「 "Michael, listen to me."
Sora grabbed both of his shoulders.
"Now, you are Shuu Orion."
"Huh?"
"Who?"
Michael and Leviathan were stupefied.
"We will leave here tomorrow morning."
"Why?"
"Obviously, because you already heal and can function by yourself."
Michael tilted his head.
"So why didn't we do that five months ago?"
It was a sudden suggestion from Sora; put aside the sudden new name suggested by the said man.
"You have graduated from my learning."
Also, this. Sora has been training him with swords and magic since five months ago. However, their training differed a bit after his shouting outburst three months ago. Sora has been telling him something else and teaching him something even Leviathan never knew about.
About this world, the secret, and all. Michael knew what Sora told him was not covering all the truths about the world, but somehow, Sora looked determined to tell him about this, and he also didn't care if Leviathan heard about this considering their relationship was not the best.
It was a complicated revelation for him. He did ask Sora how he knew all of that, and Sora answered him by saying that he was given this knowledge when he came to this world, which he knew was a lie.
He was not familiar with the fantasy story where someone is reborn or transported into another world, but he has a little bit of knowledge about it. The protagonist of the story would either receive help from an otherworldly creature or a game-like system, or both.
What he also knew was that the protagonist was born to be powerful.
Looking at Sora now and his power when they are training together, he is certain that Sora might be a protagonist in this world. So, what is his role? Also, what is Sora's goal in this world? What is the mission given to him?
He has so many questions.
He also knew that Sora was hiding something from him. It could be because his identity was not known in this world by Sora, and the trust between them was built in the context of the situation they were in.
Nevertheless, he was aware that Sora's saving him was not a coincidence. He, who was thrown into an unfamiliar place in this world, was also no coincidence. It might be how all of this should happen. It might be how the gears of the world could move forward by doing that.
The conclusion he has arrived at so far is that Sora was tasked with saving him. Sora was tasked with healing and training him.
It was the likelihood of the situation because anyone would question his actions until now, except if he is really a kind person. However, that was the least that could happen.
"Okay, what should I do?"
He would follow the flow for now.
"Kiddo, are you seriously trusting him blindly like this?"
"Who knows? He has helped me a lot these past years; listening to his request was the least thing I could do for him."
Leviathan groaned in exasperation.
"You are so kind, Michael. I could have misjudged you a little, considering you are in a younger body. I should've known your mental age was far beyond mine."
'Kind? I doubt it.'
"It seems like you already knew my intention all this time."
Sora gave him a knowing smile. Of course, this guy will catch up so quickly. Sora is a smart fellow; his age was never a determinant of his way of thinking. Getting thrown into another world must be hard for Sora, taking into consideration that he never mentioned his past life. It's not like he wasn't doing the same.
Michael didn't know Sora, and Sora also didn't know Michael.
That's how their relationship is now. They were not too close, but the trust between them was something akin to an instinct. A lie here and there was their silent mechanism to say that the trust was not solid.
"It was obvious. You don't need to tell me the whole story, but I'll do anything for now."
"Great, there is no need for me to beat around the bush then. I need you to go with me to the capital of Dradgim and take the special exam in their academy."
However, this is beyond his insight. 」
That is how he ended up in this academy with a new name and face.
"Please take a seat, Mr. Orion."
"Yes."
He walked closer to the single sofa that was facing the big desk. The principal also stood up to take a seat opposite him.
"It was an honour for us to receive such an outstanding student this year who managed to pass the special exam we conduct every decade."
He smiled politely.
"You flattered me, Principal Wentensaulin. I just grasp what has been presented and am not wasting an opportunity to enter this prestigious academy. It was an honour for me to be studying here with the brilliant professors."
The principal, Mr. Wentensaulin, smiled, his eyes narrowing a bit.
"I'm glad you feel like that towards our academy, young boy. Albeit, may I ask some questions? Please don't feel pressured. Just think of this as a casual interview for us to get to know you better and further assist you."
"Very well, Principal Wentensaulin. I don't mind being asked. I actually like to answer questions."
