Chapter 111

It is Thursday, the day I promised Benjamin I would meet with Caesar. For some reason, my heart has been pounding since morning.

Unlike Professor Paterson, Professor Sullivan of Administration makes an effort to draw out even a little bit of interest from the students. It would be wonderful to become a bureaucrat, but currently, there are no female bureaucrats. Like Lord Eugene, who became the first female knight, would I be able to make the effort to become the first female bureaucrat and pave the way for the juniors who follow? Despite my strong-willed facade, I actually lack backbone. Besides, if one wants to become the first female bureaucrat, it is probably better to graduate from the university. I think so, but my family has no money. Furthermore, if anyone goes to the university, I want it to be Nasius.

Professor Sullivan’s casual chats and exchanges with the students are entertaining, so I listen, but his explanations of the textbook are rather tedious. I end up letting my mind wander to this and that. Yes, I shall aim to get a completion certificate for this Administration course.

“Lady Patience, your next block was Cooking, correct?”

Phillips remembers my schedule remarkably well.

“Yes, but since I have already received my completion certificate, I shall engage in self-study.”

Phillips looks at me in utter amazement.

“I heard that you obtained completion certificates for all the mandatory classes in the Elementary School, Lady Patience, but you have managed to get one in the Middle School already as well? That is marvelous.”

“I had learned a bit of cooking from my mother, you see.”

I return to the dormitory to study Law and Administration.

Clang~ Clang~

The second period seems to have ended. I wonder if Princess Margaret managed to make something properly edible? Well, since a teacher is guiding her, I have no choice but to trust that she is fine.

More importantly, I must not keep Benjamin and Caesar waiting. Moving as quickly as my naturally slow-paced feet allow, I hurry to the school cafeteria. I had intended to arrive early, but I was far too focused on my studies. I really want a watch. It would be wonderful if I could craft one with alchemy.

“Oh, Patience. You are late.”

Benjamin and Caesar were waiting without even taking a seat. Yes, they stand out. And it is not just because they are eccentric. If you look closely, their uniforms look highly expensive.

“Lord Benjamin, Lord Caesar, I am terribly sorry for being late. I was studying in my room at the dormitory.”

Now, I was about to grab a tray and line up, but it seems Benjamin and Caesar have never even held a tray before.

“I see, so there are no servants to serve the food in the school cafeteria. My, how fascinating.”

Caesar was the heir to the Duke of Barnes’s estate, if I recall correctly.

“Lord Caesar, Lord Benjamin, you both are perfectly welcome to dine upstairs, you know. Today, Princess Margaret is eating at her cooking class, so I merely thought I would grab something at the school cafeteria.”

The food tastes much better up in the salon.

“No, since it is my first time experiencing this, let us give it a try.”

They truly are sheltered young masters. The three of us ate together in the school cafeteria.

“This is quite delicious. Furthermore, I like that it takes much less time than dining upstairs.”

Is the fifth-year Caesar quite busy with something? He finished eating in the blink of an eye.

“Patience, are you finished as well? You should eat slowly.”

I had finished most of it, but it is rather difficult to eat comfortably while being watched by the two of them.

“You won’t grow big if you don’t eat more.”

Told to eat every last bite by the slender, tall Caesar and Lion-maru (Benjamin), I somehow managed to finish. Sigh, I had intended to eat lazily at the school cafeteria, so this is rather disappointing.

“Are the trays meant to be returned? I shall return them, so Patience, you talk with Lord Caesar.”

I am unfamiliar with Benjamin’s family lineage, but judging by his demeanor in Class A and the Mage Course, I can tell he belongs to the high nobility.

“No, I shall…” I began to object, but to my surprise, he carries away all three trays with ease.

“So, Patience, you wish to join the Alchemy Club, but you cannot do so because of your duties as Princess Margaret’s lady-in-waiting, correct?”

When phrased that way, the nuance sounds a bit different.

