# 22 - 22
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Briang Empire.
In the Briang Empire, the only empire on this “Spring Continent”, there were four huge pillars.
The first is the imperial family.
The second is the house of Grand Duke Fraser.
The third is the four ducal houses.
Finally, the White Tower.
The temple transcended the empire and its influence extended across the entire Spring Continent, but its worldly influence was limited as there was an unwritten rule that they were not permitted to participate in politics.
The White Tower, one of the pillars supporting the Briang Empire, was contributing to the development of the empire through the constant research and intellectual endeavors of the best scholars.
The professors of the academy, located in an independent region of the continent, were all from the White Tower, which showed their remarkable influence.
The scholars of the White Tower could only leave the tower after obtaining the title of “Spirit,” and among all the recipients of the title of “Spirit” in the past, Schultz-Schmidt was the youngest.
Schultz-Schmidt, who was by nature cold-tempered and had no interest in anything other than academic study, stared intently at the Grand Duke's assistant, Fraser.
Grand Duke Fraser was like a cunning old beast.
The king of wild beasts who controls the vast plains.
The greatest noble in the empire with exactly this impression and presence.
In front of this great witness Duke Fraser, Schultz-Schmidt opened his mouth in a monotonous voice.
“Perfect result.”
“….”
“Perfect result.”
“….”
“Perfect result.”
At the top of the examination papers, all of which bore perfect marks and the distinctive signature of the Spirit, was written the name “Tulia Fraser.”
“I was appointed a member of the faculty only two years ago, and I have never taught ladies or noble gentlemen from families other than that of the Grand Duke Fraser.”
“….”
“However, I have never heard of a student getting a perfect score on the first test taken by a White Tower scholar.”
The Grand Duke's assistant Fraser scanned Tullia's examination papers without giving any definite answer.
“I say that Miss Tulia is an extraordinary talent, Your Majesty.”
Rock Kilfusher, who was standing at the office door, caught his gaze for a moment.
Grand Duke Fraser's lips twitched slightly upward.
Although any grandfather or grandmother will not be averse to praising their grandson.
But for “that” Grand Duke Assis, he could do it.
“Well, if it were Miss Tulia, His Majesty might think differently about her.”
Of all the many children and grandchildren in this huge family, only Tullia had recently begun to treat Assis Grand Duke Fraser like a true “grandfather.”
Rock Kilfusher pretended not to notice Grand Duke Fraser's fleeting smile.
“Many things have changed since Miss Tullia entered the main castle, or rather, since she dined with His Majesty in the warehouse the night before.”
Firstly, the fact that these two people were holding a meeting was unprecedented.
A one-on-one meeting between a scholar of the White Tower and Grand Duke Fraser could not happen until the world was split in two.
If Schultz-Schmidt had not come alone today to say that he wanted to meet Grand Duke Fraser's assistant, he would have left the Grand Duchy without exchanging a single private word with the Grand Duke until all the direct and sideline chapters had ended.
Furthermore, Schulz-Schmidt was scheduled to leave the Grand Duchy of Fraser next week.
“Currently, there are only two direct descendants in the Fraser area: Young Master Tedrick and Miss Tullia.”
Schultz-Schmidt continued in a businesslike voice:
“I heard that Young Master Tedric has up to eight private teachers attached to him for advanced learning, in addition to the regular lessons he takes with me.”
Such cases were common among respected noble families.
Of course, only truly great families with ducal titles or higher could afford to hire up to eight private tutors.
Thanks to this, Tedrick's individual results were top notch. This is enough to make Viscount Lilius and Aubrey feel confident.
“What I'm curious about is what kind of tutor Ms. Tullia is associated with.”
What kind of teacher can solve every ancient language problem correctly without missing a single one?
Schultz-Schmidt, who had almost fainted while grading the examination papers, immediately went to Grand Duke Fraser.
He came directly to the Grand Duke, anticipating that with this talent, Grand Duke Fraser should swear Tullia to secrecy.
Wasting time was exactly what the White Tower scholars and Newmas hated most of all.
If you could connect us with that hermit sage, I would send the tower's most learned elder to Fraser County in my stead, as a token of gratitude. One of them even taught the second prince.
Unlike Asis Grand Duke Fraser, whose expression did not show any particular change, Roc Kilfaucher's eyes widened greatly.
The offer to send a Benima sheikh, who taught members of the influential royal family, as a private tutor, was so exceptional that the imperial family itself welcomed it.
Especially considering the bad relationship between Grand Duke Fraser's house and the White Tower.
But Grand Duke Fraser did not respond immediately.
