The heavy snowfall which seemed like a whim of the heavens didn’t last long and quickly disappeared.
Then, like the year before, the rays of the sun softened and spring was in the air.
I was getting ready at the boarding house on a morning when I could see the budding greenery on the street outside my window.
I had returned last night and had to go to school today. It was still early but I would be late if I left at the same time I did when I stayed in the dormitory.
“Wait, Aime.”
I quickly finished getting dressed and was about to tie up my hair when Rille-nee stopped me. I turned around with a ribbon in my mouth and she quickly snatched the ribbon from my mouth.
“I’ll do it for you.”
“Huh? Are you sure?”
“You can’t have a hair out of place today.”
Rille-nee refused to hand me the ribbon. She sat me down on the chair and stood behind me holding a brush. Umm, I can tie my hair up however I want though.
My hair reached down to my shoulders. Rille-nee carefully combed my hair which had been trimmed every once in a while, so that it wouldn’t grow too long.
The gentle touch of her fingers tickled my scalp.
“Aren’t you going to get ready, Rille-nee?”
“I’m already dressed.”
Hmm, I shouldn’t have asked.
Rille-nee was especially quick at getting ready, but well, I’m the same too. We had been merchants since we were young and time is money. It was enough for a worker to be well-groomed to a certain extent.
“What kind of hairstyle do you want?”
Rille-nee asked me how I wanted my hair while combing.
“In a ponytail like always.”
My standard hairstyle was to tie my hair in a high ponytail. It was quick and easy to do on busy mornings looked reasonably decent, and didn't get in the way.
But Rille-nee wasn’t happy with my response.
“Are you sure you want your hair in a ponytail?”
“Yeah. It’s not like I’m going to a party and it’s better to have my hair in my usual hairstyle at a time like this.”
“Hmm… Alright, then why don’t I braid your hair into two braids?”
She wanted to take her time with my hair. I smiled.
“I like ponytails because they’re simple.”
“It’s your big day. You can’t put your hair up in a simple ponytail on your big day. Just sit there and let me do your hair.”
“Okay. I’ll leave it to you, Rille-nee.”
So, Rille-nee braided my hair into two braids and put some oil that she received from Sonia-san to make my hair look shinier.
I could smell flowers whenever I moved my head. The scent wasn’t sweet, but rather refreshing like lily of the valley.
I was impressed that Rille-nee had mastered how to make someone pretty without my knowledge. I will thank Sonia-san tonight. She doesn’t get up often in the mornings.
“Thanks.”
Rille-nee smiled after she adjusted the position of the ribbon.
“You’re welcome.”
I put on my robe once my hair was done and was off.
I went downstairs with Rille-nee and Anna-san, the strong landlady, noticed us and yelled at us from the kitchen.
“You’re already off?”
“Yes.”
“I’m going to prepare a feast for you tonight, so come back early.”
“Ok~ay, yay!”
A feast prepared by Anna-san! Everything she made tasted superb, so I couldn’t help but be excited.
“Did you forget anything?”
Rille-nee asked me at the entrance.
“I didn’t.”
I would normally leave the house with a shoulder bag stuffed full of books, notebooks, and a change of clothes but I wasn’t leaving with any of those things this morning. I didn’t need to carry anything with me today.
I saw the white morning sun and the pale blue sky outside. There was a slightly chilly wind blowing, indicating that the night wasn’t over.
“Have a good day.”
I turned around to look at Rille-nee and waved my hand at her.
“I’m off.”
I visited the palace again when spring arrived at the capital.
I was in the white central palace with my classmates from school even though I never thought I would ever step foot in here.
Once we had assembled at school, the teacher took us through the halls of the palace. The sound of shoes echoed in the halls. The carefully polished floor reflected the soft sunlight.
In a hollow in the wall in front of us stood three plaster statues.
The bearded Santa look-a-like figure in the centre was Cephas Cronoran, the first king. The royal family’s surname was taken from the Cronoran Palace. It was like the Imperial surname in Japan.
To his left was a slightly smaller statue of a thin man without a beard, the great Founding Mage, Ellis Rain.
