Morning of the 7th day, 4th month, 1548th year, Continental Calendar
I sat in my office chair with Liscia and Hakuya standing flanking as three young children stood in front of . They were Tomoe, a mystic wolf who was my adorable adopted little sister; Ichiha, a human who was the youngest son of Duke Chima; and Yuriga, a celestial who was the younger sister of Fuuga Haan.
Though they were of mixed national and racial backgrounds, today they all wore the sa outfit.
Those uniforms look good on all three of you, Liscia told them with a smile.
Heehee, thank you, Big Sister, Tomoe said with a big smile.
Y-You are too kind, Lady Liscia, Ichiha stamred, bowing his head.
...Thanks, Yuriga muttered, looking away in embarrassnt.
These three were wearing the uniform of the Royal Academy. The blazers were indistinguishable in design from the one from the Officers Academy that Liscia wore when we went into town in secret, but were beige instead of red.
The uniforms were provided to each individual student by the academy, free of charge. This was in part because, in addition to the nobility, the Royal Academy actively recruited those students noted for academic excellence, and this prevented differences in clothing being a mark of class. Because so students, like Yuriga, belonged to winged races, their uniforms had to be custom made, and this was done as a way of lifting that financial burden. Though, that did an that admittance required academic performance worth more than the cost of the uniform.
After watching their innocent reactions, I rose from my chair and said, Liscias right. You all look great. ...Now, can we have a word from your teacher, perhaps?
I turned the conversation over to Hakuya, who had been their instructor up until this point, who said, Well... and walked over to stand in front of the three. When they looked up to him, as his height necessitated, Hakuya calmly said, I expect you three will have no problems academically. You already possess the academic prowess to keep up with classes at the academy. ...You did, at least, receive a passing mark, too, Yuriga.
Why am I the only one you say that to?!
Whoa, Yuriga, Tomoe interjected, sounding like she was trying to get a horse to stop.
Dont treat like an animal, you little kid!
Ohhkay, ohhkay... Tomoe said through pinched cheeks.
Yuriga and Tomoe started squabbling. Even on the morning of the first day of school, these two were the sa as ever. That went for Ichiha, who was trying to stop them, too.
When you see them like this, Yuriga feels more like my little sister, huh? Liscia whispered beside .
Yeah...she did have the tomboy princess thing going on. They were different races, and Yurigas ash gray hair was pretty far from Liscias platinum blonde, but I felt like they had a lot in common in terms of personality.
As for Tomoe, she was more like Juna, maybe? She could be a little devil at tis, too. It was going to be fun seeing what she grew up to be like, but also scary... My feelings about it were complicated.
Ahem, Hakuya cleared his throat to get the three of them to pipe down, and the three stopped talking and stood at attention. In a scolding tone, he said, I certainly see no problems academically, but school is also where you learn to get along with others. You three, in particular, are individuals of status in your respective countries. The academy is a place where no one will be given special treatnt, but it is inevitable that others will view you as special. How will you think about your position in the group, and what sort of friendships will you form with whom...? I would like for you to keep these things in mind as you live a valuable school life. Do you understand?
Y-Yes, the three of them responded in unison.
Well, I understand where Hakuya is coming from, I cut in, thinking he was being a bit too strict. But youre going to be spending four precious years of your youth there. Find so friends you get along with, and have a good ti.
Understood, Big Brother, Tomoe smiled, as she gave a salute.
Okay, Ichiha and Yuriga responded in kind.
When the three of them left the room, I turned to look at Hakuya.
You were talking about there being no special treatnt, but... I know you. Youve got so sort of protection planned for them, right?
But of course, Hakuya said with a nod, as though it were obvious. I talked it over with Sir Inugami, and weve already placed our observers among the academys staff. If anything happens with your little sister, I will hear of it imdiately.
If Inugamis involved...its probably foolproof.
Inugami adored Tomoe as if she were his own daughter. If that doting father was taking part in this, I could expect the security around them to be perfect. As we nodded to one another in relief, Liscia looked at us with exasperation.
Being a little overprotective, arent we?
That may be true, but Tomoes position warrants caution, I replied. Shes a forr refugee, now the younger sister of the king. She also gets the credit for setting up the rhinosaurus train. Thats a position that nobles and commoners alike are going take notice of, with both good and ill will. Eventually, shell need to handle all of that herself, but I want to protect her while shes a child, at least.
When I impressed on her that I wasnt just being a doting adoptive brother, Liscia shrugged.
I do understand how you feel, but...I resented having that sort of overprotective environnt around back when I was a student. I dont think you should be too pushy about it.
Well, I could sort of see what Liscia wanted to say. Still, though...
Thats how you felt back then, right? What do you think now? Cian and Kazuha are going to go to school eventually, too, you know?
There are tis when you need to be overprotective, Liscia said, easily retracting her earlier statent. Hakuya and I could only smile wryly at how quickly she changed tack. Even if she couldnt understand her parents as a child, now that she had a child she understood how a parent felt. This is how it looks when soone grows and learns... Nah, just kidding.
Now then, I guess I should get ready to head out, too.
Ill help you. Carla and the other maids are looking after Cian and Kazuha.
I was scheduled to give a celebratory address to the new students at the Officers Academy and Royal Academy today. Because of the occasion, I had been told I was to appear in formal wear, which ant my military uniform. It always took so long to put that thing on...
Okay, Hakuya. Well leave you to handle the rest.
Yes, sir. Take care.
Hakuya saw us off with a salute as Liscia and I left the office.
Wow...
Tomoes jaw dropped as she got out of the carriage and saw the building in front of her. The red brick building she could see on the other side of the thick, iron gate was the Royal Academy.
The Royal Academy. Situated in Parnam, it was the highest educational institution in the Kingdom of Friedonia. The other major cities had academies, too, but even among them, the Royal Academy was the top.
In contrast to the Officers Academy, which was also located in the capital, and was responsible for training knights and military officers, the Royal Academy was a place that taught a variety of different fields, as well as provided the necessary education to the children of the kingdoms nobility.
Its so big, Tomoe sighed, seeing the academy for the first ti. Its practically a castle.
You literally live in a castle, and youre going to say that? Yuriga, who was standing beside her, said in exasperation.
Now that I think about it, weve all been staying in the royal castle, huh? Ichiha said, a wry smile on his face. Because Sir Souma and so many of the others dont make a big deal out of it, it doesnt usually occur to .
Hmph. My brother Fuugas na will echo across this world. Soday, Ill live in an even bigger castle!
You sure do love your brother, huh, Yuriga?
This ti it was Tomoes turn to look at Yuriga, who was always bragging about her brother, in exasperation. Then...
Well, this is as far as we can take you, so please, continue on by yourselves from here. We will be back to pick you up when the ti cos, the servant who had been acting as their chaperone said with a respectful bow.
Thank you. Okay, Yuriga, Ichiha. Lets go. Tomoe thanked the servant, then walked onto the academy grounds hand-in-hand with Yuriga and Ichiha.
Hold on, were not children. We dont have to hold hands.
I-Im getting a little tense...
Tomoe pulled Yuriga and Ichiha through the gate with her.
Thus, the three small children took the first step of their school lives... and yet, imdiately, their eyes went wide. At the enthusiasm of the many people there. And the noise.
There were many students who would be entering the academy this year, the sa as Tomoe, Yuriga, and Ichiha, on the road from the main entrance to the school building. However, on either side of that road, there were older students carrying flags, signs, and banners in many colors, desperately calling out to the new students.
The Enchantnt Magic Club is currently recruiting! Any new students who are interested are welco!
Hey, all you cute boys and girls! Would you like to co unravel the secrets of dungeon relics with us?!
You there, you look clever! Please, join our society!
Huh? You an ? But... said the confused student.
O young one, our field of study is certain to make great leaps in the future! I say that because they tell we have promising new students joining the academy this year...
Our club mbers register as adventurers and take part in activities off campus...
N-No, I refuse! the student cried.
Command Center, a new student has fled, requesting imdiate backup.
This is Command Center. Roger. Dispatching reinforcents imdiately.
