—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The Headmaster’s office was always occupied by the Headmaster alone.
Two people were rarely seen there, unless someone came for official business, and even then, they didn’t stay long.
Despite his immense power, Morgan was an individual who hated his solitude being interrupted, not even having a secretary.
This was an odd habit considering he enjoyed being flattered in public, a habit he had had since his days as a professor.
“You get older every time I see you, Professor.”
“I didn’t hear you were… coming.”
“I am your student, Professor. I can come here whenever I want.”
But today, two people were sitting in the Headmaster’s office.
Unlike Morgan, with his deep wrinkles, the woman in front of him looked like she was in her early thirties at most.
She was Linda Westhaven.
Captain of the Royal Knights, and a Master, the Empire’s strongest swordsman.
They seemed comfortable with each other, like old acquaintances.
“I’m the Headmaster now. Masters don’t age, I’m jealous. And my back hurts lately. You didn’t bring a gift, did you?”
“I sent it separately, since I came here urgently. It should arrive tomorrow.”
“I thought you’d learned some manners after reaching that position… you could’ve at least announced your arrival. Why the rush?”
“I didn’t want anyone here to know about me.”
Morgan’s eyebrow twitched. The fact that the captain of the Royal Knights had to hide her presence worried him.
“…So there is someone noteworthy among the new students.”
“You already figured it out, Professor?”
One student came to Morgan’s mind. A small student, but… memorable.
He had witnessed him almost kill Buckingham in the Faculty Office. He knew he wasn’t an ordinary student.
“He challenged the Five Pillars, how could I not notice?”
“He fought the Five Pillars?”
“He even dueled Lemnos.”
“Hmm… I see.”
“So many idiots here who haven’t noticed… It’s infuriating… So… has it been resolved?”
“I confirmed he was safe. Please pretend that he’s just a normal student. It’s better if people don’t know about him.”
Pretend? It was an order to not look into his background.
He would obey it, a battle with a Master was best to avoid.
“The Five Pillars won’t sit still if they learn that you came here.”
Another worry.
The Five Pillars and the Royal Knights had a history of conflict.
They avoided each other at public events. The Captain’s visit would be… disruptive.
Linda smiled.
“Tell them to come for a reunion. It’ll be fun. I’ve been bored lately.”
“Aish… why can’t you get along… You’re all still fighting like children. Tsk, tsk.”
They were adults now, not children.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Wow… is that the Empire’s strongest swordsman?!”
“I’m a huge fan, Captain!”
“Please look this way!”
The news of the Royal Knight Captain’s arrival quickly spread through the Academy.
Even the professors were among the crowd, desperate for a glimpse of the Empire’s strongest warrior.
Linda, accustomed to the attention, offered a warm smile, scanning the crowds, her fingers slightly brushing the hilt of her sword.
The Captain was an Academy graduate.
Years ago, two unknown village girls, Linda and Wendy, had enrolled, and became legendary masters, a beacon of hope for all underprivileged students.
Students, both old and new, flocked to see her, leaving the campus strangely empty.
That was enough for me.
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!!!”
“I made you a hero and you repay me like this?!”
Andy, who was dressed in his Royal Knights uniform, ran with all his might, abandoning the sluggish movements of his first day.
Even if he was retired, he was still a high-ranking Expert. He was fast.
But he was still inside my palm.
“You said you wouldn’t let me get away!”
“Save meeeeee!”
I could have caught him with a step, but where would be the fun in that?
He needed the exercise. No… running made me even angrier.
“It was out of my hands! They knew from the beginning! I didn’t say anything! What can I do if they ordered me to follow them to the Academy!”
So… the Captain had known everything. He had been powerless.
“You could have warned me!”
“There wasn’t time! I was captured right after I got my medal!”
“That contract was supposed to be for this situation! If you just take the credit and keep quiet when things get serious then why did we make that agreement!”
The chase ended.
I had been walking, not even running, but I had caught him.
He was at my mercy. I leaped.
“Kyaaaaaaaaah!”
-Thud!
I tackled him, sending him crashing into the stone pavement.
A loud thud. But I wasn’t concerned.
A high-ranking Expert like him wouldn’t die so easily. I would make sure of it.
“Hey, hey! You look fine! The Captain must have been lenient on you. Can’t you let it go?!”
“Ye, ye, ye. That’s a different matter. You nearly got me killed, so you get a beatdown.”
This was just like my training days. Except… I was angrier, and more violent. The memory of running down the halls with a feverish rage… was surprisingly vivid.
Not for Andy, I suppose.
