“After-school activity today!” Gaius read quietly, his eyes on the small book that Nakama was writing into. “Today, big bro and big sis went to talk to that Countless Reinford.”

The boy whispered to Nakama, who promptly corrected the spelling error, and then continued. “They were talking about what the countess owed, and then after big sis convinced her to give up lots of jewellery, they began to talk about the world. They threw around lots of riddles that I couldn’t understand, and then started talking about Demigods, really really strong and big beings. I wonder if big bro is one too.”

“I’m not,” Gaius said, “but if you want me to…”

“They sound very busy. So no!” Nakama replied.

Gaius felt a warmth in his chest, and then rubbed her head. This was a log of sorts that Nakama had recently gotten into the habit of writing. Ever since Gaius left for Eo-Seu a year or so ago, she had kept a daily log of her activities, passing them over for Gaius to read if she felt like it. Most of them were talking about things that happened in Kishi Gakuen, and the writing had stopped when they were travelling to the North, but now that they had begun schooling, she started writing about them all over again.

Most of the time, they were related to academics, but she would write down anything interesting that happened too. As to why she wrote them down, Gaius had no clue, since the three of them were together almost all the time.

Still, reading about her own views on the social issues that Isabelle brought up in her rant was quite illuminating. It was a pity that there wasn’t a political science or sociology module here, or else Nakama would have been in her element. The little girl had picked out many subtle issues that plagued the lower ranks of nobility, and were actually giving her own views of them. This had extended to her own extrapolation on an implicit hierarchy in slum life, and…

Well, the list went on and on. If Gaius didn’t know who the writer was, he would have assumed that it was an experienced stateswoman commenting on social issues.

Nakama was a genius — Gaius knew that much already. But now, he was wondering if he should get the Pinnacle to nurture her as his successor for the next Pinnacle. This was talent, through and through!

As Isabelle’s rant drew to a close — she had begun to rehash things two hours in — Gaius slid the notebook back to Nakama. He wasn’t going to plan things without her consent or knowledge, so this idea would be shelved until they reached home or something.

Patting her head, Gaius whispered a few words of encouragement, and turned to the ragged duo. Isabelle had run through four bottles of water while dumping every single grievance she ever had in her life (probably) on Countess Reinford, and her complexion was so much better now.

On the other hand, the countess was mumbling something to herself, an empty look in her eyes. Maybe it was her being incredibly disturbed by the various issues that Isabelle brought up, but she was now reminding Gaius of Nakama, given that she was writing a lot of things down and saying some rather ominous words.

“I think you broke her, Isabelle.” Gaius waved his hands in front of the countess, who ignored him, and then shrugged. “Are you feeling better now?”

“Never better.” She stretched. “Getting bullied by children of other Houses, the implicit divide between nobles and citizens, and lower ranks by higher ranks…I feel like I’ve just expunged my body of poison. I didn’t know talking to other people was this good. I should do that more often.”

“Funny you should mention that,” said Gaius. “Nakama, can she see?”

The little girl passed the notebook over with a beam.

“What’s this?” Isabelle asked. “Did she take down the contents of my words?”

“That is a rather accurate summary of what she did, yes.” Gaius paused. “Although, she did add her own things. Go ahead, read it. And be surprised.”

Isabelle glanced at Nakama, and flipped to a page marked out with a bookmark. Her initial gentle smile gave way to seriousness, to surprise and finally to awe. Her eyes scanned page after page rapidly, and within moments, she had started to look like the good countess.

“Is it a habit for people from nobility to act like this when something huge happens, or is it just them?” Gaius mused out loud.

“Just them, I think.” Nakama looked at the two mumbling girls. “It’s late. I want to sleep.”

“You? Sleep?” Gaius rolled his eyes. “I have never seen you sleep any time before eleven p.m. before.”

She stuck a tongue out in reply.

After a while, Isabelle had recovered. Passing the notebook back in silent contemplation, she looked at Gaius and said, “Guess what I’m thinking.”

“That she’s a genius, and she shouldn’t be looked down just because she’s ten years old now?” Gaius replied. “And maybe we should send her to train under the Pinnacle and the Oracle in terms of government and administration?”

“I wasn’t thinking of that last bit, but I suppose that’s the best way to go about things here, isn’t it?” She turned to Nakama. “How about it? Want to learn from the best in this nation?”

Nakama’s eyes shone, only to dim for a moment when she looked at Gaius. “Can you come too?”

“I was thinking of having you tag along with the beautiful big sister we saw at the ball a few weeks ago,” said Gaius. “How does that sound?”

“Which beautiful big sister?” Nakama asked.

“…Right. Everyone there’s all beautiful. I see why that doesn’t work.” Gaius cleared his throat. “Well, how about we bring you to find her next time, and see what she thinks? Maybe we can drag the countess along too, so she can take on the arduous task of explaining to the Pinancle.”

“That sounds like a great idea, although she is out of commission at this moment,” Isabelle said.

“I wonder whose fault that was…”