The Academy was located within the Imperial grounds.

It was said that only the children of nobles residing in the capital could enroll, so many provincial nobles left their estates to representatives and moved to the capital.

The entire campus consisted of a single building.

Yet it was anything but unimpressive. If anything, its sheer grandeur was overwhelming.

Sharp spires stood in all directions around a giant clock embedded in the center, while an elegant domed roof crowned the building.

The stonework forming the exterior walls was unbelievably detailed.

The statues decorating the eaves as if guarding them were jaw-dropping.

No matter where I looked, I could experience the pinnacle of extreme luxury and magnificence.

‘It feels like I’m at some great cathedral in Europe.’

I glanced back.

Luna and Fiache were also gazing at the building with dreamy eyes.

I was laughing inwardly at how cute they looked when someone spoke to me.

“Beautiful, isn’t it? I am moved every time I see it.”

It was an elderly man.

With his white hair flowing freely, he reminded me of a famous scientist.

“It’s been two years since we last met. Have you been well?”

The old man smiled broadly at me. A missing front tooth was clearly visible between his lips.

As I stared at the missing tooth, he scratched his head.

“There was an accident during an experiment… ahem! Welcome to the Academy, Duchess Ivrante.”

The old man seemed to know me well. Though I was seeing him for the first time in my life.

As expected, this lousy author did not provide me with any information about the old man.

But it didn’t matter.

‘I anticipated this and looked it up beforehand.’

The old man’s name was Oswald Franklin, an Expert-level Mage and the Dean of the Academy.

“It has been a long time, Dean.”

“I heard you have made a most generous decision for the sake of the Academy. On behalf of the Academy, I thank you.”

Since he’d been exchanging opinions with the butler for some time, I’d expected him to want a final confirmation from me.

I just didn’t expect him to ask so bluntly the moment we met.

‘He reminds me of Ruspell.’

Of course, compared to Ruspell, this grandfather was on the polite side.

Then again, if he had acted like Ruspell, he never would have become the Dean.

“The butler told me about it, but I couldn’t help wondering whether it’s really the right choice.”

“As you know, our Academy educates a small elite group with the best facilities and the finest faculty. You will certainly not regret your donation.”

“You’re stating the obvious. That’s not what I’m curious about.”

“Then, is there something in particular you are wondering about…?”

“Do you plan to build the riding arena in the same architectural style as the main building?”

“Of course. The plan was established some time ago, but it was delayed due to budget issues.”

“Fine, I’ll donate.”

“Oh, Your Grace is quite decisive.”

I gave Oswald a short smile and pointed toward the child with my eyes.

“Fiache Ivrante. She is the child I am sponsoring.”

“What a truly adorable young lady! I have never seen a lady who suits a pink dress and hairstyle so well! Wait, the choker and the hair ribbon are a matching set! Simply perfect!”

…I think this grandfather and I share similar tastes.

Fiache hesitated for a moment, then lifted the hem of her dress and gave a cute greeting.

“H-hello. Uh, G-gr… Grandfather…”

She seemed unsure of what to call him.

The child trailed off, glancing at me for a reaction while fidgeting with her tiny fingers.

‘S-so cute…’

I quickly suppressed the corners of my mouth that were trying to curl up and maintained a cold expression.

‘I am a cold-hearted and ruthless guardian. A bloodless person who will never fall for aegyo.’

Still, I wasn’t lonely in my solitary struggle. Oswald had already half-melted.

He knelt down to meet Fiache’s gaze.

He didn’t care that his cloak was dragging on the dirt floor.

“You may call me grandfather. I am a grandfather, after all. Fiache, why don’t you try calling me ‘grandfather’ once? Hmm?”

Fiache hesitated as if flustered, but soon gave a cute smile.

“Hehe, G-grandfather.”

“There we go. Shall we take a look around the Academy with grandfather?”

When Oswald reached out his hand, the child looked up at me. Her eyes were asking if it was okay to take his hand.

[Level 2: (Arrogantly) I assume I can choose the classes myself, can’t I?]

Maintaining my expression, I followed the command.

“I assume I can choose the classes myself, can’t I?”

“Of course. There are Basic Magic and Swordsmanship classes at 10:00, and an Architecture class at 10:30. Which class would you like to observe?”