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!”
My fists flew.
Andy’s screams and the sounds of my fists echoed through the empty training grounds.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Ah… I feel much better.”
My anger had been… redirected.
A high-ranking Expert like Andy was surprisingly durable.
I’d send him to his dorm, he’d be fine.
“You learned well. You beat him but without maiming him. Not bad.”
The Captain floated down from the sky. She was so graceful that I was beginning to think she was a Mary Poppins character.
I could only think this in my head, since I would surely be beat up for my rudeness.
“I learned from the best. Did you enjoy your tour of the Academy?”
“Yes. It’s as chaotic as ever… It’s like time has stopped here.”
I could still hear the cheers and shouts of the students.
She must have left swiftly. If they started searching, they’d find us soon. I’d have to move.
I picked up Andy, and noticed that the Captain was scanning the classrooms, a look of nostalgia on her face.
“Atlas, you seem to be enjoying your time at the Academy.”
“Enjoying? There are too many… possibilities… What makes you say that?”
“You dueled Lemnos, and didn’t bother to inform me? Very rude.”
She chuckled, patting my head. Another sign I was still considered a puppy in her eyes.
Both the Captain and Wendy always patted me on the head. They had vowed not to do it once I was taller than them. That was only 0.1 centimeters from now.
How did she know about the duel?
I thought I would be scolded for fighting with youngsters, but she seemed to be happy about it.
“I’m going to have a rematch with him.”
“Then I have to watch it. When will it be?”
“Probably later today, or tomorrow. Wouldn’t it be too chaotic if you were there?”
The presence of the Captain of the Royal Knights would surely attract more attention. I was aiming for a low profile, but she looked like she wanted it.
“I prefer it that way. Edward, Lemnos’ current head, and I have a history. Did I ever tell you that?”
“Never.”
“My sister, me, and the Five Pillar’s current heads were classmates… We fought often. We’re the only two who became Masters.”
She looked at the classrooms, lost in thought.
While they had become legendary figures, the full story of their time at the Academy was unknown.
She must have been having some good memories.
“Do you know what Edward looked like when I became a Master? It was… satisfying.
To think that Lemnos’ heir would be dueling you…”
Her smile turned… sinister. It must have been a painful memory.
“Don’t even think about losing. Ever.”
“I definitely won’t.”
Her determination was palpable.
Losing would invite death.
“Oh, and do you know that kid is still looking for you?”
That word made me flinch.
“…She’s still looking for me? After all these years?”
“I keep using work assignments as an excuse, but she’s been shirking her duties to find you. Come back and settle things with her.”
She hopped onto the crossguard of her sword and glided into the sky.
Witches rode brooms, and the Empire’s Masters… rode swords.
She had been… understanding, but her last words… troubled me.
That kid…
I felt guilty.
I had rescued her, and became her benefactor, during my time as a Shadow.
Her family had been killed by demons and I took her in.
Was she angry?
I had run off, chasing a rumor of a growth potion, without a single thought.
No… she was an adult now.
She could take care of herself. A full member of the Royal Knights.
I had left a letter with the Captain, she would know I was safe.
“I clearly stated that I would be back if she patiently waits. I hope she is taking that to heart…”
It seemed that even the Captain did not know her location.
I had to inform her about where I am, before she wasted more of her time.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Atlas… are you okay..?? What on earth was that all about..?”
I ran into Lucia on my way back to the dormitories, she had just come from the harbor.
She had not arrived late, I had just flown at an incredible speed from the harbor to the other side of the Academy grounds.
If I had flown for just a few more seconds I would have been plunged into the ocean…
I offered a reassuring smile so that I wouldn’t worry her.
“It was nothing. Don’t worry.”
“You’re covered in dirt.”
“Yes. I am all sticky, I need to go shower.”
For a moment I noticed Lucia’s gaze lingering on the sword strapped to my back.
I had been carrying a normal longsword, but now, I was carrying a high-quality sword. She had noticed it.
Her squirrel like expression, wanting to ask, but hesitant.
“Did the instructor go back to the Academy?”
“Yeah… he’s over there.”
Lucia pointed and saw Andy was still surrounded by his fans, with a refreshing smile on his face.
Someone had just been on the verge of dying, but that someone was surrounded by his fans.
I felt the grit between my clothes, on my skin.
The more I felt the discomfort, the more I wanted to redirect it toward somebody else.
“Andy….you’re dead.”
Did he have to see me?
If I hadn’t been carrying a sword, I might have died on the harbor.
I would make sure to settle the score with him.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
[Your Text Here]
