Chapter 33
Claude and the others boarded the carriage and were heading for the Royal Capital.
This time, since there were many of us, we split into two carriages. However, because my sisters wanted to dote on me, I ended up riding in the same carriage as them and Mother-sama.
Netzal was accompanying us, thinking he might be of some help during the audience.
From the Prominence Domain to the Royal Capital, it’s about a 10-day journey by carriage.
Knights selected from the Knightly Order were also accompanying us as guards, so it was a large party traveling.
When traveling to the Royal Capital, we sometimes rely on the hospitality of the lord governing the lands we pass through, but since this trip was decided on short notice, we’ve arranged to stay at high-class inns to avoid burdening them.
Even for a Marquis house, it’s a considerable expense.
When nobles travel, it’s encouraged because even if the one bearing the cost changes, money is inevitably spent in the towns, stimulating the economy.
After dinner, I returned to my room and, while sipping tea, I was engrossed in reading the collection of tactics and strategies Brother Fahrenheit had given me.
“If I just play normally, there’s no way I can beat Brother Fahrenheit. Fundamentals are important, but I can’t get bogged down by them. Tactics have counters. Even if countered, I need a plan to break through that.”
I jotted down the moves I came up with on paper, organizing them.
And so, I would continue to hone my own tactics and polish my strategies.
The next day, I was back in the carriage, nestled between my sisters, and dozing off.
“Oh my. Claude, you look sleepy. You stayed up late again, didn’t you?”
“Big sis is holding you, so it’s okay if you sleep.”
Alicia-neesama hugged me tightly, and her warmth was so comforting that I fell asleep.
“Claude is cute even when he’s sleeping, isn’t he?”
“Fufu. When he’s sleeping, he looks his age, doesn’t he?”
“He’s good at his studies and strong, so I’m sure he’ll be popular with girls in the future.”
“Mother-sama. You’re planning to enroll Claude in the academy too, of course, right?”
“I plan to do so when he turns ten, but is there something on your mind?”
“I think he could already pass for middle or even high school levels at this stage. I wonder if he’ll stand out too much because he’s so exceptional.”
“That’s a possibility, but we can’t stop him when he’s trying so hard himself. I’m sure it’ll work out somehow, don’t you think?”
“If I recall, the academy has a grade-skipping system, doesn’t it?”
“Neesama. I thought that was an urban legend, but does it actually exist?”
“I’m pretty sure it’s written in the student handbook. Iris, try checking it.”
At her words, Iris opened her student handbook and checked.
“Found it. ‘If the academy deems a student too exceptional and thus unsuited for their current department, an examination may be administered to allow them to skip grades.'”
“He might end up taking classes in the same classroom as you, Iris.”
“I’d be happy if that happened, but I’d also worry about his future.”
Entering the academy, making friends, and building connections are also important for a noble.
There was a possibility that Claude wouldn’t be able to do that, and this was what his mother and sisters were worried about.