* * *

Graduation Day.

It was finally the day the students returned home, clutching diplomas and flower bouquets after completing the Academy’s three-month course.

“Roooosieeeeeeeeeeee!”

Caliban hoisted Rosie up into the air and roared loudly.

“Let’s go, our top student! Hahaha! Oh dear, you haven’t grown at all! There are ten-year-olds taller than you here—you’ve gotta be the smallest!”

“That’s because I didn’t eat properly when I was little…”

“No, no—Valia was short too! She only just barely hit average height as an adult, but as a child, she was way smaller than her peers. It’s probably genetic!”

“Huh? Then why is Julian oppa tall? Hm?”

“That damn servant bastard she ran off with had a towering frame—must’ve taken after him!”

At the top of his lungs, Caliban was happily broadcasting the Noart Count Family’s disgrace in front of a crowd. Of course, he didn’t care in the slightest and continued saying whatever he pleased.

“Of course, those foxlike, soul-snatching eyes—she got those from her mother.”

“So I inherited only her short height, but not her charming eyes, huh.”

“Even those droopy, idiot-like eyes of yours are adorable! Hahaha!”

“Grandpa! You can’t call your beloved youngest granddaughter an idiot!”

At the same time, the graduation exam results were announced.

Top of the class? Rosie Noart.

But the runner-up was unexpected.

It wasn’t Ray—it was Zahid.

Everyone gaped in shock. The guy who had ranked dead last in the entrance exam ended up second in graduation?

“It was worth hounding and drilling him every day because I couldn’t stand Rosie’s fiancé being bottom-ranked,” Theo said bluntly.

In truth, Rosie and Zahid had scored similarly.

But Zahid had lost many small points from Yuta and had been pushed down to second place.

Likewise, Ray had received a whopping 1000-point deduction from Theo and barely clung to third place.

“…Don’t you think maybe I was smart all along?” Zahid muttered sulkily.

Theo shot back coldly.

“Obviously not. You didn’t do a damn thing right—it was all thanks to me.”

“….”

Zahid shook his head, turned on his heel, and walked away. Fire followed close behind.

“Alright, Rosie.”

Caliban beamed at her.

“Let’s head home to the estate. We’ve prepared plenty of surprises.”

“Eek! Surprises meaning… you’ve spent a shocking amount of money?”

“Uh, w-well, anyway! Where’s your luggage? Let’s grab it! Zahid’s coming with us, too! Wait, where’d the brat go?”

“…He’s already headed toward the Noart carriages. With my luggage.”

Just then, Ray walked over as well.

He looked at Rosie, still cradled in Caliban’s arms, and smiled gently.

“See you soon, Rosie. Thanks to you, Academy life was really fun. You know there’s a royal banquet coming up, right? Let’s meet there.”

“Mm, Ray.”

Rosie blushed, embarrassed to be held by her grandfather at her age. But Ray only looked pleased and added kindly,

“Like I said—if you ever need anything, call me. I’m always on your side.”

What he meant was: if she ever needed the power of the Divine Beast of Water, he’d bring it himself. Just call, and he’d come.

Rosie didn’t think too deeply about the words, but Caliban quickly covered her eyes.

And grumbled under his breath,

“That damned fox is already giving her those soul-stealing eyes—our Rosie must never fall for him!”

Amid all the noisy chaos, Julian alone was fidgeting and pacing anxiously.

“Grandpa! I wanted to hold her! Put Rosie down!”

“You should’ve moved faster. You were slower than me even from the entrance.”

Rosie, looking at him with regretful eyes, added softly,

“That’s why a preemptive strike is important, oppa…”

Julian raked a hand through his hair in frustration.

To think he’d lost to Caliban in speed!

Lately, he’d been getting knocked around by the knights so often that he sometimes spaced out.

‘That’s why I was late, dammit!’

No matter how many hits he took to the head, no more memories returned.

Just one thing remained—vivid flashes of golden light in his vision.

A slow, calm voice echoed alongside it.

“Get up. Drink this, it’ll help. Pull yourself together. You can’t die here.”

He knew instinctively.

That was his final memory before losing everything—when he’d been gravely injured.

“Make it back to the estate no matter what. Survive. Think of the little sister who’s waiting for you.”

Someone had saved him from death. And it wasn’t a voice he’d heard for the first time.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

He was sure he’d heard that voice long ago.

“I’m not in a position to care for that child. So please, take her in.”

The one who had told him about Rosie’s existence.

A slow, graceful male voice… but oddly aggravating.

Julian sighed deeply and closed his eyes.

Meanwhile, Caliban—still carrying Rosie—was waddling over to greet the Duke and Duchess of Lavendal.

The Duke, who had brought the owl Divine Beast Athena, chatted kindly with Rosie as well.

Ray had introduced her warmly, explaining how close they had been at the Academy.

And when Julian opened his eyes, thoughts finally in order—

Nearby, he caught snatches of a quiet conversation.

“Theo, once you’re done with the last of the graduation paperwork, why don’t you head back to the estate for a while?”

“Senior Yuta? I’m fine. I’ve still got a lot of other duties to take care of…”

“Push them onto me. Just go.”

“What? I couldn’t possibly burden you like that—”

“It’s fine. I’m quitting soon anyway. I can slack off now and someone else will take the heat. Like, say, Theo Noart, who’ll spend the rest of his life buried in the Academy.”

“…That’s just dumping it all on my future self!”

“Of course. You can’t dump your problems on other people.”

“You’re the one who just asked me to dump it on you!”

“Wow, look at this junior glaring and scolding his senior. Kids these days… terrifying.”

Julian thought for a moment that he was still haunted by afterimages.

Gold.

That dazzling golden glow.

A man radiating a painfully familiar aura stood speaking to Theo, then turned with a faint smile.

The man with the slow, beautiful voice disappeared into the crowd.

“…Wait.”

Julian grabbed Theo’s arm. Theo grimaced and shook him off.

“What?”

“That idiot-looking guy with the droopy eyes—who is that? The guy who talks like he’s twisting your guts.”

“You mean TA Yuta?”

Julian’s eyes went wide.

“He’s a TA?”

“That’s right. Though he’s about to resign. And don’t try to act friendly with me. You and I were never close.”

“…Where can I find that guy?”

“TA office. Research room. Or the theology library. Probably one of those three.”

Julian gave a big nod. Then he told Theo,

“Hey, pass on a message—tell them to go ahead without me.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll catch up on horseback. Just say [N O V E L I G H T] that. I’m counting on you—I’ve got something important to take care of.”

Rosie and Caliban were already far away. Julian left Theo with that half-hearted explanation and plunged into the crowd.

From behind, Theo shouted in frustration.

“Hey! Count on you for what? We’re not even that close! Did he forget that too when he lost his memory?!”

Julian, unfazed, answered with a cheerful grin.

“Your tone changed only for me—that means we were super close. Anyway, I’m counting on you!”

“You moron! Don’t you know what friendly means?! Huh?!”

Theo stomped after him, trying to grab his sleeve, but Julian had already vanished like the wind.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep