episode_0283

Episode 283: The Day Before Graduation Ceremony (2)

I finished saying goodbye to Ariel and left the Imperial Palace.

Of course, my actions and heart were different. If possible, I wanted to delay past today and leisurely have more conversations with her until tomorrow. I had a lot to talk about, and the fact that I had little time to meet with Ariel, who was the Emperor, was also a reason.

But I couldn’t do that. I didn’t have much time given to me. I had to finish saying my goodbyes before today was over.

“Okay. Then….”

Where to next? Actually, the next destination is already decided. As I said earlier, all the people I want to say goodbye to are at the Academy. Well, it seems Estella hasn’t arrived yet, though.

Thus, the next place I headed to was Senior Ruina’s faculty office. It seemed best to see my senior first in terms of order.

I used teleportation to arrive in front of the faculty office. Is my senior inside? It would be troublesome if she wasn’t, but fortunately, I heard the sound of rustling paper from beyond the door.

I knocked on the door once and waited for a response.

“Come in.”

Upon hearing the permission, I opened the door and entered. And a faint smile bloomed on my senior’s face as she saw me. She asked with a voice that was equally welcoming.

“When did you come?”

“I came today. It hasn’t been long since I arrived. What are you doing? Writing lecture plans?”

My senior shook her head and replied.

“I’m reviewing business proposals.”

“How many are there?”

“Five. One is from the Magic Tower. They’re asking us to supply magical tools needed for the reconstruction of your family.”

“Oh, do you get offers like that too?”

“Yeah. There aren’t many people who can make these.”

My senior handed me one of the five stacks of paper. I skimmed through the proposal, checking if there was anything strange.

Fortunately, there were no toxic clauses. Well, even if there weren’t, my senior would have taken care of it herself. She’s been in this industry for a long time, so she knows a lot.

“But isn’t the price too low? You could get at least twice as much for this.”

“No.”

My senior disagreed, as if she had a different thought than me. She continued.

“It’s hard to get in touch with Arden. I’m going to make one this time.”

If that’s the case, then it’s definitely worth taking on the job cheaply. Currently, Arden’s momentum has slightly decreased due to the war, but it’s still Arden. If we can make a connection through this opportunity, that’s a good thing in itself. Just like how guests didn’t leave the family arbitrarily.

At the same time, I was also impressed. She, who was only interested in alchemy, has come to think of things like this.

“They say the position makes the person. You’ve changed a lot since becoming the head of the family.”

“Yeah. There are many people to take responsibility for.”

Senior Ruina was diligently leading the family. While also holding a professorship at Tianis Academy. Considering that she even thinks about the people below her, it was a surprising change.

“I can support you too. I have a lot of money. I heard you were kicked out of the family.”

“You’ve already heard?”

“Just ask me. Because you’re my student.”

Certainly, among the people around me, Senior Ruina was the easiest to approach. Lana, Estella, Evan, Veyl. Their reputations are too different to ask directly. On the other hand, my senior has the titles of student and assistant, so it’s much easier to ask.

Perhaps recalling that incident, my senior shuddered.

“I don’t want to deal with them again.”

“So, that’s why you were here?”

“Yeah. It’s quiet.”

It is quiet here. The soundproofing is thorough, so no sound escapes, and there is a separate signal when someone visits, so you are not disturbed much.

“Do you want to come to my house? You have nowhere to go.”

“Even if I am a Saint, wouldn’t I have a place to stay?”

“Or the capital. I have a house there too.”

“Hey, wouldn’t I have money to buy a house in the capital?”

“…You’re bad.”

My senior was slightly sulky at the continued rejections. Well, that appearance was cute and nice to see.

Of course, this feeling might be due to the information about her that is imprinted in my head. In the first place, there was no person named Ruina Lindel in my life. I have never met even a similar person among the countless relationships.

But at least what is certain is that this feeling is not a lie. Even if I was influenced by the information in my head, I had a liking for her.

A new relationship built in a new world. I didn’t know I would be like this with someone again.

On the one hand, I also feel sorry for them. I’m busy taking care of them one by one, but I’m adding another one. But what can I do? It’s my fault. In the end, it’s something I have to handle.

