Ascendance of a Bookworm (LN) - Volume 4.2 - Chapter 7

Measuring Schwartz and Weiss 

Today was the day we would be measuring Schwartz and Weiss. The plan was to leave for the library at third bell, and then bring the two shumils back to the dormitory. The girls who had desperately been trying to pass their written classes in time had all narrowly managed, and now they wore exceptionally bright smiles, both excited for the measuring and glad to be free from those lessons. 

“Just the thought of Schwartz and Weiss visiting the Ehrenfest Dormitory is making me tremble with excitement,” one girl said. 

The girls were going to be doing the actual measuring today. It was apparently normal for noble girls to pick up sewing as a hobby, making bits of clothing for their pets and the babies of relatives as training to be good wives in the future. I had personally been slacking on my bridal duties, so I was far from being a sewing expert. 

I-It’s not like I skip practice, okay? I’m just two years behind everyone else because of my coma. Nobody could say that’s my fault. Though it is true that I would rather spend my time reading books than waste it on trying to be a better wife in the future. 

“Lady Rozemyne, I understand your excitement, but please stay focused,” Rosina said while I was practicing harspiel in the common room. Lieseleta and the others were preparing for Schwartz and Weiss’s arrival with giddy enthusiasm. I personally hadn’t a clue where or how the measurements needed to be taken. Measuring humans was straightforward enough, but giant shumils were something else entirely. 

Hirschur and some apprentice scholars were also with us, all gripping writing utensils. Hirschur’s plan was to write down as much as she could about the magic circles engraved on Schwartz’s and Weiss’s stomachs; it seemed that magic tools created through hidden methods by the royalty of the past were filled with secrets and dramatic allure. To the apprentice scholars who specialized in making magic tools, this truly was a heart-pounding event. It only took a single glance to see how excited all those in attendance were, regardless of their faction. 

“Still, if you had new paper on hand, why did you not show me earlier?” Hirschur asked, pursing her lips in frustration while feeling the plant paper I had supplied her with to write about Schwartz and Weiss. She had apparently been informed by other professors and students that those of us from Ehrenfest were using some peculiar kind of paper. 

“You would have seen it sooner if you came to the dormitory more often as our supervisor, Professor Hirschur. Lady Rozemyne uses it every day as a matter of course,” one of the apprentice scholars explained. Others expressed their agreement, adding that I had used plant paper to organize the first-years’ weaknesses to help them pass and that I was using it to record every conversation I participated in. 

“I suppose it might be wise for me to live in the dormitory while Lady Rozemyne is attending the Academy...” Hirschur mused. “I am struck with the feeling that she will only continue to cause chaos.” 

Wilfried nodded. “Yeah. If you ask me, the weekly reports you’re sending Father aren’t enough—Rozemyne does way too much each week to summarize in a single message. Really, you could start sending daily reports.” 

The two went on to discuss this matter with very serious expressions. I personally didn’t think it was very accurate to say I was causing “chaos,” and I would rather Hirschur report on my activities as little as possible. 

A short distance away from us, the apprentice knights, all clad in simple armor, were discussing security measures with straight faces. My guard knights had seen Schwartz and Weiss up close, so they probably knew even better than I did just how valuable they were. 

“The feystones on their vests alone are valuable enough, but Schwartz and Weiss are the heirlooms of royalty,” Cornelius explained. “There will surely be a great number of people targeting them when we leave the library.” 

“I do not believe our plans have been leaked to anyone, but we are aware that a number of archduke candidates have been ordering Professor Solange to give them the two shumils,” one of the knights added. 

“Lady Rozemyne has instructed us to protect Schwartz and Weiss. We will yield to no one, no matter how high in status they are.” 

I had initially thought all this fuss over two magic tools was a little excessive, but after hearing the apprentice scholars talking about how rare they were, and the apprentice knights talking about the potential threat of nobles from other duchies, I quickly rethought that assumption. The danger was so apparent that even I, as someone who was regularly called oblivious and naive, believed we needed to do all we could to protect the two shumils. 

