Thinking of it now it’s really a mystery, only during this book reading time does Marcel’s selfishness not work for him at all.
No matter how tired Marcel was or how badly he was misbehaving, he never skipped out on book reading time even once. Come to think of it, what would that be. I’m going to have to make sure of the reason.
“Wolf jii-san, I’ve arrived~.”
Michelle has arrived as well. The maid that was always with her wasn’t here now. She only accompanied Michelle to the cottage, and then returned to the mansion.
“Welcome, Michelle-sama. Your book for today is over there, so please take it.”
“I understand.”
Michelle was also obedient whenever she was with Wolf jii-san. Probably, she’s just like me in that she treats him courteously because she doesn’t know exactly what kind of existence he is.
Michelle and I sat in chairs next to each other, and were both reading our own respective books. Using standards from my previous world, my book seems to be at a first-year middle schooler’s level, while Michelle’s is at an older elementary schooler’s level. This world’s spoken and written language are both Japanese.
Languages like English, French, and German are also present, but these are considered aristocratic ancient languages. Kanji seems to be the commoners’ ancient language, so probably because of the original game it’s still appearing in the language now. It’s used in people’s names and some proper nouns in the ancient language, but right now it’s not being used in the mother language of the country or by the people.
However, there’s plenty of examples in the books, and I’m also practicing with them.
Apparently learning ancient languages is considered a refined noble hobby, so they spend quite some time on learning them.
Though my knowledge is imperfect, somehow or other I still mostly remember the kanji characters that a ten-year-old middle school student should know, it’s obvious to see how much passion I’m putting into this.
But however, this is that Wolf jii-san I’m dealing with. Although I said it earlier, he helped us get the basics down to some extent, and after that it’s only been entirely self-study.
I can’t feel any teaching spirit from him.
I understand why someone like Miss Mary would be disappointed in how I am now, but it feels like jii-san started out like this.
When I finished the book, I approached Wolf jii-san.
“Wolf jii-san, I’m finished.”
“Oh my, that was fast. Well then try this, it’s the basic characters in the ancient language.”
He passed me some paper used for writing the alphabet, and Wolf jii-san went back to concentrating on his own book.
I focused on this as well and finished it quickly.
“I’m done.”
“Then, that’s all I have for you to do today. Just read whatever you want at your leisure.”
“There’s nothing else to do for today? Bring some more out. I want to increase the amount starting from next time.”
At my assertion, Wolf jii-san started laughing heartily.
“What’s this, Marcel-sama is so motivated today.”
“Ahh, Wolf jii-san, I’m aiming to become like the king’s brother Raiheart-dono. That’s why, I would like for you to teach me more.”
I said what I always did.
“The king’s brother, eh. Ahh, that’s right, Michelle-sama just got engaged to Prince Edwards recently. Michelle-sama, congratulations.”
“That’s right, Wolf jii-san! Listen listen, Prince Edwards is -”
“Wait, Michelle. Wolf jii-san, that’s why I’m now different from before. So, please give me more -”
I interrupted Michelle who was almost blooming like a flower so happily with the chance to talk about her Prince Edwards, and argued vehemently.
“Those who believe they will succeed, will not. And those who believe they will not, will. – Well then, willst thou succeed, or willst thou not?”
Wolf jii-san’s drunken atmosphere up to now suddenly changed, and he looked directly at me. It’s different from the friendly way he’s treated me up to now, and I suddenly felt a pain in my stomach from being stared at. It’s an atmosphere which feels like denial or rejection.
“‘Shoot for the moon,’ is an ancient proverb. I’ll be rooting for you, Marcel-sama. – Well then, Michelle-sama, please let me hear your story about Prince Edwards.”
Wolfram jii-san returned to his drunken state again and returned to the topic of Michelle’s story.
With the book reading time I had left, I kept trying to figure out the meaning of his words.