Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuzio
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After lunch with Esmée, we returned to the Academy in her carriage.
Normally, we would have sent word to the mansion for our own carriage, but Esmée, a tad miffed that we were heading back to rest while she still had work, insisted on accompanying us back to the Academy.
Amused by her childish display, I simply chuckled, and Lagnis, though still sporting a disgruntled expression, chose not to comment.
After a brief farewell to Esmée, we boarded our waiting carriage.
The only noticeable difference was the students’ reactions towards us, which were drastically different from the day before.
Lagnis seemed to take it in stride, leaving me bewildered as we settled into the carriage.
Sensing my confusion, she explained that our treatment had shifted from temporary students to something akin to official envoys, hence the lack of casual interactions.
“From tomorrow onwards, we’ll be treated as representatives of our nation,” she added.
I supposed that made sense, considering the circumstances.
Still, it was quite impressive how quickly these students adapted to the situation, effortlessly switching gears to match the evolving circumstances.
It made me wonder if they would be equally accepting if they were suddenly drafted into the army.
Come to think of it, perhaps that kind of mental conditioning was part of the Empire’s educational strategy.
“You won’t need to escort Esmée from tomorrow,” Lagnis announced as we made our way back to the mansion, our day’s work seemingly done.
“Because we’re now envoys?” I asked.
“Yes. Why? Disappointed?”
Her teasing tone was evident, but I couldn’t afford to indulge in such lighthearted banter, given my current predicament.
Maintaining a neutral expression required considerable effort.
“It’s not that I’m disappointed. It’s just that…” I trailed off, deliberately leaving my sentence unfinished.
After all, Eldmia, the master of compartmentalization, had switched to work mode the moment we arrived in the Empire.
Any personal feelings were merely fleeting distractions.
“So you’re saying you didn’t dislike it?” she pressed, a hint of amusement was present in her voice.
“It’s hard to dislike someone who treats me well.”
Moreover, I was currently enjoying the most peaceful period I had experienced in recent times.
Rudra’s pathetic attempt at revenge didn’t even register on my stress scale, and even today’s dungeon exploration had been a walk in the park.
Considering I had stumbled into an impromptu vacation while trying to help Lagnis, having someone express affection for me was an unexpected bonus.
“…I suppose that’s true,” she conceded, seemingly satisfied with my response.
“You know, it’s strange. I was incredibly tense and anxious before coming to the Empire, but after only five days, I feel completely at ease,” I admitted, changing the subject and gazing out the window.
“I understand that feeling,” Lagnis agreed.
From a childhood filled with the constant threat of survival to the present, who could have predicted that I would end up leading a relatively comfortable life at the Imperial Academy?
If circumstances had been different, I might have even considered settling into this life.
“But nothing has changed, has it?” I murmured, the weight of reality settling back in.
Of course not.
We were both bound by the chains of revenge.
It was a sobering thought, especially considering we were just teenagers burdened with such heavy baggage.
“You’re right. Just as you can’t rest until you’ve avenged your parents, I can’t find peace until I’ve returned to my homeland and found traces of my parents,” Lagnis replied, her voice heavy with emotion.
Such a tragic tale.
Despite our attempts to maintain a rational perspective, the truth was that we were both driven by vengeance.
“But there are things we can do even while we can’t rest, wouldn’t you agree?” I suggested, my tone shifting to a playful lilt.
“…What do you mean?” Lagnis asked, caught off guard by my sudden shift in demeanor.
“I’m referring to what I mentioned this morning. I’m going to do it too.”
Before I even had time to recall our morning conversation, Lagnis leaned in from across the carriage and captured my lips in a kiss.
Kissing might become second nature if you did it often enough, but not when it involved a different person every other day!
My heart couldn’t take it!
Taking advantage of the smooth ride afforded by the high-quality carriage and the well-maintained roads, Lagnis pressed her lips against mine with an assuredness that left me speechless.
It wasn’t until she pulled away that I remembered to panic, my heart threatening to beat out of my chest.
“Your reaction is adorable, even though you’ve already done this with Esmée,” she teased, a satisfied smile gracing her lips.
“This is completely different…!” I sputtered, overwhelmed by a wave of embarrassment.
Unlike me, who was struggling to process Esmée’s actions and Lagnis’s sudden boldness, Lagnis remained unfazed, her triumphant smile unwavering.
Had she always been this assertive and proactive?
Now that I thought about it, she had always been quite independent and driven, even back in Ogwen.
After all, she had managed to involve the Holy Cross Society in her efforts to aid orphans.
Perhaps, at her core, she was more suited to the life of a warrior than a mage.
