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Even if I hurriedly clamped my mouth shut, it was too late.
The words that spilled from my mouth had reached the other person's ears.
Feeling awkward about looking at her face, I smoothly lowered my gaze to my teacup and spoke the words.
"No, please forget it."
"No. I cannot forget it."
When I looked up in surprise at Miss Leandra's powerful words, I was pierced by her sky-blue eyes filled with strong will.
"I was the one who wanted to be your fiancee. I understood your position, though not completely, and I wanted to support you. I still want to be that way if you would allow me to."
I can't keep running away when I'm told this much by a young lady who's only thirteen years old.
I have to clarify my relationship with her sooner or later.
"I'll talk to General Baltzar about it sometime."
While I'm still in the academy, I can use that as a reason to wriggle out of marriage and engagement, but that won't be the case after I graduate.
In that case, someone like Miss Leandra might be convenient for me.
It's subtle to say it myself, but I'll take advantage of her weakness for me.
However, I intend to return her feelings as much as possible.
Seriously. Why did you fall in love with someone like me?
I can only use you.
"Let's take you home soon."
"Thank you, Lord Raimond."
Before I like or dislike her, I want to be as sincere as possible with her.
◆◆◆◆◆
A few weeks after talking to Miss Leandra.
I was being taken by Professor Müller to visit Brother Bertrand, now Professor Bertrand.
"Hoh. So, in exchange for talking about hybrid magic, you want me to help you develop practical magic?"
Brother Bertrand said, raising one eyebrow.
Although I had been invited because I wanted to talk about hybrid magic, this time it was to ask for instruction regarding my magic incantation.
That's why I'm bothering to visit Brother Bertrand's laboratory, but Oliver, who is probably participating in hybrid magic research, is looking at me worriedly from the back of the room.
It's said that the academy doesn't emphasize status outside the academy in principle, but even so, I'm the second prince of a country.
Normally, there would be many people who would turn pale or freeze up like Oliver, but Professor Müller is relatively calm and able to talk.
"Yes. I understand that Professor Bertrand is busy. But this child is also well-versed in magic, though I, who am all about martial arts, am the one saying it. As a teacher, I cannot abandon that talent without developing it."
Saying that, Professor Müller put his hand on my back as if to push me forward.
Would anyone normally put in this much effort for a student?
From Professor Müller's point of view, I'm premature compared to the other students. My muscles and body aren't built up, and my sense isn't outstanding.
Even teaching me alone takes time, but I'm also trying to seriously fuse martial arts and magic, which no teachers in the academy, let alone Professor Müller, have touched.
Even so, he doesn't give up, and on the contrary, he talks to Brother Bertrand in this way so that I can do what I want to do.
My cheeks loosened slightly at the joy.
"I've also heard the story from Wood over there. He was happily writing new magic in his notebook in between his research. We also know about Ortnek, was it? Through him, his aptitude and knowledge for magic to some extent. If it leads to the development of magic, we would be happy to do it."
Brother Bertrand pulled back half of his body and urged me and Professor Müller to enter the room.
I lightly nodded and followed Professor Müller, who stepped into Brother Bertrand's laboratory.
"Good for you."
In that instant when I passed Brother Bertrand, he spoke to me in a volume that Professor Müller, who was walking in front, couldn't hear.
When I reflexively turned to Brother Bertrand, Brother Bertrand smiled gently.
I stopped involuntarily, but Brother Bertrand closed the door of his laboratory and immediately returned to his expression.
"Rai Ortnek. What's wrong?"
Professor Müller, who had proceeded to the back of the room, asked curiously, so I shook my head lightly and changed my mind.
"No, it's nothing."
"You two, to that table. Wood, come here after you've prepared the tea."
Perhaps he was used to it, Oliver retreated to the back of the room without hesitation at that instruction.
"Don't you have any attendants with you?"
I asked suddenly, feeling curious.
"There are several magic circles under research in this laboratory that may malfunction if someone with magic power touches them carelessly. I wouldn't let anyone who isn't a recognized student of mine wander around."
After Brother Bertrand sat down on the chair, Professor Müller and I sat opposite him.
At that timing, Oliver returned from the back with a tea set.
"Even if the quality of the tea drops a little, even if it's a terrible job, it's just a matter of me instilling the bare minimum."
Brother Bertrand said firmly after putting the tea that Oliver had poured in his mouth.
I reflexively looked at Oliver, and he had a distant look in his eyes, probably because he had been trained so hard.
"Haha... It seems like I won't have any trouble pouring tea in the future."
Oliver, who said that, sat down in the seat next to me after pouring tea for everyone.
"Eh, Oliver's here?"
"I'm too afraid to sit next to Lord Bertrand...!!"
I can only sympathize with Oliver, who was stroking his stomach.
But, Oliver. The me next to you is actually royalty too.
Look, look at that subtle expression on Brother Bertrand's face in front of you.
He's definitely thinking the same thing as me.
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