Chapter 9

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After getting exactly three hours of sleep, I hurriedly consumed the emergency solid food and waited by the door to be the first to disembark.

My sister is definitely here to pick me up.

If that dangerous person were to see me and introduce me... who knows what could happen.

But this solid food is truly amazing.

In my previous life, I worked for a well-known food and beverage company.

I can appreciate the pleasure of a good meal, but even so, I'm impressed by the quality of this solid food.

The taste isn't bad, and it keeps you full.

It looks crumbly, but it's actually soft and easy to eat without water, which is a big plus.

There are plain and dried fruit varieties, but I definitely prefer the plain type.

But this is the capital, after all.

Although the magic train only travels at about 50 km per hour, it has been running through the city for over an hour.

You can see buildings that seem to be over ten stories tall, which you wouldn't imagine in a pastoral viscount's territory.

I'm not as surprised because I have memories from my previous life, but for the first-time noble children from the countryside, it's important not to be overwhelmed by the atmosphere before the exam.

The train slowly decelerates and arrives at the platform.

As soon as the doors open, I rush out onto the platform and exit the station first.

Now, where's the pick-up...?

While looking around without slowing my pace, I hear a familiar voice call out:

"Arlen!"

Called by a familiar voice, I turn to see my sister, whose long, cosmos-colored hair is neatly braided and falls to her waist. She's wearing a simple dark green dress cinched at the waist with a belt, which, combined with her cosmos-colored hair, gives off a fresh, summer-like vibe.

"...Sister... You look beautiful."

"Hehe, thank you. Arlen, you look even more handsome."

I was a bit surprised by this.

◆

I didn't expect her to come dressed in such a stylish manner, not in her usual research outfit, which is more like a potato sack. Did she fall in love or something?

But this is bad...

Unlike my plain face, she has a very charming appearance.

Her modestly rounded chest is fine, but she has a certain luster and grace that comes with being on the cusp of adulthood, which is attracting a lot of attention.

People are continuously coming out of the station.

...And another reason people are staring at us is...

"That's great, Rosa. Arlen's words just now weren't flattery.

It was worth spending hours choosing clothes this morning.

Really, putting on and taking off clothes over and over. I told you they all looked good on you."

From behind my sister, who is only about 150 cm tall, a sharp-eyed, imposing figure emerges.

"Mom! Don't say that!"

Yeah, I didn't want to hear that either.

With a red face, my sister nervously puts a finger to her lips and looks back, but Mother dismisses her with, "When we get home, clean up the pile of clothes you scattered."

"Mother, it's been a while."

"You've really grown, Arlen."

Mother, with her dark brown hair tied up in buns, is, to put it mildly, beautiful.

I can't understand why she married such a mediocre father.

She's wearing an ivory blouse with lace on the three-quarter sleeves and dark navy pants that show her ankles, a spring-like outfit.

If it weren't for the thick, blue dragon sword she holds in her delicate hand, she would be constantly approached by unsavory characters.

...We're drawing too much attention.

"By the way, Arlen."

Thud.

Mother slung the blue dragon sword over her shoulder.

An intense tension spread across the square in front of the station.

A patrol member of the Kingdom Knights, who had been glancing at us, quickly looked away.

Come on, you're the kingdom's ace, do your job.

"Did you really come alone? With such a large backpack on your small frame?

...What was he thinking..."

I just want to go home...

I was overwhelmed by the intense atmosphere of the capital within five minutes of arriving.

◆

I managed to get Mother, who was demanding an explanation, to move and get into the carriage.

We need to move away from the station; even without considering Fey, we're drawing too much attention.

"So, my studies have been going well, and since I'm aiming for the Royal Academy, I want to act as a responsible adult and be independent. I managed to convince Father, who strongly opposed it, and with a guard escort to Draglade, I came here alone, yes."

I finished explaining while sitting in seiza in the carriage.

It's a small carriage pulled by one horse, and the inside is cramped.

Mother's face is so close I can feel her breath.

Mother looked me straight in the eye and didn't look away once, not even blinking, while I gave my long explanation.

I can't lie to Mother, so I spoke frankly.

"I understand.

...Well, that's fine. You've really grown up."

Mother finally relaxed the tense atmosphere.

Yes! Mission complete! Good job, Dad!

"Kyaa!!! My cute Arlen! Arlen! Arlen~!"

Sister sat right next to me, hugging my arm and panicking.

"But Arlen?"

The moment I let my guard down, Mother instantly tensed the atmosphere again and said in a freezing voice:

"Did he really 'strongly' oppose it?"

My mind went blank from Mother's strong counter, and I averted my eyes as I answered.

"O-of course."

I stuttered...

Mother, still maintaining the tense atmosphere, smiled and said, "We need to have a talk with him."

Sorry, Dad... I did my best...