Chapter 8

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Today, I will post two episodes. The second one will be at 9 PM.

When Misaki went to the training ground for that day’s magic training, Arnoir was already there waiting.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting."

Noel hurriedly rushed into the room.

"It's fine, no need to rush."

Arnoir smiled and calmed her down.

It's so soothing... Noel thought. Maybe it’s because Arnoir has healing magic, but everything about him is soothing.

"Professor Roché, I met Prince Robert today.

It was under the pretense of being fellow disciples.

But at the end, he called me 'Enchanter-kun.'"

Noel immediately reported.

"Ah... I see. Prince Robert barely meets the criteria for reporting... "

Arnoir made a bitter face.

"Reporting criteria?"

"There are various criteria. Whether there's a relevant department involved or if there's trust.

The prince is a student but also belongs to the Magic Research Institute.

He is indeed excellent.

However, his position as a prince also plays a role.

He is truly Professor Michelle's disciple. She might have given him the information."

"I see.

But if he's trustworthy, it shouldn't be a problem.

It was a bit of a commotion today, though."

"A commotion?"

Arnoir looked worried.

"It was a big fuss when Prince Robert appeared.

The girls, you know."

"Ha ha ha."

"It's not a laughing matter. The jealousy of girls is scary.

The prince even came close and patted my head."

"Pat your head?"

Arnoir tilted his head.

That expression was rare, and Noel thought, 'Professor, you're a bit cute.'

"He lightly stroked my hair.

The girls' screams echoed through the courtyard.

Even after entering the classroom, I was interrogated non-stop.

Just a few minutes of encounter, and the prince effect was overwhelming."

Noel felt tired just thinking about it.

"That was bad.

But it can't be helped, I guess...

If Prince Robert knows about you, he might think you should be taken into the palace.

There's a possibility he approached you for that reason."

"Yes... That's... troublesome, I guess. No, that was a slip of the tongue."

Noel panicked.

"No, be honest with me. I won't be angry.

I want you to understand more about our country's situation.

You know the crown prince hasn't been decided, right?"

"Isn't it the first prince?"

Noel asked, and Arnoir looked troubled.

"No, it hasn't been decided.

The palace hasn't made any announcements, so people automatically assume the first prince will be the crown prince.

That's the most likely scenario, but it's fine.

Our country's power has been in a very pitiful state for a long time. It's because we let magicians leave without doing anything.

The palace has been despised by the people for this.

The royal family has also been choosing queens from families that have been causing the country to decline.

There's no trust. Some capable noble families have even fled the country.

As a result, the future is uncertain.

We've been trying to focus on training magicians, but it's too late. We were really too late in many ways.

Our country doesn't have many resources.

We used to be an agricultural country. We still are to some extent.

But it's difficult to sustain ourselves with just agriculture.

The climate in the south is unstable, and the north has too many lakes. We need more industries.

Running the country is a difficult task."

Arnoir shook his head with a troubled expression.

"I see..."

"Amidst all this, an excellent Enchanter appeared.

It's natural for the prince to be interested."

"That's a problem."

Noel frowned.

"You've always been like this, Noel."

Arnoir smiled.

"I don't want to stand out. I don't want to be noticed by the Vionne family.

I've been away from home for over two years without any contact."

"I've been gathering some information about the Vionne family.

It seems your sister is becoming a candidate for Prince Seriel's engagement."

"Zeraphi?"

Noel's eyes widened in surprise.

"Because of her high magic power."

Arnoir chuckled.

"I didn't know magic power was so important.

That's surprising."

"Well, yes.

Academic performance is also important... but..."

"I was a poor student until I left home at 12, but my grades improved."

"I heard from you that you were doing your tutor's homework and getting scolded by your father for poor grades. I asked a friend at the Royal Academy, and indeed, Zeraphi was at the bottom of her class in middle school.

But since she entered high school, her grades have improved.

And in practical magic, she can produce a flame powerful enough to destroy the training ground's barriers."

"Can she really destroy the barriers?"

Noel wondered if the Vionne family could afford the repairs.

"Actually, it's a problem if they are destroyed.

But it happens occasionally, so it can't be helped.

More importantly, it seems the Knights' Order has approached her."

"Hmm, I think my mother would be against it.

I'm not sure about my father."

"You're right. The lady has refused."

"Haha."

Noel couldn't help but laugh.

"Since she's not bad-looking, she's become a candidate for Prince Seriel's engagement."

"Is that so?"

"Doesn't it bother you if she becomes a princess?"

Arnoir asked, looking worried.

"If she stays away from me, I'd welcome it, I guess."

"Even if Prince Seriel becomes the crown prince?

She would be a candidate for the future queen."

"Then she wouldn't be able to act as she pleases, right?"

Noel tilted her head.

"Our country allows the royal family quite a bit of freedom."

"Eh?"

Noel's eyes widened in shock.

The idea of that evil person being the head of the country and doing as she pleases was terrifying.

"In that case, I'll seek asylum somewhere."

Noel seriously considered leaving the country.

"I'll go with you."

Arnoir said with a smile.

"Really?"

Noel leaned forward, almost clinging to Arnoir.

She had planned to flee alone, but having Arnoir with her would be a great support.

She had been considering learning a foreign language to go abroad, but she had been self-taught until she was 12.

As a result, she had memorized many words and grammar but lacked confidence in her pronunciation.

Most importantly, traveling with Arnoir would surely be fun.

The image of a pleasant journey in a carriage, chatting all the way, flashed through her mind.

"Of course.

I'll go with you when you leave the country."

It sounded so casual.

Noel's head, which had been soaring, suddenly came back to reality.

It must be a joke.

It has to be a joke. I was foolish to take it seriously.

"I was serious..."

Her mood plummeted.

"I'm serious too."

"Is that so?"

Arnoir was smiling wryly, but Noel's spirits didn't rise.

"You don't believe me, do you?

I'm not the only one who wants to leave the country."

"Eh... Professor Roché...?

But... Professor Roché is talented, a teacher at the National Academy, young, and handsome.

Isn't everything going well for you?"

Noel was wide-eyed and confused.

"Only you say that."

Arnoir replied gently.

"But, unlike me..."

"To me, you have a rare ability, you've escaped a terrible family through your own efforts, and you have good grades at the academy. Your future looks bright."

"That's not true..."

"If you ever decide to leave the country, please invite me."

Hearing this unexpectedly serious tone, Noel nodded involuntarily.

"Okay."

"It's a promise."

Arnoir's eyes looked strangely sad.