I really want to join the others in focusing on Schwartz and Weiss... 

Everyone was buzzing with the level of excitement one would expect right before a festival. I gazed around as I continued practicing the harspiel, wiggling in anticipation at the thought of mingling with the others, only for Rosina to interrupt me with a cough. 

“The music professors even went so far as to praise your songs at the tea party, Lady Rozemyne. The least you can do is learn to play them yourself.” 

“I’ll do my best...” 

After being so generously praised at the tea party and asked to make full use of my ability to compose songs, Rosina was more motivated than ever. She had even asked me to increase the amount of time I spent practicing the harspiel, but I had declined; in my eyes, reading was still a much, much bigger priority. 

I continued my practice under Rosina’s watchful gaze until third bell eventually chimed. I let go of my harspiel at once and stood up, ignoring Rosina’s sigh of exasperation, to focus on all the hopeful eyes that were now looking my way. 

“Third bell has rung!” I declared. “Let us hurry to the library!” 

“Everyone, take your positions,” Wilfried ordered. “Those accompanying Rozemyne to the library and those staying behind to welcome them back, you know where to go. Be very careful here. Schwartz and Weiss are valuable magic tools.” 

Once everyone had gotten into their groups, we departed for the library with Hirschur at the lead as our dorm supervisor. I was in the middle of the group with the other girls. My attendants were standing closest to me, while the apprentice scholars circled us and the apprentice knights formed the perimeter. 

“Good morning, Professor Solange.” 

“Good morning to you as well, Lady Rozemyne. Oh my... I see you have brought many people with you today,” Solange replied, her eyes widening as she welcomed the Ehrenfest squad into the library. 

“They’re here to guard Schwartz and Weiss. We wouldn’t want anything to happen.” 

“Milady’s here.” 

“Milady. Good morning.” 

No sooner had I said their names than Schwartz and Weiss came toddling over. The mere sight was enough for Lieseleta to break into a broad smile and sigh about them being cute beyond words. It was clear to see she was missing her pet shumils back home, and I understood the need to fill the lonely void in one’s heart all too well. 

“Schwartz, Weiss, you are going to be measured today so that we can make your new clothes,” I said. 

“Measuring. Okay.” 

“Lots of measuring.” 

Schwartz and Weiss had come to understand a bit about measuring due to how many times they had changed masters and received new clothes. They hopped over to stand beside me. 

“Lady Rozemyne, Schwartz and Weiss cannot leave the library unless they are with their master. Please take their hands before you leave,” Solange said. I did as instructed, having Schwartz take my right hand and Weiss take my left. 

“Look over there!” came a voice. “That girl is holding hands with Schwartz and Weiss!” 

“Is it not dangerous to touch the library’s magic tools?” said another. 

Some girls had come to the library to see Schwartz and Weiss, and now they were watching me with wide eyes. This wasn’t much of a surprise; Hirschur had mentioned that those who touched the shumils without their master’s permission could end up being blasted away by mana. It started off as a light tingling sensation, but the longer one continued to touch them, the stronger the resistance grew. This was just a guess, but I could imagine Hirschur had found this out by holding on to them until the pain was unbearably agonizing. 

“If you’ll excuse us, Professor Solange, I shall return with Schwartz and Weiss when the measuring is completed,” I said. 

“Understood. Please do look after them.” 

We exited the library in the same formation as when we had arrived. So many people surrounded those of us in the center that we were pretty much invisible, but with the shut-in Hirschur gleefully leading the way and the lightly armored knights following close behind, our group drew a lot of attention from the other students. It wasn’t long before their whispers reached my ears. 

“Are those perhaps the library shumils? Why are they with Ehrenfest...?” 

“I was not aware they could even leave the library.” 

“Yeah. I heard that you’d get blasted away by mana if you even tried touching them.” 