There were the voices of older students engaged in enthusiastic (and in so cases weird) attempts at recruitnt, and the screams of new students running around trying to escape. There was a scene of unexpected chaos playing out in this house of learning. Having witnessed all of the shouting, the three froze up.
Th-This isnt... quite what we were led to expect, huh? Yuriga said, her cheeks twitching a little.
The three thought back to the advance knowledge of the Royal Academy that their teacher, Hakuya, had imparted to them.
The Royal Academy was largely divided into two sections. There was the school, where students learned the basic subjects, as well as the education, manners, and managent skills they would require as nobles; and then there was the research academy where students perford further academic research.
If you were to equate this to Soumas original world: the forr would have been equivalent to a combined junior and senior high school, while the latter was equivalent to university. When a person graduated from the schools four-year program they were deed to be able to take care of themselves, but those with excellent grades who wished to continue down the path of a researcher could enter the research academy. Though, in the case of the nobility, the oldest legitimate son would need to manage his domain eventually, so many of those who wanted to join the research academy were people who had been disinherited.
In addition, the research academy was a total ritocracy, so they accepted talented researchers from outside without regard to their identities. Because of that, the research academy was even less hung up on notions of hierarchy than the school. Conversely, though the school was set up so that anyone who had the good grades to get through the entrance exam was able to enroll, it was still a class society, and the nobles acted full of themselves.
The children of the nobility were especially prone to viewing the school as a place to build connections. They looked at the rare commoners in attendance with cold eyes, and spent all their ti ignoring their studies and holding tea parties with the children of any house with the slightest influence. Liscia hated this aspect of the academy, which was why she joined the Officers Academy instead, despite being a princess.
This had been their understanding of the Royal Academy before now. However, the school had changed greatly in the past two years or so.
Co to think of it, when Mr. Hakuya was explaining the academy to us, he did say, As for how the school is now... it may be faster for you to see for yourselves, didnt he?
He looked exhausted by it, yeah. So, does that an...?
With Ichiha and Yuriga both looking to Tomoe, it hit her, too.
This is Big Brothers influence... right? Tomoe concluded with a wry smile. That expression had a strange resemblance to the one her big sister made every ti her big brother did sothing off the wall.
There were two major factors that led to a change in the overall environnt at the academy. One must have been that King Soumas If You Have a Gift event caused a change towards valuing talent highly. The way influential nobles ran around gathering personnel, and even competed to recruit slaves if they had so ability, was still fresh in everyones mories. That trend led people to look to the Royal Academy as a place to train talented personnel.
The other factor was the rise of another high school-level educational institution in the capital, Gingers Vocational School. This vocational school, which opened with the sponsorship of King Souma, constantly researched fields of study that no one had paid any heed to before, and had obtained quite successful results in many of them. Those results were then covered in the broadcast program Naless Heroes, spreading knowledge of them throughout the country.
In addition, at Gingers Vocational School, if you had knowledge of a special field or ability, and a novel idea, they would accept any student there, regardless of wealth or class. That brought prospective students rushing to their doors. The more attention they gained from the people, the more talented personnel gathered there... and the result was that Gingers Vocational School was recognized as an academic center. That made the Royal Academy sit up and take notice of their predicant.
Unlike the Officers Academy, which turned out soldiers, the Royal Academy was tasked with training personnel in cultural fields, so there was overlap in their roles. Of course, the sort of research being undertaken at the vocational school would have been summarily rejected at the Royal Academy, so there was differentiation. Still, the Royal Academy couldnt sit still while talented personnel in cultural fields were drifting to the vocational school, and they were forced to reform their old ways. Now, as for what result that led to...
Instead of a focus on creating personal connections to powerful families, theyve placed a greater emphasis on securing talented personnel. Is that it? Its taken things in a more ritocratic direction, Ichiha plainly stated the impression he got from this.
The children of the nobility wanted to form connections with talented personnel, regardless of their class background. That was because, under King Soumas ritocratic politics, that was the road to fa and glory. Because there was a demand for it, if soone had sothing they specialized in, they would try to improve at it. The classes that everyone took were not sufficient for that, and, as a result, clubs and societies grew more active.
In order to maintain and expand those clubs, they needed people. What they wanted were talented people. But even if they were untalented, it didnt matter. To even enter this school required a certain level of academic ability, so if soone lacked an area they specialized in, it was possible to train them from nothing into the kind of person that the group wanted.
They set their eyes on talented individuals in both the school and research academy while they were still enrolled, and plotted to have them join their research after graduation. These days, every person of talent in the academy had those sorts of eyes set on them, and even those who had still yet to develop any ability did, too, in their own way. The result was this mad rush to recruit new students.
As they watched the chaos unfold, Yuriga let out a frustrated sigh. Honestly... this country makes no sense.
But I still like this country. The country that my big brother and big sister rule, Tomoe said with a smile, to which Yuriga shrugged in exasperation.
You would. But isnt it about ti you realized? The people know your face, right? Theres going to be plenty of people looking for you, arent
Oh! Hey! Isnt that Lady Tomoe over there?! The voice of a female student cut Yuriga off mid-sentence, and the older students who were doing the recruiting all turned to look towards Tomoe.
Despite being a refugee, she was adopted by the forr royal couple because of her gift...
That ans shes incredibly talented, right?
Wasnt there talk of royalty from another country coming to school with her?
Then, are those two...?
Indeed?! Then, perchance, could the young boy who stands next to Lady Tomoe be Sir Ichiha Chima who our society so admires? He of the Monster Encyclopedia...
I like the leg muscles on that winged girl with the twintails. She must have considerable athletic ability. I really want her for our club.
There were hushed whispers. Then, a sudden gleam in the eyes of the older students. Yes... those were the eyes of hunters who had found their quarry. Their thirst for new blood was almost palpable.
I-It looks like its not just , Tomoe winced. You two are popular, too, huh?
Wh-What should we do? Ichiha asked in a mild panic.
This is unexpected, Yuriga said, taken aback. ...I dont want any trouble.
...Should we run?
No objection there. The three made an imdiate decision to flee, but the school building was on the other side of the older students.
Im starting to want to go ho.
You know we cant go ho before the entrance ceremony has even started.
While Tomoe and Ichiha were struggling with what to do...
All right, you two, see you later. As the only one with wings, Yuriga jumped up into the air.
Hey! No fair, Yuriga! Leaving a protesting Tomoe behind, Yuriga flapped her wings in an attempt to clear the human wall, but...
Whoa, hate to break it to you, but youre not the only one who can fly, a girl who looked to be a dragonewt rose up to block her.
Urkh!
Now, young lady, why dont you work up a nice, youthful sweat doing so sports with ?
Nooooo! The dragonewt girl began chasing Yuriga across the sky.
The realization that even flying was not enough to let them escape left a look of despair on Tomoe and Ichihas faces. Even now, the older students were closing the net around them.
You wont get away. That was what their eyes said.
I-Ichiha.
T-Tomoe...
The two held hands as they trembled.
Please, join our society! As the mob was rushing towards them... it happened.
Suddenly, Tomoe felt herself scooped up by soone, and the next thing she knew she was floating in the air. Had they jumped about ten ters? From where she was, held in soones arms, Tomoe looked down at the green leaves on the branches of the trees. There, beneath them, she saw Ichiha being swept away by a wave of people.
Ichimmph!
Shh! a figure said, covering her mouth. If you shout, the people down there will find us.
They had acted fast, just before the human wave struck, so nobody had noticed Tomoe being spirited away.
I know I was only able to save you, Lady Tomoe, but he is a boy, I am sure he will manage just fine by himself. It was a girls voice that ca from behind her. When Tomoe nodded to show her acceptance, they removed the hand covering her mouth.
When Tomoe turned around, behind her stood a girl with dark skin, white hair, and pointy earsall traits that were the sa as Aishas. If there was one thing that was different from Aisha, it was that this girls hair was cut short. Tomoes eyes widened with surprise.
Are you a dark elf?!
