A Day at the Imperial Noble Academy
< A Day at the Imperial Noble Academy. >
After wrapping up our long stay in Karl territory, we returned to the imperial capital. Everything had gone off without a hitch, and my true identity remained completely hidden. It was a huge relief, but at the same time, a bit disappointing. I'd expected at least a little suspicion, but they treated me like a total stranger. For some reason, it made my blood boil.
"Were they that happy about my death?"
Shura reacted to my self-directed mutter.
"Pardon? Did something happen?"
"No, come on. They thought I was their grand prince, their son—how could they not recognize me right in front of them?"
I vented my disappointment strongly, and Shura rolled her eyes. She seemed to grasp the point of my gripe.
"Maybe your disguise was just too perfect?"
"Even with the mask and the cheap wig, that's no excuse. This is too much! They should've at least suspected something. People can't just act like this."
"It was probably too unbelievable. No one expects a dead man to come back."
"No way. They were definitely thrilled I'm gone. So thrilled they subconsciously erased me from their memories. Man, people suck."
Shura subtly averted her gaze.
"I'm sure that's not it."
I shot to my feet. The more I thought about it, the madder I got.
"And what's with just slapping together a single grave and calling it a day? From what I saw, only Viscount Meyer ever visits. If that's how it is, yeah, I'm pretty pissed."
Shura made an awkward face.
"I haven't visited my mother's grave in ages either, you know."
"That's no good! No matter the circumstances, people shouldn't do that. Next time, let's head to Kalligo Kingdom. You need to pay respects to your mom."
"Ah, sure..."
I glared out the window.
"Speaking of which, where the hell did Sister Armida disappear to this time? Haven't seen her all day."
"Probably shopping. The Yosrahim Empire capital is the world's fashion hub, after all."
"Shopping again? In this day and age? Her runaway sister's buddy is gonna end the world, and she treats herself. Valkyries like her are why the apocalypse is coming. Ugh!"
"Pardon?"
I let out a deep sigh. Who would understand my heart? My noble spirit worrying about the age of doom and striving, however feebly, to help humanity. No one gets it.
Sure, I just sketch the big picture and dump the tedious work on others, but still.
Honestly, no one else steps up for humanity like I do. They're all caught up in some misguided cause, actively helping bring about humanity's end. Whenever I see those types, I wanna scream. They seem desperate to destroy the world.
"Never mind. I'm gonna step out for some air."
"Yes, that might be best. Take care."
I headed out with Shura seeing me off.
The capital's streets were as familiar as ever. Every step took me past familiar shops and taverns.
The capital was just as much my spiritual home as Karl territory. I'd lived in the Imperial Noble Academy dorms from age seven until adulthood.
I went home for breaks, but even counting those days, it didn't beat the time spent here.
Actually, I have more memories from the capital. Anything before seven is fuzzy, and after graduation, it was all work back home.
Yeah.
My true home was definitely the capital. Karl territory was just my birthplace, tied by blood and nothing else. Right.
That's why my hometown folks didn't recognize me. My real home is here.
'Huh?'
Before I knew it, I'd arrived at the gates of the Imperial Noble Academy. My subconscious must've guided me here.
I watched the uniformed girls passing through the gates with a fond smile. But I'm no lolicon. I was just overcome with nostalgia, that's all.
Plus, biologically, we're not that far apart. Just three or four years difference.
"Who goes there!"
An old knight guarding the gate barked at me. I must've looked suspicious. Not because of any dirty thoughts, though.
It was purely my outfit. Anyone would find it shady.
I stared him down intently. I couldn't recall his name, but what a nostalgic face. Back in school, I'd often clash with him jumping the fence.
"Me? Oh."
"Yes, you."
"Kaoyan Anukin. Folks call me the White Mask."
"W-Wait, that White Mask who's been making waves in the capital lately?"
The old knight gawked at my white mask. My fame had spread enough for even him to know.
"Yeah."
"And what business do you have at our school?"
"Just sightseeing. I've got a real interest in education systems. Straight-A student back in the day."
"I see. Do you have an appointment?"
I shook my head vigorously.
"Nope."
"Know anyone here?"
"Hmm. Don't really know anyone in the empire. Oh, wait—I do have one friend. Hubeo from the Pereiro family."
The old knight's face lit up at my hasty excuse.
"You know Professor Hubeo? He's on our faculty."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Hubeo's a professor here?"
"Yes, in the magic department. Shall I send someone to check?"
I nodded calmly. Come to think of it, I did need to meet Hubeo soon. I'd planned to detour to Pereiro territory on the way to Kara, but this worked better.
"Yeah, please."
"Wait just a moment."
The knight sent a soldier to contact the school. Soon, the soldier returned panting and reported.
"He's out on brief errands."
"Oh dear."
The knight looked regretful, so I beckoned the soldier over.
"Hold up."
"Yes?"
I suddenly grabbed the soldier's collar and glared with murderous intent.
"Really? He's not?"
"Yes, really."
"If I find him, today'll be your funeral."
The soldier averted his eyes slightly.
"He said he's out."
"Right? He is?"
"Yes."
I released him. As expected, my friend was considerate. Worried about my identity leaking, he was avoiding me.
Makes sense. Us meeting would draw suspicious looks. We were inseparable best friends in school.
I turned to the knight.
"Mind if I go see Professor Hubeo before I leave?"
"Of course. I'll notify the school."
With his permission and a visitor's pass, I entered the academy grounds. A long garden path stretched ahead. Vibrant flowers swayed in the breeze as if welcoming back an alum, and a sudden gust flipped the girls' skirts in the most delightful way.
