13 - Can I Cry Now?
13
The dormitory lobby was bustling with children who had come down.
However, it was obvious to anyone that more than half had not yet come down.
"Why are they so late? It's almost 8:30."
"Why else? They're nobles. They'll come down much later, right?"
The children from wealthy commoner families crossed their arms and looked up the stairs.
Nobles always appeared late. That's why they were always late for designated banquets, and the higher their status, the later they appeared.
That was still the case now. The higher their status, the later they appeared.
"But the staff doesn't seem to be lenient."
"I guess so. My dad went to the Academy for the Gifted when he was young, and he said the rules here were really strict."
"So, do nobles really get penalty points or disciplinary action? Like expulsion?"
"Probably?"
Ibi became anxious at the words of the children chattering beside her.
Now 28 minutes. Only 2 minutes left until 30 minutes.
Fortunately, Irene was seen coming down the stairs. And other students were hurrying after Irene.
Ibi, who was watching the scene, tilted her head.
'Did they... fight?'
No matter how she looked at it, Irene didn't seem to like them very much.
As evidence, she didn't even look at them, keeping her head turned away.
In contrast, they were constantly trying to say even a few words to Irene.
At that moment, Ibi and Irene's eyes met. Irene hesitated for a moment, then just as she was about to take a step towards Ibi.
Ding!
A short bell rang.
"Okay. It's 8:30. All students standing inside, please move outside."
The staff blocked the front of the stairs like clockwork and moved only the students who had arrived in the hall by the designated time out of the dormitory.
Ibi also walked outside with the other students. At that time, she heard the voices of students who had belatedly walked down from behind.
"What are you doing! Get out of the way!"
"Penalty points? How dare you say that to me?"
"I walked down on my own! Do you think it's easy to prepare without maids?"
The children who came down late were vehemently protesting the fact that they would receive penalty points.
Even though they were late, they were confident.
'Who do they think we are, daring to do this?'
They had never had to ask others for favors since they were born.
Everyone they met would bow their heads and watch their expressions when they said their family name and who their parents were.
They didn't think the Academy for the Gifted would be much different.
Of course, that thought had changed a little now that a day had passed.
'I really can't bring maids in.'
But they thought it would only be temporary.
Not only their family but also the families of other students were constantly protesting to the Academy for the Gifted.
Even though it was an institution of the Imperial Palace, it was still ultimately under the management of the nobles.
They thought that even if they acted like this at first, they would eventually have to be mindful of the nobles.
And above all...
One student glared at the staff member blocking her way and said.
"Are you sure you'll be okay after ignoring the Gridden County like this?"
It was a family that had made some contributions during the Succession War.
They weren't the Emperor's closest aides like the Ragselve Family, but they had received a decent territory thanks to their good sense.
So, if things went well, her brother might even enter the next Imperial Guard.
That's why people would automatically bow their heads outside just by mentioning the name of the Gridden County.
So, she thought that if she said her name here, they would definitely be somewhat mindful, but...
"The Gridden County?"
The staff member who had blocked the student nodded as if understanding.
"Then the student's name must be Ella Gridden."
But it wasn't the respect, admiration, and reverent voice that the student had expected.
It was a voice as if mocking her.
Because of that, the student flinched and took a step back.
The staff member didn't ask any more questions and turned around to go somewhere else.
"What, what is that woman! I'll never let her get away with this!"
But there wasn't much the students could do.
"Next student, say your name."
Because the staff members didn't budge even when they said their family names, the children of noble families retreated with slightly subdued spirits, and the staff checked all the students' names.
Only after receiving penalty points could the late students barely go outside the dormitory.
\ \ *
The students who came outside moved much faster than before.
It was thanks to confirming that the staff really didn't give them any leeway.
The staff led the students to the plaza.
Since they weren't exactly moving in a line, the students walked in pairs with other students they had become close to in the meantime.
Some students had become close before entering the Academy, but most were with their roommates.
Ibi looked at those students with envious eyes and then subtly turned her gaze.
There, Irene was surrounded by many students.
There were many students who came to her room, but even more students hovered around Irene outside.
So much so that the staff member in charge had to ask the students around Irene several times to lower their voices a little.
Nevertheless, the female students didn't leave, trying to greet Irene or say even one more word to her.
Ibi watched the scene and then turned her gaze away as if disappointed.
At that moment, a strange female student suddenly appeared and stood next to Ibi.
"Hello? You're Ibi Elden, right? I'm Limora Isel."
The female student who identified herself as Limora smiled brightly and held out her hand.
"Ah, hello!"
Since this was the first student to approach her so actively, Ibi hurriedly took her hand.
Then Limora smiled and said.
"You might not be able to tell by looking, but I'm also a commoner like you. So, it might not be easy, but please treat me comfortably."
Limora, saying that, swept her brooch as if to show off.
The brooch, full of jewels under the sunlight, sparkled to the point of being burdensome.
She said to treat her comfortably, but Ibi couldn't help but become cautious again because of the sparkle.
"I heard you're from the Poorhouse, which Poorhouse are you from? Trueiden? It must be that place, right? Since it's near the capital, His Majesty the Emperor must have gone there a few times."
"Yes, yes?"
Ibi couldn't quite follow Limora's words.
Even if she asked about being from the Poorhouse comfortably, why did the name of the city next to the capital suddenly come up?
And suddenly, His Majesty the Emperor?
"Have you decided where you'll be adopted after graduation? If not..."
Limora looked around slightly and whispered in a small voice.
"Are you perhaps a bastard of some family?"
"Pardon?"
Ibi's eyes widened at the word bastard.
She knew what that word meant. And how much people disliked saying it.
But suddenly such a question.
As Ibi was blankly wondering what to answer, Limora hugged Ibi's arm as if they were very close and continued to whisper.
"It's okay. You can tell me everything. We're friends, right? You don't have to hide such things anyway. If it's a good family, you'll get help later, right?"
Friends...?
They had just exchanged greetings.
Besides, Limora was just talking and asking questions unilaterally.
But suddenly saying they were friends, Ibi couldn't help but be bewildered.
Besides...
'If we were friends, she wouldn't ask such questions carelessly.'
Ibi thought of her friends at the Poorhouse.
It was a Poorhouse with a large number of children. Therefore, honestly, it was difficult to be friends with everyone.
There were children she only knew by face, and there were children she didn't get along with.
Ibi remembered well how the children she could call friends treated her among those many children.
Everyone always spoke while considering the other person's feelings.
They didn't say bad things, and they didn't say things that would make her sad.
So, they wouldn't do things like Limora, asking only what she was curious about, bringing up bad words, and asking questions recklessly.
After a moment of contemplation, Ibi shook her head.
"Um... none of that is true. I came from a city called Elam in the eastern part of the Empire. Of course, I've never met His Majesty the Emperor. And I don't know who my parents are at all. Neither of them."
When Ibi spoke firmly, Limora, who had been hugging her arm and chattering, was flustered and let go of her hand.
"Huh? That can't be... but the rumors clearly said..."
She muttered something to herself and left Ibi behind, heading towards the students she had been with until just now.
When she was alone again, the students buzzed.
Wondering what was going on, Ibi turned her head and saw a familiar face.
Among the students coming from the male dormitory, Arcel and Ruska were standing at the very front.
