Chapter 31 (1/2)

Chapter 31

The assignments were on little researched topics. There seems to be a lot of strange forbidden magic……. The books I read at a bookstore in Golddina may help, but how would I reference them? My head already throbbed.

The assignments were based on little-researched topics, especially the strange, prohibited magic… The books I had read at a store in Golddina might help, but how would I even reference them?

My head began to throb.

As I looked down at the assignment instructions, Instructor Xenon smiled, looking as if he knew how I felt.

“Seeing how you want to graduate early, you’ve decided what you want to do, haven’t you?”

“Thank you for offering me a job, really.”

“I heard about the carriage you came in. You work for the imperial family, right? It’s a shame, it feels like I’m losing someone with the talent to be a great researcher.”

“I’m flattered.” My cheeks burned with embarrassment and gratitude.

Lecturer Xenon leaned against the chair, arms crossed. “Of course, I am also a high-ranking official of the Emperor, so you know that no matter how high your position, you still need to do these assignments, yes? Let’s listen to what the other seven instructors will require of you for your early graduation.”

“Yes.”

“I’m rooting for you.”

It meant that I would have to repeat this process seven more times. I managed to nod my head, munching on candy, but inwardly I heaved sigh after sigh.

I was about to leave Lecturer Xenon’s room, when he spoke again. Somehow I felt like I saw worry on his face, but it was gone before I could confirm it. Perhaps it was all in my imagination

“Are you okay?”

“…What? Oh, with the graduation assignment?”

“No, never mind, go ahead, Miss Celestia.”

“Yes.”

It seemed I wasn’t the only one with something on their mind.

***

When I came back to the classroom after meeting all eight instructors, I had a stack of papers crammed full with words in my hand. There was a list of book names, assignments, and the topics of the report I had to submit, the things I had to memorize, and the things I had to take tests for.

I looked over the papers and understood why there were so few early graduates since the founding of the academy.

It’s going to take a long time to memorize just the list of things to do.

I slumped face-down on my desk with a long sigh, and suddenly the list of people I memorized at the banquet lingered in my head. How considerate Serena and the chief of staff were while I was memorizing them.

I inhaled.

Suddenly, I remembered the owner of the voice that I thought I didn’t remember at all. I realized who the empress was talking to.

The emperor’s former pharmacist, the current chief of staff.

My head was full of thoughts about the chief of staff until I finished class.

I saw him so often, but after I stopped helping at the Imperial Palace, I couldn’t recall his voice because it had been such a long time.

He was very kind to me, considerate enough to see to my younger brother. Even when I ruined everything because of the empress, he was the kind of person who gave me sweets rather than scolding me.

My mind raced.

He didn’t seem like the type to betray His Majesty and join the forces of the empress. Why the hell…?

I didn’t hear the details, but there was something about his wife… I didn’t know anything about her. There was also something about a driver.

When I overheard the story with the empress, he said, “Save my wife.”

‘What happened to her?’

It was hard to guess because I didn’t know the details of his family because we only knew each other from work.

I just wanted to believe that there was more to the story.

The chief of staff looked to be a decent person. He may not be entirely to blame for taking the empress’s side, especially because his loyalty to the emperor seemed so genuine. I saw him do his best to maintain the perfect working environment through his leadership, refuse to bend his principles, and consider the circumstances of his subordinates. Like Serena, he looked like a person who was proud to serve the current imperial family.

At least… that’s what the chief of staff said…

Even telling the emperor about this felt dangerous.

True, his smile was soft at times, but he was known as the King of the Dead for a reason. When it was necessary, he wouldn’t hesitate to punish those who deserved it.

Growing up in the back alleys, I learned not to trust anyone so easily. I ignored that lesson once and ended up here. Was it pitiful of me to still want to believe in people?

‘Be kind to everyone, but don’t trust them.’

I closed my eyes, recalling what Liberty often said to me.

‘Let’s tell the emperor everything.’

Whatever the conclusion or circumstance, everyone was responsible for their own actions.

By the time I finally felt ready, the day had already passed and it was time for the class to end.