Chapter 13 – Falling ①
“Lady Lunaria, what a morning you’ve had.”
The young lady who spoke to me after I entered the advanced class was someone I’d known since childhood.
Apparently, she had witnessed the morning’s commotion and wore a wry smile.
“I had a vague idea it might happen, so it’s all right. …But thank you, Miss Falma… No, Countess Lapis.”
“We’ve known each other since childhood. I’ve told you so many times not to address me by my family name.”
“Oh, but when visiting your family’s residence, it’s perfectly acceptable to use your family name, isn’t it?”
And out of nowhere, a soft chuckle escaped us both.
Even with friends, one must distinguish between private and public conduct. At the academy, you never know where or by whom you might be overheard. Even in a place that supposedly doesn’t care about status, inappropriate actions or words directly affect one’s reputation.
While enjoying a conversation with a friend, other allies who had entered the special class quickly surrounded us, as well as the young ladies and lords who had passed the transfer exam.
“Duchess Solfege, thank you so much for the transfer exam recommendation!”
“Well, I appreciate your kind words, Countess Ganettia. I heard about it from an acquaintance myself. Since you’re all so talented, I thought it would be wonderful if you could receive even more intensive lessons for the short time remaining until graduation.”
I said this cheerfully, looking around at everyone’s faces. Then, Miss Lapis bowed deeply on behalf of the group.
“Your kindness, Lady Lunaria, is beyond what we can ever thank you for. …Truly, thank you.”
“Please raise your head! Given the timing, it might be difficult to keep up, you know? While I do wish for you to take advanced classes, I’m most anxious about the possibility of you being left behind…!”
“We must make the most of any opportunity to learn. Don’t worry, Lady Lunaria.”
“Miss Lapis…”
“That’s right, Lady Lunaria! Precisely because we are nobles, we must learn everything we can. We’ve come this far without knowing such places existed, so we must strive all the harder!”
“Countess Ganettia…”
I breathed a sigh of relief as she nodded and said, “That’s right”.
Do not be arrogant just because you are nobility. Learn everything you can.
The higher one’s status, the more one needs to learn. Nobles and kingdoms exist only because of their people.
“But… His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s actions are truly…”
“I hear that his grades have been slipping lately.”
“Ever since he started keeping the Saintess by his side…”
“She’s called the ‘Saintess’ because she can wield Sacred Powers, right? But isn’t that all there is to her?”
“If she can wield Sacred Power but isn’t fulfilling any purpose… then what meaning is there in her being the Saintess…”
Just as I thought.
“The Primera family… I believe.”
“Being a Viscount house, even if she were to marry His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, she could never become Queen, right? At the very least, it must be a Count house or higher, don’t you think…”
To qualify as Queen, family lineage is first considered, requiring at least a Count house.
And then, what are the achievements of the individual herself, not her parents?
Being nobles, even young children are expected to demonstrate achievements. Participating in or assisting with charitable activities, excelling academically if enrolled in an academy, or winning an award in their extracurricular activities. There are countless ways to demonstrate some kind of achievement, but Manna has done none of these.
“Everyone, we should refrain from such statements. Rather, let’s fulfill our duties as nobles and students to the best of our ability while we are here.”
“Pardon me…! You’re right!”
“The teacher should be arriving soon.”
“Everyone, please take your seats.”
The atmosphere changed with my words, and the students took their respective seats. Shortly after, the teacher in charge entered the room, and the lesson began.
The material was more challenging than what we had encountered in the general classes. Rather than relying on textbooks, the focus was on exchanging opinions with one another.
In addition, the materials on the current domestic situation included ‘real-time’ information—scenes of towns and markets not found in textbooks.
Knowledge unattainable through textbooks alone. Time dedicated to fostering initiative—speaking up voluntarily, not just when called on.
To a certain degree, this experience can be gained in regular classes, but teacher-led lessons inherently limit it. In advanced classes, however, both teachers and students took turns leading, making this experience possible.
In no time, the morning session was over, and everyone, including me, let out a big sigh.
