Episode 32: A Frog in a Well Knows Nothing of the World

“Um, it’s been a while. Emma-san, you passed the exam too?”

I opened my mouth while trying not to show the confusion I felt inside.

There were mainly two reasons for this emotion.

One was… well, last time. I got thoroughly scolded by Eleanore.

If I carelessly made contact with Emma again and ended up restrained in unconsciousness, I really couldn’t handle it.

And the other reason was… with the protagonist Emma enrolling in the Knight Course, the story had truly deviated from its path.

Even though we were in the same academy, her involvement with the capture targets would drastically decrease, and consequently, there was a risk of various discrepancies occurring in the events that would unfold from now on.

…Well, as long as Eleanore, who serves as the final boss, hasn’t fallen into darkness, I don’t think things will become too outrageous…

In the original story, she really does commit some brutal acts…

“Yeah! I still can’t believe I actually passed~”

Probably completely unaware of my thoughts—well, it would be troublesome if she knew them anyway…—she showed a cheerful smile and said that.

I’m also still having trouble believing it. For a different reason than what you’re thinking…

“More importantly…”

She withdrew her smile and made a serious face.

Her emotions sure are restless… I was thinking, when her actions also became restless.

“Arcs-kun… isn’t it amazing!? I was already impressed during the exam so I’m convinced, but… to think you’d pass at the top of the class!!”

Her eyes sparkling, she approached me.

I flinched for a moment, but remembering my reflection from last time, I took just one step back.

But Emma showed no sign of caring about that.

“…Well, it was just a fluke”

“A fluke, you say~ oh come on! Nobody’s going to take that modesty seriously”

With a grin, she clapped her hands.

Is she trying to butter me up…? I almost suspected that for a moment, but seeing those innocent eyes, it must be words from her heart.

…In the game, she acted like this too.

She genuinely respects people and genuinely trusts them.

There are developments where that becomes her downfall, but it was depicted many times that she was that kind of pure person.

Well, I guess that’s what you’d expect from someone called a saint.

“Then, let’s say we’re both amazing for passing”

I said that as if to say let’s call it even.

Being praised too much makes me somewhat embarrassed.

Besides, Emma is actually quite amazing too, just for being a commoner and passing.

And given the incredible competition rate, it’s probably quite rare to take the exam with someone and then be able to meet them again at the academy after both passing…

“Hmm, I feel like I can’t compare to you at all… But yes! I’m happy to see you again!”

Emma said that with a full smile again and took a step closer to me.

And then… as expected, I should say, she grabbed my hand tightly.

Probably for her it was just casual communication without any particular thought.

…But for me, it was also an act that made me feel slightly endangered.

I immediately searched for any presence behind me.

Eleanore’s figure… wasn’t there, it shouldn’t be.

Only regular students were passing by.

Safe…

“Well then, shall we get going too!”

Just as I was thinking about how to free my hand,

she quickly took her distance.

It’s good that she moved away on her own, but…

…Huh?

“We too”? “Shall we get going”?

“…Where to?”

“Eh? That’s obvious, isn’t it. To the classroom! Because…”

With a puzzled look on her face as if to say “what are you talking about?” to me who couldn’t grasp the situation, she continued her words.

“We’re in the same class, aren’t we?”

…

…

Eh, seriously?

***

The Knight Course class divisions consist of about 15 people in 3 classes.

Since the nobility side has several hundred people, it’s quite a small number composition, but well, that can’t be helped.

After graduation they become “knights,” and even while enrolled they’re guaranteed a certain status, so they can’t take too many people.

Besides, it seems quite a few people retire and withdraw due to the severity of the classes…

Well, that aside, I never thought I’d be in the same class as Emma.

Though it’s not impossible probability-wise.

“You hadn’t checked your class yet, had you”

“Yes. I had some business to attend to”

“Oh, that’s right, you’re a noble’s butler. …Then you must be busy, so Arcs-kun really is amazing after all”

While having such a conversation, we walked side by side toward the classroom.

