Chapter 60: Reunion with Yuri
Despite a small commotion, the entrance ceremony concluded, and it was time to move to the classrooms designated for each class.
The Royal Academy operates on a three-year system, with separate buildings for five different departments. Among the four classes, from A to D, Rest and the Rosemary Sisters were assigned to Class A. Class assignments are determined by academic performance, and Class A is reserved for those who achieved the highest scores on the entrance exams. However, students are not guaranteed to remain in the same class until graduation, as class changes occur at the end of each term based on exam results. Therefore, continuous effort is necessary to maintain a position in Class A.
(Being in Class A or D will drastically affect my future after graduation… I must work hard not to bring shame to the Rosemary Marquis House.)
Rest is currently set to marry into the Rosemary Marquis House. If he were to fall to Class D, it could bring disgrace upon the family.
(After graduation, I suppose becoming a court magician is the way to go. It’s a bit irritating to follow in my father’s footsteps, but the Rosemary Marquis House is a renowned family of magicians. As someone who will be marrying into the family, I want to at least become a court magician.)
“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 years was located.
“It looks like seating is free. Let’s sit towards the front.”
Viola pointed to an empty seat. Rest and the Rosemary Sisters took their places at the desk, just as they had during the entrance ceremony.
“Phew… By the way, what was that all about during the entrance ceremony?”
“It seems someone cast a spell… aimed at Lady Celestine.”
The topic of their conversation inevitably turned to the incident at the entrance ceremony. Celestine Crocus, who had been addressing the audience as the top student of the magic department, was attacked with magic. Although it was a non-lethal spell, it was still a significant issue. With guests present, they couldn’t halt the ceremony to pursue the culprit, but targeting a duchess made it a serious matter.
“Um… could it be that Rest was the one who defended against that mud magic?”
Primula asked in a hushed voice, ensuring no one else could hear.
“Ah… so you figured it out, huh?”
“Yeah, I thought so. I don’t think anyone else besides me and Primula noticed.”
It seemed not just Primula, but Viola had also caught on.
“Only Rest could have instinctively defended with magic like that.”
“If it’s Rest, that’s to be expected. Neither my sister nor I could do anything.”
“You’re overestimating me. I didn’t do anything; the headmaster was the one who protected her.”
While it was true that Rest had intercepted the mud projectile, the headmaster had simultaneously activated a barrier to protect Celestine. There was no need for Rest to act at all.
“Still, being able to do what the headmaster does is impressive… He is a sage, after all.”
“None of the other magic department teachers seemed to 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!”
With a cheerful yell, a girl with flowing red hair dashed over to Rest’s desk, her vibrant energy filling the room. It was Yuri Cattleya, the daughter of the Knight Commander, who had taken the entrance exam in the commoner slot alongside him.
“I’m so glad to see you again! You passed too!”
“Ah… um, it’s Cattleya-san, right…?”
“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!”
“Ah, 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, the girl I took the entrance exam with.”
“Are those two your friends?”
““We’re his fiancées.””
Viola and Primula declared in unison, their voices firm and unwavering. Yuri’s eyes widened in surprise at their words, but she quickly broke into a bright smile.
“Wow, Rest! You have such beautiful fiancées! I knew you were special!”
““Ugh…””
The sisters exchanged glances at Yuri’s reaction. From what they could tell, it seemed that Yuri did not harbor any 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 court magician, Marquis Rosemary?”
“Yes, Marquis Rosemary is our father.”
“And you’re from the Cattleya Marquis family, right? The Knight Commander’s family?”
The sisters shook Yuri’s hand in return and asked. Yuri averted her gaze, looking somewhat awkward.
“Well, I guess you could say that… but I’m attending the academy as a commoner, so please don’t worry about my surname.”
““…………””
The sisters fell silent, their expressions suggesting they wanted to say, “Then why bother introducing yourself with it…?” For Yuri, introducing herself properly 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 joyfully, shaking their hands up and down. It seemed she had some circumstances behind her cheerful demeanor.
“Let’s all get along from now on!”
“““………… Yes.”””
With Yuri beaming at them, Rest and the Rosemary Sisters nodded in agreement, albeit with somewhat uncertain expressions.