Chapter 45: Basic Court Training

The names Shimuzu Rin and Higashi Harumi had become the talk of the capital. As the two apprentices of the White Elder, their exceptional skills in magic and investigation had led them to uncover five major incidents within the past three weeks. Their efforts were a blessing to the Empire, especially with the White Elder's condition deteriorating.

Despite being only sixteen, the two had taken on the responsibilities of their master, earning praise from high officials.

Each case they handled had brought them further recognition:

The Phantom Merchant's Illusion – A high-ranking noble claimed to have been swindled by an elusive merchant who could disappear without a trace. Using detection magic, Rin and Harumi uncovered that the culprit had been using illusion spells to manipulate perceptions, making it seem as though he vanished into thin air.

The Whispering Shadows – Several servants in the Human Hand Palace reported hearing voices at night, claiming the palace was haunted. Through careful investigation, they found an old communication artifact that had been secretly reactivated, allowing someone to eavesdrop and spread fear.

The Crimson Pavilion's Curse – A series of strange accidents had plagued the Crimson Pavilion, leading many to believe it was cursed. Rin and Harumi traced the cause to an ancient talisman buried beneath the foundation, placed there to disturb the flow of magic within the structure.

The Missing Magestones – A shipment of high-grade magestones meant for reinforcing the Holy Barrier had vanished. After analyzing residual mana traces, the two discovered that an official had been siphoning them off to sell on the black market.

The Silent Assassin – A nobleman was found dead with no sign of forced entry or struggle. Using illusion magic to recreate the memory of the death, Rin and Harumi detected traces of air-based magic, revealing that the killer had suffocated the victim using a near-invisible force, making it seem like he had died of natural causes.

Despite their successes, a shadow loomed over their accomplishments—the deteriorating health of the White Elder. The man who had once guided them with wisdom and patience now lay bedridden, unable to fulfill his duties.

Now, inside the White Elder's quarters, Rin and Harumi knelt before their master's frail form, listening intently as he relayed their next task.

"The Consort Palace…" the White Elder murmured weakly, his voice barely above a whisper. "The Azure, Vermillion, Black, and White Princess Consorts have begun their training in courtly and magical disciplines."

Harumi glanced at Rin before nodding in understanding. The Consorts were expected to learn fundamental magic, but with the White Elder unwell, there was no one to guide them.

"You two," the elder continued, "must take my place. Teach them the basics of magic… as my apprentices, you are more than qualified."

A weight settled on Rin's shoulders, but he remained silent, his face unreadable. Harumi, on the other hand, spoke softly, "We understand, Master. We will ensure their training goes smoothly."

The White Elder exhaled a slow breath, his eyes filled with trust. "Good… Then go."

Rin and Harumi bowed low before rising to their feet. Without another word, they left the chamber, stepping into the crisp air outside.

Rin had been silent throughout the entire meeting, his thoughts clouded by something unspoken.

Now, as they made their way toward the Consort Palace, Harumi finally turned to him. "You're unusually quiet today, Rin."

Rin didn't answer right away. Instead, he exhaled slowly, gazing ahead.

As soon as Rin and Harumi entered their shared quarters, they both collapsed onto the table with a synchronized thud.

"I hate this," Harumi groaned, her face buried in her arms. "Why… why are we so capable?!"

Rin didn't answer.

Harumi lifted her head slightly, eyes filled with self-pity. "If we were just a little bit more average, we wouldn't have to run around solving magic crises and getting roped into every single important task!" She dramatically flailed her arms. "Why couldn't we have just been background characters?!"

Still, no response from Rin.

She turned to him, finally noticing that he had his hands pressed together, head bowed slightly.

"…What are you doing?" she asked, blinking.

"Praying," Rin muttered.

Harumi furrowed her brows. "Praying? To who?"

"To any god willing to save me," Rin deadpanned.

Harumi gave him a confused look before realization hit her.

"Wait—oh. OH." She smacked the table, sitting up straight. "The Consort Palace…"

Rin remained silent, his expression grim.

Harumi stared at him, then burst into laughter. "Ahahahaha—oh, gods, I totally forgot! It's been two weeks since we last saw them!"

Rin sighed heavily. "And yet I never forgot… because I value my life."

