I will be fifteen years old this year.

　At this point in my life, I was beginning to live the ideal life of a hermit.



　I built a log house on the shore of a lake about two hours away from the castle by horse-drawn carriage, and I spend most of my days, even a week at a time, living there without returning to the castle. It's very comfortable.

　When I'm not here, a copy android takes my place, so my father and the others don't know about it.



　I have found my very own paradise.



　But then...



　

　One day, just as the snow was about to melt, I was summoned by my father to meet him.

　I was standing in front of him at his desk in his office, which he rarely goes into, even though there is a reception set.



"I'm sorry to call you out on such short notice, Hurt.



"No problem. What's going on?　That's unusual."



　I haven't been practicing swordsmanship for a while now. I'm told that at my age, as a son of a nobleman (even if it's only in law), I'm supposed to study a certain amount.

　But I'm exempted from that. Either they don't expect me to do so, or they let me do so freely. My sense is that it's the latter.



"I want you to live in King's Landing from spring."



"No."



　I don't understand what's going on all of a sudden!　I responded with a spinal reflex.



"Well, that's a natural reaction. Anyway, take a look at this."



　Dad held out a folded piece of paper.

　I walk over and take it.



　I read it.

　I got about halfway through, but then my patience ran out.



"A letter of recommendation?　Admission to a school in King's Landing: ......"



　I'm starting to feel nauseous.



　School.

　The abomination that tormented me in my previous life. You want me to go there?



"No, sir."



　This time, he made his refusal clear and unequivocal.



"Of course. You were very cross when we tried to send you to school in our territory. I won't ask you why you dislike it so much, but this time there are circumstances that prevent you from just saying 'I don't like it'."



"...... because it's directly from the king?"



　The sender of this letter was the king of this country.



"I don't know why King Zirku has taken an interest in you. He must have known about Harth's birth... or that you are a commoner."



　Only my mother and father are supposed to know that I'm a former prince who was abandoned. And Frey. They didn't tell me either.

　I've always kept the king's crest on my left breast hidden and Frey's been a bit of a dope and a bit careless and a bit out of his element but he's never made the mistake of letting anyone in on our secret.

　The king, of course, and no one else, must know about it.



"If there is a possibility..."



　I don't care who you are, you're not going to get in the way of my comfortable life.



Her Royal Highness Princess Marianne.



　My sister?　She looks so nice, but she's actually black-hearted!



"The princess is one who appreciates your abilities. It also says here that Prince Raius will be skipping a grade. , doesn't that mean that she wants you to be her friend?



　The little bastard's personality makes it sound like he doesn't have any friends. But he's a prince, so I guess his yes-men will lift him up, right?　I had one in a previous life.

　So I don't think < is right.



"So this letter of recommendation is actually from the princess?"



"The king loves Princess Marianne very much. He and Prince Lias are on the outs, but it makes sense that he couldn't refuse his beloved daughter's request."



　Why does that sissy want me in school?

　If I read it correctly, it seems to be the most elite magic school in the country, and they want me to have that status?

　I don't know.



"I'm not saying I'm not worried. The queen may be quiet now, but she may have planned something to incite the princess. But--"



　Dad said with a serious look in his eyes.



"I want you to see the wider world. I don't deny that you should stay in your room and study ancient magic, but it would be a good opportunity for you to meet many people, to be stimulated and to gain deeper insights. I believe there is a laboratory dedicated to ancient magic."



　A laboratory. I was thinking of high school for my age, but college is probably closer.



"If I refuse ......, will it be too much trouble?"



"Well, yeah. Even if the princess was the sender, she probably didn't mean to offend. But it's a letter of recommendation in the king's name. She would have to lie to refuse, and it would be even more complicated if it was found out."



　I'm sure. What are you thinking, sister?



"...... Okay. I'm going."



　Dad's been a big help to me, and I don't want to cause him any more trouble.

　Well, I have a plan (・・・・).



"Thank you. Learn from me and show me what you've grown up to be. I'll tell you that while I'm at it."






"Hmm?　What's up?"



Hurt will be exempted from the entrance exam. Since you've reached the maximum magic level now, you won't dare to be measured--"



"Okay. <


　My magic level is public, but I keep it a secret that I am a special case with no attributes. If the is used to measure my magic level and attributes, it will be revealed.

　I don't want them to find out that I am an ex-prince.



"I'll tell you in time why I can't tell the world you're unattributed. For now, please forgive me."



"I don't care. I'll take care of that. The entrance ceremony is still some time away, right?



There's still a month or so to go. Charlotte will miss you. Can I leave it to you to decide when to tell her?



"Oh, she'll be fine."



　I'm not going (・・・・・) to school (・・・・・・・・). I will definitely continue to live a reclusive life.



　After that we had a short talk and I went back to my room.



　



"Leave it to me. I'm the one they made a copy of for just such an occasion."



　A boy who looked just like me beamed at me.

　He's got the same personality as me, but he's got a good ear.



"What did you expect me to say?　I don't want to. I'm never going to school!"



　He didn't listen to me at all.



"Well, calm down. If you were me, you'd know what I'm thinking, right?　Try to keep your head on a swivel. There's only one way this can all go away!"



　Pok-pok-pok-pok, ding-dong.



"I see. I'm a copy and I can't do magic, so you're going to make me drop out of school.



　That's me. You understand fast.



"I go to the most elite school in the country. There's no way they'd let a dropout stay there forever."



But it's okay if it's you, right?



"I can use warding magic. For example, when I'm involved with a punk, I might use it unintentionally to protect myself.



"...... What would happen to me if I got tangled up with a punk and he shot magic at me?"



"Don't you know?　You will be seriously injured."



"I knew you'd do it!　Why should I be the one to get hurt!"



It's better than dying!



"You could die!"



　Well, I can't say there's no chance of that.



"Don't worry, don't worry. I can replace you."



　I got the last one.



"I knew it!　How many of them am I now?



"No, I'm sorry, I'm just kidding. I can't sacrifice someone who looks exactly like me.



　I've thought about doing it before.



"You have, you have."



"Ugh. ....... You've got me there. But then Char told me not to because she felt sorry for me."



"I believe you."



　I'm such a pain in the ass.



"Anyway, I'll protect your body with wards so it doesn't hurt. Your mission is to play the dropout and get kicked out of school early. Focus on that."



"Well, I don't blame you. While you're holed up in your log cabin by the lake, I'll be in this room enjoying my hermit life. That's what I'm trying to protect.



I'm counting on you.



"Oh!"



　And so, our began.