Volume 3 Extra Chapter 2: Elialia Introducing Her Friends (2/4)
With his daughter, his wife, and even his own father telling him off, poor Reinhart felt like he’d just been given a verbal beating.
He looked much smaller than when he’d entered the room, making him appear less dignified, but to these young girls, that was a boon that allowed them to finally loosen their nerves.
With the atmosphere less tense than it was earlier, everyone’s countenance became gentler.
“Anyhow, we shouldn’t be standing here the whole time. Everyone, please. Let us all sit.” [Reinhart]
“Do serve us more tea and sweets please.” [Elize]
Reinhart urged everyone to take their seat, while Elize asked the maid to serve more sweets and teas.
“I’ve heard many things from Elia’s letters, and as I understand it, you are all members of the same group, yes?” [Reinhart]
“Indeed, Your Grace.” [Riera]
“This sure brings back memories. I too went through dungeons back when I was a student. Well, how is it? Is our Elia causing you trouble?” [Elize]
“Surely not, Your Grace. We have our respective strengths and weaknesses, but as a group we are doing quite well. Elia doesn’t have any issues with academics or with the basic subjects. After all, she’s excellent when it comes to magic prowess and rate of fire, and is even at the top of the class. In practice, she can deliver a powerful offense.” [Kanan]
“She’s not very good at swords, but she’s more than capable enough to be able to keep up with the lessons. She’s a top scorer as far as the girls are concerned. In training, it’s usually me or Kanan who’s in charge of the vanguard, but when there’s trouble, she is able to aid us as well.” [Riera]
“She helps out with the chores too. The other noble students often left such chores – for example, setting up tents or cooking – to the commoner students or their retainers, and there’s also quite a lot of them who would complain while others worked, so at first, I too was at a loss whether it was really okay to let Elia help out with the chores, but it all turned out well.” [Kanan]
After hearing Michelle, Riera, and Kanan say that, the three adults nodded in relief.
“Top of the class at magic and academics, while being fairly decent at the sword. You trained quite a bit before enrolling, but you must’ve worked hard, Elia.” [Reinhart]
“Such results are a proof that Elia has worked hard. And there’s no reason to worry about the chores. At the academy, all students are equal regardless of status. Or at least that’s the official stance of the school and has been since my time, but nobles are just too helpless during emergencies without their servants.” [Reinbach]
“Regardless of what happens after graduation, it’s a part of your curriculum now, so I’m glad that things are going well for you, Elia. And from the looks of things, you’ve found some really good friends.” [Elize]
“Mother?” [Elia]
“Although it wasn’t as much as your father, I was actually also worried. I raised you up properly and with discipline, a daughter I could be proud of, but when it comes to interacting with nobles, well, you know…” [Elize]
“Ah…” [Michelle, Kanan, Miyabi, Riera]
“Mother!? And you girls too!?” [Elia]
“It’s not in a bad sense.” [Michelle]
“You’re a good girl and easy to get along with, though you do approach commoners without discrimination…” [Kanan]
“I don’t know if it’s because you’re honest or pure, but you’re not very good at cheating others like the other noble children do.” [Miyabi]
“It’s true that there are places I can’t match up to, but… Don’t those people just dominate others by talking loudly? They look down on others with a lower social standing than theirs and then prattle about how they’re rude or how they should know their place? To families of equal standing, they boast to no end, while to those above them, they try to approach with flattery. They make mountains out of mole hills and find fault with the things people say… Aren’t such people just a bunch of sham imitating adults and ‘playing nobles’?” [Elia]
“Those are some really scathing words you’re spitting there, Elia. Be careful not to say that to the people you’re talking about.” [Miyabi]
“I-I know. I would only say something like this here.” [Elia]
“Well, none of us here would deny it.” [Kanan]
“I don’t want to speak ill of others too much, and it’s common for such talk to spread, so please don’t drag me in by looking for my approval.” [Riera]
“Children like that are the same regardless of the times. There were a lot of those back during our time too. They would try to out-boast each other or look down on each other, and in the end, their arguments would devolve into a spitting contest between two kids hurling abuse at each other. Well, they’ll change when they grow up.” [Reinhart]
“Oh? But there are so many adults who haven’t grown up, people who can only reject or criticize other people’s actions and works.” [Elize]
“…I see Your Grace is also fairly bitter…” [Miyabi]
“They are mother and daughter, after all…” [Kanan]
“As Elias’ grandpa, I’m happy that she didn’t become friends with such children.” [Reinbach]
“But of course. It would be shameful even if I were merely watching such things from the side, and they’re not as mature as they think they are. In that regard, Ryouma-san is more noble and more adult-like even though he’s neither.” [Elia]
Elia said nonchalantly to her grandpa. But Michelle picked up on that and reacted.
“I’ve noticed that that name comes up from time to time, but just who is Ryouma-san? He’s a guy, right?” [Michelle]