The Duty Of An Academy Student Should Be To Study - Chapter 45
Episode 45
On the next day during her break, Rose Bell headed to the post office branch within the academy to send a letter to her mother, Anna. There was nothing special to report, but she felt like she should mention the fact that she had briefly encountered Lady Bluewood.
The letter contained not only bad news. There was news that a communication exchange station would be set up near Quilts next month.
‘Being able to hear my mother’s voice in real-time…’
The longing was so strong that it could bring tears to her eyes just by imagining it.
Although there were many tough days, Rose Bell loved her family. Of course, she had left her father, George Bell, behind within those walls they called a family, but life at the academy, thanks to Jasper, was enjoyable and enriching. Still, the accumulated longing for her family she hadn’t seen in a long time was inevitable.
After sending the letter, Rose walked to the library. Thinking about her family made her lose strength in her step without her realizing it.
When she arrived in front of the library, she heard a familiar voice from behind.
“Rose.”
It was Theo Lixton.
“Senior.”
“Are you heading to the library?”
Rose nodded faintly with a smile.
“But why does your expression look so gloomy? Is something wrong?”
In Rose’s arms, there were thick major textbooks that she had intended to return to the library. Theo naturally took the books and looked at Rose intently.
“Nothing happened. I just suddenly started thinking about my family.”
“Homesickness, huh.”
Theo nodded as if he understood.
“I couldn’t go home during the last vacation.’
Rose’s eyes involuntarily dropped.
“It seems like you were busy.”
Rose briefly explained the circumstances of her last vacation to Theo. She had worked as a research assistant under Professor Margaret, whom Theo was currently assisting.
Theo listened quietly and then gently stroked Rose’s head.
“You tried to help your family. It must have been tough to study at the same time.”
“Still, I learned a lot under Professor Margaret.”
“She’s a nice professor.”
Margaret was the ideal female engineer in Rose’s mind. Thanks to her, Rose had developed the most interest in Mana Dynamics classes.
Theo looked at Rose for a moment before speaking.
“Are you still very busy these days?”
“Since it’s the semester, there are many things to do.”
“Would you like to do a project with me?”
“Huh?”
“For the Royal Invention Contest, they hold at the palace. I’m just suggesting it, so you don’t have to feel too pressured.”
Theo’s proposal was very appealing.
Every year, the Empire of Lepti held a Royal Invention Contest sponsored by the royal family. Winning came with a significant cash prize and various opportunities.
It wasn’t just job offers or career advancements in major companies that came with winning, but also the qualification to apply for the Royal Magic Engineering Research Institute.
Among the various contests held within the Empire, it was the largest in scale. It was a competition Rose had always kept in mind.
“But… don’t you have to be of legal age to participate?”
“Starting this year, they adjusted the qualification to allow candidates from the age of sixteen.”
Rose’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Really?”
“Yes, the official announcement hasn’t been made yet, but Professor Margaret mentioned it.”
While listening to Theo’s words, Rose’s heart raced.
‘Even if I don’t get first place…!’
Living in the capital would pay for itself, and it would make finding a job after the academy much easier.
Rose spoke with a slightly trembling voice.
“Senior, can you do it with me?”
The contest allowed for teams of up to three participants. Naturally, forming a good team was advantageous for winning.
Most of last year’s winners already had practical or research experience in related fields. Although this year’s eligibility had been relaxed, it was still uncertain whether a student could win.
Completing the invention required not only time but also various funds. In addition to sourcing materials, such as mana crystals, a laboratory had to be set up.
Theo smiled gently.
“It’s much more beneficial for me to do it with you. Rose, you’re an incredible genius. Moreover, it seems like the academy plans to support some outstanding students.”
When submitting a project proposal, the academy would select a few teams to provide funding and access to a lab. If a student from Berkley Academy won, it would also boost the academy’s reputation.
For Theo, preparing for the contest personally would require him to use his funds, but with Rose, they might progress with the invention more comfortably.
There was no reason for Rose to decline the offer.
“I… I’ll do it!”
Theo chuckled softly.
“I knew you’d say that. It might get busy, but will you be okay? You have to maintain your grades, too.”
“I’ll cut down on sleep if I have to.”
“Alright. Let’s start by getting our project proposal approved.”
“Yes!”
Rose replied with enthusiasm. They decided to plan their invention together at scheduled times each week. With a heart full of excitement, Rose said,
“Senior, thank you for suggesting we do this together.”
