{
Rio...
We haven't evaluated your
but I was wondering
No. I've never studied writing
I see. Then
Come to my research lab after school.
Thank you.
Oh
Yes?
Many of the children here are from
In the beginning
It's all right.
What?
I know my place.
I see.
But if you have any problems
I will.
Welcome to the Beltrum Royal Academy!
{
Huh? Who is that?
A transfer student?
A transfer student will be joining this class
I've never seen him before.
Everyone
So
The slums?
Someone as lowly as that is joining
I heard that he saved Princess Flora
so His Majesty
On this occasion
Your words do me too great an honor.
I am both humbled and delighted.
Very good.
Then
as a scholarship student.
Rio?
Introduce yourself to everyone.
Yes
My name is Rio.
Through the kindness bestowed
I have been allowed to attend
I know that I am lacking in many ways
but I hope that you will
Very nice.
It seems he can speak as
Well then
Yes
All right
Let's all study hard again today.
Yes
Open up your notebooks and copy
Now then
Yes
These are so easy.
Rio?
You don't need to push yourself
Yes
I don't think he can read.
All right
Where is it?!
There was a hint hidden in that paper!
Is this it?
Professor Celia?
Oh
Can't you read the sign?
Oh
I can't read.
Rio?
I came to inquire about my
Yes! Well done in coming here.
She completely forgot
W-Well then
Yes
Please
I-It's just a tiny bit messy at the moment.
I see.
U-Usually
Just a moment. I'll make us some space.
There are a lot of
But you look so young
Hm? Oh
I'm still only twelve
What?
Really
but I skipped grades and ended up
You must be quite brilliant.
W-Well
I've finished.
A-Already?
What? This is amazing!
And you did it so quickly with
Well
Once I understood how to write
Simple?
Pretty much the only one in your class
What? I-I see.
Well
I...
was a university student
Rio...
Where did you learn arithmetic?
From my mother
I see.
Your mother was quite cultured.
Yes.
She was a kind and warm person.
I'm sorry for making you think of her.
Don't be. I'm fine.
That's a relief. I'll make
Here you are. Please
Thank you.
It's very good.
I'm glad you like it!
It just makes you feel happy
Rio?
Yes?
How was your first day of academy life?
Please
No.
Nothing in particular.
I see. Well
In that case
What is it?
Will you recommend me some children's books?
Books?
I want to learn my letters.
Oh... Yes.
I'll pick out a few for you from the library.
Thank you.
One
One! Two! Three!
One
Four! Five!
Stay agile!
One
Rio.
Y-Yes
One
Come and strike me in any way you see fit.
What?
Yes
Interesting.
What? Huh?
What?
What kind of stance is that?
That stance is weird.
Now
Don't hold back. Attack!
Don't hesitate!
Good swordsmanship.
Advance!
Haruto!
Don't dodge it!
Drive toward your opponent's chest!
Instead of evading to the outside
His form isn't right at all.
It seems there's no end to his vulgarity.
All right. That's enough.
Rio
I'm terribly sorry
but I have no interest in joining the knights.
Really...
I thank you for your kind words.
What?
What did he just say?
That's crazy.
Rio?
Yes?
You're even studious after classes end.
End-of-term exams are coming up soon.
You've only just enrolled here. You don't
I won't.
But I'll give it everything I have.
Very good.
Does everyone have an examination paper?
Yes
Then
Yikes! Um...
One
Mouths closed
Everyone
Mii...
...chan.
There he is.
Is that him?
Really?
A kid from the slums enrolled here.
His Majesty
Ayase Miharu was...
Amakawa Haruto's childhood friend.
But when Haruto's parents divorced
Then I saw Mii-chan again in high school...
and that was it.
She never came back to school.
It was as though she'd erased
And what of it?
Amakawa Haruto is dead.
Right now
I'm not Amakawa Haruto anymore.
That's why...
I will live through this.
I will be tenacious and strong.
This can't be right!
It can't be.
That guy?
Really?
Alongside Princess Christina?
That's impossible!
I'm third?
You've got to be kidding me!
That's right!
Hey
You! What impropriety have you perpetrated?
What do you mean?
That!
A commoner like you
could never stand with Princess Christina
Anything other than fraud is unthinkable!
Top of the class?
You must have used some kind of dirty trick!
I simply took the exam
Liar!
Leave it
The jealousy of a gentleman is unsightly.
I-I can't let this pass unchallenged!
Do you have any concrete evidence?
That's...
Unsubstantiated allegations only serve to
But...
