Chapter 41

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"Hey, you're exempt from the practicals too?"

"Well, it's not really a practical. I just received the units for the magic and sorcery courses. I still have to attend the combat course lectures, though."

"Of course! If Christoph were exempt from the combat course, it would be a problem for us who are in the same party!"

It's probably because of such concerns that I wasn't exempted, but Professor Bloom has warned me not to overdo it.

After thinking about it, could this be the influence of the Gift, 'One who turns misfortune into fortune'? It's a bit subtle whether being harassed by that idiot counts as a misfortune, but the result is that it's turning out well for me. Since there's no way to verify it, I'll just assume it has an effect. Viva, positive thinking!

Because of this, I have a lot of free time while other students are in class. I use this time to study on my own in the library. The royal magic academy's library has an incredibly large number of books, so I'm happy that I can get the knowledge I need.

Hmm, I want this rainbow spider silk... The rainbow spider is a Rank A monster confirmed to inhabit the depths of the Oula Forest...

A robe made from this rainbow spider silk could probably have various magic arrays written on it...

The hide of this Behemoth has the highest level of fire resistance, and the hide of the Leviathan has the highest level of water and ice resistance.

I want to make various magic items using such materials.

It's rare to come across materials from high-rank monsters. This is because it requires a large-scale hunting party to defeat Rank A monsters.

What level am I at now?

In terms of magic, I can control up to the royal level in ice, darkness, and space-time, but for other elements, I'm at the intermediate to special level.

Unfortunately, the Brützels border baron family's library only has royal-level magic books for darkness and space-time, and for other elements, they only go up to the special level, which is why I'm in this state. I was able to reach the royal level in ice because of Captain Rosaria, but that's where it ends.

However, I heard that the royal magic academy's library has the high-level magic books I'm looking for. However, magic books at the hero level and above are important materials, so viewing them requires permission. That's why I'm currently applying for viewing permission.

In the meantime, I come to the library to study on my own to gain knowledge about items, but since it's class time, there aren't many students around.

In this quiet library, one person stands out.

Princess Dorothy, the third princess of the Holy Bandum Kingdom.

She is usually surrounded by a few people, making quite a commotion, but it seems that like me, she has obtained several units and is spending her free time in the library.

However, if Dorothy were to just be quiet, she would be a beautiful girl who could soothe the eyes (though it's a bit disappointing that she has a vast plain in her chest), but it would be better if she didn't talk.

Oh! She's glaring at me?!

Avoid eye contact or turn to stone!

Ah, oh no, she's coming over here.

"I heard you obtained the units for the magic and sorcery courses due to the recent duel incident."

"......Thanks to you......"

What do you mean, 'thanks to you' when it has nothing to do with you, Princess Dorothy! Since she's a princess, I need to be more respectful and make a good impression, or I might end up in prison instead of living a relaxed life!

"Do you think I'm being disrespectful to you?"

What do you mean by 'disrespectful'? Is it about her chest?

Hmm......

"......If I have caused you any discomfort, I apologize......"

"......Dorothy. I don't like being called 'Your Highness'......"

Hmm, can I call her Dorothy?

Since she said it's okay, I guess it's fine......

"Also, I'm not really uncomfortable. I'm always aiming to be the best as a member of the royal family. That's why I'm trying not to lose to you."

Hmm, Princess Dorothy seems to have a strong drive for improvement. Talking to her like this, I feel I understand her mindset a bit more, and her attitude of not resting on her laurels is admirable.

"Princess Dorothy is a hard worker. That's very admirable."

"There are also heights that can't be reached no matter how hard you work."

"That's not true. I believe Princess Dorothy can reach any height. I'm just doing what I like, thanks to my parents' influence, so our aspirations are different."

"......"

Oh? She's silent......

"Princess Dorothy?"

"You are free. ......I...... No, never mind. Anyway, I aim to be the best, so for the time being, you will be my rival. I will definitely be above you!"

Princess Dorothy made a declaration of victory and returned to her seat. She seemed a bit flushed at the end, so she must have been excited.

I'm just doing what I like, so I find her mindset a bit rigid, but I can't emulate it, so I respect her.

By the way, let me mention that idiot again.

After the incident, he was moved to the treatment facility attached to the Grand Cathedral, but I heard that his magic circuit repair was not successful. Also, his left leg has not regenerated.

Why?

There are various reasons, such as the absence of high-level healers, but mainly it's a political issue. Duke Brennan has many enemies.

In the Holy Bandum Kingdom, there are factions like the royalists, the nobles, and the neutrals. Duke Brennan is a central figure in the noble faction, and the Grand Cathedral is close to the king, so they are watching the situation.

So, the idiot will be left as is for a while and will be treated at an appropriate time by the king's order. This is what my father told me, so it's probably accurate.

The Grand Cathedral, despite being a religious institution, does not have as much power as one might think. In the Holy Bandum Kingdom, religion is protected by the state, but there are also restrictions on its activities. These were established during the reign of the first king, Akira, and have been passed down to the present.

However, I think it's quite bold for a noble to make the king an enemy, even if they are part of the noble faction. But this is probably the daily power struggle among the nobility. Princess Dorothy might also be prepared to live in such a world.

By the way, my family, the Brützels border baron family, is part of the royalist faction.