Ch#131
"Terins? A few years ago, I compiled a southern economic report for the past 15 years at the request of the Terins family."
"Oh, really?"
"They were such a great client, but I never imagined someone from that family would become my junior."
"It's an honor that you have such deep ties with our family, Senior. Please take good care of me going forward."
Irene was busy in her own way, and Ruska was equally occupied greeting people.
"Ragselb! During the war, our hometown was saved thanks to Marquis Ragselb's knights. They even mobilized to put out the fire when the library was about to burn down. If there's anything I can help with, just say the word."
"Yes! Got it!"
Arsel was no different.
"Thanks to Duke Kailun's support, our department could continue research without issues. Honestly, many don't understand the need to invest in basic studies, but the duke convinced them all."
"He always reminds me not to forget its importance."
Watching Arsel respond calmly and composedly, the members wondered if he was really just a thirteen-year-old boy.
Though all the youngest members were surrounded by people, the one receiving the most attention was undoubtedly Evi.
"Seven years old? I was probably eating books at that age."
"Heavens, she solved Herman's theorem."
"Evi, do you understand this too?"
True to a gathering of math scholars, there was a large blackboard on one side of the banquet hall.
Members were scribbling all sorts of equations on it and asking Evi.
The four new youngest members were all adorable, but the particularly tiny Evi drew everyone's eyes.
"See how hard I taught her! Evi, solve them all!"
"Yes!"
Evi grabbed the chalk with enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, Professor Males's disciples played rock-paper-scissors to decide who would carry her to the blackboard.
Lucy couldn't hide her laughter at the lively scene.
How long had it been since Professor Males attended like this, and everyone gathered together?
Above all, the greatest joy was that their master had returned to academia with firm resolve.
Thus, imperial mathematics had gained a chance to advance another step.
'And...'
Lucy looked around the banquet hall where everyone had gathered after so long.
The sight of people bound by mathematics laughing together was truly heartwarming.
* * *
"Take care on your way back!"
"We'll meet again at the Seasonal Festival!"
"You have all our business cards, right? Contact us anytime if you need anything!"
Everyone from the banquet hall came out to the hotel entrance, waving to the children in the carriage as they bid farewell.
At the commotion, passersby on the street peeked through the gates, wondering what was happening.
"We'll be off! See you later!"
"Yes! We'll prepare an even better place for winter!"
"Next time, stay a few nights and solve problems together!"
"That sounds great!"
"No, no, you can leave me out!"
The seniors laughed and waved at Evi and Ruska's contrasting responses.
As the carriage left the hotel and entered the street, the children who had been waving out the window leaned back in their seats with sighs.
"Haa..."
Normally, they'd chatter noisily once the four were alone.
But today, even the usually talkative Ruska had no energy left.
Only after a while did Arsel sit up, pulling a glass bottle from the bag he'd brought when leaving the hotel.
"Evi, have some water."
"Thank you, Arsel..."
Evi, who would normally insist he drink first, weakly took the bottle today and gulped it down.
"Hey, me too..."
Ruska reached out with trembling hands, but Arsel ignored him and handed another bottle to Irene.
Only after drinking his own last bottle did he pass it to Ruska.
"Friendship means nothing anymore..."
Ruska glared resentfully at Arsel before downing the rest of the water.
Only after all four had drunk did expressions return to their faces.
Evi spoke first.
"It was fun. Really fun, but..."
"...It's exhausting."
Irene voiced it for her, and Evi nodded.
Arsel, having caught his breath, nodded in agreement too.
"If Lucy hadn't stopped them, we'd have been held longer."
Everyone was excitedly talking with the youngest when she noticed it was getting dark outside first.
"We should send the kids home now! Then we can enjoy ourselves separately."
Though reluctant, they agreed to let the children go.
It was time anyway, and they wanted to catch up with drinks after so long.
Lucy had even booked hotel rooms, anticipating how much they'd drink and party.
