I Was Reincarnated as a Duke as a Matter of Course, So I Bought a Slave on a Whim and Now There’s No Turning Back - 7

Chapter 7: My Second Start of School Life

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Time continued to flow quietly after that. Nothing particularly dramatic happened. But little by little, each day started to feel normal again. The instructor’s lessons were as incomprehensible as ever, I kept asking Yuka about the parts I didn’t understand, and as always, she explained them accurately—mercilessly so.

At one point, the stress nearly made my entire body feel like it was going to explode, but somehow I was still maintaining my original form and living on as a human being. And then… I had very happy news!

Before I realized it, her replies that used to be limited to just “Yes” had begun to include “Um…” and “I suppose so,” and her expression had softened, if only just a little. Just looking at her made me unable to stop grinning like an idiot.

Someone please help (seriously).

As for the bath… Well, after the second time, I left it to Mother and the others like a normal person.

What even is that “bonding through shared nudity/naked bonding” theory? What matters is daily communication, right? (this middle-aged man is tearing up)

◆◆◆

The day before entering the Royal Academy. The mansion had been unusually bustling since morning. Servants hurried back and forth, and luggage was lined up along the corridor.

“…Isn’t that a lot?”

I muttered under my breath as I looked ahead. There was a bag for the Academy, a full set of uniforms, and a stack of textbooks.

“All of this is mine…?”

“Yes, they are Luka-sama’s belongings.”

Yuka nodded beside me. Not half a step behind anymore. Naturally, she stood next to me. I was seriously so happy, it felt just like when a stray cat you picked up finally grows attached to you.

“But I still kind of don’t want to go.”

“That is not allowed.”

Lately, I felt like all I ever made her say was “That is not allowed.”

Sorry, Yuka-mama.

Then came the heavy sound of footsteps.

“Oh? Are the preparations going well?”

When I turned around, Father was standing there. He was tall and solidly built. He was often dressed in armor, but today, unusually, he wore casual clothes. I didn’t get many chances to see him, but even toward a talentless son like me, he acted like a proper father.

Maybe in this world, magical talent isn’t everything after all?

“You start at the Academy tomorrow, right? How is it? Are you feeling nervous?”

“If I said I wasn’t, that would be a lie.”

When I answered honestly, Father smiled slightly.

“That’s good. A man who feels no nerves isn’t capable of thinking about anything.”

“…That’s deep.”

Father placed his hand gently on my head.

“Talent isn’t everything. Go and see for yourself how you think, and how you choose to stand.”

He didn’t bring up magic power and I was grateful for that.

“Father, please do not spoil Luka too much.”

A voice cut in from the side.

“Oh?”

It was my brother. Well, I had two older brothers. This one was the second son—Fazil-nii-san, who was engaged to Elysia’s older sister. He was tall, with perfect posture, and gave off that unmistakable “top student, model noble” aura. Couldn’t he tear off just one stat, like Anpanman tearing off part of himself, and share it with me?

“The Academy isn’t a playground, you know~”

“I know.”

“That’s not the face of someone who knows.”

“Isn’t that a bit harsh?”

He looked down at me and slightly relaxed his brows.

“Well, just don’t push yourself too hard.”

“That’s rich coming from you, Nii-san.”

“What a cheeky little brother.”

He grabbed my head firmly and ruffled my hair vigorously.

“Yuka-san.”

My brother’s gaze shifted to Yuka.

“Take care of my brother.”

“…Yes.”

Yuka hesitated for just a moment, then answered clearly. Seeing that, Father gave a small nod.

“Good. Then get some rest early tonight.”

“Understood.”

On the way back to my room, I suddenly stopped.

“Yuka.”

“Yes?”

“Yuka, about the Academy…”

“I will go with you.”

Whoa—fast.

“I haven’t even finished speaking yet.”

“I know.”

Yuka smiled, just a little.

“I do not believe Luka-sama can go alone.”

…Oh? So she was underestimating me.

If you combine this body and my previous life, I’m about twenty-two years old, you know?

…Wait, does that mean I’m already over twenty? Scary. Let’s not think about that.

“…I see.”

