The Parent-Child School Interview
I'd lost my money, my honor, my power—but I wasn't unhappy. If anything, I was happier now. At first, I hadn't paid much attention to Elizabeth. But before I knew it, I truly cherished and loved her. And Elizabeth cherished and loved me in return. The emptiness in my heart had filled up. The void was gone. I no longer felt that hollow ache. What filled my heart was love. Seeing beautiful spring flowers bloom would pull me into quiet sentiment without warning. That was how much I'd changed.
Walking the streets with Elizabeth, talking with her, exchanging glances—these were treasures no amount of gold could buy. So this was what family felt like. I regretted not knowing sooner. Thinking of family brought them to mind. 'They're probably doing fine without me.' Cruel as they were, those two had talent. They wouldn't starve anywhere.
"Wow, you two look great together!"
"Oh my, Father looks so dashing~ And so tall—you're like a model."
"What are you talking about? He looks better than any model. Take a closer look."
"Y-You're right. Yes, now that I see it... He's more handsome than any model!"
The shop assistant's lips trembled at Elizabeth's words. I glanced in the mirror. A man in a crisp suit stood there awkwardly. Getting dressed had been a hassle and taken forever. Shirt, pants, vest, jacket, tie, shoes, coat. And it was expensive. 1.7 million hats. I had to buy this? It stung, but it was for my daughter's interview. Steel ing myself, I shelled out the cash.
We strolled out onto the street. Elizabeth, carrying the bag with my suit, clapped her hands as if she'd just remembered something.
"Oh right! A cane!"
"A cane? We don't need one of those, do we?"
"No, we do. And a hat too. Since we're here, let's get properly fitted out."
"Shouldn't we buy clothes for you instead of me?"
"I'll just wear my uniform."
"Is that okay?"
"Yeah. They said to come in your school uniform."
"That's one thing, but let's get you some clothes anyway."
"It's not necessary..."
"No refusals."
We hit a women's store and I bought her a mountain of outfits.
"Two... two million hats...! Dad, are you insane!?"
"Why are you yelling?"
I grabbed Elizabeth's shoulders as she freaked out, scanning the area. Heads turned at the commotion.
"Do I look like I can't afford it? Look how many things Dad picked out. How many is that, even?"
"I don't mind spending on you."
"You're seriously crazy. I can't wear all this. Put it back right now."
"Then you'll go to the interview with Dad in his pajamas."
"Why are you being so childish?"
"Exactly. So wear them nicely. Dad makes good money."
"Haa..."
Elizabeth sighed and finally relented. We'd blown a few million hats on clothes today. Big spending. But it didn't hurt. My hand had shaken buying the suit, but knowing she'd wear these made it feel light. If anything, it seemed too little. Should I buy more? Construction sites paid by the workload. A few serious days would cover it.
Our hands full of shopping bags, we chatted amiably as we walked. Then, suddenly—a carriage swerved wildly. The two horses pulling it bolted furiously. And right then, a little kid darted out from around the corner, crossing the street.
The child looked up in panic at the oncoming carriage. The driver yanked desperately at the reins, but the horses didn't slow—they sped up. The elderly man who seemed to be family twisted in despair, reaching out a hand. Onlookers screamed. Some turned away from the impending horror. The horses let out a massive whinny.
I scooped up the kid in a flash.
"Hah, hah... Th-thank you."
The near-death child panted raggedly. I patted his shoulder reassuringly. The crowd sighed in relief; the driver called out thanks. The horses kept running, so the carriage vanished quickly.
"Dad!"
"Felix!!"
Elizabeth and the old man rushed over. I raised a hand to signal I was fine. Elizabeth punched my back the moment she reached me. She was on the verge of tears.
"What was that!? Do you wanna die!?"
"But I'm alive, aren't I?"
She seemed so serious, so I teased lightly.
"You almost died!!"
Elizabeth shouted, face flushed with fury. Her eyes glistened; her golden lashes grew wet.
"Okay, sorry. I'm really sorry."
"You almost really died... Hic."
Her angry expression crumbled. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand. I hugged the crying Elizabeth and patted her soothingly.
"...Excuse me, are you alright?"
The old man, checking on his grandson, approached politely.
