Chapter 15: Flick (3)

“Has the exam result not been announced yet?”

“They said it’s still being processed. The entrance ceremony has also been postponed indefinitely. I heard it might be held together with the memorial service.”

“Well, it would be strange if everything went ahead as scheduled. They might skip it this year.”

A slightly late morning.

Carl was having a meal with his brothers.

Originally, the academy entrance ceremony should have taken place, but due to the terrorist attack during the entrance exam, all events had been postponed indefinitely.

“Brother, did you hear? I think quite a lot of people were arrested this time. Even among the instructors, there’s been some shake-up. They put up urgent recruitment notices.”

“That’s only natural. If it wasn’t an inside job, this kind of terrorism wouldn’t have been possible.”

At Darius’s words, Carius nodded.

The entrance exam of the Bayern Academy carried a weight as if it were directly overseen by the Empire.

Thus, many involved parties disappeared without a trace, held accountable for the terror incident.

Even Carl, who was quietly eating, could easily guess what had happened to them.

“There’s nothing to worry about though. Carl’s acceptance is guaranteed.”

“Right. It would be strange if the top scorer in the written exam didn’t pass.”

Both Carius and Darius smiled as they looked at Carl.

“Carl, have you decided on your major?”

“Since first-year courses are general, I plan to try both swordsmanship and magic. I heard that if the grades are good, you can take on a double major from the second year. Is that true?”

“It is. But magic?”

Darius looked puzzled.

Carl had clearly focused on the family’s swordsmanship style, Fiore. When had he learned magic?

“I’m just planning to study it as general education. Since it’s more theory-heavy, it should be easier to score well.”

Carl intended to enjoy his academy life at a relaxed pace.

If needed, he was even thinking of entering graduate school after finishing the university division.

That way, he could ensure more time away from the estate.

‘At least until NOX is fully established in the capital, I should stay close.’

Four years in the university division of the academy.

During that time, once things were firmly in place, he planned to begin his full conquest of the Empire’s underworld.

“Then, the top student this quarter must be Nerian Hopenheim.”

While drinking his tea, Carius looked out the window toward the academy.

“He was already one of the top students, and I heard he achieved quite a lot in the underground labyrinth. Even though the exam was stopped midway, he must have done enough to earn the top spot.”

“Oh, I heard that too. He blocked a Drake’s breath with the Power of Ice, right? Carl, did you see it too?”

“Yes. He created an ice wall and blocked the pouring flames. It was impressive.”

Carl gave a short nod.

His admiration was genuine.

Powers like that, similar to magic, didn’t exist in the Central Plains.

“A power, huh. I’m envious. Doesn’t Leipzig have something like that?”

“As descendants of heroes, our family likely had something similar way back. Darius, you and I probably just lack the talent to awaken it.”

“Well, I have no intention of relying on those trivial things anyway.”

Crack.

Darius rolled up his sleeves and proudly displayed his muscles.

Well-defined muscles writhed beneath his skin.

As he bulked up more and more, Carl became curious about just how far Darius could grow.

“Thanks to that, at least we can take it easy for a while. The start of the semester is always the busiest.”

“Carl, have your injuries fully healed?”

“Yes. They’re all gone.”

Carl showed his arm.

The wounds he had inflicted on himself to blend in among the candidate students had disappeared without a trace.

He had planned to keep them a little longer, but they healed faster than expected.

‘Didn’t expect him to use a top-grade potion on it.’

He had confessed that he didn’t want a scar left on his master’s body—how could Carl blame him for that?

“That’s a relief. Father was really worried. I had a hard time stopping him from coming up himself.”

Carius gave a wry smile.

If Count Leipzig had come up, it could have caused more trouble.

The situation was already chaotic due to the terror attack, and unnecessary stress was the last thing they needed.

“Goodbye.”

After finishing breakfast, Carl stepped out of the restaurant and stretched lightly.

He planned to stroll around the city with his brothers.

They had been clinging to him persistently since before the entrance exam, saying there were places they wanted to show him—and today, it was finally happening.

“Huh? Carl?”

Just then, someone passing by recognized him.

“…Miss Laysis.”

Laysis Alforam.

Dressed in a bright one-piece dress, she stopped in front of Carl—perhaps she was out shopping.

“Hm? Carl, is she someone you know?”

Carius, who had followed Carl out of the restaurant, widened his eyes at the sight of Laysis.

He immediately sensed that she wasn’t an ordinary woman.

“She’s Miss Laysis, who was in the same party as me during the exam.”

“I’m Laysis Alforam. Carl and I are going to be classmates.”

Laysis grabbed the edges of her dress and gave a formal bow.

Even that simple gesture exuded elegance and propriety.

Carius was slightly surprised but returned her smile nonetheless.

“So you’re the princess of the Kingdom of Alforam. I had heard rumors that you’d be taking the Bayern exam this time. I’m Carius Leipzig, Carl’s older brother.”

“I’m Darius.”

