After parting ways with the girls, we returned to the boys’ dormitory, had lunch, and then headed to the classroom once again.
We proceeded to attend our afternoon class on herbology.
Incidentally, Ilmera and Yuika weren’t there, and the only girls present were Toko and Noel. Furthermore, Frank was absent as well, so it was just me, Noel, and Cedric—a group of three—sitting together for the class.
“I completely understand why those guys aren’t showing up for this…,” I muttered quietly.
“It’s just endless explanations of grasses,” Noel added.
While Cedric muttered this, he was diligently taking notes.
“You’re actually taking this thing seriously, huh?”
“I already said this before, didn’t I? I prefer a broad yet shallow approach.”
Is this how a lord should be?
“Noel, are you enjoying it?”
When I turned to Noel this time, she nodded affirmatively.
“I like it. Back at my family home, we even cultivate herbs.”
Huh, like a home garden kind of vibe?
“Boring…”
I was getting super sleepy.
“Haven’t I already told you why?”
“Mr. Tsukasa doesn’t seem like he’d enjoy this, does he?”
What should we do with this? It doesn’t seem like it’ll aid in any curse-breaking, but I’ll think about it by next week.
“Hey, can I ask you something?”
“Is it about Mathias?”
“That’s right, who is that guy?”
I was curious about why he had been so confrontational with us, D-Class students.
“Mathias Jakar. He’s the second son of a prestigious French warrior family. He’s pretty competent and has some magic power, but his personality is… well, you know.”
“Is he part of the Ivell party that Noel mentioned earlier?”
“That’s right. The Jakar family is one of the leading figures in the Ivell party,” Noel explained.
“He’s what we might call a ‘kowtow’ type, right?”
I could feel that energy from him.
“I don’t have a comment.”
It seems Noel thought the same.
“Is that why Mathias is constantly picking on La Folle?”
“That’s part of it, but there’s another reason.”
Another one?
“Is there something else?”
Is it because Toko is a little sassy?
“It’s due to the school factions. The academy is divided into those who value bloodlines, the bloodline faction, and those against that, the freedom faction. And the epitome of this divide is the rivalry between Freedom Class D and Bloodline Class C.”
Eh? What’s that about?
“Am I part of the freedom faction?”
“I’m not sure. Neither Cedric nor Frank has ever been part of any faction. They honestly don’t care.”
Seems the true elite don’t dwell on such things.
“What about you, Noel?”
“I’m sorry, but I’m part of the freedom faction.”
This girl keeps apologizing.
“What’s the freedom faction about?”
“Magic users have a long history, haven’t they? Within that, certain families are considered prestigious. Like Cedric’s family, Toko’s family, and even the family of the student council president.”
I get that. The Nagase family, too, is an old and prestigious house. Probably…
“It’s there.”
“Once you reach that level, though it might not be outright elitism, there’s a tendency to value bloodlines.”
“Yeah, I guess that makes sense.”
“Still, it feels like a bad mindset, doesn’t it? A mage’s worth shouldn’t solely be judged by family background. To be honest, it’s not a modern way of thinking.”
Yeah, it sounds discriminatory.
“Is that why you dislike bloodline elitism, Noel? Even though you’re part of the Ivell faction?”
“That’s right. But it’s a personal decision; my family isn’t involved. My unfortunate luck was being the same age as the student council president, who opposes my Ivell faction ideology.”
How inconvenient…
“Are the factions chosen by self-declaration?”
“There was a section on the entrance exam aptitude test concerning this. That’s how the division happened. There were a few such questions, weren’t there?”
I don’t know, I didn’t take it…
Thanks to my grandma, Toko, I ended up in D Class even though I didn’t do the exam.
“Noel, do you think Tsukasa took the exam to end up here? It’s the same as Yui’s situation. Be considerate.”
“Oh! I’m sorry…”
No need to apologize.
By the way, does this mean Yui also got in through a backdoor?
“Well then, is Cedric part of the freedom faction because of the aptitude test?”
“Probably. But as I mentioned earlier, I don’t care. Honestly, you don’t either, right?”
“Before I even understood it, I just felt like it was all too advanced for me.”
“That’s fine for you. It’s better to focus on your own grades than to dwell on meaningless things.”
Something feels off…
Why does this super-elite feel so much older than me?
“Noel, Noel. Since you’re part of the Ivell faction, do you know Sharl?”
“Of course! We actually went to the same middle school… well, Mathias did too.”
Him too?
“Did you guys get along well?”
“Mmm, well, it was delicate. That person is always like that, doesn’t talk much, and has only a few friends, as far as I know.”
“Hmm…”
That fits with his statement about keeping quiet.
“Is Tsukasa close with the student council president?”
“She gave us a tour of the academy when we first arrived.”
“Hmm… Sounds like a hint of romance, tell us more!”
No way!
“Everyone, let’s focus on the lecture…” Cedric gave us a disapproving sigh, so we decided to pay serious attention.
Once the boring lecture ended, I tried to dodge the questions that Noel, who was sparkling with curiosity, kept throwing at me as I went back to the dorm.
“Ah, I’m exhausted. That guy bombarded me with questions.”
Noel’s eyes were bright with excitement.
“Noel just loves those kinds of topics. Be careful.”
Cedric chuckled and gave me a warning.
“Will do.”
“Also, Tsukasa. It’s none of my business, and honestly, I don’t care, but just don’t get overly entangled.”
“Huh?”
“Overly entangled? The feud between Ivell and La Folle is so bad that it’s even known back in our country!”
“Is that so!”
It’s still not clicking for me.
“That’s right. So, Tsukasa, are you on Toko’s side or the student council president’s?”
“The cute one.”
Of course, that’s Sharl!
“Ugh… No, I’m sorry, forget it. Just be yourself. See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, see ya.”
After parting ways with Cedric, I returned to my room.
Thank you for reading.
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