It was around 8 p.m when the test was finished. Some people were trying to recruited me into their party, but I declined. It seemed like they were impressed seeing how I destroyed the arrows instead of avoiding them.
Archer might be a troublesome opponent for those who use melee weapons. However as long as their arrows doesn't hit you then can win against them easily.
Of course, a truly skilled archer would shoot their arrows while moving and could use tracking magic to make their arrows like missiles. If they also know how to fight a close quarter combat, it's even more frightening.
I shook my head as I recalled a certain archer who fought that way.
Most of the students in this academy had potentials. A pity they lacks the experiences and creativity to utilize their power. They were too focused on pursuing power instead of learning how to control mana properly.
"Welcome back, Rain-sama"
Mari greeted me as soon as I opened the door.
"I'm back, Mari"
I greeted Mari back and threw myself onto the sofa as soon as I get back.
"Would you like to take a bath or have dinner first?"
"Dinner"
"Understood. A letter from Ash-sama arrived today. Would you like to read it now?"
"Yeah"
Mari handed me the letter and went to the kitchen counter to prepare dinner.
I opened the letter from that bastaー my dearest big brother.
My ̶f̶o̶o̶l̶i̶s̶h̶ dearest little brother, Rain.
How was your life in the academy? Was it fun or was it boring? If you feel like quitting already please do so. You're still young, so you probably want to be surrounded by girls around your age. But let me tell you, it's a trap! There is nothing good about those pesky girls!
I have prepared all the necessary documents to let you join the royal knight as a squire. There is only slot left, you better take this once in a lifetime chance! Your reliable big brother will definitely helps you get stronger faster than the academy. We gentlements should be knights and try our best to help the people!
P.S. I only have time to write one letter so please send my greeting to ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶b̶i̶t̶c̶h̶ my dearest sister, Irina.
I was dumbfounded.
What the hell is this bastard saying? Asking me to leave the academy to join the royal knight? What for? Getting beaten everyday? I'm not a masochist dammit! Also, what do you mean by gentlements!? Can a bunch of men who only knows how to swing their swords everyday be called such!?
Moreover, trying your best to help the people? Dude, in the future you're going to cut their heads just like cutting weeds! And why should I send your greeting to Irina? If you have the time to send this crap letter to me then you should write one for her as well! Furthermore, even though you crossed the words, I could still read it clearly!
I gritted my teeth in annoyance and threw his letter away.
I took out some stationery items and started writing my reply.
My ̶b̶a̶s̶t̶a̶r̶d̶ dearest big brother, Ash.
The academy was fun. Especially because I made a friend. She was a cute girl and I get along well with her. Spending time with her is more fun than spending time playing swords with a bunch of men. I will introduces her to you if there a chance.
I'm not interested in becoming a royal knight, so please give that special slot to someone else instead. Thank you for your damn concern.
P.S. I really want to have a sister-in-law, so ̶b̶a̶s̶t̶a̶r̶d̶ big brother won't you hurry up and get married?
"I'm done"
I finished writing my reply and asked Mari to send it back.
Judging from that bastard personality, he probably won't care about marriage unless it was necessary. Back in the game, nothing much was known about his personal life before the rebellion except that he was a single dog.
However, he cared about the mini boss that appeared on his final phase. After defeating him, a cutscene would be played. Ash was hugging her cold body on his dying breath.
"Sorry. If there is a next life, I wished to be born as butterflies together with you"
Those were his last words.
In the next moment, he used his remaining magic to cast a spell and burned their body.
He let out a maniacal laughter with madness on his face as their body turned into ashes.
At the end of the cutscene, a pair of butterflies was seen fluttering their wings as they flies to the sky.
The mini boss was wearing a mask, so I don't know her face. If I could find her, then I might be able to change Ash future.
"Mari, do you know if big brother has someone he likes?"
Mari stopped for a moment.
"I don't know"
"Really? Then do you know if he has a close female friend?"
