Chapter 73

The pilot project for the relief plan had begun.

Starting with my house and extending to Brandy’s, magical devices that could automate various tasks were gradually being installed one by one.

“Even though we’re only implementing the pilot project for two houses, it’s already costing quite a lot.”

Since I had been sharing details about the project with Iris all along, I was also aware of the installation costs and other expenses involved.

If the Holy Empire hadn’t agreed to provide funding, there was a high chance the project wouldn’t have progressed beyond the pilot stage.

Using the budget allocated under Iris’s name would have definitely caught the emperor’s attention, so instead, she used a portion of her personal funds along with a very small fraction of the financial support from the Holy Empire.

“Why not just fund the whole thing with the support money? Was there really a need to use your personal funds?”

“No matter how much support I receive, if I don’t contribute at least a little of my own money, it could cause problems when I claim this project as my own.”

This seemed to be a precautionary measure to ensure that at least some of the project leader’s personal funds were invested in case of unforeseen circumstances.

“The installation itself shouldn’t take too long, and since the equipment will advance the harvesting schedule, we should be able to hear some real results in two or three months.”

Of course, since this was the first time these machines were being used, it was also necessary to properly educate the adults who would be operating them. Factoring in that training period, it would likely take the full two to three months.

“I’ll personally teach my parents how to use the equipment. As for Brandy’s side, we’ll ask Brandy first. If that doesn’t work out, then Iris can go and teach them.”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

With this additional grace period of two to three months, I found myself wondering how best to use the time.

In the grand scheme of things, this world was just the setting of a game, and now, the first semester of my first year was gradually coming to an end.

There was a test coming up soon, but since it was only a first-year, first-semester exam, the difficulty level wasn’t supposed to be too high, so I wasn’t too worried about it.

In the game, both protagonists had casually mentioned that they had easily ranked at the top during their first semester.

And now, those same two were studying with me, asking me all sorts of questions. Even if I couldn’t reach the very top, I figured I should at least be able to get a decent rank.

“Since there’s still plenty of time left in the relief fund grace period, how about we go somewhere after the exams?”

After exams, the two of them usually went on dates, whether it was to an amusement park or an aquarium.

Right now, it was still too soon to send them off on their own, so I’d have to be the one to suggest it and take them there myself… but eventually, there would come a time when they’d sneak off together without telling me.

That would be kind of bittersweet.

Was this how parents felt watching their children grow up? Sniff.

“I love that idea! I really want to go to the amusement park!”

The first suggestion, as expected, was the amusement park.

“I’d like to go to the aquarium.”

Oh? This was unfolding exactly like in the game.

In the game, whenever an event like this came up, the two of them always wanted to go to completely different places. Usually, the one with the lower affection score ended up conceding, so they would visit one place first and go to the other later.

I watched the two of them with anticipation, wondering how things would play out this time.

“The aquarium? What’s the point of going to such a boring place? The only thing to see there is fish.”

“They’re not fish, they’re aquatic creatures. Do you ever think about anything other than eating, Estelle?”

“I never said I was going to eat them!”

“The word ‘fish’ itself refers to aquatic creatures caught for eating. You really are quite dense. Tsk.”

When Iris openly provoked her, Estelle’s face immediately turned red with frustration.

“What?! Did you just call me dumb?!”

“Yes, I called you dumb because you didn’t even know the proper meaning of the word.”

“Oh, come on! Says the one who wants to go to some boring place only quiet types would enjoy!”

“Don’t you think an amusement park is more of a place for kids? Aquariums are where elegant couples go to enjoy a refined date.”

“Well, tons of couples go to amusement parks too! And besides, you can even go on a date in your school uniform!”

I had hoped they would settle this on their own.

Looks like I was being too optimistic.

At this rate, they’d probably pull out their sword and staff again and start threatening to kill each other, so I stepped in to mediate.

“Alright, alright, that’s enough from both of you. Let’s stop here.”

Just as I suspected, they had already been reaching for their weapons. At the sound of my voice, their hands hesitated and awkwardly dropped away from their waists.

“I like both amusement parks and aquariums. But we can’t visit both in a single day. So let’s decide which one to go to first and just visit both.”

Well, it’s not like we’re going right away anyway.

Since we were only planning to go after the upcoming exam period, we had plenty of time to decide.

“Hmm… how should we settle this? How about whoever gets the better test scores gets to choose where we go first?”