He was said to have been given most of the Sky God’s favour. He was clad in a long robe that reached down to his feet and was looking up at the sky.
And to his right was the statue of a great warrior in armour. Aldus Sonnier, a general who, like Rain, contributed to the founding of the nation and whose name was as famous as the roar of thunder.
His sharp, stern gaze was looking at his feet as if he was keeping close watch to see if any of us would harm the king.
This was General Owen’s ancestor even though he didn’t look like him. I remembered later that I had heard the name Sonnier in class. He’s really a troublesome man… Well, he’s alright for now though.
I gazed at the three artistic statues and then it was finally time for the king, who wasn’t a statue, to appear.
Everyone dropped to one knee once the silent signal was given, bowed their heads and looked to the floor.
A lowly noble or commoner would normally not be granted an audience with the king, but today was special.
And because we were in a special position in the hierarchy ――― to be precise, we were granted an audience today to receive proof of our special status.
“Lift your faces.”
I never imagined that I would hear this line in real life.
We remained on our knees and only raised our faces after the King spoke.
The King, who looked kind and dignified, stood with his back to the statue and looked at each student’s face.
He called our names one by one, and we stepped forward in front of him, then he put a white robe over each student’s shoulders.
This was the Magic School’s graduation ceremony.
Those who had mastered all the spells assigned to them, mastered the theory behind magic and were recognised as mages received personal blessings from the King.
It was clear from this ceremony that mages were held in high esteem in this kingdom and on this continent.
King Victorin, the current ruler of the Traus Kingdom, smiled at me as I came before him. His smile was kind just like Alec’s.
“I owe you a great deal.”
He whispered as he put the robe on me. He was probably referring to what had happened with his son and daughter.
I was prepared for their parents to be mad at me for helping her sneak around and helping Alec fly but their parents didn’t seem angry.
I had a strange connection with the royal family. I would have met all the royal family members once I met the Queen, but that doesn’t really matter.
I couldn’t speak to the King without his permission. I kept my eyes down, received his quiet appreciation, and quickly stepped back, so that I wouldn’t get in the way of anyone else.
Alec, the Prince, was also a student until today, and he received a white robe from his father to show that he was a full-fledged mage.
When everyone had received their robes, the King addressed the whole group.
“You all have overcome every obstacle thrown your way and made it this far. The path you are on is a special one that no one else can follow. I hope that you will continue onward and that one day you will lead the people into happiness instead of God.”
The busy King Victorin left after his brief speech.
The audience was short, but it was enough to move the young people.
I was a little moved too but not by the King’s encouragement.
I shouted the moment I left the white palace.
“I did itttt!!”
After working hard for ten years since becoming an orphan, I finally became a high salary earner like I dreamt.
There was no job interview. There would be an information session at the Magic Research Institute after this and then I have to write down which department I want to go to and submit it.
A stable government employee. I don’t have to worry about being on the street anymore as long as the nation doesn’t perish.
The pure white robe that shone in the sun symbolised everything I have accumulated in my second life.
So, isn’t it fine?
It’s okay to get a little excited.
“Don’t yell, you moron.”
“Shut your mouth!”
“Where the heck do you think you are?!”
Rock, Cliff, and Merry as well as the teacher and other alumni glared at me.
… I don’t think they’re really that upset.
I know you’re not supposed to make a fuss in front of the palace where the king is. Alec was the only one to congratulate me afterwards.
“Are you going to the information session as well, Alec?”
I asked him and Rock as we walked to the institute together.
Of course, there was no way the Prince would be working at the institute. It would be pointless for him to attend the information session, but he seemed interested in it.
“And this is the last day I can spend with my friends. Wouldn’t it be a shame if I left already?”
We had all moved out of the dormitory already and he won’t be returning to the school. It was really goodbye. It was weird since we are living in the same place.
“Then, I’m going to be rude to you and Rock one last time.”
“Remember that tomorrow.”
Rock warned in a low voice.
I was joking. He always threatened me like this, but I wanted him to stop since it was a real threat now.
Matty, who was the one who worried the most about finding a job, passed the exam… with flying colours!
