Chapter 42
"Although silver hair and red eyes are well-known, I never imagined you were from the Rotish family. My apologies for the late introduction, I am Silvio Adote."
"I am Severino Adote."
As Silvio greeted with a textbook-perfect bow, Severino, standing beside him, followed suit with the same gesture. The contrast between the smiling one and the one with a strained expression at the corner of their mouth was striking.
At first glance, the elusive one seems to be Silvio, while the nervous-looking one with glasses is Severino. As expected, their family name doesn't ring any bells.
"Pardon me, but what is Adote?"
If a manners instructor were here, I'd probably get a one-hour lecture, but it's faster to ask about things I don't know. If I used the typical noble circumlocutions, the day would end before we finished.
"It's only natural that you wouldn't know. Our family is just a humble baron family."
Looking at the two of them with a splendid carriage behind them, I wonder which part of that is supposed to be humble? A dry laugh escapes me. Even a count family would struggle to prepare something like that.
"Severi and I are cousins, and since our grandfather hails from Sleiran, our hair and eye colors are like this. Apparently, in exchange for being accepted as a son-in-law into a baron family of this country with a penchant for extravagance, he paid a considerable sum. In short, we're nouveau riche who bought status with money."
Nobles value status, but without the means to support it, they cannot maintain their position.
Whether due to disasters, extravagance, war, or the decline of their territory, a family can fall in an instant for any reason. It's not particularly rare for commoners to approach impoverished nobles and buy status with money, as Silvio's grandfather did. The number of nobles labeled as nouveau riche, with funds rivaling those of high-ranking nobles, is increasing.
If that's the case, why are these two, who should have abundant assets, standing in front of the military school's gate instead of an academy in the Royal Capital?
If they are lower nobles, they should be at the academy expanding their connections and securing ties with higher nobles to prepare for the future.
"......Rotish-sama, are you at the military school?"
Perhaps Silvio was thinking along the same lines as me, as he asked first, and I nodded.
"Starting this year. Are you two aiming to become soldiers?"
"We don't know about the future yet, but we're here for a specific purpose."
In contrast to the ever-smiling Silvio, Severino remained silent without even making eye contact. Thinking they seemed like a master and servant, I echoed, "Purpose?"
"There's been quite a rumor since last year, but apparently, starting this year, a former Knight Commander of the kingdom will be teaching swordsmanship at the military school. Hearing that, we couldn't resist and rushed over."
"You came chasing after Ivan Tseli-sama?"
"Yes."
I had heard that his popularity transcends age and gender, but I never imagined there'd be people chasing him all the way to the military school.
"Also, I thought it'd be good if I could help my older brother. To eliminate... or rather, outmaneuver our half-siblings with different mothers, strength is necessary."
Though he mentioned something dangerous midway, even full siblings compete for succession, so it's even more intense with half-siblings. As I gazed at him, thinking his desire to help his brother was admirable, Silvio lowered his brows with an apologetic expression and said, "So......"
"I mistakenly assumed you were a lower noble like us and stopped you, Rotish-sama. I'm sorry......"
"Sil......!"
It was Severino, who had been watching from the sidelines, who let out a scream-like sound in surprise as Silvio bowed deeply. Silvio flinched slightly, and as if that was some kind of signal, Severino shut his mouth midway. Wasn't that sound meant to reprimand Silvio's behavior?
What an odd pair they are.
"At an academy, this might have been an issue, but here at the military school, status isn't emphasized. Since we'll be fellow students from now on, feel free to interact with me casually."
Living in dorms away from home and family, both academies and military schools have a certain number of rules.
Comparing the rules of academies and military schools, there are various differences, but the part about not allowing arbitrary behavior based on status is common to both.
It's likely a measure to protect those of lower status, but the existence of factions within academies already gives a clue.
That's why nobles entering military schools mistakenly think it's the same as an academy. In an environment without higher authorities, some act recklessly, but the harsh training and tough conditions, as well as the fact that ability speaks louder than family or lineage at military schools, offer no advantage. Within a few months, they get their noses broken and quiet down, or so I've heard.
I have no intention of flaunting my status as part of a count family or the Rotish family, and if possible...... I'd like to have lifelong friends as fellow students.
"Casually......?"
"Yes."
Silvio erased his smile for a moment, becoming serious, before slowly raising the corners of his mouth.