"I don't know"
"Really? I thought he was quite popular with girls. He is quite handsome after all"
"I don't know"
"Then, do you know if he is still a virgーI mean, have slept with a woman?"
"I don't know"
Mari kept saying the same answers with a flat tone, however this time the air around her seemed to be different.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? You should take a rest if you feel unwell. I will cook dinner instead"
"No, I'm fine"
"Well, if you say so"
I shook my head. Maybe she is in her period or something? Forget it.
"Rain-sama, why are you suddenly asking about Ash-sama?"
"Hmm... Well, I think it's about time he gets married. I'm thinking of helping him find a partner since he seems like avoiding marriage. It's not good for the eldest son who will succeed the house to keep avoiding having partner. As his brother, it is my duty to help him find happiness. Luckily, the academy has a lot of female students from the nobility. I should be able to find a few candidates for him"
"I see"
Thump.
The sound of knife hitting the copping board was heard.
"Mari, are you alright?"
"Yes. I accidentally use too much force. I apologize for startling you, Rain-sama"
I looked at her figure with doubtful eyes.
Soon, dinner was served. A steak, egg, soup and salad. Everything looked normal until I tasted it.
The steak was overcooked and hard, the egg was too salty and burned, the soup tasted just like salt water. The only thing that tasted normal was only the salad.
"Mari, are you really alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I should be the one who asked you this, Rain-sama. Why are you not eating the food? Is your stomach feel sick?"
She said in a flat tone. I don't know why but her eyes was a bit scary.
"N-No, the taste is a bit..."
"Rain-sama, are you saying you don't like the foods? Even though I made it with love while thinking about Rain-sama well being"
Mari said with a sad voice. However, her expression was deadly cold. I shivered when I looked at her eyes.
"N-No, I-I like it! There is no way I would hate the foods that you make!"
I ate everything as fast as I could and finished it soon. My tongue became numb due the taste. I barely chewed and just gulped everything.
"Was it delicious?"
"Y-Yes"
"Really? Then, please drink this tea. I made it special today!"
Mari said with a smile. However, her usual kind smile looked terrifying to me.
"A-Alright"
The tea tasted so salty. It's like she mistakenly put salt instead of sugar. I forcibly drank the tea while she kept looking at me.
Really, what's wrong with her today!? Did I do something that makes her hates me or something!?
∆ ∆ ∆
Being born as the only daughter of a longstanding duke house, Claudia Einsworth was expected to fulfill her role since the moment she was born.
She was born with 4 elements affinity of wind, water, earth and fire. So since she was a child, she was educated to be a perfect lady.
The people around her was strict with her educations. Be it manners, etiquettes, dancing, knowledges and magic, she was expected to do it perfectly.
No, she must do it perfectly because the people around her won't accept something less than perfect.
She was engaged with Leonhardt Elsword, the son of the hero Reinhardt Elsword at the age of 8.
Being expected as the future wife of the future hero, she took it as her role and double her efforts to fulfill the expectations that was put on her.
At the age of 13 she mastered her control over wind element and mastered the spear at the age of 15.
Such amazing girl was currently standing beside the lake all alone.
Fireflies were flying around the lake and the clear surface of the lake was reflecting the moon.
Claudia was looking at the lake with longing gaze.
"How nice"
She muttered.
She just came back from the nobles gathering. Usually, she would be accompanied by her personal maid, Rosetta. However, she left her to deal with the clubroom.
Claudia would visits this place whenever she feel tired. This was the only place that give her a sense of peace.
Tap, tap.
The sound of footsteps was heard and disturbed her peace. Claudia looked back to see the source of the footsteps.
A boy with deep red hair that looked like blood and a pair of black eyes. His face was handsome, however he has a dull look on his face making him looked messy.
Claudia eyes flickered when she saw his figure.
"Good evening Claudia-sama"
The boy greeted Claudia.
"You are...."
Claudia looked at him with surprised eyes.
