Ch.129128. Summer Vacation (2)

# 128. Summer Vacation (2)

Some said it was long, others said it was short—those two weeks.

That time passed in the blink of an eye, and the long-awaited vacation day finally arrived.

“Time really is dragging on.”

Maybe it was just my mood, but it felt like those two weeks had stretched out like two months.

That’s how long the time felt to me.

‘It wasn’t like this before…’

In the distant past, I used to experience a year as if it were just a week—the complete opposite of what I was feeling now.

Of course, if someone asked which was better, I’d definitely say it’s the present.

“Already vacation time?”

“Finally vacation time.”

The girl sitting next to me seemed to be a different case from me.

“Didn’t it go by quickly?”

“I’m not sure… More importantly, when will this end?”

“How would I know?”

The insufferable closing ceremony that seemed to drag on forever.

It was even that same tedious time we had experienced during the entrance ceremony.

Everyone was sighing deeply at the principal’s increasingly lengthy speech, and I was no exception.

“Listen carefully, it’s all good advice.”

Of course, there were exceptions.

She, at least, was attentively listening to his words.

“Uh… yeah… it’s all good advice.”

“You’re not even listening…”

“That’s just your impression.”

Though I didn’t want to listen, I decided to give it a try.

-Students, don’t just play during your vacation. Study and improve your skills as well.-

It was certainly predictable content.

However, his final words were worth noting.

-And in the second semester, first-years will have their field trip, and third-years will have their graduation exam, both major events, so please prepare well. That is all.-

“Field trip?”

“Think of it as just going out for fun. We’ll visit places like forests and historical sites.”

I knew about the graduation exam in the third year, but I wasn’t aware of the field trip in the first year.

“But if it’s historical sites, that’s not really just for fun…”

“It is fun, compared to what we have to do.”

“That’s true.”

The graduation exam conducted in the third year.

That graduation exam boasts quite a tremendous difficulty.

Typically, the Imperial Academy admits 1,500 students per year, but there are fewer than 50 graduates annually—all because of that graduation exam.

“But you’ll be fine, won’t you?”

“I suppose so.”

If the exam were so difficult that even she couldn’t pass it, no one would attempt it.

But since that’s not the case, people do challenge it, and some definitely pass.

And according to my plan, if I want to join the Special Forces, I need to be able to pass that exam with ease.

“Albert will pass too, but it doesn’t really matter if you don’t.”

She was saying such things without knowing what was on my mind.

Of course, she was just joking.

“I… don’t want to use connections to join the Special Forces…”

“I’m joking, just joking.”

“Looks like… the closing ceremony is ending.”

Gloria’s voice marked the end of the closing ceremony.

-I hope both parents and students stay healthy, and I look forward to meeting you all in a different state next semester.-

With those words, the first semester as students of the Imperial Academy came to an end.

Those welcoming the vacation wore bright expressions as they carried their belongings and headed to their respective homes, and I was no different.

Watching those scenes and recalling Gloria’s final words at the closing ceremony, a thought occurred to me.

‘Wait… does that mean she wasn’t satisfied with how we usually are…?’

It seemed that Gloria, like her, didn’t think highly of those who claimed to study and train while actually resting and playing to their heart’s content.

Of course, this was just my speculation.

‘That probably doesn’t apply to me…’

With such strange expectations, I returned home.

Home after a long time.

It had been almost two months.

But even after two months, the house remained the same, and the only things that had changed were Aelin and me.

As I opened the door to the mansion I hadn’t visited in a long time, I said:

“I’m home… huh?”

I expected no one to be there as usual, but I was wrong.

“See, dear? I told you they’d come at this time.”

“Indeed.”

Our mother and father were standing at the entrance of the mansion as if they had been waiting for us, and so were the house servants.

The servants took the luggage we were carrying.

While it was normal for the servants to do this, I was curious why our parents were here now.

“Uh….”

“Come in quickly. We just finished early today.”

