Epilogue

Epilogue

“I’d heard so much from the professor, and I’ve been constantly surprised over the past three months, but I still never dreamed you’d produce such results!”

Those kind words came from Duke Walter himself. He had just arrived in the royal capital from the north and spoke familiarly from his seat opposite me. Beside him sat Tina, who was wearing a notably composed expression. Seeing her like that reminded me that she really was a beauty.

“Ti—ahem, Her Highness and Ellie were the outstanding ones,” I told the duke. “Please, save your praise for them.”

Duke Walter laughed. “If I took your advice, private tutors the world over would be out of a job.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you, sir,” Tina chimed in. “And call me ‘Tina’ like you always do.”

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly...”

“You have my permission,” Duke Walter solemnly declared, bringing a flush to his daughter’s cheeks.

“V-Very well.”

This is going to make what I have to say even harder...

“My little girl took first place in the Royal Academy entrance exams, and she nearly matched the highest ever grade, at that!” the duke declared. “Ellie placed highly as well. What can I call this accomplishment but ‘remarkable’?! It’s customary for the head of the incoming class to be asked to give an address at the Royal Academy entrance ceremony, and the only other member of my family to have earned that honor was my late wife Rosa. My little girl is a credit to our name! You’ve done a magnificent job.”

Both girls had successfully earned their admissions to the Royal Academy. It appeared that, somehow or other, I had managed to complete my job.

So, Rosa had also taken first place on her entrance exams. Tina was fidgeting in apparent embarrassment at the compliment. I supposed this meant she was going to be representing the incoming class at the ceremony. The current students would presumably be represented by the student council president—that is, Tina’s older sister, according to a letter I’d received from my sister just a few days prior. Was Duke Walter aware of that? I tried to read his expression but it gave nothing away.

Lydia’s younger sister had apparently taken second place, likely by a narrow margin—she was extraordinarily gifted in her own right, after all. I hoped that she would become good friends with Tina and Ellie.

It went without saying that, after the exam, I had been taken aside and thoroughly bullied by the Leinster sisters. I was sick and tired of dressing up like a butler—it looked like nothing more than a pale imitation now that I had seen the type perfected in the form of Mr. Walker. I had suffered a grave mental wound.

I’ll never put on that outfit again!

“You have my sincere gratitude,” the duke continued. “And so, I’d like you to stay on as a private tutor. What do you say? I’ll agree to any conditions you like and furnish you with anything that you require.”

“Well...”

It was an extremely generous offer. My wages for the past three months alone might reasonably be called a staggering sum; there was going to be quite a bit left over even after I deducted my train fare and my sister’s allowance. Even so...it wouldn’t do for me to become actively involved any more than I already had been. It would only invite trouble, and for that reason, it was time I took my leave.

“I’m grateful—truly grateful—for your offer,” I replied, “but I must respectfully decline.”

Tina’s eyes widened in shock. “Sir! Wh-Why? Why won’t you stay...?”

“And why is that?” Duke Walter asked, echoing his daughter’s question.

“You see—”

“Allen, have no fears about the royal family,” the duke said, cutting me off right away. “I don’t blame you for what happened at your court sorcerer exam. I suppose you intend to show the Leinsters the same consideration you’re showing us?”

It took me a moment to process his remark.

“...So you know about that.”

“Of course I do. I’m a duke, remember; important issues naturally reach my ears.”

“Wh-What are you talking about?” Tina asked. “Did you take the court sorcerer exam, sir?”

I’d really rather not discuss that here...

“The court sorcerer exam is divided into a written test, a practical, and an interview,” the duke continued. Not only was he indifferent to my troubles, he actually seemed to be enjoying himself. I’d never expected him to take an opportunity like this to pay me back for the events in his mansion, but in retrospect, I should have seen it coming. “Just between us, you had the top score on the written test and placed highly on the interview—which you would have secured top marks on as well if not for the envy of a group of examiners you gave a sound thrashing. Under normal circumstances, you would have passed. In the practical, however...”

The duke paused for effect.

“You had the lowest score of any applicant. That would be why you failed.”

“Failed...” Tina repeated, taken aback. “That’s impossible! If my teacher took last place on the practical, then no one alive could have passed it! Are the court sorcerer examiners a bunch of blockheads? How could they not see that?!”

Her tone reminded me of a blizzard, her gaze was furious, and cold emanated from her in response to her emotions. I was glad that she was willing to get angry on my behalf, but... I gently stroked her head, and her mana abruptly dispersed. At the same time, a loud cough came from the seat across from me.

I beg your pardon.

