Chapter 34

We've implemented various reforms, but there are still things that we can't get others to accept. One of these is the "expansion of the commoner enrollment quota at Flora Academy," which faced strong opposition, and we couldn't persuade them.

In my opinion, the heroine's greatest asset is being a commoner. It's because she is the only commoner in the academy that she receives attention, is seen as a special presence, and garners the attention of noble young ladies. She also faces discrimination and bullying, which stirs the protective instincts of the targets to be conquered, making them want to help her. Her naivety, innocence, and cuteness shine precisely because she doesn't know the rules and manners of the noble society. Her efforts and pitiful struggles in the noble society make her appear endearing to the targets to be conquered. In other words, she's a character that makes you want to support her.

So, I thought, why not expand the commoner enrollment quota and create an environment where having commoners in the academy isn't rare? But I was naive.

"The priority should be to improve the commoner schools before trying to change the noble academy. The improvement of commoner schools, the enhancement of educational standards, and the expansion of the number of students accepted should be the focus," the king's words were completely logical, and I had no rebuttal.

Of course, as a policy, it is just, and it is certainly better. I couldn't say anything in response. After all, the king is already implementing what I have been advocating for a long time, so what could I possibly complain about?

"Providing opportunities for nobles to interact with commoners without discrimination in the academy should not be a negative for the nobles, as it can prevent the elitist mindset and the tyranny of the privileged class."

"Don't make commoners' children suffer just to teach this. Try to see things from the perspective of a commoner who is forced to learn social graces and etiquette. It will bring no benefit to them."

I was easily refuted...

"Respect and trust for the nobility should not be something that is forced or taught. It is something that the nobility should earn through their own work. Those who cannot do this will not last long and do not deserve to be nobles."

"...You are right."

"You will be entering Flora Academy next year, won't you?"

"Yes."

"Then you should be the one to do it."

"...Yes."

"If you find the noble children's sense of privilege and elitism unbearable, then you should be the one to change it. Your sister, Saran, did it."

My sister is too great. I need to work hard too.

At Flora Academy, where noble children attend, there is an entrance exam. It serves as a barrier to keep out those who are too low in level. Conversely, if a noble child or young lady cannot enter the academy, it is a great disgrace, so it also serves as a reason to make the wayward noble children study properly. Flora Academy was originally established to prevent the decline in the educational level of noble children. It would be unacceptable for nobles to be less intelligent than commoners.

I am a prince. I could enter without an exam, but I declined and took the exam like the other noble children. To set an example for the other nobles, I need to be at the top of the class. Until I turn fifteen and enter the academy, I will spend more time studying.

"...The prince in the game always had top grades, but I didn't know he studied so much," Celia said, impressed.

Of course, I'm not a genius.

Jack and Silfa also came to the capital for the entrance exam. I went to the carriage station to pick them up. They will stay at a relative's mansion in the capital during the exam period.

It's good to see them getting along so well.

"Long time no see, Jack! How's the studying going?"

"I'm exhausted every day... You have it easy being from the capital. It's tough for us, the children of provincial lords."

Yeah, that's true.

"Long time no see. I'm glad to see you again!"

It's been a while since I saw Silfa too. Celia is happy to see her again.

"Hey? Where's Schartz?"

"He's here, but we're not as young as we used to be, so he doesn't stick to us like a bodyguard anymore."

Jack looks around, but he's not there.

Schreigen, with his terrifying face, gave up on secretly guarding us, but Schartz does it so subtly that even I can't sense his presence.

"Let's take a break. How about we get something to eat?"

"Sure. What do you want, Jack?"

"Fried chicken. Every time I come to the capital, I end up not eating it, and I really crave it. I wonder why."

Fried chicken...! It's quite a challenge for us.

Reluctantly, we went to a branch of Hans' restaurant, a fried chicken specialty store, and ordered at the counter. We sat at the outdoor tables set up in front of the store.

"Delicious!"

It's Silfa's first time eating it. Fried chicken is delicious, isn't it?

Celia took a bite and passed me her portion. It has become a natural thing for her to do.

"...I've been wondering, why do you always eat Celia's half-eaten food, Shin?"

"It's a hassle, but it's a poison test. As a prince, I'm not allowed to eat without a poison test when dining out, and Celia does it for me."

"Wow, being a prince is a hassle!"

"Celia is so brave..."

Silfa is impressed.

"...It just looks like you're being affectionate to me."

"Yeah... I don't think there's a need to worry so much in a place like this, but it's an old custom. Let's just eat, eat!"

"But it's so delicious! I hate getting my hands greasy, though."

Is this the first time Jack has eaten this in three years?

"I wish I could eat it with a fork and knife. But does it taste the same...? I thought it was delicious the first time I ate it, but now I'm not sure. It's too greasy and the flavor is too strong."

