Van vs. Chibi-jun

The next morning, I was eating a simple breakfast in my room when we were all double-checking today’s plans.

“What kind of moves do you think that guy’ll make?”

“He seems like a walking ego. I’d bet he’ll try to show off the pinnacle of this academy’s healing arts.”

“So…?”

“…He’ll probably be led straight to the top year’s classroom?”

Normally, outsiders only get to see the shallow parts of the academy.

If someone’s bringing their child here, they’d show them the entrance-level rooms, or the year group their child’s age.

But Vanclift’s healing methods have already stunned even the royal healers.

They must be thinking, “We won’t be convinced unless we see the real thing.”

“Top year, huh… sixteen years old?”

"There are people who’ve made pacts with spirits, aren’t there? Shouldn’t we let the spirits know ahead of time?"

Wouldn’t want another situation like the one with Ashth, now would we.

Van finished his meal quickly and headed straight back to the Spirit World to deliver the message.

"When Van gets back, we’ll head out."

"Yes."

A little later, the other three finished eating too. They returned their dishes to the cart and spread out the academy’s layout map on the now-spacious table.

"Today we’re touring the Healing Tower, right? So the route’s this one, then?"

"That’s right. The Healing Tower’s right next to the Knight’s Tower we visited yesterday. Behind both of them is a deep forest, and there’s a lake there. They draw water from the lake and grow medicinal herbs on the back side of the Healing Tower."

Hmm. That’s actually kind of interesting. The tech seems more advanced than I thought.

"Some plants grown here are actually quite interesting."

"Elen, I figured you'd say something like that."

Papa tapped the surface of the lake with a finger, a wry smile on his face.

"If we had Fran or Opens to help, cultivation could even be possible on the estate. The possibilities are endless!!!"

"Full of intent to steal their tech, aren’t you?"

I cut him off with a sharp tone, still smiling.

"What are you talking about? They're just as eager to steal our medicine tech, aren't they? It's a fair trade!"

I smiled sweetly to myself, already deciding I'd make sure to get a full look at the garden.

"By the way, there's something interesting about the Healing Tower too."

"Yes. Right here, and here. I think there's something significant. Papa probably wouldn’t even notice it without a strong push. If even Papa couldn’t figure it out, I really need to check it myself. Is that possible?"

"Guess I'll have to wait since the headmaster's here this time..."

Everyone sighed, wishing they'd checked it on the first day instead.

Just then, Van returned from the Spirit World.

"Apologies for the delay."

"Good work, Van."

Noticing the sighs from earlier, Van blinked in surprise and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Looks like the search might be tougher than I expected..."

"A search?"

After explaining the situation, Van suggested we check the location ourselves—just slip in when the chance comes.

"Brilliant, Van!!"

That'd take just a few minutes.

I couldn't help it—I lunged at him, and he caught me, startled but steady.

Spinning me around in a circle, laughing all the while. I was grinning like an idiot when Father gently reminded me, "We should probably head out soon."

"Ah, right!"

I dashed toward my father, who had just set me down on the floor, and he welcomed me with open arms, beaming.

I froze mid-step, staring at him.

"Uh... Elen?"

While my father tilted his head in confusion, I turned on my heel toward the table and picked up the unfolded blueprint still spread out.

"Almost forgot. Dangerous, dangerous."

Then I kept walking straight toward the door.

"Elen!! Come run into Papa's chest!!"

Ignoring my father’s shout behind me, I strolled out of the room with a satisfied little step.

＊＊＊

Later, halfway down the hall, I was suddenly caught from behind and hoisted up by my father, who looked utterly serious.

"Mother... you're going to make Papa sad."

"I think Papa should start letting go soon."

"Too early!!"

I just stared, exasperated, as my father pressed my head insistently into his chest, grumbling "No no no" over and over.

Then, I sensed someone approaching from down the hallway. "Father, someone's coming," I said, and suddenly my father’s expression snapped into sharp focus.

I was still staring, dumbfounded by how quickly he’d changed—when the familiar figure emerged from the corridor.

"Oh, Hume!?"

I immediately recognized the court physician, Hume.

Hume spotted me and came running, clearly delighted.

"Long time no see, Lady Elen. Lord Lovell."

"Indeed. But Hume, aren’t you supposed to be in the capital...?"

"I was summoned upon hearing you’d arrived."

Hume answered with a wry smile, and I blinked.

"Wait—you’re already a court physician...?"

"In this academy, graduation is set at adulthood. Though if one’s abilities are strong enough, there are placements in the capital. But until graduation, I’m still just a student."