Yes, Lady Tomoe. I believe we are not yet acquainted, the dark elf girl said, bringing a hand to her breast and bowing her head. I am Velza Norn, daughter of the warrior Sur of the God-Protected Forest. In order to gain the education I will need to, one day, be fit to serve a certain person, I have co here today to enter the sa school as you, Lady Tomoe. It is a pleasure to et you.
Velza smiled at Tomoe, who was clearly taken aback.
About an hour later.
Tomoe and the others were in the Royal Academys auditorium. They were in the middle of the entrance ceremony, and the new students sat in rows of seats, listening (disinterestedly) as the stout, white-bearded principal up on stage gave a congratulatory address. Yuriga and Ichiha were on either side of Tomoe, slouched in their chairs with exhaustion on their faces.
A-Are you okay? Tomoe asked in a worried whisper. The other two weakly waved their hands.
I-I thought I was going to die. That dragonewt, shes too stubborn...
I was forced into the Monster Research Society. I wanted to join a group like that if there was one anyway, and once I was in, my seniors protected from the other recruiters, so it was fine, but...it still took a lot out of .
It seed Yuriga had managed to give her pursuer the slip, but Ichiha had found refuge under the protection of this Monster Research Society. Seeing how exhausted they looked, Tomoe ntally thanked her rescuer, Velza, once again. Speaking of Velza...
Now, new student representative Velza Norn.
Yes!
The principal called her na, and she walked up on stage. It turned out she had been near the top of their class on the entrance examination, and was chosen to give an address as the representative of the new students.
But the offer ca to you and Ichiha, too, right? Yuriga, who had recovered a little, asked, and Tomoe nodded with a wry smile.
Tomoe and Ichiha had both received good grades on the entrance exam (Yuriga had received just over a passing grade), and so, in light of their position and status, they were each asked to give remarks as prospective representatives.
I didnt want to stand out too much, so I turned them down, Tomoe explained.
The three of us already belong to the ruling families of our countries, and we live in the castle. That puts us close to His Majesty, a position which invites both excessive good and ill will. I wanted to avoid standing out too much and having people take note of , Ichiha agreed with her, but Yuriga wasnt convinced.
You already stand out plenty, Yuriga replied. That being the case, why not take in any talented people from among those who approach and build your own clique? You could call it the Tomoe Army.
...You think that would be fun?
I think it would be too much hassle, so I wont be doing it myself.
Whaa...
But the idea of seeing you panic as people give you more praise than you deserve sounds amusing, Yuriga said with a smug smile. Seriously, why not do it? If you do, Ill be your lieutenant.
Youre definitely planning to be in control behind the scenes. I dont want an army like that, either.
While the two of them were whispering about that, Ahem, a woman with pointed glasses cleared her throat loudly. The apparent warning not to chit-chat any more made them both shrink a little. While all this was happening, Velzas address continued.
...Therefore, with pride and an awareness of our role as students in my heart, I would like to do my best in academics, athletics, and amicable relations with my school friends. Not just as your new student representative, but as myself, Velza Norn.
With that, it seed her remarks were finished. There was a round of applause, and Tomoe, Ichiha, and Yuriga joined the clapping. Velza bowed, then ca down from the stage and returned to her seat.
The teacher who was acting as event coordinator tried to announce the next item on the program, but the piece of paper it was written on was shaking in his hands, and he looked tense about sothing.
O-Our next guest will offer a congratulatory address. Yes. His Majesty Souma A. Elfrieden, King of Friedonia. I-If you will, please.
Huh? Big Brother? When Tomoe looked up, Souma walked on from the side of the stage. In that mont, every student and every mber of the staff rose in unison.
Souma, who was dressed in his black military uniform as formal wear, smiled wryly and said, Theres no need to be so stiff, tapping the nerve-wracked teacher on the shoulder as he took the podium.
You were the special guest for the entrance ceremony today, Big Brother?! You could have said sothing. Tomoes cheeks puffed up with a slight dissatisfaction, but this must have been Soumas way of keeping the surprise for his little sister. Then Souma turned to the students and began to speak.
I am Souma A. Elfrieden, as I was just introduced. New students of the Royal Academy, congratulations. You must be here because you demonstrated, through the entrance exam, that you were fit to be students of the Royal Academy. That ans you may be one of the people who support this country in the future. As king of this country, I look forward to you learning in this academy, and becoming people capable of supporting my country.
There was a regal confidence in the way Souma spoke, and the students were listening to him closely, without chatter. No one was going to be so impertinent as to talk when the king of this country was speaking. Nobody wanted to be hauled off for the cri of lse-majest right after getting into school. Even Tomoe, who knew Souma wasnt the type to mind, was standing up straight and listening to him now.
Big Brother really is a great king. Seeing him look regal for the first ti in a long ti, Tomoe felt a little proud, but...
Okay... Id say thats enough of the stiff, formal address from the king. Oh! Standing at attention like thats got to be hard on all of you, so, please, be seated.
Souma broke the tense air in the room on his own. The way he suddenly shifted to casual speech left Tomoe and everyone else feeling bewildered. The students and teachers, who were looking at one another, wondering if it was really all right for them to be seated, began to sit down here and there.
Okay, everyones sitting. Souma spread his arms out towards the students, and grinned. Its a fact that our country is looking for smart people. Every person who can do sothing at an above-average level is valuable. A country cant run on the people we call geniuses alone. The country keeps running because of diligent workers who may never see their day in the sun. Im sure, if youve watched the broadcast program Naless Heroes, you understand that.
The students nodded in agreent. Naless Heroes was a popular broadcast program that shone a light on engineers who supported the country in ways people wouldnt usually see.
However! Id be in real trouble if all I had were people who can study. Its definitely true that personnel who can do one thing really well are appealing. Those who can run ahead of the pack, pushing into a new era, and those who will help lay firm groundwork. This country needs both of them!
Souma spoke passionately, slamming his hands down on the podium as he did.
I hear the Royal Academy has changed since my If You Have a Gift event and the opening of Gingers Vocational School. I want to see both kinds of people cultivated here. I want you to recognize every person with a gift, no matter how pointless it seems. Conversely, I also want you to recognize anyone who is able to do everything well because of their hard work, even if they have no outstanding talents. If there are people like that here, please, let the country know.
When Souma turned to the line of teachers and said that, the principal and all of the faculty bowed their heads as one, as if to say they accepted his request. Souma nodded, then turned to the students.
That was my request to the school, but I have a wish for you, the new students coming to this academy, too.
.........
Hearing the king had a wish for them, the new students waited with bated breath to hear what he might say. After a brief dramatic pause, Soumas wish was...
I want you to really enjoy your ti at school.
...Huh?
...That was it.
Looking at the blank stares he was getting from the students, Souma laughed and said, It may only be four years, but its still four years during your youth. The knowledge and friendship you cultivate in a place like this will be an asset that lasts you for life. Were creatures whose heads and bodies work more efficiently when were enjoying ourselves. Thats why I want you to enjoy learning, enjoy spending ti with your school friends, and get the most out of your school life. While youre doing that, I want you to look for sothing that you can get absorbed in.
Souma brought his hands down on the podium with a bang, then grinned and continued, If, among the things you enjoy, there is one that you can get absorbed in and you want to master it, thats a great strength in and of itself. It doesnt matter how small it is, or that no one else can understand it. Naturally, you have to avoid causing trouble for others in the process, but when a person has sothing they enjoy and are absorbed in, they shine brighter than other people. Soone will be watching that effort, and recognize you for it.
Thats true of the country, too. In fact, in the music program at Gingers Vocational School, theres this one student pursuing a fanciful topic of research that seed like hogwash at first glance, but the reports say theyre getting so interesting results. We plan to do everything the country can to test it soon. It involves knowledge of magic, so the Royal Academy will be cooperating, too.
Even if their research looked like hogwash initially, it could find recognition. These words from Souma earned more applause from the existing students than the new ones. Those cheers ca from the mbers of minor research societies. Their work, which they thought might never see its day in the sun, might receive the recognition it deserved. Seeing the reaction from those students, Souma gave a satisfied nod before continuing.
