A small person was sitting at the table.
Being small did not mean being young.
With white hair and a long, flowing beard, the wrinkles on his crinkled face suggested he had lived for quite some time.
The reason for his small stature was because he belonged to the Dwarf race.
The eyes visible behind round glasses were intently focused on the documents on the desk, and the still room was filled only with the rustling sound of paper.
Another sound overlays that sound.
Knock, knock.
It was a sudden noise, but he was not particularly surprised.
He must have already known that someone was about to visit.
“Come in.”
With a click, the door opened, and a girl around ten years old with an unforgettable impression walked in.
Her smooth platinum blonde hair and a cute face befitting her age might seem ordinary.
Her eyes were odd-colored, each displaying different hues of teal and gold, and atop her head were cat-like ears of a Hyun, with a pair of horns that didn’t appear to belong to a goat protruding from the sides of her face.
Moreover, the calm demeanor that belied her age stood out as a unique trait.
“Oh, isn’t that the top scorer of the entrance exam, Irushi? Please sit.”
Luke politely bowed his head slightly at the invitation and sat down.
His gaze briefly scanned the nameplate placed on the table.
Zemfei Saradiv, Headmaster.
While Luke read the nameplate, Zemfei stood up and waddled over, plopping himself into the chair in front of Luke (due to his small stature, there was no better onomatopoeia than this).
The chair felt somewhat small, and he filled it up quite completely.
With his short limbs crossed much like he was putting his arms around himself, and his legs awkwardly twisted in position, he looked rather ridiculous, yet he seemed to enjoy the amused gazes from the children.
However, that girl didn’t seem to find it amusing at all.
Could it be that she lacked emotions?
“Well, Irushi, you said you had something to say? Go ahead.”
With those words, Luke finally gained the floor to speak, and he began with a slight smile.
“I appreciate you taking the time to listen, Headmaster Zemfei. Your braided beard looks remarkably neat.”
“Ha ha ha, it’s rewarding to maintain it daily!”
Zemfei felt pleased by the child’s sudden compliment and laughed heartily.
No dwarf dislikes compliments about their beard.
In contrast, Luke felt relieved that it went as he had expected.
‘Even after all this time, dwarves still manage their beards daily.’
It was reassuring to know that some things don’t change with the times, and Luke finally relaxed his expression and smiled gently.
Even though time had passed, the nature of dwarves had not changed much.
Elves had left the forests, spirits had hidden from view, Hyuns had blended into humanity, and gods had vanished from this era, yet dwarves still maintained their beards.
Luke found that fact quite amusing.
So dwarvish.
In the past, dwarves were the most stubborn race.
Because they were always right about technology, they had little interest in things beyond technology and wealth.
The most progressive race in developing technology had the most conservative nature; it was ironic.
Perhaps it was a divine joke.
Now that there were no gods, he could not ask.
Finally seeing Luke smile made Zemfei nod, thinking that the child was finally starting to relax his expression.
Creating a high-pressure atmosphere for a ten-year-old child wasn’t something he desired either.
“Alright, I received your greetings well. Now, say what you wanted to say.”
Luke spoke directly in response to his words.
“I would like to ask about the graduation exam. Can I take it now?”
“Oh? The graduation exam?”
Zemfei stroked his chin and raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“Hum, Irushi, do you wish to graduate early?”
Luke nodded his head.
Zemfei adjusted his glasses and said, “I’ve heard that you’re having difficulty adapting to the school.”
It was common for exceptionally gifted individuals to struggle with adaptation.
Tiga Academy is a prestigious academy producing outstanding students from across the country.
It wasn’t unusual for students to graduate early, but this child seemed too young for that, didn’t he?
Moreover…
“You’ve only been enrolled for less than a month, haven’t you?”
Luke nodded, as if he expected that reaction.
“But truly lacking in genuine education only exhausts both the educator and the student, Zemfei.”
He understood what was meant, but was that deliberate use of such language?
Well, it was likely a part of the child’s personality.
“Hmm, the academy is not merely about attending classes, is it?”
“…But this environment is far too uncomfortable for me.”
Luke averted his gaze from Zemfei with a wry smile.
Being amidst children and being treated like one was something he had never wished for.
The academy he had envisioned wasn’t an institution that organized and educated many at once like this.
It was much more personal and tailored.
In the case of circle magic, the number of students had been small from the start, and personalized guidance was necessary.
But what about now?
Well, it certainly wasn’t the way Luke wished it to be.