It wasn’t so bad, hearing her say that. It meant she was worried about me, right? The night sky visible from my window was quiet and clear. From tomorrow on, my Academy life would begin. My talent and magic power were both average. But…

Right now, Yuka was by my side, and my family was properly supporting me from behind. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad start after all.

Well then…

I was actually kind of looking forward to the first day.

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The main gate of the Royal Academy was unusually noisy from early morning. Carriages for nobles arrived one after another, and attendants bearing their respective family crests escorted their masters with practiced ease.

“…There are a lot of people,” I couldn’t help letting my honest thoughts slip out.

When there are too many people, I tend to shrink into myself. As far as the eye could see, almost everyone was a noble. There were a few students dressed differently, but they were few in number. They must have been commoners selected by Academy officials, admitted after their talents were recognized—exceptional cases, so to speak.

At this Academy, aside from such exceptions, having attendants was the norm. And so..

“Luka-sama, please watch your step.”

Walking beside me, Yuka smoothly guided me through the crowd. She was completely fulfilling her role as my attendant now. Originally, Moore had been scheduled to accompany me, but Yuka’s growth had been remarkable, and Mother apparently judged that she could entrust this task to her.

“Yuka looks less like a new student than I do.”

“Is that so?”

“You’re too composed.”

Exchanging light banter, we headed toward the school building. Then, from somewhere ahead, a conversation drifted into my ears.

“Hey, I heard that person is among this year’s new students.”

“Which ‘that person’?”

There are multiple ‘that persons’?

“The one with silver hair, rumored to be top-class in both grades and magic power…”

“Oh, Serena Alfilia-sama?”

A murmur rippled through the surrounding area. When I heard silver hair, I thought they might be talking about Elysia, but it turned out to be someone I didn’t know at all.

“So she really is coming…”

“Well of course she is. It’s the Royal Academy.”

“Is it true she’s a candidate for the next Court Mage?”

I see. So that’s the type.

I nodded inwardly and let it pass. It was a story from a distant world anyway.

…Or so I thought, until another voice spoke up.

“More importantly, there’s another one…”

“Huh?”

“You know, from the Swordsmanship Department…”

“Oh, Rine Gladiore!”

“Yes, her! Even though she’s a woman, she’s treated as a knight order trainee…”

“I heard she was granted admission despite being a commoner.”

Now that was the talent type again. Magic and swordsmanship. Two “notable figures” with different specialties were already the center of attention.

…Yeah, just hearing about them was entertaining. This really felt like the opening of a game.

“Luka-sama.”

“Hm?”

Yuka lowered her voice slightly.

“Are the gazes around you bothering you?”

“N-not at all?”

Impressive, but actually the vibration function installed in my hands must be malfunctioning because I can’t stop shaking—help.

It seemed I wasn’t as used to being stared at as I thought.

“When you’re surrounded by celebrities, it almost feels easier. It’s like you become invisible.”

I’ll keep bluffing until I get home.

“…You’ve changed.”

I’ll take that as a compliment, thank you very much.

At that moment…

“—It seems someone from the Noctire family is here as well.”

That voice came from another group.

“Wait, that Noctire?”

“The ducal house?”

“I heard they’re all incredibly beautiful…”

Only the family name was mentioned. No individual names.

…Yeah, that was fine. For now, being just the youngest son was more than enough for me. Yuka glanced at me.

“…You are quite well known.”

“The family is. I’m not.”

When I said that, Yuka paused thoughtfully before speaking quietly.

“Even so, I am proud.”

“Excuse me?”

“To be Luka-sama of the Noctire family’s attendant.”

In that instant, my legs stopped, and I struggled desperately to contain my emotions.

W-Whaaaaat?! What happened all of a sudden?! She’s so cute, so cute! Anyone who doesn’t see it clearly has terrible taste! Unbelievable… Look at my Yuka. Actually, don’t look. She’s mine!

“…I’ll treat you to something sweet later.”

“That is unnecessary.”

“Then I’ll eat it myself.”

“In that case, I will accompany you.”

As we exchanged that banter, the doors to the school building came into view. The first day of school. The center of attention was someone else. I was still at the edge of the stage and that was fine.

Sure, I’d like to stand out once in a while, but for now I’ll just lurk in the shadows and enjoy my solitude!

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