Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: I Am Happy (4)
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Edwin Percival Blackmere was in a foul mood.
“Haha, long time no see. How have you been?”
“Baron Jest. Long time no see.”
“At the last social gathering...”
Extremely, unpleasantly so. Very much.
Edwin, who had slipped his sleek white gloves into his pocket, slowly removed his hat.
Well-dressed gentlemen disembarked from carriages, and a few noble ladies, adorned in finery, covered their mouths and tittered.
Mostly familiar faces. As the eldest son of the courtly Blackmere family, having lived twenty-eight years, connections were something he couldn't avoid even if he tried.
“Chief Edwin! Long time no see. How have you been?”
“Yes, Director. It's been a while. Here to see your daughter?”
“That's right. My girl's in Magic Department A-Class—I'm looking forward to it.”
Truly duplicitous, self-serving, trivial relationships, but Edwin greeted them first with a smiling face.
Over ten people approached him like that while he walked from the carriage toward the school gates.
A young man in his late twenties who had risen to the position of Eastford Chief of Security.
With a solid family background and striking looks, other houses couldn't help but eye him as a prime son-in-law candidate.
Yet Edwin's heart was cold. Outwardly smiling, inwardly he dismissed the situation more coolly than anyone.
'Long time.'
Clop, clop. Passing through the gates, the Kingswell Royal Academy grounds unfolded before his eyes.
Edwin paused, lost in memories. He had once been part of Kingswell.
Exactly ten years ago, when he was around his brother Leonard's age.
The memory of boarding the train, leaving behind his little brother waving cheerfully.
The memories built at Kingswell lingered like a vivid scent at the tip of his nose.
The grounds, unchanged from ten years ago—splendid and serene.
And far off, students streaming out of the dorms, chattering noisily on their way to class.
Edwin's gaze deepened as he scanned their uniforms. He too had once worn that uniform here.
His bland, aloof, cold personality unchanged, but back then a bit more youthful, a touch more innocent.
'Edwin! Let's go to class together!'
And the bright smile of his childhood friend walking beside him.
Edwin, who had unconsciously smiled faintly, quickly schooled his expression.
His slightly slowed steps picked up speed again. Now heading to the main building, his stride held no hesitation.
“I am happy. I am happy. I am happy...”
“Leonard. Spinach meatballs for lunch today.”
“Damn it.”
If he hadn't spotted that familiar, pathetic back of the head far ahead.
His steps wouldn't have stopped again.
Edwin stared at the neatly combed head, then shifted his gaze beside it.
Fluffy brown hair bouncing with each step, like the rear view of a large dog.
Edwin's feet started moving again. His steps toward Leonard quickened slightly.
“Leonard Percival Blackmere.”
Once close enough, that icy voice slipped from his lips.
Leonard, walking ahead, froze stiffly.
He stood there a moment without turning, then slowly pivoted to face Edwin.
“...Brother.”
Pale skin, ink-black hair, blood-red eyes.
A spitting image of Edwin's younger self, thick with Blackmere blood.
As the two Blackmeres faced each other on the grounds before the main building, passing students noticeably buzzed.
Whispers glancing at Leonard, gasps alternating between Edwin and Leonard, and subtle wary glances from somewhere.
Annoying, complicated, and above all, unkind reactions.
A displeased furrow creased Edwin's brow.
After staring at Leonard a moment, he spoke.
“How are your studies?”
“I'm working on it.”
Working on it.
Edwin, who held a leadership position in an organization, knew well how perfunctory and irresponsible that answer was.
Working on it wasn't enough.
Results had to follow.
Like Edwin himself, who had proven the fruits of his blood and sweat to everyone after grueling efforts to reach his current position.
“Leonard. I'm asking for results.”
“The comprehensive evaluation is still far off.”
“No quizzes or anything in the meantime?”
“...”
Edwin's brow furrowed deeper.
Elite institutions like this tended to cling to the most stable paths rather than constant change.
Kingswell was no different.
Who hadn't attended Kingswell?
Knowing classes ramped up properly after the first month, Edwin found Leonard's evasive dodge pathetic.
“That silence is your answer, then.”
“...”
“Pathetic.”
Not loud or soft, but a volume all nearby students could hear.
Practically public humiliation. Leonard's head drooped.
Edwin eyed the crown of his head pityingly, then slowly walked past.
“I heard today's class involves sparring among cadets.”
“...”
“I hope you've made some progress.”
Leonard still hung his head, silent.
Ignoring the girl beside him baring her teeth and growling, Edwin strode on.
'Progress.'
Leonard Percival Blackmere.
Edwin's ten-years-younger late-born brother.
A bird whose wings had been clipped in childhood, despite having the potential for greatness with effort.