He was also here in his white robes.
He was a mage even though he couldn’t use magic. I guess he’s similar to me since I’m a mage who isn’t good at magic.
The exam consisted of questions on projects that were on-going as well as new projects and was in the same format that Harold-sensei had told us.
Matty said that the questions given to everyone else were more difficult.
I was feeling a little guilty since I asked him to come up with a lot of spells for me to help him study for his exam, but I made things difficult for him by contradicting his opinions.
I enjoyed debating with him so much that I couldn’t help myself. Well, he passed the exam, so things turned out alright in the end!
Matty had already been notified that he will be working at the Magic Research Institute and will also attend the information session.
The Royal Magic Research Institute was built on the west side of the palace, in the opposite direction of the military department that I visited before.
The building was also very bright and open with a lot of white and blue ornaments, and the new recruits who came to visit were welcomed with applause by the people who were there.
Some of the people who were clapping were teachers and some were complete strangers.
“This is where we do most of our research.”
Theobold Rain, the head of the research institute, showed us around.
He was related to Ellis Rain, the most powerful mage of the Founding Age, just as his name suggested.
But I heard that he wasn’t a direct descendant.
The eccentric hero who helped found this nation had no children, but he did have a younger brother and Director Theobold was a descendant of his brother.
He looked around 40 years old.
The wrinkles between his brows and his stern boss expression made me think that he didn’t get to his position solely because of his connections. His appearance was a contrast to the friendly aura in the institute.
He didn’t raise an eyebrow at Alec’s presence and after a polite greeting, explained the facilities in a lively way without paying any more attention to Alec. His behaviour was more military-like than mage-like.
The research institute was divided into sections with low partitions placed in each section and the sections were divided like offices.
Even though they were researching different things, they had magic in common, so they should be able to freely visit each other and exchange ideas.
Research cannot be done alone, so those who didn’t like cooperating with others weren’t suited to be researchers.
I looked around the office and found that the spell development department occupied the largest space.
I overheard a group of people discussing various offensive spells written on a blackboard in front of them.
I guess developing spells for military use was top priority.
We learnt not only to create wind and fire at school but also how to direct them at an opponent, but I would like to avoid using magic on people if possible.
There was also a section that was quietly researching the characteristics of magic stones and a department that combined school education and research on the Mitoan people.
There was also a large training facility built of stone for testing and practicing new magic as well as government housing where researchers can sleep.
They didn’t just do research here; sometimes the senior mages were sent out on escort missions like a soldier would.
Research was their main occupation nowadays since the world was at peace, but if we were at war then mages would be counted as one of the assets.
My goal was to work in the magic tool development section where mage engineers work.
They were the only ones who didn’t have an office.
The school didn’t offer classes on magic stone processing. The specialised artisans know how to process magic stones and it was said that normal mages cannot learn the technique.
So I waited with anticipation, but Director Theobald only pointed out that the artisan workshop was ahead but didn’t proceed any further.
WHY!?
“Can’t you show us inside?!”
I quickly raised my hand and asked before he pointed at me, but the Director simply said, “We’re under a time constraint.”
No one else protested besides me and the group followed the Director. It seemed that no one was really interested in it.
I’ve decided that I’m going to be a magic engineer anyway, but you can’t just skip them on the tour!
A mage who can control their own mana may not be interested in finding ways to let others use that power.
After we looked around, I was handed a piece of paper and asked to write down my preferred department and submit it.
It was best for everyone that they went to the departments they were interested in and wanted to research, and it was possible to change departments later too.
Most of a mage’s work was magic research so it didn’t make a big difference which department they were in.
“I’m going to the magic tool development department. What about you Merry? Where are you going?”
Merry, who was filling out her form on a round desk like me, shook her head tiredly.
“I’ll go to the education department. The others seem difficult.”
“I’m sure you’ll be assigned to be an escort. Maybe you’ll accompany Alec somewhere.”
“I believe His Highness can handle any situation himself.”
“He could.”
He was a powerful mage too. He would be completely fine if a scoundrel attacked him.
He was listening to our conversation and laughed.