Memories flooded back. But time's cruelty hit hard too.
Back in school, I'd flip skirts without needing the wind. Now? No way. Guess I've grown up.
I headed right from the central plaza toward the magic department. A vine-covered path appeared, its arched canopy providing cool shade, with grasshoppers chirping in the underbrush.
I passed a fountain square and reached Hubeo's office.
"Professor Hubeo isn't in right now."
"In class maybe?"
"No, he's out briefly."
The young female secretary's words made me turn away. Not because she's cute—I knew Hubeo would've bolted the second he heard I was here.
Hubeo had a habit of dodging me like a shy maiden.
I searched the area outside but no luck after wandering. He wasn't in the magic department.
'Where the hell is this guy?'
Spotting an inter-department shuttle cart, I asked the driver and hopped on.
"Who's that?"
"Weird, right?"
It was cramped and awkward. The girls already aboard eyed me suspiciously.
The cart soon headed toward the strategy & tactics and humanities departments. Their students took general courses up top near the center.
Bored, I chatted up the girl next to me.
"Hey, what year are you?"
She stood abruptly and squeezed between friends opposite. Guess she wanted to avoid facing me directly. My popularity post-graduation showed no signs of fading.
A large artificial lake appeared through the window—my old truant spot. Surrounded by thick woods, some areas saw little foot traffic.
'Maybe there?'
At a certain point, I leaped off the moving cart with a stylish tumble. I waved goodbye to the departing girls and headed to our old secret base.
Circling the lake, I stopped at a dense thicket. Covered in leaves and branches, it hid our secret spot known only to Hubeo and me.
I pushed through.
Soon, I found a small clearing with a weathered bench—and a young man in professor's robes face-planted beside it, overlooking the broad lake.
Face hidden, but definitely Hubeo. He'd pull this stunt when feeling guilty toward me.
I sat on the bench and called my old friend's name.
"Hubeo?"
"Yeah."
His quick reply made me smile fondly. True best friend—even if the world forgot me, he recognized me.
"What are we, kids?"
Hubeo sat up slowly.
"Oh, right."
"Anyway, long time no see."
"Yeah."
"You good?"
"Yeah."
"How long you been like that?"
"Since I heard you were here."
"Good show, anyway."
A small groan escaped Hubeo.
"Ah... figures."
"Why bother? Why turn a living guy into the ultimate villain and kill him off?"
Hubeo struck a humbly pose. The Pereiro family motto was humility.
"It wasn't something I wanted."
"Then what?"
"Someone asked about you, so I answered honestly, and some playwright twisted it. Probably overdid the drama. You know how that crowd is."
"Still, you should've corrected it once you saw."
"Ah, I was in secluded training then. Missed it. Fixed it now by chewing out the playwright."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Before you knew I was alive, right?"
"Obviously."
Hard to buy it. Hubeo lied for "good intentions" often and was quick-witted. Like now—couldn't surrender publicly for prof dignity, so he came here alone.
But best friend reunion. I could play dumb.
"Sit."
He sat cautiously beside me.
"So, Yan, how are you even alive?"
"What, disappointed like my hometown folks?"
"No, just can't believe it. You were chased by a Valkyrie. First survival in history, probably."
"Twice, actually."
"First time too? Who?"
"Me."
Hubeo rolled his eyes.
"Second?"
"Me again. First was Katrinah, second the Valkyrie Queen Nemisona. You know the Ouroboros incident? That was two."
Hubeo swallowed hard.
"Yan, you're gonna outlive us all."
"Yeah. Till the world's end."
"Makes sense..."
Hubeo tensed in fear. I eyed him up and down.
"You've grown a lot in a year, Hubeo."
"What? No height at our age. Same as before."
"No, mana. Around 5-cycle now?"
"Oh, that. Lucky break. Tripped into it like a cow stepping on a rat."
Modest words, but talent played a big role. Hubeo was a natural magic prodigy.
I rested my chin on my hand. A 5-cycle mage equated to top-tier Mana Knight. Reaching 6-cycle would be rough.
Yet Hubeo never made it, dying at Polkin Gate. The gap between 5 and 6-cycle was like top Mana Knight to Master—huge without a special trigger.
"Time to carve your own path, then."
"Yeah."
"Decided?"
"Humility. Family motto."
That mindset kept him from 6-cycle too. Humble only around me—not his true path.
"Doesn't seem right, though..."
"Why?"
Hubeo focused intently. As a mid-Master swordsman, I knew breaking that wall—even if magic formulas baffled me.
The barrier was the same for knights and mages.
"Your path should be what you crave most. That's easiest to break through. Picking something flashy to impress others? Looks good, but you'll wander lost. Won't resonate."
"Yeah?"
"Yep."
Hubeo pondered.
"What I want most..."
"Anything come to mind?"
"Revenge?"
"Revenge?"
It slipped out without hesitation—likely genuine. I grabbed his collar.
"On who?"
"W-Well..."
"Who? Huh?"
Under my killing glare, he looked away.
"There's this guy, Sam."
"Sam?"
"Our great-grandpa's rival. Insults him at every Magic Tower summit. Infuriating."
I'd heard of Sam—a 9-cycle mage, probably.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Total jerk."
"Fine, I'll buy it for now."
"Not 'for now'—it's true! Really Sam."
A rustle came from the thicket ahead. I snapped to attention, staring. A uniformed girl emerged.
She scanned around, spotted us, and yelled.
"Who are you guys! Why are you in my secret rest spot no one knows about?!"
< A Day at the Imperial Noble Academy. > End