63 – Two Sides (2)

“…Yes, it’s true that I didn’t apply.”

“Why? Can I ask why?”

The reason… Does the professor really care about each and every one of these things? Do I need a reason to say I’m going to do that? However, looking at the atmosphere, I don’t think they will listen to the reason that there is someone they don’t want to meet.

It was a peaceful and leisurely office in Fletcher’s office, but drops of cold sweat were forming on my back.

“I…So…”

As I was speechless and unable to answer properly, Professor Fletcher came in right in the middle.

“Just in case, I don’t think he’ll say anything nonsense like lack of learning or anything like that. But he doesn’t look so unwell that he can’t take the test.”

This is a remark that seems to see right through the excuses prepared in my head. Professor Fletcher looked at my complexion and shook his head as if he knew this would happen.

“Look. I’ve been teaching for over 40 years now. How can I possibly not be able to properly understand the level of my students? Moreover, it’s not that you lack skills, but the demotion is punishment for your mistakes. “Isn’t that what happened? Do you think it makes sense that a student who graduated from B would lack learning from D?”

… This is correct in every detail. When I couldn’t properly refute his words, Fletcher sighed and continued his speech.

“From a teaching standpoint, I can only say that your attitude is because you are negligent in your studies. We did not create a class system so that you could stay comfortably in a lower class. After all, a student’s duty is to learn. “You must be faithful, but do you think your attitude now is correct? I will put your name on the promotion exam under my authority.”

His sudden bombshell announcement leaves me dizzy. But as if this wasn’t enough, Professor Fletcher adds one more thing.

“If you refuse, I will give you the maximum penalty points I can and will continue to penalize you in the second semester. And you know very well that failing to be promoted with that ability is nonsense, right? You are really unlucky. You may not be able to get to B, but falling below C is absolutely impossible. So, even in that case, we will give you the same disadvantages as mentioned above, so you know that.”

It seems that St. Clifford’s Academy is more serious about education than I thought.

***

“Handsome young master. I know it’s rude, but I really have to ask this. Isn’t it true that your family is one of the top five merchants or something? Did you really see the potential and invest in it? Oh my god. I think it would be a miracle if even one succeeds. “But how did you get to all three places…”

“I guess I got lucky. Can’t that happen sometimes?”

“Lucky…”

In front of me, a nervous-looking woman is muttering something with a slightly lost expression. Her lush red hair seems to be an outward expression of her sensitivity.

“Yes… I can only explain it as luck… But anyway, how on earth should I understand this…”

This is the Baldwin & Malone Trade and Investment Association in Draketon, and I was checking the performance of my last investment during my holiday.

And as Irene’s reaction shows, the investment I made paid off quite well. That’s all three: Horace, Esmond, and Valentine.

“I’d like to see the detailed documents. I’m also curious about how you made such a profit.”

“You can look at this side. What you see in the top row is the amount you invested, and the amount you see in the third row…”

According to Irene’s explanation, Horace and Esmond simply made routine profits through their regular transactions. However, Valentine’s Day is a slightly different story. It is said that while I was struggling due to lack of funds ahead of a big transaction, my investment came in and I made a big profit based on it.

Seeing what was supposed to be a simple bug turn out to be such a complex cause and effect in reality gives me a very strange feeling.

In any case, even if it is the same in other places, it is truly a great achievement that the investment made in Valentine has paid off.

“Thank you for the explanation. And since I’m here, I’d like to add an extra amount. 100 Gold each for Horace and Esmond as before. And for Valentine… 400 Gold.”

“400…”

When Irene heard the amount I called, her blood pressure rose and she held the back of her neck and swayed. After some time, she speaks in a half-resigned tone.

“This is the second time I’ve collected an amount of money that I couldn’t save even if I worked for the rest of my life… If I try to stop you anyway, you won’t listen…? I hope it goes well this time as well… If it goes well, I’ll get a commission and that’s fine…”

I quickly signed the contract and left the union building. I feel really good, but I plan on checking a few more times just in case. If investments continue to be successful, then it may be okay to raise the amount significantly.

Before leaving the front door, I put on my glasses again and adjusted my appearance. And when I open the door, I see Ellie standing under the shadow of the statue.

“Sorry. Did you wait long?”

