Chapter 33

Chapter 33: Student’s Duties

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The Cradle’s exams consist of two parts,  

Written tests on combat theory, and practical skill demonstrations.  

As someone who can wield the Hero’s power, the practicals won’t be an issue. He’ll manage somehow.  

“Holy Sword.”  

[Hmm?]  

“Can’t bring weapons into the exam hall, right?”  

[⋯⋯Just study properly.]  

True to its reputation as the continent’s premier institution, anti-cheating measures are thorough.  

Rigorous body searches before entry. Only academy-provided writing materials are permitted.  

A ruthless system eliminating cheating at its source⋯⋯  

[Ruthless⋯⋯? Isn’t that just competence?]  

“It’s ruthless to me right now.”  

Carlisle groaned at the mountain of textbooks and journals before him.  

The sheer volume of material was staggering—exactly what you’d expect from the top academy.  

Basic subjects like imperial history, language, and culture.  

Military strategy, arms theory, logistics, martial arts, cartography⋯⋯  

Every conceivable subject.  

[⋯⋯Is that really so much?]  

“⋯⋯”  

[I could memorize that much in a day—]  

“We get it, you’re amazing. Shut up.”  

The Hero understands nothing of mortal struggles.  

Always so damn condescending⋯⋯  

[You say that, but you don’t seem particularly troubled.]  

“⋯⋯Shut up.”  

To some extent, it’s true.  

While not eidetic, Carlisle’s multiple regressions have stockpiled knowledge far beyond ordinary limits.  

Much of this material is already familiar.  

The uncertainty lies in the exam’s difficulty level.  

[Well⋯⋯I can provide expected topics. I did graduate, you know.]  

“Why didn’t you say so sooner?!”  

[⋯⋯Take that as thanks.]  

With this assistance, the crisis seemed manageable.  

“With this, we should pull through⋯⋯”  

Then—  

A terrifying realization struck.  

“⋯⋯Holy Sword.”  

[Yes?]  

“I might manage, but what about Vespa?”  

[⋯⋯]  

He’d forgotten—Vespa had recently enrolled as an official student.  

Likely due to professors recognizing her magical talents.  

While Vespa saw this merely as permission to continue her studies openly, it meant she too faced evaluations.  

And Gray—ever fair—wouldn’t hesitate to dropkick Vespa if her performance disgraced the Hero.  

[Better check on her.]  

“Right.”  

Upon visiting Vespa, her response was astonishing,

“⋯⋯What’s a periodic evaluation?”  

“⋯⋯”  

“Uh, what exactly are we being assessed on?”  

Disaster.  

She’s doomed. Expulsion looms large.  

Even worse off than Carlisle⋯⋯  

“Um⋯⋯Should I study?”  

Her utter lack of awareness multiplied the danger.  

“⋯⋯Vespa, let’s study together.”  

“If Carlisle says so!”  

Never had her obedience stat felt so precious.  

She agreed instantly with a radiant smile.  

Thus, Carlisle’s workload doubled overnight—  

Responsible not just for his own grades, but Vespa’s too.  

Still, manageable.  

Some all-nighters should suffice. Haven’t all students crammed before exams?  

⋯⋯Had someone not knocked on his door that evening.  

“⋯⋯Your Highness?”  

Opening the door revealed the petite violet-haired princess, eyes brimming with tears.  

“S-sorry to bother you⋯⋯”  

Princess Illia clutched an armful of books nervously.  

“I-I don’t understand any of this⋯⋯”  

“⋯⋯”  

“C-could you explain some⋯⋯?”  

Of course. She’s just a child.  

Is the Cradle too harsh assigning such material to a child?  

[⋯⋯Can you handle this?]  

‘It’s not about handling⋯⋯‘  

Having no one else to ask, she’d agonized before approaching Carlisle.  

How could he turn away a child in such distress?  

“Of course, I’ll help however I can.”  

Carlisle Belfast—  

Now triple damned.  

⋯⋯Proper sleep? Forget about it.  

◆  

[Good to hear you’re doing well, Gray.]  