The lecture hall is close to the nobility wing, but there’s quite a distance to the Knight Wing.

Well, this is probably due to the difference in usage frequency.

In exchange, it’s relatively close from the Knight Wing to the arena, so I can’t complain.

Besides, walking while having a conversation… well, it’s not bad.

“Is that so? I think someone like Emma-san who’s a pure commoner with a less favorable environment is more amazing, you know?”

“Hmm, but it’s thanks to everyone in the village for me. Everyone supported me so much, saying ‘for you!'”

She showed emotions of feeling somewhat apologetic in her expression.

…Awakening as a saint at age 10, picked up by a duke and getting a recommendation for admission.

It seems she entered through a path that diverged from the original story.

Before being picked up, she apparently grew up in a very ordinary commoner family, and receiving support from the village people~ is probably due to her inherently good nature.

“That’s also your power”

“…Ehehe, it’s embarrassing when you say it, Arcs-kun”

She scratched her cheek jokingly, but in reality, that kind of power isn’t something that can be achieved with momentary effort.

Should I call it centripetal force… what she’s built up steadily over time has paid off, so I think she can be proud.

…But, that aside, I have a small question.

“By the way… this might be a bit rude to ask, but what about tuition? It seems difficult to receive support from the villagers for three whole years”

It might be impolite, but it’s the part I’m most curious about.

That was the reason I ended up having to overcome the outrageous wall of special student admission.

“I have some savings, but after that… I’m thinking of earning money as a Seeker”

I unintentionally stopped walking.

“A Seeker?”

“Oh, you don’t know? It’s work exploring uncharted lands and investigating places with dangerous monsters. It’s become popular recently and seems to pay well”

…No, of course I know.

In this world, and in the game too, I’ve heard such a term.

However, in both cases, it’s only to the extent that I’ve heard of it.

I’m not that familiar with it.

That’s because it’s not the kind of occupation nobles engage in, and therefore it’s a word that doesn’t come up much in the main story set in a noble academy.

It exists as part of the world setting, but it doesn’t get heavily involved in the story. Because it’s something that could create endless stories in an otome game, there’s even a theory whispered among fans that it’s a remnant of scrapped settings.

“No, I know it as knowledge. It’s just… unexpected, I suppose”

“Really? But it seems there are quite a few kids who do it to gain practical combat experience. Fighting monsters is the same for knights too”

…This is the first I’m hearing of such talk.

Well, the existence of the Knight Course itself only came to light in the past few months… and since it’s essentially scrapped content in the game, I suppose that makes sense.

“Oh, there’s a rumor that someone from this year’s class came from being a Seeker too, you know? And apparently they’re really strong”

“…Is that so. That’s news to me”

So there are people like that too.

Then it might come up in conversation quite a bit from now on.

Even though it had such a weak presence in the game, what a major promotion.

…I was thinking that when.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ehehe, I was thinking Arcs-kun is unexpectedly sheltered from the world. Ah, I don’t mean that as an insult!”

Emma smiled with a giggle.

…Sheltered from the world.

Ugh, I can’t argue with that.

I’ve been cooped up in Egenhardt this whole time, and even within that, I mostly lived in the mansion…

I don’t get to hear rumors from the streets, so in that sense, I could be said to not know the world.

“…You might actually be right. I apologize if I cause you trouble in various ways from now on”

“Not at all. Rather, you’re totally welcome! As your senior in worldly matters, I’ll teach you hands-on!!”

Emma puffed out her chest with determination.

She’s saying something very appreciated.

…But, no, what’s a “senior in worldly matters,” I gave a small retort, and she laughed brightly with an ehehe.

Yeah.

Thinking back, this might be the first time I’ve had a proper conversation with someone my age other than Eleanore.

This kind of thing isn’t bad either.

Thinking that, I started walking toward the classroom again.