Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 244: Choosing Elective Courses

After finishing lunch, Astrid, Lyra, and Amalia returned to the teaching building they had visited in the morning.

The results of the theoretical portion of the entrance exam had already been posted on the building’s entrance using parchment imbued with flawless magic.

Besides the scores, there was a small note at the bottom of the parchment, informing the students that the class assignments would be announced the next morning.

Seeing the name at the top of the list, Astrid blinked and chuckled softly, covering her lips with her hand.

"You did well... Lyra..."

Watching this maid, who had once been completely clueless about magic, come this far brought a faint sense of joy to Astrid as her mentor.

Perhaps this feeling was similar to what parents felt when they saw their child succeed, a sense of accomplishment from nurturing someone? frёewebηovel.cѳm

"It’s just... I happened to know a bit."

Hearing Astrid’s praise, a faint light flickered in the young girl’s azure-blue eyes. Her gaze shifted, landing on Astrid Calliste, whose score was in the middle of the pack.

How could Princess Astrid only score this much?

Anyone might believe that Her Highness Astrid’s theoretical knowledge was shaky, but Lyra would never believe it.

The princess clearly knew far more than she did, and whenever Astrid answered questions, she didn’t even need to consult books, as if she had already memorized the knowledge.

Opening her mouth to speak, Lyra bit her lip, ultimately suppressing the flood of doubts in her heart. Perhaps... Her Highness Astrid wanted to be in the same class as her, and that’s why...

No, no, that couldn’t be. Lyra, you’re thinking too highly of yourself!

After a brief moment of inner turmoil, Lyra saw Astrid turn and head to another notice board, so she quickly followed.

Aside from the mandatory courses offered every year, Elizabeth Academy of Magic also provided students with a selection of elective courses.

Subjects like Potion Studies, Magical Linguistics, Knight Combat Training, and the recently introduced Magical devices Studies were all electives.

Each student could choose up to two electives per semester, and they needed to complete at least two electives over four years to qualify for graduation exams.

This system was somewhat similar to universities in her previous life.

However, considering that some students genuinely wanted to focus solely on their main studies, the academy’s higher-ups had relaxed the elective requirements.

Completing two electives over eight semesters was something most students could manage with minimal effort.

Astrid looked at the detailed descriptions of the elective courses and their schedules on the notice board, remaining silent for a long while.

First-year students could choose from Basic Herbology, Basic Rune Studies, Basic Combat Techniques, Basic Linguistics, and a variety of other miscellaneous subjects, totaling over a dozen courses. Those labeled "Basic" often indicated that there were advanced courses available.

For example, progressing from Basic Herbology to Advanced Herbology would allow students to choose more complex Potion Studies in their second year. Similarly, Rune Studies served as the foundation for Magical Devices Studies, while the other prerequisite,

Magical Circle Studies was covered in the second-year curriculum.

Students interested in Magical Devices would have to wait until their third year to take the elective after completing these courses.

"Lyra, have you decided which courses to take?" Astrid asked softly after a while.

In the original story, Lyra had chosen Basic Combat Techniques, related to knight training, and Basic Herbology.

The former had been quite beneficial to her, while the latter had taught her some plant identification skills that helped her survive in the wild.

However, delving deeper into potion-making would have been a waste of time.

Judging by the character card the author had created, Lyra’s talent in alchemy was zero. To achieve anything in that field, she would have to work much harder than others.

Hearing Astrid’s question, Lyra also withdrew her gaze from the course descriptions. After a few seconds, she pointed to one of the papers.

"Basic Combat Techniques should suit me."

Although her combat skills had improved under Elise’s guidance and she didn’t need much basic training, this was a prerequisite for taking the advanced course. She had to choose it.

"Just this one?" Astrid asked.

Lyra shook her head. "I haven’t decided yet... I’ll probably choose another one..."

"What about you, Your Highness? Which courses are you planning to take?"

If they happened to choose the same course, even if they weren’t in the same class, they would still have the chance to attend the same lectures.