“That was incredible…”
“To have sessions led by us, not just the teacher…”
“I never imagined we’d hear such a variety of opinions.”
“Exchanging views freely, regardless of status? That would be impossible in our regular classes!”
Seeing the students with shining eyes, I smiled with relief.
While glad I hadn’t overstepped, hearing the current reputation of the Crown Prince and his lot was also a significant gain.
“Lady Lunaria, what are your plans for lunch today?”
“Miss Lapis, I thought I’d have lunch at the academy cafeteria for the first time in ages.”
“Well then, may we join?”
“I’d love it!”
“Please let us come along too!”
Drawn in by their classmates’ excited chatter, I flashed a radiant smile, leaving the young ladies gazing at me in rapt admiration.
“Lady Lunaria… we were truly worried when you took a leave of absence…”
“We’re so relieved to see you doing so well now.”
We walked carefully, trying not to disturb the other students, as we headed toward the cafeteria.
As I was wondering what to pick from the many lunch menu options, me and Falma almost covered our ears at a high-pitched voice.
“Aaaaaaaaaahhh!!!!!!”
“What on earth… That noisy person…”
“Pointing at Lady Lunaria like that…”
“Huh…?”
The whispers of other students reached my ears, of course.
And of course, the sound of feet running clattering and clattering was also clearly audible.
Several people came running in a straight line toward us, and several male students stood in front of Manna as if to guard her.
“Lady Lunaria! You’ve caused trouble for the Saintess again, haven’t you!”
“…………… Huh?”
Perhaps because my voice was lower than expected, the male student suddenly stiffened in shock.
“How exactly did I cause trouble?”
“You, you tore up the Saintess’ textbook! You coward!”
“When”
“Today!”
Unable to notice the stares and raised eyebrows they were drawing from other cafeteria patrons due to their pointlessly raised voices, they pressed on.
“Do you really dislike the Saintess who is so dedicated to her studies that much!”
“E, everyone, stop! It’s fine. There are rumors about the Crown Prince… and I know that Lunaria hates me…”
“I have been transferred to the Advanced Class as of today… I would like to know how you think I managed that.”
“Huh! Advanced class?! What’s that!”
The cafeteria fell silent.
“Also, I don’t know what class the Saintess is in… but may I ask about that as well?”
“H. huh?!”
A loud ‘Pfft’ snort escaped someone’s lips, and laughter spread throughout the cafeteria.
“What class is the Saintess in?”
“Was it C or something? No wait… yeah, it’s the C class.”
“Lady Lunaria, weren’t you in the A class for general studies?”
“In the first place, if the classes are different, the class times will be slightly different…”
“Huh? Wha? What?!”
Falma stepped in front of me while giving Manna, who was flustered and confused, a look of disbelief.
“If you’re claiming that Miss Lunaria used someone else to tear up your textbook, wouldn’t it be best to identify that person by the mana traces left on the textbook? I have heard from the priests that some of the Saintess’ magic spells can even track mana traces.”
Her clear, resonant voice made Manna’s face flush bright red.
“Shut up! Stop trying to cover it up!”
“I’m not trying to cover anything up. Then why don’t you just do it yourself? …Lady Saintess?”
Gritting her teeth with a grim expression, she glared pinpointed solely at me. It was impressive in a way, but her approach was far too sloppy.
First of all, each person has their own unique mana trace.
These traces of mana cannot be hidden even in everyday life, since there is no one who does not have mana.
Everyone has mana, no matter how little it is, and there is no one without it.
If someone is pranked or attacked, you can track them by confirming their mana trace.
This is one of the skills that patrol squads hone to enforce crime, but it’s also among the abilities a ‘Saintess’ possesses. What’s more, hers is far more precise than what’s gained as a skill.
“I won’t run or hide. Here, please use it.”
Though Falma urged her, Manna made no move to do so.
She just fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable.
“F, fine, forget it!”
Watching the Saintess’ retreating figure run off crying as if to say “Remember this!”, we also saw off the trailing group of male students chasing after her.
As if nothing had happened, the others and I quickly decided on the menu and enjoyed our lunch.
Sads Translates 