piontek’s action.

“The real madman was right here, huh?”

Bryn looked at Piontek, who had a sword pointed at his neck, and let out a snort as if it were absurd.

“Apologize.”

Piontek glared at Bryn with bloodshot eyes.

“Cut me if you can. What? You can talk shit, but you can’t swing your sword?”

“Piontek! Don’t.”

Adellian grabbed Piontek and strongly urged him to sheathe his sword.

But Piontek did not listen to Adellian.

“I said, apologize.”

Force entered Piontek’s hand.

At that moment, Michelle raised her hand.

“Excuse me.”

At Michelle’s words, everyone, including Bryn and Piontek, looked at her.

“It’s almost mealtime, can’t we do this later?”

Growl.

Michelle’s stomach clock rang loudly.