After school, the swordsmanship instructor returned to the staff room to confer with his colleagues. He had already finished his private discussion with Ren and Licia.
"Are you familiar with the Freshman Representative, Ren Ashton?"
"Of course. He’s quite proactive in my Monster Biology lectures. He nearly aced the quiz the other day, too," a female teacher replied.
The other instructors nearby joined in the praise.
"He participates in my classes with great enthusiasm as well; he makes the effort of teaching feel truly worthwhile."
"Speaking of Ren Ashton, he stayed behind just the other day to help me clean up after class. And on another occasion, he even arrived early to help with the preparations."
"It’s admirable how he hasn't let his guard down since the entrance ceremony. He maintains such a sincere, earnest attitude. In a way, he’s a different breed of model student compared to the upperclassmen from House Arc-Heise or House Ignat—or even the Third Prince."
Ren and Licia were clearly held in high regard by the faculty. Their daily conduct had left a stellar impression, and since they were consistently well-behaved, there wasn't a soul among the staff who felt the slightest bit of ill will toward them.
"But what happened? Did something occur during your swordsmanship class?"
"Well... a situation has arisen regarding Ashton and Clausel that I'm struggling to handle."
"Don't tell me those two caused trouble?"
"No, far from it—it’s a matter of my own inadequacy. The Academy Principal informed me that they practiced Strong Sword Arts, but their skill is far beyond anything I anticipated."
"Ah... I see. You couldn't keep them in the same class as the other students."
"Exactly. I can instruct them in Imperial Swordsmanship, but the gulf between them and their peers is simply too vast. While their presence might stimulate the others, staying in the class wouldn't benefit the two of them at all."
During the latter half of the previous lesson, the instructor had guided the class through Imperial Swordsmanship basics, but he had been forced to conclude that Ren and Licia had nothing to gain from his tutelage. Even if the two of them found some minor merit in reviewing techniques they already knew, the instructor felt he couldn't justify wasting their time.
"Every year, we usually have a few exceptional students mix in with the upperclassmen for swordsmanship. Why not have them join the second or third-year classes? Or better yet, just let them join the seniors in the fourth-year?"
However, the swordsmanship instructor shook his head. "It wouldn't matter."
The level of strength he had witnessed was beyond comparison, even when measured against the students in their final year. And he knew that neither of them had been using the full extent of their Strong Sword Arts. No matter how one looked at it, there was no logical reason to force them to attend standard student lectures.
"Is it really that extreme!?"
"Hahaha! Well, that’s quite something!"
"My, my. If that’s the case, then I suppose there’s no helping it."
The swordsmanship instructor shrugged, his voice suggesting that he had reached the only possible conclusion.
"Since swordsmanship is a compulsory subject, they’ll still have to sit for the exams. Fortunately, attendance isn't factored into the final grade for that course, so it shouldn't be a problem."
"So you’re saying it’s fine for them to be absent from the daily lessons?"
"That is the plan. As you all know, this isn't exactly an unprecedented special measure. We’ve always had a few students who only show up for the exams."
Verlich had mentioned this to Ren once before. Given the nature of the Imperial Academy, many complications would arise if the system didn't allow for a certain degree of flexibility. Because of this, several subjects prioritized exam performance over mere attendance.
"This is an institution that has to juggle the circumstances of the high nobility, after all. We can be flexible about things like exam-only participation."
In exchange for that flexibility, however, the exams were notoriously difficult compared to other schools. If a student's grades were poor, they would be failed without mercy regardless of whether they were a high-ranking noble or foreign royalty. Skipping class required a level of competence that justified the absence.
As the teachers were discussing the duo, Chronoa entered the staff room. The swordsmanship instructor approached her to explain the situation.
"Academy Principal, regarding those two..."
Upon hearing the story, Chronoa gave a sheepish, knowing laugh. "Tahaha... as I thought."
"I'll make sure they take the exams properly, but the question is how they should spend the time originally allotted for swordsmanship class."
"They told me they were willing to participate because they thought it would still be beneficial, but as an educator, I want them to spend that time on something that truly helps them grow."
"I agree," Chronoa said. "I feel the same way."
If that was the case, the faculty needed to offer some alternatives. Following the example of other elite students, several others skipped the daily lectures for subjects they had already mastered. These students were typically geniuses whose knowledge surpassed that of a graduate. They often spent those hours studying in the library or taking on special assignments from other professors. This was a common sight among the Special Merit Class, fitting the school’s culture of respecting student autonomy.
Chronoa decided that Ren and Licia should follow that path.
"Consult with the other teachers. If anyone feels they can provide Ren and Licia with worthwhile assignments, please make the proposal to them. Just make sure everything stays strictly within the regulations."
This was the Imperial Academy, an institution distinct from any other. If students sought a high-level education and demonstrated the marks to prove they were ready for it, they had the right to pursue more advanced studies. Making them spend their time in vain was the greatest folly an educator could commit.
"How many times a week does Ren-kun have swordsmanship?"
"Since he's only taking the required Imperial Swordsmanship credit, it should be twice a week in the afternoons."
The teachers exchanged looks, already beginning to brainstorm ways to make that time useful for the two prodigies.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
The madder-red glow of the setting sun bathed the school building, casting long shadows over the three students conversing on the rooftop.
"Oh, it was the same for me," Fiona said, as if the memory had just resurfaced.