You can work hard if youre having fun. And if you work hard, people, and the country, will be watching. So, to all you new students, Id like you to enjoy your school lives. That is all.
With Soumas congratulatory address finished, the students clapped and cheered. In the middle of that applause, Souma ca down from the stage. When he did, he glanced towards Tomoe, and gave her a little wave, warming her heart.
Thank you, Big Brother. Im going to do my best! Tomoe gripped her hands into fists in front of her chest so Souma could see.
The entrance ceremony ended, and Tomoe and the other children moved to their classrooms. There were six classes in each year, and each class had thirty students. Tomoe and her group were in Class 1-1.
Class assignnts were made based on the results of the entrance examination, irrespective of social class, and the most gifted students were assembled in Class 1. While social class was not a factor considered in the assignnt, the upper classes often hired talented tutors, which resulted in Class 1 overwhelmingly being made up of the children of the nobility.
Isnt this great, Yuriga? We made it into the sa class.
Of course we did... is what Id like to say, but it was exhausting.
Yuriga, who was sitting next to Tomoe, stretched out over her desk. They were apparently free to choose their own seats, so Tomoe had taken one a little to the right of center (closer to the hallway), while Ichiha sat behind her, and Yuriga was to her left.
Tomoe and Ichiha had always had good grades, so it was seen as a given that they would make it into Class 1.
You really did your best, Yuriga.
Yurigas academic ability would normally have put her in the lower half of Class 2. Not wanting to be put in a lower class than the others, Yuriga had begged Hakuya for help, and studied like mad for the entrance exam. Thanks to that, she made it in to Class 1, but thinking back to those days spent studying always seed to depress her.
But you didnt really need to push yourself to get into the sa class as us, did you? Ichiha asked. I an, Class 2 is right next door. It would have been easy to co visit, wouldnt it?
Yuriga snorted. I am going to learn in this country, and beco soone who can be of use to my brother. Do you think I could let you two stay ahead of ?
You say that, but the truth is you were worried about being in a class full of people you dont know, right? said Tomoe. Thats why you studied so hard, so you wouldnt be separaww, aww, aww.
Be quiet, you little kid!
Yuriga pinched Tomoes smiling cheeks. As Ichiha smiled wryly at them getting along as well as ever, things were getting noisy over by the blackboard.
Looks like theyve finally settled on one.
A-Ahahaha...
...Honestly, I cant see why they care, Yuriga said in exasperation.
Over at the blackboard, there was a lottery in progress. It was to decide Who will sit next to Tomoe?
Tomoe might have been a forr refugee, but she was now the kings younger sister. It was only natural that the people of this kingdom would want to get closer to her; by sitting next to her in class, for instance.
That being the case, when they learned that seating was free, their classmates crowded around, saying, Please, let sit next to you! They were very pushy about it.
I-Id like to sit close to Ichiha and Yuriga... I think... Tomoe managed to force those words out despite feeling intimidated.
None of her classmates wanted to earn her scorn, so those two seats were secured. That left the seat to the front and to the right of her. That is ultimately what led to the current situation, and judging from the noise over there, one of those seats had just been decided.
...The Kingdom sure is peaceful, huh. Yuriga sighed, and Tomoe smiled happily.
Of course it is. Big Brother and Big Sister are ruling it.
Thats not what I ant. I was being sarcastic. Sar-cas-tic.
Murgh...
Ahaha... Oh! It looks like theyve settled on the other person, too.
When Ichiha pointed to the blackboard, there was one student jumping for joy in the middle of her dejected peers. It was a petite girl who had forced her short hair into two pigtails.
The girl looked towards them, then rushed over. With distinctive beady eyes, she slamd her hands down on Tomoes desk and asked, Lady Tomoe! Would ya mind sittin in front of you?
S-Sure. Go ahead... Tomoe answered sowhat hesitantly, and the girls face burst into a beaming smile.
Thanks! The nas Lucy Evans; thirteen years old. Im the daughter of the representative of Evans Company, and we do business in the capital. Pleased to et ya! The girl who called herself Lucy introduced herself energetically with a mix of rchant slang.
Lucy of the... Evans Company? Though she was intimidated by the girls vigor, Tomoe rembered them.
The Evans Company was a fairly influential rchant family in the capital, engaged in the operation of restaurants and cafes. They were the first to serve dishes incorporating the recipes from Soumas world that Souma and Poncho had published, and that had brought them great profit. Her house was one of common birth, but they might have had more influence than a minor noble. She had heard Roroa saying, Nyahaha, theres so companies on the Elfrieden side with an eye for business, too, huh! with a cheerful smile on her face.
Huh? Roroa? Thats when Tomoe realized sothing. It was about Lucy.
The rchant slang, the beady, personable eyes, and the pigtails, even if her hair wasnt quite long enough... She was exactly like a mini-Roroa.
You look... like Roroa?
Nice one, Lady Tomoe! You noticed!
Th-This is a lot of pressure... thought Tomoe.
Then, putting her left hand over her chest, and raising her right hand into the air, Lucy declared, Im an adorin fan of Lady Roroa. Shes a lovely princess, but shes also got a good head for business, and thats won her every rchants heart. We always thought of Amidonia as full of uptight n, so whodve thunk thered be a lady like her there. Shes a business goddess! The way I talk, and the way I look, Im doin it all out of admiration for Lady Roroa!
O-Oh... I see...
Though she was intimidated by the way Lucy was touching her hair as she rambled on, Tomoe managed to nod along. Then, with a sideways glance, she looked to Ichiha or Yuriga to rescue her.
However, Ichiha put his hands together in a silent, Sorry, I cant help you, and Yuriga looked away, resolutely ignoring her.
While Tomoe was agonizing over what to do... it happened.
Ohh, would ya be so kind as to introduce to Lady Roroa soGwuh!
Mid-sentence, soone pulled on Lucy from behind. For a mont Tomoe wondered what was up, but then she saw the dark elf girl with short silver hair behind Lucy.
How about you calm down a little? Cant you see youre bothering Lady Tomoe?
Velza?!
It was Velza, daughter of Sur. It seed she had grabbed Lucy by the scruff of the neck, and was dragging her away from Tomoe.
Then, still holding Lucy by the neck, Velza introduced herself, Hello, Lady Tomoe. I will be sitting to the right of you, so I hope we will get along.
You were participating in the lottery, too?!
Yes. In considering the future, I believed it would be best to be seated next to you so that we might form a bond. Fortunately, I was able to draw the seat beside yours, and I am pleased by that.
I-I see... Tomoe gulped.
There was a feeling of heaviness behind this talk of the future. Though she wasnt as pushy as Lucy, Velza had a certain tenacity about her, too.
Hey, hey, would ya mind lettin go now? Lucy, who had ended up like a kitten being carried by her mother, protested. When Velza let go, Lucy angrily said, Whats the matter with you. Treatin like an animal. Did ya hear owin or sothin?
I wouldnt want to have trouble communicating, so please, be human.
Oh, co to think of it, I mightve heard Roroa owin as a joke before, Tomoe comnted.
owhat?! Is Lady Roroa a cute goddess?!
Shes a queen! Tomoe and Velza retorted in unison.
Well, arent you all oddly in sync.
I agree. It feels a lot like watching His Majesty Souma banter with his queens.
When Yuriga and Ichiha said that with exasperation and a wry smile respectively, the three looked at one another and then laughed.
I guess youre right, huh? I have a lot of respect for Big Sister and the other queens.
Lady Aisha is the pride of all won living in the God-Protected Forest.
Lady Roroa for life!
Each had a different woman she admired and was trying to be a bit more like, so perhaps that was why their interactions had co to be similar, too.
After a hearty laugh, Tomoe rubbed the corner of her eye and said, Ahaha... Hey, since youre both my classmates, can we not do the whole Lady thing? Id really be happier if youd just treat like a friend who sits next to you in class.
Okay! If thats what you want, Lady Tomoe... I an, Tomoe.
...Yeah, if thats how ya want it, I can do that, Tomie.
