Chapter 33: A Cup of Tea (3)

Chapter 33: A Cup of Tea (3)

A carriage was making its way towards the Academy.

Within the carriage sat Astina, who had just finished her duties among the nobility and was now returning.

"The academy is the most comforting place at the moment."

Astina's face showed signs of weariness due to exhaustion.

After the incident during the midterm camp, Astina attracted significant attention, leading to a very tiring schedule.

She had discussed the incident with esteemed nobles and even received personal words of gratitude from the emperor.

Now, not only did she hold a prominent position within the academy, but she had also established a firm footing in central politics.

There was nothing left for Astina to fear.

Having accumulated such remarkable accomplishments, it was only a matter of time before she inherited the title of viscount.

Through her visits to various territories in the central area, Astina had laid the groundwork necessary for her to succeed as the head of the household.

The retainers of the Persia family, had changed their stance to support her due to the incident and the accumulation of achievements over time.

All the preparations had been completed.

"Ugh..."

Having accomplished so much, Astina felt utterly drained.

"Politics is truly exhausting."

Astina grumbled in frustration.

However, she couldn't relax now.

Only by enduring such arduous tasks and giving her all could she secure her position as the head of the viscount's household.

"There shouldn't be any problems."

Astina thought of Rudy Astria and couldn't help but smile.

It was all thanks to Rudy Astria.

After all, it was he who provided all the intel during the incident.

That young man possessed extraordinary abilities.

An immense wealth of information.

The same was true during Luna's library incident and now during the midterm camp.

During Luna's incident, his judgment may have been based on Luna's magic book.

However, during the midterm camp, Yeniel attempted to assassinate Astina.

With that alone, Rudy had deduced the entire situation.

It's not something an ordinary person could do in such a limited space and with such little information.

Naturally, questions arose.

How much does he know?

However, she didn't pry.

Everyone had secrets and their own private lives.

She was simply grateful that he was on her side.

"We'll be arriving soon."

"Okay."

Astina replied to the coachman with a smile.

---

Raei Translations

---

After finishing my classes, I began tidying up my books. After quickly organizing them, I prepared to head to lunch.

"Rudy Astria."

Just as I was about to step out of the classroom to search for Luna, I heard my name being called.

"Hmm?"

Turning towards the voice, I saw Locke standing there.

It was a bit puzzling since Locke, who usually had little to no interaction with me.

"What is it?"

While we had grown closer during the midterm camp, we didn't have many chances to interact at the academy.

Since we were in different departments, there was no reason to see each other unless it involved Rie, and neither of us seemed interested in becoming close friends.

"Astina senior is looking for you."

"Astina? She's back?"

"She's currently in the student council room with Princess Rie. You should go see her."

"Is that so?"

I was about to make my way there when I realized something.

If I went straight to the student council room, Luna would be waiting for me, wouldn't she?

Since we always had lunch together, she would probably be looking for me.

I stared intently at Locke.

"...What?"

Hmm...

After a moment's thought, I figured out a use for Locke.

"Hey, could you do me a favor?"

Upon hearing my request, Locke furrowed his brows.

"If it's something similar to what you asked at the camp, I decline."

"No, it's a simple task."

Locke glared at me before speaking.

"What is it?"

"Could you please inform Luna that I might not be able to join her for lunch?"

A messenger.

Locke was the perfect candidate for such a role.

---

Raei Translations

---

"Ah, Rudy Astria. You've arrived?"

"Why are you so late?"

Upon entering the student council room, I was greeted by Astina and Rie.

Rie's words had a slightly different undertone, but I accepted it as her unique way of showing hospitality.

"Did you handle everything well?"

Astina responded with a pleasant smile.

"Perfectly."

Seeing Astina in such high spirits brought me relief.

"Take a seat for now and have some tea."

Astina gestured towards the tea set on the desk.

I settled down and spoke.

"So, what comes next?"

"Now that the groundwork has been laid, it's merely a matter of executing the plan."

Astina's plan.

It was simple but challenging.

To overthrow her older brother, the current heir of the Persia family.

Just as Rie was about to depart, she stopped in her tracks.

From outside, a familiar voice reached our ears.

"Oh! Rie! Hello!"

"Huh...what?"

"Hm?"

I turned my gaze toward the entrance, and there stood a familiar brunette.

