Chapter 64 – Two Sides (2)

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"…Yes, it's true that I didn't apply."

"Why? May I ask for the reason?"

A reason… Does the professor really care about every little thing? Do I need a reason to do what I want? But judging from the atmosphere, it doesn't seem like he'll accept "because I don't want to meet someone" as a valid reason.

Professor Fletcher's office was peaceful and relaxed, but my back was covered in cold sweat, "I…well…"

As I trailed off and failed to give a proper answer, Professor Fletcher interjected, "I'm just saying, but I don't expect you to spout nonsense like 'I lack knowledge' or anything. And you don't look sick enough to not be able to take the exam."

It's like he was seeing through the excuses I've prepared in my mind. Professor Fletcher, observing my complexion, nodded as if he expected this.

"Look. I've been teaching for over 40 years now. Do you think I can't properly grasp the level of my students? Moreover, you're not lacking in ability, you were demoted as punishment for your own mistakes. Do you think it makes sense for a student who came down from Class-B to say that they don't have enough learning in Class-D?"

He was correct in every detail. When I couldn't properly refute his words, Professor Fletcher sighed and continued his speech.

"From a teaching standpoint, your attitude can only be seen as academic laziness. We didn't establish the class system for students to comfortably stay in the lower classes. As a student, it is your duty to be faithful to the purpose of learning. Do you think your attitude is right now? I will put your name on the list for the promotion exam by my authority."

My head was stunned by his sudden bombshell declaration. But as if that wasn't enough, Professor Fletcher added one more thing.

"If you refuse, I will give you the maximum possible penalty and continue to disadvantage you in the second semester. And you know very well that it is out of the question to fail the promotion exam with your skills, right? You may not be able to go to Class-B, but it is absolutely impossible for you to fall below Class-C. So even in that case, I will give you the same disadvantages as I mentioned before, so be aware of that."

It seems that St. Clifford's Academy was more serious about education than I thought.

* * * * *

"Handsome young master. I know this is rude, but I have to ask you this. Are you by any chance from one of the Five Great Houses? Did you really invest in us after seeing our potential? My goodness. I thought it would be a miracle if even one of us succeeded, but how did you manage all three…"

"I guess I was lucky. Don't you think that happens sometimes?"

"Lucky…"

In front of me, a woman with a nervous expression was muttering something in a daze. Her frizzy red hair seems to be an outward expression of her sensitivity.

"Well… I can't explain it any other way… But even so, how am I supposed to understand this…"

This is the Baldwin & Malone Trade and Investment Association in Drakton, and I was using my day off to check on the results of my previous investments.

And as Irene's reaction shows, the investment I made paid off quite well. That's all three: Horace, Esmond, and Valentine. 

"I'd like to see the detailed documents. I'm curious about how I managed to make such profits."

"Here, you can look here. The top line shows the amount you invested, and the third line shows the amount…"

According to Irene, Horace and Esmond had been making regular profits through their usual transactions. But Valentine's story was a bit different. They were struggling with insufficient funds before a big deal, and my investment came in and helped them make significant gains.

Seeing how a simple bug situation manifests into such a complex cause-and-effect in reality left me with a subtle sense of unease.

Anyway, while it may be true for the others, the investment in Valentine has really paid off.

"Thank you for explaining. And while I'm here, I'm thinking of adding more money. 100 gold each for Horace and Esmond, as before. And for Valentine… 400 gold."

"400…"

Upon hearing the amount I mentioned, Irene grabbed her neck as if her blood pressure was rising. After a moment, she spoke in a half-dazed tone.

"I won't be able to earn that much money in my lifetime, even twice...….. You won't listen to me anyway, will you? I'll pray that you'll be successful this time too… At least I'll get some commission if you do well…!"

I quickly signed the contract and left the association building. I felt really good, but I think I'll check a few more times just in case. If the investment continues to be successful, I think it's okay to increase the amount.

Before leaving the front door, I put on my glasses again and adjusted my appearance. And when I opened the door, I saw Ellie standing in the shadow of the statue.

"Sorry. Did you wait long?"

"Ah…It was Ed. I was here for a moment. hehehe…"

When I told her that I had business to do in Drakton, Ellie said she'd come along too. Well, that's fine, but has she really forgotten all the unpleasant memories she had in this city?

