Chapter 131
“Terrence? A few years ago, I compiled fifteen years’ worth of southern economic reports on behalf of the Terrence family.”
“Oh, really?”
“You were such a wonderful client back then, I never imagined someone from that family would become my junior.”
“It’s an honor that you have such a deep connection with our family, Senior. I look forward to your guidance in the future as well.”
Irene moved busily on her own, while Ruska also hurriedly greeted everyone.
“Ragselbrani! During the war, our hometown was saved thanks to the Marquis’ knights. The library almost burned down, but the knights came and put out the fire. If there’s anything I can help with, just let me know.”
“Yes! Understood!”
Arcel wasn’t much different.
“Thanks to Duke Kailen’s support, our department was able to continue research without any issues. Honestly, many ministers don’t understand the importance of investing in basic studies, but the Duke convinced everyone well.”
“He always reminds me never to forget that importance as well.”
Observing Arcel’s calm and composed responses, the members couldn’t help but doubt that this was really a thirteen-year-old boy.
Although all the juniors were surrounded by people, the one who drew the most attention was, unsurprisingly, Ivy.
“Seven years old? At that age, I was probably tearing books apart.”
“Good heavens, he solved the entire Hermann theorem.”
“Ivy, do you think you can understand this too?”
As if it were a meeting for people who studied mathematics, one side of the banquet hall had a large blackboard.
In front of it, the members were writing various equations and asking Ivy questions.
The four newly arrived juniors were certainly cute, but the smallest one, Ivy, drew the most attention.
“I taught you so hard! Ivy, solve them all!”
“Yes!”
Ivy grabbed the chalk and answered energetically.
Meanwhile, Malles’ students played rock-paper-scissors to decide who would carry Ivy to the blackboard.
Lucy couldn’t hide her laughter at the lively scene.
It had been a long time since Professor Malles had visited and everyone had gathered like this.
Above all, the happiest thing was that their teacher had returned to the academic world with renewed determination, giving Imperial mathematics a chance to advance further.
‘Moreover…’
Lucy gazed at the banquet hall filled with everyone again.
Seeing people connected by mathematics smiling together was truly a pleasant sight.
“Take care!”
“We’ll see you again at the seasonal festival!”
“Did everyone keep our business cards? If anything happens, don’t hesitate to contact us!”
Everyone from the banquet waved goodbye to the children boarding the carriage outside the hotel.
The commotion drew the attention of passersby, who peeked inside the hotel through the gates.
“We’re leaving! See you later!”
“Alright! In winter, we’ll prepare an even more amazing place!”
“Next time, let’s stay a few nights and solve problems together!”
“That sounds perfect!”
“No, no. You can skip me!”
Ruska and Ivy’s very different reactions made the seniors laugh and wave.
Once the carriage left the hotel and entered the road, the children leaned back in their seats and sighed.
“Haah…”
Normally, they would have chattered endlessly when only the four of them remained.
But today, even usually talkative Ruska had no energy to speak.
After a while, Arcel got up and took a glass bottle from his bag he had brought along.
“Ivy, drink this water.”
“Thank you, Arcel…”
Usually, Ivy would have insisted he drink first, but today she accepted the bottle weakly and drank it all at once.
“Hey, me too…”
Ruska held out her hand trembling, but Arcel ignored her and handed another bottle to Irene.
Only after finishing his own bottle did he finally hand one to Ruska.
“Friendship doesn’t matter at all, really…”
Ruska glared at Arcel and emptied the remaining water into her mouth.
Once all four had drunk, their expressions returned to normal.
Ivy spoke first.
“That was fun. Really fun, but…”
“…a bit exhausting,” Irene said, and Ivy nodded.
Arcel, having caught his breath, also nodded in agreement.
“If Lucy hadn’t stopped us, we probably would’ve been held even longer.”
While everyone enjoyed talking to the juniors, Lucy was the first to notice that darkness was falling outside and snapped back to reality.
“The children should be sent home! We can enjoy ourselves separately.”
Though everyone regretted it, they agreed to send the children off.
It was about time anyway, and they also wanted to drink and relax with old friends.
