Volume 1

Chapter 6

Two months have passed since the start of the first term in Bertram Kingdom’s Royal Institute .

Since Rio was entering in the middle of the term, it was only natural that he became the centre of attention .

It was arranged for Rio to be introduced in the first home room .

“Starting today I will be studying together with everyone in this class . My name is Rio . ?Please take care of me for the next six years . ”

In a flat tone, Rio introduced himself without hesitation .

“A transfer student in the middle of the term?”

“He doesn’t have a family name . He must be a commoner . ”

“Why is a commoner entering in the middle of the term?”

“From what I heard, he’s the orphan who rescued Christina-sama from danger . Enrolling in the Royal Institute on His Majesty’s recommendation was his reward . ”

“An orphan? And thanks to that, this kind of guy is enrolling in the Royal Institute?”

No applause came .

Instead, the sound of murmurings could be heard from the students who were evaluating him . Their eyes gathered on Rio .

A tinge of hatred surfaced, this seven year old kid already tainted the place for nobles to study .

As for the kids of high class nobles who served in the royal castle, they already knew about this beforehand .

Naturally they also knew that Rio was an orphan and were looking at Rio as if witnessing a strange animal . It was understandable since they all came from a privileged class .

As for Rio himself, he already expected that things would turn out like this .

With his facial expression completely calm and serene, Rio surveyed the entire class .

From the looks of it, he judged that there were over 100 people in the room .

Classes 1 to 3, each class consisted of 100 students1 .

It was very clear that the population was divided by social status with a distinct wall between nobles and commoners .

The noble class was further hierarchized . School regulations dictated that discrimination based on social status and connections were not allowed but judging from the classroom’s atmosphere, it was clear that it was only a fa?ade .

(Well by creating relationships during the time at the institute, once you graduate you will have a large number of connections . N..?)

Suddenly, Rio’s gaze rested on a familiar face .

The person sat in the far corner of the classroom .

Around her were students from high pedigree sending despising gazes towards Rio .

When her line of sight matched with Rio, Christina pouted her lips in displeasure .

It seems that she hates me quite a bit; Rio thought that while cynically laughing in his mind .

He also had no intentions to involve himself with Christina .

If she hated him, it will only be more convenient .

“Fumu, any questions? ..so there aren’t any . ?Yosh . ?Rio . ?You can sit at that empty seat . Basically you can sit wherever you want but I recommend you sit there for now . That’s all . ”

“Understood . ”

The lecturer standing beside Rio simply said so and urged Rio to sit . Rio who also preferred to not stand any longer in front of the class quickly moved to the empty seat .

Thus Rio’s life in the Royal Institute began .

There were four classes in a day with an hour for each class .

But problem arose in the very first class .

And that was math class .

“Well . Okay, let’s see . Rio the transfer student . Please solve this problem . ”

Said the lecturer in charge of the current class . Each class had a different lecturer .

The one in charge of math class was a considerably young lecturer .

If it was in Japan, she would be around the age of an upper grade elementary schooler .

However she was actually closer to that of a junior high schooler but her appearance betrayed her .

Rio was asked to solve a problem that could be compared to a first grade elementary school problem in Japan which anyone could solve .

Unfortunately Rio did not understand what was written .

“E~~tto, sorry but I can’t read the numbers written . ”

Rio could not read numbers .

And, following that was a moment of silence followed by bursts of laughter .

“Oi oi . Enrolling in the Royal Institute but not being able to read . ”

“To share the same class with this lowly fellow who can’t even read numbers..”

“A~, that’s right . He didn’t take admission test . ”

“I can’t accept such a lowlife . He’s also stupid . ”

The class remembered he was of the same age and began to immerse themselves in a sense of superiority .

Their ridicule of Rio could be heard from all directions .

“I see, so you can’t read . You haven’t been taught that . ?..All right . I’ll give you extra lessons afterward . ?Please come to my laboratory afterschool . ?For today just listen to the lecture and if you don’t understand please ask . ”

She said that while shaking her head at disbelief of Rio’s lack of education .

“Understood . ”

Rio then decided to accept the advice given to him and listened to the lesson .

“Nee~, you . ”

A voice called out to Rio after math class .

Looking at the one who called him, he saw the perfect example of an Ojou-sama standing in front of a crowd of her fans .

Rio noticed that they were the group who were sitting around Christina .

“Yes, what is it?”

“What is it? ?Well, I’m sorry . ?What did you mean in the previous class?”

“Huh? No . What about the previous class?”

The girl showed an expression as if lamenting for Rio .

“What about it? It’s about you who can’t even read numbers . In this prestigious Royal Institute, especially when you’re enrolled in the same class as Christina-sama and myself, for a monkey like you to be mixed in it . ”

Apparently Rio received a complaint from this girl . Sighing both in his mind and out loud, he gave an answer to the one raising the complaint against him .

“Sorry, but I’m illiterate . ”

It was true that he was illiterate in this world .

These sorts of rotten people would only increase after knowing about this .

The kind of person who tells it to him flatly would be the most decent .

Up until now, thanks to the people from the privileged class, he developed some kind of stress resistance and gained more than enough of an understanding towards this world’s society .

“Since you’re entering in the middle of term, I had expected that you have already learned the four basic math calculations2?so I’m extremely disappointed . ”

The girl was staring at Rio with disdain in her eyes .

“Really . I assumed you’d be a bit poor when compared to Her Highness Princess Christina and a daughter of Duke Fonsyn, but I still had some expectations from you . ”

Apparently the leader of the group’s name was Roana .

Many students standing near Roana started agreeing with her .

“Not being able to read numbers made me laugh quite a bit . No, I already expected that . ”

A boy spat out that line while pointing at Rio and looking at him with a ridiculing expression .