“What about Theology?”

“Oh dear, today’s Theology class is not until the afternoon… Fiache, are you interested in Theology?”

Oswald asked with a kindly smile.

However, Fiache only blinked. She didn’t know what Theology was.

The child, who had been fiddling with the hem of her dress, soon nodded her head vigorously.

She answered falsely because she feared I would be embarrassed if she said no. A long sigh escaped me at such loveliness.

Fiache likely wouldn’t be interested in magic or swordsmanship. If we attended the Architecture class first and Theology afterward, the timing would work out nicely.

Considering how much I’m donating to the Academy, observing two classes should be fine.

“Then, Archite…”

[Level 3: Let’s go with the magic class.]

“…Let’s go with the magic class.”

“Very well. You may have a cup of tea before the class begins. I will escort you to the Dean’s office. Fiache, would you hold grandfather’s hand? I’m afraid I might trip.”

I gave a slight nod of permission to the child who was looking up at me again.

Only then did Fiache’s cheeks turn bright red as she tightly gripped Oswald’s finger.

At that moment, Undine, hiding in the air, sent a telepathic message.

[Rianne, the old human is using his magic power. I think he’s examining Fiache.]

He’s checking if she has mana.

[He doesn’t seem to be attacking. Shall we just leave him be?]

Pretending to look elsewhere, I nodded slightly.

There was no reason to stop Oswald. Fiache had no magic power.

“What a good girl. Shall we go inside with grandfather, our Fiache?”

“Yes…”

The interior of the building was beautiful and pleasant.

Gothic architectural styles usually sacrifice some practicality, but the Academy was not like that at all.

First of all, the temperature was perfect.

‘Is it regulated by magic?’

The heat from outside was not felt at all.

Not a single fingerprint could be seen on the ornate, grand inner walls and stained-glass windows.

Even the ceiling paintings that filled the high ceiling were undamaged.

It was evident that every facility was meticulously managed.

‘The grandfather has every right to be proud.’

Just as I was admiring the ceiling paintings, letting out several internal exclamations of awe, Undine’s irritated telepathy reached me.

[Rianne, why are those little humans only staring at you?]

‘Huh?’

Looking down, more than half of the children on the first floor were staring at me.

Every single one of them had their mouths agape.

The children who hadn’t noticed me yet began to pay attention.

‘Wow. So dazzling!’

‘Who is that?’

‘Is it a new professor?’

‘Gasp! I heard it’s the Duchess!’

‘It’s the Duchess Ivrante!’

‘The new professor is the Duchess Ivrante!’

‘Waaaaah!’

My identity spread among the children in an instant. The first floor fell silent.

[Hmph! They certainly recognize beauty. Humans, honestly.]

‘Look at that kid crying. That’s definitely not it.’

…I wanted to say that, but since I didn’t have the ability to send telepathy like Undine, I only thought it to myself.

The children weren’t looking at me because I was pretty.

At first, they probably instinctively looked because something sparkling walked in.

It was understandable. Honestly, the dress I was wearing was almost more ornate than this building.

After that, they were probably frightened once they learned who I was.

‘But why are even the kids scared of me? They’ve never met me before. Did their parents talk behind my back or something?’

Since the children here were all offspring of nobles, it was entirely possible.

Oswald noticed the frozen atmosphere and laughed awkwardly.

“It seems there are still children who remember the Duchess’s special lecture. Ho ho ho.”

Adrianne gave a special lecture? But what did she do to make the kids freak out like this?

“Ahem! Let us head up. Fiache, let’s go to grandfather’s room and have some snacks before we come back down. I’ll show you around then.”

“Yes…”

Even as she climbed the stairs, Fiache was preoccupied with looking around.

Her blue eyes sparkled with curiosity and admiration.

She’s going to trip at this rate.

“Fiache, watch where you’re going.”

“Ah! Yes!”

Once we entered the Dean’s office on the 5th floor, Oswald brewed tea himself.

The office was soon filled with a pleasant fragrance.

“Please, have some.”

I drank the tea with flawless posture.

Arrogantly yet elegantly. With an expression that said, ‘This is acceptable enough to drink.’

Meanwhile, Oswald was diligently coaxing Fiache.