"Luna?"

When I called out her name, Luna peered inside.

"Oh, Rudy, are you finished? Then let's go and eat!"

"Luna Railer?"

Upon hearing Astina's words, Luna appeared somewhat taken aback.

"Oh, hello."

Astina regarded Luna, then spoke up.

"Who's behind you?"

Behind?

From my vantage point, the door obscured my view of the figure behind Luna.

Who could be standing there?

I slightly inclined my head to catch a glimpse.

And there, behind her, a girl with blue hair came into sight.

Someone who shouldn't be here.

In the game, her nickname was Stray Cat.

The top elementalist among the first-year students.

It was Serina Rinsburg.

"What are you thinking, bringing her here?!"

...I nearly shouted.

Her sudden appearance caught me off guard.

She should never get involved with us.

She exclusively associates with Evan, never mingling with others.

Someone who should remain detached from everyone else.

That was Serina Rinsburg.

This is giving me a headache.

As we silently observed Serina, Luna spoke up, perplexed.

"Um... I saw Serina eating her lunch alone on a bench, then all of her food was taken by animals... so I felt sorry for her...."

It wasn't that her food was stolen, but rather she likely shared it with the animals...

One of the most important conditions for a elementalist is their affinity with nature.

In this sense, Serina's act of sharing food and bonding with the animals was to increase her affinity with nature.

As I found myself clutching my head, unable to utter a word, Astina summed up the situation.

"Well, this is fate as well. Let's all go and eat together."

"I won't...."

"Huh?"

Rie was about to protest, but her eyes met Luna's.

Unable to continue her sentence while gazing into Luna's innocent eyes, Rie let out a sigh.

"Sigh... let's eat somewhere other than the school cafeteria...."

Rie reluctantly gave in and sought a compromise.

Of course, I agreed with her.

I wanted to eat somewhere that wouldn't draw attention.

The student council president, the princess, the top elementalist...

Such an unbelievable combination.

If anyone caught sight of us, rumors would circulate for weeks like wildfire.

We needed to find a restaurant without people...

"Ah, right."

I just remembered a restaurant that people rarely visited.

A place with great food, too.

---

Raei Translations

---

Robert engaged in small talk with Cromwell before he leisurely made his way to have lunch.

Since Professor Cromwell was too 'noble' to eat at a shabby restaurant, he walked alone to 'that restaurant.'

"Hmm...?"

As he neared the rundown establishment he often visited, he caught snippets of noise.

It was unusual to hear someone else's voice in a place where he was the sole regular customer.

Curiosity piqued, Robert pushed open the door to the restaurant.

"...How do you even eat this?!"

"Hmm... Its rather delicious."

Upon glancing inside, Robert spotted familiar faces.

"Why are you all here?"

Rudy Astria, Luna Railer, Princess Rie, and the others who spent time with Rudy Astriathey were all present.

One of them was a face Robert hadn't seen before, but he paid little attention to that.

The fact that there were so many people proved more bothersome.

And on top of that, one man amidst a group of women...

"Oh, Professor, hello."

As the spokesperson, Rudy Astria greeted Robert.

Robert acknowledged the greeting and rubbed his temples.

"...I have a headache."

What exactly is he doing?

It was surprising enough to witness him alternating between Princess Rie and Luna Railer during workouts, but this... This was something else.

He thought he should finish teaching Rudy magic as quickly as possible and avoid getting involved.

***

1/4! New update of the site is up and is looking pretty stable not bad. Ads are working... kind of... something to fix as usual but I'll be posting chappies for the weekend and work on that next week.

I haven't completed reviewing all the ads but I have completed the first few hundred, please remove ad block for this site. Google does a good job in making sure they're not harmful. I'll be looking out for these as well.

No popups and I'm blocking some are that too inappropriate or stupid or oogly(disturbing). Like that one webtoon one where there's usually a girl going "Wow it's so big." or this one dental one. Was gross.

Oh last thing, for people who didn't see my message last chap, I changed Rika to Riku. It was actually Riku the very first time, I'm not sure when I accidentally called her Rika and it just somehow stuck.

I'm going to stick with Riku but in the future I'll leave small stuff like that be since it really doesn't matter.

Sorry for the long note. Enjoy the chappy!

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