Now, this was the kind of competition I could get behind.

At the very least, it would give these two a much-needed sense of urgency about their exams.

“Our test scores?”

“Indeed. I think that’s an excellent idea. As expected of Sir Theo, always so wise.”

Unlike Estelle who flinched slightly, Iris seemed fully prepared for the exams already. She immediately praised me, calling it a wise decision.

“What’s the matter, Estelle? Don’t tell me… you’re not confident?”

When Iris attempted to provoke her, Estelle’s face twisted in frustration.

“Hah, me? Against you? That will never happen in my lifetime.”

Estelle snapped back irritably, but unlike her usual confident demeanor, her actions betrayed a slight lack of certainty.

“Well then, we’ll find out on the day our test scores are released. Sir Theo, I’ll take my leave now. I need to organize my notes, so I’ll head in first.”

Though we had mentioned that there was still plenty of time before the trip since it would be after the exams, the reality was that the exam period was fast approaching.

“Estelle, shouldn’t you be studying too?”

“Ugh… Um, Sir Theo… would you mind helping me study? I can manage most subjects, but the history section is just too difficult for me.”

Ah, I knew exactly how that felt.

When I first decided to enroll in the academy, I had to start studying the history of the Ermunt Empire, and I quickly realized just how complex and difficult it was.

Since Estelle was from another country, it was only natural that her knowledge of history was lacking.

“Sure, why not? There was never a rule saying I couldn’t tutor you.”

“Yes! Then should we go somewhere like the library?”

“If we want to study while chatting comfortably, the café we went to before would be a better choice.”

When we arrived at the café, as expected, we saw many people sitting at tables, engrossed in their studies.

Of course, we wouldn’t be sitting in the regular seating area. We had a private room assigned to us.

I wasn’t sure whether the café owner was just being considerate or if there was always a reserved spot for Iris and Estelle, but regardless, every time we came, we were always given the same table.

“This is perfect! We can talk while studying without worrying too much.”

“And even on the day of the exam, there will be all sorts of background noise. Being able to focus while studying in a slightly noisy environment will actually help a lot.”

“You’re right! Sir Theo, you really are so smart!”

Haha, well… being called smart over something like this felt a little embarrassing.

Anyway, Estelle and I spent time together, asking each other questions about the material and solving quiz problems.

“Ugh, my head hurts…”

“Don’t try to memorize too much in just one day.”

“But the exam is only a week away.”

I couldn’t tell whether Estelle was truly eager to visit the amusement park or if she simply wanted to beat Iris that badly.

Either way, she seemed determined to study hard for the entire week.

“If we study together like this every day for the next week, that should work.”

Hearing that, Estelle’s eyes sparkled in a way I had never seen before.

“Yes! I love that idea!”

I couldn’t understand what was so exciting about studying, honestly.

Seeing her like this, I could definitely understand why her grades had been so good in the game.

“Since you helped me study, I’ll treat you to dinner!”

“Oh, it’s fine. I was just going to eat at the academy cafeteria.”

The academy provided three meals a day by default.

And since the food was of such high quality, I never really felt the need to eat outside.

That said, the restaurants within the academy grounds were so exceptional that they even surpassed the cafeteria’s meals, making it tempting to eat out every now and then.

If I had to compare it to my past life, they were basically fine dining establishments.

All the restaurants were like that.

It was even said that many famous chefs worked there.

“Come on, don’t turn me down! You mentioned before that you wanted to try Priuni, right?”

Wait? Priuni? Wasn’t that the place that served monster meat course meals?!

Monster-based dishes were usually considered low-tier food, something adventurers grilled over a campfire while on their journeys. But Priuni was different.

It was a legendary restaurant where a chef who was an adventurer sold a meal that reinterpreted monster meat in a truly delicious way.

So much so that some people even considered enrolling in the academy just to try it!

“But I heard you can’t get in without a reservation.”

The place was already famous among students. Whether they wanted to eat with their families, enjoy a luxurious meal alone, or have a feast with friends.

So many people went there that reservations were always fully booked.

I mentioned the reservation system with some disappointment, assuming that at least two to three months’ worth of slots had already been taken.

“That’s why I made a reservation in advance! And it just so happens that the day is today!”

Oh, now that was convenient.

“So, let’s go together.”

Wait… Did she make the reservation on the same day I casually mentioned wanting to try it?

Wow, that was actually kind of touching.