"The professor will tell stories about the youngest!"
"Evi's guardian is His Majesty the Emperor? Whatever, did you see Evi solving those so quickly? Ugh, if I'd met her first, I'd have snapped her up as my ward..."
Good thing they all returned to the hotel chattering like that.
Otherwise, the kids surely would have been held longer.
Ruska, sprawled in his seat, sat up and pulled out a bunch of small cards from his pocket.
They were business cards with seniors' names, contacts, and notes to contact them directly for guidance anytime.
"First time in my life getting this many business cards. They said if I need help, just contact or visit, and they'll help no matter what."
Irene pulled out hers from her bag too.
"I've gotten some at family gatherings in the south, but never from such prominent figures. And from so many fields too... Ah, I'm so happy."
Irene hugged the cards and smiled brightly.
Mom, Dad, Sis. I succeeded in networking!
Instead of cards, Arsel looked at the gifts piled on the carriage floor.
"Not just cards. The seniors' gifts were huge too."
Everyone had prepared thoughtful presents for the long-awaited youngest members.
Not from one or two, so the gifts filled not only the carriage interior but also the luggage space behind.
"They said they'll invite us again in winter. Hot chocolate and a chocolate fountain next time!"
Evi had nearly drooled hearing that earlier.
A chocolate fountain? Such a thing existed!
As they reminisced about the tiring but joyful gathering, the carriage arrived at Terins Mansion.
The two boys got off first and helped Evi and Irene down.
She thought they'd then take the carriage home, but they naturally headed inside with Evi and Irene.
Surprised, Evi asked.
"Arsel, Ruska. Aren't you going home?"
"Hm?"
At Evi's words, Arsel looked at Irene, who winked at Evi and said.
"Hehe, our summer break is ending, but I've prepared something great."
"Something great?"
"Yeah, you'll find out tomorrow. For now, wash up and sleep. We have to move at dawn."
"But why are Arsel and Ruska staying over?"
"You'll know that tomorrow too. Come on, we're tired today, so let's sleep. Ruska, Arsel, the servants will show you to your rooms. Rest, and see you at dawn."
"Thanks, Irene."
"We are deeply grateful for your hospitality, Miss Irene."
Irene poked Ruska's waist as he goofed off despite his fatigue, then took Evi's hand and headed to the room.
"Irene, where are we going at dawn?"
"Hehe, you'll see when we get there. And I guarantee you."
Irene puffed out her chest confidently.
"Evi, you'll really love it."
* * *
She was so curious about what Irene meant that she thought she wouldn't sleep.
But after meeting so many seniors at the God's Natural Numbers gathering, Evi fell into a deep sleep.
At dawn, maids woke the two, and they prepared to go out with puffy eyes.
"Bring thick outerwear. It'll be quite cold."
At Amber's words, Evi perked up her ears.
'Cold?'
It was still summer. She was sleeping under thin blankets, yet cold?
'Not the north.'
The north where it snowed even in summer was far from the capital. With the return to Genius Academy soon, they wouldn't go there.
Carrying outerwear fit for winter, they went downstairs to find Ruska yawning nonstop, his eyes as puffy as theirs.
Amid everyone's fatigue, only Arsel looked fine.
"As expected, we look tired from waking too early."
Arsel naturally took Evi's hand and headed to the carriage.
"Yaaawn. Thanks, Arsel. But really, where are we going?"
The sky was still pitch black, far from sunrise.
What place required waking at this hour when everyone slept?
"You'll know soon."
She hoped Arsel would tell her, but he just smiled and put a finger to his lips like it was a secret.
The carriage sped through the dawn capital.
She thought maybe out of the capital, but contrary to her guess, it headed deeper into the center.
Finally, the carriage stopped.
What could bring them here at this hour? As Evi rubbed her sleepy eyes and looked outside.
"That's...!"
Evi jumped up in surprise at the sight outside.
