episode_0014

invitation.

This is a kind of certificate of acceptance that allows you to enter the academy right away without having to take a separate exam.

It is usually given to noble children who have received systematic education from their families since childhood, or to disciples of famous groups or people.

In other words, it is a system created to relieve already proven talents from the trouble of having to take a separate test.

Therefore, no matter how high the delay, it was not uncommon for people not to receive an invitation if their abilities were lacking.

Also, you must be careful with the invitation, as damaging or throwing it away will result in your admission being rejected and it will automatically be sent to the Academy.

Once you have declined an invitation for whatever reason.

Any change in opinion later on is unacceptable, even if you are a member of the imperial family.

[In life, opportunities are given. However, if you miss that opportunity, you must work hard to regain it with your original ability.]

It was because of the motto of the current academy and the maxim left behind by the first emperor.

“You burned that invitation? No kidding… ?”

“Eugene, are you really stupid? You exercised so much that even your brain ended up filled with muscles! Why on earth did you burn it!”

That’s why Aria and Julian react so sensitively.

But I scratched my head, wondering if it was really that bad.

Because it’s like throwing an invitation into the fireplace.

Still, I had no intention of going to the academy.

“You two are going to investigate, so there’s no need for me to come along, right?”

Not only that, if I go to the Academy, there will be no one to take responsibility for the North when the time comes.

With the parents, the Grand Duke and Duchess, each away from home on business, it was impossible for the successor to be absent as well.

‘Of course, most of the work, including clerical work, is done by the head butler, so I am just a proxy who stamps the seal…’

But shouldn’t we at least have some variety?

Also, although the front lines have been relatively quiet these days, that doesn’t mean we can neglect management, including borders.

“I know it’ll be hard, but you two take charge of the investigation into the Masin Church. In the meantime, I’ll guard this place.”

When I explained the reason in such detail, Julian seemed to agree with me to some extent, although he seemed regretful.

Because he was born and raised in this land.

I guess you understand that it would be difficult for many reasons if not a single member of the Grand Duke’s family remained in the North.

So, if only Aria would accept my wishes, I could see you off with peace of mind.

“If we go together… can’t we?”

But at this moment, Aria comes grabbing my collar with a pitiful, sobbing expression and a trembling voice, like a puppy abandoned by its owner.

“No, Aria. Like I said earlier, I… .”

“No, let’s go together? Okay? I want to go to the academy with Eugene… .”

She shakes her head from side to side and throws a tantrum that is almost cute.

‘Isn’t it someone else in the world, but Aria, the best in the world, acting cute?’

Immediately afterwards, she, still holding onto my collar, slowly leaned towards me.

I felt my mind go blank at the unfamiliar sensation coming from my arm.

It was probably the first time since I was a newborn that I felt such a soft sensation.

“… Ugh.”

Of course, Julian, who was watching the scene from the side, retched as if he had seen something he couldn’t bear to see.

But soon, he too calmed down and a look of determination appeared in his eyes.

“Oh, that’s right! If you leave me, who are you going to play with!? Let’s go together, Eugene.”

As we are old friends, I wonder if he sensed that I was starting to feel a little uneasy.

Taking advantage of his small body for a man, he jumped up, hung on to my back, and started strangling me.

I couldn’t help but be startled by his actions of wrapping his thin arms around my neck, which looked like they would break if he hit me, and squeezing me with all his might.

‘This guy, he hasn’t done something like that in years… .’

In the past, they would often hug me or bump into me… .

Because at some point, he suddenly started to show signs of being reluctant to have excessive physical contact.

But I wonder if he wants to spend his school life with me to the extent that he lowers his inexplicable wariness.

‘What the hell is that academy?’

In a situation where two people who had never made requests like this before are joining forces and clinging to each other.

It would be a lie to say that it doesn’t shake at all.

But unfortunately, I am the one who has walked through countless battlefields and trained an indomitable spirit that is as strong as steel.

So, it just barely gets to this point… .

“Yes, you have been accepted to the Academy entrance exam. Please come to the designated exam site on time.”

“What!?”

… I guess I was more of a reed-like man than I thought.

***

There was a woman with light green hair who exuded a holy aura.

-Are you really, really going to go?

One, that woman was sitting on the ground with her head down, looking completely opposite to the atmosphere she was giving off.

Yet she didn’t even think about getting up from her seat.

He just stared blankly in front of me and asked in a voice that seemed to show disbelief.

-You’re leaving me like this?

At the end of her gaze was a man wearing pitch-black armor.

-You’re lying, right? Are you just going to play one of those useless, unfunny pranks like usual?

One, for some reason, even though he wasn’t wearing a helmet, the man’s face was as if covered in fog and indistinguishable.

The only thing I could tell was that the man’s physique was very large.

-Okay, I lost. I lost! So stop now. This isn’t fun at all.

In order to stop him from leaving, I said things I would never normally say because of my pride.

– Come here quickly and wipe off my dirt-stained clothes. As always.

I forced my stiff facial muscles to force an awkward smile… .

The unidentified man didn’t even glance at her and just turned his back without saying a word.

-This, profit…!!

The green-haired woman clenched her teeth at the man’s attitude.

Then, in a way that was completely contrary to the atmosphere he was giving off, he raised his eyes with a venomous look.

-Do you dare believe that you can be happy, when you’re leaving me? Do you think I’ll allow it?

I screamed so loudly that I wondered if I had ever raised my voice so much in my life.

-No! You will always be alone! Live your whole life like that! Be lonely and don’t have anyone by your side!

My throat was sore from the scratching of my vocal cords, but I didn’t stop screaming.

-No matter where you are or what happens to you from now on, I won’t care! Even if you die on the street! After all, you’re the one who left me!

Still, the man did not look back and just went on his way.

I couldn’t help but feel annoyed at his consistent attitude.

-I’ve never liked someone like you since I first met you! You hypocrite! You deserve to be punished by heaven! I really hate you!

Just die…!!

When I raised my face again after lowering my head and spewing out curses that I couldn’t bring myself to say…

There was no one there.

The woman finally realized that the man had left her side.

He burst into tears that he had been holding back until then and fell face down on the ground, bowing his head.

-Ugh! Don’t, don’t go… Come back, please… . □□―!!

Immediately afterwards, a woman with green hair… .

No, a girl who looked a little younger than that finally woke up.

“ha… .”

She sighs and wipes away the tears flowing from her eyes as if she is used to it now.

Then he stared blankly into space with eyes still half-asleep.

‘Is this the dream again? I don’t know how many times this is happening.’

I had a dream that I was more mature than I am now and was hanging on to a man in a dirty way.

A dream of missing a man who left and sobbing with regret for not being able to hold on to him.

…it was a pipe dream that would never happen in reality.

‘Well, I am loved by God, so there is no way I would be obsessed with just one person. What if other people were supporting me?’

But even though I didn’t know why, I kept having the same dream over and over again, so I started to wonder.

Secondly, why do you have such dreams?

What is that man’s true identity, why is he so attached to her, what happened between them, and what kind of relationship do they have?

‘Well, even if you know, it’s just a good dream after all. There’s even a saying in the Bible that dreams are the devil’s trick, so you don’t have to worry about it too much.’

At that moment, she heard a voice calling her from outside the door.

“Saint! It’s almost time!”

“Yes, I will go out even if you don’t complain.”

Contrary to what she says, she takes her time and slowly finishes her work.

Only after I was satisfied with my appearance in the mirror did I leave the room.

What greeted her as she opened the white door was a group of priests lined up in a row.

“Okay, brothers. Shall we go then?”

A girl with green hair… .

Saint Renee smiles brightly and says:

“To the Academy.”