The two both gave hesitant nods. From the way shed already given Tomoe a pet na, you could see Lucy was similar to Roroa in her ability to close the emotional distance between herself and other people.
I, for one, dont mind you calling Lady Yuriga, you know? I am the younger sister of a king, after all, Yuriga said, maybe because she felt left out.
Tomoe sensed what Yuriga was thinking and chuckled.
Very well, Lady Yuriga, she said, bringing a hand to her chest and bowing.
Ichiha, Lucy, and Velza did likewise.
Very well, Lady Yuriga, they said in unison. Yuriga froze solid, her cheeks twitching.
...No, dont do that, after all. Its kind of creepy.
Dont say that, Lady Yuriga.
Gahhhh! Im sorry, now stop it, you little kid!
A red-faced Yuriga was pinching Tomoes cheeks, and the smiling Tomoe was at her rcy. The remaining three watched them warmly.
They continued chatting until a woman with pointed glasses entered the classroom.
Hey, hey, Tomie.
As the first day of lessons ca to an end, and Tomoe was preparing to go ho, Lucy called out to her while kneeling backwards in her chair. Ichiha, Yuriga, and Velza all ca over to see what was up.
Tomoe tilted her head to the side as she asked, What is it, Lu?
I was thinkin, since were all friends now, maybe we ought to go sowhere and have fun?
Sowhere... You an in the castle town?
Thats right. You co to my place, and Ill hook ya up with a whole lotta sweets.
As Tomoe was considering how shed respond to the pushy Lucy, Velza interjected, Lucy, dont you think thats a bit too much to ask? Tomoe is His Majestys little sister, so I doubt she can go play in the castle town so easily.
Well, it wont be easy without King Soumas permission. In my case, Im allowed to go anywhere in the capital. My big brothers very hands-off, you see.
Setting Yuriga aside, theres a carriage coming for us, too. Oh! I need to report I joined the Monster Research Society. Ill probably be staying late on eting days.
Youre all no fun, Lucy said, puffing up her cheeks. Hangin out together after school. Stayin together durin the sumr break. Aint that the joy of school life? His Majesty said we were supposed to enjoy our school lives, didnt he?
Thats the sa king were telling you she needs permission from, Yuriga sighed, but Tomoe tried to mollify her.
Now, now. Lu, I really cant go off without Big Brothers permission. I made everyone worry the last ti I snuck off on my own...
Tomoe must have been talking about the ti they were in the Chima Duchy. When she slipped out of the room she had been told to stay in out of curiosity, so nasty n had picked on her and almost sparked an international incident.
Nothing happened because Ichiha, who she t that ti, protected her, and Souma and the others found them in ti, but she didnt want a repeat of what happened there.
At Tomoes words, Lucy ca to her senses and sat down normally in her chair.
O-Oh, yeah, she laughed, rubbing her head with her hand. I was so gung-ho on gettin to know ya, I got ahead of myself. I wasnt thinkin about your position at all. Sorry.
Nah. I want to go out and play with everyone just as much as you do. Thats why Ill talk to Big Brother and the others about it. Theyre all really nice, so if I bring it up with them, Im sure theyll work things out for us.
Lucy smiled as Tomoe gripped both her hands. No need to push it too hard, ya hear? Thiss just a selfish request of mine.
Sure. Ill do what I can to get that selfish request granted.
Tomoe felt highly motivated.
That night. Tomoe visited Liscias room alone.
When she went to the governntal affairs office to see Souma, there was only Hakuya inside. He inford her that Souma had been relieved of his work for the day, and he had gone to Liscias room to be with Cian and Kazuha. If she wanted to see him, she should go there.
When she knocked, she heard Liscia say, Co in, and upon entering, she found Souma and Liscia sitting on a king-sized bed holding the babies.
On Soumas lap was Kazuha in light blue baby clothes, and on Liscias lap was Cian in red baby clothes. They were only four months old and couldnt sit on their own yet, so without support, they would fall on their backs.
The full-body baby outfits they wore were hand-made by Souma, and were modeled on bizarre creatures called Machapin and Zukku from his old world. The faces of the characters on the hoods looked kind of silly, but the two babies wearing them were super adorable.
They were in the middle of playing with stuffed animals and dolls. Cian was holding the hand of a doll like he was shaking hands with it, and Kazuha was hugging a stuffed bear as she nibbled on its ear. Th-This was a carnivore woman (in infant form)...
Is sothing up, Tomoe?
You ca here for a reason, right?
Tomoe ca back to her senses upon hearing Souma and Liscia call out to her.
Oh! Um... I had sothing to talk to you about...
Sothing to talk to us about?
From there, Tomoe told them about what had happened at school. That she had made friends with the dark elf Velza and the rchant girl Lucy. That she had been invited to play after school by Lucy. And that she had wanted to go and play with everyone.
When she had gone through all of that, Hmm... Souma groaned in thought, stroking his jaw. Well... What do you think, Liscia?
What do I think? Im worried, of course.
Yeah... Weve told Naden shes free to do what she likes in the capital on her days off, but thats only because of how powerful she is.
I cant see Tomoe being able to protect herself...
The two frowned. Tomoe thought she might not get permission. While she tensely waited for them to co to a conclusion, But... Souma said, How was it when you were at the Officers Academy, Liscia? Did you just go back and forth from the castle to the school?
I slipped out all the ti, of course. Ditching my bodyguards.
Haha! I figured.
...I feel bad about it now, okay? Now that I have children of my own, I know how my mother and all the rest must have felt.
Whoa, the tomboy princess is sounding all mature now, Souma said, giving Liscia a little poke.
Oh, stop teasing .
There was a warm air around the newlywed new parents. Tomoe had been bracing herself for a more harsh opinion, so she almost felt a little deflated by it.
Well, the best part of being a kid is the ti youll spend with friends, after all. Souma shuffled to the side a little, creating a space between him and Liscia, and beckoned for Tomoe to co over.
Tomoe sat herself snugly between them, with Souma and Kazuha on one side, and Liscia and Cian on the other. Now sandwiched by the royals, Souma and Liscia both patted Tomoe on the head.
Though it was for your protection, we did force you to beco a mber of the royal family. Thats why I dont want to make you feel too constrained by being royalty.
I always hated it when things were too rigid and formal, so I dont want to force that on you, either, Tomoe.
Big Brother, Big Sister... Tomoe squinted, feeling a little tingle in her eyes, and...
Dahh.
Ahh.
Imitating Souma and Liscia, Cian and Kazuha started touching Tomoes head, too. Though there was no blood relation between them, there was a familial scene unfolding here.
Okay. Im going to permit you to go out with friends, Souma said, patting Tomoes head with a grin.
Really?! Big Brother!
I really do think spending ti with your friends is important... Theres two conditions, though.
Conditions...?
Yeah. First, Ill be sending a unit from the Black Cats to protect you, so youll have to accept that. Ill tell them to watch from the shadows while youre in the capital so they dont inconvenience you. But if you decide you want to go outside the capital with your friends, theyll be protecting you openly, not in the shadows. Well, think of them as bodyguards. Im sure Inugami can handle it.
Yeah... That seems like a reasonable call. Itll be reassuring for us to know soone is by her side, too, Liscia said with satisfaction as she made Cian clap his hands.
Tomoe nodded in agreent. I understand. So, what is the other condition?
That you dont try to ditch your guards. The more active you beco, the more you resemble your Big Sister, so Im a bit worried about that.
Souma shot a cold glance in Liscias direction, which she blatantly looked away from. That exchange between the two of them made Tomoe chuckle.
I understand. Ill absolutely abide by those conditions.
Okay. Well, I can tell from the way you ca to talk about it with us that youre understanding, Tomoe. Those conditions are rely added insurance. I want you to enjoy your ti with your friends without worrying too much about it.
Hold on, Souma. You say that like Im not understanding?
Its a fact, isnt it? Once you set your mind on sothing, you dont budge, now do you?
...Whatd you say to ? Liscia glared at Souma.
...Whatd you say to ? Souma glared back.
