The Protagonist’s Party is Too Diligent – 22
EP.22 Reunion? (3)
The Imperial Runedarium Academy was grand and magnificent. It was a building that embodied the pride of the Empire, constructed with the Empire’s cutting-edge architectural technology. In some ways, it was even more impressive than the Imperial Palace. While the palace had been continuously renovated and expanded over centuries, its foundation was a medieval structure.
However, the academy was only about 30 years old and was still constantly expanding with new buildings. There was even a structure similar to the Crystal Palace built in England on Earth within the academy grounds, and the streetlights were powered by magic stones instead of gas. In fact, most of the lights in the buildings were powered by magic.
Moreover, the academy had an overwhelming number of telephone lines compared to other buildings in the capital, and a dedicated analytical engine operated in an entire building just for the academy, making its data processing nearly perfect and significantly faster than elsewhere. The engine was powered by pure magic stones, so there was no black smoke.
Additionally, the infirmary could handle minor surgeries, and it was even connected to a university hospital. All the daily necessities provided were of the highest quality, utilizing the Empire’s industrial production capabilities to the fullest. Students could also replace their personal weapons with Imperial-grade ones if needed.
Despite this, the tuition for attending the Academy was fully covered by the Imperial Family for students from the Empire. For students from outside the Empire, the tuition was still significantly cheaper compared to other academies. The Empire operated this Academy at a loss.
The reason the Empire was so invested in this academy was that it admitted not only Imperial citizens but also children from famous families abroad, and even royalty.
The idea was that after experiencing a high standard of living here, they would feel inconvenienced when they returned home. Additionally, it would instill trust in the quality of goods produced by the Empire. The Empire had turned this place into a “presentation room” for the Empire itself.
So, the costs covered by the Imperial family could be seen as marketing expenses. There was no reason to save money. The students who lived here and returned home would grow up to use Imperial goods, and in large quantities.
Ironically, this made the academy the perfect place for children of the Imperial family.
Even if Alice’s or my grades had not been up to par, we would likely have been granted special admission. After all, who could challenge the Imperial Family’s decisions?
“Top student of the Imperial Runedarium Academy, Alice Fangriffon.”
Of course, Alice didn’t need such preferential treatment.
The headmaster, with his hair turned completely white and parted precisely in a 2:8 ratio, and his mustache curled up neatly into a classic Kaiser mustache, stood facing Alice.
Here, in this place, neither Alice nor I was a princess. We were just students. Although the students wouldn’t treat us casually, the headmaster was different.
Abraham Fitzgerald Winterfield, the former Imperial Army Commander-in-Chief. He came from one of the most prominent noble families in the North, known for producing three Imperial Army Commanders. If this were a romance fantasy, he might be referred to as a duke of the North.
It was not surprising that the headmaster’s granddaughter attended this Academy. However, she was not a heroine. After graduating from the Academy, she joined the military but eventually left that path to become a teacher and instructor at the Academy, taking on the role of a teacher for commoner students.
Despite being from a northern duke family, she had an open mind and often clashed with her grandfather’s strict aristocratic views, making her a typical but positive character.
She later appeared as a guest character, and while her performance was outstanding, her synergy with other characters was lacking, so she was rarely chosen except in the first playthrough. Moreover, as a guest character, she couldn’t be used in the final battle.
“And the second-ranked student, Claire Grace. Step forward.”
At the headmaster’s words, the two students who were already standing in front took another step forward.
I had seen Claire going to the Grace family’s orphanage, but I hadn’t expected her to grow so remarkably and be adopted by the Grace family.
For reference, in the original story, Alice was the top student, but the second place was held by a different character, who was a minor supporting character. Claire, in the original, hadn’t even taken the Academy entrance exam.
Since Claire was adopted by the Grace family, I wondered if she had learned the Grace family’s swordsmanship. Although her movements didn’t look exceptionally impressive, other characters described her as a ‘model of uprightness,’ and even Headmaster Winterfield had expressed admiration.
She might use a completely different swordsmanship style from the original Claire, who wielded a whip-like sword… a longsword.
Although I was a princess, I wasn’t the top or second-ranked student, so I stood among the other students. Sylvia’s appearance was beautiful, but it couldn’t compare to the two standing in front. In fact, my view of beauty was quite subjective.
I noticed that both Leo and Claire had blue hair, with Claire’s being darker. They could easily pass as siblings, and while rumors might already be circulating among the nobles, no one would doubt it.
