I haven't been here in ages.
Not since my court sorcerer exam, I suppose.
I really do feel that a Firebird without warning is in poor taste,
Lady Lydia Leinster.
I appreciate the advice.
More importantly, who do you think you are to keep me waiting?
I'm not even late, am I?
We haven't seen each other in so long. You could show a little re—
You ought to have been in your seat before I got here.
And my magic would never work on you, anyway.
You can dispel it without breaking a sweat.
Spout any more nonsense, and I'll give you a taste of my sword!
I'd rather you didn't.
I don't stand a chance of besting you at swordplay in this life or any other.
I'm sorry.
For what, pray tell?
Spell it out for me.
For taking a tutoring job without consulting you.
And what else?
For not coming to see you between my return to the royal capital and today.
And what else?
For not telling you why I failed my court sorcerer exam.
That will do.
Whoa there.
I've been so lonely, you have no idea.
Sorry.
Never leave without telling me again.
If you must go, take me with you.
I'll do my best.
Ow! That hurts!
You'll break my bones!
I think you meant, "No, I'll never do that again. Please forgive me, Mistress."
Since when am I your servant?
But... sorry.
Unbelievable.
Anna.
I've brought tea.
I beg your pardon. I didn't mean to intrude.
No, it's quite all right.
Isn't it, Lydia?
Yes.
My lady racked her brain to choose that dress for today.
Episode
The Royal Academy at Last, Part 1
I can hear you.
If you'll excuse me.
Now, sit down.
Oh, right.
I got you a souvenir.
Here you are.
Th-Thank you.
And that dress looks lovely on you.
You're beautiful.
Y-You don't say?
I know I wrote it in one of my letters,
but congratulations again on passing the court sorcerer exam.
And I hear you'll be graduating from the university at the top of our class.
Yes.
I assume you'll attend our graduation?
The professor told me to,
but to be honest, I'm nervous.
Has anyone ever graduated second in their class without a job lined up before?
Do you plan to continue tutoring?
No, I wouldn't dream of it.
I'm not up to the task.
Oh.
Thank you for the tea.
So, what do you think?
What do I think about what?
About Tina, of course.
How did she become able to work magic so suddenly?
Oh, well, it's complicated.
It sounds like there's something you haven't told me yet.
I don't mean to hide anything from you.
It's just...
there are things about Tina's mana that I'd like to study with care.
So, what about the entrance exam?
Feeling confident?
Yes. They must have started on the written exam by now.
Tina will place first this year.
And Ellie will certainly place high.
Oh?
Aren't you forgetting my sister, whom I trained personally?
First place might be a bit too much to hope for.
I do think Lynne is an excellent student, but she's met her match.
Tina activated an advanced spell almost as soon as she learned to do magic.
I only know one other genius of her caliber.
We'll learn the results in a week.
I can hardly wait.
Me neither.
And don't forget to call on me here every day from now on!
Every day?
That's an order! Are we clear?!
Yes, yes. Crystal clear.
One "yes" is enough!
Yes.
Much better.
I never dreamed it would turn out like this.
Tina placed first on the exam,
and within reach of the all-time high score.
Ellie passed with honors as well.
You've never ceased to surprise me,
but I couldn't have asked for better results.
They're both excellent students.
They deserve your praise.
Well done, both of you.
Thank you very much.
Tina, you've done our house proud.
Father...
Allen, you have my sincere gratitude.
On that subject,
would you be willing to stay on as a private tutor?
While I truly appreciate the offer,
I must decline.
What?!
But why, sir?
Well...
If you're concerned about the royal family, you needn't be.
I hold you blameless for the incident at your court sorcerer exam.
You knew about that, then?
I am a duke.
Serious trouble reaches my ears.
Y-You, um, took the court sorcerer exam, then, sir?
I did.
I hear you placed first on the written and the interview,
but last on the practical.
That explains why you failed.
F-Failed?! Mr. Allen failed?!
That can't be!
If he ended up in last place, no one alive could pass!
Are the examiners such a gaggle of fools that they can't see that?!
Tina...
The examiner who faced Allen in the practical was Second Prince Gerard.
I hear that he taunted Allen before the exam,
including insults aimed at his family and Lydia.
Duke Walter, I think that's enough about—
I want to know!
S-So do I!
In the exam, Allen dismantled all of the prince's spells,
then trounced him in a sword fight as well.
The prince protested that he had shown "disrespect."
Unable to disregard the prince,
the examiners ultimately elected not to grade Allen's performance.
No...
I have no regrets.
