Chapter 67 – 20. At Will (1)
Damn, knock, knock…
Powerful horse hooves run without hesitation on the neatly paved road. At first glance, the number is dozens.
The road was wide enough to allow six wagons to roll side by side, but the procession of these countless wagons filled the road to such an extent that the beginning and end could not be seen.
Birds and insects, feeling the vibrations that shook the ground, hurriedly moved away. Outside the window, plants that have just begun to bloom light green leaves fly past.
Feeling the cushion of the backrest, I rested my chin on it and stared blankly out. The clear sky and warm sunlight seem to welcome my first trip to another world.
Except for the stone road paved with angular gravel and occasional guard posts, the surroundings are all Mother Nature. It is the first fresh feeling I inhale since the Academy Forest, where I wandered aimlessly right after being summoned to another world.
This is the outskirts of the ecliptic.
The wagon carrying me is on its way to the Earl of Cursreal, which is currently attached to the ecliptic.
For the rest of the academy students after the midterm exams, the club association plans a group trip around this time of year every year.
Not all students participate in the trip. Participation is completely free. Kids like Amer, who were either super busy or not interested in socializing, stayed at the academy.
But these are only a minority.
It must have been so…
Softly.
I spoke to Esna, who sat quietly on the other side and turned her pages page by page.
“Hey.”
“···Yes?”
“Why are we the only ones here?”
“Well···.”
The means of transportation to the destination were assigned to each club, so Esna and I, both members of the Magic Study Society, boarded the same carriage.
It is spacious enough to accommodate more than 10 people.
But right now, it’s just me and Esna.
…Well, the Magic Study Group is a group that is far from being friendly. There was no regular meeting at all, just a club activity to freely study magic books in the club room. Most of its members are aspiring reclusive wizards who are indifferent to others.
I thought it would be great if I could get acquainted with them on this trip and broaden my network. It’s a little disappointing, but well, it’s not a major problem.
Esna is there too. It would be much better than going alone with a man.
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“Why did you apply for the trip?”
“I want to see the magic tower there! It’s been a place I’ve been wanting to go to ever since I was young.”
“Aha.”
[The representative attraction of Cursreal Territory, which is famous for witchcraft, the witchcraft tower ‘Shamel’. The silver tower, which rises straight up to pierce the sky, naturally evokes the magnificence and profoundness of witchcraft in the hearts of those who look up at it…]
It says in the travel brochure.
“I guess you like witchcraft? You just found the witchcraft I was looking for the other day.”
She had previously helped uncover the identity of the White Bird who stole Wisdom’s pencil case.
“Rather than magic… I like all magic.”
“Are you aspiring to be a wizard?”
“Yeah. I paid a lot of money to come to the academy for that.”
Unlike me, Esna, a non-attribute commoner, does not receive support from the Empire. She must have been able to enter the academy despite the considerable tuition, thanks to her parents being the owners of the store.
Even though her surroundings are full of awakened people, her image of not being intimidated and concentrating on her work is sometimes admirable.
So, I caught my eye on the book she was reading.
〈 Introduction to Attribution 〉.
It is literally a thick book about the study of properties.
“Oh, this?”
S. I noticed my gaze and casually brought her up.
“Jihoo, did you see the midterm exam report card too?”
“Of course. You’re really good at studying! I was surprised.”
“Thank you… It’s a bit awkward to hear from you who saw it better than me. Anyway, then you probably also saw the results of the ‘Elementary Acceleration Studies 1’ lecture.”
“That’s right… That was a bit harsh.”
A 100% essay-type test that can be scored at the professor’s discretion. As befits the professor’s attribute discrimination, the result was no different from setting up a line according to the grade of the attribute.
Esna’s grades were much faster when counting from last place.
“It’s not a practical test, it’s a theory test. It’s not a test of attributes or magic skills, it’s a test of knowledge and insight. I’ve definitely reviewed my logic several times, paying attention to each word and sentence at that time…”
“I’m sorry.
“Ah, Jihoo, I never said anything to you!”
Esuna waved her hands in confusion at my sullen expression. She immediately quit her act and as she smiled, her face went weird for a moment.
“Anyway, I was half-expected that the professor would be, so I wasn’t too shocked… But he was a bit resentful.”
“So you’re studying attribution right now?”
“Yeah! During the final exam, I will write down an answer that anyone can see as an example, and I will definitely crush the professor’s high nose!”
“It’s really great. I’ll cheer you on.”
S. I does not give in to the professor’s clearly discriminatory attitude and tries to prove herself. She is a person with a lot to learn.
