Chapter 72
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Solentia Academy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Oh ho, so you're finally entering the academy.”
A man with a beard so bushy it was almost irritating. But his hearty smile made all those flaws fade away.
“Yes, I'll enroll next year.”
I took a small sip of tea and carefully nibbled on a cookie between my lips.
“Hahaha! What did I tell you, Bella? I knew you'd pull it off.”
His booming laughter echoed between the huts. The kind of laugh no noble could ever muster. Yet that roughness put my mind at ease.
I laughed along and handed him the plain backpack beside me.
“How's the second one doing?”
“Don't even ask. That kid's so wild and reckless, it's keeping me up at night.”
The man let out a hollow chuckle and scratched his head vigorously. I looked at him with a playful smile.
“Still, she's pretty enough since she doesn't take after you, Uncle Hans.”
“Haha, can't argue with that.”
Simple conversation. Laughter and smiles without a hint of wariness. These humble moments were what had drawn my steps back here.
“Oh, right. I brought a gift.”
I handed Uncle Hans the backpack from my waist. He tilted his head, eyes wide.
“What's this?”
“Herbs. These are good for the skin, so give them to your daughter. And these are for your health— you and your wife.”
“...Bella.”
Uncle Hans shook his head as if troubled. But that wouldn't break my stubborn insistence.
“If you don't take it, I won't go.”
“Ugh...”
In the end, he accepted the backpack with a sigh. Only then did I slowly rise from my seat.
Uncle Hans stroked his bushy beard and chuckled softly.
“Anyway, you've become quite the lady now.”
“Pardon?”
“There's elegance in every gesture. Makes me wonder if I should start speaking formally to you.”
“...You sure know how to tease.”
I hadn't thought much of it, but if Uncle Hans said so, I must have changed a bit.
It wasn't strange. Having grown up beside Roselia, the most dignified person I'd ever known, I might have unconsciously taken after her.
“I'll come visit again.”
“Sure, drop by whenever you're free.”
Bidding farewell to old bonds and heading toward new ones.
There stood a small house.
It was modest compared to the empire's buildings, but the vibrant flowers embracing it added a warm touch.
“Oh, Bella!”
The flower shop owner greeted me with a bright smile.
“Senior Isabel.”
Unlike the last time I'd seen her, she now carried the aura of a mature woman.
But the faint freckles near her cheeks still preserved her unique charm.
“Got any pretty flowers, boss?”
I clasped my hands behind my back and stepped inside like a customer. Isabel watched me, then let out a laugh-mingled sigh.
“Of course. For you, Bella, I've got plenty. I even got a rare one in.”
Isabel brought out a flower with striking blue leaves from the back of the shop.
“It grows near lava fields. Must be the local conditions— it doesn't burn easily.”
“Oh...”
A truly rare trait. A flower embodying nature's wonders. My eyes sparkled with interest before I knew it.
“Then wrap one of these for me, boss.”
“Hehe, you got it?”
Isabel smiled maturely and carefully plucked the flower. Her deft hands soon had it beautifully wrapped.
“Oh, right. Bella, did you hear the news?”
She asked as she handed it over.
“What news?”
“About the director. Got caught doing drugs, they say.”
It was completely unexpected. After that underground prison incident, I hadn't given her a second thought.
I hadn't paid her much mind, but I never imagined she'd stray so far.
“She got what was coming to her. How she bullied you as a kid.”
Isabel grinned triumphantly, but I felt nothing.
I'd once thought showing her my success would be true revenge. But this ending left a vague sense of emptiness.
“Here, payment for the flower, senior.”
I carefully offered the pouch. She peeked inside and sighed lightly.
“You don't have to give me stuff like this...”
Inside was a magic scroll. Having received a few before, I wasn't surprised.
“It's dangerous for a woman living alone in a remote village.”
She needed at least one weapon to protect herself.
“...Thanks, Bella.”
“No big deal between us.”
As we chatted about old times from childhood, the sun began to set. If I stayed longer, Roselia would surely scold me. Swallowing my reluctance, I stood.
“Bella.”
Just as I started to leave after goodbyes, Isabel called out.
“How's the new family?”
A simple question. No reason to hesitate or ponder.
I nodded with a soft smile.
“They're my family.”
Hehe.
Time flies when it's fast, dragging endlessly when slow. For me, it was the latter. The past year had felt like an eternity.
Yet the sun sets without fail. Quiet nights come, and dawns repaint the world. Time flows on silently.
Now I stood in an unfamiliar place.
Before me sprawled buildings clustered like a small city.
On the vast grounds, facilities curved freely and gracefully, reminiscent of an old European university campus.
Just looking made my chest swell and heart race. Excitement and tension coursed through me.
Beside me stood youths my age. Most wore tense expressions too.
Of course.
For some, a light challenge. For others, a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
This was one of the institutions upholding the Kairen Empire's prestige— the stage where this world's main story begins.
Solentia Academy.
My age: sixteen. The protagonist's: seventeen by timeline. The long prologue ends, and the real story begins.
Originally, I'd have enrolled early as their senior. But joining as a friend isn't bad either.
Hehehe...
Countless imaginings bloomed in my mind.
New precious bonds. Tough but meaningful memories. This academy was the perfect stage to burn with youth.
If I endure here and later join the Hero Party—
“What're you standing around for?”
A flat, toneless voice. My excitement cooled instantly.
I turned. Gazing at the girl standing blankly behind me with somewhat cooled eyes.
“Just taking a moment to admire. Can't I?”
“Getting ahead of yourself before even passing.”
Looking into her purple eyes stirred annoyance inside. But I kept it off my face. I'd grown skilled at controlling emotions by now.
“Maybe tense up a bit, Camilla? You could fail if you're careless.”
“Me?”
Camilla tilted her head slightly. Her eyes held no thought of failure.
“......”
Despite that brazen look, no retort came. I knew her skills better than anyone.
No one could fail her unless they were her parents' enemy.
“Which exam hall are you assigned to?”
She glanced at her application at my question.
“Hall 3, Room 2.”
“Hm, I'm in Hall 1. Opposite sides.”
Camilla frowned slightly, as if displeased for some reason.
But I had no time for her expression. All my focus was on the academy ahead.
“See you after we both pass?”
I gave a faint smile and farewell.
“...Yeah.”
Camilla turned with that short reply. I quietly watched her receding back.
Who here could know? That the girl with baby fat still on her cheeks would one day terrify all mages.
'Though not anymore.'
The game Camilla and my current little sister were no longer the same. Camilla would surely shine. I could say that confidently after seven years together.
“Of course, I won't lose to her either.”
I lifted my head and turned. Finally crossing the academy's main gate.
Guides for entrance exam takers were stationed throughout.
Passing a vast, pristine garden and stunning buildings, I soon reached the hall entrance.
There, boys and girls lined up before adults at desks. I joined quietly, waiting my turn.
It didn't take long. This was just initial sorting; the real test was inside.
Soon it was my turn. A tired-looking man sat before me.
He skimmed my application and offered two badges: blue and red.
“Choose one: martial or liberal arts.”
Blue for martial, red for liberal.
'Just like the game choices.'
The familiar scene unfolded. My heart pounded.
Two badges, red and blue. But in the game, three choices. Wondering how with only two badges?
Simple. Kairen Chronicles always prioritizes freedom.
I picked up both badges. Smiling at the supervisor.
“I'll take both.”