Not even about giving up your chance of a court sorcerer position?
Surely you'd dreamed of that since you first enrolled in the academy.
I'm an orphan.
I don't know who my birth parents were.
The parents and sister I have now are of the Wolf Clan,
not blood relations of mine.
Even so, they raised me with care and gave me their love.
And Lydia... spares a thought or two for me as well.
I'm not so mature that I could hear them insulted and pass it off with a smile.
But I don't wish to trouble the people I owe so much over this matter.
If your resolve is that firm, I won't stop you.
But I'd like you to remember this:
The Howards are your friends.
We will aid you.
Thank you.
I...
I don't like it!
I won't say goodbye to Mr. Allen! I refuse!
Tina!
My lady!
My, my.
Tina, where are you?!
Tina!
Tina.
So this is where you've been.
Are you really... going to resign?
Yes. You'll both be fine without me now.
That won't do!
It just won't!
Because... because now I know!
What do you know?
I may resign, but I'll always be your tutor.
If you ever need me, I'll come running.
Do you mean that? Really truly?
I do.
Then, before you go...
Oh dear. I saw the whole thing.
P-Professor?!
If Lydia were here, you'd be a dead man.
Walter won't take this lying down, either.
Allen, you have your work cut out for you.
Wh-Why do you look so pleased about this?!
Because it will spare one of my dear students a trip home.
I'm saying this for your own good:
Do as Tina says and stay on as her tutor.
Agree and my lips will remain sealed.
I-Is that a threat?!
As your academic advisor,
I simply can't bear to see your talent wasted.
Professor, don't tell me...
You set me up, didn't you?
I wouldn't dream of it.
Walter merely mentioned that he would be speaking to you,
so I advised him to include Tina in the meeting.
Here's the contract for your rehiring.
Your signature, if you please.
Aren't you glad, Lady Tina?!
To think we finally get to wear these uniforms!
Yes, to think...
Is something the matter?
N-N-N-Nothing at all!
You've been acting a little odd for a while now,
staring into space and sighing...
I'm preoccupied with my entrance ceremony address!
Is that really all there is to it?
Come in.
Tina, Ellie!
Stella!
You both look so grown-up.
N-Not as grown-up as you.
I've been dying to see you.
You didn't even come home for the winter holidays.
I've been worried sick.
I'm sorry.
As I wrote in my letters,
I've had my hands full with student council business.
You're serving as president, isn't that right?
I'm so proud of you!
Thank you, Ellie.
Have you already seen Father?
No, not yet.
I thought I would wait until after your exams were over to call on him.
Congratulations on passing, both of you.
I'm so impressed that you placed first
when you've only just learned to do magic!
All thanks to my tutor!
You always mentioned him in your letters.
Especially his mean streak.
I'd like to meet him and express my gratitude.
He'll be at the entrance ceremony!
I look forward to seeing him there.
Do you have time today?
When will you go back to the dorms?
I can stay until late this evening.
In the meantime, we have so much catching up to do.
Yes!
This will be our school from now on.
I-It will, won't it?
Congratulations, girls.
Good morning.
Good morning, Allen, sir!
Good morning...
I see that you've dressed for the occasion, sir.
Lydia threatened to incinerate me if I didn't.
I live in the working quarter,
so it took courage to go out in this.
Y-You look fabulous in it, sir!
Huh? Lady Tina?
I-It's nothing!
Congratulations on starting school.
Those uniforms become you both wonderfully.
Oh, your ribbon is crooked.
Y-Yessir!
That's better.
Thank you mery vuch.
U-Um...
Yes?
I heard you're going to stay on as our tutor.
I'm so, so glad!
I'm honored to hear you say so.
I hope we'll have many more lessons together.
Y-Yessir!
But what made you reconsider?
Oh, well... This and that.
Now, girls, it's nearly time.
Yes'm!
Sir...
You have no need to worry.
I'll be watching from the audience.
Good luck with your speech.
Right.
'Til later, Allen, sir! Grandma!
Oh, Dear Brother!
Hello, Lynne.
Good morning to you, Dear Brother.
You look positively marvelous!
Thank you.
But I wish you wouldn't call me that. It invites misunderstandings.
Why, Allen...
Duchess Lisa. It's been too long.
What's that? Perhaps I'm losing my hearing with age.
One more time, now.
Lisa.
Much better.
You're practically my son.
Stop standing on ceremony.
I appreciate the sentiment,
but putting it like that invites misunderstandings.
I beg your pardon?
It's nothing.
Lydia left to be appointed a court sorceress this morning, grumbling all the while.
