Akatsuki Translations

Um, wait a minute. The most authoritative-looking blonde fourth-year is Hilda, which means she’s the Grand Duchess’s daughter, right? The next most authoritative-looking one with the thin frame and glasses is Leonardo. The Prime Minister’s son. I see, he has the air of a bureaucrat. The black-haired Zeldia is the daughter of the wealthy merchant Carst, and the remaining one of the same color is Theodore, his heir.

Quasi-royalty, high nobility, and wealthy merchants. A very dubious lineup.

However, they say birds of a feather flock together, but the women on the other side are all large. In our camp, well, Riruka is within the normal range. No, no, there’s an age difference, so her future potential is… Also, she wins by a landslide in terms of cuteness. In terms of beauty, she’s at least on par at worst.

As for the men, sorry for dragging you down.

“These people are objecting to the decision of the student council.” -Theodore

Theodore was the one who broke the ice in the hallway where four students faced off against four. Even though he was being considerate of Alfina, who had mistaken her for our backer until just now, it’s very easy to understand. Still, the way he skillfully points only at me and Riruka is something I can empathize with as a self-preservationist.

“Oh, that’s not something we can ignore.” -Leonardo

The glasses guy quietly glared at me, who was still in the process of organizing the mental directory.

“What do you mean?” -Leonardo

“There seems to be a misunderstanding. I was just asking Carst-senpai to teach me about the system of the Consort’s Festival. So, for the sake of future learning, I’d appreciate it if you could tell me the reason for this year’s rule change.” -Theodore

In this academy, which is a microcosm of this country that values precedent, there must be a reason for such a drastic reform.

“Each company should have an appropriate price for the valuable opportunity to appeal to the nobility. Moreover, the amount paid as a usage fee will be a donation to the academy. This year, we collected more than double the usual amount. I think this is something you commoner students should be happy about.” -Leonardo

The glasses-wearing upperclassman said condescendingly. The big companies that paid for the space are also commoners, though. There doesn’t seem to be any benefit for the noble group, but I guess it’s an achievement for the student council. I heard that the reputation in these areas has a lasting impact. It’s only natural, since the only school clique is where future elites gather.

“Thank you very much. I understand what the rules bring. However…” -Ricardo

I made a troubled face. Leonardo looked at Hilda. The blonde’s luxurious head nodded slightly.

“Speak your mind. The student council listens to the opinions of the students.” -Hilda

“Yes, basically I have no questions or complaints. Even from the standpoint of the son of a small merchant house, financial strength holds great significance in real business. It’s a rule that reflects reality, where those with more funds have an advantage. Especially for students who can recover even if they fail, it’s important to experience the difference in financial strength. I think it makes sense educationally.” -Ricardo

I said. Holding hands and reaching the goal together is out of the question. The ideal that because it’s education, everyone should be compared on the same basis has value, but there are important elements that can’t be taught that way. You can’t experience failure forced by circumstances.

From the perspective of the ultimate goal of survival, in other words, self-preservation. The main focus of ability is to “utilize” it according to the situation, and there is no essential meaning in “comparing” it. It’s meaningless to say after you die that this environment was too harsh, and you could have survived in at least a normal environment on the other side. That’s the reality.

Students of the academy graduate at the age of eighteen, which is the same as high school students in Japan, but after graduation, they enter society. What’s more, even that is three years later than the general public.

“That’s right. This time, the rule revision was also made from that perspective.” -Leonardo

I’ll define it as realistic and wonderful. Leonardo looks surprised, but he soon nods arrogantly. I grinned.

With this, this rule revision has become solely for educational purposes. As long as it’s an educational institution, this pretext is powerful.

“However, how about the actual implementation? As long as it’s ‘education,’ it’s meaningless if you can’t participate. If you exclude students without financial resources in order to experience the difference in financial strength, the education itself is not being established. Isn’t this different from what the rule change implemented by the seniors ‘intended’?” -Ricardo

I asked Leonardo. The elite-looking expression disappeared from his face.

“Are there students who want to participate but can’t?” -Alfina

Alfina interjected with perfect timing. Leonardo’s face distorted. We’re not conspiring, you know.

Anyway, the exposed commercial logic is being flipped to say that commercial logic is ultimately a means for education. Now, let’s see how the son at the top of the kingdom’s bureaucracy responds.

“…I see, that’s a reasonable way of thinking. Indeed, as a result of the commoner students getting heated up to get even slightly better locations, a somewhat extreme situation may have arisen. We may have had a tendency to leave too much to the commoners since they’re the ones creating the shops, after all.” -Leonardo

The vice president of the student council said in a very neutral manner. He seems to be quick-witted. However, that’s allocated towards self-preservation. He’s an easy opponent for me to read.

“However, there are also adverse effects to changing rules that have already been decided.” -Leonardo

“That’s right. If the rules keep changing, it won’t serve as education.” -Ricardo

I affirmed in a barrage, as if to follow up. Of course, I’m implying two meanings. There’s the implication of “you guys are the ones who suddenly changed the rules.” In other words, I’m hinting between the lines that I won’t back down easily.

“…Then, let’s do this. We can’t change the classrooms that have already been decided. However, there are spaces other than classrooms in the academy. How about we have only the participants who couldn’t secure a location this time bid on those spaces? Hilda-sama.” -Leonardo

“That’s a very good idea. I allow it.” -Hilda

Hilda, who had been watching our exchange, said without changing her expression. Zeldia’s face looks regretful for a moment. But she quickly puts on a smile. There’s still something going on.