I was so worried about something happening that my heart pounded the whole way back to the dormitory, but in the end, we arrived safe and sound. 

Wilfried sighed in relief, having been concerned enough to lend me half of his guard knights. “Looks like nothing happened,” he said. “Right, let’s start measuring. Everybody ready?” 

It seemed that everyone was interested in Schwartz and Weiss, because every student who wasn’t currently attending a morning class was gathered in the common room. I didn’t mind them watching from afar, but I had warned them ahead of time that only my attendants were permitted to touch the shumils. 

“Okay. Schwartz, Weiss, we will now remove your clothes. I permit Lieseleta, Rihyarda, and Brunhilde to touch you.” 

“Okay. Just three,” Schwartz said. 

“They can touch,” Weiss added. 

Lieseleta and Brunhilde removed Schwartz’s and Weiss’s clothes and started taking their measurements, which were then written down by the girls who had volunteered to help. They were quite clearly lending their aid as an excuse to get as close to Schwartz and Weiss as possible, but Rihyarda was standing watch to make sure nobody touched the shumils by accident. 

“Lady Rozemyne, I cannot see the magic tools from here,” Hirschur griped as she strained to see Schwartz’s and Weiss’s stomachs. Her desk was positioned just far away enough that the girls crowding the two shumils completely blocked her sight. 

I examined Schwartz and Weiss, who were now freed from their dresses and vests. As expected, there were elaborate magic circles on their stomachs. 

“Wait just a moment longer, Professor Hirschur. I will send them your way once the measuring is complete,” I said. “In the meantime, I will allow you to look at these.” 

I picked up the clothes that Lieseleta and Brunhilde had removed and took them over to Hirschur. Rihyarda was watching over Schwartz and Weiss, and the girls were keeping each other in check, so I saw no issue in taking my eyes off the shumils for a second. 

“Only Professor Hirschur, Hartmut, and Philine can touch these clothes. Everyone else must be content with looking and nothing more,” I said while spreading the clothes atop Hirschur’s desk. The apprentice scholars squeezed together as they tried to get a closer look, but Hirschur speedily picked up and started to examine the clothing. 

“It seems to me that the patterns on their dress hems and vests resemble magic circles,” I noted. “I have not seen many magic circles myself, however, so I am not sure what they do.” 

The vests were embroidered with all sorts of colors, and each one seemed to form the outline of various magic circles. I personally didn’t recognize them, so I couldn’t provide much input, but maybe Hirschur could. 

“Indeed, these are certainly magic circles. This part that appears to be the same color is actually using similar shades of string to obfuscate the circles, and this part breaks away midway through, producing incomplete and essentially meaningless circles. The ones that function properly are...” Hirschur trailed off, placing a finger and rubbing the feystone on her monocle. She then began tracing the magic circles with her eyes, one after another, while writing letters and designs on various sheets of paper. It seemed there really were a number of magic circles hidden within the complexly woven embroidery. 

“Professor Hirschur, can you tell what the magic circles do?” 

“Of course. While these feystone buttons are filled with mana, the magic circles will protect Schwartz and Weiss. To think someone could embroider circles with such complex patterns, while designing them to only be activated when necessary... This is extremely high-level magecraft. It’s beautiful!” Hirschur exclaimed. She was eagerly poring over the vests, but her excitement made me break out in a cold sweat. 

“Um, Professor Hirschur... Could it be that I will need to provide the same embroidered circles and feystone buttons when making the new clothes?” 

“Of course. You will naturally want Schwartz and Weiss to be fully protected,” Hirschur replied casually, raising an eyebrow at me as though the answer were entirely obvious. 

“I was planning to have my personal seamstress make the clothes, but I cannot fathom a lower city seamstress being capable of embroidering magic circles. Where should I have them made? I must admit, no ideas come to mind.” 

