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“Now I'm really fine!”
“Okay, okay. But I still feel sorry that I couldn’t throw a punch at those bastards. How dare they do something so vile to my student… tsk!”
Professor Mallis was grumbling, making a dissatisfied sound with his tongue, as if his anger had not subsided despite the passage of a long time, staring aimlessly at the horizon.
Then he suddenly turned to the person next to him and pulled her forward, saying:
“My little one, this is Lucy, one of my old students.”
The middle-aged woman, who was called Lucy, looked at Professor Mallis as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
“Master, so you acknowledge me as your student?”
“And what to do? Even if you always choose annoying actions, you have been excellent in your studies, I have no choice but to admit it.”
“Oh my God, you're still upset that I became an architect instead of a mathematician? It's been thirty years! Will you forgive me now?”
“Who said I was upset?!”
Professor Mallis shouted in a high tone, and from his reaction, Evie immediately realized:
“The professor was really upset.”
Lucy ignored Professor Malice's grumbling and moved closer to Evie, bending slightly to be at her level.
“So you are Evie. The professor praised you in all his letters until I was almost jealous. I was longing to meet you, our little one.”
Lucy extended her hand to shake Evie's.
This was the first time an adult had shaken her hand like this, so Evie felt embarrassed but cautiously extended her hand.
A large, ink-stained hand grabbed Evie's little hand, shaking it gently.
Evie felt a strange feeling, as if she had suddenly become an adult because of this greeting. Then I remembered what Lucy said.
“But... your little one?”
“Yes, our little guild has finally changed. How long has it been? Twenty-five years?”
Lucy looked impressed as she looked at Professor Mallis with sparkling eyes.
“Twenty-six years.”
“Yes, yes, the professor has finally accepted a new student after twenty-six years.”
Evie looked at them without understanding what they were talking about, and Lucy said:
“It seems the professor hasn't explained to you yet, has he?”
“Of course! What would my little one do in a gathering full of uncool middle-aged people like you?”
"This is so cruel! If you accepted a new student every year, we would have people who are Evie's age, that would be great!"
“Enough! Do you think students who meet my standards come easily?”
“Okay, okay, I’ll accept it. Ah, Evie, let me explain. Usually, the professors of the academy or elite institute choose special disciples for themselves. Of course, there is a pool of disciples for each professor, and now you are the youngest in our pool after twenty-six years.”
Evie nodded, finally understanding.
Lucy rummaged in her pocket and pulled out a small pin that looked like a badge.
“This is our guild’s emblem. You can put it on the elite institute’s uniform, or turn it into a necklace and wear it. If you need help, just show this emblem in our office in the capital, and all our guild members, and even those who know this emblem, will help you.”
Then Lucy whispered in Evie's ear, as if revealing a great secret:
“And if you visit us, I'll buy you ice cream too.”
"truly?"
Evie's eyes sparkled.
Ice cream was served at the elite institute only once a week, because eating too much of it could cause stomach upset!
“Hey, why are you trying to lure the little girl over there?”
“Why not? Everyone is curious about her. Since the vacation will start soon, will you stay at the institute, Evie? If you get bored, come and visit us whenever you want. Your brothers and sisters in the guild will be eagerly waiting for you.”
“Are you waiting for me?”
“Of course! Everyone at the institute is eager to meet you now. They try to find any opportunity to visit the institute, even as guest lecturers. They will all receive you warmly. We thought that our group would not welcome new members, but who would have expected a sweet little sister like you to come?”
Evie looked at the pin in her hand.
When I pinned it to the lapel of the elite institute's uniform, the badge sparkled in the sunlight.
The small logo, painted in gold, silver and blue, was made up of numbers and geometric shapes.
“They are waiting for me...”
Evie didn't know anywhere in the capital outside of the elite institute.
But the idea that there were people and a place waiting for her made her feel warm and reassured.