“Wait a minute, the spaces other than classrooms are all small and cramped…” -Riruka

Riruka said. I see, aside from the large lecture hall and the library, the classrooms are the largest spaces. And it’s not just the space for the shops that’s needed. After all, half of the participating students and many of the guests are nobility. They’ll also need spaces like cloakrooms and preparation rooms.

“That’s where the skill of a small company comes into play. Your family’s company is probably not even one-third the size of our company. Are you saying you can’t do business like that?” -Zeldia

“That’s right. Considering the time as well, it would be difficult to make any further changes.” -Leonardo

Leonardo nodded at Zeldia. It’s the limit. My sense of self-preservation can’t handle any more than this.

I mean, why am I, who isn’t even participating, negotiating as if I’m the representative of a mid-sized company, which, by the way, is much larger than ours even at its smallest? I was supposed to come here to gather information on the conflict between Carst and Kenwell in the first place.

“Thank you very much, seniors. Thanks to you, I learned a lot.” -Ricardo

Suppressing the question that arose within me, I also start to withdraw. But the direction of the pair, the most authoritative one in this place, looked at me. Her beautiful face still has a serene expression, but the coldness in her gaze is like looking at an insect.

“Your name?” -Hilda

“I am Ricardo Vinder.” -Ricardo

“Ricardo… Ah, you are Alfina’s dance partner?” -Hilda

Hilda brought up Alfina’s name. I have a bad feeling about this. I have a bad feeling.

“If you’re Alfina’s friend, you’ll surely have a wonderful shop, I’m looking forward to it.” -Hilda

Wait, how did the conversation turn into that?

“Please wait. I did not join the bidding, so I don’t have the right to participate.” -Ricardo

“Huh? You made such a fuss without even intending to participate? This is perfect, isn’t it? Your opinion is the trigger for a new bidding to take place, so you can participate.” -Leonardo

Leonardo pushed up his glasses.

“N-No, even with a discounted usage fee, it would be a huge sum for Vinder’s capital. Setting up a shop at the Consort’s Festival is a pipe dream for our family. If we were to do it, the most we could do is set up a stall in the courtyard.” -Ricardo

“A stall?” -Leonardo

“Leonardo-sama. This person is the son of a small-time merchant. A stall is…” -Zeldia

Zeldia whispers to Leonardo.

“Teehee. You still haven’t gotten rid of your peddler’s mentality. What should we do, Hilda-sama?” -Leonardo

“As I said, we can’t ignore him if he’s Alfina’s friend. The courtyard is under Alfina’s supervision, so it’s perfect. Add him to the list of participants.” -Hilda

“Understood.” -Leonardo

It’s decided in a snap. I don’t need such special treatment through connections. A lone stall, surely it will end up in the red. A prank by the Grand Duchess’s daughter and the Prime Minister’s son is no joke. I came here to see the conflict between commoner students, but why am I being looked at like a guinea pig by the high nobility?

It’s as shocking as a reconnaissance unit suddenly finding itself on the front line.

However, apart from that, there was a phrase that caught my attention.

“What do you mean by courtyard supervisor?” -Ricardo

“Yes, Hilda-sama entrusted me with a role as a Consort’s Festival committee member. The school building is Hilda-senpai’s responsibility, the gazebo is Leonardo-senpai’s. And the courtyard in between is my division, apparently.” -Alfina

Alfina said as if it was nothing. But when I check out of the corner of my eye, Claudia’s face has stiffened.

“Huh? But there’s nothing in the courtyard…” -Riruka

Riruka said. Another structure is coming into view. There’s nothing in the courtyard. If there is, it’s only my lone stall. Nobles don’t even recognize stalls as shops. They wouldn’t eat standing on the ground.

“Until now, we had been considerate so as not to interfere with the work of the chapel. But happily, I hear that she’s been showing her face at the academy more often lately. In that case, it’s only right that she takes on appropriate responsibilities as a member of the royal family. The courtyard should be suitable for a first-time role.” -Zeldia

I see, they assigned her an easy spot. But how will the person who’s been saddled with supervising a place that no one pays attention to spend their time during the festival?

The firstborn succession leaves the First Prince secure. The Third Prince is a big success due to the monster floods. In between is the fiancée of the Second Prince. The daughter of the same Archducal family, and of a bloodline that’s even shunned, gained the title of princess. She was pushed into the chapel and they were relieved, but then she gained renown due to the prophecy of the monster floods.

From the gaze directed at Alfina and me, such a profile floated up in an instant. Could it be that for the sake of your own reputation, which has no value other than to you, Alfina… you involved me?

Is she another one who’s misunderstood the law of the jungle? Humans are stronger than fish, so they can fish and eat them. This is the law of the jungle. Whether that’s right or wrong is another matter, but it’s good enough for me.

But if she thinks that if a human commands it, a fish must leap out of the sea, turn into sashimi, and line up on a plate… that’s a misunderstanding.

I glance out the window. The courtyard, huh? It was a prime spot in school festivals in my original world. And in this situation, there are many small companies that don’t have enough space.

“Thank you for your consideration, Hilda-senpai. We will gratefully make use of the courtyard.” -Ricardo

“Yes, I’m looking forward to it. I wonder if we’ll get to see some rare and surprising things.” -Hilda

“We will do our utmost to meet your expectations.” -Ricardo

“Do your best.” -Hilda

When I bowed deeply, the two turned on their heels as if their business was done. The two Carsts glared at me resentfully, then quickly followed after them.

“Senpai…” -Mia

“Vinder, you…” -Riruka

The two girls looked at me in exasperation.

“A show of force is also a form of reconnaissance…” -Ricardo

It’s just that the opponent I provoked turned out to be the enemy’s main force.