TSIMG 05

Chapter 05

About thirty minutes west of the capital city of Panyu in the Republic of Haint by carriage lay the city of Grantis.

It was home to Promboat University, the most prestigious university in all of Haint. Admission was notoriously difficult, but graduating was even harder.

As a result, most people in Haint regarded Promboat students as extraordinary geniuses.

January, 1676.

Today was Promboat University’s graduation ceremony.

“Say that again. How many points?”

“I know, right? It’s unbelievable.”

Granger seriously questioned her own hearing. Melia burst into laughter at her expression.

Rodia, who had turned twenty with the new year, blushed shyly before answering Granger’s question.

“…One hundred twenty-seven.”

“Are you insane?”

The students waiting for the graduation ceremony to begin while wearing their graduation caps immediately began whispering among themselves. They had clearly overheard Rodia’s score.

“I barely scraped together one hundred twenty points. Is it just me?”

“No, that’s normal. You’re not the only one.”

Melia nodded.

“Then what exactly is she?”

“…A genius?”

“Someone who never sleeps.”

“No, she’s just ridiculously talented. It’s unfair!”

Before anyone noticed, Isaac had slipped into the group of four girls. Standing nearly a head and a half taller than them, he casually draped an arm over Granger’s and Isolesia’s shoulders.

“Look over there.”

He tilted his chin toward a nearby crowd.

“Those poor little lambs.”

The four girls turned to look where Isaac was pointing.

Several students who had been staring at them flinched and hurriedly looked away.

“Were they watching me?”

“They were.”

Isaac nodded.

“They’re probably wondering if you’ll be this year’s recipient of the McKennan Medal.”

The others nodded in agreement.

The McKennan Medal—officially known as the McKennan Promboat Medal, named after the university’s first president—was awarded each year to the graduate with the highest academic achievement.

Back in the days of the monarchy, recipients of the medal could even have a reasonable wish granted by the king.

That was how prestigious it had once been.

“I thought it was basically just decoration now.”

Rodia tilted her head.

“We don’t even have a king anymore.”

“Oh, come on.”

Melia shrugged.

“Things have just been chaotic these past few years. Now that everything’s finally settling down, maybe they’ll bring back some of its old significance.”

“Who knows.”

Granger looked toward the stage.

“Oh! It’s starting!”

Despite its prestigious reputation, Promboat University’s graduation ceremony ended surprisingly quickly.

And just as everyone had expected—

The McKennan Medal went to Rodia.

“…Wow.”

“Hey, stop looking at the medal and look over here!”

The flashes of magic-powered cameras imported from another continent burst repeatedly throughout the hall.

“Hey! You two take one together! We’ve already taken ours!”

“Huh?”

Melia pushed Isaac next to Rodia before stepping away.

Standing beside her, Isaac’s neck immediately turned bright red.

Completely oblivious—or pretending to be—Granger waved the camera enthusiastically.

“Closer! Stand closer!”

Smiling brightly, Rodia obediently slipped her arm through Isaac’s and leaned against him.

The bouquet she was holding crinkled slightly between them.

Isaac froze.

Even through their clothes, he could feel her warmth.

His face turned such a vivid shade of red that it looked ready to explode.

“…What’s with him?”

Melia simply shrugged.

Meanwhile, Isolesia looked distinctly displeased.

“His face is so red…”

She muttered.

“Is he some kind of tomato with a great physique? Though… honestly, he’s kind of flat.”

She clearly wasn’t pleased by Isaac’s reaction.

Truthfully, Melia had realized a long time ago that Isaac was hopelessly in love with Rodia.

That was exactly why she always found little excuses to bring them closer together.

The Wallace family might now exist mostly in name, but during the monarchy they had been an ancient noble house that held high-ranking government offices—including seats on the Privy Council, the king’s advisory body.

There wasn’t a person in Panyu who didn’t know the Wallace family.

Isaac was its eldest son.

Barring something extraordinary, he would someday become the next head of the family.

And he adored Rodia.

