01x02 - Royal Academy

[bunniefuu]

Year 991 of the Holy Era

Rio

We haven't evaluated your

academic abilities yet,

but I was wondering, can you read and write?

No. I've never studied writing, so

I see. Then, I'll tutor you!

Come to my research lab after school.

It's in the basement of the library tower.

Thank you.

Oh, and

Yes?

Many of the children here are from

royal or titled families, so

In the beginning, they may be a little

It's all right.

What?

I know my place.

I see.

But if you have any problems, please don't

hesitate to come to me, all right?

I will.

Welcome to the Beltrum Royal Academy!

Seirei Gensouki

Royal Academy

Huh? Who is that?

A transfer student?

A transfer student will be joining this class

starting today. His name is Rio.

I've never seen him before.

Everyone, be nice to him, all right?

So, he's the transfer student

from the slums, huh?

The slums?

Someone as lowly as that is joining

our glorious Royal Academy?

I heard that he saved Princess Flora,

so His Majesty, the King,

approved his enrollment.

On this occasion, you have done well in

saving my daughter. I give you my thanks.

Your words do me too great an honor.

I am both humbled and delighted.

Very good.

Then, we shall have you attend the

Royal Academy's primary school

as a scholarship student.

Rio?

Introduce yourself to everyone.

Yes, miss.

My name is Rio.

Through the kindness bestowed

upon me by His Majesty, the King,

I have been allowed to attend

this place of learning.

I know that I am lacking in many ways,

but I hope that you will

look favorably upon me.

Very nice.

It seems he can speak as

well as a servant, at least.

Well then, Rio, if you'll

take a seat there, please.

Yes, miss.

All right, everyone, we're starting our lesson.

Let's all study hard again today.

Yes, miss.

Open up your notebooks and copy

down this numerical formula.

Now then, everyone try solving

these problems on your own.

Yes, miss.

These are so easy.

Rio?

You don't need to push yourself

too hard today, all right?

Yes, miss. Thank you for your concern.

I don't think he can read.

All right, everyone. Focus on your work.

Where is it?!

There was a hint hidden in that paper!

Where has it gone?!

Is this it?

Professor Celia?

Oh, honestly!

Can't you read the sign?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I can't read.

Rio?

I came to inquire about my

private tutoring, but

Yes! Well done in coming here.

I've been waiting for you. Yes!

She completely forgot, didn't she?

W-Well then, come in.

Yes, miss.

Please, excuse my intrusion—

I-It's just a tiny bit messy at the moment.

I see.

U-Usually, I'm much more organized.

Just a moment. I'll make us some space.

There are a lot of

difficult-looking books here.

But you look so young, Professor.

Hm? Oh, yes.

I'm still only twelve, after all.

What?

Really, I should be attending

primary school,

but I skipped grades and ended up

graduating from high school.

You must be quite brilliant.

W-Well, I suppose.

I've finished.

A-Already?

What? This is amazing!

All your answers are correct!

And you did it so quickly with

only mental calculations

Well, it was only simple

multiplication and division.

Once I understood how to write

the numbers and symbols

Simple?

Pretty much the only one in your class

who can do this is Princess Christina.

What? I-I see.

Well, that makes sense.

I

was a university student, after all.

Rio

Where did you learn arithmetic?

From my mother, who died.

I see.

Your mother was quite cultured.

Yes.

She was a kind and warm person.

I'm sorry for making you think of her.

Don't be. I'm fine.

That's a relief. I'll make

us some tea, all right?

Here you are. Please, have some.

Thank you.

It's very good.

I'm glad you like it!

When you drink a good cup of tea

It just makes you feel happy, doesn't it?

Rio?

Yes?

How was your first day of academy life?

Please, tell me. Did you have any problems?

No.

Nothing in particular.

I see. Well, if there is anything—

In that case, just one thing.

What is it?

Will you recommend me some children's books?

Books?

I want to learn my letters.

Oh Yes.

I'll pick out a few for you from the library.

Thank you.

One, two, three, four, five!

One! Two! Three!

One, two, three, four, five!

Four! Five!

Stay agile!

One, two, three, four, five!

Rio.

Y-Yes, Sir?

One, two, three, four, five!

Come and strike me in any way you see fit.

What?

Yes, sir.

Interesting.

What? Huh?

What?

What kind of stance is that?

That stance is weird.

Now, attack.

Now, Haruto!

Don't hold back. Attack!

Don't hesitate!

Good swordsmanship.

Advance!

Haruto!

Don't dodge it!

Drive toward your opponent's chest!

Instead of evading to the outside,

he drove toward his opponent.

