Magic Gems Gourmet

Side Chapter 3

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ED: LonelyMatter

“Book Publication Commemoration & 1st Anniversary” Exchanges in the Academy City “Side Story”

Author Note: Chronologically, this story takes place before the Sea Dragon’s incident, when Krone was still attending the academy.

I apologize for any discrepancies.

Ain was currently at an area known as the Academy City, which was home to numerous academies.

Come afternoon, he left the academy and headed to a nearby restaurant.

He sat down at a table on the terrace and spoke with his bodyguard, Chris.

“This isn’t something you’d assign to first-year students, is it?”

“Well, the Royal Kingsland Academy is the best in Ishtalika, so…”

“I know that, but I guess it can’t be helped.”

Ain didn’t expect the students to study at an age-appropriate level, but he wondered if this wasn’t going too far.

However, as Chris said, the academy was of such high quality that there’s nothing that could be done about it.

“Now that you’ve left the academy, why don’t you start working on it when you get back to the castle?”

“…I understand what you’re saying, Chris-san, but I thought it might be nice to change my mood a little.”

“I see. You’re not entirely wrong.”

“So, I’ve eaten dinner, and now I’m opening my textbooks.”

However, as he had admitted earlier, things weren’t going so well.

Ain was looking at the new textbooks that had been distributed that day.

He could still remember the wry smiles on his classmates’ faces.

“The weather is so nice and warm, but I can’t seem to move my pen. Why is that?”

“Ain-sama, I have some advice for you.”

As if it were a godsend, Ain leaned forward at Chris’s words.

He brought his face closer to Chris’s, who was sitting across from him.

“The best way to get the right answer is to keep moving the pen.”

“I see. Yeah, that’s good advice. That’s great.”

“Haha… Well, I’ll be rooting for you.”

It was hot in the early summer capital, but a cool breeze blew today.

Feeling the breeze, Ain looked back at his textbook, but then he heard a familiar voice.

“Hey, Ain!”

“Batz. We’re outside, so you shouldn’t call him that.”

“Oops… Excuse me, Your Highness.”

Two friends approached.

They were Batz and Leonard, who had been in the same class since entering the academy.

They had the same textbook as Ain.

“Ain-sama. I will stand guard nearby.”

“Mm, all right.”

When the two arrived, Chris stood up and moved away a little.

The two, looking apologetic, sat down at Ain’s urging.

“I feel like I’ve done something wrong.”

“Yes… Is that okay, Your Highness?”

“Chris-san understands that you are both nice people.”

She was loyal to her work, so Ain wanted them to accept her consideration without hesitation.

Understanding Ain’s intention, the two nodded quietly and called the waiter to order drinks.

“Hey, where’s Roland?”

“He went home. He said he had to hurry home to help with some work.”

“Hmm… That’s too bad, but I guess it can’t be helped.”

“By the way, Your Highness, are you having a hard time too? It’s about the thing that was distributed today…”

Leonard’s gaze shifted to Ain’s hands, which were moving back and forth between his pen and textbook.

Hearing his voice, the three of them sighed in unison and gazed out at the streets of the academy city.

“Well, well… It’s busy today, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, that’s right…”

“…It’s such a nice day, but I don’t feel very cheerful.”

Following the lead of the other two, Ain also made a sad remark.

“How far have you gotten, Your Highness?”

“Ah, I’m around here.”

“Hey, you’re too far ahead! Leonard and I were just working hard in the library a moment ago!”

“Batz. In His Highness’s case, it’s because he has a stronger sense of responsibility than we do, doesn’t he?”

“Ah, yeah… Well, that may be part of it, but…”

“Let’s not talk about this, guys.”

Ain clapped his hands lightly, breaking the awkward silence.

Since they had finally met outside the academy, he wanted to talk about something more cheerful.

“Hey, Ain. Look over there.”

“I told you… It’s His Highness, Batz.”

“No, there are only three of us here, so just call me Ain.”

Batz smiled triumphantly.

Leonard looked at him in exasperation but respected Ain’s judgment.

“So, what’s over there?”

“Over there. Look! It’s the young ladies of Liebe Girls’ Academy, the second strictest academy after ours.”

(Liebe Girls’ Academy… Oh, that’s where Krone is studying.)

She was three years older than Ain, and with recommendations from Olivia and Laralua, as well as Warren’s help, she transferred there.

Although she lived in the August Trading Company building, she seemed to spend most of her time at the castle for one reason or another.

…Just as he was thinking that, something caught his eye.

Among the female students Batz was watching was Krone.

“…Eh?”

She glanced at Chris, who was also smiling wryly.

It wasn’t a secret that Krone and Ain were close, but this was the first time they had been this close to each other outside the academy.

“Then, shall we all have some tea?”

“That’s a wonderful idea. Please join us, Krone-sama.”

“Ah, yes, I understand.”

Krone took her hand somewhat forcefully and responded with a smile.

The three young ladies, including Krone, headed toward the shop where Ain and the others were.

“Let’s sit here. Have a seat, Krone-sama.”

“…Thank you.”

Ain quickly changed the angle of his chair and turned his back to her.

However, with Chris standing nearby, she could still sense Ain’s presence.

Needless to say, she was annoyed that he had turned his back on her.

“Huh? Hey, Ain… What’s wrong?”

“No, well, you know, I just made my debut, so I’m not really comfortable with people my age.”

“Huh? Oh, you mean you don’t want to stand out?”

“Exactly! I’m glad you understand.”