This achievement is the result
I can attest to that.
Professor Celia...
I will never accept this!
Let's go.
Yeah.
Thank you for—
It was nothing. And I didn't
I see.
You won't beat me next time.
Rio!
Congratulations on placing
Thank you.
To tell you the truth...
I'm a little worried.
Worried?
Yes.
When I think that even more students may
I'm used to it already.
Oh
This bullying by nobles shows poor
Professor Celia
Well
I ignored all of it
Just as I thought.
I-In my case
Then
What?
I have you
Huh?
What?
Oh
Yes?
You're making fun of me
But you're older than me
Y-Yes
Yes.
Would you rather I didn't?
I... don't mind.
What?
I... don't mind.
Will you say it just one more time
I...
I said I don't mind! You're so mean
Figure it out from the mood
Then...
If ever I'm in trouble
O-Of course!
When you're about to cry from all
You're small
Don't say "small"! I'm still growing!
Oh
Yes.
Oh
{
An exhibition tournament between the knights
Representatives for the primary school
If your name is called
Sixth-year
Sir!
Fifth-year
Sir!
And...
Rio!
What? It can't be true.
Step forward!
Sir.
Him? Why?
Wait!
What is it?
I cannot accept this.
For someone so lowly to have been chosen to
That's right!
It is a disgrace!
Besides
It has already been decided.
No objections will be entertained.
But how?
I just can't accept it.
I heard you'll be participating
Yes
If you do well in the tournament
the knights may scout you even
I have no intention of becoming a knight.
Rio...
Yes?
You've gotten taller
What?
Well
Professor...
What is it?
You're still just as small
Don't say "small"!
You said the same thing five years ago.
Hmph!
The tea will get cold.
Oh...
Such a lovely aroma!
It's so good!
They're the same leaves
but when you make the tea
I simply follow the instructions
You say you have no intention
What will you do after you graduate?
I thought I'd go on a journey.
What?
There's somewhere I'd like to go.
Then... you plan to leave this country?
This country...
is difficult for me to live in.
That may be so
Why don't you work here?
What?
Without you around
That's not true.
You see? The way you tidied here...
And you make such wonderful tea!
You always chide me when I get too
I'm grateful for your consideration
Professor
What's this all of a sudden?
It wouldn't be good to have some
I've no intention of getting
Well
Hey! You're thinking I'm going to miss
Professor Celia
So you're saying I look like a child.
Not at all. You're a charming woman.
D-Don't tease me like that.
What was that?
Oh! Um
My parents' homeland
Yagumo? The place at the
Yes.
When you're bigger
Really? You promised
Rio?
I-It's only a plan at the moment.
Rio...
Now
and the students of the
And I
As noble as ever!
Emerle-sama!
Beltrum Royal Academy primary school!
Hey! Don't put on a pathetic
You'll lower people's opinions of me as well.
I will do my best not to
No one is expecting anything from you anyway.
Rio!
Keep it together!
I am ready to begin.
Good.
And from the Knights of the Royal Guard
the first challenger
Charles Arbor!
I knew you'd enrolled in the academy
but I'd never have imagined that the
would be my opponent.
I owe you a debt for your care of me back then.
I was so very sorry I couldn't
Cease your chatter.
Challengers at the ready!
What is that stance?
He doesn't have a shield. Is he mocking me?
Begin!
Rio's amazing!
He's staying calm and parrying the blows.
Because of you
I will never forget that humiliation!
H-Hold on!
How could a knight fight so
Now
What?
This will finish you!
Hold!
The winner
W-Wait
I let down my guard. That's all!
What?
I'll fight for real next—
Idiot!
A loss is a loss!
Alfred...
Charles.
If you are a member of the honorable
you will graciously accept your
I-I admit my defeat.
Thank you for the match.
Very good.
Amazing! Amazing!
Indeed.
Rio
I look forward to his future.
Blast that annoying brat!
If I'd been serious
In that sort of situation
With no understanding
in the end
Dear
Th-That's right!
I let him take the glory!
Just as you'd expect from the Honorable
You understand!
And that student who fought against you...
Huh?
He certainly moved very well.
That brat!
Five years ago
it was thought he might have been
At the time
In the end
I see!
So you two were fated
I don't know about fated.
I see. From back then...
I hope he comes soon. I need
Rio!
I wonder where he's going.
H-Here. Please
What is it?
Y-Yesterday's match!
So gallant!
Oh! Excuse me!
Wait 460 00:23:34,9