Fireside Confessions
The night in the forest descended swiftly. In the time it took to rest after the battle, darkness had already enveloped us. The sun had set just before 5 p.m.—Tianis Academy truly spared no detail.
Surrounded by pitch black on all sides, unable to move further, we settled in right there. Crackle— The bonfire roared to life. Its heat chased away the chill of the night air, warming us up. The four of us sat beside it, skewering meat to roast.
We were starving after the fight. While the meat cooked, we chatted idly.
“Evan, today's battle was impressive. Reaching that level in less than half a year is astonishing enough, but combining magic and swordsmanship like that... truly remarkable.”
Evan hadn't simply batted away the magic with his sword. He'd woven in the subtleties of sword techniques. A skill I hadn't even taught him yet—one he'd figured out on his own. His growth and adaptability were beyond imagination.
“I put in the effort to beat you, hyungnim. But...”
Evan didn't look purely thrilled at the princess's praise. His voice darkened slightly as he stared at the ground, trembling.
“How could I lose?! I'd been racking my brain and training nonstop for this day!”
He suddenly exploded, venting his frustration. He looked so utterly wronged he might burst into tears any second.
Ariel spoke up at the sight.
“Evan, don't take it too hard. You only lost because it was an Arden.”
“Even so, Your Highness. If Veil hadn't butted in, we would've won for sure. And nullifying magic that easily? No way!”
Ariel continued at Evan's protest.
“The Arden family were the only ones who could match our ancestors. It's no surprise they have techniques like that.”
“The more I see them, the weirder that family gets. Hyungnim goes without saying, but Veil's two years younger than me...”
I chimed in as he sighed, holding out a perfectly cooked skewer.
“Then work harder. Why blame the family?”
I took a bite. No salt needed—the flavor was just right, decently tasty too.
“It's all good. Dig in.”
At my go-ahead, the three grabbed their skewers and munched away. Their faces lit up with smiles, just like mine.
“Whoa, this is good?”
“Just a light roast, and it tastes like this...”
“Hyungnim, it's delicious.”
They marveled at my handiwork. Freshly hunted meat, properly prepped, could turn out pretty great. I'd camped enough to know.
Anyway, we kept eating and talking.
“That doesn't mean I slacked off. Honestly, how many first-years train harder than me?”
“Fair point.”
At his age, full of passion, Evan had thrown himself into over twelve hours of training daily during break. Even my little brother probably didn't go that hard.
Veil jumped in then.
“Sure, our family has innate talent, but we don't slack either. If you want to beat hyungnim, you'll have to try harder.”
“This punk ignored his own brother earlier, and now he's taking hyungnim's side? Family loyalty in the end, huh?”
The two started bickering lightly, like the guys in the novel occasionally did.
“How amusing. Fighting over one person.”
“...I'm not amused.”
“Well, you're the one involved.”
“......”
I cut off Ariel's nonsense and reined in the pair. Things quieted down for a bit, and Evan stepped away to reflect on the battle's insights. Ariel followed, unwilling to leave a teammate alone.
That left just me and my brother.
“......”
“......”
We sat in silence for a while. Then, after a long pause, Veil spoke first.
“Hyungnim. Sorry about earlier. I got too heated...”
“Forget it. No big deal. Siblings fight sometimes.”
Even with sis, we'd clashed plenty. Living together, it was inevitable. Besides, he was still young. Easy to let slide as a little tantrum.
The fire was dying down. I tossed in more wood. Through the flames, I saw Veil's face—lost in thought.
No need to prompt; he spoke up.
“Hyungnim. Mind if I ask one question?”
“What? No weird ones, or no answer.”
“This'll be the last time I ask.”
His voice was so earnest. Tch. I clicked my tongue inwardly but decided to indulge him this once.
“Shoot.”
“......”
He hesitated, then pressed on.
“Why... don't you want to be family head?”
“Gotta spell it out?”
“But... no one would turn down being Arden's head. You're the only one who'd refuse.”
Hm. He really wanted the truth this time. After all the repeats, might as well give a proper answer—not some vague dodge like before.
“Little bro.”
“Yes.”
“You want the real reason?”
“Absolutely.”
His eyes gleamed brighter than ever, utterly focused on me. I gave it straight.
“Mainly... it's a hassle.”
“Pardon? What...”
“Exactly that. Being family head is a pain.”
To others, it was a dream position: power rivaling the emperor, wealth top five on the continent, strength goes without saying. Who'd say no? Sure, some might argue take it anyway, but they don't get it. Managing people under you is torture in itself. Me, do that again? Hell no. I'd rather die than deal with that headache.
“Hyungnim...”
“Want more reasons?”
He shut up and listened. I felt the loathing bubbling up from this body and continued.
“I hate the Ardens. Why didn't I come home on break? Hated it. Hated stepping foot in the territory. Why lie to sis and send her alone? Hated it. Hated everything about the Ardens.”