“The embroidering of magic circles is done not by commoners, but by nobles. I shall prepare improved versions of these magic circles for you. Finally, a challenge worthy of my talents... I shall not be beaten by my predecessors,” Hirschur said, her purple eyes gleaming as she burst into diabolical laughter. The surrounding apprentice scholars were watching in eager anticipation. 

“Hartmut, copy down the magic circles on the hems exactly. Do not miss even a single line,” Hirschur instructed, having already begun to draw the ones on the vests. 

Hartmut immediately started tracing a finger along the embroidered circles on the hems. Philine picked up Weiss’s dress and started sketching out the circles as well, but the fact she hadn’t yet studied magic circles meant she found it a considerable challenge. 

“I’m afraid that’s incorrect,” one of the apprentice scholars said as they watched Philine. “It’s easy to mess up that part.” Many of the other scholars were groaning to themselves, no doubt wishing they were the ones drawing the circle instead. Seeing their growing discontent, I decided to intervene. 

“That is enough, Philine. Please spread out the dress so the other scholars can see it. Are any of you confident enough to draw the circle in Philine’s place?” 

“Leave it to me!” one called out. 

Philine spread out the dress with slumped shoulders, disappointed that her job was being stolen, so I gave her a gentle pat on the back. “I have not yet studied magic circles either, so staring at them will do neither of us any good,” I said. “Let us learn about them together through the process of making new clothes.” 

“Yes, Lady Rozemyne.” 

The apprentice scholars started copying the magic circles, all the while expressing their surprise that the configuration worked at all. 

Hirschur glanced at the students as she turned over the vest she was working on, running her fingers over the embroidery and confirming what materials were used. “We will need to prepare thread dyed with mana to create the magic circles, and there are many things which must be crafted for the clothes,” she said. “You will not be able to embroider them on your own, Lady Rozemyne, as you have not yet learned about magic circles. Given the years you spent asleep, I imagine you are also behind on your bridal training.” 

Her observation caught me completely off guard. As it turned out, the bridal training noble girls went through was also important for embroidering magic circles onto clothes and capes. 

I’ve been looking down on bridal training this whole time, but it was that important all along?! Oh no! I’m so bad with my hands! 

“It seems that people from all across Ehrenfest will need to unite to make this outfit. It will be a good opportunity for you to learn about magic circles and tools,” Hirschur said. 

Schwartz and Weiss were magic tools made by royalty. Throughout history, their masters had freely used a combination of advanced technology and rare, expensive materials to ensure their protection. 

“The first step is to gather the necessary materials... but luckily for us, we have Ferdinand on our side,” Hirschur continued. “I believe he should have plenty for us to use. It is very convenient that he is your guardian, Lady Rozemyne; you would have been in for quite the adventure if you had needed to gather all the materials yourself.” 

Hirschur was making it sound as though I could ask Ferdinand for help and he would freely provide it, but things weren’t that simple. Ferdinand never did anything unless there was something for him to gain from it. 

“I cannot imagine Ferdinand giving us his materials so easily...” I said. 

“Oh my. I assumed it was a matter of course that you would be bargaining for them by allowing him to see the magic circles in return. He spares no expense when it comes to learning about magic tools he is unfamiliar with. I was his teacher, so you can trust me when it comes to understanding how he operates.” 

Wow... When she puts it like that, it all makes sense. Especially the part about bargaining to make him bend to my will. 

“Lady Rozemyne,” Lieseleta called out, snapping me back to reality. “We have finished measuring Schwartz and Weiss.” 

I glanced over at the throng of girls surrounding the two shumils. “Professor Hirschur, it seems they are done.” 

“Could you have Schwartz and Weiss come to us? There is no place for me to write over there.” 

Schwartz and Weiss came hopping over the moment I summoned them. They looked just like real, living shumils when they were clothed, but now that they were naked, one could see all the parts connecting their limbs and such. These connecting parts made them look more like stuffed animals, and their torsos were covered in golden embroidery. 

“Oh wow... Their stomachs truly are covered in magic circles,” I observed. 

