A man named Wendelin von Benno Baumeister

‘Amazing…’

I, Irna Zuzane Rembrandt, was purely surprised.
I with my childhood friend of the same age who also my best friend was saved, earth wall instantly formed to prevent wolf attack, the cunning beasts were annihilated by the indiscriminate firing of magic arrow.

Due to my kinetic vision I got while training in spearmans.h.i.+p, about two ordinary arrows also flew, and seized the life of two wolves.

However, even this archery is amazing if one think normally, would paled before that magic.

Because of talent, the number of mages is extremely few.
And among them, it is rare for a mage to be regarded as amazing.

Actually, among the mage that had been hired in our Breitburg territory, only Blanturk-sama the senior retainer mage can use something equals to the current magic.

Moreover, he also win his fame as first-cla.s.s adventurer more than three decades, he was given an honour from the kingdom by killing a dragon in the past.

Who one earth can use magic comparable to him?
I who think so, checked the owner who shoots this magic.

Following this, it was the figure of my cla.s.smate in adventurer prep school we enrolled to at the same time.
The owner of this magic is Wendelin von Benno Baumeister which is my cla.s.smate of the same age.

‘It can’t be, for his ability to be this far…’

When I enrolled into adventurer prep school, there is one rumor spreading around.
The va.s.sals of Breitburg margrave house who is my parents’ family lord, a poor knight family beyond the mountain range, the rumored eighth son of Baumeister family, pa.s.sed the scholars.h.i.+p test by showing off his magic.

It’s not hard to just to enroll into the school, but it is difficult to pa.s.s the scholars.h.i.+p test with magic.
Due to the fact that, however precious magic is, one can’t obtain a scholars.h.i.+p by just producing a spark or a gla.s.sful water.

There is no way a magic of that level could be useful in subjugate the monster, many of such person give up their plan and challenge the scholars.h.i.+p test with the sword and the bow.

With such circ.u.mstances, Wendelin von Benno Baumeister pa.s.sed the scholars.h.i.+p test purely with only his talent in magic.

Naturally, Brihedar margrave-sama should have heard the information.
Even I heard the rumor from my family.
He can use at least intermediate magic despite being a minor, it’ll be natural to establish a claim for the future.

If something like that didn’t happen, it would not be strange if someone said he was disqualified as important n.o.ble.

But regarding this matter, it’s a good thing for the current head of Brihedar margrave.
He was appointed as the family head of Brihedar margrave house when I was just born.

Until this day, that bitter failure will be taken as material in conversation by high rank people and even my family.
To succeed with the remains predecessor who was killed in battle have left in the failure of Demon Forest expedition 20 years ago, with the important n.o.ble controlled other territories, enduring for a long time the hara.s.sment and interference of va.s.sal in a bad relations.h.i.+p while struggling in governing the territory, he has received an evaluation better than his predecessor.

And also, about the failure in Demon forest expedition, there a few people who believe in the public declaration such as the cause is from Baumeister house side which have abide the request.

The predecessor is killed in battle, and when the first reports came from military leaders and troops that had almost annihilated, there a person who had vomit blood hearing that report.

It was Daniel-sama the eldest son who is the brother of the current head of Brihedar margrave.
He was a genius, he was loved by the previous head, it seems that he was violated with fatal disease.

His sickness has progressed greatly, when he hear that report, he’s shouting “Since there Amadeus within Brihedar margrave family, despite everything is fine! Father, you fool!”, and apparently die after.

Exactly, his death is suitable to be called as death in a fit of anger

And a miraculous medicine that can be effective against such illness by creating it from ancient dragon that might live in Demon forest.

It is a scenario which anyone already understands afterwards when written up to here.

The predecessor do a thoughtless expedition to save his eldest son who gets a fatal disease, asking for reinforcements to Baumeister house as the lord.

In this case, it would not be an exaggeration to say that he forced it.

And it was an utter failure.
In this age without war, not the country army but lords army that near two thousand people die in battle, it certainly would be talked about by those in royal palace and n.o.bles.

Moreover, even the family head were among that killed in battle.

