19 — Chapter 19

“I hate that the entrance ceremony was on a Monday. It’s cruel that I can’t see my brothers for a whole week.”

Complaining to the calendar won’t help, though. Tuesday consists of Classics, Math, Magic Theory, and Dance. I’m relieved to hear that failing Dance doesn’t affect grade skipping.

After all, House Granger doesn’t have a tutor to teach dance. We don’t have the money to throw a ball, nor have we ever been invited to one. Maybe it’s because Patience is so young, but don’t people have birthday parties for relatives? Don’t children dance together?

I actually liked dancing. Back in my university days, I used to go to clubs. But I’m sure that’s different from aristocratic dancing. I wish I’d joined the ballroom dance club back then; I was quite interested, but I was young and too embarrassed to dance in a pair with a man. Wait, do ten-year-old boys and girls dance together here? I have a bad feeling about this.

As it turned out, Classics was a breeze thanks to Patience’s memories. Math was a breeze for me personally. At lunch, I finished my meal quickly, went back to the dorm, and reread the Magic Theory textbook in my room.

It’s such a waste not to have time to savor the delicious food. Oh, by the way, lunch isn’t in the dorm; it’s in the Academy’s dining hall. That place is great. Since the royalty and high-ranking nobles are served paid meals in the High Hall (Salon), the common hall is only for students taking the free meals. It’s very relaxing.

The Magic Theory test in the afternoon—I think I managed it by memorizing the textbook. The last big question was an essay format. I wrote exactly what was in the book, but I’m a little nervous.

“Next is Dance. I hate this,” said a girl who didn’t look bothered at all, followed by a boy who looked genuinely miserable. Ah, even if they are aristocrats, ten-year-olds are still ten-year-olds. The boys’ “I don’t want to do this” expressions are written all over their faces.

“Alright, everyone, find a partner,” Mr. Leonard, the dance instructor, commanded. The boys were slow to move.

“I suppose it can’t be helped.”

Prince Keith—look at you, being quite the man. Oh, wait, you’re just aiming for Louise.

“May I have this dance?” he asked. My “big sister” heart skipped a beat at how cute that was.

“Any boys left over will have to dance with each other!”

Whether they were imitating Prince Keith or threatened by Mr. Leonard’s warning, the boys began asking the girls one after another. I was asked by Hugo—the line-cutter. I wonder why? Maybe he’s trying to apologize.

“Now, try to dance by following the patterns on the floor.”

Mr. Leonard showed us an example first, but I thought it would be impossible to dance suddenly to an instrument that sounded like a piano. However, this is a magical world; diagrams appeared right on the floor of the dance studio.

If I move my left foot and right foot in order, does it become a dance? It’s a step like a box dance. I think I can do this. Surprisingly, Hugo was a good dancer. He’s the heir of the House of Earl Angus, so he must have had a dance tutor.

“The pair over there passes.”

Prince Keith and Louise were the first to pass. Somehow, thanks to Hugo, I passed too.

“Thank you very much,” I said sincerely.

“Now we’re even,” he replied. How cute. I really am a sucker for kids. Of course, I’m not a creep who would actually lay a hand on a ten-year-old!

Wednesday: Language, History, Classics, and P.E./Home Economics. I chose Home Economics. The Classics test is over, so today is result day. Language was a breeze. I think I passed History too. All hail Patience.

“I’m going to take my time with lunch today.”

After lunch, I have the return of the Classics test and Home Economics. I don’t know what the practical test will be, but thanks to Household Magic and my past life living alone, I can handle the basics.

“Thick, rich stew is the best.”

The chunks of beef-like meat melt apart with a fork. I want my brothers to eat this. But I need nutrition too; I’m skin and bones.

I ate alone, feeling giddy. The other girls in class? They were invited by Louise to the High Hall. There are no other girls in Class A living in the dorms. Even the provincial noble girls commute from their family mansions in Romano. A few boys seem to have moved into the dorms, like Ralph and Hugo. They’re clearly targeting Prince Keith—likely wanting to be his schoolmates now so they can be his close aides in the future. What a tough life, being ten and already playing politics.

I got a perfect score on the Classics test. Patience is seriously brilliant. Or rather, is the Granger family just a clan of geniuses? I was the only one in class to pass Classics. It seems I stood out a bit.

“What’s the point of studying Classics anyway?” Prince Keith grumbled. Ralph warned him that the Classics teacher was glaring at him. Being a babysitter is hard work. I suspect Ralph might have actually been able to pass Classics himself. Knowing Keith was bad at it, did he fail on purpose? It feels like he values being the Prince’s friend more than skipping a grade. He only “passed” Dance after Keith did, too. Well, it’s none of my business.

Home Economics was just sewing a straight line on cloth. Of course, I passed without even needing Household Magic.

I don’t think anyone could fail that, but a few girls are making a fuss about pricking their fingers with the needle. I guess noble daughters don’t do needlework. Louise passed and came over to me.

“Lady Patience, you passed Dance, Classics, and Home Economics as well, didn’t you?”

“Lady Louise, your dance was magnificent. I only passed because my partner helped me. Sewing is simply something I am good at.”

The rule of female society is to return a compliment with a compliment. I suppose that’s the same even in another world.

“Well, you passed Classics too. The House of Granger is indeed a family of scholars.”

That might be true, but she must know my father was dismissed… is she being sarcastic? If she wants a fight, I’ll give her one! But “Patience” is screaming “NO!” in my head. Apparently, picking a fight with the daughter of an Earl is a bad idea. I sucked it up and replied quietly, “Thank you very much.”

Thursday: Returning the Math and Language tests, a History test, and Magic Practicum. Since I’ve read the textbook in addition to using Patience’s memories, I think I’ll be fine for History. The problem is Magic Practicum. My method is too different from the Magic Theory textbook. Should I use those embarrassing chants? It’s a dilemma.

In Math: Prince Keith, Ralph, Hugo, and I passed. For some reason, Louise’s gaze is scary. At this rate, skipping the whole grade might be better.

In Language, a fair number of people passed. It was easy, after all. Prince Keith, Ralph, Hugo, and Louise all passed. A few other girls did too.

The History test was a collaboration between Patience and me, but I think I passed. There was one date that was a bit fuzzy, so I relied on Patience’s memory for that.

The classroom tests are over. All that’s left is the practical.