The mood lightened a bit after the principal let out a laugh.
"We just met today, but I like you already. Ah, I can't pick a favourite student, can I, Sherry?"
"Unfortunately, sir. For the sake of impartiality, you should treat all students as equal."
The woman with glasses, Sherry said in a monotone.
"However, no one would know if it was a secret, right?"
The woman with a bun smiled playfully while glancing at him.
"Ehem, equality is a must when treating others, so I might prevent such an act from being conducted, especially by you, Sir Wentensaulin."
"You are too rigid, Professor Victor."
The man with a mole on his chin glared at the woman next to him before he adjusted his tie.
"Hoho, it looks like I need to be careful whenever we cross paths, Mr. Orion. Professor Victor would give me an earful if he saw my favouritism towards you."
"Sir."
Professor Victor deadpanned, Principal Wentensaulin laughed again, the woman with the bun chuckled slowly, and the other two with glasses just smiled slightly.
"Very well, I shouldn't have taken more of your time to be here. Before I inquire about you, I would like to introduce you to my coworkers here."
Principal Wentensaulin pointed to his right.
"This is my secretary, Miss Sherry."
"It is an honour to meet you, Mr. Orion."
"Likewise."
The principal pointed at the woman with a bun.
"This beautiful lady's name is Professor Mary."
"I would be your homeroom professor for this year. Any inquiries you have in mind, just ask me. I am looking forward to seeing you in class with your other classmates next week."
"The feelings are mutual, Professor Mary. I apologize in advance for any trouble I might cause."
"It's totally fine to cause trouble when you are young. Enjoy your youth when you still can."
He smiled at that advice before the principal turned to the next person, Professor Victor.
"I am the discipline professor. I hope you will not be an addition to my problematic student, Mr. Orion."
"I would not dare, professor. Perhaps I could lend you a hand in the future?"
"Hm, we will look to see if you are capable of handling those kinds of students."
He then turned to the last person in the room.
"This is Mr. Laive, His Majesty the Emperor's secretary. He came here as a representative of the emperor."
His eyes widened a bit.
"Greetings, Mr. Orion. I am here to give insight to the Emperor regarding your necessities here. I need to make sure your personal necessities are complete. There is no strain in being too formal with me."
"Yes, I'll be in your care, Mr. Laive."
"Well, then, the introduction is done. I am sure you wouldn't need an introduction from me, am I right?"
"It is. I already knew you, Mr. Principal."
"Hoho, without wasting much time, I would like to ask you a few questions regarding your age and family. You looked young, Mr. Orion."
He smiled, but his mind was confused. Didn't this kind of information already exist in his profile?
"I am sixteen this year, sir."
"Yes, you are young. However, you would be placed in the senior year; I suppose you were already notified of this. Someone who passed the special exam would be put directly into last year and would be needed to study only a year in this academy."
"Yes, I am well aware of it even before I am partaking in the exam."
"Then, this question might be personal, but may I ask why you did not enter the academy when you were thirteen? Everyone in the Dradgim Empire knew that a child at the age of thirteen with magic must enter the academy. You are from Dradgim, if the information I remembered was correct. Thus, why did you partake in the special exam but not the entrance exam before?"
He took a deep breath and pursed his lips, looking at everyone in the room before his gaze landed on the principal with a forlorn smile.
"I was sick, sir. From what I have been told by my brother, I have been in a vegetative state since I was twelve years old due to an unknown illness. I managed to wake up a year ago after my brother finally found a way to heal me with the money he had accumulated for years. My condition was poor due to being bedridden for years; thus, I am recovering for a year until I manage to become like this. I was fortunate that this year is the year the special exam is being held."
All in the room gave him a sympathetic look.
"My condolences, Mr. Orion. I suppose you are fully healed now?"
"I am, and thank you for the hard work of my brother for taking care of me all this time."
"You have a good brother, Mr. Orion."
He smiled at Professor Mary.
"I have never been grateful to have him in my life."
The principal proceeded to ask him another question, but he managed to twist his answer into a believing one.
'I would go to hell for lying to these old people. This is all Sora's fault.'