“Please place them on the table,” Hirschur said. “I cannot transcribe the circles otherwise.” 

Rihyarda picked up Schwartz while Brunhilde and Lieseleta worked together to pick up Weiss. The instant both shumils were on the table, Hirschur leaned forward so that her face was mere inches away from the magic circles. The gleam in her eyes was genuinely kind of scary. 

There were magic circles on the shumils’ stomachs, of course, but also on their backs and rear ends. They seemed extraordinarily elaborate. We had Schwartz and Weiss stand up on the table, raise their arms, and so on, while Hirschur and the other apprentice scholars copied down the patterns on them as best they could. The next thing we knew, there came the chiming of a familiar bell. 

“That’s fourth bell. Let us all take a break and have lunch,” Rihyarda said, clapping her hands to bring everyone away from their work. Since I was under instruction not to let Schwartz and Weiss out of my sight, I made sure they were dressed, and then took them by the hands before walking to the dining room. Hirschur was going to be joining us today. Her seat was beside mine. 

“Their clothes are normally made by Sovereign archnobles, so this task will undeniably require the assistance of all those in Ehrenfest,” Hirschur reiterated. “I believe it would be wise for you to seek the help of Aub Ehrenfest as well. This burden is much too large for mere students to bear alone.” 

“I never thought making clothes for magic tools would end up being such a big deal,” Wilfried mused with a frown. “Alright. I’ll contact Father.” 

The conversation ended there, prompting Hirschur to pick up her cutlery and start eating. “What exactly is this?” she asked, gesturing to the bowl sitting before her. 

“Cream stew. Isn’t it nice having something warm to eat in the cold winter?” I replied, looking at the meal the chefs had made with guidance from Ella and Hugo. Just seeing the steam billowing from the bowl was enough to make me feel warmer, and it was even packed with vegetables, making it delicious and healthy as well. 

“I’m referring to the flavor, not the dish itself,” Hirschur clarified. “Since when has Ehrenfest cooking been able to produce such an advanced taste? This is not the stew I remember.” 

“Since about three years ago. It only took you this long to notice because you haven’t eaten in the dormitory for ages. All the other students knew about it, and they have been looking forward to the dormitory’s food every year.” 

Hirschur nodded, silently ate her stew for a while, and then suddenly looked up. “I really am starting to think I should move back into the Ehrenfest Dormitory.” 

This sudden announcement came as a surprise, not so much because of the announcement itself, but because Hirschur was framing something so ordinary that all the dormitory supervisors from other duchies were already doing as such an important decision. It was with that notice that lunch came to an end. 

The magic circle transcribing continued in the afternoon. Schwartz and Weiss were once again stripped down, but the magic circles around their torsos were exceedingly complex; even the apprentice scholars of the higher grades had to throw their hands up in the air in defeat, despite having been able to read the magic circles on the shumils’ clothes just fine. Hirschur alone was tearing through ink and paper with still-gleaming eyes. 

“I was aware that she’s eccentric, but it seems she has the skill to back it up. I personally have high grades in this subject, but these circles are completely beyond me,” Hartmut said, shrugging his shoulders and adding that they were too old for him to understand their code. “The most I can work out is that they run on magic circles connected to Light and Darkness. I would guess that only someone with both those attributes can use them.” 

In other words, no matter how well Hartmut came to understand the circles, he wouldn’t be able to make his own Schwartz or become its master, since he lacked the relevant attributes. 

“But you, Lady Rozemyne, have both attributes.” 

“I suppose so, since I did successfully become Schwartz’s and Weiss’s master.” 

Hirschur, upon finishing transcribing all the magic circles around the shumils’ torsos, furrowed her brow and looked over her drawings. “This is not enough. These circles are filled with gaps,” she murmured. 

“I imagine they would not draw all the magic circles on the surface level where everyone can see them,” one scholar suggested. 