Harumi wiped a fake tear from her eye. "Ah, poor Rin… You're walking into a battlefield where the enemy is love."

"It's not love. It's a death sentence," Rin corrected.

Harumi waved him off. "C'mon, it's not that bad. I mean, Akane is reasonable."

"Akane is fine," Rin admitted. "It's the other three I'm worried about."

Harumi grinned mischievously. "Chinen Suzuki, Takigawa Rei, and Urakawa Miharu, all madly in love with you, and yet, technically, they belong to the Crown Prince."

Rin rubbed his temples. "Yes. And if anyone catches wind of how they actually feel about me while I'm still Shimuzu Rin, the commoner…?"

Harumi gasped dramatically. "Execution! Public disgrace! The White Flower Palace loses its most competent apprentice!" She held her hands over her heart. "Oh, the tragedy! What will the empire do without—"

Rin cut her off with a flat stare. "If you keep this up, I'll make sure you suffer with me."

Harumi immediately zipped her lips, but her shoulders still shook from laughter.

Rin sighed again, his exhaustion tripling.

"Just… just let me have this moment of peace before I walk into hell," he muttered.

Harumi patted his shoulder in mock sympathy. "May the gods be with you, my friend."

Rin closed his eyes. "They won't be."

The Consort Palace's main hall was illuminated with soft candlelight, casting elegant shadows upon the polished floors. Four princess consorts sat around an intricately carved mahogany table, their expressions varying between contemplation and mild disinterest.

The attendants had just informed them that their magic lessons would commence on the morrow, beginning with the fundamental principles before progressing to higher-tier applications.

Urakawa Miharu, the Black Princess Consort, delicately tapped her fingers against the lacquered surface of the table, a faint sigh escaping her lips. "With all due respect, I fail to see the necessity of this lesson. My proficiency in high-tier wind magic has already been acknowledged." She paused, her gaze momentarily drifting as if lost in thought. "If only I could return to a time when my instruction was… more engaging."

Her words were neutral, yet Akane, ever the observer, noticed the subtle softness in Miharu's voice. A wistful longing, perhaps?

Chinen Suzuki, the Azure Princess Consort, leaned back with a poised grace befitting her status, her deep blue eyes holding a quiet impatience. "Indeed. With the knowledge I have gained through my mana eyes, I am already well-versed in high-tier psychic and illusion magic. Repeating lessons of a lower caliber serves little purpose." She closed her eyes momentarily, then added in an almost absentminded tone, "I would not mind, however, if the instruction followed the same structure as before. There is a particular teaching style that I found to be most… effective."

Akane immediately caught the meaning behind her words. If Miharu was reminiscing about her personal training under Rin, then Suzuki was quite literally wishing for his instruction once more.

Takigawa Rei, the Vermillion Princess Consort, exhaled through her nose, fingers drumming against her armrest in restrained impatience. "Magic has never been my strongest suit. If I must sit through these lessons, I would much rather spend my time honing my swordsmanship." Her golden eyes flickered with an unmistakable intensity. "I would not object, however, to revisiting certain sparring sessions… those proved far more valuable."

A sword dance… a practice duel… Akane instantly recognized the pattern. These three women were utterly taken with the man known as Shimuzu Rin.

How ironic.

Akane kept her expression serene, sipping her tea with an almost imperceptible smile. The moment Rin had told her not to fall for him, she had realized one thing—he had already ensnared others without meaning to.

Still, she had an advantage. The three princess consorts before her only knew Rin as a commoner—a prodigy, yes, but a mere apprentice of the White Elder.

But she knew the truth.

Shimuzu Rin, the man they so foolishly admired, was in fact Hoshimi Rin, the Second Imperial Prince.

And that knowledge alone gave her leverage over them.

For now, she simply had to observe. How deeply did their affections run? How far would they go for him?

And more importantly—how could she use it to her benefit?

Akane set her teacup down with deliberate elegance, her voice as smooth as silk. "It seems we are all bound to this lesson regardless of our individual talents. Perhaps we should make the most of it."

Miharu glanced at her, eyes sharp but unreadable. Suzuki tilted her head, as if deciphering Akane's intent. Rei merely huffed, arms crossed.

