The Reincarnated Count's Daughter Is the Strongest as She Is Loved by the Spirits, Though She Is Only Wishing for Regular Romance!

From here, Alan-oniisama and I go our separate ways.

When we gather with only children of the same age, away from our guardians, it truly feels like the school life has begun.

The children, deeply ingrained with the class system, do not line up ahead of me or Patty. They maintain a considerable distance from the teachers while waiting.

Even though they are only ten years old, they understand their place among their peers.

However, in our class, aside from Patty, Carla, and me, everyone else is from an earl's family.

Everyone is being so considerate and mindful of us.

It's okay, really. I may not seem like it, but I enjoy hanging out with everyone and having fun. Standing at the front, under the scrutiny of all the first-year students, feels uncomfortable, making me want to bow and walk awkwardly, a habit from my previous life.

But with Patty and Carla by my side, I manage to avoid that.

Behind us, Deril and Henry lined up. Whether it's a matter of power dynamics among the earls, differences in personalities, or simply a matter of courage, I can't tell.

Henry is Ethel's younger brother, so we've met a few times at her place, making it easier for him to approach us.

It's been four years since I last saw Deril when we visited Jade's residence with the Marquess of Corquette.

Being relatives of the Marquess of Corquette, they must be a powerful earl's family.

His fluffy brown hair and gentle face haven't changed much. It seems he has gathered spirits of all attributes, but only three have become spirit beasts.

Henry, on the other hand, is huge. Understandably so, being the son of the Myler Earl, a man as big as a bear from the sea. Despite his intimidating appearance, he's quite handsome. He doesn't look the same age as Deril standing next to him.

Our homeroom teacher is Earl Narsel Mulaire, who appears to be in his mid-thirties. He wears round glasses and has a habit of pushing back his silvery-blond hair, which grows in all directions. He's a bit hunched. You often see teachers like him.

And judging by his hair color, his mother is from Berisario.

It might seem like there's some intention from the school, but it's probably a coincidence.

After all, I think of myself as a cooperative student, and depending on the results of today's tests, I'll likely be exempted from most classes.

Having a teacher teach me about spirits or magic must feel like a punishment game for them. I feel sorry for them.

Once all the students lined up, our class went on a guided tour of the school.

As a Japanese person with black pupils, I can see well in bright places but not in dark ones. Westerners are the opposite, finding bright places too dazzling and needing sunglasses, but they see well in the dark. So, in Japan, we illuminate the entire room with bright lighting, while in Europe, they use indirect lighting to set the mood.

Since the people of the Empire have Western-style eye colors, the school uses dim indirect lighting.

Doesn't it seem like something could appear? Let's not think about it, especially in a building that seems to have a long history.

The lighting mainly illuminates the floor, and the stairs are well-lit. But in the hallways, the ceiling is dimly lit with reflected light, or there are lantern-style lights on the walls. What's the point of having lantern-shaped lights when they're magical devices?

The walls are dark up to waist height and Prussian blue above that.

Thanks to the sunlight streaming through the windows, it has a nice atmosphere, but it's different from the schools I know.

"Does anything appear here?"

"Stop it."

"There are rumors."

"Stop it!"

Carla seems surprisingly unbothered, while Patty is scared.

In my case, if I encountered a ghost, my spirit beasts might charge at it, and that would be scarier than the ghost itself.

The classrooms also have minimal lighting, and I imagine they'd be quite gloomy on cloudy or rainy days. We exited through a back door of the building and went to the magic training grounds and combat training grounds.

They are spacious and magnificent. The spirit beasts can stretch their legs here, even though it's indoors.

In about a month, it will start snowing, making outdoor activities impossible. This area will be covered in snow for a little over two months.

But for now, although it's cold, the weather is nice, with birds chirping from the surrounding forest and sunlight filtering through the trees.

The academy's forest is filled with magic and vitality, so much so that it's hard to believe there was ever a time when there were no spirits here.

Children from the central regions should come here for a camp aimed at interacting with spirits during the warm season.

With many children in the forest, Amber and the spirits seem happy, increasing the chances of acquiring a spirit.

"Lady Berisario."

At the magic training grounds, Teacher Mulaire suddenly called my name.

"Please call me Diadora."

"Then, Lady Diadora. As you can see, it's indoors, so be careful when enlarging your spirit beasts."

"Be careful?"

"Make sure not to damage the school."

What? What kind of person do they think I am?

"Of course, I wouldn't let them run wild."

"I don't think that, but I've never seen such powerful spirits. Is it safe to manifest the spirit beasts?"

"If I keep them small, it's fine. They often play inside the mansion."

"I see."

I hope there aren't any strange rumors about me. Haven't they seen my brothers' spirit beasts? Mine aren't that big... well, except for Riva.

Wait, could it be that the common sense in Berisario isn't the same as in the Empire?

"…Lady Diadora."

"Yes?"

I turned around as someone spoke to me, finding Deril standing there with a dark expression and furrowed brows.

"Is it true that you learned spatial magic?"

"Yes."

"I see…"

Was he always this gloomy?

He hasn't made eye contact even once and is now looking down.

