Chapter 38

As I review the lecture content again, there are many elective courses. Half of the total courses are electives. There are many elegant subjects befitting nobles, such as music, dance, etiquette, poetry, prose, and philosophy, and it seems that these subjects are popular among the noble students. Of course, martial arts are popular among the boys, as about half of the students come from knightly families.

As for the elegant subjects, both Cerea and I have already mastered them, so we are more interested in practical subjects like science, physiology, agriculture, engineering, and economics. It's because private schools for commoners have surpassed us in academic performance by neglecting these elegant subjects. As the future lords of our territories, it's important to recognize what is truly important.

Balancing the lecture time for these subjects is quite a challenging puzzle. There are also some teachers I wanted to take classes from, which makes it even more difficult. I have tentatively scheduled a three-year timetable, packed with classes. There's no time for leisure. We are studying with the taxpayers' money, so it wouldn't do for the prince to slack off.

I will discuss this with Cerea. We want to take as many classes together as possible. In the morning, I go out in a carriage from the palace, pick up Cerea at the Colette family's secondary residence, and then we walk to the academy together. Cerea's guard is me, and my guard is Schwartz, who is watching from somewhere.

On the first day, I was so annoyed by the long line of carriages of the noble children! It felt like a huge waste of time! Fortunately, the Colette Duke's secondary residence is very close to the academy. Walking is much faster. Of course, with Schwartz secretly guarding us from somewhere, there's nothing to worry about.

As we pass by the student dormitory, Jack calls out, "Hey!" and chases after us. We stop and wait for Silfa, who is coming from behind.

"Hey, Shin, good morning."

"Good morning. What's up?"

"Well, I saw you guys walking."

It might be surprising to see the prince and his fiancée walking on the sidewalk to the academy.

"Good morning!"

"Good morning."

Cerea and Silfa exchange greetings.

A long line of carriages is lined up on the street.

"This line of carriages all the way to the academy is so annoying!"

"Having carriages stop at the main gate is a status symbol for those who have secondary residences in the capital."

"Exactly. Even Shin walks, so there's no need to put on a show by stopping at the main gate... It's ridiculous."

There have been complaints in the vicinity of the academy, but since it can't be changed, it's left as it is. We need to do something about it.

"...There's no school bus, right?"

Cerea's knowledge from her past life! "What's that?"

"A vehicle that can hold 20 to 30 people, which goes around each house to pick up and drop off the children at school."

"That sounds nice. Can we introduce it?"

"Nobles are show-offs... It might be impossible for a while."

"However, you two are staying in the same dormitory. You're so in love."

"I don't want to hear that from you. No, it's not like that! Silfa is from a protectorate of my territory, so it's natural to be close. What are you saying? Don't say such things when you know it's not true!"

"Okay, okay."

It's funny. Jack has that side too. Silfa is also blushing.

Silfa is a baron's daughter. Her family received a small territory from the viscount's domain, and a vassal baron manages it. However, the baronship is not hereditary, so after the current baron passes away, the territory will return to the viscount's domain, which is Jack's. That's why Silfa became Jack's fiancée, as a strategic marriage for the future. Of course, such arrangements can cause trouble, but if Jack and Silfa are very close and in love, the people of their territories will be reassured and can return to their original state. Politically, they need to show a good relationship, but it's better if it's genuine. It would be ideal if there were no interference from the heroine.

The noble children in the carriages look at us in shock as we walk past. The prince is walking instead of riding in a carriage! It's troublesome to be surprised every time.

"You already have prestige as a prince that no one can match. It's different from other nobles who have to compete in every situation."

That's what Jack says, but is that true? I've never cared about such things.

The heroine is waiting at the main gate!

Oh no. An event in the morning?

"Good morning, Your Highness!"

"No 'Prince' in the academy."

"But we haven't passed through the gate yet."

She points to the top of the gate.

"Those who pass through this gate must abandon all status."

The king's words are written there. Damn, good one, heroine. This is outside the gate.

"Then let's pass through quickly."

"Wait, wait!"

Why do we need to wait? We all pass through quickly.

"Mr. Shin, are these your friends?"

"No 'Mr.' either. Forbidden from now on."

