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Elena’s magic-induced deep sleep came to an abrupt end. It wasn’t long after I’d entered the room that Hailey came in.

“W-What in the world is going on here!!!”

Seeing me and Elena together, Hailey turned beet red and scolded us just before the upcoming entrance ceremony. If she were still a maid, it would have been understandable to scold us for such behavior, but Hailey was no longer a maid; she was our friend. Friends can enter each other’s rooms to wake them up, right? I looked at Hailey, who was babbling nonsense while hitting my back, with a dazed expression.

There surely was still time, but I must not have fully woken up. At first, I didn’t understand why Hailey was so angry, but recalling how we must have looked to her when she opened the door, I began to make sense of it.

Two people, covered by a blanket, lying on the bed… It was an easily misinterpretable scene.

But unlike Hailey’s imaginings, we had just been sleeping, so no matter what she said while blushing, we simply laughed it off.

As we left the room, the thought of not being late for the entrance ceremony prompted us to quickly prepare a simple breakfast before heading out. We had some time, but everyone seemed eager to leave.

If Adelia had been there, she wouldn’t have allowed such a hasty breakfast, but she went back to the north the previous day, leaving just a few servants and the three of us in the mansion. This was also the reason I entered Elena’s room for breakfast, unlike usual.

Our outfits synchronized perfectly as we exited the mansion.

Since Estellia Academy encouraged the wearing of uniforms, we had already prepared our uniforms in accordance with the rules. Seeing others wear them in the streets didn’t ignite much of a reaction, but wearing it myself made the reality of going to school hit me somewhat.

Among us, Hailey seemed the most excited. She fiddled with the empty scabbard at her waist, her expression wavering between laughter and tears. Given that she almost entered the ordinary department by mistake, it made sense for her to be this happy.

Elena, watching from the side, asked her, “Is it really that great?”

“Of course! Elena, as a Department of Knights student, you’ll receive a sword upon admission and be granted the title of knight. Even if it’s not entirely… it’s still like half of a dream coming true! Especially because the sword given to students is blessed directly by the imperial family. Ahhhh… I can’t wait.”

Hailey replied excitedly before suddenly hugging Elena tightly.

“Thank you.”

It was thanks to Elena that Hailey could enter the Department of Knights instead of the ordinary department. Elena accepted her friend’s gratitude with a smile. Their embrace made me wonder if they looked this way when Hailey saw me and Elena together.

I said nothing as I observed the two, already well accustomed to this kind of scene after seeing it multiple times since yesterday. After talking with Elena, it seemed this was such a common sight that I’d grown used to it now.

I thought Hailey couldn’t just brush off the sight of me and Elena this morning because she wasn’t used to it. I wondered if my previous displays of affection had been insufficient. Perhaps the time had come to express my feelings for Elena more.

Hailey would be close to Elena in the future, so she should get used to this quickly.

As she trained to become a knight after graduating from the academy, she would naturally become Elena’s bodyguard, which essentially meant she would become a vassal of the Kraus family. After all, Elena was a member of Kraus.

‘Maybe I should give her a sword later.’

Though blessed, Hailey was excited just to receive a standard-issue sword. What kind of reaction would she have if I handed her a sword forged by a dwarf? Watching her, I found myself suddenly curious.

A weapon made by a dwarf. It was the kind of weapon often talked about in bardic tales, yet surely a family that carries dragonbone weapons wouldn’t lack something like that. It would indeed be a considerable benefit to bestow such a thing upon a family vassal.

Of course, what happens after graduation is ultimately up to Hailey, but judging by her usual words, it seemed likely she would end up this way. Otherwise, she might join the Kraus family in some other way. Either way, there was a strong possibility she’d become a member of our family. I decided to take my time and watch this unfold.

The two, still in each other’s embrace, suddenly turned to look at me. Actually, it was Hailey who looked at me first, and then Elena followed suit. I could see the same emotion in Hailey’s eyes as when she spoke to Elena. She hadn’t forgotten that the potion was prepared by me.

