Chapter 79

It was around the end of winter, the second year of school life.

The final exams were over, and the school was about to enter the spring break.

"Mabel, are you sure you can advance to the next grade?"

"Probably."

"We all worked hard, didn't we~"

I could hear this conversation from the girls walking in front of me.

When the spring break that starts tomorrow ends, we will be in the third year.

The final year of the elementary school. It's about time everyone starts thinking about the future.

Whether to advance to the high school and pursue a career in research, or to graduate and make a living on their own. Many students will be troubled by these choices.

For my part, I had almost decided to become an adventurer.

I also considered becoming a teacher. It wouldn't be bad to live by teaching children as I did in my previous life.

However, if I wanted good treatment, I would inevitably have to work at an imperial institution like this school or be employed by a wealthy noble.

I knew very well that such a lifestyle didn't suit me, and above all, I wanted to avoid being near those in power.

I didn't want to be noticed and targeted for wielding power.

This world is run by cunning people who can't be opposed even with the strongest violence and the truth of the world.

Dealing with such people is too much of a burden.

I am much better suited to rough work.

And I have a promise with Amu.

So, having decided on my path, I should have been free from such worries... but now I felt a bit heavy-hearted for a different reason.

...There's no helping it.

I sighed and, with determination, opened my mouth.

"Amu, can I talk to you for a moment?"

Amu, who was walking in front, stopped and turned around.

"What is it? You're being so serious."

"Actually, I have a favor to ask."

"A favor?"

"Could you show your face at my home?"

"...What?"

"I want you to meet my family."

"Wh-What!?"

Amu's eyes widened, and she said, clearly flustered.

"W-What do you mean by that! What kind of intention do you have! We're not in that kind of relationship..."

"Is it a no?"

"It's not a no, but it's too sudden! I need some time to think about it, you know..."

"I understand. I'll wait. But I'd like a good answer as soon as possible."

"～～!!"

Beside Amu, who was blushing and wide-eyed, Eifa was teary-eyed and saying something.

"Amu-chan... I think it's fine if it's Amu-chan. Congratulations..."

"Y-You too, what are you saying!!"

At that moment, Mabel, who had been looking at our faces, tilted her head and spoke.

"...A proposal?"

"Huh? No, no, it's not that."

I answered with a wry smile.

"I got a letter from home. Father... and others want to meet Amu. They heard about the rumor of a magic swordswoman who qualified top of her class in all attributes."

While a gag order is in place regarding the hero, it can't be stopped when students send letters home or talk about their vacations. It seems that some rumors about Amu have spread.

"Maybe they're curious as someone involved in magic... probably. Since they're paying for my tuition, I can't just say I won't bring her. So, Amu, if you could come with me, it would be a great help."

"..."

I suddenly realized that Amu, who was standing there with her mouth agape, might have misunderstood.

"Did I cause a misunderstanding?"

"!! Of course not, you idiot!! I'll beat you up!?"

Why do I have to get beaten up?

To Amu, who sighed tiredly like Eifa, I asked again.

"So, how about it?"

"Hmm...? Well, sure. I had no plans to go home for the spring break anyway, and I'm free. But I don't know much about noble etiquette."

"Don't worry, don't worry. They're just distant rural nobles, so they don't usually care about etiquette. But... I'll teach you just in case."

After all, there are some people who can't be treated rudely...

"Hey, Mabel, do you want to come too?"

"Me?"

"The Crane Baron family often deals with the academy. If the daughter shows her face, Father will surely be pleased."

"...Then, I'll go."

"Great. I'll send a letter by express courier right away."

Good, good.

It's better to have more people. I might not have to deal with them myself...

As I was thinking this, Mabel spoke.

"Hey, Seika."

"Hmm?"

"You said 'family' earlier."

"Huh?"

"Is there anyone else?"

"Ah..."

I averted my eyes from Mabel and answered.

