Chapter 71: Olivia(3)
As they continued their conversation, Leon and Olivia grew more comfortable with each other. The tea party was still ongoing, and the atmosphere became increasingly relaxed.
Leon mused to himself, "It seems all my preparations weren't in vain. This tea party is actually turning out quite well."
Suddenly, Olivia lowered her gaze to her cup and spoke, her voice laced with uncertainty.
"You know, Leon... Ever since I enrolled in the academy... no matter what I do, things never seem to go the way I want. And every day, I find myself wondering... Did I really make the right choice coming here?"
"Of course, you did!" Leon exclaimed unexpectedly, his expression turning serious.
Olivia flinched at his sudden outburst.
"B-but..." she hesitated, stirring her tea absentmindedly. "Everyone keeps saying that I don't deserve to be here... I know it's just because I'm a commoner..."
"Oh, don't pay any attention to that," Leon waved dismissively, finally deciding to take a seat at the table. He looked over his handiwork with satisfaction—the neatly arranged tea set, the aromatic tea, the carefully prepared snacks—all contributing to a warm, inviting atmosphere. "Sooner or later, the academy will start accepting more commoners. The fact that you were admitted this year means that more will follow."
"What...?" Olivia blinked in confusion. "But... why?"
"It's simple!" Leon raised a finger as if about to explain something of great importance. "You might not realize it, but the world is changing. More and more rulers are starting to understand that a person's worth isn't determined by their birth, but by their skills and abilities. The Kingdom of Holfort is no exception. You must've noticed that many nobles in the academy are... well... let's just say, not the brightest?"
"Ah... um..." Olivia fidgeted, unsure how to respond. She felt uncomfortable admitting it, but even she had noticed that some nobles, aside from their etiquette training, weren't particularly knowledgeable. However, outright calling them fools felt wrong.