Invisible sparks flew over Tomoes head. Because Souma and Liscia were so close, they occasionally had these little fights. Still, they always passed quickly, and the two would make up in no ti. No one wanted to get in the middle of a marital spat, and that included Tomoe.
As she was fretting over what to do...
Fwah...! #$%&ahh! Cian and Kazuha started wailing. Souma and Liscia hurried to soothe them.
Ohh! Look, Kazuha. Its Mr. Bear.
Dont cry, Cian. There, there.
Their desperate attempts to soothe the babies managed to get them down to just sniffling. Tomoe stood up, put her hands on her hips, and told them, Geez, the scary looks on your faces made Cian and Kazuha cry! Big Brother, Big Sister! Try to get along, for the childrens sake!
Right. Im sorry.
The royal couple bowed their heads to a twelve-year-old girl. What would the people have thought?
Once they had apologized to one another, Oh! Souma seed to rember sothing and pulled an item out of his pocket. He then offered the thin object to Tomoe. It appeared to be so sort of wooden token.
The words written on it were...
Rent-a-Cycle? ...What is this?
If youre going to the castle town, youll need to get around, wont you? You can ask the rchant girl you t how to use it. She probably knows.
Okay. Thank you, Tomoe said, sticking the wooden token under her arm.
For now, she had permission to go play in the castle town.
Tomoe couldnt wait to tell everyone.
The next day. When everyone had gathered at the school, Tomoes friends were glad to hear she had been given permission, conditional though it was, to visit the castle town.
Then, when Tomoe pulled out the wooden token...
A Rent-a-Cycle token?! Lucy raised her voice in surprise.
You know what it is, Lu?
Do I know? The whole capitals talkin about it!
They are?
Thats when Lucy banged her hands down on the desk, and leaned in closer.
Its easier to show you than explain it... No, its even faster to have you experience it yourself! Youve got the token, so how about we all go after school?
S-Sure...
It seed what theyd be doing after school was already decided.
After school that day.
So, weve co to Rent-a-Cycle! Please clap!
Yaaaay!
...Why are you all so high-strung? Yuriga said, exasperated by the way Lucy looked like she was ready to play a fanfare, and how Tomoe, Ichiha, and Velza were so willing to go along with her.
After school, the five kids had set out with the wooden token Souma had given Tomoe in hand, and stood in front of a business whose sign simply said Rent-a-Cycle. Naturally, the Black Cats were watching them from the shadows, but anyone else watching would only have seen five children getting along.
This is... Rent-a-Cycle, Tomoe mumbled as she looked at the shop.
The business was not on the shopping street, but on a main road. Looking at it from the outside, it was plain to see what kind of place it was... There were several of the sa thing lined up out front.
Lucy pointed to one of them with a grin. Thats right. Rent-a-Cycle rents out these here tricycles.
Tricycles... Ah, they do have three wheels, yes, Velza said as she stared at one of the tricycles.
As per the na, Rent-a-Cycle was a business that rented out cycles, these three-wheeled tricycles in particular. Naturally, these werent the kind a child might ride, with the pedals attached directly to the wheels. These had a proper chain, and the two wheels in the rear turned as it went around.
Wheels, a seat... and a basket in back. It looks like this is a vehicle, huh. Could it be that spinning the things down here makes the wheels go around?
Ohh, ya got it! Lucy clapped, impressed that Ichiha had managed to discern the function of the thing from its form. If ya sit in the seat and pedal, I hear itll go forward. You put stuff in the basket, and it makes carryin it easy, even if ya dont have a horse. His Majesty Soumas the one who invented it, yknow?
...Yeah. I sort of guessed, Tomoe said with a slightly troubled smile.
Off-the-wall ideas like this generally ca from either Souma or Genia. If it were Genia, itd be even more crazy, so she assud that, because this still showed so semblance of common sense, it must have been Soumas idea. Tomoe had co to understand how her big brother was over the past two years.
I can just imagine the look on Big Sisters face when he ca up with this. As Tomoe thought that, she looked to the castle where the two of them were.
anwhile.
Go, go, Darlin!
Right, right...
In the courtyard of the castle Tomoe was looking at, Souma was pedaling a cycle with Roroa sitting behind him. Instead of a tricycle, like they used at the Rent-a-Cycle, they were riding a more standard mountain bike.
Im seein everythin from a higher vantage point, and the speed is refreshin, Roroa said, having fun behind him.
She was standing on bars that ca out of either side of the rear wheel, and had her hands on Soumas shoulders for balance. If a police officer saw them, theyd have received a warning for this behavior, but there were no such laws governing bicycles in this world yet, so give them a break.
Mweheheh, Darlin.
Roroa took her hands off his shoulders, wrapped them around his neck, and pushed herself up against his back. The impact made the bike wobble a bit, but Souma managed to keep his balance.
Hey, thats dangerous.
I was just thinkin. I can play all the tricks I want on ya right now.
If I go down, youre going down, too. Behave.
Dont be like that. The truth is, youre enjoyin this, arent ya, Darlin? The way you can feel my breasts on your back. Roroa snickered, but her cheeks were just a bit red. Even she must have found that line a bit embarrassing.
Souma couldnt see her face because he was driving, but having lived with her so long, he could pick up on it from the way she was laughing.
Thats why Souma started feeling a bit mischievous himself.
They are touching , yeah. Just a little, though.
Unyah?! That direct response made Roroas face turn bright red. Wh-Whatre you sayin, Darlin! You idiot! You pervert!
This coming from the person who touched ...
Im not pressin them against you, I wanted to get you flustered.
Thats a novel coback.
It wasnt that old, Im making them touch you, line.
When they finished one lap of the larger-than-you-might-expect courtyard flirting like that, Liscia was waiting at the central terrace with a look of exasperation on her face.
Soumas gone and made sothing weird again...
Its a fascinating vehicle, though...
Beside Liscia was Soumas personal trainer and sounding board, the old commander Owen.
Hmm, I think riding with soone will help increase muscle mass in the thigh area. How does ten laps with riding in the back sound as part of your daily training nu?
Riding double with you, Owen?! Give a break... Souma groaned. Riding double with an old macho man was nothing but a punishnt.
Whew, that was fun, Darlin, Roroa said cheerily as she hopped off the bike.
Liscia looked at the bike Souma was riding and said, Still, its strange. How does it stay upright when theres only one wheel in front and back?
Itll be a long explanation, okay? First, lets start with the gyroscopic effect...
Ahh, if its going to take that long, I dont need it. I doubt Id understand anyway.
When Liscia smiled wryly, scratching her cheek, Souma let out a sigh.
...Well, just assu anyone can ride one with practice. In fact, using the technique my grandfather taught , every mber of the Hiryuus crew learned to ride a bike. Do you want to try it later, Liscia?
Hmm. Whats the technique?
First, you use really shallow, short strokes to...
Souma taught Liscia and the others his grandfathers technique for riding a bike.
In fact, Roroa learned to ride the bike using this technique (Liscia declined), but because there was no guarantee of safety, they decided to put off doing it in public for now.
When she had heard the full explanation, Liscia cocked her head to the side as she touched the bicycle. So, why did you make this thing?
I received a report that there was a lot of trouble moving around our carrier, the Hiryuu. Given that we already carry wyverns, there really wasnt space left for mounts like horses, too. Thats why I thought bicycles would be a faster, easier way to get around than walking.
Now that they had access to a rubber-like material, we were able to make tires. Souma rembered how bicycles were put together, and if he gave Genia and the other researchers a rough outline, he figured they could have a bicycle developed in no ti. But it wasnt that easy.
I never expected making the chain and gears to be so difficult...
Not once did it cross his mind while riding a bike in his forr world, but it was an incredible feat of engineering to make the chain and gears sh perfectly. The technology was already established, and there was no room for improving it, so not even a genius idea from Genia was going to solve things. In the end, hard work was the only option available to them.
I asked Kuu to get Taru to help us, and we sohow managed to get to a finished product, but it ended up being incredibly expensive. I had to give up on spreading the technology far and wide.