I smiled and asked.

“Senior. Do you still love me?”

“Yes.”

An immediate answer with a nod. There is not a hint of hesitation. Senior Ruina put the business proposal on the desk and came down from the chair. And then she ran straight to me and hugged me.

“I love you. Let’s live together. They said if you love someone, you live together.”

“Who said that?”

“The kids.”

These bastards are putting in strange knowledge again. Knowing that my senior lacks common sense except for alchemy, they do this. They are a lot of trouble because of these guys.

Of course, it’s not strange to live together if you love someone. Actually, Lana and Estella are already living together.

But my senior’s wish could not be fulfilled.

“Um, I want to do that too, but I don’t think I can right now.”

“Why?”

“I have to go on a… journey for a while. A bit far.”

I shook my head at the question of whether she could come along.

“Unfortunately, it’s difficult. I have to go alone.”

“When are you coming back?”

“I can’t give you a definite answer either. It could be long, or it could be short.”

I would try to find a way to return here somehow, but I couldn’t give a definite answer.

“Okay.”

Unexpectedly, Senior Ruina stepped back willingly. Until recently, she always tried to stay close to me. Could there have been a change of heart?

“I thought you would tell me to go with you.”

“They said if you love someone, don’t hold on too tight.”

“Did the students say that too?”

“Yes. And you’re coming back, right?”

I couldn’t help but smile at the confident words.

“I’m sorry, Senior. I have to leave suddenly.”

“It’s okay. I understand.”

“I have a lot of things I want to say to you… I’ll tell you everything when I get back.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

My senior nodded. I hugged Ruina Lindel and whispered.

“Then, see you later.”

That’s how I finished saying goodbye to Senior Ruina.

***

The night at the Academy was as lively as the day.

Students were chatting under the streetlights that illuminated the darkness, and walking along the snowy trails.

It wasn’t just students who were there. Their families were also there. Parents, as well as siblings, were with them.

This was also a consideration of Tianis Academy. It was intended for them to roam around the Academy with their families and build last memories as it was the last time. The students spend a day here, but others didn’t. When else would they come to the best Academy on the continent if not now?

But it’s not just the 3rd graders, who will soon be graduates, who are there. 1st and 2nd grade students were also frequently seen. They could say their final goodbyes tomorrow, but there was no guarantee that they would.

Anyway, there were overflowing people despite the evening. And a Saint walking among them. It was natural to attract attention.

“S, Saint-nim….”

“It’s real….”

Of course, not the students’ gazes. What’s so amazing about seeing it so much over the past three years? The identity of a Saint is just familiar to them as time passes.

It was their families who exclaimed in admiration. It was natural for the gaze to be focused on the appearance of a Saint, whom they would never see in their lives, like a king, an emperor, or a saintess.

At that time, a child came up to me. The child, who looked about 7 years old, looked at me with sparkling eyes. The child swallowed hard and mustered up the courage to ask.

“Saint Oppa. Are you really a Saint?”

Does he know that what he said is very strange? Still, it doesn’t change the fact that he’s cute. I bent my knees and stroked the child’s head, saying.

“That’s right. I’m the Saint of the Eustia Holy Kingdom.”

“Wow… I can’t believe I’m actually seeing a Saint-nim.”

The child exclaimed in admiration and sparkled his eyes even more. Then the child asked.

“They say Saint-nim can use reeeeally, reeeeally pretty magic, is that true?”

“Want me to show you?”

“Yes!”

I lightly used divine magic. I chose something that went well with winter and showed it to the child. At the same time, I mixed in blessings and gave them to him.

After showing it like that, the child bowed.

“Thank you for showing me!”

“No need to thank me for something like this. Your parents are waiting. Go quickly.”

“Yes!”

I smiled happily at the sight of the child running away.

I like children. First of all, I really liked that purity, and it was also because they were people who needed to be protected.

Well, the biggest reason is that I have never had a child. A life without leisure did not give me any time to have a child. Of course, I could have done it if I had made up my mind, but I didn’t want to bring a child into such a world.

Was it because I dealt with one child? People started to gather around me. Among them was a student from the same department. He approached me in a friendly manner and whispered.