“As a general rule, participants in the practical exam conceal their faces in order to avoid intimidation,” the duke explained, “but I’m told that your opponent—Second Prince Gerard—broke with custom by deliberately introducing himself and provoking you before the start of your test. I also hear that his insults extended to your family and to young Lydia.”

“Duke Walter, please leave it at that,” I protested.

“I want to know,” Tina insisted. She was staring at me, an intense seriousness in her eyes. I was out of luck—there was no stopping this.

And I haven’t even told Lydia yet...

“You didn’t do anything when the prince insulted you,” Duke Walter continued, “but once your practical began, you did negate all of his spells, steal his mana, and then proceed to overpower him in swordsmanship. After the exam, the prince made a fuss about that, claiming that you ‘lacked proper respect.’ Naturally, his claims were unfounded, but...they did come from the second in line to the throne, and that made them impossible to dismiss. In the end, the examiners opted not to grade your practical at all.”

“I have no regrets,” I said.

“Even though it meant sacrificing a future as a court sorcerer? I’m told that that’s been your goal since you enrolled in the Royal Academy. Of course, I’m sure that was partly for your parents’ sake, and for Lydia’s once you were at the academy.”

If he knows that much, there’s no point trying to hide the rest. I’ll tell him everything...although I might end up letting Tina and Ellie down.

“I’m an orphan,” I explained. “I’m not related to my parents by blood, and I don’t know who my biological parents were. Nevertheless, my parents and my younger sister love me, and even Lydia...is kind enough to show me some concern. I’m not mature enough to laugh off insults directed at them. At the same time, I don’t want to cause trouble for those who have been generous to me as a result of this incident.”

I no longer had any regrets about the post of court sorcerer itself. Even if turning back time were an option, I would do the same thing again—after all, my life until now had been too good to be true. Still...not being able to meet Lydia or these girls openly anymore would make me lonely to say the least.

Duke Walter sighed. “If your mind is already made up, then there’s nothing I can say. But I want you to remember: you have a friend in the Howards. If you ever change your mind, don’t hesitate to tell us so. We will assist you.”

“Thank you very much,” I replied. “As for the other matter, I intend to continue looking into it with all due diligence.”

A moment of silence followed, broken only when Tina leapt to her feet and shouted, “I-I won’t accept this! I absolutely refuse to! Having to say goodbye when I’ve just finally made it to the Royal Academy is... It’s just...!”

With that, she raced out of the room, a shower of ice crystals fluttering around her as she went. I’d hurt her feelings...

No sooner had Tina fled the room than a familiar man with the air of a scholar entered with a familiar in the form of a black cat on his shoulder. “What rascal brought little Tina to tears?” he demanded to know. “Making young ladies cry is a serious offense.”

“What are you doing here, Professor?” I asked after a moment of stunned silence.

“Oh, Walter and I are inseparable. Now, enough about me, young man—go after her.”

That explanation didn’t entirely satisfy me, but I made a slight bow and exited the room.

What was that smile for, Professor...? And why is Duke Walter looking so grim?

Just before I closed the door, I caught a snippet of the professor’s cheerful conversation: “Sorry I kept you. I’ve spoken with His Majesty—off the record, of course—and...”

✽

According to a maid I encountered in the hallway, Tina had apparently gone out into the courtyard. It was nearly springtime, but nights in the royal capital were still rather chilly, and Tina was quite lightly dressed. I hoped that she would be warm enough outside.

I followed the directions the maid had given me and found Tina standing in the courtyard with my scarf—which she had still not returned—wrapped around her neck.

Thank goodness. It would have been a disaster if she’d run out of the mansion.

“Tina,” I called to her.

The girl gave a start and turned to look me straight in the eye. After a moment, she asked, “Are you really going to quit? No matter what?” She didn’t beat around the bush—a trait that reminded me just a little of Lydia.

I slowly walked forward and stopped just in front of her. “I won’t hole up in my hometown—a certain someone will kill me if I do. Instead, I plan to find a job here in the capital.”

“That doesn’t answer my question...”

“Both of you will be fine without me now.”

“No! No, we won’t...” Tina let her words trail off and then continued, “I-I mean, now we know that...”

“Know what?” I asked, but she didn’t answer.

I really must be no good to have made such a nice girl cry, I thought as I gently rubbed her head. Then, I crouched down to meet her gaze and said, “Regardless of whether I quit, I’ll always be your teacher.”

“Really?” she asked after a moment. “Do you really, really mean it?”

“I do. If you’re ever in trouble, I’ll come running.”

Tina fell silent before she spoke again. “I’ll return this, then. Since this is goodbye, let me help you put it on.”

