Today is the day for taking Schwarz and Weiss's measurements. Once the third bell rings, we're heading to the library to bring them back to the dormitory.
The girls had been frantically trying to finish their lectures by today, and since there was some free time after my lessons ended, it seemed like everyone had managed to complete them. The anticipation of measuring Schwarz and Weiss, combined with the relief of finishing their studies, put them in wonderfully cheerful spirits.
"Just knowing that Schwarz and Weiss are coming to the Ehrenfest dormitory makes my heart flutter!"
The girls—those with high domestic skills who had been honing their bride training by doing embroidery, making small accessories, and sewing clothes for relatives' babies and pets—were the ones tasked with taking measurements today. I, on the other hand, had barely done any bride training to speak of, so I couldn't exactly call myself skilled when it came to sewing.
...It wasn't like I was slacking off. I'd spent two years asleep, so there was nothing I could do about it. I did want to spend my time reading rather than on bride training, though.
To be honest, I had no idea where or how to measure. If it were a person, that would be one thing, but these were large Schmils. I'd leave it to the ladies with superior domestic skills.
"Lady
While I was practicing my fey-spiel in the multipurpose hall,
"That said, if such paper exists, you could have told me about it sooner."
When I provided plant paper for writing down what we'd learned about Schwarz and Weiss this time, Hirschur examined the back and ran her fingers over it, making that remark.
She said she'd been told by other professors and students that the Ehrenfest students were using unfamiliar paper, and she'd been meaning to look into it the next time she came to the dormitory.
"Hirschur-sensei, if you were living here in your capacity as dormitory supervisor, you would have seen it whether you wanted to or not. Lady Rozemyne uses this paper on a daily basis here."
The apprentice attendants chimed in, saying that if a normal dormitory supervisor had been around, they would have noticed much earlier—especially since they made summary materials of each first-year's weak points to help them finish their studies, and kept records whenever something came up for discussion.
"Perhaps Lady Rozemyne should consider living in the dormitory while enrolled at the
"You're right. Rather than reporting to Father once a week, I think you should report more frequently. In just one week, Rozemyne manages to cause all sorts of trouble. Daily reports wouldn't be excessive."
The apprentice knights were gathered a short distance away, discussing the guard arrangements in earnest expressions. As Schwarz and Weiss's guardians who had been watching them up close, the knights knew better than I did how valuable those two were.
"Just the magic stones on their vests are valuable enough, but Schwarz and Weiss are royal relics. We should assume multiple parties are planning to target them the moment they leave the library."
"We've also confirmed the existence of an archduke candidate who keeps persistently pressuring Professor
"Lady Rozemyne has declared that she will protect Schwarz and Weiss. Even against higher-ranking territories, she will not back down. Understood?"
I wanted to join in the excitement that felt like preparing for a festival, the lively atmosphere that was so contagious. As I looked around with a fidgety air,
"You were just praised by the professors at the tea party, so please make an effort to be able to play the piece you composed."
"...I'll do my best."
After the tea party with the music professors, where Rosina's fey-spiel skills had been praised and they'd requested that she help develop my composition abilities, Rosina was brimming with motivation. She wanted to increase my practice time, but I vetoed that. Securing reading time took priority over fey-spiel practice.
As I practiced under Rosina's watchful eye, the third bell rang. I immediately pulled my hands away from the fey-spiel. While catching sight of Rosina letting out an exasperated sigh from the corner of my vision, I stood up under the expectant gazes of those around me.
"The third bell! Let's head to the library!"
"Everyone going to the library with Rozemyne, and everyone staying here to prepare the reception—all as we discussed. Schwarz and Weiss are precious magical tools, so be extra vigilant."
At Wilfried's command, we formed the predetermined formation and set out for the library. Leading the way was Hirschur, the dormitory supervisor. As for me, I would be walking in a position where I was practically buried among everyone surrounding me.
"Professor Solange, good morning."
"Good morning, Lady Rozemyne. My, there are so many of you today."
