It was Monday morning, and Mr. Cuthbert seemed as unmotivated as always during homeroom. Apparently the boys in the riding club, like Russell, were struggling with PE. All Mr. Cuthbert did during homeroom was distribute some handouts. I really wish we could get a new teacher.
“Let’s go see our grades,” Princess Margaret said.
She didn’t have to actually invite me, since everyone was going to look at the grade announcements. Because this was the senior division, students weren’t really concerned with dropping out of Class A—what was more important was figuring out our schedules for the next term, since we had to meet credit requirements to graduate.
As expected, this academy had no care for personal privacy when it came to grades. The information was posted for everyone to see, and I decided to start by checking my grades for Pharmacy I, II, and III. Yay, I passed! That means I can take the novice apothecary’s exam!
“My, Patience, you’ve gotten certificates of completion in pharmacy, government, and law,” Princess Margaret remarked, impressed.
The princess had done quite well herself.
“Congratulations on your certificates of completion in art, language arts, magic theory, and child-rearing, Lady Margaret.”
Many of the girls had gotten certificates of completion in child-rearing. It seemed like the purpose of the class was to allow soon-to-debut ladies an easy way to earn credits.
“I’m planning to get certificates of completion in history, Etiquette III, and magic practicum during the fall term,” the princess declared.
She’ll probably pass Etiquette III easily. I think her control over her magic has gotten better, so she’s close to passing magic practicum.
“You’ve been working very hard, Lady Margaret,” I said, looking at her other grades. She’d done well in both classical literature and history, and her grade in household math was decent.
“I could say the same for you, Patience. It looks like you’ve nearly gotten perfect scores. Look, you passed Diplomacy I. My, you also passed Business I, Economics I, Geography I, and World History I!”
Wow, she’s right. I’ll have to take the second-year class for all of those subjects next term.
“Looks like you passed too, Patience,” Russell said, walking up to us.
I looked back at the bulletin board and saw that Russell and Philips had both passed all the same classes as I had.
“Madamoiselle Patience, I’ve heard that in order to get a certificate of completion in world history, there is a specific exam you must pass. I’d like to take my time learning world history, so I have no plans to take it.”
That was understandable, since Philips was a history lover who visited historical ruins for fun. Our conversation was soon joined by another person—Percival was headed toward us while being showered in the adoring gazes of female students.
“Your grades are spectacular, Lady Patience. I’m sad I won’t be in the same classes as you, but I’m going to do my best to catch up.”
I could feel the girls staring daggers at me, with the exception of Princess Margaret, who seemed happy to watch us interact. She’d given up on her own love life, so she enjoyed meddling in others’ romantic affairs.
“So, you’re really going to be enrolling in the civil service track, Sir Percival?” I asked. It seemed like a waste of his talents, since he was skilled enough to have won the annual knight club competition.
“Yes, I am. Let’s aim to become diplomats together. By the way, I heard you will be in Northcourt County for the summer. I’m going to be in the neighboring county of Moeran, so we’ll be able to see each other.”
If glares could kill, I would’ve been dead long ago. I could feel all the girls’ piercing gazes stabbing me one after the other.
“Yes, indeed. I’m sure we will run into each other, since we are relatives.” I tried to play up the idea that we were family, and the rage around me seemed to abate. They’re probably realizing that he’s just talking to this pip-squeak because she’s related to him. Thank God.
Percival said goodbye, and he was even handsome while walking away. The girls continued to stare as he left.
“You’re related to Sir Percival?” Russell asked.
I’m surprised to hear him address someone as “Sir.”
“Yes, he is my second cousin,” I responded, keeping it short and simple.
“I was surprised, since he rarely ever goes up to any girls.”
Yeah, girls probably flock to him, even if he isn’t trying.
With Princess Margaret’s permission, I left her side and went to check the junior division students’ grades.
“Samuel’s grades are...good! He passed language arts, magic theory, art, dance, and magic practicum! That leaves classical literature, history, and math, which are all...fine.”
Samuel appeared to be on the low end of the high scores in those subjects, so he would have no trouble staying in Class A. In my relief, I let my guard down, and I ended up running into Prince Keith.
“Did you see my grades, Patience? I passed classical literature and history, so starting in the fall term, I’m going to be a third-year student!”
I’d only come to look at the junior division grades since I was worried about Samuel, so I hadn’t paid any attention to Prince Keith’s grades.
“Congratulations,” I said. I was genuinely glad he’d passed classical literature, since tutoring him had cost me two Saturdays.
I checked the grades of other students in his class, and saw that Ralph hadn’t held back this time, and Hugo had also worked quite hard. It appeared as if the entire class had been motivated to work harder by Prince Keith’s efforts to skip ahead to being a third-year student.