“Fiache, you saw earlier, right? The first floor has the cafeteria and various convenience facilities, and the second through fourth floors are the classrooms.”

“Yes…”

“The Dean’s office and the professors’ research labs are on the 5th floor. Since this is grandfather’s room, come visit whenever you miss grandfather while studying.”

“Uh…”

“The swordsmanship training ground and the magic practice hall are located separately behind the main building. It’s dangerous to go alone, so let’s go together with grandfather later if you want to see them. Alright?”

“…G-gr… Grandfather, can Fiache come… come again?”

“Of course! Grandfather would like Fiache to come every day, not just once. How about you, Fiache? Do you want to attend the Academy?”

“I…”

Even though Fiache seemed smitten with the Academy, she didn’t answer easily.

She felt she had to get permission from me first.

Oswald, immediately grasping the child’s dilemma, spoke as if surprised.

“Her Grace said you could do whatever you wanted, Fiache. Didn’t you know?”

“R-really?”

The child whipped her head around to look at me.

Her wide eyes were full of questions.

Will you really allow it? Can I attend the Academy like grandfather said?

‘She’s completely won over.’

Oswald wasn’t just recruiting Fiache right now; he was recruiting me through Fiache.

The moment Fiache enrolled in the Academy, the Academy would gain the reliable backing of Ivrante.

But since it was obvious that nothing would penetrate me if he spoke to me directly, he was targeting Fiache.

Of course, he likely genuinely liked Fiache as well.

‘I thought it was a bit unexpected for an Expert-level Mage to be the Dean…’

Watching him, he was more than qualified.

Oswald was surprisingly resourceful.

Unlike mages, who are the epitome of poor communication, he was smooth-spoken and persuasive.

Even though his intention to use me was plainly visible, it wasn’t unpleasant.

Probably because his goal wasn’t to satisfy personal greed.

‘I like this old man. I can leave Fiache in his care.’

According to the story, I had already anticipated that Fiache would attend the Academy.

I had been worrying about what to do if I didn’t like the Academy…

‘Since that’s no longer necessary, I suppose it’s a relief for me?’

[Level 2: (Sighing) I even brought you all the way to the Academy, and you still don’t know? Of course you should attend!]

I looked down at Fiache with cold eyes.

“Do you not know why I brought you to the Academy? It was to give you a choice.”

“Ah…”

Fiache pondered seriously and then asked cautiously.

“I… I want to come here… every day. Y-your Grace, is that okay?”

“Do as you wish.”

Fiache, who had been sitting blankly, jumped up.

“…Eh! R-really?”

“If you don’t want to, then don’t.”

“N-no! No! Not at all! Uh… th-thank you, Your Grace. R-really!”

I indifferently lifted my teacup to cover my face.

Fiache’s face was so bright red that I felt like bursting into laughter.

Oswald’s expression became immensely pleased.

He personally unwrapped a candy, fed it to Fiache, and spoke.

“It’s almost time for class to start. Fiache, let’s go attend the class with grandfather.”

“Yes!”

As we headed down to the 3rd floor for the Basic Magic class, Oswald began to boast.

“Recently, the popularity of the Basic Magic class has increased significantly. Even students with no aptitude for mana are taking the class.”

Is the professor that good at teaching?

No way.

Mages, by nature, were generally terrible teachers.

Because they were born geniuses, they couldn’t understand the fact that ‘not everyone can grasp the principle the moment they see it.’

‘At least the only mage bastard I know was like that… I guess there are normal mages too?’

“Is the professor particularly skilled?”

“Rather than skill… a professor was recently recruited, and he is a Master.”

“Ah…”

There are only three Master-level Mages in the Filio Empire.

Though I’ve only seen one.

It didn’t matter if a Master-level Mage was terrible at teaching.

The prestige of being their disciple was enough.

‘No wonder there are so many students.’

Basic Magic is easy enough for ordinary people to take, and it’s a golden opportunity to build a relationship with a Master-level Mage.

“If you hear the name, Your Grace will surely know him. He is very famous.”

“He must be. Since he’s a Master.”

“That’s true, but the professor is also one of the three Heroes who defeated the Demon King alongside Adella Helsington.”

I came to a dead stop.