"They're here to guard Schwarz and Weiss. Something could happen, and that would be troublesome."
When we entered the library's reading room, Solange's eyes went wide at the sight of the Ehrenfest entourage.
At first I thought she was overreacting, but after the apprentice attendants relentlessly explained how rare Schwarz and Weiss were, and the apprentice knights reported that other nobles were targeting them, even I—often criticized for my lack of crisis awareness—came around to the idea that precautions were necessary to protect Schwarz and Weiss.
"Princess, they came."
"Good morning, Princess."
Schwarz and Weiss came toddling over. At the sight of them, Lieseleta's face broke into a wide grin. "How adorable!" she exclaimed. It seemed she was compensating for the loneliness of not being able to see her own Schmil with Schwarz and Weiss instead. I understood that feeling well—when you're lonely, you start wanting a substitute.
"Schwarz, Weiss. Today we're taking measurements to make clothes for you. We're going to my room now."
"Understood. Measuring."
"Will measure many things."
Having already gone through multiple owners and received new outfits each time, Schwarz and Weiss seemed to understand what measurements entailed. They bounced over to my side with little hops.
"Lady Rozemyne, Schwarz and Weiss cannot leave the library unless they are with their master. Please hold their hands as you move about."
At Solange's words, I took Schwarz's hand in my right and Weiss's hand in my left.
"Look. I'm holding hands with Schwarz and Weiss."
"Weren't we told not to touch them?"
I could tell there were female students in the library who had come specifically for Schwarz and Weiss—they were staring in surprise at us.
Hirschur had told us that touching them without permission would result in being zapped by magic. It started as just a small tingle, but if you persisted, the force would grow stronger.
"Well then, once the measurements are finished, we'll bring them back."
"Very well."
I walked along with Schwarz and Weiss holding my hands.
On the way back, Hirschur the dormitory supervisor once again took the lead, while I and Schwarz and Weiss were positioned right in the middle of the group. Attendants and other girls formed a ring around us, with apprentice attendants surrounding them, and apprentice knights securing the outer perimeter as we walked. We probably couldn't even be seen from the outside, surrounded as we were.
But Hirschur, who was said to rarely leave her room except for lectures, was walking at the head of the formation with a delighted expression, and the grand display of knights surrounding us drew attention from those nearby. The whispered conversations around us drifted into my ears.
"Are those the library's Schmils? Why is Ehrenfest...?"
"Can they actually leave the library?"
"I heard they zap you with magic if you touch them..."
With my heart pounding in anticipation that something might happen, I made it back to the Ehrenfest dormitory.
Once inside, Wilfried—who had lent me half his guard knights—let out a relieved sigh.
"It seems nothing happened. Now then, let's take the measurements. Is everything ready?"
"Yes!"
The multipurpose hall was filled with every student who didn't have morning lectures today. They all seemed interested in Schwarz and Weiss.
Looking from a short distance was fine, but only those I had specifically permitted could touch them—which meant only my attendants.
"Now then, I'll have them undressed once. The only ones I will permit to touch Schwarz and Weiss are Lieseleta, Richhild, and Brünhilde—just the three of you."
"Understood. Only three people."
"Allowed to touch."
Lieseleta and Brünhilde undressed them, and then took measurements one after another with a tape measure. The girls who wanted to be as close to Schwarz and Weiss as possible had volunteered to write down the sizes. Richhild was on lookout duty to make sure no one else touched them carelessly.
"Lady Rozemyne, I can't see!"
Surrounded by girls who, while not touching them, wanted to be as close as possible, Schwarz and Weiss couldn't be seen from a slightly more distant table. Hirschur was craning her head left and right, trying to catch a glimpse of Schwarz and Weiss's midsection, but it seemed completely futile.
I watched as Schwarz and Weiss were stripped of their vests and dresses. Just as Hirschur had said, complex magic circles were visible on their abdominal area.
