And So, the Day to the Sea Dawned
Thus, the day to head to the sea arrived.
The meeting spot Reina had chosen was in front of the portal management office in the central district. From there, we'd board a carriage and take the portal to the west. Even though we'd be staying overnight at the villa, a single day was woefully insufficient for young folks eager to play. So I figured everyone might already be gathered and showed up about an hour early.
"...Hmm."
The area in front of the portal office was deserted, lined only with empty carriages.
"...Doesn't this make me look like the one who's excited?"
Not that I was, of course.
"Is no one coming?"
I muttered to myself just then.
"Who said no one's here?"
A voice came from behind me. I turned around.
"...Huh."
There stood Ebnis. True to her rigid nature, she was in her school uniform, but the massive bag slung casually at her side revealed everything: balls, a wide-brimmed hat, and all sorts of beach gear spilling out.
This was still 'school' grounds, after all, and even though we were heading out, the starting point was the academy, so uniforms made sense.
"You're in uniform too, Adrian?"
"It's the most comfortable thing for me."
"Well... anyway, we seem to be the first ones here? Don't tell me... you acted all cool about it but were actually looking forward to this? Whatever it is you're expecting, it won't go your way, you trash!"
No. I hadn't said a word.
"I don't know what you're imagining, but that's not it. I came early figuring you all might beat me here and end up waiting because of me."
"Hmph, considerate in the dumbest places."
You little...! I'll definitely risk my life to hurl you into the ocean someday...!
"Where's Snowwhite senior, by the way? You're roommates—didn't you come together?"
"He had something to do, so I left first."
"I see."
Whatever, he'll handle himself.
Ebnis crossed her arms and glared at me before nodding and jerking her chin.
"First ones here, huh. Hmph, I'll give you points for that. Look."
I followed the gaze of this Strength 20 monster, and there came a group walking toward us. No need to describe them—they were all in uniforms too. Sufle, Millije, Reina, Relbrian, every one in school attire. But each had a huge bag slung over their arm. They were laughing and chatting animatedly; this trip clearly had them thrilled.
"Adrian!"
Reina waved, then came running over—thud thud thud—and grabbed my wrist tight.
Ow. Easy there.
"You're here! The sub-marquess is here too!"
"Our schedules lined up by chance. Since it's a camaraderie event hosted by your family, I had to attend."
"Yes, hehe, thank you."
"Ah, hello, senior!"
"Hello, senior."
"Adrian, you didn't run off after all."
"Hmm, is everyone...?"
Wait. Something weird just slipped out.
"...Run off?"
"Oh? You didn't know, Adrian. Reina said if you weren't here by the promised time, we'd assume you'd bolted and storm the dorm to drag you out."
"R-Relbrain! You can't just say that!"
Haha. For real?
Just then, a voice called from afar.
"Ah, sorry everyone! I'm a bit late!"
"No worries, Snowwhite! We've still got thirty minutes! Everyone gathering thirty minutes early—guess you're all that eager for the beach! I'm thrilled! Get ready for the best hospitality at Wolfgang territory!"
Reina thrust her arm high, shouting like that.
...Wait a second. Thinking about it...
I turned to the one with the utterly uninterested, no-expression face.
"Ebnis."
"What."
"I've been thinking."
"Spit it out already."
"If I hadn't come early, you'd have been the first one here. 'Can't go because territory duties overlap.' 'Can't make it this time either.' And yet you're the one with the biggest bag and showed up earliest..."
"Holy Sword: Ruin."
In that instant—
Shiiiing!
A massive axe of light cleaved down right in front of me. I effortlessly deflected it with my staff in a flash.
"Slow."
"Tch."
Sparks of some unknown energy crackled visibly around her as she recalled the axe into light. With the naked eye, no less.
Good lord. What kind of Strength is that?
"Say anything weird... and I'll kill you."
Fine. I'll back off for today.
My deflecting arm still stung, though. Guess even glancing a Strength 20 blow is too much for normal means.
"You two really get along every time I see you. I wish Alpren and I were that close."
"Reina."
"Wolfgang."
"Got it. Ah, perfect—the carriage is here. No more standing around; let's go!"
A large carriage bearing the Wolfgang crest arrived, and we all piled in, pushed along by her back.
"Here we go! Unforgettable beach trip, start!"
* * *
Surprisingly, the one who personally drove the Wolfgang carriage through the portal to greet us wasn't some ordinary coachman.
"Uncle Fromen...?"
"Ho ho, it's been a while, miss. I came to drive myself, wondering how you were faring. Pleased to meet you all, miss's classmates. I am Fromen, the head butler of the Wolfgang family."