"I feel the same way..."

Celia has the same opinion. It's not something you'd want to eat every day.

"Well, maybe that's part of the charm. When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

"I'm surprised to hear you say that, Jack."

"What do you think of me...? I'm a commoner at heart and I'm known for it in my territory."

"Sure, sure."

We laughed, and a person stood next to our table.

"Wow, what a group..."

The one who muttered this was her! The thin, translucent pink hair! The blue eyes! The heroine! Lins!

Oh, we've been spotted!

"Welcome to Hans' Fried Chicken Store!"

"...Thank you, we're enjoying it."

Damn, she definitely knows and is talking to us. The targets to be conquered, Jack and me, and the rival character, the villainous noble lady, Celia, and Jack's fiancée, Silfa. From the heroine's perspective, this must be quite a group.

I cautiously looked at Jack.

"Huh? We have everything we ordered, right?"

It's the usual Jack. Good. He doesn't seem to have fallen in love with the heroine at first sight. After all, unlike me, Jack doesn't have a childhood meeting event with her.

"We are currently running a new product campaign and would like to ask for your feedback on a taste test!"

She placed a cup from the tray on the table without asking. It looks like a juice.

"...This juice is amazing. It has ice in it."

Jack, from a northern territory, probably didn't expect to drink iced juice in the capital. He is stirring the cup with a straw made from a wheat stalk.

The heroine must have adopted ice-making technology in her store. She's impressive. Ice-making machines are still expensive and are only installed in hospitals and food merchants' guilds.

"We have grape, lemon, straight tea, and orange flavors."

Celia is frozen, with a completely blank expression.

"Grape is delicious."

Jack is happy.

"This orange is with carbonated water, it's amazing."

Silfa is also happy.

"Then I'll have..."

I reached for the straight tea, but Celia suddenly took it, took a sip, and passed it to me.

"Sorry, sorry. Here."

I gave Celia the lemon flavor.

"Can I have some orange?"

"Sure."

Jack took the orange flavor from Silfa and drank it.

"This is delicious too!"

Silfa also drank Jack's grape.

"It's delicious," she said with a smile.

I tried the straight tea. It's just cold tea.

Just because it has ice, it's not particularly delicious. It's cheap tea.

"...It's sour."

Celia doesn't seem to like lemon.

"Then I'll give it to you."

"I'm sorry..."

I gave the straight tea to Celia and took the lemon flavor from her, and drank it through the straw.

"Wow, this is sour. The sourness of the carbonated water makes it twice as sour!"

Jack laughed at this.

"You're having a bad day, Shin."

"Then give it to me."

"No way."

"You all seem to get along well..."

The heroine is surprised. Is this not part of the setting?

"Is it strange to get along well? We're friends, so it's normal."

"Indirect kissing when sharing drinks between men and women... No, never mind."

Does she really care about that? What a strange girl.

I always eat Celia's half-eaten food, and I've never thought it was gross.

"How about the grape and orange? On a scale of five."

"Five."

"Five is good. Thank you."

Jack and Silfa seem satisfied.

"How about the straight tea and lemon?"

"It's just cold tea. The lemon is sour. I think it depends on personal preference, so both get two points."

"...Me too."

"Pretty bad... Was it a failure? It didn't suit the noble palate?"

She glared at Celia a little. What is she saying? How does she know we are nobles? We're all wearing commoner clothes today. She seems to be the type who easily gives away her true identity. It's obvious.

The heroine, for some reason, kept standing and watching us.

Is she observing our relationship? Celia is avoiding eye contact and acting a bit suspiciously.

"Is there anything else?"

"...Yes. Thank you for your cooperation with the survey. Please come again. We look forward to your return!"

She wrote something on the survey sheet and went back to the store.

"Jack."

"Hmm?"

"What do you think of that girl?"

"She was incredibly cute for a waitress. She could be the face of the store."

She's the owner's daughter and now a baroness.

"But her chest isn't as big as Silfa's."

Silfa pinched Jack.

"Ouch!"

Well, it seems there's no need to worry.

I'm a bit concerned about Jack's lack of tact, though.

Later, I secretly asked Celia what she thought of the heroine.

"She was a bit scary," she said.

Maybe I should use my power to prevent her from entering the academy.

Anyway, the entrance exam is over.

We all received acceptance letters. I, Celia, Jack, and Silfa all passed. A relief.

The heroine was also at the entrance exam, of course.

She was getting a lot of attention from the male students. She's very cute, but no one knows who she is. After all, she just became a baron's adopted daughter recently.

"...Who is that girl?" people were whispering.

I wonder what will happen when the school starts.

She'll probably be very popular.

Could she be aiming for