"...Please wait a little longer. Once the measurements are done, I'll have Schwarz and Weiss come over there. In the meantime, Hirschur-sensei, I'd like you to take a look at this."
I picked up the garments that Lieseleta and Brünhilde had removed and brought them over to Hirschur. Richhild was keeping watch, and the girls were mutually keeping each other at bay while maintaining their distance, so it should be fine to take my eyes off things for a moment.
I spread the garments across the table surrounded by the apprentice attendants.
"Only Hirschur-sensei,
Unlike the apprentice attendants who leaned in close, Hirschur immediately picked up a garment and began examining it carefully.
"The pattern along the hem of the dress and this vest's pattern—I believe they resemble magic circles. I haven't seen many, so I'm not sure what kind of magic circles they are, but..."
The vest was embroidered in various colors, and when I followed the thread of the same color, I could make out what appeared to be magic circle segments in several places. They weren't clearly visible to me, but Hirschur would probably be able to tell.
"Yes, these are indeed magic circles. Even where the color appears the same, here they've simply used the same-colored thread for visual camouflage, and here the pattern is broken mid-way, rendering it an ineffective magic circle. The ones that are connected properly and functional are..."
Hirschur narrowed her eyes, tracing the magic circles with her gaze, while her hand moved across the paper, sketching out characters and patterns one after another.
It seemed that the vest's complex embroidery contained numerous magic circles sewn in.
"Can you tell what kind of magic circles these are?"
"Yes, these are magic circles for protecting Schwarz and Weiss. This button uses a magic stone, correct? If the master infuses their magic into it, Schwarz and Weiss will be protected. To be able to embroider such complex magic circles and activate them—this is incredibly delicate and advanced magic. How beautiful!"
Hearing Hirschur's excited words as she gazed at the vest, I felt cold sweat trickle down my back as I looked toward Schwarz and Weiss's clothes.
"...Um, Hirschur-sensei. When we make new clothes for them... will we need similar magic circle embroidery and magic stone buttons?"
"Well, of course. To ensure Schwarz and Weiss are fully protected, it would be ideal to have them."
Hirschur said it so matter-of-factly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, but I couldn't imagine the
"How would we embroider them? I have absolutely no idea..."
"I'll create an even more refined magic circle. My fingers are itching to work on this. I can't lose to my predecessors!"
The surrounding apprentice attendants looked at Hirschur with eyes full of anticipation. Meeting their gazes, Hirschur's purple eyes gleamed as she chuckled softly.
"Hartmut, copy this hem pattern exactly as it is. Not a single line should be done carelessly."
Hirschur issued instructions to Hartmut with a sigh of admiration while she herself sketched the vest's pattern.
As Hartmut traced the hem of Schwarz's dress with his finger and recorded the embroidery pattern, Philine was also holding Weiss's dress with a complicated expression, attempting to copy the pattern.
"No, that's not it. That part is easily mistaken."
But for Philine, who hadn't yet studied magic circles at all, it seemed too difficult. An apprentice nearby muttered in frustration, "If only you'd let me write it down..."
"Philine, spread the garment so the other apprentice attendants can see it. Would the others write it down in Philine's place?"
"I'll do it!"
Philine's shoulders sagged slightly, but she carefully spread the garment out so the other apprentice attendants could see it. I gently patted her drooping shoulders.
"Philine, I don't understand magic circles at all either. Let's study together through this garment-making process."
"Yes, Lady Rozemyne."
The apprentice attendants kept exclaiming in surprise as they copied the patterns, saying things like, "Would this combination really activate?"
While glancing at them, Hirschur also began checking the materials—turning the garments over, carefully running her fingers along the embroidered sections.
"If we want to activate this magic circle, we'll need thread dyed with magic, as well as several substances that must be compounded to make the garments. Since you don't yet have detailed knowledge of magic circles, Lady Rozemyne, doing the embroidery yourself would be impossible. And considering you were asleep for two years, your bride training is likely insufficient."
Hearing Hirschur explain that this was one reason embroidery was essential for noblewomen's bride training, I was taken aback.
