High School

"...Very well, I'll remember that. The etiquette lessons can be made more flexible—three evenings a week all the same, but applied to real life whenever and wherever necessary."

Gilbert's words rang in his ears, pulling him back to reality.

Tales tried not to look at the schedule on the other man's knees. He also desperately tried not to calculate how much free time he had left in a week, and barely managed to draw a breath.

"As for what you said about ancient languages and foreign languages..."

The Prince nodded.

"Mm. Ancient Empire script."

"The Northlanders look down on that stuff."

"But Old Crow insisted on putting it back into the curriculum," Tales said, his eyes lighting up. "'Don't waste all those ancient books in the library,' he said."

Gilbert shifted slightly.

He looked somewhat nostalgic, and somewhat moved.

"Is that so, Mr. Hix?"

Tales gave a chuckle, intending to lessen the burden of that subject.

"Of course. With the foundation you gave me and years of reading on my own, Ancient Empire script is still pretty easy for me."

"As for my classmate..." Tales shrugged.

"Mm, I'm afraid she doesn't feel the same way."

The thought of Thelma staring blankly at An Anthology of Political Satirical Poems from the Age of Kings and City-States, written in the archaic Ancient Empire script, biting her nails and looking around while occasionally shooting terrified glances at him as he rapidly flipped through the pages filled Tales with immense delight.

He decided never to tell her the secret of speed-reading.

Can't understand it?

Then skip it!

Just then, Gilbert suddenly spoke.

"So, does Mr. Hix teach Ancient Empire script from the Ancient Era, or the modern version?"

Tales froze and hesitated.

"Uh, let me think..."

But Gilbert nodded in sudden understanding without hesitation