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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
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“Students, have dreams! Dreams are like lighthouses in life. They guide us, giving us purpose and direction. How terrible would a life without dreams be? Living without purpose is no different from being a golem. Dream big!”
The resounding voice echoed under the bright sun.
“The Imperial Academy is full of students with dreams. May the gods bless these students who will carry the future!”
The speech ended with thunderous applause.
He spread his arms, a warm smile on his face, basking in the adulation.
The Sword Saint was a busy man. He had visited classrooms, given lectures. He was always smiling, approachable, unlike Linda, who seemed distant, despite her friendliness. The students were enamored with him, like fans of a celebrity. And as if he had anticipated this, he always hovered above them, his cape billowing in the wind, like a hero.
“What are you doing?”
Lemnos was glaring at the Sword Saint. “Atlas. Is there something?”
“I should be asking you that. Why are you glaring at him?”
“…I was… observing. Another country’s Master.”
He was intrigued by the Sword Saint’s ability to fly. I had a question. “Do you have a fiancé(e), Edgar?”
“Why are you asking…!”
“Just curious. You seem like the type who’d have one.”
“…I don’t.”
It was surprising. A family like Lemnos probably had many connections. “A family like yours… wouldn’t need more connections. So it’s better to arrange a marriage with a small noble?”
“That’s not…! It’s not like that!” He seemed offended.
“Then why?”
“Why do you even care?! Is it because your friend has one?”
“You guessed correctly.”
“Is that so strange? Many students have them.”
“I know, but it’s still… strange. My friend has a fiancé(e), who is supposedly an old man, in his seventies. And he can fly. Isn’t that strange?”
“Flying is strange, but her engagement is her business.”
I didn’t want to get into specifics. I was worried because River clearly hated and feared her fiancé(e). I had wanted to help, but she had refused.
“It’s not that. I was just wondering… do you think… I’m jealous?”
He seemed genuinely confused. That annoyed me.
“I’m not jealous. No one would love someone like me, anyway.”
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“Hah… I’m exhausted…”
Lucia Russell sighed. She had been dragged around by the student council. She had just wanted to spend time with Atlas during the event, but she had been forced to attend this welcoming ceremony, with the other members of the Five Pillars.
It was just a small kingdom’s academy. Why make such a fuss? But even Frigia had been unusually quiet, which meant that something was going to happen, and it did.
The Clover Academy had brought the Sword Saint, even though they had not informed them.
Edgar had frowned, they were clearly hiding something. And they hadn’t been informed, it was insulting.
She had been stuck with the student council ever since, it was draining. She missed Atlas. She felt like seeing him would relieve her fatigue.
‘Atlas’ friend… is engaged to the Sword Saint, right?’
She recalled River, being lifted into the air by the Sword Saint. She had been surprised. No one knew about his engagement.
‘Is it… a good thing?’
She was always by Atlas’ side. Did he prefer women like her? No, that was absurd. Everyone would like a woman like River.
‘…Yes… of course. She’s… perfect… She’s not… huge… and doesn’t have… messy hair… and she can speak properly…’
River Seymour was everything Lucia wanted to be.
Her height, her body, her golden hair… everything.
She imagined River in a dress, something Lucia would never wear. The comparison made her feel depressed. But… River was engaged to the Sword Saint. She had to give up on that idea. She was only Atlas’ friend, just a friend.
The engagement was a good thing for River. A Master… a powerful ally for both countries.
The Clover Kingdom would treat her like royalty. The Empire would welcome the alliance.
It was good for everyone, good for the Empire, good for Seymour, and good for…
Then, she saw Atlas’ face, smiling beside River.
‘…Why is he so happy?’
She felt sick, realizing what she had been thinking.
‘I’m so pathetic… Not a Master, not cute, jealous of a friend…’
Her fatigue and self-loathing made her want to… disappear. Then, she saw him.
“Atlas…!”
He was walking somewhere.
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Lucia waved. Atlas approached her. “Lucia, I haven’t seen you all day. You’ve been with the student council?”
“Yeah…”
He seemed unaffected by River’s engagement.
Did he not care? Many students had engagements, it wasn’t that special.
‘Right… it’s not that special… I was being silly…’
“Are you okay? You look tired.”
He touched her forehead. His hand was cold.
“I-I’m fine!”
She was not. But she had said it anyway.
She smiled, feeling his concern.
“You came from the Swordsmanship Club?”
“Yeah, I asked Hera to let me participate in the exchange.”
“…You’re not a member.”
“I want to participate.”
This was strange. He avoided any situation where he had to be the center of attention.
He had refused to join any clubs, because most were related to school work.
“Is it… because she’s your sister?”
The rumors.
“No, I had a fight with those Clover idiots. I’m going to settle it with them.”
“A fight?!”
“An exchange is a legal way to fight them.”
“Atlas… You do know what a ‘student exchange’ is, right?”
An exchange wasn’t just to fight.
“Of course I do.”
“…Excessive violence is prohibited…”
“I won’t go overboard. You’re coming tomorrow, right? I’ll show you something fun.”
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I went to bed early that night. I wanted to be at my best for tomorrow’s exchange. The moon was almost full.
‘…?’
I woke up. Someone was in my room.
They had opened the door silently. ‘Who dares…’
An assassin? There were so many possibilities.
I’d kill them.
I pretended to be asleep, waiting for them to approach.
-Creak.
The bed tilted. They had climbed onto my bed. They must have thought I was asleep.
Close enough.
They were on top of me. I tried to move, but couldn’t.
A citrus scent.
“…Atlas, wake up.”
I knew that scent.
“Or I’ll eat you up…”
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