"Then, I'll do that."
......He broke into a grin.
Unlike his doll-like fake smile, this age-appropriate smile erased his suspicious air.
"I'm glad you're a good person. I don't have any acquaintances here, and it's my first time in this city, so I was a bit anxious. Oh, you can call me Sil. And this is Severi."
While I was still surprised by the sudden change, Silvio physically closed the distance, and I leaned back while shifting my gaze.
Severino, glancing at Silvio, furrowed his brows tightly and let out a sigh. In a small voice, he consented, "Severi is fine." Though he seemed quite displeased, are these two really in a master-servant relationship?
"Then, please call me Celes."
"Celes, is that way of speaking a habit or something? It feels like you're keeping a distance, and it makes me sad."
"No......"
"Just between us, Severi has such a sharp tongue, it's tough."
"I'm not sharp-tongued; my words are just blunt."
"See?"
In recent years, my maids have often lamented that I've become rough, and since that's a fatal flaw in noble society, I think it's bad myself.
That's why, to cover it up in various ways, my tone naturally becomes stiff.
If I interact with them the same way I did with Dan and the others, they might feel uncomfortable. For now, I nodded with a "Got it," deciding to observe and gradually get used to them.
"We just arrived in this city this morning. We were supposed to arrive two days ago, but it was farther than expected...... We can't just enter the gate with the carriage, right?"
"I don't think that's allowed......"
"Right. Even if we send the carriage back, we haven't secured lodging yet."
"Besides, since our luggage is loaded, we can't just leave it here without guards until the procedures are done. So, we were planning to negotiate to move into the dorm a day early, but we can't leave Sil here alone......"
"Ah, so that's why you spoke to me."
"No one else would even make eye contact, and there wasn't even a chance to talk to them."
I gave a wry smile to Sil, who looked dejected while saying he tried talking to a few people before me.
No commoner would want to get involved with a pair who are clearly nobles. Even I was about to walk past them without a second thought.
"They're quite unkind."
"......It's because Severi glares at them."
"I'm not glaring."
They get along well...... I thought, listening to their banter while quickly scanning the surroundings. Noticing that there were no student-like figures near the gate, I hurriedly checked the time on my watch.
"By the way, are we still on time?"
"Time?"
They should have received a paper with today's date and time along with the documents in advance.
"I mean the reception hours."
"I leave all that to Severi."
Realizing this one's hopeless, I looked at Severi, only to be met with a smirk for some reason. He waved his hand dismissively, saying, "Wait."
Perhaps it's because of the glasses as a personal item, but Severi, who seems serious and meticulous, gives the impression that there won't be any issues.
However, I would soon learn that one shouldn't judge people by appearances.
"It's already been several minutes past."
Severi took out a neatly folded piece of paper from his chest pocket, slowly unfolded it, glanced at it, and nonchalantly said so......
I recall Dan once told me that in the military, someone who seems competent at first glance but isn't is called a scatterbrain.
"Hey, Glasses. I'll watch the carriage, so hurry up and finish the reception and pass a message to the school staff!"
"Glasses......"
"Sil. Take that scatterbrain over there and run full speed! If you explain the situation with a desperate look, they might show some leniency."
"O-Okay."
"Scatterbrain......?"
Being late on the first day leaves a terrible impression.
If this were Ransheen Fortress, you'd be chewed out for a whole day and forced to write a reflection essay.
Urging them with my eyes to hurry, Sil grabbed Severi's arm and started to run, but for some reason, Severi stopped in his tracks and tilted his head, asking, "What about you, Celes?"
"......Me?"
"The luggage is important, but if you don't run, you'll be late too, right?"
"No, I'm scheduled for the afternoon......"
"Afternoon......?"
While I was confused as our conversation didn't seem to mesh, Sil leaned close to Severi's ear and whispered something.
——Right after.
"......!?"
"Yes, let's hurry."
"Mm, m!?"
"See you later, Celes."
Severi, visibly trembling and wide-eyed to an extreme degree, tried to say something, but at that moment, Sil covered his mouth with one hand and dragged him away.
Even with a fierce expression, still mumbling something while pointing at me, I couldn't help but wonder what on earth happened to Severi......
"......Looks like I've made some rather amusing friends."
With my heart fluttering in anticipation of life at the military school, I watched the two of them run toward the building.