Akane smiled.

Yes. This would be quite entertaining indeed.

As the Imperial Facilitator read aloud the names of their temporary instructors, an undeniable shift settled over the room.

"Due to the White Elder's current condition, his responsibilities have been temporarily delegated. The individuals who shall oversee your instruction in his stead are none other than his two apprentices—Shimuzu Rin and Higashi Harumi."

The air grew tense.

Urakawa Miharu, Chinen Suzuki, and Takigawa Rei, who had previously shown little interest in attending basic magic lessons, visibly stiffened. Their previous nonchalance evaporated, replaced by a sharpened focus.

Suzuki was the first to react, her usually composed demeanor faltering for the briefest moment. "Shimuzu Rin…?" Her tone was calm, yet Akane, ever perceptive, detected an underlying urgency.

Rei, who had been leaning back with an air of disinterest, sat up straight. "I see." Her fingers tapped rhythmically against the table, her gaze darkening in contemplation.

Miharu, perhaps the most openly affected, adjusted her posture and exhaled, as if steadying herself. "This changes things."

Akane, who had merely been listening until now, silently observed their reactions.

It was almost comical.

Moments ago, these same three women had all but dismissed the lessons as beneath their concern. Yet now, with a single announcement, their entire attitudes had shifted.

Why?

Akane had a strong suspicion, of course. She had already concluded that these three consorts were far too deeply entangled in their feelings toward Rin. But to see it unfold before her in such an obvious manner was almost unsettling.

Rei, breaking the silence, was the first to speak with purpose. "I presume the lesson structure will remain the same as what the White Elder has traditionally upheld?"

The Imperial Facilitator gave a polite nod. "Indeed. The content shall follow his established curriculum. However, the apprentices have been granted full authority in their instruction."

Suzuki's eyes gleamed with an unmistakable intensity. "I see… If that is the case, then there is value in attending after all."

Miharu, fingers elegantly intertwined before her, spoke with an air of finality. "I had not expected such a turn of events, yet I welcome it. This lesson will be most… enlightening."

Akane resisted the urge to sigh. How predictable.

There was no doubt about it now. Whatever attachment these three consorts held toward Rin, it had influenced them deeply enough that even the mere mention of his name was sufficient to alter their priorities.

And Akane was growing increasingly concerned.

She had promised Rin she would assist him if these women made any advances—but judging by their reactions, the situation was worse than she initially believed.

If Rin had feared walking into a dangerous situation before, then he was entirely correct to do so.

Akane exhaled quietly, masking her amusement behind the rim of her teacup.

If nothing else, this turn of events meant only one thing.

More opportunities. More leverage.

And, potentially, more favors from Rin.

She would simply have to watch closely—and wait for the opportune moment.

Akane traced the rim of her teacup with a single finger, a slow smirk forming on her lips.

She could only marvel at the predicament Rin had walked himself into.

How exactly will he deal with them?

The answer didn't particularly matter to her—whether he skillfully evaded them or found himself entangled in their affections, it was of no consequence. What did matter, however, was the leverage she held over him.

Akane knew one undeniable truth: while she may now be his so-called ally, that did not change the fact that she was, at her core, a woman hungry for power.

The favors she had gained from Rin were not mere tokens of gratitude. They were carefully collected tools—ones that would be used to further her ascent. If she played her cards right, those favors would be the stepping stones leading her to the pinnacle of influence.

If they could ensure that she would be the most powerful consort upon her marriage to the Crown Prince, then so be it.

Of course, there was still that lingering fear—the quiet awareness that Rin was not someone she could manipulate easily. The memory of his blade at her throat, his expression cold and devoid of hesitation, was not something she would soon forget.

She understood perfectly well that had it not been for the Imperial Tablet, her life would have ended that night.

But that didn't matter.

Rin was not interested in the throne. He was not her rival in the grander scheme of things.

He was a man who wished to live as a mere commoner, distancing himself from imperial affairs.

That was what made this arrangement ideal.

She would help Rin keep his secret, and in return, she would rise.

The higher she climbed, the more influence she would wield.

A win-win situation.

And if, in the future, she found herself needing to remind Rin of the debts he owed her—well, that was simply how the game was played.