...There was actually that much meaning behind the bride training I'd been so dismissive of!? I'm not even slightly dexterous—what am I going to do!?
"This garment-making task will likely become a challenge that Ehrenfest must tackle as one. It will be a good opportunity to study magic circles and magical tools."
Schwarz and Weiss were magical tools crafted by a royal princess, and the garments prepared by successive owners to protect them used high-quality materials generously, in addition to advanced techniques.
"I suppose we'll need to start by gathering materials... is what I'd like to say, but that's something we can leave to
Hirschur said it so simply, as if all I had to do was ask and it would be fine, but the Chief Priest was not someone who would move so easily without something in it for him.
"...I don't imagine Ferdinand-sama would be willing to part with them so readily."
"If you tell him we're making garments for Schwarz and Weiss, he'll be able to pull strings left and right using the magic circles we've recorded as leverage. He's not the type to skimp on materials or money for an unknown magical tool. As his teacher, I can say this with certainty."
...Wow, that's remarkably convincing. The part about pulling strings using the magic circles was especially persuasive.
"Lady Rozemyne, the measurements for Schwarz and Weiss are complete."
Lieseleta called out, and I snapped to attention, looking toward the cluster of girls surrounding Schwarz and Weiss.
"Hirschur-sensei, it looks like they're finished."
"Could you bring them over here? I won't be able to write anything down otherwise."
When I called Schwarz and Weiss, they came over, bobbing their heads as they walked.
When clothed, they looked exactly like living Schmils, but once their clothes were removed, you could see that their heads, limbs, and torsos were separate parts, much like a stuffed toy. The torso section was covered in dense gold-thread embroidery.
"My, their abdominis are really full of magic circles."
"Richhild, please have Schwarz and Weiss sit on the table. I can't copy the patterns like this."
Richhild lifted Schwarz, and Lieseleta and Brünhilde lifted Weiss, placing them on the table.
"How helpful, Lady Rozemyne."
Hirschur watched with an almost devouring intensity, her eyes gleaming brilliantly—which was a little frightening. The magic circles covered not only their abdomens but also their backs and posteriors. It was quite intricate.
While occasionally having them stand or raise their hands, we worked away until the fourth bell rang.
"It's lunchtime. Let's take a break and eat. Schwarz and Weiss, you'll stay with me."
I'd been told under no circumstances to let them out of my sight. I had Schwarz and Weiss dressed, and we went hand in hand to the dining hall. Hirschur was also having lunch with us today. She'd been given a seat next to me.
"So the garment-making is going to be that large-scale an undertaking?"
"Yes, this is a task that Ehrenfest must address as one. Originally, this was something that high-ranking nobles in the Central District handled."
Hirschur told Wilfried that he should request assistance from the Aub Ehrenfest as well. Wilfried nodded and said, "Understood," then picked up his cutlery, and Hirschur picked up hers as well.
"...Lady Rozemyne?"
"What is it, Hirschur-sensei?"
"What is this dish?"
"It's lunch?"
I looked at the meal prepared by
"When exactly did Ehrenfest's cuisine become like this?"
"Oh, about two or three years ago, I think."
"I had no idea."
"That's because you haven't been living in the dormitory."
She simply didn't know because she hadn't eaten in the dormitory for years. All the students were well aware.
After eating her stew in silence for a while, Hirschur suddenly looked up.
"I shall be living in the Ehrenfest dormitory as much as possible from now on."
Hirschur announced that the dormitory supervisor would actually live in the dormitory—something that was common sense anywhere else—and the surrounding people were startled. Lunch ended on that note.
The copying of the magic circles continued in the afternoon. Schwarz and Weiss were once again asked to remove their clothes while the work went on, but the magic circles around their torsos seemed quite difficult to decipher. Even the upper-year apprentice attendants who had been able to read the magic circles on the garments were stumped.
Only Hirschur's eyes kept sparkling as she copied them down.
