“There, all done.”
Shulim dispersed her magic.
Alicia stood up and stretched her body a bit; all the injuries she had sustained during the fight were completely healed.
She then offered Shulim a sincere aristocratic curtsy.
“Thank you once again, Shulim!”
“You’re welcome. Like I said, it was no trouble at all. Now that you’ve mostly recovered, Alicia, let’s head back to the surface.”
Alicia nodded softly. “All right...”
Shulim packed her loot into her backpack and started walking directly toward the exit back to the surface.
“Um... Shulim.”
Shulim paused and looked back at Alicia.
“What’s wrong, Alicia? Do you still have something left to do?”
Alicia wore a conflicted expression, seemingly hesitating over something.
After wavering for a moment, she finally made up her mind.
“Um, Shulim, I have a selfish request. I was wondering if you might consider agreeing to it?”
“A selfish request?” Shulim looked a bit puzzled. “What kind of request?”
“Um... would you be willing to team up with me to enter dungeons from now on—?” Alicia spoke loudly in an extraordinarily earnest voice, bowing her head deeply.
“...Alicia, do you mean you want to form a party with me?”
Alicia lifted her head. “That’s pretty much it... Would that be all right...?”
“Hmm...”
She could certainly understand wanting to find a teammate, since royal guards really weren't suitable party members. However—
“Why, Alicia? Why go so far?”
She was a grand princess of exalted status, so why was she pushing herself so desperately?
“...” Alicia’s expression visibly sombered.
“...That’s because I have a reason why I must work hard. Shulim, you’ve probably heard about the struggle over the imperial succession, haven’t you?”
Shulim nodded.
More than just heard about it—she had even been caught in its crossfire.
“Ever since the empire was founded, the imperial family has followed a tradition where inheritance favors the capable. Every prince and princess is tested shortly after birth using an ancient magic item unique to the royal family. If their talent is deemed insufficient, then regardless of how legitimate their lineage is, they lose all eligibility to inherit the throne. On the other hand, if a child is found to possess top-tier talent, even an illegitimate child raised outside the palace can gain the right to succeed the throne!”
“In most generations, there is one individual whose talent clearly stands above the rest, leaving no room for dispute over the succession. But this generation is different...”
Alicia seemed to recall something painful; her expression darkened further, laced with a hint of resentment.
Shulim had heard about the current generation of the Serionce royal family. Word was that several princes and princesses possessed exceptionally high talent that was nearly equal across the board! This meant they all shared comparable claims to succession, leaving anyone with a chance to become the first in line—and ultimately, the next ruler of the empire.
And that had become the fuse igniting fierce political struggle.
“...My mother was just a commoner. Though she came from a wealthy merchant family, she had no real backing compared to the Empress or the other imperial consorts. At times, I’ve wished more than once that I hadn’t been born with this talent. If only I didn't have it, my mother and I wouldn't be dragged into these feuds, and we could live out our lives in peace.”
“...”
“...Unfortunately, that was nothing more than a pipe dream. Even though my imperial father favored my mother and tried to protect us, it only drew more hatred toward us. And even if I wanted to give up my claim to the throne, the others would never let me off the hook. After my mother survived an assassination attempt, I realized one thing.
“If I truly want to protect my mother, my only choice is to stand up and fight them! That’s why I must become stronger! Only by demonstrating potential that surpasses everyone else can I claim the first spot in the succession! So—
“Please, Shulim! I beg you to grant this selfish request of mine!”
Alicia bowed her head with unprecedented solemnity, pleading with Shulim.
Seeing Alicia like this, Shulim found herself torn.
Teaming up, huh...? Although the academy’s graduation exam required party coordination, that was usually something Manacos students only began considering in their third year. Doing so now felt a bit premature.
What would Semilis do in this situation...?
“...Sigh.”
Shulim let out a sigh.
Semilis probably wouldn't hesitate at all.
“Then you better steel yourself. I won't stop and wait for you. If you don't want to be left behind, hurry up and reach C-Class.”
“Really?!” Alicia raised her head, looking at Shulim with pure delight. “Don't worry, Shulim! I won't hold you back! If I ever become a burden, feel free to leave me behind!”
No... Leaving someone behind completely would be going a bit too far, Shulim deadpanned in her mind.
She turned around.
“Let's head back for today. I'll let you know when we're going into the dungeon next time.”
“All right!” Alicia nodded energetically and followed close behind Shulim as they walked toward the surface exit.
“Shulim, what are those materials used for? I saw you harvesting them earlier.”
“They’re not of much use to me, but the Adventurers’ Guild will pay to buy them.”
“Huh? Really?! Being an adventurer sounds so convenient! ...Though given my position in the royal family, it’s very difficult for me to join the Adventurers’ Guild and become an adventurer. Otherwise, I’d register right now...”
“It’s fine... I’ll share the payouts with you from now on.”
“Eh? Share them with me?! Why?” Alicia was shocked. As a royal, she had always been the one giving money to others; this was the first time she had ever heard of someone sharing earnings with her.
“It has nothing to do with status. You’re my teammate, so those are the rules. ...Actually, let me explain the rules of adventurers to you. There are many established norms regarding adventurer parties, including...”
Their voices gradually faded as they walked away through the dungeon. And so, Shulim, who had always been a lone wolf, gained a teammate today.
...
...
Manacos Academy.
In the bustling cafeteria, Shulim was eating lunch with her roommate, the white-furred catgirl Mico.
Mico picked listlessly at the exquisite lunch on her plate, her cat ears drooping mournfully with a thoroughly defeated look on her face.
“Aah— Seriously! Instructor Grisa is so mean! He gave me another awful scolding!”
Shulim looked up at Mico. “I think you’re the one in the wrong for sleeping during class.”
“Eh, but... but I can’t help it! Instructor Grisa always wears that cold expression, dresses entirely in black, has black hair, and even his wand is black! He looks like a cold-blooded assassin who just walked out of a pitch-black alley. It’s scary just looking at him!”
“...”
That really is a vivid metaphor...
Still, Instructor Grisa’s appearance and personality did indeed cause many students to dread him.
“Thanks to that, whenever I try to listen to his lecture, I can’t focus at all, so I end up dozing off~!”
“Is that so?” Shulim looked back down and resumed eating with her spoon. “...Though don't you often sleep in other instructors' classes too? Do those teachers scare you as well?”
“Eh—?!” Mico froze, utterly dumbfounded.
Her ears twitched nervously back and forth as she tried desperately to come up with an excuse.
Having lived with her for so long, Shulim was well aware that Mico wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so she doubted the girl could come up with anything good.
“Hello. May I sit here?”
Right then, a familiar voice called out from across the table.
Rate on N.U.