She was sulking about how she "wanted to attend the entrance ceremony, too."
She really must have wanted to see Lynne's big day.
I don't think that was her only reason.
Oh, it's nothing of consequence.
I will commit today's events to a video orb
for Lady Lydia to view at her pleasure.
My lady, calm down.
I... I know. I'll be fine.
Oh, here comes the rain.
At least it isn't snow.
I can't stand the cold.
A-Aren't you Duke Leinster's...?
She's Lady Lydia's sister, Lynne.
I can't stand the heat!
You snatched the top spot from me,
but there's no need to choose between us.
I'd be happy to speak in your place if the thought of it makes you so nervous,
Miss First Place.
This is my miracle! Mr. Allen gave it to me,
and I refuse to give it up!
It will start any moment now.
Yes.
Is that...
Caren?!
Why, there's your sister.
I see she's on the student council.
I had no idea.
The Royal Academy matriculation ceremony will now commence.
I will serve as your master of ceremonies.
My name is Caren, and I am vice president of the student council.
As you can see, I am of the Wolf Clan.
I appreciate your understanding.
What is the world coming to?
Beastfolk in the Royal Academy?
Mr. Allen, you look positively menacing.
I'm sorry. I couldn't help it.
The House of Leinster will deal with them privately. Have no fear.
Oh, you needn't go that far.
What is she planning to do to them?
Please turn your attention to the sky.
What's that?
Someone's floating in the air.
What's going on?
The gentleman who just raised a barrier against the rain
is our headmaster, Lord Rodde.
He will address you shortly.
Thank you, Headmaster.
We will now hear from a representative of the incoming class.
Tina Howard.
H-Here!
She's a bundle of nerves.
My lady!
S-Sorry about that!
It's all right.
Good luck.
R-Right!
I am Tina Howard, and I have the honor of addressing you all this year.
I hope you will pardon me for that disgraceful display.
To tell the truth, when I learned I would be speaking,
I felt conflicted.
I worried whether I had any right to address you,
because, as many of you no doubt already know,
although I was born into the Ducal House of Howard,
I could not cast a single spell until my thirteenth year.
To be frank, I had given up.
I thought I had no right to dream,
that I had no choice but to live out my days without extravagant hopes.
Yet here I am now.
I, who could do no magic until three short months ago...
I wonder if I'm dreaming,
if perhaps I'll wake up in the room where I used to cry in secret.
I learned magic thanks to a person I met.
I'm grateful to him,
so grateful that I could never thank him enough.
I have always dreamed of being able to do magic.
But that alone can't satisfy me now.
I want to learn more spells. More and more and more!
Anything to reach that person.
Anything to repay him in some way!
So that one day, I can pass on the miracle I've received to someone else!
I'm chasing that new dream now.
I probably can't imagine how hard and steep the road ahead will be,
but I can't give up.
Because now I know:
dreams can come true!
My new classmates, let us all strive together.
Finally...
I will catch up to you someday.
I hope you're prepared.
Thank you all for listening!
Lydia will be jealous.
Next, a few words from Student Council President Stella Howard.
I am Stella Howard, president of the student council.
Let me congratulate all our new students and their guardians on making it here.
So that's Tina's older sister.
I needn't tell you that we have the highest standards of any school in the kingdom.
As incoming students, you must feel proud to have qualified to learn here.
But this is only the beginning.
Your true journey starts this very moment.
I don't mean to intimidate you, but our school is a most demanding place.
Only half of you will manage to graduate in the recommended three years.
It is a fact that challenging studies and intense training
dash the hopes and dreams of many.
But this is also a place that will help you grow by leaps and bounds.
When I arrived here, I was closer to the bottom than the top of my class.
Yes, even though I am Duke Howard's eldest daughter.
But now I stand before you as president of our student council.
I guarantee that if you keep moving forward, a way will open to you.
Never give up and keep forging ahead.
I look forward to meeting you at school with all my heart.
Stella is a classic eldest daughter.
Lydia could use some of her earnestness.
Mistress, Lady Lydia is as earnest as can be.
Next, I would like to ask the headmaster to speak a few words.
The headmaster is infamous for his long speeches.
Be careful, lest you fall under his sleeping spell.
He hasn't changed, then.
Excuse me.
Ma'am.
I beg your pardons, but I bear a message from the palace.
Lady Lydia has...
Do you realize what you're doing?!
H-Hey, Lydia...
Out of the goodness of my heart,
I usually let people choose how they want to die,
but you lot don't get a choice.
Get ready to be slashed and burned.