Of course, that’s not what he really thought. Chris could only smile wryly at Ain.

Leonard, sitting right next to him, takes his words at face value and moves his seat closer to Ain as if forming a wall.

“I’ll sit along the wall, so don’t worry about it.”

“Oh, okay… Thank you…”

It hurts.

Leonard’s thoughtfulness stung.

However, he was embarrassed to look at her, so he decided to leave things as they were for now.

Eventually, the young ladies took their seats.

From her seat, Krone could see Ain with his back turned to her.

“By the way, did you see the Crown Prince’s debut the other day?”

“Yes! He was very dignified! He looked just like the Second Princess and was very handsome.”

“I thought so too. What did you think, Krone-sama?”

Ain’s body trembled slightly.

Krone noticed and wondered what to do.

Should she tell the truth or add her usual mischief?

“…So that’s the daughter of the August Trading Company. I can see why there’s such a commotion.”

“Yeah, I hear that even the high nobility are flooding her with marriage proposals. I can see why.”

The two glanced at the young ladies.

The two girls flanking Krone were beautiful, too, but Krone’s radiance was too dazzling to ignore.

“She’s got it all. As the daughter of the August Trading Company, which is said to be on the verge of becoming a major trading company, she’s bound to be popular.”

“I agree. However, I hear the Prime Minister is stopping it. Your Highness? What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing. I just got a little hot.”

It’s mainly due to nervousness.

Leonard found Ain’s indifference puzzling.

As the three of them talked, they gradually began to hear the young ladies’ conversation again.

“I think… Well, I think he’s a little mischievous.”

“Well, well… Come to think of it, Krone-sama does come and go from the castle, doesn’t she?”

(Mischievous, me…? No, no, no. I just use the Dark Straw sometimes and play with Katima-san. That’s all.)

Of course, from an outsider’s perspective, that’s definitely mischievous.

Chris, standing by, nodded deeply in agreement with Krone.

“… Ain, are you mischievous?”

“Eh, what? What are you talking about?”

“No, I mean… Oh, never mind.”

Seeing that Ain wasn’t going to answer, Batz cut him off.

Needless to say, Leonard’s stern gaze was behind that decision.

“But… His Royal Highness is kind and considerate—a wonderful person.”

The words themselves were sincere.

However, saying them here revealed Krone’s mischievous nature.

“If you keep your back turned, I’ll make you blush.”

That feeling pushed her forward.

“Your Highness.”

“Y-yes… What is it?”

“Krone-dono seems to have good judgment.”

“Ah, yes. I suppose so.”

Ain was surrounded by unique individuals and had no time to spare.

Even with just one friend or one conversation, it’s still like that.

But it’s not good to leave her alone like this.

He turned his back on her, but Ain glanced at Chris and stood up.

“I’m sorry. That girl, Krone, seems upset that I turned my back on her.”

“I thought so. Come on, stop being shy and talk to her.”

Batz waves his hand like a kind older brother and pushes Ain’s back.

Leonard smiled gently and bowed his head to see them off.

Ain stood up, joined Chris, and approached the three of them, who were enjoying their conversation.

“They seem to be enjoying themselves, but I’ll excuse myself.”

He walked a little way and approached the three young ladies.

The two looked puzzled but immediately realized who he was.

“T-the Crown Prince!?”

“Eh… Why are you here?”

“My academy is nearby. Would it be okay if I borrowed Krone for a bit?”

After asking the two for permission, he smiled and nodded at Krone.

“…Oh, I’m honored to be invited by Your Highness.”

“I’m a mischievous crown prince, so I don’t mind being in a place like this.”

The young ladies looked at Ain with concern.

Perhaps they thought he was angry at Krone’s words.

However, after saying that, Ain held out his hand to Krone.

“Are you going to the castle today?”

“Yes, I have some work to do for Warren-sama.”

“That’s perfect. Let’s go together.”

“Fufu… Is this your way of apologizing for turning your back on me?”

“Well, something like that.”

Ain and Krone conversed easily.

Not only was Krone friendly toward the crown prince, but he was also warm and captivating toward her.

“You two, I’m truly sorry, but I must take my leave now.”

Bowing her head to the stunned young ladies, she stood next to Ain and began to walk away.

From a short distance away, Batz and Leonard watched them leave.

“That Crown Prince… With her who always turns away all men…”

“Yes… With such a lovely smile, together with His Highness the Crown Prince…”

As they left, Ain and the others overheard such conversations, but they just laughed it off.

At the very least, it was clear that the royal family had not made the nature of Ain and Krone’s relationship public.

However, they wouldn’t deny the relationship between the two.

“You two? It’s fine today, but please watch your language in crowded places…”

“I’m sorry, Chris-san. I’ll be careful.”

“I’m sorry, too.”

Although they didn’t say it out loud, they were probably happy to see each other in Academy City.

Thinking so, Chris didn’t say anything harsh.

Seeing the two of them walk away happily, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything.

“Ara, is that a new textbook?”

“Yes, it’s difficult, and I was feeling discouraged, but Chris told me that if I couldn’t do it, I should ask for help.”

“That’s wonderful advice. That’s the best way to learn.”

Krone peered at Ain’s slightly dissatisfied face.

“When we get back to the castle, I’ll teach you.”

“Eh… K-Krone… Do you understand?”

“I’m older than you. Besides, I’m trying my best, too.”

“Please go easy on me.”

He didn’t like being taught all the time, but today, he decided to let her spoil him.

Seeing Ain nod in disappointment, Krone and Chris reminisced about that day.

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