“Both students have achieved outstanding results compared to their peers. With your brilliant intellect, live up to the Academy’s name and become great individuals who will dominate the Empire.”
What a joke.
Both the top and second-ranked students were women, so technically, they didn’t even have voting rights. Alice, as the future emperor, didn’t need to worry, but for Claire, the best way to make a name for herself in the eyes of the nobility was to marry well.
Fortunately, the Grace barony wasn’t a “typical noble” family.
Still, the Imperial Army accepted both men and women and treated them equally, so that was an option. Unless the story deviated from the original, and the emperor suddenly became a virtuous ruler.
Claire lightly bowed her head to the headmaster.
…But Alice didn’t…?
…Huh?
“…”
“…”
A brief moment of silence.
Despite clearly feeling the attention on her, Alice did not bow her head to the headmaster. Instead, she stood upright, staring directly at him.
Even the headmaster’s icy expression softened for a brief moment.
And, if my eyes weren’t deceiving me, the headmaster seemed to smile just a little.
A satisfied smile.
The “Chronicles of Aetherna” was not a meticulously researched historical simulation but rather a blend of the histories of several well-known European countries, combined into a loose, fantastical world typical of Japanese fantasy games. However, to maintain its steampunk genre, the game did reference the atmosphere of real-world countries at the time.
Regarding the atmosphere of these real-world countries, specifically England—
—It was a macho culture where it was considered “manly” to never tolerate unfair treatment, to argue one’s case, and to assert one’s rights even if it meant risking one’s life in a duel.
Of course, being a game, there were some exaggerations.
Alice, though not a man, was the sole legitimate heir to inherit the country. The weight of the name “Fangriffon” was by no means light. Even if you combined the weight of all the names in this country, it wouldn’t be heavier than Fangriffon.
Therefore, Alice’s attitude of holding her head high as the legitimate heir of the Imperial Family, though not ideal according to the Academy’s rules, was seen as an exemplary stance for a future Emperor by the rigid-minded headmaster.
If Alice were to become the Emperor in the future, the headmaster would be under her command if he were still alive.
Perhaps for this reason, the headmaster didn’t discipline Alice. Had it been another student, like one from a ducal family, engaging in similar behavior, they might have faced punishment.
With a satisfied expression, the headmaster handed Alice the plaque he was holding.
Alice took the plaque with a precise posture that suggested she had practiced it several times and turned around in a military fashion. Claire seemed a bit flustered by Alice’s actions but quickly followed suit.
Alice opened the plaque and read the inscription.
“In the year 1901, marking the beginning of the glorious New Century, Alice Fangriffon and 89 other new students entering the Imperial Runedarium Academy solemnly pledge to adhere strictly to the Academy’s rules, dedicate themselves to learning, diligently train, and forge friendships with their peers to become individuals who will lead humanity.”
1901.
In both the game and reality, this was undoubtedly the “Belle Époque,” the era often referred to as the good old days.
In reality, it took over ten years for the World War to break out, but in the game, covering that much time would make the story excessively slow. So, in the game, events began to unfold even before we graduated from the academy.
Those good times would collapse within less than five years.
…And I intended to save every heroine who might die in the process, even if it meant turning back time multiple times.
“…”
The atmosphere in the auditorium was far from light.
But in truth, it was likely because of the presence of the headmaster and the princess standing in front. Most students probably just wanted to go back and rest. The academy’s dormitories were luxuriously furnished, something even most nobles couldn’t easily experience.
After all, the new students were just fifteen-year-old kids. Or rather, they were about to turn fifteen this year, so there might be some who were even younger. They probably wanted to make friends and experience romance.
And… to be honest.
I wanted to make friends too, even if romance wasn’t on my mind. It would be great if I could become friends with the protagonists from the original story.
As I stood there, lost in thought, I suddenly felt a gaze on me.
“……”
I focused my peripheral vision while keeping my eyes on Alice. I couldn’t see clearly, but—
— it seemed like Claire, who was standing next to Alice, was looking at me.
…Did she recognize me?
It was possible. Claire, who had been extremely intelligent in the original story, might be even sharper now, having grown up comfortably. She probably hadn’t been addicted to opium or engaged in drinking or smoking, so her mind was likely much clearer.
However, I couldn’t reveal my identity right now…
…Wait?
Why shouldn’t I reveal it?
It felt a bit strange if I just reveal it, but I also didn’t really see why I shouldn’t either.
“……”
Perhaps I should think about it a bit more.
I pondered while watching Alice, who stood proudly, drawing the attention of all the students.