“Haa~ . With this, my expectations for another class have been shattered . ”

Said Roana sighing .

“First you should question yourself as to why you are even allowed to be sitting in this place . If you are aware of how blessed you are to be here, then burn it into your mind since it’s obvious that you don’t belong here . ”

“Understood . Roana-sama . Thank you for your consideration . ”

Rio said that while lowering his head .

Seeing that, Roana was left agape for a bit admiring his manners .

“Ara, it looks like you at least have some courtesy . ?All right then . ?You just need to be more diligent since it’s also my responsibility as class representative along with Christina-sama to help you . ?Besides, it’s a noble’s duty to lead the commoner . ”

“Thank you very much . ”

As if it was a natural thing, Roana said it with an expression full of confidence .

That must be her true feelings .

“As expected of Roana-sama . ”

Her fans started agreeing with her immediately .

Suddenly, they noticed Rio was looking at them with a smirk on his face . Somehow it was like he was grateful that their self-esteem was lower than his own .

Rio already knew Roana’s fans had wicked minds .

“Next is history class but you also can’t read right? ?It’s frustrating that even with great effort, you’ll only be able to catch up a little bit . “

After saying that, Roana returned to her seat .

And before long the next lecturer came .

As expected, Rio could not write nor read the letters on the blackboard . As such he did not even attempt to open his notebook and spent the time trying to memorize the contents of the lecture .

And thus, the last class of the day was martial arts practice .

Training in martial arts and magic was done together, but for the elementary grade, the martial arts training was not too rigorous as it would be harmful to their bodies .

For the first year in the elementary course, students only needed to familiarize themselves with a wide variety of weapons and armour .

“Now, today we will be learning about different types of swords . ?We will do one set for 10 minutes and a sufficient break will be given afterwards . You will be practising the sword stance that I taught in the previous lesson . Then, let’s start with three sets . HA!”

After saying that, the students dispersed and began mimicking the sword stance with wooden swords in hand .

Upon finishing his instructions, the teacher came to a stop in front of Rio .

“Rio . Since your progress is behind everyone else, I will personally teach you the sword stance . Come here . ”

Following the teacher’s instruction, Rio separated himself from the rest of the students .

“You, can you show me how you hold your sword?”

“Yes . At once . ”

“Hmm, I see . Then, I will first check your stance . Try to hit me once with that sword . Come whenever you ready . ”

Right after saying that, the teacher readied his stance .

Seeing that, Rio thought that it was a practical stance without any openings forged through experience .

In the meantime he was seeing if he could find any openings in the teacher’s stance .

Perhaps it would be an easy win if he strengthened his blow with magic by using physical and body reinforcement .

He began to feel uneasy due his grade not being taught magic yet .

But it was already known that he rescued Christina and Flora so it would not be unusual even if he showed his true strength .

In the end, he decided against using flesh reinforcement and physical reinforcement so that he could gauge his ability without relying on it .

Deciding to limit his ability, Rio readied his sword stance .

“Is that self-taught stance?”

Looking at his beautiful stance made the teacher wonder and ask Rio .

“..No”

“I thought so because of how you hold your sword . ?I see . You have talent . ”

Right after the teacher said that, Rio charged at him .

After closing the distance, Rio released a blow while also watching his opponent’s sword .

“Hou~ . ?Good swordsmanship . ?You won’t strain your wrist like that . ”

The teacher said that while reacting to Rio’s sword . Looking at Rio and holding his sword with one hand, he blocked the incoming strike .

As expected of a teacher with a sharp observation, by saying that it meant that Rio surpassed his expectations .

It was difficult for Rio to hide the full extent of his ability using only basic swordsmanship .

Well, it was fine if it was only that much .

But, he already determined to not go all out so he had to limit himself .

“Umu~ . Good! Rio, you’re suited to become a knight!”

While warding off Rio, the teacher proclaimed with a smile . Nothing can be done about his hot-bloodedness . Honestly, it was a bit stifling .

“Unfortunately I am not interested in becoming a knight . ”

“Why? That’s fine, your time here has just started . Don’t worry, I will train you the way a knight fights . ”

“!!!?”

Suddenly a sharp blow was released against Rio by the teacher .

“Hou~ . ?Now how did you fend off that blow? “

“Wasn’t it that Sensei wouldn’t attack me..?”

“There is no need to abide to such rule! ?I know that you’re skilled enough . Good, once again . ”

The teacher swung his sword again .

Moreover he was also trying to knock away Rio’s sword .

“In terms of power and speed, generally it’s a perfect score for basic ability.. Extremely fine movements . ..Well, this institute teaches this kingdom’s swordsmanship which is very different style . Where did you learn such a style? “

“From my deceased mother . ”

Rio stated the most convenient explanation that came to his mind .

“I see.. ?I’m sorry . You must be practicing it quite a lot . ”

“Yes . ”

Rio answered back indifferently .

“Well your basic swordsmanship is very solid . ?To the point that you won’t experience any negative effects even if you learn this kingdom’s swordsmanship style . ?I’ll reshape your stance . ”

It was decided that Rio would learn swordsmanship afterschool .

(N?)

When he was about to return, Rio suddenly felt as if someone was watching him .

Looking over, he could see Roana and Christina .

When Christina and Rio’s eyes met, she quickly averted her gaze but Roana became rock solid with a look of disbelief .

He wondered if he was being watched the whole time .

It was not like it was a big deal so what was the matter?

Rio was slightly confused .

But since he had no time to worry about such trivial things, Rio continued his sword stance training .

1 . Three classes per year, each consisting of around 100 students

2 . Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division