Naturally, for the pride of important n.o.ble, it tries to conceal the fact as much as possible.
In this expedition, Brihedar margrave accept the request of Baumeister house but they calculated incorrectly the force of the demon lying hidden in Magic forest, taking many sacrifice as result.

If one know the situation a little, one would immediately find the explanation is a lie.
But a lie also can become a fact sometimes.

For royal palace, the confusion in Brihedar margrave house that controlled the southern part will only be a hindrance of the peaceful southern governance.
For this reason, Brihedar margrave house didn’t say anything.
About the circ.u.mstances to goes on expedition, even to lie that it was the request of Baumeister house side, the fact that the purpose is for the son with serious illness can’t be denied.

Besides, they did not intend to give some punishment by forcing the responsibility to Baumeister house.

Everyone without a doubt know the truth but must not speak of that truth.

For me who still a kid, it’s a story of dirty politic in society.
I feel pity for Baumeister house but I hear that Brihedar margrave-sama had compensation to the soldiers accordingly or by accommodation in trade.

As it harm their prestige, they tried to I cover it with money or worldly benefits

This is the reason why only a few people in the va.s.sals or the soldier of Brihedar margrave house who are holding a grudge against Baumeister house.
It’s an inevitable method.

From time to time, there some people who think that only those have lose their family or foolish enough without knowing if the rumor is the truth, seriously criticizing Baumeister house.

I don’t really hold any estrangement to Baumeister house.
Even if someone tell me the story when I just have been born, it honestly troubling.

Father and brothers might have a little estrangement as a lot of disciple who went to my parents’ family dojo had been lost.
But at least I never hear them said it openly.

“Thanks for helping us.”

I expresses my thanks immediately to Baumeister house’s eighth son.
To tell the truth, it may be fairly dangerous without this rescue.

We had been a little overconfident.

Rembrandt house which my parents’ family have been va.s.sal served as a spearmans.h.i.+p master to Brihedar house from generations.
Knight with interest in martial art makes a good appearance even in a time of peace, sword is regarded highly as shown in the word when one take an oath in case being appointed as a n.o.ble.

Even in such ceremonies, it’s common for high rank people to prepare a beautiful, expensive sword.

However, in actual battlefield, it is important to be able to use bow from long distance or spear with long reach.
Many wounded were killed in battlefield because of these two.

Often talked about in sagas, such as fellow knight using the sword upon one-to-one fight almost rarely happen which is normal.

Hence, the status and treatment of the military officer who teach the spear are actually more higher.

But it’s not the time for a third daughter to be carefree.

It is more difficult for the third daughter to be married into the same va.s.sals house, I learnt spearmans.h.i.+p since childhood for the sake of independence.
I could say that I am lucky as I had the talent in that field.

Father disappointedly said that “It’d be better if you’re a man.”

I can’t still match my father in techniques but I actually have a bit more magic power than ordinary person.
With a little training, I can put out about a few gla.s.ses water in a day.

It insignificant amount but this magic power is quite useful.
I can pour this magic power a little at time into my own body to strengthen my physical ability.

The result of all my effort in training this technique, I no longer lose to father and brothers in a mock match of actual combat form.

It just that it resulting an unfortunate consequence at the same time.
I came to think that they hate me.

I know that they love me as a daughter and a younger sister.
But I am hated as disciple of spearmans.h.i.+p dojo.

If I am a man, there were a choices for me to remain as a teacher in my parents’ family with that skill.
But I am a woman.
The term for third daughters as a bride is not that good, the skill in spearmans.h.i.+p does not really matter to become a bride.
Rather, it would be unpleasant when there is a rumor of the husband is weaker than the bride so no one will accept me.

With such circ.u.mstances, I am Irna Zuzane Rembrandt, entered the adventurer prep school.
With my speciality in spearmans.h.i.+p, I have pa.s.sed the scholars.h.i.+p test.

“But are you guys okay with the wolf fur?”

The eighth son of Baumeister house who helped us, rather than something were missing, it feel like he was different from other.
Without saying any such condescending thing is preferable here, to begin with, he had heard about the distribution of the acquired fur.

