The Reason I Keep Avoiding My Childhood Friend

“That’s right. This is where you will study.”

My heart sank at Mr. Hafterry’s words. Shock and pressure came at once.

The Sage’s Study – although it was called a study, they were a group that was insufficient to be expressed with the small name of ‘study’.

There was a job called a sage in this world. To be precise, those who seek the truth. These were people who study academics, covet knowledge, and constantly crave learning. And the group where such sages gathered was the ‘Sage’s Study’.

At first, it was a title that was used to express a really small study. A study owned by a sage. However, as the sage became a great sage, those seeking other truths began to gather around him.

As they grew in size and grouped together, they ended up using the entire building, which was so large that the name ‘study’ was awkward. Then, without realizing it, the word referring to the place shifted to the name of the group itself, resulting in such an awkward name.

So, it was far beyond the Imperial Academy-level education I had thought of. Compared to my previous life, the academy was a high school and university course, and the sage’s study was a graduate school!

I was dazed by the level of education that surpassed my expectations. I know that Mr. Hafterry looked at me favorably, but to let me learn with sages and aspiring sages. I was not a genius. I was just hard working. I didn’t know if I should be happy with this opportunity that doesn’t come normally, or be sad about the undeserved treatment.

“Wasn’t our Aren enrolled in the academy?”

I guess even Father didn’t know. I thought I heard that because the two of them talked before leaving, but they didn’t? Well, he must have heard that it was a good opportunity, so he followed without asking further. The father-and-daughter pair were the type to be easily tricked by others. I would have to be careful.

“Didn’t I tell you? Aren is an outstanding kid. She’s not enough for the academy.”

Mr. Hafterry, who said that, showed pride in me. Father’s eyes turned to me. Like asking, were you that smart? Father, I don’t know. I thought I would be studying at the academy too. With that meaning in mind, I widened my eyes and sighed.

“Won’t it be too much? I’m worried that it will overwhelm Aren.”

Mr. Hafterry smiled lightly at Father’s worried question.

“Father, Aren is much more mature than you thought. Please trust me. This will be a great opportunity for Aren.”

I can’t even say ‘I’m stupid in this situation! Just send me to the academy!’. However, I did not have the confidence to follow the high level of learning here. It was like parachuting in between geniuses. I’m afraid that other people will be surprised by my stupidity when I say I’ll learn for no reason. How did such a stupid person get into the sage’s study? Even if it’s not, I’ll be following the class with effort.

If only my brain was a genius like in the movie, but I was really ordinary. I studied with tenacity, focusing on preparation. I was worried that I might be a nuisance to Mr. Hafterry as well. I regretted suddenly deciding to study abroad.

“Come this way. I have someone to introduce you to.”

While I was thinking about it, Mr. Hafterry took the lead, and I, who was strangely intimidated, followed quietly. And I was surprised again. As I was wondering how to go up and down this high place, I saw a device that functioned as an elevator on one side.

After entering the square space, closing the door with the handle and moving the protruding bar, it slowly moves upward. I widened my eyes in surprise at the existence of an elevator.

“Don’t worry. It’s safe. It’s something that was made to make it easier going up and down the stairs.”

“This is great. It’s the first time I’ve seen anything like this.”

This wasn’t common. I also thought there were things like this in the imperial capital. There was a hint of excitement and fear in Father’s voice.

“This is also the result of a successful study.”

Father’s face became satisfied with Mr. Hafterry’s small board. It seems that the credibility of my learning place has increased with just this evidence.