She was both happy and bewildered at the unexpected opportunity. She had thought this year would be the worst, especially when she heard the news that her father, George, had left home with legal documents. When she received a failing grade in social dance class, it felt like her life was coming to an end.
She had been discouraged by the string of bad luck since the beginning of the year, but it seemed like one by one, she was receiving rewards for the hardships she had endured due to her father, George. From Jasper’s help to Theo’s contest proposal, the difficult moments had faded into the background, and this year had oddly felt particularly fortunate.
Rose was the type to quickly bounce back from any adversity. She believed that keeping bad things inside for too long would only rot her from the inside.
Her ability to endure three years of academy life, which required keeping secrets and living in solitude, was thanks to her resilience.
‘I should work hard together with Senior Theo.’
She shook off the brief sadness she had felt at the post office and made a vow.
‘I’ll succeed in the capital. If I make a lot of money, I can send some to Mother, and find a place to live nearby.…’
As she imagined a hopeful future, her enthusiasm soared.
* * *
Weekdays at Berkley Academy passed in the blink of an eye.
This week, in particular, had felt especially hectic for Rose. Besides keeping up with her classwork, she had been brainstorming ideas for the invention she would submit to the contest. Her secret tutoring sessions with Jasper Conway continued uninterrupted.
And just like that, Saturday had arrived – the eagerly awaited day for club activities. There was a particular reason why she had been looking forward to this week more than usual.
Before leaving their dorm room, Rose and Briley held hands and looked at each other. Briley spoke with determination.
“Will everything go according to plan today?”
“Yes, it will.”
“Jasper’s role is crucial. He needs to smooth things over with Caleb.”
Following Jasper’s suggestion from earlier, they had decided to create an opportunity for Rebecca Sherman and Caleb Sidoor to have a one-on-one conversation. Today was the day of reckoning.
They hadn’t informed Rebecca about the plan yet. It was a precaution in case Jasper failed to bring Caleb along. It would be devastating for Rebecca if she thought she was talking to Caleb and then it didn’t work out.
She believed that today’s schedule was just a regular club activity.
Briley gave Rose a tight hug and then exclaimed with determination.
“Let’s go! Rebecca’s tears end today!”
* * *
Rebecca had dressed up in her best outfit for the outing. Rose and Briley, too, had worn dresses suitable for going out rather than their uniforms. Since Rebecca was the star of the day, the other two’s outfits were more understated in comparison.
Briley had made an effort to keep her accessories to a minimum, while Rose had chosen a dress she used to wear.
Rebecca, adorned with a parasol and lace gloves, walked ahead with an air of elegance. There was excitement in her voice as she spoke.
“I’m so excited. It’s been a while since we went to the tea room!”
However, Rebecca’s eyes were slightly puffy. She had cried a lot after dinner last night.
Rose looked at Rebecca and swallowed a sigh quietly. For the past few days, Rebecca had seemed fine, avoiding talk of Caleb. But yesterday, it seemed like she couldn’t hold back any longer.
They had faced Caleb directly in the dining hall yesterday, but he had completely ignored Rebecca and walked past her as if she didn’t exist, even when she mustered the courage to call his name.
‘Why is he avoiding Rebecca so blatantly?’
Rebecca appeared to be more sorrowful than resentful about Caleb now. Fortunately, she seemed genuinely happy about their destination today and was smiling brightly.
Today’s destination was the “Royal Blooming Tea Room.” It was not only one of the oldest tea rooms in the capital but had even been visited by the current emperor several times.
The two-story building, designed in a classical style, exuded elegance. The front garden was particularly beautiful at this time of year, with spring flowers blooming one by one, decorating the garden romantically.
Although the tea room allowed anyone, regardless of their social status, to enter upon payment of an admission fee, the fee was quite expensive. In addition, free access was limited to the ground floor hall, while the private tea rooms on the second floor were reservation-only.
The private tea rooms at Royal Blooming were always famous for being fully booked. Even if you had the money, you couldn’t just go whenever you wanted. For ladies living in the capital, it was a place they could only admire from afar.
Briley had managed to secure one of the private tea rooms with great effort. Given that reservations typically had to be made well in advance, it seemed like she had used some impressive skills to pull this off.
‘I hope Jasper is doing well.’
If everything went according to plan, Jasper would bring Caleb to that tea room. Since Caleb kept avoiding Rebecca, they had decided to push him into a confined space.