episode_0086

In the Astrea Duchy, due to the presence of Raimon Astrea, the current Imperial Swordmaster and head of the Astrea family, except for the surveillance of the lord, the rest of the members were instructed to keep a considerable distance from the mansion and gather different information.

‘I anticipated it, but the level of scrutiny was truly intense. To think the lord would display such a demeanor and issue commands.’

Before visiting Raimon Astrea on the first day, even the second team, excluding himself, was directed to station Rachel Astrea as the top priority throughout the mansion, ensuring the prompt capture of individuals within the mansion.

Furthermore, it had been quite some time since the lord had been seen wearing equipment, including protective gear, weapons, excluding the suit.

Although there was no intention to actively engage in combat, the damage to one side of the protection detail was significant enough despite being unintentional.

Nevertheless, the exploration and negotiation ended in the lord’s favor, allowing them to finally breathe a sigh of relief.

‘How much have I suffered because of that brat Yucal.’

Since it was mentioned that an investigation towards the Black Moon at the Astrea Duchy could be conducted due to his presence among other members, he could not be excluded from the report.

Even though the lord had thoroughly scrutinized him, revealing even his innermost thoughts, it was revealed that he could escape the torment, at least for now.

Despite that, during Yucal and the others’ vacation period, he was relieved to have some free time away from rigorous missions to explore the surroundings and refine his sorcery skills.

Upon returning to the Ardente Academy, with the lord departing elsewhere and the 4th team once again under Yucal’s close watch, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

However, while moving together, they were taken aback by Yucal suddenly bringing a female student named Claire into a narrow alley to evade surveillance by the 4th team.

The seriousness of the situation dawned on the other members, prompting them to rush forward, but they halted upon revealing themselves.

‘They might have done something clandestine together, but there doesn’t seem to be anything particularly strange.’

Despite closely examining Claire, whose face had turned unusually red, she didn’t seem to have done anything severe.

Subsequently, closely monitoring without missing a beat, when Rachel Astrea and Helena Clark were asked to fight one after the other, one couldn’t help but wonder if they were preparing for battle.

Given these circumstances, it was evident that a similar proposal would have been made to Claire, raising doubts about why there was a need to avoid the 4th team’s gaze.

If the intention was to conceal, it should have been done simultaneously.

Confirming their next destination was the principal’s office, they distanced themselves.

“Laika, as you’ve experienced, that little principal may appear harmless, but he’s a monster who has reached the rank of Grand Magus. He probably already knows your positions in real-time, so refrain from approaching the principal’s office unnecessarily.”

With the lord’s instructions and especially having lost valuable subordinates firsthand, they were determined not to repeat the same mistakes.

“Captain, we’ll buy some time. Make sure to reach the lord and report all the facts. Considering the opponent is a Grand Magus, they might attempt a gamble.”

Foolish children.

Now, reminiscing about the faces of his subordinates with whom he had shared numerous battles, a bitter feeling arose naturally in his heart.

‘If one pulls such stunts during a mission, they’ll likely face the lord’s retribution.’

Entering the principal’s office, how long had they waited? Finally emerging and heading straight to the dormitory, Yukal’s figure was closely monitored by the members of the 4th Division, including himself, ensuring nothing slipped past them from now on.

During the vacation period, as their surveillance had slackened, they vowed not to miss a single detail. However, that guy, since entering the principal’s office, had been holding a sword in his hands in the dorm room, meditating without any movement.

Although he had experienced being confined in a room for training during last year’s penitence period, the atmosphere this time was quite different.

This time, he didn’t even eat, solely focusing on meditation without any movement.

Despite raising magic delicately due to suspicious thoughts, no matter how much they observed, Yukal seemed certain.

“Is he preparing to attack Ardent Academy with such readiness?”

If he had received proper teachings from Countess Astraea, his level would undoubtedly be beyond reproach by now.

As the amount of information to report to the master increased, they shifted their focus.

After confirming his continuous meditation and assigning monitoring to subordinates, they were relatively neglectful while concentrating on watching Yukal, aiming to check other key figures within the academy.

