Chapter 91
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Villa by the Sea
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It took quite a while for the carriage to exit the capital.
The gate they needed to leave through was almost directly opposite the academy's location.
Even so, once they were out of the capital with nothing to hinder them, the carriage picked up speed in earnest.
“Been a while since I’ve been outside the capital.”
Daniel murmured as he gazed out the window.
Abel chimed in.
“Same here. Aside from last training session, it feels like almost a year.”
“Oh, right, the training. I forgot about that one.”
“Understandable. Things were hectic back then.”
Daniel tore his gaze from the window.
“But talking like this makes even the training feel like ancient history. It hasn’t actually been that long.”
“Tell me about it. Probably all the stuff going on.”
Ever since enrolling in the academy, it had been one nonstop event after another.
Subjectively, it felt like nearly a year had passed.
“Wonder if second semester will be this crazy too?”
“If anything, it’ll be worse, not better. The upperclassmen said second semester is when it really kicks in.”
“Yeah, they did.”
Daniel nodded emphatically.
They occasionally ran into seniors at the academy, and the word was always the same.
Second semester would make first semester feel like a joke.
Abel knew that better than anyone.
He hadn’t experienced it firsthand, but he’d repeated it hundreds of times in the game.
“Hmm. They say it’ll be tough, but I’m kinda looking forward to it.”
“Looking forward to it?”
“Yeah. First semester barely had any Gigant training.”
“Oh. True.”
As Daniel said, Gigants hadn’t played a big role in first-semester classes.
Kauls’ lectures were pretty much it.
“Even Instructor Kaul’s classes were all over the place early on, then mostly adaptation training later.”
“Yeah. Staying in the Gigant as long as possible. Repeating basic postures. That sort of thing.”
“Basics are important.”
“...Sometimes you sound like an old man.”
Daniel shook his head with a weary look.
Abel shook his head firmly.
“Everything I say turns into muscle and blood.”
Daniel made a face like he couldn’t handle Abel’s old-man energy.
Daniel was diligent enough that no one could match him, but he couldn’t keep up with Abel.
“Fine, fine. Anyway, ever been to a villa or anything?”
Abel answered simply.
“Nope. Never even left the capital for fun.”
“Same. No time for that.”
Daniel leaned back fully into his seat and continued.
“Honestly, back then, I probably wouldn’t have come even if you invited me.”
“And now?”
“My thinking’s changed a bit. Hard work matters, but it’s not everything.”
Abel turned to look at Daniel.
“Why?”
“Well... To be honest, during that outdoor training last time, there were some scary moments.”
Daniel continued with an awkward expression.
“Like when the Gigadeus popped out. I thought, ‘Is this it? Am I dying here?’”
“Well... Yeah, I felt that too.”
“Right? We got through it thanks to you, but later I started thinking.”
He hesitated for a moment, then spoke slowly.
“What’s left if I die like this? I worked hard, but death ends it all, right?”
Abel nodded.
“Exactly.”
“So that’s when my mindset shifted. Hard work’s key, but I can’t throw everything else away.”
Daniel grinned and added.
“Did I make wanting to have some fun sound too grand?”
“Not really. It’s a thought anyone could have.”
Abel smiled back.
Truth be told, wasn’t that why he was going on this trip too?
“Pretty common, yeah.”
Play, laugh, make memories.
What’s left if you sprint through life giving all that up?
Could you even keep sprinting forever without those things?
“Good thinking.”
Abel leaned back like Daniel and said.
“But once we’re back, you’ll just train all day again, right?”
“You say that like you won’t.”
The two looked at each other and chuckled.
Say what they would, they had a lot in common. At least when it came to training attitudes.
“Let’s not think about anything this time and just rest up good.”
“Yeah.”
With that, they fell silent and rested for a while.
* * *
The carriage sped along the road.
The path to the villa was well-maintained, so no Gigadeus fragments or bandits showed up.
Thanks to that, they arrived right on schedule.
At Hena’s villa.
“Wow, it’s huge.”
“Pretty.”
Everyone who stepped out gasped in admiration.
And for good reason—the villa and its surroundings were stunning.
No formal garden, but the nearby meadows bloomed with wildflowers.
Nestled among them, the villa exuded a simple yet elegant charm.
Hena, who got out last, blushed at the praise.