Instead, he flipped through Tullia's exam papers page by page.
Thirty percent of the problems were even in the old language.
Some of these problems were so difficult that it was difficult for him to explain them.
They seemed like mixed problems for discrimination purposes, yet she got all of these things right as well, so it was no wonder the cold-looking soul came running in such a hurry.
Grand Duke Fraser muttered.
“I had a doubt, but as expected.”
Since they've been alone together, Tullia has become strangely intelligent.
She has been like this ever since she spoke fluently in difficult ancient languages that had not yet been deciphered.
But he didn't think. Grand Duke Fraser was fully aware that his descendants feared and feared him.
He didn't ask much, fearing that Tullia would back down again.
But Tullia refused the expensive gifts, asked for the necklace of direct lineage, and obediently passed the examination.
The results exceeded imagination.
Grand Duke Fraser swallowed his strange feeling of pride and spoke to Schultz-Schmidt.
“Schulz Pneuma.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Tulia does not have a separate teacher.”
Schultz-Schmidt's eyes widened.
"Nobody? No, this can't be…"
If it had been someone else, or even a somewhat ordinary noble, he would have definitely judged him to have lied.
Obviously, he suspected that it was a lie in order to gain a more advantageous hand in these negotiations.
But his opponent was Grand Duke Fraser.
A man of stature comparable to the emperor. The old Grand Duke who steadfastly supported this huge family.
Schultz-Schmidt's cold eyes widened several times today.
“Then you are saying that the young woman only studied by herself?”
“From what I heard, she was going to the library alone all this time.”
“...Of course, I know that Fraser's private library contains many precious old books. But...”
“If you'll excuse me, Your Highness, Schultz and Neoma.”
Rock Kilfusher intervened at the right time.
“Miss Tulia has never had access privileges anywhere other than the public library.”
At this decisive statement, the expressions of both the Grand Duke's assistant Fraser and Schulz-Schmidt changed with different meanings.
Grand Duke Fraser's assistant's facial expression was particularly strange.
The Grand Duke muttered in a complicated voice.
“So you say she studied ancient languages through self-study in the public library, despite her talent and passion for them.”
“….”
“Without making a single complaint.”
In contrast to her bold appearance of attending Fraser Council meetings and casting dissenting votes, the image of Tullia quietly studying alone in the public library, which even the auxiliary members were able to easily access, made him feel uncomfortable.
Even Tedric Fraser had eight famous private tutors to help him with his studies.
No matter how much it was rumored that Grand Duke Fraser was a cold-blooded person, he couldn't help but feel worried about his granddaughter.
This unexpected contradiction can be so terrifying.
“Rock.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Bring your special entry pass.”
Assistant Fraser wrote Tulia's name on the special access pass allowing entry to the private library at any time, personally stamped it with the seal of the head of the family, and then handed the pass to Rock.
There were rumors that the private library in the Grand Duke's castle contained precious ancient books that rivaled those of the imperial family.
Therefore, only a few exceptional scholars specially recognized by the family head could enter.
In other words, this was equivalent to Assis Fraser granting Tullia an extremely exceptional privilege.
Of the descendants of Grand Duke Assis Fraser, only the exceptionally distinguished Lysiane Fraser has received this special access pass.
The eldest of Tullia's twin brothers.
No one would have imagined that Tulia would be the second to receive it.
“Since Tullia is so passionate about the ancient language and scholarship, we should request the spirit from the White Tower again.”
Rock's eyes widened unusually large.
“Today is full of surprises.”
Asis Fraser was famous for never looking back at relationships that had gone wrong in the past.
But what he just said meant that he would make a gesture of reconciliation to the White Tower, with whom relations had already reached the breaking point.
And from the house of Grand Duke Fraser first, no less.
Assis Fraser had no intention of maintaining positive relations with the White Tower again in his life.
He was thinking and planning to leave it as a problem for the next Grand Duke Fraser.
In other words, this matter has been out of his interest for a long time.
Rock Kilfusher also never expected Asis Fraser to make such a decision.
And because of Tullia, at that.
“This will cause a great commotion throughout the empire.”
Maintaining friendly relations with the White Tower again would be very beneficial to the Grand Duke House in the long run.
“And if His Highness’s current decision is implemented…”
“Rock.”
Grand Duke Assis Fraser rose from his seat. In his hands that usually held a sword, a pen, or the seal of the family head, he carefully held his perfect granddaughter's examination paper.
To be honest, he looked like a rather affectionate grandfather.
Rock. Go to Tulia and tell her. The direct descendant pendant handover ceremony will be tomorrow evening.
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