Capitulo 25

Chapter 25 – Sealed Breath

The Royal Academy, where diverse social classes converge, requires an oath similar to a pledge during the freshman entrance ceremony.

It is a vow not to exploit one’s social status or position in the pursuit of academic learning.

In sacred education, all are equal and no inherent superiority prevails; it is the only world where this principle is engraved upon entering the Academy.

Thus, one enters at 16 and graduates at 19.

At 20, taking advantage of the knowledge and wisdom acquired at the Academy, one formally debuts in society, entering the world of adults.

Thus, the Academy also serves as a place to preview and accumulate experiences of that world.

Communities are formed based on social class, exchanges are promised between similar regions, peers are selected for debut into society, and even the flattery and tributes begin in pursuit of ascending into high society.

A place where learning and life lessons occur simultaneously.

However, amidst such intense learning, there was someone who found no common ground.

Ariel Elrond, a countess.

Despite being a high noblewoman, she paid no attention to the flattery and tributes of those below her rank.

Ignoring life lessons to progress to adulthood, academic learning to become an excellent individual, and even her parents’ hopes that she would be the valedictorian of the Academy, Ariel spent her three years focused solely on the Academy library.

Naturally, she had no close friends, belonged to no community, and knew nothing of mixing with the upper class.

A student whose presence was almost non-existent.

A student with no interest in academics or socializing.

However, she always enjoyed her time alone with a smile.

A student who filled her backpack with novels instead of textbooks.

Despite her maid’s warnings that she might end up as an ignorant dwarf, she found her greatest happiness when she crammed novels into her rucksack.

It was inevitable that Ariel Elrond had no friends at school.

Her grades were so low that she could not even dream of achievement in the midst of fierce competition.

As the youngest of six siblings, she had no responsibilities and could escape the strict scrutiny of her parents.

During those three years, she read all the novels in the Academy’s library and even searched for new books in the nearby territories on days without classes.

The Royal Academy was located in the capital, in the heart of the kingdom.

It was unlikely that she would meet anyone in this desolate and distant land of harsh winters, and even if there were [fellow Royal Academy members] here, there was no reason for them to seek her out.

Although she had no problem with social relationships and was not difficult to get along with, making friends would have been possible at any time, but she did not want to waste her reading time on such activities.

Instead, he wandered into the depths with some fellow avid readers.

Unfortunately, they were all into romance novels, so he couldn’t share his thoughts with them.

However, it wasn’t hard to guess who the night visitor was.

Not knowing that the rules of the final evaluation prohibited candidates from going out at night, it was natural for Ariel to deduce that it was Elden.

“The guest has been ushered into the lounge.”

“All right. Thank you.”

What could it be at this point?

Wait.

I hadn’t told anyone the location of my lodging, had I?

How did they know I had to come here?

With each step toward the hall, Ariel’s curiosity grew.

Arriving at the place guarded by two gentlemen, she entered through the opening doors, naturally calling out her name.

“Elden…?”

His lips sealed before he could utter the question of what had brought him here.

It was a woman.

Standing by the window, looking outside, the woman had removed her hood.

A woman with the symbolic white hair of the Northerners, her back to Ariel, seemed unfamiliar to him at first glance.

An unsettling feeling for unknown reasons.

Ariel asked cautiously.

“Who… are you?”

There were no Northerners among her fellow Academy members.

Not all Northerners had white hair, of course; only the descendants of Northerners wore it as a symbol.

Moments later, the woman turned around.

Dazzling white hair, refreshing blue eyes, pointed nose and red lips, with a sharp jaw and slender neck that caught the eye.

A familiar face.

However, that face was definitely red hair.

A mature shade of red.

“Ho-ho. It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Miss Ariel.”

“Uh……”

The voice brought to mind a name that seemed almost within reach, but remained elusive.

As Ariel struggled to decipher the name, the woman spared her the effort, gently brushing the tip of her white hair.

“Ah, the hair color must confuse you. It’s me.”

“Wait a minute.

The name finally clicked.

The student with the bright blue eyes that contrasted with her red hair.

The one who, unlike Ariel, was passionately devoted to her studies.

The student’s name, who was fundamentally different from her and lived far enough away to make their meeting nearly impossible, finally surfaced.

“Er, Erensia… Was it?”

“Ho-ho. I’m glad you remember me. It’s an honor to greet you like this. I am Baroness Erensia Belroc.”

Optical enthusiast Lermian and bookworm Ariel.

The meeting of the two, seemingly different but similar, began like this.

**

“Inferior.”

“……”

Was it really necessary to look down on me to that extent?

It was only a minor contact accident, thanks to my overwhelming reflexes.

Thud Thud.

