Chapter 168: Gathering information inside the royal castle

　While sipping tea, I broached the next topic of conversation. The next step was to “get Ijidol to introduce me to his friends”.

“Are there any other kids in the royal castle that you’re close to?”

“Ah, uhm, Axel, I guess? He’s this boy who takes part in Knights’ training, and we sometimes meet and talk. It seems like around the same time, the Knights hold swordsmanship practice for kids like us at the knight’s training ground.”

“I see. Then I might meet this Axel tomorrow.”

　Ijidol looks a little surprised. He probably didn’t expect me to practice swordsmanship as well. He must have thought I would come back tomorrow for magic training.

“Are you surprised?　I’m supposed to do swordsmanship training as well. So tomorrow is the day for swordsmanship training. For now, I’m taking turns participating in the training.”

“That’s amazing. I’m not really good at swordsmanship.”

　That’s probably right. No matter how I look at it, he doesn’t seem like the type who’d be strong in a fight. I’m glad Ijidol has a talent for magic.

“I’m still the son of a nobleman. I have to be able to do both.”

“It’s tough. Axel is a boy with red hair that stands on end. He says it’s bedhead, but I think he does it on purpose. He can be a bit brusque, but he’s not a bad kid.”

“It looks that way.”

　Otherwise, I wouldn’t think of becoming friends with Ijidol. He must be a bit laid back. He may be an easy person to deal with for an aristocrat with pockets full. I’m starting to look forward to tomorrow a little bit.

　Since Ijidol is not a nobleman, I could not get good information about the ladies. However, it turns out that Chloe-sama and Caro are popular among the boys. It looks like Chloe’s attendants are also popular.

　It seems that she has some very elegant ladies in her entourage.

　The fruitful tea time ended, and Ijidol and I parted ways. He had to help out at home from now on. He wasn’t very happy, so he turned his back and went home. After watching him off, I also headed home.

　At the townhouse, my brother Alex had already returned. It seemed that today was only an entrance ceremony and there were no classes. Come to think of it, brother Alex has a final test at the school right after the start of the new semester. He must be busy studying.

“Brother Alex, I’m back.”

“Welcome back, Julius. You’re back later than I expected. Did something happen?”

“I’ve just been talking with a friend.”

　The older brother rolls his eyes and looks at the servant. He doubts me. I watched as the servant nodded back. Good, good, now he’ll think I’m just like a normal kid.

“That’s good to hear. Friends are important.”

“Of course. Did something happen at the academy?”

　The older brother tilts his head as if remembering. Nothing in particular, it seems.

“I don’t think there’s a problem. Ah, but it was before the test, so everyone was nervous.”

“You seems to be doing okay, brother.”

“I think so. As long as we don’t have any more problems, I think we’ll be fine, okay?”

　Oh, that’s the look of concern that I’m going to cause some kind of trouble. I looked over at the servant to make sure he didn’t worry my brother any more.

　As if by chance, the servant who caught my gaze made a troubled face. My elder brother notices this.

“Julius, I don’t believe it, did something happen?”

“No, nothing, sir. I just went to the Royal Magic Potion Division, taught them how to make magic potions, practiced magic at the Mage’s training ground, and after that I went to talk to my friend Ijdol.”

“Well, then, why does the servant I assigned to you have that anxious look on his face.”

　Ugh, you are sharp, brother. As the eldest son of the Margrave Heine family, he seems to have cultivated a good eye for seeing other’s complexion. I can put on a poker face, but the servants can’t seem to do so.

“It’s just your imagination, brother. Look, don’t you have to study for the test too, big brother?　I also have to draw a blueprint for the icehouse, so if you’ll excuse me now.”

“ icehouse blueprints?”

　Oh, it could be bad. Alex’s brother has a crease between his eyebrows. It’s written all over his face that he’s not listening.

“Well, I was asked to do it by Giovanni-sama, the head of the Royal Potion Masters. You see, I can make magic tools, right?　They asked me to help them in that regard.”

“Hmmm.”

　The elder brother stares at the servant while saying so. The servant looks down. I think I’ll look down too.

“I’m  going to ask the servant for more details. Julius, you go back to your room and make sure you do what was asked of you properly .”

“Yes, sir.”

　Scary, brother Alex’s face is scary. I quickly went back to my room.

　What am I going to do tomorrow? Do I ask the servants to return home?　Impossible. Let’s give up. It’s just a matter of me not causing any problems. Let’s do our best.

　At the dinner table, my brother approached me. As expected, even the servants can’t talk about scenes that they haven’t witnessed. So he asked me in detail what had happened. I had no choice but to answer his questions, which were like semi-leading interrogations.

“Julius, please.”

“I’m sorry.”

　The elder brother asked me so. Maybe his stomach can’t take much more of this. I’ll go to the mixing room tomorrow and make a stomach medicine that will work well. This should give him some relief.

　Then, on his order, a servant was to stay by my side at all hours of the day.

　Stop it, my credibility is already at zero.

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