“Did I really look that busy?” [Ryouma]
“It’s because you’re always working from morning till dusk.” [Elia]
“I see, however, I don’t actually work that much. There’re also times when I’m just dazing off, or looking for ways to kill time. And then, there are also times when I’m making building stones to use for the construction of my house later.” [Ryouma]
“So Ryouma-san really does plan to live here.” [Elia]
“Yes. After all, I have to do rounds around the mine here, and I want a place where I can train magic without being a nuisance to others. So with that in mind, I believe this is the best place.”
“When will you begin the construction? At this rate you won’t be able to live in the mine, right?” [Elia]
Right…
“For the meantime, I could just create a small shed, or dig a cave, and live there while I gradually build the house.” [Ryouma]
“Then in that case, do you mind if we talk for a bit?” [Elia]
“Of course, what is it?” [Ryouma]
We left the workshop and went somewhere where the sunlight reached. There, I made some chairs, and we talked while sitting.
“Elia, you’ll be going to school this year, right?” [Ryouma]
“Yes. All young noble ladies must attend the school at the royal capital upon reaching 12. Not attending will hurt one’s reputation amongst nobles.” [Elia]
“I see.” [Ryouma]
“… The truth is that I don’t want to go either, but unfortunately, I have to.” [Elia]
“Eh? Really?” [Ryouma]
“Yes. In fact, my parents and even my grandfather told me that if it wasn’t for the fact that it was tradition to go, then they wouldn’t even let me go.” [Elia]
“Why?” [Ryouma]
“The school of the royal capital is also open to commoners, and every year a lot of them are accepted. And although there isn’t any difference in the treatment of students based on their social standing, there are quite a bit of people that cause issues.” [Elia]
Ahh… it’s that cliché thing you’d expect from this kind of setting.
“Moreover, the things taught at school can be learned at home as long as we call for a tutor. In fact, I was told that it’s even more beneficial for me to learn from a tutor than from the school. After all, the school is…” [Elia]
For some reason, Elia was a bit hesitant to say something.
“The school is what?” [Ryouma]
“… The chance of finding things that one should be studying there is low.” [Elia]
“But it’s a school, right? What’s going on?” [Ryouma]
“I also don’t know. It’s just that father and the others told me to take care not to be influenced by the school’s atmosphere. They also told me that it’s fine to have bad grades in school, so I should practice the things that they’d taught me back at home.” [Elia]
Eh? They’re going that far?