Chapter 33

“Here is your bread.”

After finishing my work at the bakery, I took the bread to deliver to the noblewoman and traveled through the underground waterway.

As I could melt into the shadows, I was much faster than your average carriage.

And I also didn’t have to go around anything, so I would be able to make it on time, even if I left the bakery quite late.

But Mister Rob and Mira became worried about whether I could make it on time… In fact, they got quite flustered over the matter.

“It would be terrible if you were late just because you were working here. Please go!”

They said. And so I had no choice but to leave.

Unlike most days, I had to deliver something today.

Even when I was diving into the shadows, I could tell. The bread was still hot.

Normally, I would come out very close to the dormitory, but in this case, it would look strange if I came out of the academy with a basket full of bread.

And so it would be better to return to the surface from a short distance away.

Apparently, the part of the street that was blocked off was the same every year, and so I was able to find the noblewoman immediately.

Well, her carriage was also very eye-catching.

“Hey, they say that we cannot go any further. Do you know of any secret path we can take?”

That was the first thing she said upon seeing me. She was certainly tenacious.

“I can’t say. I’ve only just moved here recently. Besides, I think they are blocking the road because of the opening ceremony.”

“That’s what they told me. And so I’m wondering if there is a more secret way of getting in.”

“But isn’t the blockade supposed to keep nobles and merchants out? If it is, I don’t think you should try something like that.”

I mean, she was exactly the group they were targeting.

“That might be, but I came all of the way here, you know? I can’t leave without meeting anyone.”

“I wonder if her Majesty is going to attend the ceremony.”

“I’m quite sure someone from the royal family will be there. What makes you think it will be the queen?”

“Because the people guarding the road are Imperial Guards. Authority and bribes mean nothing to them.”

It would be quite dangerous if such soldiers were moved by bribes.

They were part of the queen’s own army, and so they did not need to listen to the orders of other nobles.

Nothing this woman could say would make them move.

“But they are only blocking the road. Surely we could enter some commoner’s house and escape through their garden and…”

“That could have grave consequences if you were caught. It would also greatly inconvenience your family.”

I emphasized the word ‘grave.’

Because it really would be the case.

She was definitely the kind of person who would try to escape any responsibility and say, ‘that baker told me to go there.’

“Ohh… That-that would be bad.”

Thankfully, she was able to realize it.

Maybe the idea of being disowned had flashed in her mind.

“In any case, I must go now.”

“Very well. Thank you.”

I had thought she was a very selfish young woman after seeing her arguing with Mira, but she was at least able to thank people.

“No, thank you for buying our bread.”

I said with a bow. Then the woman pointed to the crest on the carriage.

“If you ever find yourself in a town called Muze, think of me. We are related to the lord there. I am Rymidia of House Hamon.”

“I’m Leon. My family owns a bakery in the town of Sol. But I’ve been working at the Fluffy Buloire since last week.”

“I see. I’m sure you’ll make a fine baker one day. Thank you for helping me earlier.”

She said with a wink.

○

I returned to the dormitory and got changed.

“You’ve been walking out every day recently, huh? Ark’s already left.”

Marty said to me.

“But we still have plenty of time before it starts, don’t we?”

“Yes, but think of all the people you could meet. That’s important too.”

The Royal Academy had its opening ceremony a few days ago.

And so this ceremony was just for the students of the Dragon Academy.

And I had heard that not only veteran Dragon Masters, but also military personnel would be attending.

Marty was talking about meeting people.

Perhaps Ark was going to start endearing himself to such people now.

“What about the Second-years?”

“We have dragon-riding training today. There’s still so much to learn that we’re still overwhelmed. You’ll understand when you’re in our place next year.”

These days, they’d been doing a lot of training based on what type of dragon they had, and also mixed training.

The formations they created would be different depending on the enemy they faced. And so they had to practice taking their positions and matching their marching speed.

“Well, dragons are supposed to be much tougher than humans. Is it really that hard?”

“Yes. You really start to miss your bed after training for a while.”

I had noticed that they were only able to return from training once every other day.

The outdoors training meant they had to stay on top of their dragons for a very long time.

Still, the dragons themselves were always nonchalant, which was quite annoying. Marty said with a laugh.

I would find out next year.

“I better go then.”

“Leon. Be careful.”

“…Yes. Thank you, Thane.”

Thane said suddenly. Marty was also grinning.

Be careful of what?

The venue was just on the other side.

I had to cross the road and that was it.

Furthermore, there was a blockade up that prevented outsiders from getting in.

Not even a high-born lady could slip through the cracks.

I didn’t know why I needed to be careful.

“See you later.”

And so I left the dormitory and headed toward the grounds of the Royal Academy.

“Huh, there’s a lot of green here as well. Just like our school, they sure use the land in a luxurious way.”

Well, the roads had to be wide in our school because the dragons would also walk through them.

There also needed to be a lot of land so they could train, which meant it took a long time to walk anywhere.

And while the Royal Academy was not quite as large, there were lots of winding roads and trees that blocked your view. So it looked bigger than it actually was.

“…So, this is the venue.”

It was a great auditorium.

I had heard that the Royal Academy had about 500 students for each year. Which meant 1,500 students in all.

So it needed to be this big.

I entered a different school building and arrived at the reception.

Graduate student representative, Guest, School Staff, Local Representative, Person of Merit, Military, Economic Organization…there were lots of desks and I didn’t know which to go to.

“There is one for new students.”

At the far edge.

I thought we were the guests of honor?

Why was it way over there?

“Congratulations on entering the Dragon Academy.”

As I was wearing the uniform, everything went smoothly.

They just checked the Dragon Mark.

And a large flower was pinned to my chest.

Apparently, all of us First-Years had to wear it.

“It’s a bit showy, isn’t it?”

“Not at all. It suits you very well.”

Said the person who was probably staff at the Royal Academy.

They were very polite.

“The ceremony will start in about half an hour. Everyone is already waiting.”

“What? Already?”

The others must have been very enthusiastic.

“Just go to the drawing-room over there.”

Around the corner, there was a large sign that read, ‘The drawing-room is open to concerned parties and no one else!!’

“That room?”

“Yes.”

“I understand. Thank you.”

“Be careful.”

“…Ah.”

Well, that was strange. Did I look so weak and unreliable?

I took one step forward and then heard people shouting. And before I knew it, a crowd of young women had run up to me.

“What?”

I had no time to react before I was completely surrounded. My arms were clasped, my collar pulled, my waist, chest, and legs were bound.

“Huh? Whaat?”

They were all wearing the same uniform.

They were students of the Royal Academy. And they were all female students

And they all had the eyes of hunters.