Chapter 45: Lessons and Training

“Listen well, Young Lady. There are many gods in the heavens, but among them, there are several gods of particular importance.”

Saying this, my elderly tutor, Teacher Arwen Stram, wrote the names of gods on the blackboard in front of me. Even I know this. They are the nine goddesses said to have created this world.

Goddess of Judgment who sees the future, Yuminaria. Goddess of Destiny who spins heavenly decrees, Linzeveil. Goddess of Courage who honors martial arts, Elzeveil. Goddess of Sword Blades clad in storms, Yaete. Merciful Earth Mother Goddess of Fertility, Ruliet. Goddess of Life who cherishes all life, Sutiara. Goddess of Knowledge who governs all magic, Linberte. Goddess of Justice of proud nobility, Hildarte. Guardian Goddess of Music and Song, Sakuracleria.

These are the primordial gods recorded in the scripture called ‘Genesis’ transmitted by the Church. Collectively, they were called the ‘Nine Goddesses of Genesis’. These nine goddesses are distinct from the gods who grant ‘Gifts’. It is said that this world was first created by these goddesses, and then other gods showed interest and granted the people of this world special powers to live, called ‘Gifts’.

“However, it is said that these nine goddesses alone do not grant ‘Gifts’ to people. The people of the temple interpret this as because the power of the ‘Goddesses of Genesis’ is directed not at people, but at this world itself.”

In this world, gods are not uncertain existences but definitely real entities. Well, since things like ‘Gifts’ exist, one has no choice but to acknowledge the existence of gods. However, for me, who thinks this world might be a game world, the idea that God = Game Creator is hard to shake. No, maybe even the gods of this world are existences created by the game creators. Personally, I would prefer if this world wasn’t a game world, but an alternate world similar to a game. If this world is inside a game, it has already started to break down as an otome game. If the god staff were watching this, they might be quite panicked. Perhaps I’m a bug that wandered into the game. Please, I beg you, don’t delete me… For such reasons too, I want to believe that this world is not a game world but an alternate world.

“Many parents name part of their daughters after these nine goddesses to share in their luck. Lady Sakuraile is one such case, isn’t she?” “Umm, Goddess Sakuracleria?” “Yes. Goddess Sakuracleria governs music and song, and is also the guardian deity of cats, said to have a cat that stands on two legs as a guardian beast.”

A cat that stands on two legs? Is that something like Puss in Boots? If it were a tiger, I’d understand, but can a cat protect you as a guardian beast? Well, since it’s a god’s guardian beast, it must be ridiculously strong.

“Oh my, it’s already noon. Let us end today’s study here.” “Yes. Thank you very much.”

Teacher Stram gathered the books she brought as materials and left the room. Teacher Stram is a proper educator who originally taught at the ‘Academy’, and Father scouted her when she retired from the ‘Academy’. As expected of a professional, her teaching method is skillful. She intertwines things I’m interested in and teaches me knowledge and history necessary for nobles in an easy-to-understand way. Thanks to Teacher Stram, I can enjoy learning subjects I hated in my previous life. Grateful, grateful.

“So Lady Sakuraile‘s name was taken from the Nine Goddesses.” “It seems it’s also normally linked to the Sakura (Cherry Blossom) flower, though.”

I answered Estelle‘s words, who was taking the lesson together, with a wry smile. In this world, ‘Riel‘ means ‘Flower‘. In the game, the heroine Estelle also has the meaning of ‘Star‘. This probably connects to the game title ‘Starlight Symphony’. Finishing the lesson, we went together to the courtyard. There, as usual, Bianca was immersed in training with Julia. Since it was decided that she would get a Magic Sword made, the intensity of her training increased further. It feels almost desperate. Even though I tell her to take moderate breaks, she won’t listen. She steals moments when I’m not looking to immerse herself in training. At this rate, I’m worried Bianca will become a muscle-brain.

“Guh!?”

Bianca, taking Julia‘s wooden sword on her wrist, dropped the wooden sword she was holding. It seemed to be an unexpected event, as Julia rushed to Bianca in a panic. Seeing that, we also rushed to Bianca, and found her right arm discolored blue-black, with bruise marks clearly swelling up. This is bad. Bianca was also sweating profusely and holding her right hand.

“Estelle, can I ask you?” “Yeah! Leave it to me!”

Asked by her mother Julia, Estelle held her hand over Bianca‘s right arm.

“[Holy Miracle]!”