“Yes.”

We followed our mother’s instructions, and after a quick shower, we sat at the dining table.

“You haven’t eaten yet, right?”

“No, not yet.”

Delicious food was laid out on the table, but I wasn’t particularly hungry, so I only ate a little.

Of course, I also had many questions.

“Um… is today a special day?”

Not being used to such occasions, I inadvertently became tense.

However, my mother spoke with a gentle attitude and tone, unlike my nervousness.

“Nothing special, really. We just recently met with His Imperial Majesty and Her Imperial Majesty.”

“…”

For something she claimed wasn’t special, it was extremely significant.

“And they seem to really like you. I was a bit surprised too.”

“Yes…”

“Her Imperial Majesty even mentioned she’s already thinking about an engagement.”

As expected.

“So I wanted to ask… are you okay with this?”

That question carried a profound meaning.

The husband of the Empress.

That position was so high that ordinary people couldn’t even imagine it.

And the responsibilities I would have to bear when sitting in that position, along with the words of countless citizens.

She was asking if I could endure it and if I was prepared for it.

It was a question that made me think deeply.

However, the answer to that question was already decided, and I spoke it without any hesitation.

“Of course I am.”

“See! I told you there was nothing to worry about!”

Father was proud of my unwavering response.

“Still…”

“I’m fine, really.”

“Alright… I’ll believe you… But if it gets tough, tell me anytime, okay?”

“Yes, of course.”

Of course, even if it were difficult, I wouldn’t tell my mother, and even if I did, nothing would change.

Still, hearing such words did warm my heart.

“Oh, and speaking of that… What’s this about you going somewhere with His Imperial Majesty during the vacation? Where are you going?”

“The Persian Kingdom.”

“The Persian Kingdom? That country of elves?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“But why there?”

I wasn’t sure if this was something that could be shared with ordinary citizens, but they weren’t ordinary citizens.

“To form an alliance.”

“Alliance? Ah~ Is this because of the beastmen participating in the war?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

They were certainly quick-witted.

“But why are you going along?”

“It’s all about experience.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, they say youth is the time to seek out hardships.”

Especially during a time when a lot of experience is needed, it would be very beneficial for Aelin, who has almost no such experience.

“But… do we really have to sleep in the forest and all that?”

“Of course.”

“Really…?”

“Didn’t you know?”

Judging by her reaction, she seemed to have only recently realized this fact.

“How else would we get from here to there? There’s a forest, and a notoriously dangerous one at that, right in the way.”

“Isn’t that… dangerous for us?”

“That’s why we’re going with such distinguished individuals.”

Aelin still seemed not to understand.

“But usually, when forming alliances or diplomatic relations, don’t more people go?”

“Even if more went, it’s a truly dangerous place. The entire forest is rated as an average A-rank dungeon.”

“Eh? A-rank!?”

At that level, even most escort personnel would struggle, and having more people would actually make them more noticeable to monsters, so going with a small elite group was the right choice.

“And we’re included in that?”

“You were the one who asked if you could go along, weren’t you?”

Not only had she suggested it to me, but apparently Aelin had also asked Her Imperial Majesty if she could accompany her.

However, now she seemed to have changed her mind quite a bit.

“I didn’t know it would be like this…”

“But it’s fine.”

To be honest, it wasn’t just fine—it was actually good.

Living in a place with an average A-rank would not only improve our skills day by day, but it would also be beneficial to live alongside veterans like Ariya and Amelia.

“And it should be safe, given the members.”

Even though it was a dangerous place, I was reassured because the members were such that it wouldn’t matter if we faced danger or got seriously injured.

Looking at our parents who had been intently listening to our conversation, I said:

“You don’t need to worry too much. We’re going with reliable people.”

Clearly, our parents seemed to have prior knowledge, as they didn’t ask many questions.

As if they already knew…

I questioned our parents who were displaying such behavior.

“But… you already knew, didn’t you? Where we’re going and why.”