Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Juanna de Rosalica Valentia.
The frowning girl was the princess of the Kingdom of Hispania.
Her red hair shimmered like fire in the light, and her blue eyes were strikingly clear. Perhaps because of her cat-like features, she seemed always on edge, radiating a sharp awareness even when still.
…And she was his fiancée.
Clack, clack, clack!
The brisk, impatient sound of her shoes approached and stopped right in front of him.
Her face, full of irritation, was thrust close. Matios instinctively leaned back.
A moment of silence passed, filled only with their breathing.
“You’re really annoying,” Juanna muttered, low and sharp.
“You… like you’re my fiancée. If you’re lacking as a man, then at least try to make a good impression on me.”
Her unexpected insult wasn’t unusual; this was just her usual demeanor. Though her words were harsh, her gaze lingered momentarily on Matios’ shoulder before she sniffed and turned away. She was still conscious of him.
“…Uh, yeah.”
Matios scratched his head.
Juanna and Matios were in an arranged engagement. Being chosen by adults, there was no love between them.
‘It’s not a romantic situation,’ he thought.
In the original story, Juanna was engaged to another duke. That engagement ended due to a contract with a demon, and she gradually became connected with the protagonist.
Matios, not wanting to get caught up in the story, found her presence burdensome. She didn’t seem particularly interested in him either. Being an arranged engagement, that made sense.
“I really don’t understand why Abamama picked someone like you as my fiancé,” she muttered, shaking her head.
“You should feel lucky, you know,” she added, lifting her chin, though her voice betrayed a slight rush.
“It’s because it’s me that they accepted a man like you. Short, weak… What could you have that’s better than me?”
She was arrogant, as she had been since childhood.
“Fair enough,” Matios admitted quietly.
Unlike him, Juanna had proper noble blood. Tracing her lineage, one could find ties to the Emperor himself—a bloodline nearly equal to royalty.
In contrast, he was from a branch that had diverged from the Morretti main family some 500 years ago. Even being adopted into the Morretti line didn’t change his bloodline.
“Hmph. You admit it meekly. From the start, we’re on different levels.”
“Yes.”
“Anyway… why did they make me engaged to someone like you? There are so many better men.”
“Juanna…”
“Yes?”
“If you want, I’ll break the engagement.”
“…Huh?”
The self-assured expression on her face instantly faltered. She had never expected Matios to offer to break their engagement.
“W-wait a second!”
The arrogance on her face turned to astonishment. She flapped her hands and stammered.
“When did I ever say to break it! Huh?”
Her face reddened like a ripe tomato.
“I mean… well, uh… you should thank me,” Matios said calmly.
“Thanks, Juanna.”
Hearing her name, she stiffened slightly.
“Uh… why are you here anyway?” she asked.
“I’m just taking a look around the carriage,” he replied.
“Then why are you carrying that?”
She pointed to the thick jacket pocket of his coat. The handle of a pistol peeked out.
“For self-defense,” he said.
“But… there’s magic… ah.”
Juanna laughed, a little teasing.
“Well, your magic is weak. I get it~”
Snap.
She flicked her fingers, and a flame appeared, echoing the color of her hair.
Matios watched the fire spring up on her fingertips.
In this era, firearms were considered outdated because magic existed.
Magic could easily overwhelm guns. Even a 3rd Circle mage could produce firepower comparable to a cannon.
In contrast, guns could barely fire three shots per minute, laughably weak against mages.
“If that’s everything, I’m leaving.”
“Huh? Leaving already…?”
“Anything more to say?”
“No… not really…”
Juanna turned her gaze away, extinguishing the flame. Matios turned his back and walked a few steps. Juanna whispered quietly, just loud enough for him to hear:
“…Be careful.”
Carriage 6 was crowded.
Students from all over the world huddled together.
Unlike the noble-only front car, there were no partitioned rooms or luxurious spaces. Seats were close, and students of different origins were mixed together.
Two siblings sat by the window, looking unadorned as if freshly arrived from the countryside.
