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That day, after finishing my usual morning training with Gaddem, I had Feri wipe away the sweat running down my body. Every morning, from just before sunrise until the sun fully rises, I devote that limited time to training.
There is a saying that a sound mind resides in a sound body.
Was it the words of a poet from that grandly named nation, the Holy Romaria Empire, which once spread its dominion across the entire Serendia continent? Supposedly, he was exiled to the frontier for satirizing the emperor at the time, Fadorianus, and died there in frustration.
Putting that aside, Gaddem is especially loyal. When I told him to come at me with the intent to kill, he truly tried to kill me, which shows considerable promise. Moreover, he does not rely on brute force but fights with sound reasoning, so I cannot afford to let my guard down.
Each of his movements shows careful thought, and there is much I can learn from him. Without a doubt, he is the finest warrior in the Aster ducal house. With a man like him standing guard at the gate, the dignity of the ducal house is well maintained.
「Young master──」
As usual, Feri began reporting Mother’s schedule for the day.
「As you see fit」
It seems Mother has been quite busy with official duties lately. Still, there should be no cause for concern. Her recent vitality has been remarkable. It feels as though her magical power is increasing day by day. I have never heard of someone at her age continuing to grow their magical capacity to such an extent, but putting that aside, as far as I can tell from her magic, her condition appears perfect.
Even so, if not for the obligation to attend that worthless institution known as the academy, I could devote myself entirely to serving Mother.
Today is no exception.
I must go through the meaningless act of attending classes.
If Mother were teaching, I would gladly attend, but today she is not.
And yet, with exams approaching, the schedule is packed with lessons, which makes it all the more unbearable.
Do I truly need to learn about the founding of the Guynes Empire or interpretations of its legal system?
Even when studying history, it must be history worth learning.
Any history before Mother’s birth might as well not exist, making it meaningless and worthless to me.
The same goes for law.
The weak should die, and the incompetent should be killed. That should be enough.
Though Mother is not fond of such ideas, so I make an effort each day to show a bit of mercy to the worthless masses.
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And so, having arrived at this zoo of inferior beings──
「Hey, Hein! You’re as cool as ever today! You should smile a little more. Starting your morning with a smile is the way to go!」
「Azel-sama! Please do not speak so casually to Hein-sama! Can you not see that Hein-sama is currently in meditation!?」
「A-Azel-kun, Hein-sama looks busy just keeping his eyes closed, so maybe we should talk over there…」
The three idiots chattered noisily around me.
Everywhere I look, nothing but inferior beings.
The stench… it’s unbearable. The reek of inferiority is enough to make me gag…
「Emmy… no, Esmeralda, don’t get so angry. You’ll get more wrinkles, you know? By the way, are you studying properly for the tests? If you mess up too badly, you’ll get expelled. Though I guess you’ll be fine!」
It’s not that I want to get along with these people. Nor do I look down on them as mere inferior beings. As for this Azel, at least when it comes to swordsmanship, I recognize that he has honed his skill to a remarkable level. And Esmeralda, nominally at least, is my fiancée. I have also come to understand through our interactions that she has a certain toughness. As for the other one… what was it, Seria? Serika? I have forgotten her name, but the fact that she provokes in me a different kind of discomfort than a normal inferior being suggests she must possess something of her own.
That said, I have no desire to befriend them.
Though I am not one to talk, it seems Azel lacks the ability to build proper relationships with others.
Well, it hardly matters──
In any case, what Azel said is, for the most part, true.
At the Imperial Sanford Academy, students are divided into classes based on their entrance exam results. (See Chapter 109 – Interlude: The Regressor ③)
Stella Caerulea.
Lacrima Caeli.
Sanguis Draconis.
These are not classifications based on overall ability, but rather on the nature of one’s aptitude.
Stella Caerulea evaluates one’s capability as a guardian who protects the Empire from external threats.
Lacrima Caeli evaluates one’s potential to contribute to technological development.
Sanguis Draconis evaluates one’s capacity to contribute politically.
To begin with, the utterly incompetent are not permitted to enroll in this academy, so every student is, at the very least, recognized as possessing a certain level of ability as defined by the Empire. Even so, in such a place, it is not uncommon for one’s aptitude to later prove mismatched, and in those cases, class reassignment is carried out.
Tests, in other words, are re-evaluations of that aptitude. Broadly speaking, three types of examinations are conducted to assess the balance of one’s abilities. However, if one performs too poorly, even a designation backed by a high-ranking noble will not prevent expulsion. Such an outcome would stain the family name beyond repair, so everyone makes a reasonable effort to avoid it.
To think that they go to such lengths, refining and selecting again and again to maintain the standard of each generation’s abilities──it is almost moving in its persistence.
It makes one want to show them that no matter how much effort they make, there are forces, like waves, that cannot be resisted.
For instance, what if those who grow arrogant simply because they are not demi-humans were made to fight those who, because they are demi-humans, play the victim and demand rights, and then the winner were torn apart?
Of course, I only think such things. I would never actually do it.
Mother dislikes that sort of thing.
One must create a world where the happiness of being ruled can be properly enjoyed.
I must arrange things so that the worthless masses can willingly and joyfully work for the world, no, for Mother.
I, too, must strive even harder.
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