Chapter 34

It seems that classes are generally held at fixed times, and this week's schedule has also followed the same time allocation as last time.

Although I haven't been able to work much, I will try to make up for it by conducting research and submitting the results to the academy. Since I have been assigned a laboratory, it would be a shame not to use it.

While thinking about this, I check my weekly schedule.

If the noble society is to be reflected within the academy, then one must not only have a noble status but also a high standing within the academy, right?

If that's the case, the suspicious ones would be those like Rox, who are performing well even in the upper division and are of royal blood.

However, Rox probably won't do it anymore. According to Stras and Eliza, he has been taking classes seriously, as if he has changed as a person.

The problem is that I still don't have much information about the students, so the first step is to gather clues.

Well, how should I go about investigating?

Thinking this, I decided to approach someone who seems to be well-informed about such matters.

While walking down the hallway, I spotted the red hair I was looking for.

"Rox-kun"

When I called out, Rox, who was unusually walking alone, widened his eyes in surprise.

"Wh-what!? Ah, Aoi...sensei...? W-what is it...?"

Rox, who was flustered to the extreme.

Suspicious. Very suspicious. Could Rox be the mastermind?

Perhaps because I was thinking this, Rox, who was avoiding my gaze and stealing glances at me as if trying to read my expression, seemed abnormally suspicious. There must be something he's hiding, right?

"...Rox-kun. If you have something you're hiding..."

"There isn't! There's absolutely nothing!? Why are you looking at me with such suspicious eyes!?"

I stared at the flustered Rox for a while, but it seems he's not lying.

If he were someone who would go behind the scenes to cause trouble, he wouldn't be this obviously flustered.

"...No, it seems to be a mistake on my part."

"That's...that's good. No, I'm glad. Really glad."

Rox visibly relaxed.

Seeing this, I smiled and asked the question I wanted to know.

"By the way, Rox-kun. Since you know the people in this academy... Are there any other royals or those of similar status besides you?"

When I asked, Rox frowned in confusion.

"Royals...? Let me tell you, if you're planning to summon the king like I did, you should stop. The king of this country is my father, but he's rather careless. He probably won't mind much, but the kings of other countries are different."

"No, no, that's not the case. So far, you're the only problem child who needs to be lectured by your parents."

"......I see."

Rox's shoulders slumped at my words. I glanced at him and returned to the main topic.

"So, about the royals and related individuals?"

"......Right. Then, starting from the elementary division..."

"Ah, if possible, I'd like to know about the upper division."

"Hmm...? Then, you should know about Barel Black of the Carvan Kingdom's ducal family. Like Shenry, he moved up to the upper division a bit earlier. Then there's Prince Hiram of Mapleleaf, Duke Clagan of Gransanz, and Baroness Balvenie of Bushmills, who has the skills and knowledge to graduate but stays for research. Oh, and Count Corte of Corte Highland is in the same category."

"...Corte-kun?"

I remember he's from a great noble family. His gentle demeanor and polite speech made me forget he was a noble.

I've chatted with him in the hallways and cafeteria a few times since the first class, but he couldn't be the one, right?

But maybe I should hear him out.

"Hmm, is that all?"

While thinking, I said this, and Rox looked slightly dissatisfied.

"Yes, thank you."

I thanked him and ended the conversation. Rox pouted and said, "I see," and left.

His behavior was suspicious.

"...His ears were red, but is he feeling unwell?"

I tilted my head and left the spot.

---

I searched around but couldn't find Corte.

It was just before Tuesday's class, and I was reluctantly heading to the classroom when I suddenly saw Corte talking to Felter.

The two were talking with stern expressions, almost glaring at each other. I quickened my pace to approach them.

"...You shouldn't fight, you know?"

When I called out, they both turned to me and then looked at each other. They nodded meaningfully and Corte turned to me and replied.

"Sorry, we weren't fighting, but thank you for your concern."

When Corte said this, I couldn't help but look at Felter.

"...Really? You shouldn't bully others, you know?"

"I don't bully anyone."

I glared at the sulking Felter and turned back to Corte. Corte's smile was strained as he muttered, "Bully..."

"Corte-kun"

I called out to confirm, but Corte said, "Ah," and clasped his hands. He seemed to have noticed something and pointed down the hallway.

"Isn't class starting soon?"

"...I have something to talk about later."

I hesitated for a moment, but teachers can't skip class. I left a parting word and turned around.

I barely made it on time and opened the door to enter the classroom.

"I'm late."

When I said this, the students who had been attending since the first class, along with Stras and Speyside, who always sit with me, were waiting in their seats.

"Aoi-sensei, you're so late!"

"No, I'm just on time! Ail!"

"A, Corte-senpai!?"

The three high-spirited female students were making a fuss, and I stood at the front of the class with a wry smile.

Then, I finally noticed that he had followed me.

"Corte-kun?"

When I turned around, I saw Corte waving his hand and smiling brightly from the door.

"Can I still join?"

"Yes, it's fine, but..."

I showed him the attendance list, and Corte smiled and signed his name neatly.

There's no point in thinking too much about it now. I decided to start the class.

Just then, Corte said, "Hmm?" and looked up. He tilted his head and looked at Ail.

"Ail, what are you doing? Have you been attending this class all along?"

When Corte asked kindly, Ail turned away with a huff.

I sensed something unusual about Ail's behavior. She seemed to be sulking and angry at the same time.

However, Corte didn't seem to mind and found a seat.

I felt something from their attitudes, but there was no point in worrying about it.

"...Let's start the class."

I said this and called out the students' names.

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