“You don’t seem to dislike it,” she observed, deliberately repeating her earlier words with a suggestive tone.
“Of course not. It’s hard to hate someone who’s kind to you.”
My cheeks burned, and I desperately hoped she couldn’t see how red my face must have been.
Satisfied with my flustered reaction, Lagnis continued to smile throughout the rest of the journey back to the mansion.
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The next morning arrived far too quickly for me to fully process the events of the previous day.
We were headed to a gate located within the academy, preparing for the day’s event.
Today’s event, a team battle, required us to move to a mock battlefield.
Apparently, it was situated at a considerable distance for security and safety reasons.
“They really take their student training seriously,” I commented, impressed by the sheer scale of the facility.
The Royal Academy back home also prioritized practicality, but the resources poured into this place were on another level.
This was the Empire’s might in action.
“Indeed. I wonder where they’ve hidden it, considering they’re using a gate,” Lagnis replied, echoing my thoughts.
“Perhaps they’ve built it in the sky?” I joked.
The wait was starting to get to us, so we resorted to idle banter to pass the time.
Soon enough, we arrived at the gate, bustling with students and spectators.
Etenera was the first to spot us, she was her usual cheerful self.
“Well, if it isn’t the Royal Knight!” she exclaimed, approaching us with a wide grin.
“It seems we meet again after just a day, Etenera,” I greeted her.
“Hahaha! I heard you’re not participating today? Such a shame! I was hoping to show you what I’m truly capable of!” she exclaimed, her usual boisterousness amplified.
Had I not been clinging to Lagnis’s arm, I wouldn’t have been surprised if she had started slapping my back.
“Surely you don’t need to prove yourself. The fact that you’re leading a team speaks volumes about your skills, Etenera,” I assured her.
“That’s true, but seeing is believing, wouldn’t you agree? Well then, make sure to enjoy the show from the spectator stands. I’ll be sure to put on a good performance!”
With a final wave, she rejoined his group of students, his cheerful energy infectious.
Watching him interact so easily with everyone, I couldn’t help but wonder what Sieg had done to make himself so disliked, even by someone as friendly as Etenera.
Deciding to use the opportunity to gather some intel, I struck up a conversation with Lagnis about Etenera while we made our way to our designated spot.
Soon enough, the event commenced, following a similar format to the previous day.
However, there was one key difference.
“Unlike yesterday, today’s event focuses solely on showcasing the achievements of the hero and the academy students. As such, we have the honor of a special address from Her Highness, Esmée Bistim Tel Noa, the first daughter of His Imperial Majesty, the great 13th Emperor, Pancras Bistim Tel Noa, and the shining star of the Empire, who diligently serves by her father’s side, guiding the people with her wisdom and compassion!”
After Professor Wade’s brief introduction, it was Esmée’s turn to address the crowd.
“Well then, let us begin.”
And so began her speech, a seemingly endless torrent of flowery language and formal pleasantries.
To be honest, I barely caught half of it, my mind wandering amidst the onslaught of eloquent but ultimately meaningless words.
“Now, let the gate open!” she declared, her voice ringing with authority.
As if on cue, the gate behind her, pulsating with magical energy, sprang to life.
Unlike the gate we had used to enter the Empire, this one seemed smaller, designed for individual transport.
“The students participating in today’s team battle will enter first, followed by Her Highness and the spectators,” Professor Wade announced, taking over from Esmée.
Obediently, the students began filing through the gate one by one.
The process was surprisingly orderly, considering the number of participants.
“I wonder where they’ve built it, requiring them to use a gate,” Lagnis mused, her curiosity piqued.
“Perhaps they’ve lifted it into the sky?” I replied, echoing my earlier joke.
We continued our idle chatter as we waited for our turn.
As the last student stepped through the gate, Professor Wade gave a signal, and the spectators began to move.
And that’s when it hit me.
A wave of dizziness washed over me, the world around me dissolving into a kaleidoscope of colors.
“Ugh…!” I groaned, my stomach churning unpleasantly.
“Eldmia?” Lagnis exclaimed, her voice laced with concern.
It felt like my entire being was being constricted, my magic rebelling against an unseen force.
The world tilted on its axis, and for a brief, terrifying moment, I was plunged into darkness.
The sensation was eerily familiar.
It was the same feeling I had experienced when I had passed through the demon’s gate in the abandoned dungeon, the gate that had branded me as a heretic.
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[I want to see what would happen if someone gave elmdia weed, bo is so sensitive]
Wait…
Either they’re all being transported at once, crowd included, or something is horribly wrong