Perhaps this feeling was reflected on her face, as Professor Mallis stopped complaining when he saw her satisfied smile.
“If I had known she would be so happy, I would have taken her for a day myself.”
“Heh, when we sent thousands of messages asking you to come, you didn’t respond even once. Isn’t that clear discrimination?”
“Shut up! During the vacation, I will bring Evie to visit you once.”
“Oh, are you really coming? Then tell us in advance please. We will all gather, from the oldest to the youngest!”
“Ah, that would be so annoying.”
Despite saying that, a slight smile appeared on Professor Mallis's lips.
He cut ties with his disciples for a long time.
Not because he hated them, but because he abhorred getting involved in factional conflicts.
He knew that his students might have felt resentful that he had not introduced them to other masters or nobles, but they banded together nonetheless.
Now, their group had become a prestigious group in the empire.
He was proud that they had succeeded on their own, and yet he felt even more sorry.
Hearing that they were still waiting for him made his heart fill with emotion.
What's more, Evie also welcomes and waits for them.
“I am truly blessed with my students.”
While Professor Mallis was immersed in his emotional musings, Evie was peeking at the chart in his hand.
“But, what were you doing, my teacher and Lucy?”
"Ah, right. We should get back to work."
Mallis and Lucy both snapped out of their distraction at Evie's question, and began quickly examining the chart.
“We received a request from an academy in another city to build a building modeled after the elite institute’s library, so we came to check it out.”
Lucy began explaining to Evie some architectural knowledge: the types of stones used, the height and weight they can bear, and how to calculate how to design a space without columns.
When Evie saw the equations Lucy had explained, she looked at the chart and said:
“So, this place can be built without columns up to 15 reeds high.”
“You figured that out now?”
Lucy looked at Evie with surprised eyes, then nodded after a moment.
“Now I understand why the professor chose a new student after all this time.”
"Isn't it? Isn't it? My baby girl is so amazing!"
“Indeed. Then, we must raise her to become an architect who will leave her mark in the history of the empire...”
"Hey! You're going to be a mathematician, I'm telling you!"
Professor Mallis and Lucy returned to quarreling and arguing loudly, and their discussion continued until the library employee came asking them to calm down.
—
At the same time, Cloyce was deep in thought, resting his chin on his hand.
The butler entered, but Cloyce did not move his head, but kept his eyes fixed on the papers piled up in front of him on the desk.
“Your Majesty, maybe it's time to take a break?”
Cloyce shook his head.
“No, I don't have time.”
He was already in a state of extreme anxiety.
There are only about two weeks left until the Elite Institute's vacation.
In fact, most of the lessons ended after the exams, and only make-up lessons remained for willing students, making the situation almost a study stoppage.
Some students who live far from the capital got their assignments from the professors and left early.
“She said she would stay this time.”
A week ago, after the exams were over, Cloyce summoned Evie.
This was the first time they had met since the incident with Isriela, so he was very nervous.
As soon as Evie entered with the butler, Cloyce jumped up from his seat and approached her.
Fortunately, the traces of hurt had disappeared from her face, and her expression seemed as bright as before.
It was true that she still felt some awe of him as an emperor, but he noticed that she was less nervous than she had been in their first meeting, so he settled for that.
Then he ordered some snacks and sweets that he had prepared in advance.
“It's a mountain...”
When Evie saw the table covered with food, she couldn't close her mouth in astonishment, which made Cloyce feel proud.
One, then another. He watched her eat voraciously, and asked her several questions.
“Are you going back to the orphanage during the holidays?”
"No...I'll just stay here. I have a lot to study, and I also want to explore the capital."
The moment Evie said she would stay, Cloyce made up his mind.
“The child cannot be confined to an elite institute all the time. If possible, I must accompany her to places that create beautiful memories.”
As soon as Evie left, he issued his order:
“Bring a list of all the imperial palaces on the outskirts of the capital. Without exception!”
It was those papers that now covered Cloyce's desk.
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