“Kyle, Kyle. We’re friends, right?”

“Well? I don’t know you?”

“Aish, we were on the same team 3 months ago. Don’t be like that and save my face. My family is here too, so I want to show them a good image.”

Tsk tsk, what’s with the face-saving. I would have ignored him if he was someone I didn’t remember. You showed me a good image back then, so I’ll do it for you, you punk.

I approached his parents and spoke to them.

“Hello. I’ve heard a lot about this punk, no, this guy.”

“Oh my, Saint-nim!”

I moderately accommodated him for a while like that. When I had accommodated about 50 people, a familiar figure came into view from afar.

A face and body that cannot be hidden even if you try to hide it. It was Saintess Estella.

“Oh? Oppa!”

She must have seen me too, as she ran straight to me. My heart shook violently every time, but… I decided to let it pass. Of course, I appropriately scolded the guys who stared too much.

People moved away one by one at the appearance of the Saintess. It was because they knew that the Saintess and the Saint would be together, so they were avoiding the spot on their own. This consideration was truly appreciated.

“Oppa, I was waiting….”

Estella, who came closer. But she couldn’t finish her sentence and flinched. A sadness appeared on the face of such a Saintess. It seems she saw the changed destiny.

Estella called me in a low voice.

“Oppa.”

“Why.”

“Are you going to die?”

I smiled and answered.

“Yeah. I’m going to die.”

“Why? Until just now, it was a normal destiny, why suddenly?”

“If you live, things like this and that can happen. Just think of it as something like that.”

As I answered that, Estella shouted while crying.

“Oppa, answer properly! Why are you dying!”

“Estella. There are people around. Let’s go to a quiet place first.”

Too much attention is being focused. I hurriedly led her to a secluded place. As soon as Estella arrived, she lashed out at me.

“Tell me without wasting time. Why are you dying!”

“Well… do you necessarily need a reason to die?”

“Stop talking nonsense and tell me properly!”

I comforted Estella, who was crying and shouting. She cried in my arms as if the world had collapsed.

“Why, why are you dying… whhyyy!”

“Okay, okay, stop crying. Your pretty face will be ruined.”

A face covered in tears and snot. I wiped Estella’s face. Nevertheless, her crying didn’t seem to stop. It’s probably because she’s the child who followed me the best.

It was almost 2 hours before Estella stopped crying. Because of that, it took up a lot of time. I wanted to have a slightly longer conversation. I couldn’t do that. But what can I do? This is also my fault.

I wiped away the remaining tears and asked.

“Have you cried all you want now?”

“…….”

“Are you sulking?”

“I don’t know! I’m not going to talk to Oppa!”

“Really? Today is the last day, though?”

As I asked playfully, Estella glared at me. You could clearly see the thought that she wanted to know if I wanted to joke in this kind of situation. But I can’t help it. I’ve been treating her like this all the time, so it’s stuck in my words and actions.

I smiled again and asked.

“How am I going to die tomorrow?”

“…You’re going to be beheaded by Evan-nim. Just like it was originally….”

She hesitated and answered me.

“Is that so?”

That’s a bit… The experience of being beheaded is not very pleasant. Well, what can I do? I have to accept it.

“Estella.”

“Why….”

She was feeling depressed. I told my Saintess. My plan.

“I can’t avoid dying. You said it before. Once you see a destiny, it never changes. I’m definitely going to die tomorrow.”

“…….”

“But I’ll come back. I promise I’ll definitely come back.”

But the reaction that came back was not good.

“Tch, you’ve never kept a promise before.”

“I’m serious this time.”

“Start by reducing the number of women before you say that!”

“You know I can’t do that. I love them all. You too.”

“If only you couldn’t talk….”

Estella, pouting her lips, turned around. I hugged such a Saintess from behind, and Estella muttered quietly.

“You promised. You promised to come back for sure.”

“Have I ever broken a promise except for women issues?”

“No….”

I hugged Estella even tighter for the last time and whispered.

“I’ll definitely come back. For sure.”

I will keep the promise. That was the oath your hero made to you. So, I will keep it this time too.

My one and only Saintess.