Lucy had even reserved the hotel rooms in advance, planning how fun the night would be.
“Professor will tell us about the juniors!”
“I heard Ivy’s guardian is His Majesty the Emperor? Well, that aside, did you see how fast Ivy solved those problems? If I had met him first, I would’ve been his guardian in a snap…”
Thankfully, everyone returned to the hotel after chatting loudly. Otherwise, they might have been held longer.
Ruska, lying slouched in her seat, finally got up and pulled out a bunch of small papers from her pocket.
They were business cards with seniors’ names, contact info, and instructions that presenting them would ensure assistance.
“I’ve never received this many business cards in my life. They’ll help you no matter what if you contact or visit them.”
Irene also took out the cards she had received from her bag.
“I’ve gotten cards at my family’s southern gatherings, but never from such amazing people. And the variety of fields… Ah, I’m so happy.”
Irene hugged the cards with a bright smile.
Mother, father, sister, I’ve succeeded in building connections!
Arcel looked at the gifts piled on the carriage floor instead of the cards.
“It’s not just the cards. The seniors’ gifts were amazing too.”
Everyone had carefully prepared gifts for the long-absent juniors.
There were so many that the carriage and even the compartment where the coachmen stored luggage were full.
“They said they’ll invite us again in winter. This time, they’ll have delicious hot chocolate and even a chocolate fountain!”
Ivy nearly drooled when she heard that. A chocolate fountain—was there really such a thing?
While thinking back on the fun but exhausting gathering, the carriage arrived at the Terrence estate.
The two boys got down first and held Ivy and Irene’s hands.
Ivy expected they would then return home by carriage, but they naturally proceeded into the mansion with Ivy and Irene.
Ivy, surprised, asked,
“Arcel, Ruska. Aren’t we going home?”
“Hm?”
Arcel looked at Irene, who winked at Ivy and said,
“Ha ha, our summer vacation is ending, so I prepared something amazing.”
“Amazing thing?”
“You’ll know tomorrow. For now, let’s wash up quickly and sleep. We’ll start early at dawn.”
“Why are Arcel and Ruska staying together?”
“You’ll find out tomorrow too. For now, we’re tired. Let’s go to our rooms. Ruska, Arcel, the servants will show you to your rooms. Rest for now and see you at dawn.”
“Thank you, Irene.”
“I am forever grateful for your kindness in giving us rooms, Lady Irene.”
Even while exhausted, Irene playfully jabbed Ruska’s waist as she escorted Ivy to their room.
“Irene, where are we going at dawn?”
“Ha ha, you’ll see when we arrive. And I guarantee it.”
Irene puffed out her chest confidently.
“Ivy, you’re really going to love it.”
Ivy couldn’t fall asleep, curious about what Irene meant.
But after meeting so many seniors in the Divine Natural Numbers Society, she finally fell into a deep sleep.
At dawn, the maids arrived to wake them, and the two, with puffy eyes, prepared to go outside.
“Bring a thick coat. It’ll be quite cold.”
Ivy perked up at Amber’s words.
‘Cold?’
It’s still summer, and they slept under thin blankets. Why would it be cold?
‘We’re not going north, are we?’
The northern regions, where it snows even in summer, were far from the capital. So they wouldn’t be going there now, on their way back to the academy.
Carrying coats suitable for winter, they came downstairs to find Ruska yawning with equally puffy eyes.
Among everyone, only Arcel looked well-rested.
“Looks like getting up too early made you tired.”
Arcel naturally held Ivy’s hand as they headed to the carriage.
“Yaaawn… Arcel, thank you. But seriously, where are we going?”
The sky was still pitch dark.
Where could they possibly be going at this hour?
“You’ll find out soon.”
Ivy hoped Arcel would explain, but he only smiled and pressed a finger to his lips as if keeping a secret.
The carriage sped through the dawn-lit capital.
Ivy thought they would leave the city, but instead, the carriage moved further toward the city center.
Finally, the carriage stopped.
Why had they come here at this hour? Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Ivy looked outside.
“That’s…!”
She was so shocked by what she saw that she jumped up in her seat.
