The first week of academy life passed by like a breeze.

Other than kidnapping an ogre, I didn’t feel like I did anything note-worthy.

If I told the Duke of Blood and Iron that kidnapping a blue ogre was note-worthy, he would probably beat me with a stick.

In any case, with the new routine of looking at the flowers every morning, I found myself with fresh free time. Early mornings were surprisingly good.

With the curtains pulled, I took to the desk in my room and pulled out my secret stash.

One of my most valued items.

Stationary.

The genres weren’t going to change to exam battles or cutesy handwriting competitions, there was nothing to worry about.

Stationary, in this world, was the equivalent of a mobile phone. With sheets of paper, a bottle of ink, and a fountain pen, I could connect with people all over the world.

It was only natural that I sent some letters around.

To begin with, I decided to clear off the normal stuff. In my diary, I had written the names and addresses of people that I had met on my travels.

From the people on the train that I took to Glorenstein to retired companions, the ones that I wasn’t particularly close with. It was mostly just an inquiry letter, greeting them for the spring and asking for their well-being.

My hands moved at a speed that would leave printing presses embarrassed. Socialites weren’t to be underestimated! We were just as special as the introverts!

That took about twenty minutes, I had a few over forty letters ready.

The rest I’d write to in another spring.

Then, I moved on to the letters that mattered. One for the Duke of Blood and Iron. I filled it with details of all the delicacies I had tasted and the time I had to relax.

Even though he was sure to be curious about the academy and my tenure as a professor, that be damned. This man had tricked me for a whole month. Spiting him was a lenient punishment.

After the Duke, I wrote a letter to some other close friends, including Mundus, and lastly.

A letter to send back at the Kalenice Estate.

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Now that I was twenty-four and that war was over, I might get pressured by them for something or another.

I did not want to get involved in an annoying succession race. Talking about my new job should help keep them at bay.

Well, going to the Kalenice was also quite troublesome in more ways.

As I mulled over the final letter, two knocks resounded on the door to my room.

“Come inside, the door is open!”

The hinges creaked and in stepped the vice-principal and my friend whom I had seen the first time this entire week.

“Ethan! I see you’re up early.”

I turned my chair and smiled at Richard. “It is good to see you doing well. I was worried you might be too busy.”

Richard casually strode into the room and took a seat on the bed.

“I was, but now that the weekend is here, the work has gone behind me as well.”

Richard looked around the room. At the Phonograph on the side, and the small book kept next to it.

It was a novel I had picked up from the Academy’s library itself. He picked it up and I turned back to my desk.

“Your fiancée?”

“She’ll be in Glorenstein in a few weeks.”

I nodded.

Richard flipped a page of the novel.

“Letters?”

“Yes. I thought I’d send some spring greetings.”

“Some? I count more than half a cent of letters here.”

That was some.

I spun the quill in my hand.

“It is difficult to write to one’s family.”

“Really? Well, being away for so many years must be awkward.”

I nodded at his words. I had not seen any family members for a good eight years. To be honest, I had no idea what they even looked like anymore.

But what was worse… was that I wasn’t Ethan Kalenice. Though I had accepted this life, it was still difficult to face the parents of this body.

Unfortunately, that was a secret I couldn’t share with Richard either.

“You’re quite brave, so you’ll be fine. One of those letters better not come back to the academy.”

Hm? Did he think I would put in the wrong address?

“It won’t, don’t worry.”

“That’s right. You can do that much.”

I turned the chair again and looked at Richard.

My friend’s eyes suddenly widened.

“Right, since it’s the first weekend. We are having a party to commemorate the new school year and to welcome the new professors. I also came here to invite you.”

A party?

“Is it today?” I asked.

“Tomorrow.”

“Phew.”

That would have been slightly troublesome

“Something on today?” Richard asked.

“I am planning to go drink with the grad students in Black Rose… You wanna tag along?”

“Me? No, you should relax there—”

“Come on. They’re not just royalty, they are royalty in their twenties. You won’t be drinking that well anytime soon.”

Richard crossed his arms.

Though he was the vice principal, Glorenstein was an educational institute and he held a position of responsibility.

For princes? Their responsibility was to work hard and play harder.

“Should I…?” Richard asked. “Would that be alright? They are grad students after all. That’s depression handed out like street food.”

“All the more reason too. It’s only been a week. We’ll enjoy before they realize the horrors of specialized education.”

Richard had nothing else left to argue with.

“Alright, I guess I’ll tag along?”

Like that, I had added another member to the party.

I thought it wouldn’t be a problem. The kids did say they’d handle all the arrangements and would be inviting some of their other friends. I only had to be present.

Well, honestly, I should have brought ten more.

Since these vain princes had booked out the biggest hotel in all of Glorenstein and had invited everyone they could to the party tonight.

The words on the door?

[Glorenstein’s biggest ^fucking party ever]