Th-This thing was that expensive? Liscia asked in shock.
Nyahaha, almost as much as one of the royal familys ornantal carriages, Roroa told Liscia with a wry smile, making her eyes go wide.
You... cant mass produce them then, huh.
Right? I wanted them to be available to the common folk who cant afford horses one day, but this is out of their reach. Still, I cant see the nobles and knights buying them, either. The nobles would never think to pedal a vehicle on their own, and the knights generally have horses of their own. Basically, theres no demand for it.
The only place to ride a bike in this world was inside the cities, where the roads were paved. There were roads outside the city too, of course, but in a world full of dangerous monsters, it would be unsafe to keep your hands occupied riding a bike.
Souma had said himself that no matter how excellent a policy or system might be, if it was out of step with the tis, it wouldnt be accepted. That applied to inventions, too. It might have been too soon for this country to have bicycles.
Huh? But theres a Rent-a-Cycle business in town, right? Doesnt that place deal in cycles?
Hm? Ohh. I talked with Roroa about how we could use the bicycle, and...
I said, if they cant buy one, why not lend them out? Roroa said, looking slightly smug.
This was Roroas proposal:
Because cycles were expensive, they were unsuited to individual ownership, but they were attractive as a ans of transportation that didnt require mounted beasts. Even if the range of movent was limited to within the city, there were rchants who had used carts for transporting their loads all this ti. By renting them out to such people at low prices, the developnt costs could be recouped, and at the sa ti, it would ease the flow of goods.
We decided on mainly usin tricycles, which the rchants can ride without trainin, and to rent them for cheaper than itd take to keep a horse fed.
Yeah. With a one-per-store limit. If they intend to use them for other purposes, the cost goes up, by the way. Because I mainly want them to be for comrcial use... But still, between making numbered plates for them as a preventative asure against theft, and having the guards watch closely to ensure they werent taken out of the city, there was a lot of annoying work that had to be done.
Souma slumped his shoulders, having been unable to get a return that was worth the upfront costs in labor. There was no guarantee that every idea he had would end up working out, and things often played out in ways he didnt expect.
Roroa gave Souma a slap on the back and said, Were just gettin started. I hear Rent-a-Cycles doin pretty good business. Apparently its a real hit with the guys in the shippin business. They dont get much speed when theyre loaded up with luggage, but they can go through the back alleys. The old ladies who run restaurants were sayin its made stockin up on ingredients from the market way easier, too.
...Yeah, I guess its good that were getting even a little use out of them.
If theyre not completely useless, the effort wasnt entirely in vain, thought Souma. Like Roroa said, things were just getting started.
Why not try spending the inco from Rent-a-Cycle on cycle production? We may have a real cyclical industry on our hands here... Heh. Souma intended it as a joke to lighten the mood, but...
Roroa followed up, Well, duh, theyre dealing in cycles.
What are you stating the obvious for? Liscia groaned.
These tis when the joke doesnt work in their language can be real tough...
Souma slumped his shoulders again.
As for what was happening with the five children who had co to Rent-a-Cycle down in castle town...
Whoa, the wind feels great, Tomoe said as the background scenery stread past her faster than usual. She was currently on the back of a tricycle being pedaled by Ichiha, sitting on the luggage rack with the basket removed.
Thanks to the token she had received from Souma, it allowed them to borrow this tricycle for a single day. Primarily, Rent-a-Cycle lent to comrcial users for a limited ti, so to borrow it for personal use would typically cost a fair bit of money.
Heehee, keep going, Ichiha. Tomoe cheered Ichiha on as he pedaled.
Y-Yes.
There was a limit of two cycles that could be loaned out for personal use, so they ended up splitting riders for today. One was being ridden by Tomoe and Ichiha (the driver), and the other by Yuriga (the driver), with Lucy and Velza struggling to fit on it together. As such, Yurigas pedals felt heavy.
Th-This... isnt much fun.
Ya think? Im havin a blast.
Yes. Its refreshing to see the scenery stream past us.
Well, yeah, you two are just riding! Its about ti one of you took my place!
Aw, dont be silly. A frail little thing like d never be able to manage with two people ridin in back.
I can take over in a little while.
I can fly, so why do I need to ride this thing anyway?!
The three of them, despite their arguing, seed to be having a good ti.
anwhile, as for Tomoe and Ichiha...
Take that!
H-Hey! Tomoe! Dont poke the driver in the cheek.
Ahaha, sorry, sorry.
...They were writing another page in the story of their youth.
So ten minutes later...
Whew... Im beat...
Yuriga was sitting with her head down at a table on the balcony, exhausted from pedaling a cycle with Lucy and Velza on it all the way here.
As she lay there, Lucy brought a spoon to Yurigas mouth with a smile.
Here, Yurie. Say ahh.
Ahh?
Unable to think straight, possibly due to exhaustion, Yuriga just opened her mouth, and Lucy put a spoonful of sothing inside. To her surprise, Yuriga remarked, ...Its sweet.
Isnt it, though? I hear when youre exhausted, eatin sothin sweetll do you good.
Youre saying that when youre the one who tired out?
Here, say ahh.
...Ahh.
It must have tasted really good. Yuriga did as she was told, opening her mouth wide like a baby chick, and let Lucy feed her.
Tomoe, Ichiha, and Velza watched the two of them with wry smiles.
The five had co to the fruit parlor run by Lucys parents, The Cats Tree. It was a trendy main street shop with, as the na suggested, a cat on the sign. It was two floors, with a quarter of the floor space taken up by fresh fruit they were selling, and the remaining space being a cafe which served sweets made using that fruit.
Tomoe and the others were The Cats Trees main street balcony, trying out the sweets Lucy was so proud of. There were two plates of them laid out on the table.
Tomoe took a spoonful of the treat in front of her, put it in her mouth, and smiled.
This pudding is really delicious.
Glad to hear it. Thats our best sellin item, the Special Pudding a la Mode. We pride ourselves on the fact that the pudding, fruit, and cream are all delivered fresh through our own routes.
Lucy puffed her chest out with pride when her product was complinted. It was that sort of gesture that made her look like Roroa. Then Ichiha, who was also enjoying the pudding, tilted his head to the side. Whats a la mode an?
Dunno.
Huh?
Couldnt tell ya why, but thats what they call puddin in Soumas world when its bein served with fruit and whipped cream like this. Feels kinda fancy, doesnt it?
I-I guess...
Ichiha worried whether it might be a strange word, but even if it was, no one from this world would know it, so he decided it was still fine. A la mode ans sothing like modern style, so there was no issue, but Ichiha couldnt have known that.
Lucy also seed to like it, so it would probably have been rude to say anything, too. While Ichiha was thinking about that, Lucy continued to pile the pudding into Yurigas mouth.
Here. Say ahh.
Ahh... Wait, how long are we going to do this?! Thats enough! Dont make eat any more! Yuriga said, moving her head away.
Aww, I was havin such fun, I couldnt help myself.
Well, help yourself! And hold on, Velza, what have you been so quiet about all this ti?!
Now that she ntioned it, Velza hadnt said a word. Wondering what was up, the four turned to Velza.
Whew...
She was frozen stiff. A spoon in her mouth, and a look of ecstasy on her face. Her eyes were gazing up and to the right, unmoving, as though her mind had gone elsewhere.
H-Hold on, Velza, are you okay?! Tomoe said as she shook Velza.
Ah! She blinked as though she had just co back to her senses. I-Im sorry. It was so delicious, I lost myself.
Th-That badly? I know its good, but...
Apologies. In the God-Protected Forest, the only sweet food that we have is fruit, so...
Oh...
Aisha did say that, rembered Tomoe. She also rembered Souma watching Aisha with a wry smile and saying, Half of Aishas loyalty might have co from taming her with food.
Velza held her cheeks in embarrassnt. Ohh... Ever since I left the God-Protected Forest, the food has been so good I dont know what to do.
Uh, yeah, I sort of get that from having watched Aisha.
But, even with that in mind, I think this pudding is delicious... I would very much like to share this with them. And Id like to co back here with everyone again...
