“Thank you very much, Elsa-sensei.”
It seemed the choice of honorific had finally been settled as "sensei."
“Ern, it is about time we take our leave for today.”
At those words from the Empress, Ernst Shouro replied with a look of slight dissatisfaction.
“Aunt, but we only just arrived...”
“It is already eleven o’clock. Do you intend to impose upon them for lunch as well?”
“Ah...”
“No, Your Majesty, I have already had preparations made.”
Jin’s voice cut in to settle the matter.
“See, Aunt? Jin-sensei says so as well!”
“...Am I a ‘sensei’ too...?”
Being called ‘sensei’ himself made Jin begin to feel a sense of resignation toward the title.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Wow, this is delicious, Sensei!”
“Ern, eat a little more quietly....Lord Nido, this really is delicious.”
“It is an honor....Perido 101, standing here, prepared it.”
The Empress looked at Perido 101 with an impressed expression. Meanwhile, Ernst was honestly moved.
“Incredible! To think a golem is more skilled than a human chef.”
The dish served was ojiya.
It wasn't made from leftovers; the rice had been simmered from scratch. The broth had been properly extracted, seasoned with miso, and topped with scattered eggs from a kokarisk—a creature that resembled a chicken.
“Also, it might be tasty if you sprinkle these on top to your liking.”
Jin offered bowls of chopped chrispa, kryptona, and the leaves of victory onions.
“I’d recommend the kryptona. The victory onions will make your breath smell a bit afterward...”
“Then I’ll try the kryptona.”
Ernst lightly sprinkled some kryptona over his porridge and brought a spoonful to his mouth.
“Oh, it’s delicious! It has such a refreshing aroma.”
“Oh, you’re right....Jin-kun, can these ingredients be found anywhere?”
“I believe so. These specifically were produced in Kaina Village in the Klein Kingdom.”
“That is your territory, isn't it?...I wonder if I should grant you a territory within our Empire as well?”
“Please, don't.”
Jin refused in earnest.
“Receiving this mansion alone is already more than I deserve.”
But the Empress did not back down.
“How can you say it is more than you deserve? I do not feel I have rewarded your service nearly enough.”
Jin gave a wry smile.
“It may seem that way to Your Majesty, but for myself, I have received more than enough....Namely, a ‘place to belong.’”
For Jin, who had been a rootless wanderer in this world, the existence of a country where he could have a family and be given a mansion like this carried great weight.
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Sensing Jin’s sincerity—that he felt truly grateful—the Empress said no more, and the topic was laid to rest.
＊ ＊ ＊
“I learned so much today. Jin-sensei, please teach me magi-craft next time!”
“Y-Yes. If there is an opportunity.”
“Jin-kun, Elsa, thank you for today. I’m sorry for the trouble.”
“No, it was no trouble at all.”
With that, the Empress, Ernst, and Flora departed.
“...I’m exhausted.”
Both Jin and Elsa felt a touch of mental fatigue from the high-profile visit.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Sensei!”
The next morning at 8:30, Ernst Shouro arrived at the mansion.
The Empress was not with him this time, as expected, but he was accompanied by Charlotte Arena von Linal Shouro—the sister of the previous Emperor and the younger sister of the current Empress.
“W-Welcome, Your Highness.”
Jin had thought about returning to Hourai Island around noon, but his plans were promptly revised.
A female knight he had not seen before accompanied them as a guard.
“I am honored to meet you for the first time. I am Emilia Flot von Galaloa, a member of the Shouro Empire Female Ritter Order.”
Emilia bowed toward Jin and Elsa, bending her waist nearly ninety degrees.
“Ah, I’m Jin Nidou.”
“And I am Elsa Nidou.”
Jin and Elsa introduced themselves in return.
Emilia was small of stature. She was still slightly taller than the eleven-year-old Ernst, but it looked as though he would surpass her within the next two years.
“I am profoundly honored to behold the countenances of the renowned Magi Craft Meister, Lord Jin Nidou, and the Madam, who is an esteemed Reichsarzt.”
“Y-Yes, well.”
She seemed to be an incredibly stiff individual. Perhaps that was exactly why she had been entrusted with the future Emperor.
“Her Majesty cannot come every single day, so I have accompanied him instead,” said Charlotte, who was the Empress's sister and Ernst's aunt.
“...What are the first and second in the order of succession doing out together...?” Jin could not help but sigh.
At the same time, knowing that anything could happen, he had Reiko contact Laojun to instruct him to dispatch the Shinobi Squad to secure the area.
Unaware of this, Ernst was already receiving an introduction to magi-craft from Jin.
“Yes, that’s right. You form the shape you’ve imagined right there.”
“...Like this, then! Forming!!”
The bronze in Ernst’s hands shifted... and became a distorted, lumpy sphere.
“Ah... it’s no good.”
Ernst’s shoulders slumped in disappointment.
“No, that was a good effort, Your Highness. Come, try once more.”
“Right....Forming!”
It was better than before, but it remained an irregular shape.
“This is hard...”
At this point, Jin thought of an approach from a different angle.
“Your Highness, are you aware of the geometric properties of the three-dimensional shape called a ‘sphere’?”
“Properties?”
“Yes....Well then, first, please think of a ‘circle.’”
“A circle...”
Jin nodded and explained in a clear, deliberate manner.
“A circle is a collection of points that are at an equal distance from its ‘center’... in other words, a figure enclosed by a line.”
“Yes, that’s right!”
“Then, what about a ‘sphere’? A sphere is also a collection of points at an equal distance from the center... but it is a figure enclosed by a surface.”
“Ah, I see!”
Ernst gave a great nod of realization.
“I’ll try with that image....Forming!”
This time, the bronze shifted into a perfectly smooth, beautiful sphere.
“I did it! I did it, Jin-sensei!!”
“Splendidly done, Your Highness.”
Thus, Ernst Shouro took his first step as a student of magi-craft.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Whaaat? I want to go to Jin-sensei’s place today too!”
Ernst Shouro’s voice echoed in a room within the Royal Palace.
“You cannot, Your Highness. For the time being, you must tour the provinces.”
The future Emperor’s schedule was packed tight.