Chapter 1-9 (1/2)

“This fruit you call a mandarin orange is really delicious.”

When winter arrived, Rahsa came to visit.

The weather is cold, so we are eating mandarin oranges in front of the fireplace.

“I’m glad I made it in time for winter’s harvest. I managed to have it appear on the market, too.”

“How did you make this mandarin orange thing?”

“I made a seed with magic. Afterwards, I planted it in soil and cultivated it in the same way as normal produce.”

“A seed with magic… as expected of aniki.”

Rahsa was in somewhat excited mood while eating mandarin oranges.

I eat the oranges piece by piece, but Rahsa eats them whole.

His cheeks swell out, making a cute face, but since it’s fun to watch I won’t point it out.

“Aniki will also be entering Elenowar Academy soon, right?”

“Nn, it has finally come.”

“Are you unhappy about it?”

“Should I say unhappy? Or afraid perhaps? I don’t really understand how I feel.”

“If it’s aniki, it’ll be fine.

By the way, my brother Arc is also enrolling, too.”

“Yeah.” I knew.

“Also, the prime minister’s daughter, Eliza-san, is also enrolling.”

“Yeah.” I also knew that.

That person is my future wife after all.

“Furthermore, the first successful applicant from the commoners has appeared after ten years. We receive a pass from our lineage, but it seems the largest barrier for commoners is the entrance exam. It was a really skilled person. I believe their name was… .”

“Iris Palala.”

“That’s it, it’s Iris-san. Aniki knew, huh?”

“Yeah, from quite before~.”

“There are also other children of other such immensely influential people; a group of people are already calling it something like the golden generation.”

“More importantly, I feel anxious about leaving the territory. I wonder if it would it be okay to leave it to Tou-san.”

“It’ll surely be fine. The people of Helan are dependable and will surely provide their support to Toral-san.”

“It’ll be nice if that’s the case.”

I think I’ll have Lotson check in every once in awhile.

“Aniki, you’re thinking about too much. With aniki’s talent, you’ll surely be successful in leading a fulfilling life at Elenowar Academy.”

Rahsa says these kinds of things in a natural and frank manner.

It makes me want him as a real brother.

“That’s true.

The mandarin oranges have run out, I’ll go out and pick some more.”

“Ah, I’ll come too.”

“Uu-, cold.” ”Yeah, it’s cold.”

“When it turns summer you should come to Helan. I’ll let you eat something called watermelon.”

“Yes! I’ll be looking forward to it.”

The two went to pick oranges while huddling together, a quite commonplace day in the cold winter.

At the time the snow began to melt and the land of Helan started to breathe.

One month before the time for admission, I decided to leave Helan.

From here to the academy is roughly four to five days by carriage.

It is stationed in a remote remote region in order for students to be able to devote themselves to their studies.

While it’s fine if you arrive one week before admission for the competency test, if you arrive at the last moment, it seems that a large line is formed near the academy. The basis for my early departure is that I don’t want to wait in that line and it’s good to arrive early so as to get used to the environment.

“Kururi-chan, you’ve grown so handsome.”

Mother is shedding tears over seeing her son off.

“Kururi, study to your heart’s content and leave everything about the territory to your father.”

Father thrust out his chest, but nothing worries me more than this.

“Well, I’ll be going.”

I finish the greetings at the minimum and entered the carriage.

I called out to the servant and the horse dashed out.

At the academy, a dormitory system is used.

Since the school and meal expenses come from the country, there’s barely anything to cause a financial burden.

Even so, all of the nobles carry quite the sum of money for the sake of their pride.

I also happened to be carrying quite a bit.

I didn’t have the intention to carry so much, but in the beginning I prepared some for in case of trouble.

Next, if there’s something I want, I want to be able to buy it and I also thought that while socializing with friends, money would be necessary.

One is able to return during summer and winter vacation so I’ll be able to replenish my funds at that time.

Because of this I didn’t take much money.

However, on the morning of departure I was told by the population, “Since we’ve been earning so much money lately,” and forced me to take money for my use. The amount wasn’t small either.

I tried to refuse, but my father told me to accept it. Father seemed bigger than usual, but it was probably just my imagination.

I gave my thanks to the population and finished my goodbyes with my parents, and we arrive at the present.

Which reminds me, Rahsa said that he wanted to see me off, but since it would be bad if I were favored over the first prince I refused.

As expected, I don’t have the guts for it.

While it is a trip of four or five days, I packed a lot of books so I wouldn’t get bored.

Other than that, I also did a preliminary investigation of famous sightseeing areas and am thinking I will look at them when I pass nearby.

And unexpectedly, I discovered that my father is quite the gourmet before leaving.

He gave me a traveling map with the places of delicious restaurants marked point by point.

“With this, your boring trip should become slightly pleasant,” he said.

It was also the first time my father ever did something like a father.

At any rate, a trip doesn’t give me a bad mood.

While I do almost no talking with the servants, just by staring blankly out the window, landscapes unknown to me pass before my eyes one after another.

It is all fresh to me. These are all the words needed for expression.

With this, even if nothing happens for four or five days I shouldn’t get bored.

It should have been around five hours after leaving the house.

The sun had reached straight overhead and the atmosphere was dry with a pleasant wind blowing.

In such a situation, a servant called out to me.

“Kururi-sama.”

Nn? Now that I think about it, we should arrive at the first restaurant that father wrote down soon.

Perhaps we’ve already arrived?

“What?”

“It seems there’s a woman carrying a large bag ahead.”

While I thought it to be just a common sight, I stuck my head out the window.

While there seems to still be some distance, there was a woman sitting down in the shade.

Did her condition worsen from staying in the sun too long?

With the nearing of the carriage, the figure became more and more clear.

And in proportion to that, my heart rate quickened.

There’s no mistake.

That beautiful black hair, those composed features that seem to give you a feeling of peace, clothing undeniably fitting of a commoner!

It was at the point that I could not be mistaken. Iris Palala was sitting there.

For some reason I hid inside of the carriage.

It is alright for a sub-character like me to meet the heroine here?

No, there’s no way it is!

“What’s wrong, Kururi-sama?” A servant urged me.

Perhaps her condition has truly worsened and is resting. Is it really okay for me to abandon this frail lady?

Of course not!

I resolve myself and replied, “I’ll try calling out to her.”

“Understood.”

The servant gradually reduces the speed of the carriage and brings it to a stop in front of Iris.

“Is there something the matter?” I asked gently as to provoke as least caution as possible.

“I got a bit tired from walking. Please pay no mind to me.”