Russell and Carpenter were not all that interested in Rommel.
After all, he was not someone they knew, nor had he ever formed any grudges with them.
Their teacher, "Gilbert," truly had a good temperament... Even though he himself was watching with great interest and calculating how many gifts Mage Rommel had received and what kinds they were, he did not drag Russell and Carpenter along to watch.
That once again confirmed for Russell that their teacher did not share certain common failings of those in high positions... such as expecting his subordinates, relatives, and students to be even more interested in whatever interested him.
When such people watched something, they also wanted to hear the opinions of those around them.
Yet most people could not possibly share the same preferences as those above them, much less dare to speak freely in front of them.
So being forced to keep them company while racking their brains to ensure that nothing they said offended the taboos of these powerful people, who could influence their lives or even their fates... was truly torture.
Come to think of it, nobles and Mages were both quite prone to this habit... People who summoned everyone to attend every little matter were everywhere.
The head of their Hainalson Family had a bit of that style.
If Ulrich had not expressed immense dissatisfaction with him always dragging Mage Apprentices into the meeting hall as mere accompaniment, those apprentices would not have received enough time to study.
Indeed, Mage Apprentices had limited time for meditation, but that did not mean they had no need to study magical knowledge!
Perhaps some apprentices gave up on themselves because their talent was insufficient, but there would always be people unwilling to abandon even the slightest opportunity.
Russell and Carpenter were quite