"Please introduce me!"

Aiming for Jack. Jack is one of the targets to be approached.

"That's impossible."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't know who you are."

"EEEEEEEEEE!"

The heroine pouts. What's going on?

"You've introduced yourself many times, haven't you?"

"No, I haven't. I don't know you."

"Please try to remember!"

"No matter how much I try, I don't remember."

Why do you assume I should remember you? Isn't that self-centered?

"I'm Lins, L-I-N-S! Lins Brouwer!"

"Okay, okay."

She's strong. Maybe that's what it takes to be a heroine.

"Mr. Shin, are you ignoring me because I'm a baron's daughter?"

"You're a baron's daughter? I didn't know that."

She recently became an adopted daughter. I had the information but pretended not to know.

"Didn't you say there's no discrimination in the academy?"

"There is no discrimination. Look, Silfa is also a baron's daughter, but she's a dear friend. She's Sera's best friend and childhood friend."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Silfa."

Silfa bows happily.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Sera."

Sera smiles and bows. "Nice to meet you" is a good touch of sarcasm. Well done, Sera.

"You two met after school yesterday, didn't you?"

"Yes, I apologize."

"Wait, wait, wait. Why is a fried chicken store employee at this academy?"

Jack suddenly remembers and drops a bomb. Ahaha, go on!

"You remember me! Actually, I met you once when I was with everyone!"

...Why does a fried chicken store employee remember every customer? That's weird.

"After that, I was adopted by Baron Brouwer and now I can attend this academy!"

I see. I knew that. How long do I have to put up with this farce?

"Hey! Shin Midland!"

Suddenly called by name, I turn around. Saved...

A blonde long-haired man is smiling. He's a handsome man. Creepy.

Take that back. Not saved... This feels like a death flag.

Screams of joy from the girls.

"So, you remember me!"

...I remember you. I've seen you a few times at dance parties.

We haven't been introduced, so I'll pretend I don't know your name.

"I'm glad we can be classmates at this academy. Your speech yesterday was excellent!"

He claps. His uniform, decorated with flashy accessories, shines. The uniform is ruined by his bad taste. Please stop breaking the rules.

"Until now, you were the prince, and I was the son of a count, but from now on, we are equal classmates! With that speech, you acknowledged that you are my equal and will compete with me and the ladies for popularity!"

Why does it have to be that way.

"Who is the most gentlemanly student in the academy? Let's polish ourselves together! Who will reach the pinnacle of supreme beauty? I'm looking forward to it!"

He turns and walks into the academy, shining. Girls chase after him, screaming.

What is he?

"Who is he?"

"(He's the son of Count Picard Valjean...)"

Sera whispers. Ah, I remember. A target to be approached.

The fool.

He has a very handsome face, is a narcissist, has a high aesthetic sense, loves beautiful things, and hates unattractive things. He is extremely kind to women (only beautiful ones).

I thought about getting to know the targets to be approached before entering the academy, but I gave up on some. One of them is him. I saw him at a party and thought, "No way." I couldn't be friends with him. He had a lot of girls with him.

"KYAAAAA! The real Picard-sama!"

Why is the heroine so excited? She immediately targets the new arrival.

"Is that Picard?"

Jack is exasperated.

"He didn't introduce himself, did he?"

"To be declared a rival by Picard, you're truly the prince!"

The heroine admits she had prior knowledge.

"Did you think it was unnecessary to introduce yourself? The prince's son is different..."

Jack shrugs.

"Why don't they introduce themselves?"

"I introduced myself properly!"

"Okay, okay."

Why is the heroine so upset?

"Excuse me."

"Huh?"

"We've arrived at the classroom."

Yes, in front of Class A.

"Ah..."

She walks into the classroom without a word.

"Who is that girl? I know Shin took her to the infirmary."

Even Jack looks puzzled.

"Well..."

Maybe we'll learn more without asking.

"Jack, what did you think of the fried chicken girl?"

"Hmm..."

Jack thinks for a moment.

"Dog."

"That's it!"

Jack is good at this!

"Let's not call her 'the fried chicken girl' or 'dog,' Mr. Shin..."

You're right, Sera. It could be a problem if others hear.

Next: "38. That Event"