**Chapter 60: Reunion with Yuri**
After a minor commotion, the entrance ceremony concluded, and it was time for the students to move to their respective classrooms.
The Royal Academy operates on a three-year system, with separate buildings for each of the five departments. Among the four classes, A through D, Rest and the Rosemary Sisters were assigned to Class A. Class assignments were determined by exam scores, with Class A reserved for those who performed best on the entrance exams. However, students would not remain in the same class until graduation; class changes occurred at the end of each term, meaning they would need to continue striving to maintain their position in Class A.
(Being in Class A or D makes a significant difference in post-graduation paths… I must work hard to avoid bringing shame to the House of Marquis Rosemary.)
Rest was currently set to marry into the House of Marquis Rosemary. If he were to fall to Class D, it could bring disgrace upon the noble family.
(After graduation, I suppose I will become a Court Magician. It’s a bit irksome to follow in my father’s footsteps, but the Rosemary family is renowned for its magicians. As a prospective son-in-law, I want to be a Court Magician as well.)
“Oh, this must be our classroom!”
Primula tugged at Rest’s arm, leading him to the second floor of the Magic Department, where Class A for first-year students was located.
“It seems we can sit wherever we like. Let’s take a seat near the front,” Viola suggested, pointing to an empty spot. Rest and the Rosemary Sisters settled down at their desks, just as they had during the entrance ceremony.
“Phew… By the way, what was that incident during the entrance ceremony all about?”
“It looked like someone cast a spell… at Lady Celestine, didn’t it?”
The topic of their conversation inevitably turned to the events of the entrance ceremony. Celestine Crocus, who had greeted the attendees as the top student of the Magic Department, had been attacked with magic. Although it was a non-lethal spell, it was still a serious matter. With guests present, they couldn’t halt the ceremony to pursue the culprit, but targeting a duke’s daughter was no small issue.
“Um… could it be that it was you, Rest, who defended against that mud spell?”
Primula whispered, ensuring no one else could hear.
“Ah… so you figured it out, huh?”
“Yeah, I thought so. I don’t think anyone besides me and Primula noticed.”
It seemed not only Primula but also Viola had caught on.
“Only Rest could have instinctively defended with magic like that.”
“Of course, that’s to be expected from Rest. Neither my sister nor I could do anything.”
“You’re overestimating me. Even if I hadn’t done anything, the headmaster was already erecting a barrier to protect her.”
While it was true that Rest had intercepted the mud projectile, the headmaster had simultaneously activated a protective barrier to shield Celestine. There had been no need for Rest to act at all.
“Still, being able to do what the headmaster does is impressive… after all, he’s a Sage!”
“It seems none of the other Magic Department teachers could do anything either… Rest, you really are amazing.”
“Ugh…”
Being praised so openly made Rest feel embarrassed, and he fell silent.
“Ah! There you are!”
At that moment, a voice rang out from the entrance of the classroom.
“Is that you, Rest? You’re in the same class as me!”
A lively girl with flowing red hair approached Rest’s desk, her cheerful voice brightening the room. It was Yuri Cattleya, the daughter of the captain of the knights, who had taken the entrance exam as a commoner.
“I’m so glad to see you again! You passed too!”
“Uh… so it’s you, Cattleya-san…”
“Just call me Yuri! We’re friends now, after all!”
What kind of friends? They had merely taken the exam together.
“Um… Yuri-san…”
“Just Yuri is fine. I’ll call you Rest!”
“Uh, yeah… that works…”
“Rest, who is this person?”
“Rest-sama, who is she?”
Viola and Primula chimed in from either side. Both wore smiles, but for some reason, Rest felt a chill run down his spine.
“Oh… I mentioned her before, right? This is Yuri Cattleya, who took the entrance exam with me.”
“Are these two your friends?”
“‘They’re my fiancées,’” Viola and Primula declared in unison, their voices firm.
Yuri’s eyes widened in surprise at their words, but she quickly broke into a grin.
“Wow, Rest! You have such beautiful fiancées! I knew you were something special!”
“‘Ugh…’”
The sisters exchanged glances at Yuri’s reaction. From her response, it seemed that Yuri did not harbor romantic feelings for Rest.
“I’m sorry for my earlier attitude… My name is Viola Rosemary. This is my sister, Primula.”
“I’m Primula. We’ll be classmates from now on, so nice to meet you.”
After the sisters introduced themselves again, Yuri cheerfully extended her hand for a handshake.
“I’m Yuri. By the way… since you’re from the Rosemary family, does that mean you’re related to the Marquis Rosemary, the head of the Court Magicians?”
“Yes, Marquis Rosemary is our father.”
“And you’re from the Cattleya family, right? The one with the captain of the knights?”
The sisters shook Yuri’s hand in return and asked. Yuri averted her gaze, looking somewhat awkward.
“Well, I suppose that’s true… but I’m attending the academy as a commoner, so please don’t mind my surname.”
“‘…’”
The sisters fell silent, their expressions suggesting they wanted to say, “Then why even introduce yourself with it?”
For Yuri, introducing herself properly upon meeting someone might have been a matter of course.
“I’m so happy! Following Rest, I’ve made two more friends… I feel like I can change at this academy!”
Yuri exclaimed, shaking their hands up and down with delight. From her tone, it seemed there was more to her story.
“Let’s all get along from now on!”
“‘…Yes.’”
With Yuri’s beaming smile, Rest and the Rosemary Sisters nodded in agreement, albeit with somewhat uncertain expressions.