I didn’t interrupt her reading any more for the rest of the time until we reached the Cursreal estate. Instead, I also spent my time reading or sleeping.
In the middle, when the boredom peaked, I had a good time with Ireina in the bathroom prepared in the carriage. There is no problem, as the sound of horses hooves would have covered the excited conversation.
Eventually, we arrived at our destination after sunset.
* * *
“Count Jonathan, this is the list of students who participated in this trip.”
“Thank you. . . . Umm, Professor?”
“Yes. Please tell me.”
“I think this list is a bit wrong… Didn’t Jeon Ji-hye from the shaman club attend?”
“I’m a student Jeon Ji-hye… Ah, I applied to participate in the trip, but it says here that I got a call saying that my period suddenly broke last night… And that I couldn’t go because my menstrual cramps were so severe.”
“······.”
“Count? Are you having any problems?”
“Oh, no. Student Ji-hye is close to my son, so I personally prepared a gift… But he couldn’t come…”
“I see. If you leave the gift to me, I will deliver it later.”
“······I’ll leave it to you next time. I’m not ready yet. Anyway, welcome to my estate.”
“Thank you for providing me with accommodation. I wish you well for the next four days!”
* * *
This trip is 4 days and 3 nights. During that period, students freely tour the Cursreal estate by club during the day, and gather at the Count’s castle at night to interact with each other.
Accommodation was provided within the castle. Since most of the students are children of nobles, the rooms, cuisine, and service must be luxurious. In that respect, the Countess is very suitable as our lodging.
Still, I was quite surprised. To think it could easily accommodate hundreds of people… The status of a count in the empire seems never to be taken lightly.
But Count Jonathan Cursreal, he is my enemy.
His target, Wisdom, made an excuse right before canceling his participation in the trip, as per my instructions, and stayed at the academy. Also, Iris, my best fighter, secretly followed my carriage and came all the way here.
With this, all preparations are complete. Now, for the rest of the trip, you just have to keep an eye on the situation around you and think about how to get revenge on the Count.
“Master. They say the banquet is ready.”
“Okay. Let’s go down.”
I accompanied Ireina and moved to the hall in the center of the Count’s castle. There, various foods were shining appetizingly on the table.
It is said that a party will be held soon to welcome the academy students to the estate.
“Jihoo!”
When I turned to the familiar male voice calling me, Minho Park was holding a wide table and waving to me.
About 10 of our summoners had already gathered around him. I sat next to Hye-rin, and Ireina headed to the place where the other maids were waiting.
As I was chatting with the kids, the lights gradually dimmed and a man appeared on the only bright podium.
Skinny body and white hair. It was the same Count Jonathan he met at Jamie’s funeral.
“Students, I welcome you to my estate. For the next four days, I hope that you will heal your tired soul from exams here—”
After an obvious and boring welcome speech, the party began in earnest. I was amazed by the food and wine served by the maids of the castle.
“Wow… It’s really delicious.”
“The alcohol goes well too!”
“Passed!”
The other kids seem to have the same opinion as me.
Enjoy a meal together with the calm classical music of the orchestra in the background.
The pleasant atmosphere of the banquet always excites and tickles my heart.
Looking at the huge castle, the chandelier on the ceiling, the busy maids, and the men and women dancing in the center of the hall, I feel like I am a nobleman in a fairy tale.
There’s not much difference, though.
“There······.”
Then, someone approached our table.
“Mistress Hyerin…!”
To be exact, Hyerin.
“Yes?”
“Oh, by any chance! Can you dance with me?!”
My joy plummeted to the floor at the bold request of a red-faced male student.
* * *
Ireina stared blankly at the hall where the banquet was in full swing.
She is a familiar yet nostalgic sight to her.
When she was the daughter of the countess, she was often called the flower of the church, embarrassingly… She is now just a maid in the corner of the hall waiting tirelessly for her master’s instructions.
“······.”
It’s not particularly sad though. That time has already passed. The months she spent with her master were intense enough to make her stop pessimistic about her situation and resign herself.
In order not to disgrace her master’s name, Ireina was standing by as neatly as possible.
Until you hear those words.
“Ireina.”
“······!!”
As soon as she realized the owner of her friendly female voice, her Ireina’s face was colored with surprise.
She had been friends with her since childhood, but since her family collapsed, she had no chance to see her.
Her childhood friend.
“It’s been a while. How are you?”
“Eh… Milia…? Mr.?”
Emilia Kurreal.
The castle princess grinned at her maid outside.