Gray nodded indifferently at Lionel’s voice through the communicator.  

“Why wouldn’t I be? It’s me we’re talking about.”  

[⋯⋯True. You seem well.]  

Typical Gray—removing any obstacles to her wellbeing.  

Satisfied, the Grand Duke asked,  

[And Carlisle? Everything alright?]  

“⋯⋯”  

A pause.  

[⋯⋯Gray? Something wrong?]  

“He’s been very helpful. Things might’ve been troublesome without him.”  

[⋯⋯]  

A sharp inhale from Lionel.  

[D-did something happen between you two?]  

“⋯⋯What?”  

[You’ve never spoken like this about anyone! Are you two perhaps—]  

“Father. Stop talking nonsense.”  

⋯⋯For a seasoned noble, his imagination runs wild.  

Like some blushing maiden from a romance novel.  

[I’m shocked! You’ve never praised a man like this.]  

Truthfully, she’s never praised anyone this way.  

[Then, what about him?]  

“Huh?”  

[Does he seem interested in you?]  

“⋯⋯”  

⋯⋯Ridiculous.  

Gray glared at the communicator.  

Is this gossipy woman really the empire’s foremost warrior?  

“Not interested. Stop blabbering.”  

Rubbing her temples, Gray replied.  

[Still, I’m glad he’s by your side.]  

Fathers will be fathers.  

[You’ve brightened up.]  

“⋯⋯What?”  

[Before receiving the Holy Sword, you always seemed burdened. Tense.]  

“⋯⋯”  

[You’ve regained composure relying on him. I’m glad.]  

⋯⋯Uncanny how he reads her.  

As Gray silently gripped the communicator, Lionel chuckled.  

[Ah, if he’s such a fine young man, perhaps something good could develop between you.]  

“⋯⋯”  

[His attentiveness surely means he’s interested. No?]  

“⋯⋯I’m hanging up.”  

Gray nearly smashed the device down.  

Collapsing onto her bed with a sigh, Lionel’s words echoed,  

‘Interested.’  

⋯⋯What exactly did that entail?  

Romantic interest, presumably.  

Something she’d neither experienced nor desired.  

“⋯⋯”  

Ugh.  

Scowling, Gray abruptly rose and exited her room.  

Better swing her sword than dwell on confusing thoughts.  

Which explains—  

Why she encountered Carlisle hauling books in the hallway.  

“Vespa, handle those. Your Highness, careful—!”  

“Eeek—!”  

Princess Illia collapsed in the hallway with an un-princesslike shriek, books scattering—  

One rolling to Gray’s feet⋯⋯  

“⋯⋯”  

Her gaze swept over the group.  

“⋯⋯What’s this?”  

What were they doing at this hour?  

Carlisle smiled at her questioning look.  

“Vespa and Her Highness are struggling academically. I’m assisting.”  

“⋯⋯Hmm⋯⋯”  

Gray nodded slowly.  

What to say?  

He’s so attentive.  

Despite his duties to her, he still tended to others.  

“⋯⋯”  

“Miss?”  

Carlisle blinked at her intense stare.  

But Gray simply kept watching him.  

His attentiveness surely means he’s interested.

That absurd comment resurfaced.  

Nonsense, of course. She barely understood romantic interest.  

Yet—  

“⋯⋯”  

Irritation flared.  

Why did he—  

Treat others so kindly too?  

Her brow furrowed.  

Displeasing.  

Then—  

“I’m bad at studying too.”  

Carlisle’s face froze solid.  

As did everyone else’s.  

⋯⋯What.  

Nonsense.  

Carlisle knew full well her intellect. ‘Bad at studying’? Ridiculous.  

“Miss, what did you say?”  

“I said I’m bad at studying.”  

“⋯⋯”  

But she clearly wouldn’t budge.  

Her next words confirmed it, 

“Teach me too.”  

“⋯⋯”  

“Where are we meeting?”  

Humanity’s guardian—  

Joining a study group.  

‘⋯⋯We’re screwed.’  

The cozy study session’s atmosphere instantly turned ominous.  

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