Tenkomori: The Homecoming Club Conquers Another World

Chapter 64.1. The First Year at the Academy – Those Who Struggle (1)

Even in the sparsely populated academy, I see fewer people than usual.

Most students study for exams in their dormitories or holed up in the library.

When I arrived at the back of the grounds, I look at the garden.

The door unlocked, but the signs – as usual – were hard to make out.

I peeked in through the entrance and called out to him.

Soon after, the dean, who has been managing the garden for 60 years, appeared in front of me.

"Hello, dean."

"Alter-kun? What's the matter? Don't tell me that Rackendale-sensei forced you to–"

"No, I will run away if that happens. I have something I want to ask the dean today."

"Oh, for me."

I have to ask him first, anyway.

Then the conversation is over.

"This is out of the blue, but – do you know who I fought in the entrance exam mock battle?"

"Sorry, I don't keep track of every one of them."

I'm sorry, I don't know every one of them.

I pause for a moment, and then I begin.

"My opponent was a commoner. The same goes for the other nobles. Most of my opponents have been nobles and commoners, or nobles and knights. As far as I know, there has never been a match between nobles. Dean, can you tell me the reason for this?"

He put down raindrops and wipe my hands with the administrator's proof.

(如じょ雨う露ろを置き、管理者の証で手を拭ぬぐう。)

The old man who turned to me had the eyes of a dean.

"It's not like you. It's a test, isn't it? Of course, you're testing me."

Candidates were tested— in what?

I thought back on my comment and gasped.

The dean smiled.

"Yes, that was a test of readiness. If you enter the academy, you will have a chance to become an officer. In some cases, you will have to face a nobleman with your sword. If you are intimidated by the difference in status, you will be useless."

"Are nobles a stalking horse?"

"Yes, that's right. You have already passed the exam. What are you trying to test?"

"As you say."

I must have been wrong.

Does that mean that he—other than that, failed?

Ted has stood up to me, a nobleman, many times. He's prepared enough.

The writing. He can't even spell his name right, can you? I'll have to teach him that, too.

"I have a question for you, too. Why are you asking me now? I'm sure you have a reason."

"Yes, I did. Here's the thing."

I was not looking only at the nobles. Rather, I was not even looking at them.

This person will be fine, I can trust him with peace of mind.

"Dean, are you interested in hiring an assistant?"

"Is that–is that in the garden?"

"Of course."

I thought he would be pleased, but his face clouded.

"Hiring doesn't mean they're a student, right? Just between us, the academy doesn't have much leeway."

"I think the salary should be moderate. She is the same age as me, and she is a refugee girl."

"Refugee ……, is that okay?"

The dean's eyebrows furrowed even more.

"I can assure you that she is a person of character. She used to be a farmer's daughter, so she knows how to work with plants, and she also has an aptitude for earth magic."

"That would be ideal, but – oh, don't be offended. The reason we don't hire gardeners is that we have a lot of valuable plants as well as a budget. The Gardener's Guild is an independent organization. Whatever contract we sign, depending on the situation, we end up in court. That's what happens, and it's tough. On the other hand, if you are a student, your identity is secure, and if the situation arises, you can make your parents responsible. If they are disobedient, we can report them to the emperor through the council. But the refugees you recommend cannot be held accountable. No one can."

So the headmaster manages the school.

It seems students are also candidates for administrators, but in reality, assurance and trust are also prerequisites. I'm the son of an aristocrat, even at the lowest level. And I had the trust of the teachers after Rackendale told them what to do and what not to do.

I pondered for a moment and then made a decision.

I don't have to go this far, but it's not like I'll give her money or anything.

"Well, I'll reimburse her for any loss or damage that is her fault. And of course, I will write the deed."

"Is this something you can decide on your own?"

The dean did not change his expression.

"It's not Baron Reedwald, it's me personally. I am still an adventurer. It's not that difficult to come up with a large sum of money."

"Are you also an adventurer?"

"Oh, please don't tell anyone."

The headmaster tilted his head, but his expression remained clouded.

However, I can see the conflict. One more push?

"And as I said at first, she's not here as a gardener, but as the headmaster's assistant. She'll never enter the garden alone, and you can't stop her get close to the precious plants. Then, even if she should damage them, the loss to the institute would be minimal. Would you be willing to meet with her just once?"

The headmaster thought about it and then opened his mouth.

"Is this girl your opponent in the mock battle?"

"No, she is his sister."

"Oh, my sister. The sister of the student taking the exam."

A refugee boy was taking the exam for Cartilard.

The dean must know how difficult it is for people to take the exam.

Kolmis Halikal.

His title is "Councilor", but he isn't an aristocrat. He is a commoner.

"I understand. If you insist so much, let me meet her."

"Right away."

I bowed to the headmaster and ran back to the house.

Ted and his family were relaxing in the backyard.

I explained the situation and made Ted and the others wait outside the academy. I was hesitant to let non-related people into the premises, and their language and attitude were too bad. The headmaster might get a bad impression of them.

When I returned to the garden with only Lily, who was still hesitant, the headmaster was waiting for me at the entrance.

"Is that her?"

Lily was a little frightened but greeted him politely.

When the headmaster smiled at her, Lily's nervousness eased up, probably because of her mild impression and the fact that he was an old man.

The headmaster then began to ask questions.

The content of the question was about his lifestyle, but it was related to his work in the garden.

"I see, you collect medicinal herbs to make a living…"

"Yes. But I made some mistakes."

"Oh."

"Until Alter-sama pointed it out to me, I didn't know the difference between Actini berries and Sarnis berries. I sold them several times without realizing it."

"And?"

"I told the lady at the grocery store, and she said it was okay because I had defused them."

"That's good to hear. Sarnis gives me a stomach ache."

After repeating such exchanges, I found myself completely at ease.

I think we're going to be okay.

I gently took my distance and watched them quietly.

It's like a grandfather and granddaughter.

But in reality, they are the dean and councilor of the academy representing Selene and a refugee girl.

Perhaps the original state that this academy wants to be in is the scene in front of me.

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