Yet Edwin, with lesser talent, had flapped diligently and soared.
That's why Leonard's failure was unbearable.
Better environment, better talent, better starting point—and still not running.
All because of one 'minor' childhood memory.
'Pathetic.'
In the eyes of the hardworking Edwin, it was something he'd never understand.
On the way to the classroom, Charlotte and I didn't bother speaking.
She kept glancing at me nervously, while I quietly mulled over my encounter with Edwin.
My conclusion?
'This damn family is hopeless.'
This insane, dysfunctional clan shouldn't be allowed to have kids.
Sure, brothers grow up fighting, but ten years apart— wasn't that too much?
I knew well how the original Leonard had built his wastrel reputation with utterly deplorable behavior.
Still, crushing his spirit like that before class even started?
“...Leonard Percival Blackmere.”
Suddenly, someone called out beside me.
Flaming red hair like passionate fire, golden eyes shining purely like molten hope.
Amelia Hill. She stood there, looking at me with a complicated expression.
'What now.'
Can't you just leave me alone?
I'm already on the verge of seppuku if I screw up this class.
“What.”
My curt, rough reply—sharper than usual—might've been because of that.
Amelia flinched at my words.
Charlotte's eyes widened as she looked up at me.
I didn't like the complicated emotions in those gazes.
“Just...”
“Just?”
“...No. Nothing.”
Amelia chewed her lip after stopping me, swallowed her words, and turned away.
Charlotte tugged at my sleeve.
“Leonard, you okay?”
“I'm fine.”
Clearer-headed than ever, actually.
Getting verbally abused by my brother sucked, but thinking of it as Leonard taking the hit made it bearable.
My grip tightened on the sword at my waist.
Me, Leonard Percival Blackmere. Model student (real).
I couldn't say my training was sufficient, but no regrets.
So, no regrets—just show everything I've got.
'You're dead.'
I recalled Edwin's punchable face, even more irritating because it resembled mine.
Younger brothers are creatures who spend their lives trying to best the iron-blooded enemy named 'big brother' their parents bore.
And I was no different.
The Leonard ego lurking inside me writhed in agreement.
Today's class would crush that smug nose.
The Observation Class unfolded much like the one I remembered.
Students packed the classroom, guardians and parents sitting primly in the back rows to watch.
We'd head to the training grounds soon anyway, but appearances mattered.
As the wall clock neared the hour, the rowdy room fell deathly silent.
Then Professor William entered through the front door.
“Alright, everyone. Good morning. Heh heh.”
Heh heh, my ass.
A few students shuddered at the sight of Bloodletter in the academy's three great demon swords, Professor William's hand.
They hated getting hit anytime, but today they were determined—no matter what, no splintered oak to the rear.
I wasn't among them, but anyway.
“We have many esteemed guests today. No need for chatter—straight to the training grounds.”
We filed out under Professor William's lead.
Observers in the back murmuring, eyeing and appraising students.
Most smiled fondly at their own kids, but some eyed certain students warily.
I wasn't among them.
Too harsh, right?
“As explained earlier, today's class is mock spars. Pairs called in order, come forward and...”
Arriving at the training grounds, Professor William stood on the firm dirt and began.
The explanation was brief, of course.
Long-winded lectures in the Swordsmanship Department meant instant sword-tip 'lesson' in 'die already.'
Parents smiling warmly at this barbarity? Incomprehensible.
Finishing, Professor William's face hardened as he barked.
“Forward in called order! Gideon Arthur Pembroke, Leonard Percival Blackmere! Up front!”
Hardly an honor—first pair.
And against Gideon, of all people, with his history.
“Gideon Arthur Pembroke, ready.”
Gideon rose, gripping his sword from not far off.
His glance at me held mockery, contempt, and a hint of glee.
Like he was saying, 'Time for payback—I'll cut down a wastrel like you in one stroke.' Arrogant eyes.
In response, I gripped my sword and slowly stood.
“Leonard Percival Blackmere, ready.”
Gazes stabbed from all sides, a couple especially intense.
From Amelia Hill and Edwin.
Those eyes lingered even as Gideon and I faced off on the sparring field.
“No groin strikes, no vital points, no attacking a yielding opponent. Understood?”
“Understood.”
Gideon nodded, now close.
“Understood.”
“Good. Cadets to positions!”
I returned to my spot, hand on hilt.
Gideon fiddled with his sword, eyeing me.
Arrogant smirk in his eyes.
Look at this guy.
'You still haven't learned, huh?'
If he hadn't come to his senses, I'd beat sense into him.
“Mock spar... begin!”
Shing—
At Professor William's shout, I assumed stance and slowly drew.
'No way I'm losing to you, you bastard.'
I'll make you bawl like a little girl.