His form isn't right at all.

It seems there's no end to his vulgarity.

All right. That's enough.

Rio, you have the makings

of a knight, indeed.

I'm terribly sorry,

but I have no interest in joining the knights.

Really

I thank you for your kind words.

What?

What did he just say?

That's crazy.

Rio?

Yes?

You're even studious after classes end.

End-of-term exams are coming up soon.

You've only just enrolled here. You don't

need to worry about your grades too much.

I won't.

But I'll give it everything I have.

Very good.

Does everyone have an examination paper?

Yes, miss.

Then, begin!

Yikes! Um

One, two, three

Mouths closed, everyone!

Everyone, do your best!

Mii

chan.

There he is.

Is that him?

Really?

A kid from the slums enrolled here.

His Majesty, the King, is pretty eccentric.

Ayase Miharu was

Amakawa Haruto's childhood friend.

But when Haruto's parents divorced,

the two of them were separated.

Then I saw Mii-chan again in high school

and that was it.

She never came back to school.

It was as though she'd erased

herself from my sight.

And what of it?

Amakawa Haruto is dead.

Right now, I am Rio.

I'm not Amakawa Haruto anymore.

That's why

I will live through this.

I will be tenacious and strong.

This can't be right!

It can't be.

That guy?

Really?

Alongside Princess Christina?

That's impossible!

I'm third?

You've got to be kidding me!

This must be some kind of mistake!

That's right!

Hey, he's here.

You! What impropriety have you perpetrated?

What do you mean?

That!

A commoner like you

could never stand with Princess Christina

at the top of the class!

Anything other than fraud is unthinkable!

Top of the class?

You must have used some kind of dirty trick!

I simply took the exam, that's all.

Liar!

Leave it, Alphonse.

The jealousy of a gentleman is unsightly.

I-I can't let this pass unchallenged!

I will have this injustice—

Do you have any concrete evidence?

That's

Unsubstantiated allegations only serve to

sully the dignity of the academy.

But

This achievement is the result

of Rio's hard work.

I can attest to that.

Professor Celia

I will never accept this!

Let's go.

Yeah.

Thank you for—

It was nothing. And I didn't

intervene for your sake.

I see.

You won't beat me next time.

Rio!

Congratulations on placing

first in the end-of-term exams!

Thank you.

To tell you the truth

I'm a little worried.

Worried?

Yes.

When I think that even more students may

look for ways to find fault with you

I'm used to it already.

Oh, dear.

This bullying by nobles shows poor

character on their part, you know.

Professor Celia, you said that you excelled.

Did anything similar happen to you?

Well, this and that from those of a higher

social standing and their followers.

I ignored all of it, though.

Just as I thought.

I-In my case, I had friends!

Then, I'll be fine, too.

What?

I have you, Professor Celia.

Huh?

What?

Oh, Rio!

Yes?

You're making fun of me, aren't you?

Treating me like a child!

But you're older than me, Professor.

Y-Yes, but well it means you

think of me as a friend, right?

Yes.

Would you rather I didn't?

I don't mind.

What?

I don't mind.

Will you say it just one more time, please?

I

I said I don't mind! You're so mean, Rio!

Figure it out from the mood,

can't you? Honestly!

Then

If ever I'm in trouble, advise me as

my teacher and as my friend, won't you?

O-Of course!

When you're about to cry from all

the bullying, I'll take you to my bosom.

You're small, so in terms of positioning,

you do seem perfect for clinging to.

Don't say "small"! I'm still growing!

Oh, we're the perfect heights.

Yes.

Oh, Rio, you silly!

Year 966 of the Holy Era

An exhibition tournament between the knights

of the realm will be held again this year.

Representatives for the primary school

division have been selected from this class.

If your name is called, step forward!

Sixth-year, Alphonse Rodan!

Sir!

Fifth-year, Stewart Huguenot.

Sir!

And

Rio!

What? It can't be true.

Step forward!

Sir.

Him? Why?

Wait!

What is it?

I cannot accept this.

For someone so lowly to have been chosen to

participate in a knightly tournament

That's right!

It is a disgrace!

Besides, he can't even use magic.

It has already been decided.

No objections will be entertained.

But how?

I just can't accept it.

I heard you'll be participating

in the tournament.

Yes, well

If you do well in the tournament,

the knights may scout you even

before you graduate, you know.

I have no intention of becoming a knight.

Rio

Yes?

You've gotten taller, haven't you?

What?

Well, I suppose it has

been five years already.

Professor

What is it?

You're still just as small

as ever, aren't you?