“Ah…It was Ed. I was there for a moment. hehehe…”

When I told her that I had business to do in Draketon, Ellie said she would come along and sang a song in my ear. Even if it’s just me, has Ellie forgotten all the bad memories she had in this city?

I didn’t intentionally ask, but it seems like he followed me on purpose to dilute those memories.

“But that’s amazing… You’re already doing this yourself…? I’m really bad at numbers…”

“…I’m weak too…I’m just trying it for experience. It’s inevitable if I lose…”

Ellie has always been so cultured that she does not look like a commoner, but she is not without her weaknesses. Ellie always had a hard time with her ‘arithmetic’ subject.

She thought for a moment that Ellie might be the target’s daughter, but if that were the case, she couldn’t possibly be weak in numbers.

“More than that, Ellie. It’s carriage time soon. What should we do? If we send this carriage, the next carriage will come much later.”

“What…? Of course I have to take the next one… It’s been a while… No, I’m going out.”

Upon hearing my question, Ellie gives me a puzzled look. It feels as if she is asking why she is asking such an obvious thing.

“Still, wouldn’t it be a bit…well, riding a carriage alone with a man at that time of night…? I think my parents would be worried too…”

No matter how open she is, there must be a line. But she is steadfast. Ellie looked around her and spoke in a slightly lowered tone.

“…It’s okay. My parents listen to everything I say. And they know everything about you. I told them you were my best friend. So you don’t have to worry about that…”

“Really? If that’s the case…”

From noble mtl dot com

“So don’t stay still and let’s go quickly… We don’t have much time…”

Ellie grabs my hand and runs ahead. Her steps are just light.

Ellie dragged me all over the streets, especially in her clothing store, where she tried on every dress in the store and asked me what I thought about each one.

And when I expressed my opinion that everything matched, Ellie showed her disappointment, asking why I was giving such an insincere answer.

But the dresses Ellie tried on really fit her well, as if they were prepared for her.

***

“But Ellie, do you really not need to think about it again? I’ll stop the annoying guys, but the atmosphere is still better than D, which only had commoner students…”

“…I absolutely hate it. I will definitely go with you.”

“Ugh…Stubbornness…”

It was now completely dark outside, and Ellie and I were talking while waiting for the carriage.

Last time, I said that I would be taking the promotion test, and Ellie expressed her intention to take the test as well. She then went to the professor’s office alone, and after much insistence, her name was added.

“…Ed. It looks like you don’t like something…Do you really hate it when I take tests with you…? Or maybe you’re sick of me…Eup.”

“Ellie. I’m just saying that because I’m worried…”

“Eup-eup.”

I covered Ellie’s mouth with the palm of my hand and watched her for a moment, lost in her thoughts. When I think about it, Ellie doesn’t have the culture and skills to stay at D. Even though her arithmetic is a little lacking, that’s literally just a ‘little’.

But why did they force me to apply and not do the same to Ellie?

Are skills seen through the eyes of a professor different? Or are the standards applied to nobles and commoners slightly different?

If you think about the academy’s education policy, I don’t think that would be the case… For some reason…

“Grandpa.”

“Wow, you really…”

“Idiot. It’s fun. Be-“

Suddenly, I feel the touch of something wet and soft in my palm.

When I took her hand away in surprise, Ellie stuck her tongue out at me and hit me lightly.

“But Ed. Anyway, a test is a test… Shouldn’t we study a bit too…?”

“It’s okay. Didn’t I tell you? My goal is to get to C. You don’t know if it’s B, but you really don’t have to worry about C. If you’re at your level, you can go up really easily.”

“Yes, we are students too…”

Ellie continues to wiggle her fingers and looks up at me. When she does this, it means she wants something from me. From what I’ve seen, Ellie doesn’t have the skills to fail, but is it something else that she feels?

And when I thought about it, if nothing else, she had no memory of studying with Ellie.

“If you say that, there’s nothing you can’t do… Then the place is…”

Eating is done in a separate room so there is nothing to focus on, but studying has a different feel. Considering how other people see our relationship, it seems strange that we go to the library together. Senior Evania, who likes to make fun of people, might be annoying. Then the right space…

“Ellie. Then, would you like to study together at my house?”

“…Huh…?”

After hearing my question, Ellie lowers her head. And after a moment, she silently nods her head in approval.

It seems as if her sweet scent is coming from the palm she licked earlier.

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