Chapter 195: Second-Year Imperial Academy Students 

It had already been a week since they returned to the second estate in the capital.

Starting today, Lena would attend the Imperial Academy as a second-year student, while Estelle would continue her duties there as a professor of pharmacology.

Because of student council responsibilities, Lena left the estate early in the morning, and Estelle did the same to prepare for her lectures.

As for Ryu, he was technically still registered as a part-time instructor of magic studies, so as long as he showed his badge to the security knights, he could freely enter the academy grounds.

…During this past week, he had succeeded in constructing a dungeon beneath the second estate and linking it to Arden. Because of that, his mother had been occupying the estate’s dining hall every morning, enjoying her meals there. According to her, she wanted to memorize the faces of every single servant working in this household.

Naturally, Ryu was there as well.

“Where’s Mimi-chan right now?”

“Influenced by Stingray, she’s taken an interest in adventuring. She’s currently working day and night as a scout for ‘Silverwing Oath,’ a B-rank adventurer party under the Grace frontier house.”

“Oh my, that’s wonderful. But changing the subject—don’t you think this house is a bit too big? It’s practically on par with the estate of the Empire’s breadbasket.”

“Well, it was a gift from Her Majesty.”

“What exactly did you do this time?”

“Nothing much. I just established diplomatic relations with Hinomaru, which had been practically isolated for a thousand years, and formed a little alliance.”

“…Ah, right. I forgot. You really are something else.”

“It’s all thanks to Estelle.”

“You really did find yourself a wonderful bride. She’s adorable—I absolutely adore that girl.”

“Estelle seems to be quite fond of you too.”

“Oh my. Then I’ll have to increase our physical affection even more. Ufufu.”

And just like that, Estelle was casually sold out to his mother.

“Oh, that reminds me—apparently the youngest son of Duke Mondo’s house enrolled in the Imperial Academy this year.”

“Oh? That’s rare. The Mondo family has always attended the academy in the northeast.”

“I suppose they wanted to let the youngest experience the Imperial Academy, at least. As a parent, I can understand that.”

“So even the ‘King of the Mountain’ is still just a parent, huh.”

“That’s right.”

“Maybe he’ll fall in love with our Lena at first sight. What would you do if that happened?”

“I’d kill him.”

“Ufufufu. Such heavy love—I adore it.”

That said, if he was a son worthy of being sent to the Imperial Academy by Duke Mondo himself, then he was surely quite capable.

At the very least, he should have enough sense to behave properly.

While the fact that Ryu had taken Estelle and Lena as his wives hadn’t spread widely throughout the academy, it was already common knowledge among the upper class.

“So, do you have your next job decided?”

“No, not really. Like I said before, I’m planning to somehow secure a dedicated alchemist for Arden.”

“The one who created Kurikara, right?”

Only recently had Ryu explained everything in detail to his mother—the dragonification that had nearly consumed him, the process by which he had avoided it, and the existence of the Dragon King Bahamut that had once resided within him during childhood.

Upon learning that her son had endured such suffering to save Arden and even cure her illness, she had collapsed into bed for an entire day, overwhelmed with shock and guilt. But now, she had accepted everything and was calmly enjoying her breakfast once more.

“So, are you heading to the floating island?”

“Yeah. I’m going to storm it with Ryoma.”

“You’re not supposed to ‘storm’ it… you’re going to find Souchika-san, remember?”

After that, his mother thoroughly enjoyed her conversation with her son before returning to Arden.

As Ryu made his way back to his room—

“Ryu-sama.”

“Oh, Sebas.”

“What are your plans for today?”

“I’ve got nothing scheduled, so I’m thinking of working with the Dungeon Master to develop the underground dungeon.”

“Understood. Shall I accompany you?”

“Nah, no need. Your workload’s basically doubled now, so focus on that.”

“Very well.”

Originally the head butler of Arden, Sebas was now responsible for managing the servants of both estates, thanks to their newfound ability to freely teleport between them. Naturally, he was incredibly busy.

Ryu headed off to meet the Dungeon Master, intent on expanding the underground dungeon.

◇◇◇

The Imperial Academy’s entrance ceremony had already taken place, and today marked the beginning of lectures.

Standing at the podium in a fairly spacious classroom was a small-statured girl in an oversized lab coat—Estelle. Perched on her shoulder was a plump little ice-snow slime, wobbling gently.

“The foundation of pharmacology begins with memorizing medicinal herbs. It’s like mana control in magic. Therefore, by the next lecture, you will memorize ten pages of herb names and their effects. Understood, you fledglings?”

“…plop”

(Professor Noja is so cute…)

(Is that a tiny slime on her shoulder?)

(I wonder if she has a boyfriend…)

(That oversized lab coat is adorable…)

(I kinda want to skip homework on purpose just to get scolded…)

Estelle’s popularity remained as unshakable as ever.

──In a classroom within the second-year building—

“Hey, Lena, isn’t Ryu-sensei coming anymore?”

“Um… according to Oni-sama, he won’t be coming for a while.”

““““Ehhh—!?””””

A chorus of disappointed cries rose from the girls.

Needless to say, Ryu was just as popular.

…That afternoon.

After finishing lunch quickly, Alice and Lena stood up.

“Lena, let’s head to the student council room.”

“Yeah! A lively school life starts again today!”

“Well… I’m severely lacking in Ryoma-sama right now…”

“Well… I’m severely lacking in my dear brother too…”

The two sighed gloomily as they walked.

──And then—

They passed by a male student who was being showered with high-pitched cheers.

“Kyaa! It’s Zex-sama!”

“That’s the son of the ‘King of the Mountain,’ Duke Mondo…!”

“His pale skin and blue eyes—so fitting for the icy regions!”

“I wonder if there’s any way to get close to him…”

“No way. He’s from the Mondo family—he must already have amazing fiancée candidates lined up.”

“I heard he placed first in the entrance exams.”

“He’s definitely going to be scouted for the student council.”

“This year’s freshmen are way too impressive—it’s making us older girls excited.”

He was none other than Zex Mondo, the third son of the illustrious Duke Mondo family.

But for the two girls, who knew the “real deal” in Ryu and Ryoma, he barely registered.

“As long as he doesn’t cause any weird trouble, I don’t really care.”

“Still… I’ve got a feeling our workload’s going to increase again this year.”

“But hasn’t the Mondo family been having some contact with the Arden viscount house lately?”

“Yeah. During the Edo defense battle, Oni-sama apparently requested reinforcements from the Mondo fleet.”

“They protected Ryoma-sama’s homeland, huh? Then this Zex guy must be a good person.”

“Hahaha, Alice-chan, you’re as pragmatic as ever.”

However, the boy drawing the attention of every girl in the academy had one major secret.

…

(Where… where is Ryu-sama… my revered Ryu Arden-sama…?!)

Unbeknownst to all, he was an ardent fan of Ryu.

Originally, Zex had been expected to attend the northeastern academy in accordance with Mondo family tradition. But at his own insistence, he had enrolled in the Imperial Academy instead.

(I heard he was serving as a temporary instructor, so I rushed here… and yet he’s nowhere to be found…?!)

Hidden from sight, Zex dropped to his knees on the ground.

“At this rate, my dream of becoming Ryu-sama’s underling will be crushed…”

(…No. It’s only the first day. There’s no need to panic.)

In an instant, his expression cleared, as if nothing had happened.

And just like that, Zex returned to his classroom.