Astrid fell silent for a moment, recalling the strange Elders Speech phrase she had encountered earlier and the linguistics professor, Evelyn, whom Charlotte had mentioned. She then spoke softly.

"Basic Herbology and Basic Linguistics."

One course was somewhat related to her previous profession, while the other was knowledge Astrid urgently wanted to acquire.

What was the connection between Elders Speech and the current common human language?

Historical records stated that modern spells were translated by the spell creator, Lady Gemini, but Astrid, who was fluent in both languages, couldn’t detect any similarities between them.

Perhaps delving deeper into linguistics could help her unravel this mystery.

"...Those two?" Lyra murmured softly, lowering her gaze as she pondered.

She wasn’t particularly interested in linguistics, and as for herbology, Astrid had already told her she had no talent in potion-making, advising her not to waste her time.

But... she really wanted to be in the same classroom as Her Highness Astrid...

Her eyes drifted downward, landing on another elective course that could help knights better integrate their mental energy into their bodies.

Lyra bit her lip, her hands resting silently on the hem of her skirt, her fingers fiddling with the wispy decorations at her waist. Her smooth, fair legs, clad in white stockings, unconsciously pressed together.

From a rational perspective, this elective was clearly more suitable for her than the two Astrid had mentioned.

"..."

Thinking back to the men and women who had approached her yesterday afternoon, those noble children who practically wore their status on their sleeves, Lyra clenched her fists, once again feeling her own inadequacy.

Choosing an elective she didn’t need just to spend more time with Astrid would indeed give them more opportunities to be together.

But what about the future? Right now, she had nothing, not even the right to stand openly by Astrid’s side.

She wanted both the future and the present.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Astrid and Amalia holding hands. After a long moment of hesitation, Lyra finally made her decision.

"Your Highness, I’ve decided on my other elective."

"Oh?"

"Knight and Mental Energy Control."

While the short-term benefits were valuable, Lyra wanted to work harder to become a powerful knight who could one day marry the princess, rather than just seeking more time with Astrid.

Like in the romance novels, where the princess and the knight fall in love, even if both were girls, she would strive with all her might. Perhaps when the time was right, the Emperor would see her sincerity.

Unaware of the whirlwind of thoughts Lyra had in those brief thirty seconds, Astrid nodded and offered a gentle word of encouragement.

"Good luck."

Lyra replied, "I will."

.......

After checking their scores and selecting their courses, Astrid and her group left the teaching building and headed to their final destination for the afternoon, the library at the center of the academy.

Handing their student IDs to the staff for verification, they entered the library, eager to experience how this massive academy library differed from the Royal Library of the Valeria Empire.

"Lyra, you don’t have to follow me everywhere."

Feeling that the pink-haired girl, like Amalia, was shadowing her every move, Astrid reminded her softly.

"You’re not my maid anymore. What I’m looking for might not interest you."

She had come to read some basic language-related books to prepare for her upcoming courses. Lyra was a genius knight skilled in both magic and combat, so should be looking for books that would help her.

As for whether Lyra would obtain the pure and holy Sword of Light ahead of time, Astrid wasn’t worried.

According to the story’s progression, Lyra’s strength would need to reach at least the level of an early sorcerer or early Grand Knight to begin unlocking the seal on the book and gain the Sword of Light’s recognition.

Hearing this, Lyra felt an inexplicable sense of hurt, but she knew she shouldn’t feel this way, so she responded softly.

"Then... whoever finishes first can wait for the other at the entrance..."

As friends, this request shouldn’t be too much, right?

Hearing the faint plea and caution in Lyra’s voice, Astrid, who had initially wanted to tease her, restrained herself.

"Alright, go ahead."

"But it’s likely that you’ll be waiting for me."

Lyra shook her head and quickly replied.

"It’s fine, Your Highness. Just take your time."

She didn’t need to be so considerate of her... but it wasn’t like she could be completely ignored either...

Conflicting emotions clashed in Lyra’s heart.

When she looked up again, Astrid was already holding Amalia’s hand and walking to another bookshelf, her expression serious as she read.

For the first time in her life, Lyra felt the bittersweet pangs of a crush.