Politics

Politics was not really an actual class in the academy. It was more or less a small course that taught students the basics of noble life and trained them to be able to take on minor roles in nobility. This is because of the fact that not all of the students are nobles, so the class had to be generalised for the sake of accessibility. Even with this watered-down course, noble youths could still learn much better in practice than in a classroom. Politics did not have a set of rules that one had to follow to succeed, it depended more on individual cunning and wit.

Nevertheless, for those that decided to take on this course, they would receive a large sum of credits towards their student score. While this attracted quite a few students, many still decided to opt out for more free time.

"Greetings students, I am Baron Ludwig Keller. It is a pleasure to make all of your acquaintances." A middle aged man in a grey suit greeted somewhat tiredly, steadily bowing.

"Today we will be touching up briefly on the state of our kingdom and our relations with neighbouring powers. Please note that this is a very important lecture if you want to score highly on the end of year exam." Ludwig announced from behind a podium.

'Penelope already taught me this…' Tanya could not help but desire sleep.

"The Golde Kingdom is located in the southwest of the Gaia continent. As a coastal nation, we possess vast trade networks and a booming infrastructure. Complete with lush green environment and mountains separating us from the elven tribes of the north, we have lived in relative peace."

"While we may be a small kingdom in the eyes of the vast continental powers of Gaia, we can hold our ground. The kingdom is part of the Southern Collective, an alliance made up of small kingdoms just like our own. Because of this alliance, we have been able to stave off the occasional medium scale invasions of the past.

"I cannot exactly remember what they are off the top of my head, so that is your homework for tonight. Find out who are the other members of the Southern Collective, okay?" Ludwig yawned and continued.

"One of the more powerful states is the Holy Saint Empire of the northwest. The Holy Saint Empire is the home of the Grand Pope, Ning Yue. It is important to remember that the empire worships Vitria as its sole deity. Other than that, just note down that the empire is extremely powerful and not something that a kingdom can deal with."

"Moving on… actually… I think that is it for this lesson. Any questions?"

"Yes sir, What is the kingdom's relationship with the Holy Saint Empire?" Erina asked.

"None. We just know that each other exists. They are far up north, other side of the continent." Ludwig bluntly answered.

"Well, enough of that. I need to take a nap. The academy stated that I only need to teach up to the quota of information. So I guess all of you now have a day of free time." Ludwig picked his nose and yawned again.

"Is that really it? You have to be joking… Those idiots taking an entire day off without thinking of the amount of credits they could receive from completing this course are all imbeciles. We literally only need to listen for less than 10 minutes and now we also have a day off, as well as more credits." A boy laughed from the corner of the room.

"Uh… you!" Ludwig continued picking his nose as he pointed at the boy in the corner.

"Yes?"

"You are ejected from the course. I bet you didn't think I could do that." Ludwig pretended to laugh.

"..."

"Pardon?"

"You are ejected, get out of my class." Ludwig took his pinky out of his nose and pointed to the door."

"..."

The boy left without saying a word. He was simply too embarrassed to speak after being kicked out of the easiest course in the academy.

"Now, the rest of you, you are free to go to your dorms and study. I have a few juicy 'educational' magazines to read, so hurry up, will you?" Ludwig pulled out a few magazines from the podium, with tape plastered all over the covers.

'The standard of care for this course is abysmal.' Tanya yawned.

'Penelope is definitely better at teaching this subject. I wonder why the academy made the course so bland… could it be that they desire for us to learn politics through experience instead?'

"Everyone, out."

All of the students were forced to leave.

The session ended with not so much interest from the eyes of the bored students. It was more or less a below average lesson on continental relations and the kingdom. Tanya could very much empathise with her classmates on this much.

After a brief walk, Tanya found herself in the main garden. At barely midday, the sky was bright and the sun was hovering directly overhead. On a day like this, Tanya decided to rest for a while and catch some much needed fresh air.

With [Beauty], Tanya did not need to worry about tanning of the skin. The spell would repair and stop any unwanted side effects of the sun.

As such, Tanya could just sit back and relax.

"No matter what body I am in, I will always love the feeling of the sun directly looking down upon me with its gentle rays of light." Tanya smiled.

Alas, the peace would come to an end.

"TANYA!" Yuri came running from the building with Jeanne following behind.

"Yes…?" Tanya responded with a tired yawn.

"The bully from last time has been found dead!" Yuri exclaimed.

"So what?"

"He died of a heart attack, they say it happened so sudden… thank goodness." Yuri said more quietly.

Meanwhile, in the boys dorms:

"Ben, did those pills do the trick?"

"Of course they did, that idiot didn't know what killed him."

"That is what happens when you make trouble for my pal's sis."

"James, thanks man."

"My pleasure."

*Bro hug*