Huh? Whos them?
Oh, just talking to myself there. Velza smiled and brought an index finger to her lips. It was a soft, mature smile; an expression that implied she would not divulge on this topic any further.
Huh? Is this a kuku berry?
Huh?! Whoa! It is!
When Ichiha scooped up a round, translucent fruit that was next to the pudding, Yuriga looked surprised, too.
Kuku berry? Tomoe asked, tilting her head.
Its a little round berry that cos from the Union of Eastern Nations, and it has a distinctive gummy texture, Ichiha replied as he held up the spoon.
Nom... Munch... Youre right, it does have an unusual texture, Tomoe comnted, having snapped up the kuku berry that Ichiha offered her.
This was a scene where there were indirect kisses and lines like, Say ahh, going around, but Tomoe and Ichiha were both still children, so they didnt care.
In fact, in order to return the favor, Tomoe took a different fruit and fed it to Ichiha. Once he had swallowed, Ichiha continued his explanation, Munch... But kuku berries dont last long. They may not spoil imdiately, but I never expected to be able to eat them outside the Union of Eastern Nations.
Heheheh. Youd better not go underestimatin the Kingdoms ability to ship things. Theres rhinosaurus trains runnin to and from the border almost every day. Thats why we can put these short-lived fruits on our nu.
Why are you acting so smug about that...? Yuriga said, sounding exasperated at the way Lucy was puffing up her still flat chest.
Lucy stood up, and got so close to Tomoe their cheeks might have been touching. Whatre you sayin, Yurie? The one responsible for gettin that rhinosaurus train set up is our very own Tomie here.
Hm? It is?
I-I only helped out a little.
Tomoe told Yuriga about how she could speak to animals, and how she had used that ability to arrange an area suitable for rhinosaurus mating, securing their help as a ans of mass transportation. Naturally, she kept quiet about the top-secret information that she could speak to monsters and demons, too.
I was iffy on it at first, but as I was listening, it started to sound incredibly useful, Yuriga grunted approvingly. If you have that ability, why not join the dairy farming club, or sothing like that? If I recall, there was a farm with horses and cows on the outskirts of the school, youd be instantly useful to them...
Absolutely not!
Whoa! Tomoes firm refusal made Yuriga bend back in surprise. I-I didnt expect you to be so against it.
...Okay, Yuriga, try imagining it.
Tomoe rounded on Yuriga with a face so serious you could hear the dramatic sound effects. Her threatening attitude made Yuriga sweat as she asked, Imagine... what, exactly?
The voices of livestock that will be made into at. Of chickens having their eggs taken away.
...Im sorry, Yuriga ekly apologized. It was tough just imagining it.
Tomoe adjusted herself in her chair, then, Whew... she let out a sigh. Obviously, I plan to do whatever I can with my ability if it helps Big Brother and Big Sister, you know? I think I can help with creating an environnt that wont stress the animals... But I dont want to get seriously involved in farming livestock. I dont think Id be able to eat the oyakodon that Big Brother makes anymore if I did.
No, seriously... Im sorry.
There was an awkward air in the room. The once sweet pudding had lost all its flavor.
In an attempt to change the atmosphere, Lucy clapped her hands and said, Now, now, lets get back on topic. So, like I was sayin, were able to offer unusual fruits thanks to a distribution network that includes the rhinosaurus train. Its just that, well, products that are subject to shipping fees end up being more expensive. The only ones wholl be orderin this puddin a la mode regularly are the family of nobles, knights, or influential rchants.
Ah... So it is expensive. Velza looked wistfully at the already half-eaten pudding. Lucy smiled and crossed her arms.
Thats right. For my part, I wanna make it cheaper so your average girl can co eat, too. If we had reasonably-priced sweets, thatll make puddin a la mode feel more special. If we can manage that, maybe the gals out therell buy it as a luxury on special days.
Wow... Thats amazing, Lu. Youve got all of this thought out.
Nyah, nyahaha. Youre makin blush.
Tomoes complints made Lucy a little bashful.
Looking at the way she thought about the common folk at the sa ti as she thought about business, it was little surprise she idolized Roroa.
So, it was just as I was thinkin about that. The God of Food, Lord Ishizuka, released a new recipe. Hold on just a sec.
Lucy rose from her seat, and rushed down the stairs to the first floor. Not long after, she returned carrying a single plate. This plate also had pudding on it, but... this pudding was different sohow. It was glossy, shining, and wobbly.
Lucy laid the dish on the table, and, smiling, she said, Ta-dah! This is our stores future hero product! Its called gel pudding!
Gel pudding?
The other four cocked their heads to the side in unison.
Lucy confidently laughed and said, Its faster just havin you eat so. Go on, try it.
The four dug into the pudding with their spoons as directed, and each took a bite. Instantly, their eyes widened.
How is this so delicious?!
Its wobbly, but smooth on the tongue. It goes down like a drink.
Yuriga responded instinctively, and Ichiha analytically.
Though they expressed it in different words, each was extrely pleased with the taste. Tomoe, anwhile, was smiling despite herself, and Velza even had tears in the corners of her eyes.
To think there could be sothing so delicious... Im so glad I left the God-Protected Forest.
Velza, do you need a hankie?
Th-Thank you, Tomoe. Velza took Tomoes handkerchief and wiped her tears.
Lucy was nodding ecstatically at their response. Reactions are lookin good. Looks like weve got a big hit on our hands.
Its like pudding, but not, right? Whats different?
That theres a good question, Tomie. To make it simple, custard puddin is made by boilin it, while this gel puddin is made by chillin it. The base ingredientsre similar, but custard puddin uses the way that eggs harden when heated, while gel puddin uses the power of an ingredient that isnt in custard puddin which hardens when chilled.
An ingredient that hardens when chilled?
Like this. Lucy put a jar filled with a white and slightly greenish-yellow powder on top of the table. Everyone peered at the contents of the container.
Whats this?
Dried, powdered gelin.
Gelin?!
Huh?! I just ate gelin?!
Ichiha and Yuriga both cried out in surprise.
Gelins were invertebrates that lived in the fields, and primarily lived by absorbing the remains of animals. The Union of Eastern Nations had no such culture of consuming gelin, so seeing it ca as a shock to them.
The sa gelins from gelin udon? Tomoe asked.
We had that sent to us in the God-Protected Forest, too, after the disaster, said Velza. It was called instant gelin udon, and they told us it was developed for military rations, but it was delicious.
The childrens reactions were divided into two clear camps. Lucy smiled with amusent as she explained, For gelin udon, you destroy the core and use the hardened remains, right? Well, this is the opposite. We cut or bludgeon them without destroying the core, and then use the liquid that produces. It turns out, chillin liquefied gelin makes it get hard. You know how, when ya boil at, the juice that cos out can turn into a jiggly lump when you leave it? Its like that.
Even after being appointed a minister, Poncho had continued his research on dishes from Soumas world. He tried, through trial and error, to recreate the sort of gelatin-based pudding he had been told about (the kind where you pull the tab, and it wobbles out of the package), and in that process, he arrived at using gelins. The liquefied gelins were a source of collagen, and he discovered they could be used in place of gelatin to produce an exceptionally smooth result.
Naturally, because gel pudding used raw eggs, it required fresh eggs to make. The Kingdom had put food hygiene laws into effect after taking over Van, the capital of the Principality, so using old eggs was illegal. However, in a situation where fresh eggs could be prepared, gel pudding was less expensive to produce than custard pudding. That was because powdered gelin was cheap, and it ant less eggs and milk were required.
There was also the ease of mixing together the ingredients, then leaving them in an ice room in the basent to set.
The ice could be made by packing in the snow that fell in the winter season, or replenished by hiring a user of ice magic, so most businesses that handled even slightly larger ingredients had an ice room in their basent.
Incidentally, last sumr in the castle...
Liscia, I want to cook. Can you make so ice?
Again? Dont treat like an ice rchant.
I was planning to make ice cream for dessert, you know...
...Well, okay then. (
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