“It’s, it’s my favorite place. Glad you all like it.”
“Like it? I’m already thinking coming here was the best idea!”
Daniel said cheerfully.
The others nodded in agreement, if less vocally.
“Then let’s head in! The butler’s probably waiting.”
Hena, weak to compliments like that, hurried ahead.
The carriage had stopped not far from the mansion, so they reached the front gate quickly.
“Welcome to Luvier Villa.”
A white-haired butler greeted them politely at the entrance.
Abel thought as he saw him.
‘He looks straight out of a fairy tale.’
His appearance screamed “butler.”
“Please, come in.”
They followed the butler inside.
The interior wasn’t flashy but just as impressive as the outside.
It was so spotless, not a speck of dust in sight.
“You must be tired from the trip, so allow me to show you to your rooms first.”
They unpacked in their assigned rooms.
There were three rooms total, and those who’d ridden together shared.
“Wow, the rooms are massive.”
“Right? Could pass for eight-person rooms. Look at those beds.”
The academy dorms weren’t bad, but a noble’s villa was on another level.
Abel and Daniel unpacked quickly and headed out.
Hena and May were already outside.
“Man, the rooms are amazing.”
“Really? Good.”
Hena, over her shyness, replied confidently.
Iolin and Darin emerged from their room next, and Hena spoke up.
“I’ll give the tour of the mansion and grounds myself. Feels more comfortable that way.”
“No complaints here.”
“Yeah.”
“Then I’ll start with the mansion! Follow me!”
Hena led the way, pointing out the dining room, library, bathhouse, and more.
After circling the mansion, she grinned.
“Mansion’s done—now outside.”
“Outside meaning a hike around the hills?”
“Details are a secret. Get excited.”
Hena led them straight to the back of the mansion.
Two servants, pre-arranged with the butler, followed.
Behind the mansion stretched a forest with a small path.
“Watch your step—some rough spots ahead.”
The sudden forest trek drew no complaints.
It wasn’t manicured like a garden, but the scenery was gorgeous.
“Wow, isn’t that fairy grass?”
“Looks like it. Only seen it in books.”
Rare plants and flowers dotted the woods, delighting Darin most.
‘Come to think of it, he’s into plants.’
Abel recalled Darin’s interests anew.
Things he’d forgotten since they weren’t important day-to-day.
As the others chattered, Abel dredged up old memories.
‘Daniel loves good food. Iolin likes small animals. May’s into sleep and fluffy pillows. And...’
Listing them off, Abel glanced at Hena and let out a soft gasp of realization.
Recalling her favorite thing clued him in on their destination.
Of course, no plans to spoil it by saying so.
‘No wonder she’s so confident.’
Abel smirked and kept pace with Hena, who strode ahead energetically.
Her steps looked lighter than ever.
After about thirty minutes on the forest path.
“Get ready to be amazed!”
Hena called out brightly and quickened her pace.
The trees soon parted to reveal an open expanse.
Rooooooooar—.
The first sign was the ‘sound.’
Then the faint salty tang that had teased their noses grew stronger.
“Whoa!”
Darin, right behind Hena, yelped in surprise.
May and Iolin behind him reacted the same.
Eyes wide, they stared, dumbfounded at the vista.
“What? What is it...”
Daniel, who’d been walking right in front of Abel, exited the woods late and froze at the sight.
Someone whispered faintly.
“The sea...?”
“Yeah! The sea!”
Hena proudly revealed the surprise.
Just as she said, a vast, refreshing sea stretched before them.
The mere sight opened their hearts.
“The sea.”
Abel stepped forward, murmuring as he took it in.
He’d been to beaches plenty on Earth, but the awe hadn’t faded.
‘How many years since I last saw the sea?’
Never once since waking up here.
“Wow... First time seeing the sea.”
“Me too.”
Iolin softly agreed with Darin’s murmur.
As their exchange showed, many in this world never saw the sea in a lifetime.
Travel wasn’t easy, and few had the leisure for seaside trips.
So the impact on these first-timers was beyond words.
“Henry! Set up what we prepared!”
“Right away.”
While they marveled, Hena instructed the servant.
He opened his basket and laid out a cloth and food on the ground.
Daniel’s eyes sparkled intensely at the sight.
“No one else around, so relax!”
Hena beamed brighter than ever and continued.
“So let’s have fun!”