Chapter 11

10.

At Primus Academy, whether you’re nobility or commoner, everyone is treated as an equal student. Thus, no discrimination based on status or title should exist.

Half true, half false.

Though both noble and commoner students attend the same lectures in the same halls, it wasn’t like distinctions of rank had completely disappeared.

“Stop standing there so stiffly and sit next to Professor Letta. I’ll make some tea for you.”

“Tea? I’ll make it, Your Highness!”

“But serving guests is the assistant’s job!”

“Le, Letta! Do something about the princess…!”

Just seeing Isabel shaking at every word from Princess Irina demonstrates how powerful social status can be. Even though Isabel is a countess herself, she can barely meet the eyes of someone with “dragon blood” like Princess Irina.

‘This family tree has some serious knots.’

Currently, Princess Irina serves as my teaching assistant. Observing her closely, she seems more interested in fulfilling her duties as an assistant than receiving royal treatment.

On the other hand, Isabel comes to see me purely as a friend or sister figure. Though she calls me “Professor” and uses formalities in class, we’re quite casual when alone together, much like at the Yurdt family mansion.

Thus this strange situation was born: Isabel treats Princess Irina formally as royalty while Irina sees Isabel as a friend of the professor rather than a junior student.

‘Hmm, what should I do?’

When I saw Isabel nervously accepting tea from Princess Irina, I realized I needed to take action. Both are important people in my circle who shouldn’t remain distant forever.

The obvious solution is to bridge the gap between them. If they became friends, the current awkward atmosphere would disappear.

That’s why I asked Isabel why she had come today. Seeing her textbook, I suspected she had questions about the mana design course. I planned to ask Princess Irina to give some advice as a senior student, creating an opportunity for conversation between them.

“Izabel, was there anything from today’s lecture you didn’t understand?”

“Uh, yeah. Actually, page 17…”

Izabel glanced nervously at Princess Irina before asking carefully about controlling mana flow to improve magical accuracy.

As I looked at the section Izabel pointed out, I met Princess Irina’s eyes and tossed the question to her.

“I need to review some documents. Would you mind answering instead, Your Highness?”

“Yes, of course!”

Princess Irina’s eyes lit up with enthusiasm at this first request since becoming assistant – while Izabel’s eyes trembled in panic, silently questioning why I’d done this.

‘You can’t keep being scared forever.’

As Izabel made a betrayed face, I mentally replied before turning back to the mountain of applications. Getting these two closer would ultimately benefit Izabel too.

There’s no better support for new student Izabel than Princess Irina. While rumors of my friendship with Izabel have spread among students, even that can’t compare to having a princess’s backing.

Satisfied, I watched Princess Irina earnestly explaining to Izabel. Since there didn’t seem to be any animosity from Irina’s side, all Izabel needed was to open up.

Around my twentieth application review…

“Um, Letta… No, Professor Letta.”

“Hm?”

“Um, do you know anything about the ‘Leap Ceremony’? Professor Ver said first-years should prepare since we’re participating…”

Sorry Izabel, but I’m equally clueless about this Leap Ceremony. Thanks to my original memories, I know it exists, but only as Primus Academy’s version of a cultural festival.

So once again, I tossed the question to Princess Irina, the only person present who’d experienced it.

“Ahh, the Leap Ceremony is a magic competition. Students solve problems set by professors using what they’ve learned…”

In short: simulated combat practice.

It recreates various emergencies one might encounter on battlefields against demons or in dungeons, evaluating students’ responses. According to Princess Irina, high-ranking officials also attend.

‘So they’re marking promising talents early.’

Seems this ceremony is primarily for the empire to secure top Primus talent. Naturally, the empire wouldn’t want other factions poaching their students.

For students, it’s also a chance to impress “important figures.” Especially winning the final one-on-one match guarantees success.

‘But what happens if the opponent is the princess?’

An unmatched cheater by virtue of her status alone – does Princess Irina participate in these matches?

Surprisingly, she confirmed she had.

“Though I didn’t win, we both gave our all. No regrets.”

Perhaps I underestimated Primus’ talent pool. There must have been some brave soul who defeated the princess.

Thinking about that unknown hero, Izabel suddenly spoke directly to the princess.

“Um, Your Highness…”

“Please call me Senior. We’re all equals here at Primus.”

“Th-Then, Senior Irina…”

“Is it possible for parents to attend the Leap Ceremony?”

With cautious hope in her expression, Izabel asked if her father Duben Yurdt could attend.

The answer was yes, with the clarification that most external observers are students’ relatives.

“Your father will surely want to see how much you’ve grown. Work hard until then!”

“Yes, yes!”

Seems Izabel is looking forward to her father’s attendance. Though Orpheon’s words suggest separation from his daughter, there’s no reason to crush her hopes unnecessarily.

Considering asking Princess Irina about visitors for the ceremony – specifically the Ardenia royal family – I caught myself in time.

‘No point asking uncomfortable questions.’

The emperor can’t possibly leave his post, and the crown prince had poor relations with his siblings.

Even Lilian, who seemed friendly with Princess Irina, likely wouldn’t travel far just to visit.

Still, that one-on-one match without grudges…

If Atar heard about it, he’d probably go berserk rushing here.

‘Now that I think about it, didn’t Atar secretly infiltrate during the original story?’

Briefly recalling my original students, I remembered there were still years until that timeline.

Regardless, the immediate priority is processing these applications.

Who should I select to avoid complications?

***

“Why would there be any problem with a sister visiting her sibling?”

“Tch, but Your Highness, your presence will naturally draw attention. Princess Irina will feel the pressure too.”

“Will she not experience pressure in actual battles? Stop making excuses and contact Primus already.”

This is me, Lilian Ardenia, declaring I will attend the Leap Ceremony.

The noblewoman exuding pure grace smiled lightly at the troubled expressions around her.

“The Divine Beast foretold a significant meeting will occur. We cannot ignore its message.”