Someone like him, who had “awoken” in such a young body, was supposed to guide the next generation, not walk alongside them.
How ridiculous to awaken in such a young body… He had questioned today more than ever why he had to be in such a situation.
As Luke fell silent with a dark expression, Zemfei sighed deeply.
“Hmm.”
The papers Zemfei had been examining were actually the personal details Luke had submitted upon enrollment.
Upon checking that…
The child before him was, in fact, not of Hyun or mixed-blood but human.
And without parents, only a temporary guardian existed.
He wasn’t the unimaginative dwarf one might expect.
Immediately imagining the situation…
Zemfei glared at Luke and shook his head.
It was better to stop imagining.
Attempting to have such thoughts in front of a child would only worsen the expression.
‘Indeed, having relationships with others is complicated.’
If that were the case, enforcing school life on a child with such a past wasn’t a good thing.
It was their first experience in this kind of environment, after all; it must have been difficult.
Furthermore, their grades were quite, no, exceptionally good.
“If you wish, I will allow you to take the graduation exam.”
“I earnestly request this.”
Luke spoke to Zemfei with a voice laced with sincerity.
However, Zemfei shook his head.
“However, this is quite an unprecedented matter, Luke Irushi.”
Zemfei continued, “Giving a graduation certificate from the academy to a ten-year-old child is something we have to be cautious about.”
Certainly, regardless of anything Luke had inside him, his outer appearance and status were undoubtedly that of a ten-year-old girl.
The graduation certificate from Tiga Academy signifies not just academic achievement but also that this student possesses sufficient culture and knowledge befitting a graduate of Tiga Academy.
“We still do not know you. The world does not know you either.”
Granting early graduation to a ten-year-old would be a risk for Tiga Academy.
Thus, they needed insurance.
This child needed to show that they possessed the qualifications to graduate early.
Zemfei stroked his beard and said, “Therefore, we need your external accomplishments.”
“External accomplishments?”
“Yes, external accomplishments. If you have those, I will allow you to take the graduation exam that will occur at the end of the year through an evaluation.”
“…That sounds like telling me I should attend this academy for another year.”
For Luke, life at the academy was far from enjoyable.
There was no learning or excitement.
Well, the mealtimes were somewhat anticipated, though.
But attending the academy just for meals was absurd.
If that were the case, going to a restaurant would be the right choice.
Luke even considered the possibility of dropping out.
Yerna surely mentioned that there would be ways to get academic recognition even after dropping out.
However, Zemfei continued, seemingly reassuring Luke.
“Our academy would also not want to miss a genius like you. So I have a proposal.”
“What is it?”
“I will grant you the ‘autonomous attendance’ permission. How does that sound?”
“Autonomous attendance…?”
—
For the first time in a while, Luke had a pleasant expression as he entered a box and read a fairy tale about Arinseia.
Yes, this sense of stability.
It’s a feeling one cannot experience in crowded places.
‘Hmm… Perhaps my instinct to shy away from many relationships is inherent in my body.’
Cats are solitary creatures.
Even in the school, cat Hyuns mingled with only one or two others and did not form large groups.
Is following such a natural instinct making it more comfortable?
He felt better than usual.
Luke, with a slight smile while reading, caused Yerna, who was watching, to feel good as well.
Although Luke usually smiled at Yerna, one might wonder if there was sincerity in it; well, it wasn’t particularly so.
“Luke, are you that happy?”
“Hmm, I simply feel good because things are going well.”
“Alright, alright.”
To negotiate with the headmaster and gain permission for autonomous attendance by oneself at ten years old isn’t typical, but it suits Luke.
‘It’s quite amazing.’
This option was much better for Luke’s future than dropping out.
And if he ever wanted to return to school, he could!
How wonderful!
As for external accomplishments…
That was something he might need to look into.
But for now, mealtime had come, so it was best to eat.
“Luke, it’s mealtime now, let’s get ready.”
“Ha ha… Let’s do that.”
Luke set down the book and stood up from the box.
Thud, in front of him were indeed salad and canned food.
It’s not a menu he particularly dislikes, but having experienced ‘school lunches’, he began to hesitate about surviving three meals a day on just salad and canned food.
How many delicious and new foods exist in the world that could bring happiness just by eating them? Why should he forgo one of those pleasures?
In the past, he had not placed much importance on meals, but Luke had already become completely captivated by modern dining.
“Yerna, how about I cook the meals from tomorrow on?”
“Really?”
He was curious about the cooking of this era.