Beyond the hassle, my body rejected it. Kyle Arden's flesh repelled the name. No deep thought needed—the family's treatment of me said it all. Why suffer needlessly knowing that?
“Of course, I'll have to go back after graduation. But I won't stay long.”
Half a year at most, probably taking sis with me.
Veil's face hardened at my words. But soon he replied.
“If... I change the territory's view of you, will you stay?”
“Huh?”
“If I reform the family, will you remain?”
“Well...”
I scratched my cheek, pondering briefly. The answer came quick.
“Might consider it?”
As long as it's not passing me the head seat, I'd stick around post-graduation. Needed a way to make a living, after all. With my skills, anything would do fine.
“......”
He mulled it over again, then spoke with resolve.
“I'll make you come back, no matter what it takes.”
“Give it your all.”
I encouraged his determination. Ordinary effort wouldn't cut it—not against the grudge etched in this body.
Evan and Ariel returned then, ending our brotherly talk.
Two weeks flew by, bringing the last day of joint classes. In the lecture hall, first- and second-years sat together, just like the survival training. The lecture had just ended.
“This marks the end of classes with the first-years. It was short, but fun. Let's meet again next year. And if you have questions from these two weeks, feel free to come by.”
The joint lectures were over. Next week, first-years would follow their own schedule, and second-years theirs.
“One final announcement before I go.”
The professor paused and turned back.
“Some of you know, but the exchange meeting was planned two months from now. Regrettably, this year's is canceled due to internal issues in the Holy Kingdom.”
A student asked.
“No chance of hosting at another academy?”
“Unlikely. With participants from across the continent, only Tianis, the Magic Tower, or the Holy Kingdom can accommodate them. Even Tianis couldn't prepare in two months.”
“Ah...”
The students sighed in disappointment—no chance to visit other academies. Especially the second-years, who'd miss their last shot before third year.
The professor left, and I headed out to meet Rana, Evan in tow.
“Kyle, hear? Exchange meeting's canceled.”
“Just heard.”
“I was looking forward to the Holy Kingdom...”
“Yeah, me too.”
“It'll happen someday.”
Like the other students, Rana and Evan were bummed.
“Wonder what the issue is?”
“Asked, but even professors don't know. Some unspeakable reason? Must be big if it's fully canceled...”
Evan speculated.
“Makes sense—gods live there.”
The divine realms were far more chaotic than human ideals, not the pretty fantasy.
Still... things are proceeding as planned.
The cancellation was scripted. No public fuss, but major internal drama.
No word from the World Tree either—must be swamped with 'Geomjeong' stuff.
I'd ignored it lately, but it checked in occasionally. The silence screamed busyness.
But the exchange wouldn't just vanish. It was Akacheonma's biggest turning point, main episode hub.
Wonder when it'll contact me...
I glanced at my gloved hand-back. As expected, it'd be about the elves.
Just wait it out.
Prepare well until then.
Meanwhile, at the same time.
Before the goddess statue, a woman knelt, hands clasped. After a long while, her eyes snapped open—striking sky-blue. Her expression soured, dissatisfied.
Then, at the voice in her head, she shot up, yelling.
“Why?! Why not?! You said I'd get to play this time!!”
She bellowed at the statue, her waist-length white hair whipping wildly with her agitation. The statue depicted her patron goddess. Disrespectfully, she didn't stop.
“I'm sick of work! Know how many weeks of overtime?! Over three months now!”
The god of light spoke soothingly. Futile.
“No way! Dealing with Holy Kingdom folk is exhausting now. Always 'Saintess this, Saintess that,' hounding me! And now the exchange with outsiders is canceled too! I... I might just run away!”
The god sighed at the saintess's whining. She seemed at her limit. He'd avoided this, but...
“Ehehe, as expected, God of Light gets me.”
Estella beamed innocently.
“I only want one thing. You know.”
Another sigh echoed in her mind. She didn't flinch, urging the statue eagerly.
“Twenty!”
The god reflected: Where was her pure past self? Corrupted now. Should've stopped Juhwang back then. That damn drunk ruined Estella.
Whoooosh— Holy power swirled before Estella, fetching 'something' from storage. A brew by Juhwang and Chorok—twenty bottles materialized.
“Booze!”
Estella lunged. She uncorked one at supersonic speed.
“Haaa...”
She melted into the aroma. Briefly.
“God of Life and Earth, who provides our daily... wine—er, bread...”
The god interrupted her prayer.
“How could I waste something from the World Tree's hands? And they say wasting food brings punishment.”
Silence from the god, ignored. She gulped from the bottle. Mouth filled with exquisite aroma and flavor. Savoring it, she swallowed.
Emotion welled from deep within; admiration burst out.
“Kyaa~ This is life!”
Is this okay? The god of light pondered deeply at his saintess's state.