Although I didn't intentionally ask, it seems like she deliberately followed along to forget such memories.

"But it's amazing. Are you already doing this kind of thing yourself…? I'm really bad with numbers…"

"…I'm bad too…..I'm just doing it for the experience. There's nothing I can do if I lose…"

Ellie was always well-mannered enough not to look like a commoner, but she wasn't without her weaknesses. Ellie always struggled with the 'arithmetic' subject.

I thought for a moment that Ellie might be the daughter of a noble, but if so, she wouldn't be bad with numbers.

"But Ellie. What are we going to do now? It's almost carriage time. If we miss this carriage, the next one won't come for a long time."

"What…? Of course we have to take the next one… It's been a while since we've had a date… no, an outing."

Upon hearing my question, Ellie gives me a puzzled look. It's as if she's wondering why I'm asking such an obvious question.

"But even so, isn't it a bit…for a man and a woman to ride a carriage alone in the middle of the night…? Your parents might worry…"

No matter how open-minded someone is, there should be boundaries. But she remains steadfast. After looking around, she spoke with a slightly lowered tone.

"…It's okay. My parents always listen to what I say. And they know everything about you. I told them you're my best friend. So you don't have to worry about that…"

"Really? If that's the case…"

"So let's go quickly instead of just standing here… We don't have much time…"

She grabbed my hand and ran ahead; her steps were just light. 

She dragged me all over the streets, and in particular, at the clothing store, she tried on all the dresses in the store and asked me for my opinion on each one.

And when I said that they all looked good on her, she pouted and said that I wasn't being sincere enough in my answers.

But the dresses Ellie tried on all looked like they were made for her.

* * * * *

"But Ellie. Don't you really want to reconsider? I'll stop the annoying ones, but the atmosphere is still different than Class-D, where there were only commoner students…"

"Absolutely not. I'm going with you no matter what."

"Oh my… Stubbornness is…!"

It was now completely dark outside, and Ellie and I were talking while waiting for the carriage. 

Last time, I said that I would be taking the promotion test, and Ellie expressed her intention to take the exam as well. She then went to the professor's office alone, and after much insistence, her name was added.

"…Ed. You look like you don't like something… Do you hate me taking the exam with you…? Or are you worried that I'll fail…? Eep."

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"Ellie. I'm just saying that because I'm worried…"

"Eup-eup."

I covered Ellie's mouth with the palm of my hand and thought for a moment. Come to think of it, she is not the kind of person who should be staying in Class-D. Her arithmetic was a little weak, but that's just "a little".

But why did they force me to apply and not do the same to Ellie? 

Are skills seen through the eyes of a professor different? Or are the standards applied to nobles and commoners slightly different?

Considering the academy's educational philosophy, that shouldn't be the case… Why is that…

"Krrg."

"Ugh, you're really…"

"You idiot. It's fun. Baa-."

Suddenly, I feel something moist and soft in my palm.

Startled, I pulled my hand away, and Ellie lightly teased me, sticking out her tongue.

"But Ed. Anyway, exams are exams, right… Shouldn't we study a bit…?"

"It's okay. Didn't I tell you? My goal is to get to Class-C. I don't care about Class-B, but I don't have to worry about Class-C at all. With your level, you can go up really easily."

"But still… We're students too…"

She continued to wiggle her fingers and looked up at me. When she does this, it means she wants something from me. From what I've seen, she was definitely not capable of failing, but was the anxiety she felt something else?

And when I thought about it, if nothing else, I don't remember ever studying with Ellie before.

If you say so, I guess I can't say no… But then the place…"

We had our meals in a separate room, so we wouldn't be attracting attention, but studying was a different feeling. Considering the way others see us, it would be strange to go to the library together. And Senior Efania, who loves to make fun of people, could be annoying. So a quiet space…

"Ellie. Then, would you like to study together at my house?"

"…Ehhh…?"

After hearing my question, she lowered her head. And after a moment, she silently nods her head in approval.

From the palm of my hand that she had licked just now, a sweet scent seemed to rise.

If you want to read the first 25 chapters for free and read up to the final chapter for a cheap price patreon.com/Makima02