“When I was guided to the Handicraft Club before, I had intended to resign from my duties as Princess Margaret’s lady-in-waiting. That is why I had decided to quit the Music Club as well. In the end, however, it was decided that I would continue my duties as her lady-in-waiting, so I wish to fulfill them properly.”

Caesar listened silently until I had completely finished my explanation.

“I see. You are an excellent lady-in-waiting, Patience. However, one does not attend the Royal Academy merely to serve as a lady-in-waiting. If after-school hours are out of the question, you simply need to conduct your Alchemy Club activities during your free periods. I heard from Benjamin that you skipped grades in both Alchemy 2 and Magic Circles. Furthermore, your second period on Thursdays is free because you received a completion certificate for Cooking. I am not asking you to participate three times a week; once or twice is perfectly fine.”

His recruitment pitch is incredibly fierce. On top of that, I cannot find a reason to refuse.

“He is right. You truly ought to take the Mage Course, Patience.”

Even Benjamin chimes in to recommend the Mage Course.

“Benjamin, focus entirely on the Alchemy Club matter for now.”

Caesar is desperate because the very survival of the Alchemy Club hangs in the balance. Yes, it must be troublesome to have one’s own club dissolved.

“Provided I do not have to participate after school.”

I suppose I truly am weak to pressure.

“I see, then you are most welcome. Now, when do you think you can come?”

Wait, just a moment ago, he said once a week was perfectly fine.

“Since there will be plenty of things for me to teach you at the beginning, I shall align myself with your schedule, Patience.”

Wait, what does that mean?

“But what about your own lectures, Lord Caesar?”

Brushing my concern aside as though it mattered not at all, he waves his hand.

“I have already obtained most of my credits, so I have a fair amount of flexibility. Therefore, when are your free periods, Patience?”

For some reason, I feel a sudden reluctance to tell him.

“Patience’s free periods are: Monday’s third period, since she passed Alchemy 2. Wednesday’s second period is also free since she passed Magic Circles. Furthermore, Thursday’s second period is free because she received a completion certificate for Cooking. The only other time is Friday’s fourth period, correct?”

I am utterly dumbfounded by Benjamin. To think he has memorized someone else’s schedule down to this level.

“Fridays are out of the question, as I accompany Princess Margaret to the royal palace once or twice a month.”

Despite my refusal, Caesar lets out a sly grin.

“In other words, you are free after school on Fridays two or three times a month. You are a dormitory student, correct, Patience? That means you can thoroughly engage in Alchemy Club activities right up until dinner.”

Caesar’s sheer seriousness is terrifying. However, it might be better than going to the Alchemy Club during lecture blocks.

“I shall only visit the Alchemy Club on Fridays when I do not have to accompany Her Highness to the royal palace. I wish to devote my other free periods to my studies. If that is acceptable, I shall join the Alchemy Club.”

Benjamin insistently demands that I visit the club during Monday’s Alchemy 2 block as well.

“But I went to the trouble of asking Professor Kubrick for permission to use that time to craft magic lamps for review.”

The two of them let out a knowing smirk.

“Professor Kubrick is the advisor for the Alchemy Club. We shall speak to him ourselves, so it will be perfectly fine.”

I have no idea what is supposed to be fine. This was a negotiation, but I had completely failed to research my opponents. It is a blunder. I must temporarily retreat and try again later.

“No, I shall speak to Professor Kubrick myself during Monday’s Alchemy 2 block. I shall give it some thought after that.”

“Hmm,” Caesar smiles. He raises a hand to silence Benjamin, who is making a fuss saying, “There is no need for that.”

“At any rate, welcome to the Alchemy Club.”

It seems he prioritized securing a member above all else for now. I have no intention of visiting the Alchemy Club three times a week anyway. Visiting two or three times a month should be more than enough. The foolish one who entertained such naive thoughts was none other than myself. I suppose I truly am too soft.