Unveiling the Ace
The atmosphere at the academy lecture hall was nearly over for the day. Originally, the evening session was intended for most guests to depart the academy. The reason was straightforward: they would share a meal with the people they had met here, engaging in “conversation.” It was far more than mere gossip; the discussions were deeply political, addressing critical matters. Yet today, unusually, the guests remained seated, lingering far longer than expected. This was because the individual who had arrived at today’s academic event was one no one had anticipated. They had been waiting here, eager to exchange even a few words with this person!
“It’s been a while, Lucian. Well, how have you been?”
“I hope you’ve been well as well, Minister Cloud.”
“I’ve been fine. Why the sudden inquiry? In the past, you called me Cloud Uncle.”
“Upon reflection, you’re still relatively young, so addressing you as ‘Uncle’ feels somewhat inappropriate.”
For the record, Minister Cloud had already surpassed sixty years of age. Yet I deliberately mentioned his age. It was because his continued assistance would be essential in the years ahead. By invoking this age, I could evoke genuine warmth in anyone who heard it. The act of reframing “I’ll ask for your favor again” as “I look forward to your continued support” was, I confess, quite elegant.
…He was no ordinary individual; he seemed to occupy the very top of my mind.
Cloud, the former Prime Minister, scratched his head with an awkward laugh. Then, as if the situation were utterly baffling, he let out a hearty chuckle and glanced at Rie standing beside me.
“You said a woman, not wealth or power, is the one who can change a man. You’re no exception, are you?”
“So, does that mean I seem foolish in your eyes?”
At my question, Minister Cloud stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment. He then examined Rie with a careful gaze before shaking his head vigorously. “Whoa!”
“It’s not that I think you’re foolish. The opponent is, after all, the opponent; I couldn’t say it outright.”
“Is it a compliment?”
“It’s an overpraise for the noble daughter of an illustrious house. How did this young man manage to capture such a brilliant and beautiful noble? You certainly have your wits about you.”
Actually, I hadn’t captured her; the noble daughter beside me had. She had tightly bound me, preventing any escape, and I was currently trapped without the slightest chance of fleeing. Of course, being bound by such a lovely person was far from unpleasant—I was smiling even as I was held captive.
“I-I… It’s my first time meeting you. I am Ju Cloud Low Dragonschulz. I am…”
“I know who you are. You are Rie Arche von Haniel, the young lady of the Haniel Marquisate. Daughter of the Marquis, successor to the title, a rare talent said to have few who can follow in the footsteps of swordsmanship. Edwin mentioned that within a few years you would reach the ranks of Sword Master, and seeing you now, it seems quite true.”
“Thank you. And please feel free to speak more casually with me. I am…”
“I find this preferable. I am no longer the Prime Minister, merely an elderly retired man who enjoys fishing and other leisure activities. I dislike treating young friends too casually, as I age. This is merely a matter of etiquette; you need not concern yourself with it.”
Whereas King Ruhart shrank his opponents with majesty and reverence, Minister Cloud, while appearing gentle, possessed an aura that compelled others to lower their heads without realizing why. Together, these two men had steered Lebechia through its period of revival; the nation could not help but progress.
“Have you spoken with His Majesty the King?”
“Yes. I was quite startled by how sudden it was.”
“Surprised? Edwin. Did the boy truly feel surprised?”
“…He seemed a little startled.”
“So that means even before His Majesty, the boy had no reservations in speaking his mind.”
At this, Edwin smiled and nodded in agreement.
Upon seeing this reaction, Minister Cloud chuckled. “Impressive. Even the noble house lords shrink away fearfully, trying to find the smallest excuse to avoid direct confrontation. Is it because they know nothing?”
Honestly, I felt a bit wronged. I was not the one who had deliberately provoked him; I had merely answered the King’s call to speak. Could one truly say “I cannot speak because I am too frightened” in His Majesty’s presence? If I had, without exaggeration, I would have been executed on the spot.
Knowing my discontent all too well, Minister Cloud shook his head. He explained that His Majesty had shown only mild interest in my story, but that interest had now grown significantly, and he intended to watch my progress with great anticipation.
“As you know, members of the Palasia royal family, and especially His Majesty the King, have a profound greed for talent. The current King shares the same sentiment.”
“It sounds as if I’m digging my own grave. Is that a misunderstanding?”
“You heard correctly, boy. I can assure you that upon graduating from the academy—well, before graduation even—you might be called away to undertake all sorts of tasks.”
“While that is so, I can simply remain quietly. And since the academy’s genius is Rie, not me, no one will be interested in me.”
As I said this, I took Rie’s hand and playfully shook it.
At my action, Rie let out a distressed groan—Uwaaa?—and blushed, embarrassed. Usually unflappable, she now showed this excessive shyness in public, openly revealing her relationship with me.
Watching this, Minister Cloud laughed heartily. “Such a blessing! A blessing on both you and Rie, following on the King’s own blessings.”