‘He’s a strange person…’

Furthermore, he treat us dinner as thanks for being able to earn the money today.
Is he a softhearted person?

In any case, he was that famous eighth son of poor knight house.
That living style must be really poor that it can’t be compared with mine.

Despite being the daughter of va.s.sal house, I don’t want to be in such situation, I know about the financial condition of the nearby small n.o.ble house.
Precisely because I know that I feel sad about it.

This world is peaceful without war.
That’s why, in royal family, n.o.ble and va.s.sal.
It was common for the child to be in sorrow being not able to succeed, unlike the boy who also having the way to the military, even that is extremely narrow for women, obtaining a good family to be married into or tries to be successful as adventurer just like me.

Only for the former, it would be hard with social position like me.
Being the mistress or second wife of retired aged n.o.ble or become third to fifth mistress of small territory n.o.ble.

With better luck to be married into lower cla.s.s merchants, or just become the bride to a wealthy farmer.

If it was like this, it would be better being independent adventurer.

Someone before saying dangerous thing like “Will there be a war?”, I thought in my heart that someone will advocates it.
My turn might come when n.o.ble were reduced in war.

“Irna is fine. Listen, I know your skill in sword is good, and you’re skilled in bow too. But Wendelin magic is in entirely different matter. The result will be the same if Wendelin were paired with others, right?”

Even though we gathered to eat, I unintentionally said unnecessary thing to Elvin who also the partner of Baumeister house’ eighth son.

But in fact, most people still want to see the situation, many prep school student had their eyes on the eighth son of Baumeister house who could use magic.

The boys, as party members candidate.
The girls, as a partner plus marriage.

I feel it still too early but there also such compet.i.tion.
Especially n.o.ble child who enrolled to this adventurer’s prep school, who already half commoner, desperate for their own future.

It seems I look down upon commoner if I say it like this but everyone were born in the brink of losing their status and treatment.
Being desperate, many people think drop kick others is fine.

The world of n.o.ble is really a tough world.
By no means, it was something unspeakable which being glossed over.

‘If I am doing well with Wendelin…’

He was an excellent mage so he could be enn.o.bled, life should be guaranteed with the income even if that didn’t happen.
If he become the retainer of some n.o.ble, it possible for him to establish a house as that n.o.ble va.s.sal for generations.

As retainer or va.s.sal for the boy, with girl naturally can become a wife.
Despite being in adventurer prep school, there must be many people who have already fixed their eyes on that second life.

It’s a cruel and realistic tale, and there is no way below the second daughter and the second son of n.o.ble or va.s.sal didn’t care about it

First come, first served. Don’t even think being shameless is not good.

Inherit one’s family and territory, married with the eldest son or the eldest daughter of good families, those who think about such thing would be criticized behind their backs.
But one were in blessed situation.

At best, n.o.ble child in adventurer prep school would not be treated as half n.o.ble.
Adventurer earn a lot of money had nothing to do with social status, or gain fame being employed by other n.o.bles.

Otherwise, retired from realising one limitations.
Go to reclaimed a land or begin a small business?
Rather, there a lot of such people.

Within the kingdom, most descendants of n.o.ble were originally a commoner.
One’s name does not limited by social status so many commoner with names like a n.o.ble.

They usually decline to introduce their last name.

“I don’t want such life.”

Dinner is over, we were walking on the road to home after parted with Wendelin.
Beside me is my childhood friend Luise, she leave the house before being growing up.

She can stay home but she could not refuse marriage proposal recommended by her parents.
It impossible to dream of a wondrous thing like those in nice stories, she would not be able to refuse if the partner exceeded 70 ages when she remain in the house.
Third daughter staying in the house would be treated as bonus after she mature.

“Irna-chan are smart, you can think about many things.”

Others would not think much about it since she looks young but Luise is actually much smarter than me.

Despite having friends in the immediate neighbour family, with the situation look like childhood friend, Our being close friends, deep inside we have similarity.

“I think we got the chance.”

“Hmmm, you mean about Vel-kun?”