"Yes. No injuries."
"Thank you so much. Truly, for saving my grandson. May I have your name?"
He wore a fine brown suit and coat. His face was kindly, hair neatly combed back. His speech and bearing suggested a scholar.
"Leo Valentine."
"Mr. Valentine. I'm Felix Radenberg."
Felix. Same as his grandson. Radenberg, though... I'd heard that name somewhere.
Felix drew a wallet from his pocket with a graceful motion. Clearly high-end.
"Compared to your kindness, this is less than the dirt on your shoes, but better than nothing, I hope. Sorry, it's all the cash I have on hand."
Shhk. A few bills from the wallet. Zeros stacked high.
"A check?"
"Please don't think I'm bragging about my wealth. It's just all the cash I carry."
First time seeing an Aihenvalt check. First person carrying them around, too.
Felix's gift was 1 million hats. The king's face graced the top note in Aihenvalt. Five checks—5 million hats total.
Whoa. It was too much; I felt burdened. My sense of money had tanked after four years. Back in the Imperial Guard, it'd be gum money.
"Ahem, I'll pass. It's too much..."
"Too much? I'm ashamed it's so little for the man who saved my grandson. Please accept."
"Yeah, Dad. You always said to graciously accept what elders give."
Elizabeth politely took the checks and pressed them into my hand. This kid. I shot Felix a troubled look. He chuckled kindly.
"Your daughter is sharp as a tack. Must be nice having such a reliable girl, Mr. Valentine."
Felix thanked me once more and left with his grandson.
A month later. The entrance interview day arrived.
Clatter clatter...
"Nervous, Dad?"
"Nah?"
"Then why are your legs shaking?"
In the streetcar crossing the city, Elizabeth—pressed close beside me—pointed at my leg with her index finger. My calf was bouncing up and down furiously. Passengers glared uncomfortably. Composing myself, I said,
"You wouldn't get it. Dad's not shaking—I'm just circulating blood in my calf."
"Ah ha. That's why you're sweating~"
Elizabeth smirked and dabbed my temple with her handkerchief.
"Aren't you tense?"
"Not at all. Whether I get into Lenz School or not, living with Dad won't change."
"Your life matters more than mine."
"Does failing Lenz ruin your life? Just go to another school."
A kid just turned fourteen seemed calmer than me. She wasn't wrong. Failing school wouldn't kill you. But as a parent, it was different. You wanted your child to succeed as much as possible. Lenz School—Aihenvalt's top academy. Six-year program: enter at 14, graduate at 20. Top performers could advance to Lenz University. It produced elite specialists. Ruthlessly selective, small classes, top-tier education in every field. Current Aihenvalt politics, business, medicine, magic, science, math—nearly every sector's top figures were Lenz alumni. Especially mages—all from Lenz, as the government designated it the sole magic academy. It vied for world #1 in rankings, neck-and-neck with the Imperial Academy.
That was the gist from my reading. Point was: graduate Lenz, and you're Aihenvalt upper crust.
Parents wanted their kids to thrive. Me too. Failing was fine—I wasn't petty enough to complain. As Elizabeth said, no Lenz didn't doom her life. Plenty of paths. I'd support whatever she wanted. Hell, I'd run away at 13, become a mercenary, and rise to Imperial Guard.
"Ah, we're here."
Elizabeth craned her neck to peer out the window. Her slender neck, graceful as a deer's, was exposed. We got off the streetcar and looked up. An ornate building loomed—white marble blended artfully with gold. Like an ancient temple or a lavish royal palace.
"Incredible..."
Glancing around, I saw other families entering. The parents oozed opulence—noble-grade finery and jewels dripping from them. Even the kids sported capes and coats emblazoned with luxury logos, pampered pet dogs in tow.
'Almost no commoners get in.'
Elizabeth in her plain uniform and me in my simple suit stood out more. Some sneered as they passed. I glared back, gripping Elizabeth's shoulder to bolster her spirits.
"Don't mind them, Dad."
"?"
Elizabeth stared them down coolly.
"They're nothing compared to Dad anyway."
"Uh... yeah."
Far from downcast, she was reassuring me. Elizabeth strode ahead boldly, eyeing the sneerers like, What're you gonna do about it?