CICN 89

Chapter 89

“Really, I’m fine now!”

“Yes, yes. Still, every time I think about it, I regret not punching that scoundrel right in the face. How dare he do such a vile thing to my student… tch.”

Professor Malles clicked his tongue, his anger still simmering even after quite some time. He stared off into the distance as if scolding someone who wasn’t even there.

Then, tugging the person beside him closer, he made an introduction.

“Child, this here is my former student, Lucy.”

The middle-aged woman called Lucy gave Malles a pointed look, as though she couldn’t believe her ears.

“Master. So you do admit I was your student, then?”

“What else could I say? Even if you only ever picked things to annoy me with, your grades were good enough that I couldn’t deny it.”

“Good grief. Are you still sulking because I became an architect instead of a mathematician? It’s already been thirty years. Please let it go now.”

“Sulking? Who said I was sulking?!”

At the professor’s sharp outburst, Ibi could tell instantly.

The professor really was sulking.

Lucy ignored Malles’ grumbling and came over to bow lightly before Ibi.

“So you’re Ibi. Your master praised you so much in every single letter that I couldn’t wait to meet you. I’m glad we finally could, our youngest one.”

Lucy extended her hand for a handshake.

No adult had ever asked to shake hands with Ibi before, so she was flustered but carefully reached out.

Lucy’s large hand, stained with ink, clasped her tiny one and gave it a gentle shake.

Something about such a grown-up greeting made Ibi feel strangely older herself. Then she remembered what Lucy had just called her.

“But… youngest?”

“That’s right. Our circle’s youngest member has finally changed. How many years has it been? Twenty-five?”

Lucy’s eyes shimmered with emotion as she turned to Malles.

“Twenty-six.”

“Yes, yes. It’s been twenty-six years since Master finally took in a new pupil.”

Ibi, completely lost, just blinked between them. Seeing this, Lucy explained:

“Ah, so he hasn’t told you yet?”

“Of course not. Why would I send my precious child into a gathering of middle-aged adults with not an ounce of cuteness among them?”

“How harsh. If you’d just taken on one new student every year, then by now Ibi would have peers her age in the circle. Wouldn’t that have been wonderful?”

“Nonsense! Do you think it’s so easy to meet my standards?”

“Yes, yes, whatever you say. Anyway, Ibi, here’s what it means: professors at academies or institutes usually have their own star pupils. Naturally, those pupils form a circle. You’ve just become the newest member of our circle, after twenty-six long years.”

Finally, Ibi understood.

When she nodded, Lucy rummaged in her pocket and pulled out a small brooch.

“This is our circle’s emblem. You can wear it on your academy uniform, or make it into a necklace if you’d like. If you ever need help, just show this at our office in the capital. Everyone in the circle—and anyone who recognizes this crest—will help you.”

Then Lucy leaned down, whispering into Ibi’s ear like she was revealing a top secret.

“If you visit, I’ll even buy you ice cream.”

“Really?”

Ibi’s eyes sparkled.

At the institute, they only gave ice cream once a week, saying too much would upset children’s stomachs!

“Why are you luring her over like that?!”

“Why else? Everyone’s dying to meet her. Besides, vacation’s coming up. Are you staying at the institute? If you get bored, come visit anytime. All your seniors are eagerly waiting for you.”

“For me?”

“Of course. Even now they’re all clamoring for an excuse to enter the institute just to see you. They’re trying to come as guest lecturers and anything they can think of. Everyone will welcome you warmly. We thought our circle would never see another new face, and now—such a small, adorable junior.”

Ibi looked down at the brooch in her hand.

When she pinned it to her academy uniform, it glinted in the sunlight.

The little crest, painted gold, silver, and blue, was made of numbers and geometric shapes.

They’re waiting for me.

Outside of the institute, she knew nowhere in the capital.

But now—there were people and a place waiting just for her. The thought filled her heart with quiet strength.