“Wow… Tybin, look. That’s the Alps! Isn’t it beautiful?”
“No way…! Are the mountains really high enough to touch the sky?”
The younger brother leaned close to the window, pressing almost against the glass to take in the grand scenery of the Almans Mountains.
“So… now I get why people say the mountains hold up the sky,” he said in awe.
His sister, Tiana, nodded, her eyes glinting in appreciation, holding tightly to the cross around her neck. Everything felt like a blessing from God.
“…We’re really going to the Academy. I can’t believe it.”
“Me neither. Let’s do our best.”
“Of course.”
Tybin replied cheerfully.
Tiana and Tybin Filrn, the siblings whose names evoked nature, had lived tending sheep in the imperial outskirts.
Their kind parents had given them the chance to see the wider world, sending them on this long journey.
Tybin’s heart raced as if running, full of anticipation for everything ahead.
“Country bumpkins getting all worked up,” a voice sneered, shattering his fantasy.
“…?”
The harsh voice came from the seat in front.
“Shut up. Chattering. Do you think you own this train? Keep your mouths shut.”
Tybin raised his head and saw a group of scowling boys glaring at them.
He couldn’t respond, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. The peaceful life he knew had never exposed him to such blunt malice.
Seeing Tybin frozen, the boys smirked and poked at his chest.
Their attention then shifted to Tiana. Even in her modest attire, her gentle beauty drew their curiosity.
“What’s your name?”
“….”
Tiana remained silent, but unlike Tybin, she did not look fearful. Her gaze was sharp and commanding.
“Hey, I asked your name, cow.”
“…If you’re going to ask, shouldn’t you tell us yours first?”
Tiana’s bold reply made the boys burst into laughter, as if they had been waiting for this.
A boy, dressed more formally, answered confidently.
“I’m Felix Nobringen, eldest son of Nobringen.”
The tone alone screamed, ‘I am nobility.’
“So what?” Tiana replied slowly. What was the point? She didn’t even know what Nobringen was.
“You don’t know Nobringen? I’m a noble!”
“I’m Tiana Filrn, and this is my brother Tybin Filrn. What do you want with us?”
Her tone was businesslike, signaling she did not want further involvement.
Felix leaned closer, curious.
“Come on, Tiana Filrn. First time in the city, right? Sit by me. I’ll tell you about the Academy.”
“No, thank you.”
“I said sit. Not asking. Don’t refuse.”
“I said no.”
“Hah. Can’t understand simple words.”
Felix reached for Tiana’s hair.
Snap.
Tybin grabbed his wrist. It wouldn’t budge. Felix, surprised by the force, tried to pull free. Tybin warned:
“Hands off my sister.”
“Hah.”
Felix roughly shook Tybin’s hand, standing and positioning himself in front of him.
“You think you can just grab me, peasant?”
His followers stood behind him, creating an intimidating wall.
“Filthy pleb. Who do you think you are?”
“…Excuse me.”
A small voice spoke from behind.
“What the—?”
One of Felix’s men turned. A small, delicate boy, almost feminine in appearance, stood there. His hair was a grayish tone with matching eyes.
“Can’t you see I’m busy? Go away.”
“Don’t bother them,” the boy said firmly.
“And who are you?”
Thump!
A large student shoved the boy roughly.
“Huh!”
All the watching students held their breath.
The boy did not react, only raised one eyebrow in disdain and shrugged.
The large boy finally realized the mood had shifted. The tense silence, everyone watching intently, made it clear something was off.
The boy’s clothing was remarkable: fine silk with golden buttons, embroidered with gold thread along the edges.
On his chest was a gray rose emblem.
Gray rose?
“…Huh?”
A cold sweat trickled down. His hands trembled. He could only stammer.
Felix and his men went pale at once, realizing the gravity of the situation.
The subordinate wiped his sweat and nudged Felix.
“Uh, Felix… sir.”
“What now, damn it?”
Felix turned, and instantly recognized the boy.
“…Oh?”
He too went pale.
The atmosphere had frozen completely.