Despite being the same age who aspire to become adventurer, we’re so worthless that we were helped from the wolf, that does not mean we are awfully weak.
It might have the same result with the other scholars.h.i.+p students.

In short, Wendelin is too strong.

“Since Irna-chan’s a beauty, you want to catch his attention?”

“That’s not it.”

From a young age, others often said that my features is good.
But I don’t learnt spearmans.h.i.+p because of that, there also many who said that my sharp eyes look scary.

What’s more, I tends to become silent when thinking, the man didn’t know what I am thinking about, and they would see me saying harsh things sometimes.

I don’t think that the type of woman Wendelin would like.

Even my figure also standard, I think Luise had better appealing with her cute appearance.

“I look like a little girl.”

“Some man love that.”

“Irna might think what I am saying all of sudden. When the figure were to be expected in the future. Irna can be expected but it would be hard for me…”

Nevertheless, a girl like Luise might be Wendelin type.
When I put it in number, the two of us will be two type.
There many better choices.

But it just a stupid idea if I may say so myself.

“I was just kidding. I wish we can become friend and make a party, that would be great.”

Luise can also scheme something amazing without hesitation sometimes.

Prep school student will not go to monster territory until graduation.
Starting from the latter half of school year, expect battling with the teacher for training parties skill.
Prior to a.s.sembled party for that, for those had been confirmed can’t cooperate in hunting, they would not be able to object when said as not suitable to be adventurer.
Everyone thought that it was a precious time now.

“There must be many rival.”

“You’re right. It will be overwhelming when there are Vel-kun, El-kun also quite good as swordsman.”

That said, it would be foolish of me if I suddenly put out party formation request.
When someone without ability all of sudden would like to form a party, those with high ability would say that “You’re just a nuisance and burden, please leave.”

“What would they think about us?”

“Well…”

Honestly, I don’t think we are that inferior to other scholars.h.i.+p students.
Both of us were in the top 5 of admission grades.

“Thinking about it is useless, let’s put out the application form.”

“Luise, you…”

Sometimes giving such an intuitive action and opinion, but that was my best friend Luise.
However, that result surprisingly not that bad.

“If it’s no good, they can cancel it.”

“What a positive action…”

By that reason, with nothing to lose, we decide to put out the party application with four people.

However, when I fill in the party application paper on the next day and submit it, homeroom teacher Seeckt did not reject it.

“So four people within five place in admission ranking. The balance in fighting ability isn’t that bad either, since life is at stake. I won’t say that people with lower grades need get in to get some experience.”

Since life is at stake, people with low grade were allowed to join with the top grade for balance, Seeckt teacher who also originally an adventurer does not seem to say.
And we are not a professional adventurer.
Because we just an apprentice.

Those with the closes grade were put together, people with low grade hunting to gain experience, trained to dealt with monster in the future.
This is the correct objective of prep school.

“Anyone want an excellent party. I’ll give the application toward the general affairs.”

I can’t believe that the party application would pa.s.ses so fast.
The only problem and the most crucial would be Wendelin and Elvin who didn’t know about it?

I feel that is the biggest problems.

“It would be okay.”

On the other hand, Luise was not worried about anything.
In some way, she is the big shot.

And about Wendelin and Elvin who unconsciously joined a party.

“Hey, El.”

“I never thought about it but besides teamed up with other low grade people. It would be like this.”

“Really?”

“Adventurer is also the same as other job. If we can’t be together, we can disband to make a new party. Not that we will be in the same party in our life time.”

“It make senses if you put it that way.”

I didn’t really know about Wendelin that well, the idea of Elvin was extremely dry.
The application has already been pa.s.sed, we can just make a new one if we can’t be together.
If fact, even a first cla.s.s adventurer party would be impossible for it to be the initial member.
Everyone keep forming and disbanded the party, some member replacement immediately became the best members.
It was normal for human beings to be like that.

“Oh well. Please take care of me then.”

“Same here.”

“Me too.”

“…Take care of me’I guess it just something trivial for an excellent mage?’.”

I and my friend just realise it now.
It make us think that Wendelin is a really important figure, anyway, I promised that I’ll made an effort not to become a burden.