“Thank you too, Damian.”

Rarely did Hailey speak to me without formalities. Perhaps because we were soon to be at the same school. Well, the reason didn’t matter much. I also responded as a friend, dropping the formalities.

“Sure. Thanks for saying thanks.”

With that, Hailey smiled, and so did Elena. Finally, I couldn’t help but smile as well, and we hopped onto the carriage heading toward the academy.

*

As the carriage entered the imperial palace, we had to go through a security check similar to when I first arrived in Ruden. The family crest that indicated who we were was engraved on the outside, but since it was the imperial palace, that was to be expected.

After passing through a rather low round castle wall that seemed to indicate the boundary of the area, a new city appeared. This was the area commonly referred to as the academic district, where we would do most of our school activities.

At the end of the long street that divided the district stood a building that resembled a palace. It indeed was a palace. The Estellia Academy is said to be founded in the shape of the founder’s chamber, meaning that place was where the previous emperor resided. Maybe that’s why it was built very close to the main palace.

We disembarked at the academy’s main entrance.

It wasn’t just us who got off the carriage, but many eyes were drawn here, either captivated by Elena’s beauty or recognizing the emblem of the Duke House of Edelweiss engraved on our carriage.

Regardless of the reason, it wasn’t our concern, so we lightly ignored the gazes and walked into the building. However, I still felt slightly uneasy under the gaze of the men, so I stuck close to Elena.

As I walked beside her, Elena naturally linked her arm with mine.

“Wow, they’re still staring even here. Seriously, men.”

“Is it okay for you to say that, Damian? You’re a guy too.”

“I’m allowed.”

I don’t throw suggestive glances at someone who’s taken. I know well that during their prime, guys can be like that, but I can’t understand how they can’t control their gaze like this if they plan on living socially moving forward.

Under the clear, undisguised gazes of the male students, the Damian hiding in my heart stirred. Though it was nowhere near as over the top as before, I found that the looks they were giving me were annoying. But of course, I felt the same, so I allowed the madness to surface once again after some time.

I gathered a dangerous glint in my eyes, a mixture of madness and reason.

To be honest, even if it was called a dangerous glint, it was slightly awkward. It was more of a slight intimidation, like how one instinctively shrinks when faced with a fierce beast. I had simply turned my gaze toward those who were looking at Elena so obviously.

Those whose gazes met mine seemed to realize I was there for the first time and quickly diverted their eyes. Some people really only understand with actions.

I was no madman dispersing danger across the middle of the academy walkway, yet many were still watching us. The atmosphere lightened considerably since I had chased away the annoying glares this way.

When we arrived at the large auditorium where the entrance ceremony would take place, the seats were divided by department. Unfortunately, I had to part ways with Elena here.

“Damian, see you after.”

“Let’s meet at the fountain we saw on the way after the ceremony, Hailey, you too.”

With that, we made our promise and split to our respective seats.

Hailey, in the Department of Knights like me, decided to keep a bit of distance until the ceremony was over. When I asked her why, she said that if we stayed too close to each other, unnecessary rumors might start right from the first day of the entrance ceremony. Thinking about it, she had a point, so I decided to follow her advice.

“Now where should I sit?”

Now alone, I had to decide where to sit in this spacious auditorium. Even with the seating divided by department, there wasn’t necessarily a designated spot, so I could sit where I wanted.

“Hmm?”

As I pondered where to sit, I suddenly felt a jolt like I’d been static shocked. In reality, it wasn’t static; it was a surge of magic that resembled a lightning sensation. I scanned to see where this magic was emanating from and found it was coming from a boy who had already taken his seat.

I’d never seen this boy before, but for some reason, his blue eyes were staring directly at me.

I approached and sat down right next to him.

As I sat beside him, he finally turned his head forward. I had thought about choosing a seat here and that must have been the right choice. Just as I had read in novels, this guy named Reinhardt was clearly lacking in social skills.

 

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