"I already thought she was a strange teacher, but her competence is genuine. Despite her excellent grades, I can't understand any of this at all."
Hartmut said this with a slight shrug. The magic circles were apparently too old in their construction for him to comprehend.
"I was barely able to grasp that they involve magic circles related to the attributes of light and darkness. Presumably, they can only be used by archduke candidates or royalty."
Even if he could understand them, Hartmut lacked the necessary attributes, so he apparently couldn't become the master of Schwarz and Weiss.
"Lady Rozemyne, you possess both attributes, don't you?"
"She became the master of Schwarz and Weiss, so that must be the case."
After finishing the magic circles across their entire torsos, Hirschur furrowed her brow and compared the completed sheets of paper.
"...This isn't enough. It's full of holes."
"They surely wouldn't record everything on the surface that anyone could see, would they?"
"Even I would conceal some of them."
While I ordered Richhild and the others to dress Schwarz and Weiss, Hirschur and the apprentice attendants huddled together, peering at the papers and discussing.
"It seems there's much we'd only discover by taking them apart..."
"Hirschur-sensei, please do not get any closer to Schwarz and Weiss."
At the alarming word "take apart," the girls' eyes sharpened. Being glared at unanimously by fierce stares, Hirschur simply shrugged and stood up.
"I'll think about whether I can improve the protective magic circles further. Everyone, please return Schwarz and Weiss to the library."
With that, Hirschur darted off to her room in the specialized building where her workshop was located.
"Schwarz, Weiss, you've worked hard."
"Not tired."
"I'm okay, Princess."
I stroked the magic stones on their foreheads, infusing them with magic, and took their hands.
"Well then, let's go back to the library."
The moment I said this, the entrance door flew open, and
"Lady Rozemyne, I ask for maximum vigilance. Because Hirschur-sensei rushed out, word has gotten around that the measurements are complete. I spotted archduke candidates waiting in ambush."
"Angelica?!"
"There's a high likelihood they'll try to force their way through. Prepare yourselves—be ready to fight at any moment!"
Tension surged through everyone at Angelica's report.
Wilfried scanned his own guard knights.
"Rozemyne, take my guard knights with you! You lot—protect Rozemyne and the others! I'll stay here so I don't get in the way!"
At Wilfried's instruction, all but one guard knight joined our group.
"Attendants and female students without combat ability—stay behind. You'll only get in the way of the guards. In their place, upper-year apprentice knights will join the party."
"Lower-year apprentice knights will guard the dormitory. They can't come in, but don't slacken your vigilance!"
"As for attendants who can touch Schwarz and Weiss and have at least some combat ability..."
To keep the number of people we needed to protect to a bare minimum, the party rushing to the library was quickly reorganized. The only attendant assigned to me was Richhild, who could carry me, Schwarz, and Weiss and still run. The rest would stay behind.
"Then, let's go!"
"Wait!"
I hurriedly stopped
"Everyone, please kneel. I shall grant you the divine blessing of Angriff, God of War."
I had given blessings a few times in the knight order, but the apprentices didn't seem to understand what I was saying. They tilted their heads in confusion.
Angelica, who had been at the front of the formation, immediately rushed to my side at the center, knelt, and bowed her head quietly.
"Please bestow your blessing, Lady Rozemyne."
Seeing Angelica's example, Cornelius, my guard knights, and Wilfried's guard knights began to kneel one after another. Since the formation was arranged around me, I found myself surrounded by kneeling apprentice knights.
I filled my right hand with magic and summoned the staff that was easiest for me to channel magic through. Raising my right hand, I poured magic into it as usual.
"May the divine blessing of Angriff, God of War, retainer of the Fire God
Blue light radiated from the staff and cascaded down upon everyone. The apprentice knights blinked in wonder, as if seeing a blessing for the first time.
Hirschur-sensei showed her side as a magical tools professor, and the measurements were completed without incident.
And then there was Angelica, back in action for the first time in a while.
Next up: the battle over Schwarz and Weiss.