"My brother's fiancée might be there. And some relatives or guests. They might be there by chance. If they are, I'll have to greet them. You know, since you're a noble now, you understand, right?"

"I don't."

"Oh, really? But that's how it is."

"Hmm... So that's why you said you'd teach me etiquette. I'm starting to feel heavy-hearted... Does Eifa know about this?"

"I'm a slave... I don't sit at the same table, and I don't talk. I'll do the same this time."

"That's right... Maybe I can't do that either?"

"Of course not. Anyway, that's how it is! The carriage leaves in three days, so everyone get ready. See you later."

With that, I started walking towards the boys' dormitory as if I were running away.

****

"Haa..."

"You seem heavy-hearted, Seika-sama."

On the way to the boys' dormitory, Yuki said from above my head.

"Do you dislike going back to that house so much?"

"Well, yeah..."

There are a couple of people I don't want to see.

"If that's the case, you could have refused as usual."

"It's not that simple."

"Why this time?"

"...Actually, a very important person is at the house right now. The person who wants to meet Amu and me is that person."

"Ah... I thought it was strange that a letter asking to bring the hero's daughter after two years would come, but there was a reason for it."

"The world of people is complicated. Especially when it involves status and power."

When I said this, Yuki was silent for a moment, then spoke with a slightly dissatisfied tone.

"That... I don't really understand, Yuki..."

"...? What is it?"

When I prompted, Yuki started speaking hesitantly.

"You talk about status and power... but such things can ultimately be seized by force."

"..."

"Seika-sama could obtain them if desired. Why do you have to flatter so much. Even the emperor of that world respected and treated Haruyoshi-sama as an equal..."

"..."

I answered quietly to Yuki, who sounded somewhat frustrated.

"It's not that simple... For example, if you seized the position of a great noble or emperor by force, what would you do next? If I, who am not good at politics, were in that position, I would just be used by others. They have their own struggles."

"Such things can be handled with Seika-sama's power..."

"Then, should I destroy my political enemies by force? But what kind of world would result from such a reign of terror? A parliament trembling in fear of purges, nobles and merchants informing on each other to bring down their rivals. Politics would collapse with the exile of wise men and mutual distrust, and the country would eventually be invaded by another nation or fall to a popular uprising. At the very least, this prosperous country would be lost. My fate would be destruction as well."

"..."

"Power has its limits, Yuki. I can't do everything. In that world, I learned various wisdoms, but in terms of politics, I was far from being a politician. Human intentions and activities are too complex."

I had forgotten such obvious things after living a bit longer in that era.

"I... couldn't foresee anything. I didn't foresee that becoming close to a pitiful young emperor would lead to being involved in a royal succession struggle decades later. I didn't foresee that my inability to kill a disciple would lead to the enemy camp sending that child against me."

"..."

"Stepping even slightly into the world of politics was a mistake. To politicians, even extraordinary strong individuals are just pawns. Indeed, even the strongest yin-yang master in history was defeated and ended up reincarnated in another world. If I show my power and draw attention... I might face the same fate in this world as well."

"Then... what should be done...?"

"That's why, live without standing out."

I said.

"Be humble to important people and blend in with the crowd. Even if you can't match them in strategy, you don't have to involve yourself with them. Hide your power and keep it under wraps, and that's enough."

"..."

"At the very least, you have to be cunning to that extent. Otherwise, you'll die without ever being happy. Recently, I've been a bit relaxed, though..."

"But that way..."

Unusually, Yuki interrupted me.

"But that way... sometimes, you might have to give up on things, don't you?"

I was taken aback and asked in return.

"Give up? On what?"

"It's... hard to explain... No, never mind."

Yuki fell silent after that.

I laughed and spoke to the fox spirit on my head.

"I've been talking about boring things. Do you want anything to eat? Since the exams are over, let's go to the city to buy some."

"Ah, in that case, Yuki wants candied peaches."

"You like sweet things, don't you?"

For a fox spirit.

The start of Chapter 5.