“Naturally,” Hirschur replied. “Even I make sure to hide the results of my research.” 

While Rihyarda and the others were dressing Schwartz and Weiss again, Hirschur and the apprentice scholars butted heads in their simultaneous rush to peer at the copied magic circles, all the while discussing how to fill in the gaps as best they could. 

“As expected, there is much I will only be able to learn by dissecting them...” 

“Professor Hirschur, don’t get any closer to Schwartz and Weiss,” I said. The eyes of every girl in the room sharpened at the implication of the two precious shumils being dissected. 

Hirschur flashed an annoyed frown at the wave of murderous looks; then she shrugged and stood up. “I will think of ways to improve their protective magic circles. You may all return Schwartz and Weiss to the library.” 

With that, Hirschur strode back to the scholar building. 

Something tells me Professor Hirschur wouldn’t actually survive living here in the dorm... 

“Schwartz, Weiss, you’ve both done good work today. That must have been very tiring for you. Let us return to the library.” 

“We don’t get tired.” 

“We’re fine, milady.” 

I stroked their forehead feystones, poured mana into them, and then took Schwartz and Weiss by their hands. An instant later, the door to the dormitory burst open. Angelica came rushing in, having apparently finished her written lessons, with one hand on Stenluke so that she could draw him the very instant it became necessary. She looked over us with a grim expression. 

“Be on your guard, Lady Rozemyne. Professor Hirschur’s departure has alerted those from the other duchies that the measuring is complete. I saw several students gathering to ambush us on our way out, and it’s very likely they intend to twist our arms rather than talk peacefully. Be prepared and resolved to fight at any moment!” 

Tension shot through the room like a lightning bolt. Wilfried glanced over at his guard knights, and then at me. “Rozemyne, take my guard knights with you!” he shouted. “Everyone, protect Rozemyne and the others with all you have! I’ll wait here so that I don’t interfere with your mission!” 

At this order, all his guard knights except one joined our party. 

“Girls and scholars without the strength to fight, stay in the dormitory—you will only get in the guards’ way,” Cornelius said. “Apprentice knights of the higher grades, take their place.” 

“All other apprentice knights will guard the dormitory!” Wilfried instructed. “Members of other duchies can’t come inside, but don’t let your guard down!” 

“Which attendants here are both able to fight and have permission to touch Schwartz and Weiss?” 

The members of my party were reselected to minimize the number of people who would need to be protected during our upcoming mad dash to the library, and then the apprentice knights who were wearing normal clothes put on their light armor. Out of all my attendants, Rihyarda alone was permitted to join, since she was capable of picking up me and the shumils and sprinting to the library if necessary. Everyone else was going to be staying behind. 

“Right. Here we go!” Cornelius exclaimed. Just as he attempted to leave the dorm, however, I rushed to stop him. He gazed at me with a look of utter confusion, at which point I turned to all those gathered. 

“Everyone, please kneel for a moment,” I said. “I shall give you the blessing of Angriff the God of War.” 

I had blessed the Knight’s Order more than enough times by now, but the apprentices didn’t really understand what I meant; they merely furrowed their brows with confusion and glanced around at each other. Angelica, who was at the front of the platoon, was the only one who immediately rushed over to me, knelt, and then quietly hung her head. 

“Thank you, Lady Rozemyne.” 

One by one, Cornelius, my other guard knights, Wilfried’s guard knights, and the older apprentice knights all followed Angelica’s lead and dropped to their knees. They formed rows with me at the center, which resulted in me being surrounded by apprentice knights. I poured mana into my right hand and produced my schtappe, since it was the easiest way to control my mana, and then raised my schtappe in the air and used my mana like always. 

“O God of War Angriff, of the God of Fire Leidenschaft’s exalted twelve, I pray that you grant us your divine protection.” 

Blue light shot out of my schtappe and rained down upon everyone. The apprentices looked up at me, blinking in surprise as though this were their first time ever seeing a blessing.