17

“At that level, given his class… I wonder what lies above it.”

Perhaps they used even more advanced mana control. Or perhaps, though it resembled swordsmanship, they were in fact manifesting magic. Talidge was Sword King class—so the swordsmen above that class might be something else entirely.

Filled with such expectations, Ains felt his chest swell with excitement.

Seeing that Ains was able to meaningfully process the earlier bout, Laika felt a small sense of relief.

“Still, after watching today’s exam, the Sorcery Academy wasn’t quite what I imagined, so I was a bit disappointed.”

Ains said with a small sigh.

Laika glanced sideways at him and gave a wry smile.

“…Well, considering your level, that’s only natural.”

From then on, the awkward air vanished completely, and the two walked home chatting cheerfully through the quiet of the night.

When they arrived at the Brandy estate, they headed straight for the dining room. Inside, Kansas waited in restless anticipation, with Riste standing quietly at attention behind him, awaiting Laika’s return.

The moment Laika came into view, Kansas nearly sprang up from his chair—but mindful of his daughter, he suppressed his impatience and settled his half-risen body back down.

“Welcome back, Laika. And Ains-dono as well. You must be hungry—let’s have dinner right away.”

Kansas clearly wanted to know how Laika’s exam had gone. Though he kept it off his face, the way he hurriedly issued instructions to Riste betrayed his agitation.

Laika, being his daughter, easily picked up on those subtle signs and found them amusing.

Around the time Ains took his seat, guided by a maid, Sophia entered the dining room.

“Welcome back, Ains-sama.”

“I’m home, Sophia. What were you up to today?”

Sophia bowed when she saw Ains, then took her seat as she answered him.

“After doing a bit of shopping with Riste-san, I spent the entire day training in physical enhancement, just as you taught me, Ains-sama.”

She must have bathed before coming to dinner—there was still moisture clinging to the tips of her hair.

“You’re diligent. I wonder how much you’ve improved since last time. You’re probably not quite at the level of the man I sparred with today yet, right?”

“Ains-sama… sparred with someone?”

“Oh, that’s—”

As they reached for the dishes laid out on the table, Ains told Sophia about the entrance exam, while Laika recounted the events to Kansas.

Kansas loudly rejoiced at how Laika’s skill had drawn attention at the exam venue, while Sophia bitterly regretted that she had not been able to witness Ains sparring with a Sword King–class swordsman. Their reactions could not have been more opposite.

After finishing the meal prepared with great care by the Brandy family’s chef, Ains was leisurely enjoying his after-dinner coffee when Kansas posed a question.

“From what I hear, Laika’s exam concluded without issue. Ains-dono, I truly appreciate all you’ve done. There’s still time before the results are announced—how do you plan to spend that period?”

“Well… come to think of it, what became of the matter of the throne at the royal castle? You mentioned it would be addressed again later.”

Setting his cup down on the saucer, Ains turned to face Kansas.

“Indeed. I will raise the matter again from my side. I doubt we’ll receive approval immediately, but still.”

“No, it’s fine. There’s no rush.”

Saying that, Ains began thinking about how he would spend the coming days.

Then, his thoughts returned to the entrance exam earlier that day. Even commoners with no noble standing could challenge the Sorcery Academy—so how did they acquire the education needed to take the exam?

Noble or wealthy merchant families could afford private tutors, but ordinary citizens could not. Were they taught by someone out of goodwill?

That question piqued Ains’s interest.

“Come to think of it, I’ve only explored the center of Kirk’s common district. I haven’t been to the western side at all…”

“The west is the commercial district. I’ve never really gone there either.” ]

Sophia said, lightly dabbing her mouth with a napkin.

“Then maybe I’ll go check that area out.”

“Ains-sama, I will accompany you!”

Sophia answered with her back straightened.

Watching from across the table, Laika shook her head.

“I’ll pass—I have plans with Kirishiya.”

“I’m a little—no, quite—uneasy, but I guess it’ll be just the two of us heading that way, Sophia.”

“Please rest assured, Ains-sama! I will personally ward off any misfortune that dares befall you!”

Sophia declared with enthusiasm. Half of what made Ains uneasy was Sophia herself, but he chose not to say that aloud.

After savoring his after-dinner coffee, Ains quickly washed off the day’s sweat at the bath and lay down on the bed in the guest room Kansas had provided.

Exhausted from the long day, Ains soon surrendered to sleep.

When the sun began to rise and light streamed through the window, a maid’s call roused Ains from his slumber.

Groggy at first, he swayed his head from side to side, but after stretching and changing out of his nightclothes, he felt fully awake.

Following the maid, Ains headed to the dining room, where Laika and Sophia were already in the middle of breakfast. They exchanged brief greetings.

According to Laika, Kansas had already finished breakfast and gone to the castle on official business.

The bread made from wheat the Brandy domain took pride in was baked to a golden brown. Its rich aroma and gentle sweetness paired perfectly with the bitter coffee.

Dinner at the Brandy estate was always exquisite, but the simple combination of fresh bread and coffee in the morning was bliss as well. If anything, Ains found himself looking forward to breakfast even more, thinking so as he lifted the steaming cup to his lips.