Wolfgang family head butler. Fromen.
"If this was presumptuous, I apologize."
"Presumptuous? Nonsense. It's an honor to meet the head butler."
At my words, Fromen simply nodded quietly, no big reaction.
"See? No issue, right?"
"I'm grateful for your words, Sub-Marquess Ebnis. How fares the marquis? This humble one has heard he departed for the north recently."
"Yes, no idea why, but he always heads north during vacation season."
"I've heard much about you all from miss's letters. The noble half-elf Relbrian, rising star of the first years Millije, Sufle, and Kalen Snowwhite, who boldly bested a senior in midterms—to hear miss say, fit to be knighted into the Wolfgang family."
"Ahaha..."
"Half-elf..."
"Rising holy..."
"Me, a Wolfgang knight...?"
"Fromen! You don't have to bring that up!"
"And..."
A small mirror mounted on the carriage. Our eyes met—mine, legs crossed, and the butler's.
"...Master Adrian as well. All fine people, ones she'd love to adventure with."
...Is he testing me?
Butler Chief Fromen isn't academy-affiliated, but he's one of the characters I know well. From the Florand family—Reina's maternal side—he's more loyal to her than even Count Wolfgang, an absolute devotee who would never betray her. And thus, in the Magic Division Reina von Wolfgang route, he's one of the most tragic ends.
Even as the whole family turns to 'another Wolfgang,' he alone steadfastly supports Reina to his death. Reina exacts thorough revenge later, of course. But the Reina route is full of twists, misunderstandings, deaths, despair, and familial vendettas—dark stuff.
With me here, though, it won't spiral that badly. The root cause of that route was my—Adrian's—death, after all.
So there must've been a reason he paused before saying my name. Likely sizing up if I'm truly worthy to stand by Reina, even briefly. The white-haired elder is devoted solely to her, so no offense taken at the suspicion.
"We've arrived."
The carriage sped on, skirting the capital of Wolfgang territory to a city at the western edge. Right ahead: a grand private beach with an attached villa, so vast the sands stretched beyond sight. And then...
"...Whoa."
"Waaah..."
"Oh..."
"Ooooh..."
Crystal-clear waters crashing into waves, flowing out to sea.
"Save the awe for later. Let's head in and unpack first."
"Ah, right, yeah."
We all headed to the villa's main entrance. The moment the door opened...
"...Huh?"
"...Eh?"
"...Hmm?"
"...Oh?"
Someone stood there, hands on hips. About eight years old? Long purple hair down to her waist. Noble uniform and shoes, but pants below. Fierce green eyes glinting like a stray cat's. She looked exactly like a young Reina von Wolfgang.
"Mini Reina? Senior?"
"Ooooh..."
"Oh!"
"Wow!"
"G-Get away! What's with the sudden ambush?!"
Several of us crowded the little kid. She really did look identical. Like Reina's childhood plucked straight out. But I knew better. Ebnis seemed to know too, just watching quietly.
Finally, Reina—who'd been at the back—saw and froze mid-step.
"...Ah, Alpren?"
"You're finally back. Heard you weren't going to the mansion, so I came here."
"You're really Alpren? Weren't you at the main estate?"
"Father sent me to keep watch, sis."
Right. Despite appearances...
"Sis?"
"Sis?!"
"A boy...?"
"Not a girl, a boy?"
Silence. Then shock.
Alpren von Wolfgang. With hair down to his waist, eerily like young Reina, the kid now turned to us and bowed.
"Hello, Sub-Marquess Ebnis."
"Hello, young master Alpren."
"Ah, hello... um."
"Adrian's fine."
"Ah, yes, Adrian... hyungnim..."
"Hm?"
Wait. What? Did he just call me hyungnim?
Alpren clapped both hands over his mouth, shocked himself.
"S-Sorry! Old childhood habit slipped out..."
"It's fine, young master. Adrian, you knew Alpren too? That's unexpected."
Hmm... yeah, it is.
A bit surprising we were acquainted, but thinking on it, it makes sense.
"...Well, I'm engaged to Reina. Odd if I didn't know her 'little brother' Alpren?"
"Hmph, fair point. Anyway, young master Alpren, you can call me sis too. I permit it."
"N-No! How could I call a noble Repelheit..."
"M-Me too!"
"Me..."
"Me!"
"No one! J-Just follow me for now; I need to show you around the villa!"
With that, Alpren spun and toddled ahead.
"Let's go."
"Tch..."
"Why only Adrian..."
"This is unfair..."
Why. Why the glares?