Darius, who had also come out with Carius, greeted her tactfully.

Seeing the two of them, Laysis let out a small laugh and spoke.

“Please speak comfortably with me. If you’re Carl’s older brothers, that makes you my seniors.”

“Then I won’t hold back.”

Darius grinned, while Carius nudged his side as if telling him to restrain himself.

Of course, it was to no effect.

“This is perfect timing. We have an appointment at the academy now. Let’s meet again in the evening.”

“That sounds good. I’m quite busy too.”

“…Huh? What do you mean…”

Carl blinked in confusion.

They had planned to wander the city together after this—what appointment?

“Don’t worry. You take care of your business.”

Darius patted Carl’s shoulder and walked away with Carius.

…It seemed like they had made a pointless gesture of consideration.

“……”

Carl scratched his cheek with an awkward expression and turned his head.

They hadn’t even arranged to meet—just ran into each other on the street. And yet now they were left alone.

Clap!

But contrary to his expectations, Laysis clapped her hands and her eyes sparkled.

“That’s great. Then would you like to walk around with me? I was originally supposed to come with Miss Yuria, but she had to return to the Magic Tower for a bit and stood me up.”

“Miss Yuria, you say.”

“Yes, it’s really mean. I even dressed up like this.”

Laysis spun around in place.

Indeed, as she said, she was dressed far more brightly than during the entrance exam.

“…Alright. Then.”

Carl gave a slight nod.

Laysis was included in the list of people he needed to maintain ties with.

Since it would be harder to get close to someone like Yuria or Nerian, he could start with her to establish connections.

“Are you familiar with Polfoardel? I was just focused on preparing for the entrance exam, so walking around like this is a first for me.”

“Then I’ll show you around.”

Carl began walking ahead.

There was nothing difficult about it.

He just had to follow the same route he had taken with Damian before the entrance exam.

“Wow! Look at this. These fruits are from the edge of the continent!”

“These are beautiful gems. There are mana crystals shimmering inside them.”

“This fabric is said to have natural regenerative properties. If you made clothes with it, they’d never wear out.”

Laysis was a princess full of curiosity.

It seemed she didn’t often come to the market streets, as her eyes sparkled and she constantly looked around.

‘Alforam should be a kingdom of considerable size, though.’

Though curious, Carl played along naturally and guided her in the flow of the moment.

After touring the bustling street, they had lunch and then took a short tea break.

Like a true princess, Laysis drank tea with elegance, then looked at Carl as if something came to mind.

“By any chance, did you receive a message from the academy?”

“No. I didn’t receive anything. Were the results announced?”

“Yes. They contacted me because of the entrance ceremony. I think it’s because I placed second.”

“As you know, I lost points in the practical exam…”

Carl shrugged.

Thanks to being top scorer in the written exam, his overall result was safe, but his practical score had been precariously low.

And since he hadn’t done anything remarkable in the field, it was unrealistic to hope for a high rank.

“Is the top scorer Mr. Nerian?”

“Yes. I guess his achievements in the labyrinth were significant. I even heard talk that he might receive the ‘Medal of Dawn.’”

“A medal, huh.”

Carl let out a quiet murmur of admiration.

Although it was among the lowest grades, the fact that it was awarded directly by the Emperor rather than the royal family was what mattered.

The terror at Bayern Academy had harmed the Empire’s reputation, and with Nerian’s background and accomplishments, the imperial family needed a hero to redirect attention.

In the first place, with his backing as a member of the Hopenheim ducal family, this was no different from giving him wings.

‘There was someone similar in the Central Plains.’

The Azure Sky Sword Dragon, Namgung Han.

A rising master of the Namgung Family, who had made a name for himself from a young age.

When Carl had not yet reached the rank of the Unkillable, he had approached him several times to gather information.

Unlike the stoic Nerian, Namgung Han had been full of boldness.

Cheerfulness laced his speech, and everyone who met him couldn’t help but like him.

‘He was a great drinking companion.’

Carl felt regretful now that he could no longer meet him.

“By the way, I’m curious. Aren’t you too, Carl?”

“About what, exactly?”

At Laysis’s sudden question, Carl tilted his head.

“Back in the labyrinth. That man with the mask. Or wait, was it even a man? Anyway, wasn’t he amazing? He must be a Sword Master, right? He wiped out the Drake and all the beasts around it in a single slash.”

“…Ah.”

She was talking about him.

Carl nodded in agreement with a composed expression.

“I heard there are many rumors about that masked figure. Apparently, his identity still hasn’t been revealed.”

“It must be someone separate from the group that caused the terror, right? I talked with Miss Yuria, and we thought he might be someone’s secret bodyguard.”

“That’s a plausible thought.”

It was a reasonable assumption coming from a princess.

Though it wasn’t true.

“…Anyway, he was amazing. A powerhouse working behind the scenes.”

Laysis held her teacup with a dreamy expression as if recalling that moment.

Seeing her like that, Carl just tilted his head slightly and gave a wry smile.

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