"Ah, please forgive my rudeness. My name is Rain Scarlet, pleased to meet you. Thank you for always taking care of my sister"
Rain Scarlet bowed his head as he introduced himself.
"So, you don't remember me...."
Claudia muttered in a low voice that only she could hear.
"Yes?"
Rain looked at her with curious eyes.
"No, it's nothing. Pleased to meet you, Rain"
Claudia shook her head.
"Claudia-sama, why are you here all alone?"
"I just wanted to rest for a bit. What about you?"
"I was going to fish to clear my mind. May I accompany you? Although the academy is a safe please, it's a bad manner to leave a lady alone at night"
"Okay"
Claudia nodded.
The two of them were standing side-by-side as they gazed at the lake.
"It's beautiful"
Rain muttered.
"Yes, it is"
Claudia nodded.
"I envy fireflies"
Claudia suddenly said.
"Why?"
"Their lights might be dim, but beautiful"
Claudia said softly.
"I see. However, their lights only last for a while"
"It was more precious because they only last for a while"
Claudia had a lonely expressions on her face when she said so.
"Then a falling star is more beautiful, because it only last for a moment"
Rain said as he looked at the sky.
"However, I think the moon is much more beautiful. It shines in the night, helping those who is afraid of darkness. If I had to say, Claudia-sama is like the moon"
Rain smiled as he looked at her. Claudia opened her eyes wide in surprised and then let out a faint smile.
"Is something wrong?'
"No. Someone used to say the same thing to me a long time ago"
Claudia gazed at the moon nostalgically as she recalled a figure of a young boy.
"People said that I'm like the sun who shines brightly. However, the truth is I'm not"
She had a lost expression on her face.
"I was an obedient child since long ago. It's not that I don't have something that I want to do or that I don't have any interest in anything"
"Rather, it's the reverse. There is always something inside my chest that can't be conveyed no matter what, even if I wanted to. The moment when I wanted to said something, it's just became something else. In many case, I chose to keep silent and didn't say anything"
"I'm just a branch being swept by the current. Unable to escape or hide"
Claudia said bitterly.
"No. You're a human. Be it a sun, a moon or a branch. All of it were just metaphor. Human are being with emotions and desires. If you feel sad then cry, if you feel angry then scream, if you want something then get it"
Rain shook his head.
"Words doesn't always convey imporant things properly, but action can always convey the most important things"
Claudia was silent as she heard Rain's word.
"Claudia-sama, human are selfish. Especially nobles. So, if there is something you want to do, but cannot do because something was restricting you, please tell me. I will help you achieve it"
"Thank you. I will remember your words. I think it's about time for me to go back"
"I shall escort you, My Lady"
Rain bowed his head.
"Thank you"
Rain escorted Claudia back.
It was around 10 p.m when they reached the girl's dorminatories.
"Huh? Claudia and Rain? Why are you two together?"
Irina was shocked when she saw both of them together.
"Oh hey, sis. I was about to fish when I met Claudia-sama so we talked for a bit. Oh right, big brother sent me a letter and asked me to give his greeting to you"
"Why didn't he send me a letter too?"
"He said he only had time to write one"
Rain shrugged his shoulders.
"Thank you for accompanying me, Rain. Also it might be late, but welcome to the tea ceremony club"
Claudia said.
"Yeah. If Claudia-sama need something, feel free to tell me"
"Then... can you... no, never mind"
Claudia had something to say but was discouraged.
"What's wrong?"
"No, it's nothing"
Claudia shook his head.
"I see. Well then see you later, sis. Good night, Claudia-sama"
Rain left after saying his goodbye.
"Did he remember you?"
Irina asked her curiously.
"No, he didn't remember me"
"Then, will you tell him?"
"No. I can't tell him even if I want to"
Claudia shook her head.
"You're right. Otherwise, there is no need for us to hide it for so long"
Irina said with a bitter smile.
"It might be better to forget about the past. We can't go back to that days anyway"
Claudia looked at Rain's figure who slowly disappeared in the distance with a sad look.