Perhaps her expression gave her away, because seeing Ibi’s satisfied little smile, Professor Malles stopped grumbling.

“If I’d known she’d be so happy, I would’ve taken her myself.”

“Hah. When we sent you thousands of letters begging you to visit, you never answered once. And now you’re playing favorites?”

“Silence! I’ll bring Ibi over myself during the break.”

“Oh my, really? Then do let us know in advance. Everyone—seniors and juniors alike—will gather together for sure.”

“Tch, it’ll just be noisy.”

Yet even as he complained, Malles’ lips curled faintly upward.

He had cut ties with his students long ago.

Not because he disliked them, but because he despised the endless political squabbles and factions that plagued everything.

Other students would have resented a master who never introduced them to nobles or powerful professors. But his students had simply stuck together.

Over time, they had grown into one of the most respected circles in the Empire.

He was proud of them—but guilt lingered deeper.

And now, hearing that they still waited for him after all these years, his chest ached. That Ibi, too, was being welcomed among them made it all the more overwhelming.

I really am blessed in my pupils.

While Malles sat steeped in emotion, Ibi’s eyes drifted toward the blueprints he held.

“So, Professor, Miss Lucy—what were you working on?”

“Ah, right. We should get back to it.”

Snapped back to focus by Ibi’s question, the two bent over the plans.

“We’ve been commissioned by another city’s academy to design a library building like the one here at the institute.”

Lucy began explaining the architectural details:

Which stone had been used, how much weight it could bear, how to calculate a column-free space, how the design could be adapted.

Ibi studied the formula Lucy showed her, glanced at the blueprint, and spoke up:

“Then here, you could raise it to fifteen reeds without needing a column, right?”

“…You just worked that out?”

Lucy’s eyes widened in astonishment. After a moment, she nodded.

“Now I see why Master finally took in a new student after so long.”

“See? See? My child is extraordinary!”

“Yes. Then perhaps she truly ought to be raised as the Empire’s next great architect—”

“Ahem! She’s going to be a mathematician!”

Once again, Malles and Lucy broke into a bickering quarrel, their voices climbing higher and higher—until at last a librarian came to shush them into silence.

At that same time, Clois sat at his desk, chin in hand, sunk deep in thought.

Even when the chamberlain entered, Clois didn’t lift his head, his eyes fixed on the mountain of papers covering the desk.

“Your Majesty, perhaps you should take a short rest?” the chamberlain suggested.

Clois shook his head.

“No. There’s no time.”

He was truly restless.

Barely two weeks remained until the institute’s vacation.

In truth, most classes were already finished after exams, with only optional supplementary lessons left. For many, it was practically break already.

Students who lived far away had even received assignments early and gone home ahead of schedule.

She said she was staying this time.

A week ago, after exams ended, Clois had called for Ibi.

It was the first time he’d seen her since the incident with Izriella, and he’d been so nervous.

The moment Ibi entered, following the chamberlain, Clois had shot up from his seat and hurried to her.

Thankfully, the handprint on her cheek was gone, and her face looked bright again.

She still seemed a little intimidated by him as Emperor, but not nearly as tense as that very first meeting. That alone was enough to please him.

Then he ordered the simple food and sweets he had prepared in advance to be brought out.

“Like a mountain…”

Ibi’s jaw dropped at the feast covering the table, and Clois felt immense pride.

As she nibbled away, one treat after another, he asked her many questions.

“Will you return to the orphanage during vacation?”

“No… I think I’ll just stay here. There’s still so much I want to study. And I’d like to see more of the capital.”

The instant Ibi said she’d remain, Clois made up his mind.

She can’t stay locked in the institute all the time. If she’s staying, then I’ll show her places where she can make good memories.

The moment she left, he gave the order:

“Bring me the complete list of imperial villas near the capital. Every last one!”

And so, all the documents now piled high on Clois’ desk had come to be there.