“Don’t say that. I’ll be relying on you if you are assigned as my escort.”
“I will do my best to fulfil my duty when the time comes.”
Merry stood up tall and said in a voice full of confidence.
“I probably won’t be assigned on escort duty~. Ah, what did you put down Cliff?”
I asked him when he came back from turning in his paper.
“The spell development department. That’s where you can learn the most magic.”
“I see. You’re skilled, so I’m sure you’ll be able to use new magic really quickly. Do your best along with Matty.”
“I don’t know if I will be in the same group as him…”
Matty gave Cliff a timid smile as he said this.
“I guess you’re right. I look forward to working with you if we get put in the same group.”
“We’re in the same building anyway even if we’re in different departments. We’ll have many chances to see each other even if we don’t want to.”
You don’t want to? You’re not being honest Cliff. You’re supposed to cherish your classmates.
I submitted my completed form while complaining to him and the briefing ended when all the participants gathered together again.
“Thank you very much for the past two years, Your Highness.”
Merry bowed to Alec after we left the institute.
Regional nobles like Merry and Matty don’t have homes in the capital and will be housed in the palace today.
By the way, Cliff was a court noble, i.e., a noble who was involved with domestic affairs, so his family had a home in the capital. It seemed that there were various types of nobles.
I could have stayed in the government housing, but I decided not to because I wanted to live with Rille-nee. We looked for a place that could house the two of us when we moved to the capital because I wanted to live with her.
The government housing was located at the back of the institute, so this was where I would bid Merry and Matty goodbye.
“Please let me know if you ever need my help. I will definitely show you that I can be useful with the power I hold.”
Merry touched the magic stone on her chest, and looked as dependable as she could.
I was deeply moved when I thought back on how she was in tears because she couldn’t study for the tests or control her magic.
Alec smiled gently because he also knew about the effort she had put in to graduate.
“I will. I’ll be relying on you a lot. You too, Matty.”
“O-okay!”
Matty snapped his back straight.
“I’m looking forward to seeing you develop new spells and I hope your dreams come true.”
“… T-thank you. I will do my best! I will give it my all!”
His dream was to become like Clemens Cooei, an accomplished researcher in the past who had developed many of the spells that are still in use today.
Matty smiled and bowed many times as Alec cheered him on.
Then, they gave one final deep bow and left with the others who had entered the government housing.
“I will also be taking my leave now.”
Cliff suddenly said. I was surprised since I thought he would walk with me until we left the palace.
“Why? You’re not living in the government housing, are you?”
“I’m going to report to my father and brother who are in the palace.”
“… Can’t you do that at home?”
“I can.”
Yes… you can.
I didn’t get it. Cliff continued and began addressing Alec.
“There have been many times in the past two years when I have been unintentionally rude to you, Your Highness.”
“You haven’t.”
Alec shook his head as Cliff bowed.
“You and Rock have helped me a lot in the past two years.”
“I am not worthy of those words. I will continue to devote myself to helping you, Your Highness.”
“Thanks. I will do my best to live up to your expectations.”
Cliff then bowed at Rock.
“It must have been very stressful for you to work as a guard at school.”
“… Yeah.”
Both of them glanced over at me for some reason. What?
“Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can help you with.”
“I’ll remember that. Thanks for the past two years.”
The two of them understood each other better than others since they were both stubborn and serious, especially when it came to giving me warnings.
Oddly enough, I wanted them to be a little grateful to me if I did play a part in their friendship, but they would probably get angry at me if I said that to them.
“Then, please excuse me.”
Cliff kept his manners until the very end and left.
We watched him leave, then Alec turned towards me.
“We should get going too. I’ll walk you to the gate.”
“Are you sure?”
“Please let me see you off.”
I couldn’t refuse when he said that. I mean, there was no reason for me to refuse.
Rock followed behind us without a single word of complaint, which was rare.
“I remember you walked me to the gate after the exam as well.”
That was at the Magic School, but it happened roughly around this season and time of the year.
“I did.”
“I didn’t know you were a prince back then and was surprised when I was told. You should have told me.”