Don't say "small"!

I'm still growing, I tell you!

You said the same thing five years ago.

Hmph!

The tea will get cold.

Oh

Such a lovely aroma!

It's so good!

They're the same leaves,

but when you make the tea, Rio,

the scent is completely different!

I simply follow the instructions

I read in a book.

You say you have no intention

of becoming a knight.

What will you do after you graduate?

I thought I'd go on a journey.

What?

There's somewhere I'd like to go.

Then you plan to leave this country?

This country

is difficult for me to live in.

That may be so, but

Why don't you work here?

What?

Without you around,

all sorts of things will go wrong.

That's not true.

You see? The way you tidied here

It's so clean!

And you make such wonderful tea!

You always chide me when I get too

caught up in my research. And

I'm grateful for your consideration, but

Professor, sooner or later you'll

enter into marriage talks, won't you?

What's this all of a sudden?

It wouldn't be good to have some

unknown commoner in your research lab.

I've no intention of getting

married for a long time, though.

Well, I'm sure you're free

to do as you like, Professor.

Hey! You're thinking I'm going to miss

my chance to get married, aren't you?

Professor Celia, you look so youthful

and lovely, I'm sure you'll be fine.

So you're saying I look like a child.

Not at all. You're a charming woman.

D-Don't tease me like that.

What was that?

Oh! Um, well Where is it

that you want to go, Rio?

My parents' homeland, the Yagumo region.

Yagumo? The place at the

edge of the wilderness?

Yes.

When you're bigger, I'll take you there.

It's a place called Yagumo.

Really? You promised, okay?

Rio?

I-It's only a plan at the moment.

Rio

Now, the tournament between the

glorious knights of the realm

and the students of the

Royal Academy will begin!

And I, Alfred Emerle, unworthy as

I am, will serve as referee today!

As noble as ever!

Emerle-sama!

Beltrum Royal Academy primary school!

First challenger, Rio! Stand forward!

Hey! Don't put on a pathetic

performance out there.

You'll lower people's opinions of me as well.

I will do my best not to

fight an unsightly match.

No one is expecting anything from you anyway.

Rio!

Keep it together!

I am ready to begin.

Good.

And from the Knights of the Royal Guard,

the first challenger,

Charles Arbor!

I knew you'd enrolled in the academy,

but I'd never have imagined that the

dirty little brat from back then

would be my opponent.

I owe you a debt for your care of me back then.

I was so very sorry I couldn't

have been of more help.

Cease your chatter.

Challengers at the ready!

What is that stance?

He doesn't have a shield. Is he mocking me?

Begin!

Rio's amazing!

He's staying calm and parrying the blows.

Because of you, I was punished

with a demotion five years ago!

I will never forget that humiliation!

H-Hold on!

How could a knight fight so

seriously against a student?!

Now, Rio!

What?

This will finish you!

Hold!

The winner, representing the academy, is Rio!

W-Wait, please!

I let down my guard. That's all!

What?

I'll fight for real next—

Idiot!

A loss is a loss!

Alfred

Charles.

If you are a member of the honorable

Knights of the Royal Guard,

you will graciously accept your

defeat and take your leave.

I-I admit my defeat.

Thank you for the match.

Very good.

Amazing! Amazing!

Indeed.

Rio, was it?

I look forward to his future.

Blast that annoying brat!

If I'd been serious, I would have won!

In that sort of situation, it isn't so

bad to let the students take the glory.

With no understanding

of such consideration,

in the end, the other Knights

of the Royal Guard all won.

Dear, dear. How childish of them.

Th-That's right!

I let him take the glory!

Just as you'd expect from the Honorable

Ambassador of the Proxia Empire.

You understand!

And that student who fought against you

Huh?

He certainly moved very well.

That brat!

Five years ago,

it was thought he might have been

involved in Princess Flora's kidnapping.

At the time, I investigated vigorously, but

In the end, he never talked.

I see!

So you two were fated

to face each other, then.

I don't know about fated.

I see. From back then

I hope he comes soon. I need

to celebrate his win with him!

Rio!

I wonder where he's going.

H-Here. Please, read it!

What is it?

Y-Yesterday's match!

You were so so very dashing!

So gallant!

Oh! Excuse me!

Wait, you there!

Next Time

Kingdom of Lies

"Kingdom of Lies."

Spirit Chronicles

Exciting Bonus Manga

By Minazuki Futago

stare

She's

watching

me

I-It's not

as though

I'm looking

at you out

of affection.

Don't get

the wrong

idea!

Do

not

get

the

wrong

idea!

Huh?

Right

I

won't