I finally realized—thought I was getting skipped ahead, but it’s just some kind of on-the-job training.

“But Hume-kun is already…?”

“Yes. Court Healer. But since I’m still a student, I can’t take apprentices.”

Apparently, becoming a Court Healer means you’re supposed to take on an apprentice, called an assistant.

But Hume’s skill was already beyond that level, so they made an exception and recognized him as a Court Healer outright.

“Hume-kun’s amazing, huh…”

I said it with a soft sigh, and Hume’s eyes widened, then slowly his cheeks flushed.

“Ah… sorry… I’m just not used to being praised like this…”

He covered his face with his hand, bowing his head in embarrassment. I was stunned. What kind of place is it where someone this talented never gets praised?

“But I’d still lose to you, Elen-sama. Shall we compare knowledge today?”

"Perfect! I was actually curious about the academy's curriculum too!"

As we chatted, suddenly the Hume's chest began to squirm.

I jumped back in shock—then, out of nowhere, a familiar shadow leapt forth.

"Princess...!!"

The shadow’s words never finished.

Van reacted instantly, yanking the shadow up by the ear.

"Hey, runt... what do you think you're doing?"

Ashth, dangling in midair, froze solid upon seeing who had him by the ear.

Van didn’t even bother hiding his killing intent, glaring at Ashth with narrowed eyes.

"V-Van-kun!! No, the ears, please!!"

I scrambled to pull Ashth away from Van.

Ears are a weak point. I scolded Van sharply, “No, Van-kun!! Not the ears, please!!”

“B-But, Your Highness…”

I felt bad for Van, who slumped down with a pout, but I kept patting Ashth’s rigid back, repeating over and over, “You can’t grab ears, you can’t grab ears…”

“Wouldn’t you hate it if your tail got grabbed and you were left dangling in midair, Van?”

“Y-Yes…”

Holding Ashth close to my chest, I scolded Van—but also gave him a quiet nod for acting so quickly.

“Still, reacting that fast? That’s truly impressive, Van! You were worried about me, weren’t you? Thank you so much.”

“H-Highness…!!”

Watching Van’s face light up with joy, I finally exhaled, relieved.

By then, Ashut finally snapped back to himself and started trembling violently. I ran a hand over his head to soothe him, and gradually, he calmed down—then started clinging to me like a child.

"Your Highness..."

"Long time no see, Ashut. Really now, you can't just charge in like that. You'll scare the life out of me, won't you?"

I gave him a little lecture, and Ashut slumped down with a dejected sigh.

"Van-kun is my guard. He was just trying to protect me. I'm sorry..."

"Y-yes..."

That was it—now we were fine, I smiled warmly.

"Was that some ambush from earlier?"

Father, too, gave Ashut a sharp glare, just like Van. Ashut flinched again at the sight, and Van let out a snort—like, *tough luck, you deserved that*.

"Even Papa's joining in?! Stop scaring Ashut like that!"

When I gave my father a scolding, even he slumped down with a sigh. Hume and Kai, who’d been staring with wide eyes, finally snapped back to reality.

“Ahem… sorry about that. I’m Hume. And this is my spirit, Ashut. Ashut, I’m sorry for the trouble…”

Hume, who’d never met Van and Kai before, introduced himself, and Van and Kai quickly followed suit.

I didn’t notice at first, caught up in Hume’s mumbled explanation—something about the headmaster arriving soon, and he just wanted to say hello before then…

Van glared at Ashut in my arms, annoyed.

Then Ashut, apparently sensing the look, let out a smug little *huff*.

“~ ~ What the hell is this guy?!”

“Van-kun? What’s wrong?”

I blinked, startled by Van’s sudden outburst, and he pointed at Ashut, yelling, “Bring over that little brat!”

Staring at Ashut with wide eyes, Van was trembling uncontrollably, overwhelmed by his own outburst.

"Van-kun...?"

Apparently hurt by my confused look, Van made a face that screamed *dramatic despair*—like some kind of game-over sound effect had just played in his head.

"Princess!!! Who’s cuter—me or this little runt!?"

I blinked at Van’s sudden, panicked outburst, and before I could even say "Ashut’s the cute one," Van turned deathly pale, clutching his chest like he’d just been stabbed by a metaphor.

"Van-kun... you’re more of the 'cool guy' type... Van-kun? Hey!"

Kai patted Van’s shoulder sympathetically as Van curled into a ball and started sinking into the floor.

I didn’t notice Ashut puffing up proudly against my arm like he’d just won a contest.

Father and the Hume, still staring at the scene, sighed at each other, silently apologizing for how utterly stuck they were in the conversation.