As far as Melia was concerned, Isaac was the perfect match for her friend.

Unfortunately for her—

Her guardian seemed to have very different thoughts.

Histein arrived at the graduation ceremony with Rikart.

He carried a bouquet prepared especially for Rodia.

Elegantly dressed in a tailored suit, flowers in hand, his gaze landed immediately on Isaac—

Standing shoulder to shoulder with Rodia.

And it never moved away.

Melia quietly observed him.

“…Wait.”

Her face slowly began turning red with excitement.

No way…

Mr. Roat likes our Ridi!

He’s jealous!

Come on, Mr. Roat! You can do it!

Melia had completely misunderstood the situation and was practically cheering for him in her head.

Just then, Histein walked over with the bouquet.

“Congratulations on your graduation, Miss Prokheight.”

“Hello, Mr. Roat.”

Rodia smiled warmly.

“And thank you for the congratulations—and the flowers! Hello to you too, Mr. Dukane.”

Rikart politely acknowledged her greeting.

Meanwhile, Histein held out the bouquet.

To accept it, Rodia naturally stepped away from Isaac.

From another perspective…

Histein had just separated her from Isaac.

“…?”

Granger happened to notice.

She had never been particularly fond of how Isaac blushed around Rodia.

While she agreed with Melia that Isaac would probably make a good boyfriend…

There was always the risk of friends becoming lovers.

What if things didn’t work out?

Wouldn’t that ruin everything?

Those thoughts had always lingered in the back of her mind.

And now she had witnessed what Histein had just done.

“What are you staring at?”

Isaac asked.

“Nothing.”

Granger answered curtly.

But she continued observing Histein.

She hadn’t noticed at first…

But throughout the entire ceremony, he hadn’t once taken his eyes off Isaac.

That’s definitely the look of a man watching his rival.

Like Melia, Granger had reached a wildly incorrect conclusion.

It was the sort of adorable misunderstanding made by someone whose only knowledge of romance came from books.

“Damian should’ve been the one standing here giving you flowers…”

“It’s okay.”

While Granger and Melia continued building castles of misunderstanding in their minds, Rodia answered Histein gently.

“I’ll make him give me everything all at once when he comes back.”

She smiled.

“And besides… you’re Damian’s oldest friend. Having you congratulate me means just as much.”

“Thank you.”

She buried her nose in the bouquet.

The out-of-season blossoms filled the air with a sweet fragrance that tickled her nose.

“They smell wonderful.”

She looked up with a radiant smile.

Her eyes curved into crescents.

The corners of her lips lifted.

For just a brief moment, two neat front teeth peeked out between her rosy lips before disappearing again.

Histein suddenly froze.

His eyes trembled violently.

“Mr. Roat?”

“Could you…”

His voice caught.

“…Could you smile like that one more time?”

“…Pardon?”

“…Never mind.”

He immediately apologized.

“My apologies.”

Smile again?

The strange request lingered in Rodia’s mind.

As if trying to escape the moment, Histein quickly changed the subject.

He told everyone that he had reserved a restaurant to celebrate the occasion and would escort Rodia and her friends there.

Isaac’s expression visibly cracked.

He had originally planned to bring Rodia and everyone else back to his family’s estate instead.

The restaurant Histein had reserved was one of the most famous in Panyu.

Getting a table there normally required making reservations weeks in advance.

“Please enjoy yourselves.”

“Aren’t you joining us?”

Rodia asked.

Without thinking, Histein pulled out her chair before answering.

“I have another appointment I must attend.”

Then—

Like a gust of wind—

He disappeared almost immediately.

Rodia didn’t even have time to properly see him off.

She had only half-risen from her chair when Rikart quietly approached.

“I’ve already moved your belongings from the dormitory to the Roat estate.”

After informing her in a low voice, he hurried after Histein, looking thoroughly flustered.

Just how busy could he possibly be?

He couldn’t even stay for a meal on my graduation day?

He said he’d take Damian’s place…

Rodia couldn’t help pouting.