Loop Mob – A Mob’s Interdimensional Travel Caught in a Loop

Chapter 65: Infiltration into the Capital

“Hahaha. Because you suddenly decided to graduate early, everyone was expecting it!”

This is the principal’s office. Facing the principal, with me sitting on the lower side near the entrance, accompanied by my homeroom teacher. And there, bursting into laughter in front of the principal, is Professor Laquell, the head magic instructor.

“Graduating in the middle of the second year is the second case in our school’s history. Keep striving even after graduation.”

With the appreciative words from the principal, my graduation is confirmed. It’s a meeting in place of a graduation ceremony. With this, I’m off the hook. Ready to prepare for the capital from tomorrow onwards, GoGo!

—Or so I thought.

“So, you’re full of academic ambitions. You’d like to deepen your studies even after graduation, right?”

“Uh, yes?”

Sandwiched between my homeroom teacher and Professor Laquell, I’m dragged to the staff room. And there, at Professor Laquell’s prominent seat, I am exposed.

“For someone like you, it’s unexpected good news. The Royal Noble Academy is recruiting transfer students. You have no deficiencies in academic ability or manners. How about applying?”

“What?!” Transfer to the noble academy?!

“Uh, I’ll apply!”

“Oh! You’ll apply! Everyone, did you hear that? Alexi is going to transfer to the Royal Noble Academy. It makes us proud as a school!”

As Professor Laquell stands up and starts clapping dramatically, one teacher after another joins in, and soon the entire staff room erupts into applause and cheers. What’s going on? What kind of development is this? But I was thinking of finding a way to infiltrate the noble academy when I go to the capital. The opportunity has come to me. I can’t afford to miss it.

However, while clapping along in a corner of the staff room, Professor Kabaneru looks a bit uneasy. Upon closer inspection, there are other teachers with wry smiles too. Did I jump the gun…?

Another person involved in the trip to the capital is my brother.

“Brother, for most things, you can get them there, you know.”

My brother, who isn’t used to traveling, struggles with the heavy luggage in front of him. Both of us are going to the capital together, and the one who pushed us forward was Bruno. Thanks to the connection with our family’s Bartier Company, my brother will be affiliated with a restaurant in the capital. He said he’d “repay the favor someday,” but when we asked him to put in a good word for my brother’s trip to the capital, he accepted, saying “if it’s that simple.” I didn’t ask for details, but apparently, the issue with Rose was quite a big deal.

I’ve asked my brother to handle negotiations between our home and the Charlois territories in the capital. With the Charlois matter, by involving our family’s Apel Company, my brother and I have an excuse to leave Marol. But in reality, it’s the food and beverage industry that will consume distilled spirits. When I proposed this plan to Bruno, he enthusiastically agreed, saying, “Looks like I’ll owe you again.”

Charlois, the capital, and Marol. There is quite a distance between each of them. He travels tirelessly between these places, consolidating negotiations, bringing maximum benefits to all parties involved, and ensuring the success of the distilled liquor promotion project. My brother was burning with determination for this mission. Well, anyway, Count Charlois is likely to intervene at some point and make it a nationwide hit. As for the sales, there’s no need to worry.

Above all, he is of the Wind attribute. He has always longed to travel, not staying in one place, and is skilled in dealing with people. Moreover, he has always admired the life of adventurers. During his travels, he may hire guards, learn about adventurers from them, and sometimes even get involved in adventurer-like activities. Just in case he encounters monsters. For self-defense. Once he leaves home, he can come up with any excuse he wants.

“…Thanks, Alexi.”

Packing only the bare essentials into one trunk, he muttered to me. He used to dislike inheriting the family business but also hated being abandoned by our parents. Meanwhile, I was praised by our parents, with freedom in my career path. While knowing he harbored bitter feelings, I had been doing as I pleased. With this, there are no more debts owed within me.

“The hard part starts now. Good luck, brother.”

That’s right. For guards, Falcon Blue from the Azure Hawks might be a good choice. He usually operates out of the capital, and Mr. Dion would likely kindly teach him about adventurers. I’ll subtly suggest it later.

Right after spending New Year’s at home, we set off for the capital. Mother was teary-eyed, but father, still hopeful for the yet unseen profits from the distilled liquor, patted my brother’s shoulder, saying, “Do it properly.” As for my transfer to the noble academy, it doesn’t seem to matter much. Despite all the recommendations for the distilled liquor project, they’re pretty exasperated that the firstborn son is being tossed into the noble academy. After all, the second son isn’t expected to achieve much, but he also isn’t very interested. Well, I’m grateful for that.

We took shared stagecoaches to the capital, passing through post towns over ten days. I was so bored. If I could fly with my leather shoes, it would be over in no time. It couldn’t be helped that we ended up going to the capital together as siblings, but my brother seemed very excited about the scenery from the carriage window, the food at each stop, and the romanticism of traveling. Just seeing this side of my brother after a long time makes it all worthwhile.

After safely delivering my brother to the restaurant, I headed straight to the mansion designated by Professor Laquell. It was the Laquell Count’s residence. Despite being a noble family of legal cloth, they are a prestigious lineage of magic, the professor’s own family.

“My nephew will be entering the noble academy this fall. I was looking for a schoolmate for him.”

That’s what Professor Laquell said, but normally, don’t noble schoolmates, or rather, servants, already be decided before enrollment? Why the mid-term recruitment? It’s worrying. But I can’t afford to be discouraged here. After all, it’s a rare chance to infiltrate that heavily guarded noble academy.

“Excuse me. I’ve been introduced by Professor Laquell of Marol Domain Academy. My name is Alexi.”

I showed the introduction letter to the gatekeeper. Soon, a servant appeared from inside, and I was ushered into the mansion.