"I'll master all-attribute spirit beasts and learn spatial magic too!"

He suddenly made a declaration of determination and walked away, turning his back on me.

What was that about?

"The Larna Earls are known for their strong magic, so he's in a delicate position."

Patty quietly informed me, but what does his position have to do with my spatial magic?

"As a boy, it probably matters to him."

"Gender shouldn't matter."

Carla and Patty gave me their usual disappointed looks.

Come to think of it, Carla seems a bit down.

When Patty and I talk, she occasionally nods or joins the conversation. Maybe she's not feeling well.

"You don’t get it. Why not ask Suzanna or Irene? They’re from the territory near the Marquess of Corquette and might know something."

Patty suggested, but I'm not interested in other people's family issues. Besides, I already seem to be feared, and I have plenty to do.

After spending quite some time touring the school, we were finally shown to our classroom. After a break, the tests began.

Other grades had already finished their tests and were dismissed. I was fine because I kept munching on sandwiches during the breaks. The questions were at the elementary school level, and since I had a tutor, there were no problems. Some slightly difficult questions seemed to gauge our level of study.

Even when finally freed, high-ranking noble ladies can't leave the classroom immediately. They must wait for their guards and attendants to pick them up.

I want to shout, "What a hassle!!" but I understand it's necessary to reduce the burden on the guards and give the impression that the lady has no weaknesses.

"I'm here to escort you."

Today's attendants are Cheryl and Harry.

They're both ten years old, so it's like playing house now, but these interactions will be valuable when they enter society as adults.

"Thank you. How were your tests?"

"…So-so."

"I did pretty well!"

At this age, girls are generally more mature.

Still, Harry scanned the surroundings, keeping a lookout. Since he announced at his fourth birthday that he wanted to be my guard, it's been six years. The attendants and guards feel like my relatives' children.

With Patty and Carla's escorts also arriving, we left the classroom together, drawing attention as we descended the stairs and exited to the hall in front of the entrance.

The students gathered there avoided blocking the passage, but it seemed like students from various grades were present.

"Lady Diadora."

The one who called out was Bart, Alan-oniisama's attendant. I had told Alan-oniisama not to wait for me, so he must have sent Bart instead.

"I'll stay here."

"See you tomorrow."

"I'm looking forward to the tea party."

I love the phrase "see you tomorrow." It reminds me of saying goodbye after school.

Nostalgia washed over me, bringing back memories from my previous life, which felt doubly poignant as they were memories from my thirties.

"Haven't the upper-grade students already been dismissed?"

I moved closer to Bart to avoid blocking the passage.

As I did, the surrounding unfamiliar children created space and moved away. Still, they kept an eye on us, waiting to make eye contact or listen to our conversation. What is this?

"They are my classmates."

"I'm Lutohel Scott. My father is a viscount."

"I'm Clark Shearer. My father is a baron. Our fathers serve in the Rampling Ducal Territory."

"Oh, for Paolo? So, you're staying at the Rampling Duke's dormitory?"

"Yes!"

Their tense expressions relaxed into relief as I smiled and responded.

"We asked Bart to introduce us, hoping to greet you formally. We would also like to invite you to our dormitory sometime

. We will send an invitation, so please come if you are available."

Why did he end it with a question mark?

"You waited here just to see me? You must have waited a long time. Paolo has been very kind to me. The Rampling Duke's family doesn't have anyone attending the academy right now. If you ever need help, feel free to ask."

I tried to speak gently, clasping my hands in front of my chest. I'm used to speaking with adults, using props like fans to assert myself, but dealing with children is a different challenge.

"Let's meet again soon."

"I'll bring new sweets from the Fairy Company for the tea party."

Seeing the boys' eyes light up at the mention of sweets, I turned and walked away. Besides Bart, I noticed another familiar face. Alan-oniisama had discreetly arranged for additional guards.

"But you handled it well."

"Last night, a steward was dispatched from the ducal family."

"Now, those around us know that the Rampling Duke's family and I are on friendly terms."

"Personally?"

"Of course. As a mere youngest daughter, I have no authority over the Marquis family's social relationships. Mia is my attendant and the Edkins Earl's daughter."

"Indeed."

Don't be so monotone.

"What?"

"While waiting there, I spoke with many people and overheard various conversations."

I see. Gathering information while waiting.

Alan-oniisama is thorough in such matters.

"Many lower-ranking nobles had never seen Lady Diadora before and were surprised at how lovely you are."

Since I turned six, I've attended the palace numerous times and have been invited to and hosted tea parties. But given the limited scope of children's activities, there are many I haven't met.

Especially since I have a close group of eight friends around my age, fulfilling necessary social connections within that group without expanding further.

Even among close friends, as noble ladies, we bear the heavy responsibility of our families and the many nobles, servants, and territory residents connected to us.

There will be times when we must leverage this friendship or part ways, even if we don't wish to. For nobles, the will of parents and heirs often outweighs personal desires.

The next day, during the first tea party of the school term, I realized that everyone was already beginning to be placed in complicated positions within the web of noble relationships.

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Author Notes:

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