Tea for Aristocrat

The morning class starts as Ms Kilia enters the classroom, holding a few books in her hands.

“Okay, class is about to start. Our first lesson is basic mathematics.”

I pull my notebook and stationery out from my bag. I start to copy what the teacher writes on the blackboard. Mathematics in particular is not something I am fond of studying—even back when I had a private tutor at the castle.

Turning my head to the right, I see Amelle trying her best to stay focused. It seems she wasn't named a scholarship student just for show.

Even though Ms Kilia called it "basic," it is anything but… The academy assumes that we already know addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Many of the symbols aren't even explained. In truth, the lesson begins with what is known as algebra—a field only recently invented in the Middle East.

If I hadn't studied this beforehand at the royal castle, I would be completely screwed right now.

It feels as though an eternity passes before the clock tower finally chimes, bringing an end to our mathematics lesson.

“…Yeah, now I remember why I hate math,” I mutter under my breath.

Ms Kilia clears her throat before making an announcement for our next class.

“Since today is your first day of school, our first spirit control lesson after the break will be held on the school grounds behind the club building. Please do not be late.” With that, she exits the room.

The classroom quickly empties as the students hurry off to the cafeteria to grab a quick bite before the next lesson, leaving behind me, Amelle, and two boys who joined my swordsmanship club. The two of them look like they are dying at their desks—a spiky-haired boy named Rio and a green-haired boy named Ashton.

“Are you guys alright?” I ask, looking over at them.

“Of course not, you idiot! Can’t you see? This is all your fault! My muscles are screaming!” Rio groans, resting his face flat against his desk.

I giggle softly as I use my mana to gently massage his aching muscles. “There, that should fix it. At least now you can make it to the next class. If your body hurts this much, it’s proof that you’ve never done any proper workouts before.”

“Whoa! That is so cool, Lumi!” Amelle's eyes suddenly gleam as she watches my technique. “But I won’t lose to you! I will heal Ashton.” She darts toward Ashton and channels her spirit power. “Spirit of Life Aion, relieve Ashton of his pain!”

… But I don’t even see her spirit; maybe it’s the type that does not appear, like Chronos.

After that, Ashton looks at Amelle in shock. “You’re a commoner, yet you possess a spirit of such high rank?!”

Amelle simply laughs it off. “It was just a spirit wandering around my village’s church. I simply became friends with her.”

“…I won’t lose to either of you!” With that, Rio and Ashton dart out of the classroom.

“Let’s go, Lumi!” Amelle grabs my hand, and we head to the cafeteria.

The cafeteria isn't as crowded as it was yesterday… It seems the lunch hour for the six classes is split into two shifts. The principal is really good at this, I suppose—creating a schedule where only three classes eat together at a time.

It seems we’re eating lunch with some upperclassmen, Class 1-A and Class 1-D, today, as the upcoming schedule pairs us together for spirit class on the school grounds.

“…Oh? I’ve heard about this… Is this pudding?” Amelle's eyes light up at the sight of the soft white gelatin.

Well, classic Amelle… I’m simply amazed that she doesn’t seem to gain a single pound… I stare in envy at Amelle’s slender frame while grabbing my own food.

It seems a crowd has gathered around one of the stalls where something new is being served…

It’s my tea!

The tea we recently cultivated—after our match at the Levre Arena, I had asked the principal to try a tea pouch that I brought and showed him how to brew it using Eastern standards. I told him that if he liked it, he should add it to our cafeteria menu… And it seems he liked it very much indeed.

“Oh? What’s going on over there?” Amelle notices the crowd gathered around the tea stand.

“It seems an Eastern product was just introduced to the cafeteria… and even the prince seems to like it!” a student nearby answers in response to Amelle's question.

“Oh, thank you for the explanation.”

Hearing that, I quickly glance over toward Lucius’s table. He is seated with his usual group of three—Eliza, Nicolai, and Lily. They are enjoying the tea, drinking it with proper royal elegance. Even so, it feels strange to see people drinking the tea without Eastern etiquette.

Good job, my little brother! I almost say it out loud, a proud smile threatening to break across my face… Getting advertised by royalty truly is the most efficient method.

“So, Lumi… Do you want to try one?” Amelle asks, turning back to me.

“Of course I want to!” My eyes sparkle instantly. I haven’t been able to drink it lately since I gave all of my tea leaf stocks to various people… So, this will be my first time drinking it in a very long time.

The tea becomes the hot topic all around the cafeteria, with students talking about its nice aroma and how amazingly relaxing it feels after just one sip.

As we reach the end of the line, the cafeteria worker bows deeply to Amelle and me. “We are terribly sorry! We’ve completely run out of tea. If we serve any more now, there won't be enough left for the next batch of students… We will strive to provide better service tomorrow!”

I nearly cry as my high expectations are shattered… Amelle and I carry our trays to an empty table, where we sit down and quietly eat our food.

“Lumi? Are you okay? It’s fine! We can try it tomorrow! I'm also intrigued by the drink.”

I sigh as I pick at my food… But then I overhear an interesting conversation.

Several students gather around the First Prince's table, but surprisingly, it isn't Lucius who is being questioned—it's Nicolai. “This new drink called tea... isn't it true that your grandfather, the Duke of Lenningham, was the one who cultivated it?” they ask.

“I also just heard about this. It seems Grandfather received the cultivated product just a week ago. But, as far as I know, we only have limited stock.”

That is true enough—after all, the ones I entrusted to guard the tea plantation at the orphanage were my grandfather's soldiers. Before he has a method to cultivate it widely, tea will still be a scarce product.

“That is so cool!” the students exclaim in admiration.

“The Duke might earn a massive fortune in additional revenue from this…” a smart-looking student chimes in thoughtfully.

“Though, I must truly apologise. Grandfather hasn't shared any further details about it with me just yet, though I am certain he will do his best to meet the growing demands all across our nation.”

“I heard that this drink has already become something noble families and wealthy merchant guilds are competing to distribute,” another student using expensive-looking accessories chimes in eagerly.

Lucius then chuckles softly into his teacup. “How interesting. I believe Father would be glad to lend royal backing to the Duke for such a promising new product.”

“Excuse us,” Eliza speaks up, standing up gracefully to disperse the eager crowd. “I am terribly sorry, but could everyone please allow us to finish our meal in peace? Break hour will end soon, and both His Highness and Lord Nicolai still have unfinished lunches.”

I watch as the calm, long-brown-haired girl resumes her seat upon seeing the crowd disperse. I then look across the table at Amelle, who is still happily munching away.

“Are you really that interested in the tea, Lumi?” she asks, taking another bite of her pudding.

“…It’s a shame,” I murmur with a soft pout. “I’ll just have to enjoy it tomorrow. Let's make a run for it as soon as class ends next time!”