She took off my scarf and wrapped it around my neck...but she kept a grip on the ends and refused to let go. She had been hanging her head the whole time. Was she crying? I was just about to say something to her when I was yanked forward without warning and—

The next thing I knew, her lips had touched mine.

I was shocked beyond words. It was the innocent kiss of a child—just a momentary brush—but it was enough to convey her intense feelings. Glittering ice crystals were fluttering around us. Time froze, my thoughts were in disarray...and as our lips parted, I wondered how long we had been standing there for.

Not only Tina’s cheeks, but her ears and even her neck were flushed bright red. She was looking at me with tears welling in her eyes. My own cheeks were probably flushed as well. I was at a loss; this was unfamiliar territory to me, but still, I had to say something.

Just as I was about to steel my resolve and speak, however, I heard footsteps from behind me.

“I saw that. Didn’t you, Walter?”

“...I did.”

I turned around. There stood the professor, who looked as though he was having the time of his life, and Duke Walter, who wore a more conflicted expression.

Don’t tell me that... I see. In that case...

“...You set me up, didn’t you?” I asked accusingly.

“Whatever do you mean?” the professor replied. “I was merely consulted about ‘the most effective way to keep you from leaving.’ It seems that young Tina and Ellie have become quite close with Anko. Friendship truly is a beautiful thing. Oh, that reminds me—a certain student of mine, who consistently undervalues himself, has been worrying about a little incident. It’s been resolved. Did you think the Leinsters, who consider you Lydia’s minder, and the Howards, who are well-known for their strong sense of duty, would sit by and do nothing? How naive—as naive as a newborn kitten. That’s a bad habit of yours—you’re especially harsh on yourself and soft on others. And attend the Royal University graduation ceremony, will you? I doubt Lydia will put in an appearance if you don’t. That aside, young man, I assume you would never do anything so deplorable as abandoning a beautiful maiden who’s just given you a kiss?”

I could feel a genuine urge to murder the professor sprout within me. “D-Damn you, you rotten old...” I growled.

No wonder Lydia had been so lax with her questioning—it had all been a setup! One that might have even dated back to that first day when I’d boarded the train, based on what I’d heard.

Very well. If that’s the way you want it, I have some ideas of my own. I began deploying spells, determined to settle my years of pent-up grudges...when I felt a tug on my sleeve.

“Sir,” Tina said, gazing up at me uneasily, “you told me that I don’t have to show any restraint or keep anything bottled up, remember?”

Well, I suppose I’ve got no choice now... I did say that, and I’m a man of my word.

I roughly tousled Tina’s hair and gave her a kiss on the forehead. Then, I dropped to one knee, bowed my head before the startled girl, and said, “Your Highness, Lady Tina Howard, would you be so kind as to grant me the opportunity to teach you once again?”

“Huh?”

“You won’t grant my request? In that case, may I ask Miss Ellie Walker, who is hiding just over there?”

A girl dressed in a maid uniform sprang out from behind a tree, raced to my side with astonishing speed, and then hugged my left arm. “I-I’d love to, if you wouldn’t mind!” she exclaimed. “Allen, sir, I’d like o-o-one of those too! It’s n-not fair that only Lady Tina got one!”

“Y-You can’t, Ellie!” Tina shouted back. She then shifted her attention back to me and said, “Granted. Now, don’t ever leave without my permission again, all right? And when you do go somewhere, I’ll accompany you. I’ll go with you anywhere!”

I had a feeling that another girl had told me the same thing not long ago.

And that was how my naive self, having been easily ensnared, ended up staying on as the private tutor to a duke’s daughter. Life is full of surprises.

I would end up writhing in shame a few days later when I discovered that Lydia also knew the truth about the court sorcerer exam.

✽

“By the way, why did you put so much faith in me from the very beginning? I know you’d heard of me from the professor and Lydia, but I don’t think that would normally be enough to explain it.”

“Huh? W-Well, you see... Please bend down, sir.”

“Is this far enough?”

“I’ll whisper it in your ear, although I forbid you to laugh. The way the professor and Lydia talked about you made you sound like a prince out of one of the fairy tales mother used to read me. So...I’d pictured you and looked up to you for a very long time. But when I actually met you, sir, you were many times kinder and more handsome and amazing and wonderful than I’d imagined... That’s why.”

“Umm... Thank you?”

“Why did that sound like a question?! You should be delighted! Jeez!”

“I look forward to our future lessons together, Your Highness, Lady Tina.”

“You’re so mean, sir! ...And I look forward to our lessons forever.”