"Back in my first year, my Herbology teacher suggested I take on assignments for other subjects instead of attending the standard lectures."
Ren leaned against the rooftop fence as Fiona reflected on her past. Because of her sickly childhood, she had spent a vast amount of time studying herbology for her own survival. By the time she had enrolled, her knowledge already exceeded the graduation requirements for the Special Merit Class.
"What did you do back then, Lady Fiona?" Ren asked.
"I accepted assignments from other professors. Work for the Ignat family would often pull me away, so I thought it was better to have independent tasks rather than trying to fit into a rigid class schedule."
"That makes sense. It allows you to use your time for things other than just rote studying."
"Exactly. Besides, the assignments I was given were incredibly educational, and the teachers were always happy to help me during their free hours."
Ren turned his gaze to Licia, who was sitting on a nearby bench. She looked up at him.
"We should probably take that path as well. Reviewing Imperial Swordsmanship is fine, but if that’s all we want, we can just have Weiss drill us at the manor. We came here to sharpen our skills, so we need to be efficient."
"I agree. Now we just have to see if any teachers will give us assignments..."
"You needn't worry about that," Fiona assured them. "There have been several people like you recently. And if I recall... there was once a male student who entered the academy already possessing knowledge that equaled or surpassed a graduate in four different subjects."
"That’s incredible. Who was he?"
Fiona gave a wry, soft smile at Ren's question. "It was... my father."
Neither Ren nor Licia looked surprised. On the contrary, the revelation felt perfectly natural.
"Well, Ren... if it's Marquis Ignat, then it makes sense."
"Yeah. I’m convinced instantly."
Regardless, both Ren and Licia were eager to use their time effectively. While they would decide which subjects to pursue later, they still needed to figure out where they would do their studying.
Realistically, accepting assignments is the only option, Ren thought. But if the Executive Committee work gets too hectic, I could probably just use that time to knock those tasks out, too.
It turned out that Fiona also had free time on those same two afternoons. For the reasons she had mentioned, she often spent her later hours studying in the library or in a quiet corner of the academy gardens.
When Licia heard this, she asked, "In that case, would you mind if we joined you?"
"I would be delighted," Fiona replied.
Ren could see that the bond between the two girls had grown even stronger since the Great Clock Tower incident.
Suddenly, the rooftop door creaked open.
"So, this is where you were hiding."
Radius stepped out onto the roof, his voice carrying clearly through the evening air.
"Oh? Is it time already?" Ren asked.
"Not yet. I simply found myself with time to kill until our appointment, so I came up here on a whim and happened to spot the three of you."
Ren had planned to meet with Radius later to discuss how the swordsmanship class had gone—just casual small talk between friends. Their scheduled meeting wasn't for another twenty minutes.
Since he had already informed Licia and Fiona, Ren apologized for leaving a bit early and walked over to join the Prince.
"By the way, Radius, do you have gaps in your schedule too?"
"A few. For instance, my afternoons are usually open. Since public duties often arise unexpectedly, I make sure not to schedule any classes during those hours."
"Huh. Then we’re the same, at least when it comes to having no afternoon classes."
As Ren and Radius left the roof together, Licia and Fiona watched them go, both thinking the exact same thing.
Fiona was the first to speak. "...What do you think, Lady Licia?"
"I am immensely dissatisfied, of course."
"I knew it! His Highness is practically a being from another world! Compared to him, the daughter of a Marquis shouldn't be much at all...!"
"If you're going to say that, then imagine how I feel as the daughter of a mere Viscount..."
They both had the same grievance. It stemmed from the way Ren called Radius by his name without any titles, treating him with the frank, casual attitude of a true friend. When they compared that intimacy to the formal distance Ren still maintained with them...
Both girls let out a long, synchronized sigh.
They were rivals in love, but they were also the only two people who understood the frustration of having their requests for informal speech firmly rejected by the boy they cared for.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
A short distance away, Ren suddenly let out a sharp sneeze.
He and Radius were strolling through the academy gardens, enjoying the natural scenery as they talked.
"What was that for?" Radius asked.
"I don't know. It just came out of nowhere."
"Despite the spring warmth, see to it that you don't catch a cold."
"I'm trying. I haven't been careless or anything."
"Good. But if you do fall ill, I’ll at least come to visit. I can even pass the time by telling you the folk tales I heard from my father and mother when I was small."
I'm a bit too old for that, and I can't exactly have the Third Prince play nursemaid, Ren thought. He scratched his head with an awkward expression, while Radius simply offered a cool, elegant smile.
"What kind of stories are they?"
"Are you curious?"
"Well, yeah. I’m interested to know what kind of tales the Imperial Family uses to soothe their children."
"Hmph. Then I shall tell you one."
As they walked across the manicured lawn, Radius's hair fluttered in the evening breeze.
"Long ago, it is said that a girl was born in a certain kingdom."
"Oh, sounds like a pretty standard start."
"The title of the story is the 'Blighted Princess'."
"Wow... that turned ominous fast."
Radius laughed at Ren's flat reaction.
"The girl—the Blighted Princess—was born with a corrosive mana that withered everything it touched. It was a power so potent that not even her own parents could lay a hand on her."
The two walked side by side, and Radius began to recount the legend he had been told as a child, his voice carrying softly through the twilight.