Dusting myself off and getting up from the spot.

“It was an accident.”

“Even so, you handled it quite naturally.”

“Originally, it was the teacher who executed a surprise takedown, wasn’t it?”

“It was simply to check your reflexes.”

Actually, no.

It was clearly a reprimand for failing to make light of the embarrassing fanfic book.

Rachel, pretending not to notice my accusing look, averted her gaze.

Walking the path of righteousness, it was clear that she was not good at lying.

Of course, that’s a commendable trait for a bodyguard sworn to protect his boss.

“So, did you get your confirmation?”

“It wasn’t bad.”

“That’s a relief. Then let’s move on.”

“Yes.”

Exhausted from the training that continued late into the night, I was heading back to the annex with Rachel.

With how rigorously(?) I had trained, my limbs felt like jelly.

A few more days of this, and I could evolve into a mollusk.

Whether that’s evolution or involution, I’m not sure.

“You worked hard, Rachel.”

“Shall we continue tomorrow?”

“If the evaluation ends early.”

“Yes. I’ll get ready.”

Trudging toward the annex and entering the front door, butler Rendler approached me briskly.

Behind him could be seen Central Aide Gelwood.

As Gelwood approached he whispered close to me.

“Sir.”

“What?”

“Deputy Gelwood has something to deliver to you.”

“…Something to deliver?”

“Yes.”

“Couldn’t you have received it yourself?”

“Well… it’s from the Duchess, and she insists that it be delivered directly to you.”

…Hmm.

What kind of strategy is our heroine planning to encourage participation this time?

Since approval of my abstention was unlikely to have come, I looked at Gelwood with some indifference, and he waved me off.

“Heh. We meet again, Sir Elden. Seeing you drenched in sweat, it seems your training was quite rigorous.”

“It wasn’t easy. But what brings you out here at this hour?”

Responding to my question, Gelwood gestured politely toward a walk.

To the annex garden.

“If it’s not too much trouble, may I have a moment of your time?”

Although I wanted to decline, my curiosity piqued.

What I intended to convey at this time of night was interesting.

What our heroine wanted to communicate through a third party intrigued me.

So, I followed Gelwood into the moonlit garden of the night.

**

Step Step Step.

In the garden where birds retreat and crickets sing for life under the ambitious night, tranquility and peace fill the air.

Strolling here in the moonlight proved to be a welcome respite.

If Gelwood hadn’t brought something, I would have wandered aimlessly, lost in my thoughts, through this cozy, comforting garden.

Gelwood’s voice broke the silence.

“Among the four annexes, this garden is said to be the most beautiful.”

“I’ve only toured it today, but it certainly is splendid.”

“Heh. I’m glad you like it.”

Second only to the king in power.

True to its reputation, the annex garden boasted grand scale.

Its magnificence and opulence could rival that of any high-ranking earl’s garden.

Perhaps because it was a land where life struggles to take root in the harsh winter, the garden’s design differed from the usual.

Coniferous trees instead of deciduous or evergreen, and snowflakes adorned the paths instead of flowers.

Enjoying this view, Gelwood’s voice came to me again.

“Tomorrow is the last assessment before the face-to-face meeting.”

“Well, it looks like it.”

“You’ve had a hard time participating in evaluations you had no interest in, as the Duchess’s partner.”

“It’s not difficult. Just doing the minimum duty required of me.”

“Have you thought about withdrawing your abstention?”.

In the face of my indifferent response, Gelwood asked that question directly.

And this question, the first since my declaration of abstention, seemed to carry some hope.

The hope of a retreat.

Regrettably,

“I have no plans to withdraw.”

“Is that so? That’s too bad.”

Gelwood stopped walking.

Unfortunate, huh.

A rather tendentious sentiment for a Central Adjutant who should maintain neutrality in any situation.

“What exactly do you find unfortunate?”

Smiling, Gelwood handed me something.

A neatly folded note.

I took it.

“This is the first time I’ve seen a candidate receive a note from the lead after five combat battles. My task here is finished, so I take my leave.”

Bowing his head, Gelwood retraced his steps.

…So, does withdrawing my abstention mean becoming a strong candidate for victory and joining the ducal family?

Among the things I’ve heard lately, this might be the most chilling.

One more reason not to withdraw, I thought as I unfolded the note.

[800M northeast of the starting point, there will be a cave. I sincerely hope you win tomorrow’s assessment. In fact… I fell in love with Sir Elden at first sight]

I folded the note again.

After looking around, I dug up some dirt.

I put the note inside.

I made a small cross with thin twigs on top and covered it with soil.

I pressed hard with my hands to make sure it wouldn’t resurface.

Then I fled back to the annex.