Victor, since relaying Yukal’s request to Rachel Astraea, had been continuously improving his skills in handling the aura during all hours except classes.

Reducing sleep time to ensure other students weren’t affected, he practiced far away from the dormitory, which was admirable.

“His progress is impressive. It reminds me of my younger days.”

If the opportunity arose, he thought he would suggest recruiting him to the master first.

James had yet to arrive at the academy.

Considering his status and the current situation, there was nothing unusual.

In Rachel Astraea’s case, it was a continuation of daily training, but after conversing with Yukal, she could often be seen without armor during morning physical training and visits to the dining hall, except when entering her room after talking to Yukal, where she did not remove her armor.

“Seeing her preparation, I really should inform the master in advance.”

It hadn’t been long since they left, and they had planned to wait for the regular report, but they decided they needed approval at least to bring in another division.

Helena Clark seemed to have succeeded in bringing blood into the academy or her family without detection, as Yukal had mentioned.

If they hadn’t known this fact beforehand, they wouldn’t have noticed the contents of the items in the box inside the room were so meticulously sealed.

However, what troubled them was that if someone approached within a certain radius, their gaze momentarily shifted in their direction.

“I should inform the other members to be more cautious in monitoring Helena Clark.”

Lastly, they moved to check on Claire.

Since Yukal spent the most time with her and seemed emotionally closest, monitoring Claire might provide some clues regarding this upcoming attack.

Mentally preparing to uncover anything, as they confirmed Claire coming out of the Department of Magic building, or more precisely, walking alongside a stranger, their heart sank suddenly.

‘To think that such a beautiful woman was at the Ardente Academy. Perhaps she’s the student who was said to have come as an exchange student, judging by what I don’t remember.’

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Forgetting momentarily his determination to keep an eye on Claire, Yu-kal was taken aback.

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With smooth black hair cascading down to her back and eyes sparkling like embedded obsidian, there was an aura about her that seemed cold at first glance, not allowing any man’s approach, yet her petite stature belonging to the Adam lineage stimulated protective instincts, evoking contrasting allure.

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“Yura, did you find today’s class bearable?”

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“No… Magic is still difficult for me. I’m worried about what to do during exams.”

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‘Yura… Even her name sounds beautiful.’

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Though seemingly unrelated to laughter, one could confirm that Claire’s heart raced wildly as she gazed at her smiling face.

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The male students around couldn’t seem to take their eyes off her, sharing similar thoughts with him.

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Despite wanting to smash the heads of those who forgot their duties and sent impure glances her way, he barely managed to apply the brakes to his rationality.

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Since embodying Huk-wol, he had encountered many beauties through various missions, but comparing them to Yura, the woman before my eyes, seemed beyond comparison.

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Feeling emotions of infatuation after a long time, he tried his best to calm his pounding heart.

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‘Such feelings are truly rare.’

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Now, unable to recall even her name, he confessed to his childhood friend of old, whose blurry image fit well with a smiling face, only to be bluntly rejected with, “Sorry. I actually have someone I like.”

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After a wedding celebrated with much fanfare in the village, he left to overcome his sorrow, focusing solely on the knuckles worn on both hands, engaging in rigorous training and seeking sparring partners among numerous strong individuals.

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It was during this process that he met the current lord and, without even knowing his name, impulsively confessed.

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“Well~ If you can defeat me, then fine. But if you lose, you’ll serve under me and forget all about your past.”

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Ambitiously charging forward, he was swiftly struck down, crossing swords for years until now, where he remained as one of the lord’s shadows.

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‘Now, I don’t even consider such thoughts out of fear.’

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Vowing to live a life solely dedicated to martial arts, how many years had passed since then? Seeing Yura, his frozen heart melted in an instant, feeling the release of his armor.

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Wasn’t it said that the first meeting is chance, the second is fate, and the third is destiny?

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Considering how she had shaken his heart for the third time, perhaps she was indeed destined.

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Lyca, who had vowed to marry martial arts and lived alone for 33 years, found his heart once again stirred by love after being rejected by his childhood friend and the lord.