“I’m sorry. I thought it would be difficult for you to talk to me if you knew who I was, but now I know that I worried for no reason.”
Alec laughed.
“Hey, I might have been a bit more polite.”
“Really?”
Alec exaggerated his surprise as if he knew what I was saying was a lie. He knew me well.
“Sorry, I lied. I would have probably acted the same.”
I probably wouldn’t act formal.
“That’s what makes you, you.”
“Are you complimenting me?”
“Of course.”
Then, fine. Well, it’s not good for me to act like this in society though.
He doesn’t mind, so just let me act like myself in private.
“Do you have any plans to celebrate graduation tonight, Alec?”
The topic changed and the conversation continued.
“You’re not going to throw a big party at the palace?”
“No. I refused when they brought it up.”
Alec looked as if he thought that idea was preposterous. He was so humble even though he was the prince of this kingdom.
“There won’t be a party, but my sister is preparing something for me.”
“Ah, that seems like something she would do.”
Princess Philia’s excited smile immediately flashed through my mind, and I smiled.
In contrast, her brother had a slightly clouded expression on his face.
“I appreciate her feelings, but I’m worried since my sister does unexpected things.”
She’s someone who snuck out to enjoy the festival, so who knows what she would do.
But I just want her to enjoy herself since I wasn’t invited.
“It’s fine. It sounds like it’ll be fun. Tell me about it later.”
I said light-heartedly. Alec looked surprised for a moment, then he smiled softly.
“――― Okay, I will.”
He nodded deeply as if he was swallowing the words he wanted to say.
“Are you celebrating tonight at home?”
“Yeah. Anna, the owner of the boarding house, made a feast for us. We’re going to have a women-only party with Rille-nee, Connie-san and the other two people who live at the boarding house.”
“That sounds fun.”
“Yes, it’s going to be fun.”
Then tomorrow, I have to go to Chancellor Leonard’s mansion to report my graduation and write a letter to Gis-nee and send it to her. I’m going to start working soon, so I need to prepare for that too.
I finally had free time, but I had so many things I needed to do.
Time just flies.
This will never change no matter where you are.
We eventually arrived at the front gate of the palace while we were talking.
“――― Then, see you.”
I stopped in front of the gate and turned towards Alec and Rock.
I never know what to say when I have to say goodbye to people. I don’t like dragging out farewells either. I’ve already said all I’ve wanted to say.
But I held out my right hand.
If this isn’t our final farewell, then a handshake was enough.
Alec immediately shook my hand. His hand had already fully developed and was warmer and bigger than mine.
After we finished shaking hands, I also kind of forced a bewildered Rock to shake my hand. He used swords, so his skin was hard and calloused.
Let’s meet again. You’ll always be my friend. I wanted to let them know this without having to say it out loud.
I let go of Rock’s hand and looked each of them in the eye, then I turned around.
“Aime.”
Alec immediately called out to me. I turned around and Alec was bowing.
“I had fun these past couple years thanks to you.”
He looked slightly red when he raised his head but that could have been from the setting sun.
“I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my dream or make a friend if I hadn’t met you. I wouldn’t be satisfied either. ――― Do you realise how much you’ve contributed to everyone’s futures in the past two years?”
Alec said passionately.
“I’m sure you’ll continue to influence many people in the future and I’m proud to be your friend.”
“―――”
Alec exaggerates like always.
I haven’t done much. I was simply enjoying my school life with a group of like-minded people.
He said that he was proud to be my friend even though I’ve only been his friend for two years.
How could I not be happy about that?
“Me too. Thanks!”
The words flew out of my mouth, pushed by the emotions that were coursing through my body.
“Me too! I wouldn’t have been able to have this much fun or have made friends if you weren’t there. You were always by my side. I’m really grateful to you, and Rock too.”
“You don’t have to include me like an afterthought.”
“You’re not an afterthought!”
I took both their hands again in my happiness and shook them up and down.
“Watch me! I won’t make you embarrassed to call me a friend!”
I don’t know if I’m the person Alec says I am, but if I want to become that person then I have to make myself into that person. Actions determine who you are.
I will make my name known.
Our parting words became a pledge to the future.