Paa, particles of light overflowed from Estelle‘s hand and burst. The blue-black bruise marks returned to normal in the blink of an eye. As always, an amazing ‘Gift’. Bianca is gripping and opening her restored right hand. It seems there is no pain anymore.

“Thank you, Estelle. With this, I can continue training again.”

To Bianca, who tried to continue training assuming the healed injury meant it was okay, I smiled sweetly but glared sharply.

“Bianca? I told you to take moderate breaks, didn’t I?” “L-Lady Sakuraile!? B-But, to prepare for the battle with Gloria…!” “Do you think I don’t know you’ve been doing this non-stop since morning? You were doing practice swings for hours even before Teacher Julia arrived, right?” “Umm, well, that is…”

Bianca mumbled awkwardly. Teacher Julia also sighed as if to say she was exasperated. It is clearly overwork. No wonder you took a good hit to the wrist. Teacher Julia probably struck thinking the usual Bianca could dodge it. I gathered that Bianca, accumulated fatigue taking its toll, couldn’t dodge and took it squarely.

“No wonder I thought your movements were duller than usual.” “I’m sorry…”

Bianca shrank at Teacher Julia‘s exasperated voice. Too much of anything is as bad as too little. Overdoing it is no good. You’re a child to begin with, so excessive burden will affect your growth.

“Therefore, Bianca will rest! Since it’s a good time, Teacher Julia let’s eat lunch together too! [Store Summoning]!”

Don! A kitchen car appeared in the training ground. For today’s lunch, we had decided to eat hot dogs at Estelle‘s request. I intended to bring some to Bianca and Teacher Julia anyway, so let’s eat together here. Since the weather is nice, I spread a leisure sheet bought at the pawn shop on the lawn, and we decided to sit and eat together.

“Deliciou~s. As I thought, french fries are the best! I want to eat them every day!”

Estelle shouted happily while stuffing her cheeks with her recent favorite french fries. I think you should stop eating them every day. That’s an L size, right…?

“If you eat them every day, you’ll get fat. This uses quite a bit of oil…”

Root vegetables are high in carbs too. At my words, Estelle‘s hand reaching for the french fries stopped dead. After a brief hesitation, the french fries were thrown into Estelle‘s mouth again. Even a Saintess lost to appetite, huh.

“From next time, I’ll make it an S size…”

Yeah, you should do that. Well, Estelle isn’t eating them every day either, and she’s doing dance and sword training with me, so I don’t think she’ll get fat that easily, but carelessness is forbidden. Fat—those guys cling to you before you notice… Bianca has been exercising excessively lately so I don’t think she’ll get fat. Conversely, I’m worried she might collapse.

“Ooh, Sakuraile! You were here! Oh, eating something delicious-looking.” “Grandfather?”

While eating hot dogs, Grandfather the Margrave came from the direction of the mansion. It’s not my place to say, but Grandfather is a Margrave, right? A Margrave should probably stay in their territory to prepare for invasions from neighboring countries, but is it okay for him to be in the Royal Capital this much? Grandfather’s territory borders the Allegretto Empire, which we are on bad terms with. Doesn’t Grandfather have to keep a watchful eye? When I asked Grandfather, who sat on the leisure sheet just like us and started eating a hot dog, about that,

“No need to worry. My son is handling things well over there. Arrangements are made so I’ll be contacted immediately if something happens, and with this, I can return in less than a day, right?”

Saying that, Grandfather lightly tapped the kitchen car. No, well, that’s true, but. By the way, Grandfather’s son is the person who is my Mother’s older brother. My uncle. I haven’t met him, but he is quite a person, skilled in both literary and military arts, and is called the ‘Young Lion of the Empire’ in contrast to Grandfather, the ‘Lion of the Empire’. Will Jean be called the ‘Young Tiger of the Empire’ when he grows up?

“Umm! Lord Margrave! If you would be so kind, could you give me some instruction!”

After lunch was over, Bianca said such a thing to Grandfather. Still motivated, this girl… I wonder if she really entered the muscle-brain route… I understand the feeling of impatience since she lost to Gloria once, but…

“Umu, I don’t mind. If you are Sakuraile‘s personal attendant, you must become strong. I shall teach you the techniques of a knight living in the frontier, different from Lady Julia or the central knights.” “Yes! Thank you very much!”

At Grandfather’s words, Bianca bowed her head with sparkling eyes. Then Bianca‘s special training started again non-stop. I renewed my determination with a sigh that I must force her to take a break before she collapses.