Larien's expression forms a frown on his face as he replies, "Shouldn't it be the other way around?"
"Huh?"
"It is Alice who is showing me benevolence by allowing me to join his team. As someone far more skilled than me, in this scenario he clearly has no use for someone of my level, yet he has allowed me to join him regardless. As such, I won't let a single moment pass by wasted. I fully intend to learn all I can by his side. You'll be wise to take this to heart."
"Y-Your highness?!"
After Larien finishes speaking, he grabs my hand and leads Darius and I out of class.
"...It is because of my benevolence that I allowed someone of your level join my team?" I start as we walk to the cafeteria. "Aren't you putting in a lot of flare?"
"I will admit that was a bit over the top, but I meant every word," Larien responds with a small sigh. "So it bothers me when you're being looked down upon just because you weren't born into nobility."
Tapping his shoulder, I smile and say, "You're a good guy Larien, but you should really be more aware of your image as a prince you know. If you keep downgrading your skills to mine, I can only see that having a bad effect."
"Yes. I guess you're right." He agrees reluctantly.
"But his highness has a point," Darius exhales. "It doesn't make any sense why they keep acting rudely towards you even though they can clearly see for themselves you're the strongest person in our class."
"Thanks for the concern, but I don't think all that matters for now. As far as I'm concerned, we have more pressing issues. Don't we still have to find at least one more member to join us?"
"Yeah you're right," Larien nods. "Do you perhaps have someone in mind?"
I did, but now I'm not so sure. I initially wanted to recruit Lunela, but since she's a magic knight... The students studying to be magic knights have a class of their own, and since everyone of them is a noble, they either tend to stick together or participate in individual matches. Which means there's a big possibility she's already on a team or flying solo. We'll see. She may have to be a last resort so I think it'd be better to find someone else in the mean time.
"Not really. Do you?"
"Hmm... Actually, I do." Larien answers, gaining my attention and Darius'.
"Who is it?"
"It would be nice if our team was balanced," Larien starts. "I'd say I'm more proficient in mid-range spells and attack magic, Darius is well suited in support and healing magic, and Alice, I take it you're pretty much an all rounder but seem to be oddly proficient in close quarters combat. So it would be best to acquire someone who can deal damage in the front with Alice as well, or someone who is good at long ranged attack spells, and get additional help from someone well versed in enchantments."
Huh. He's perceptive. I've only known him for a few days but he seems to already have our habits memorized.
"I see. I'm pretty good with enchantments so I don't think we need to worry about that for now. As for the rest, is the person you have in mind a magic knight or a long ranged magic specialist?"
"Neither. Though he hails from a family of magic knights, he's focused on offensive and destructive magic, but doesn't wish to hold an actual sword. At least not yet."
"Hm? Not yet?"
"He's the third son of Count Valastine. I've been aware of his skills for a while now, though we haven't really talked much. For some reason, even though he has a talent for it, he didn't enroll in the Magic Knight class, and got admitted into Desdan class B. And he didn't participate in last year's competition."
"I see. So are you trying to get him to become a magic knight?"
"I would like to. His aptitude for offensive magic and his skills with a sword make him perfect for the class, and having him on our team as a magic knight would be more favorable, but I can't really force him if he's truly against it. Having him as is would still be beneficial, and it is my hope that if he participates in the competition, he may change his mind."
"You really trust his skills that much?" Darius asks, curious as to why the prince is fixated on changing his mind.
"Yes."
"That's fine. I also think having him on our team would be good from the way he sounds. But if he didn't participate last year, would he be willing to now?"
"I don't know," Larien sighs. "But we have a joint spell training class with class B this afternoon. I plan to ask him then."
"Gotcha. Alright then. We can see his skills as well."
Honestly, not wanting to be a magic knight may not be the only reason he may refuse to join our team. It sounds like he comes from a really prestigious noble family of magic knights, so I doubt someone like that would want to join under the leadership of a 'commoner'. Well, I guess it should be fine since Larien is with us, but... Oh well. Anyone will do really.
After lunch, our spell casting class started, and like Larien said, it's a joint lesson with class B. All nobles as far as I can see, though I already knew that. This class is a lot more physical than it sounds so we're required to change into this safety gear for the outdoor lesson. It's enchanted with a tier 2 strengthening and physical damage reduction spell. This gear would sell for a really high price on the market, so the fact they let students handle it means this school is more prestigious than I may have thought. That reminds me. I forgot to ask Larien which school won the competition last year. Honestly, I'd be surprised if it wasn't Dorma.
"Alright students. Like I said in the last class, today we'll be handling high level attack spells and mid-level support magic spells. Please separate into pairs of two, each from the opposite class for this exercise." Professor Gina, the teacher in charge of spell casting class says, as she claps her hands together.
"Which one is our future prospect?" I ask, turning to Larien.
"Uh huh? Oh, um... it's him," Larien answers, lightly pointing at the long haired guy standing alone at the corner. "Eleric Vylan Valastine."