“Speaking of which, that elf professor. She’s not a bad elf at all. Born and raised in Minas, she lacks the arrogance and excessive pride typical of her people. Instead, she always lowers herself and empties her bowl, burning with scholarly zeal. It was truly admirable to observe.”
“Although she looks no older than her thirties, she is actually of the same generation as me.”
“I know elves age differently. I have observed that elves can live extraordinarily long lives. But the elves I saw hid their shortcomings and desperately tried to conceal them. This Milaze Eindhoven was different. That is why I liked her.”
“So that person became the first target of my naturalization law.”
At my remark, Minister Cloud scratched his cheek and added, “That was just for show.”
Although he could have accepted those seeking to enter Lebechia from Pirot or the Mule City Coalition, at the time Lebechia had sought a target that would deliver greater effect and shock.
And the result was that the elf they chose as the first target was Milaze Eindhoven herself.
In truth, at the time, she had received little special attention. The primary reason was Lebechia’s desire for peace, and the readiness to welcome any neighbor from the surrounding regions, signaling that it was time to stop fighting and settle for quiet, friendly coexistence rather than true friendship.
Yet Milaze had proven far more than expected, later exerting considerable influence on improving relations with the Minas Elf Kingdom and beyond.
“When I first allowed that elf to enter Lebechia, there was a strange feeling.”
“What do you mean? Were you suspecting the professor…?”
“Of course I suspected her. But not in a negative way. She didn’t seem like a spy, nor a threat to Lebechia. She was simply…”
Minister Cloud fell silent for a moment. Then, as if something within the listener would burst, he gave an answer that was almost shocking.
“Just tell me clearly. The listener is quite displeased.”
“You did the same to me before, didn’t you? Interrupting like that is the most infuriating thing. It drives people crazy with curiosity.”
“That’s right.”
“Then I won’t say a word.”
Wow, really. Milaze, Professor! Cancel that paper!
Although she appeared cold and calculating, unyielding in every action, one might think she was emotional and truly cared for others.
This old man had a sharp temper, but because his abilities were so exceptional, it only seemed admirable!
He was already trying to assassinate someone through irritation!
…The thought had surged to the tip of my tongue but remained unspoken.
After all, only Rie, Minister Cloud, and Edwin were present in this private space. They had left the academy for a moment and spent time with me.
“I won’t be able to stay long. Few others know that we can speak so freely like this. And you also dread the possibility of that fact being revealed externally.”
“Originally, connections are most enjoyable when others know nothing about them. Interrupting at odd moments is also bothersome. It is best to pull them out only when necessary.”
“Whether it’s the money in your wallet or how you speak, tsk tsk.”
He clicked his tongue, yet the smile on his lips refused to fade.
It seemed he secretly placed great expectations in me and the King. Naturally so; this boy of only nineteen, speaking and acting as if he had already endured the vicissitudes of life, had clearly pleased him.
Given the greatness of the individuals involved, I had even taken care not to diminish my score through overconcentration.
In any case, having received such expectations, and with no desire to pretend to be nothing, I would maintain an appropriately superior demeanor.
“Lucian.”
“Yes, Minister Cloud.”
“I’ve spoken with Edwin. It seems we must now begin revealing that part as well.”
“Which part? Must we? It’s still a bit early.”
The part Minister Cloud referred to was the swordsmanship story we had both contributed to.
Originally, I had perfected over seventy percent of the swordsmanship supplement, yet the public knew almost all of it came from Edwin.
If I asked whether I had hidden my efforts or results, the answer would be no. I had never wanted to become a mere opportunist who concealed my strength.
The reason I could not do so was because I had been a complete fool in actual sword combat.
If someone who couldn’t even handle a sword properly suddenly produced a superior, stable sword technique, there would be an endless flood of people mocking and disbelieving it.
But now, those words—sword fool, actual weakling—were ancient history.
Swordsmanship had improved to the point where even Rie recognized it, and although magic remained somewhat unstable, we had long since surpassed the level where even basic magic could not be cast.
Minister Cloud and Edwin had finally heard this news. Therefore, they now intended to return the honor and glory that had rightfully been mine.
“I can simply continue like this without issue.”
“You may be able to, but my son cannot stand it. He has always felt uneasy about the fruits of another’s labor being used by others, even if it is not me. This decision was made for my child, not for you; accept it without further objection.”
Honestly, I had no desire to reclaim it. My reputation was at its peak, and it was the perfect level for me to remain Rie’s rival. If it became known that the person who had devised the absolute majority of swordsmanship used in Lebechia was not an elite knight but a certain young upstart who couldn’t even properly handle a sword, it would cause considerable discomfort. Who had assisted him? Or had someone stolen his credit? Why had he been able to devise such swordsmanship when his own skill was so poor?
These questions were plainly visible in the eyes of those around us.
“Now you need to enter the fray, Lucian.”
“If you mean ‘enter,’ then…”
“Prepare to calmly withstand the world’s gaze.”