"Master Zeros, a letter has arrived for you from Miss Lena."
"Oh, thank you."
The next morning after conquering the [Thorn Needle Lair], a servant delivered a letter to me. The sender was my older sister by two years, Lena, who attended the academy in the capital.
(What could she want at this timing?)
Wondering, I opened the letter. It was filled with her handwritten words.
'Dear Zeros,
I heard that you completed the Crest Bestowal Ceremony. I'm sorry I couldn't attend due to an academy quest. I considered sneaking out, but my party members stopped me, and it turned into an all-night battle. There was just one of me and five of them, all trying to come between us siblings. Isn't that terrible?
I managed to win the battle, but I didn't want to show you my rough skin, so I had to give up. I'm very sad.'
"Long, scary. And she won?"
I muttered as I read. My sister's affection was as intense as ever. Remembering her excessive physical affection when we lived together, I continued reading.
'Back to the topic of the Crest Bestowal. I heard you received the [Crest of Null]. Generally, it's said to be a crest that can't learn any skills and is considered useless. Apparently, the world is full of fools.
My beloved brother's crest being useless? That's impossible. Surely the [Crest of Null] holds a special power unknown to the world. I'm eagerly awaiting the day I see you wielding it. I might even come to you immediately.
Yes, I think I'll have a talk with the academy headmaster. Wait for me. I'll come even if I have to defeat him.
Your loving sister, Lena.'
"....."
The letter ended there. The last line was a bit scary, but even Lena wouldn't be able to defeat the academy headmaster, so I decided not to worry about it.
Still, it was impressive how quickly she learned about the crest ceremony. She must have asked a servant to inform her of the results.
"But it's only been three days. Normally, there wouldn't be enough time for a letter to go back and forth…"
There is a magical express service in this world, capable of delivering a letter from the Sylphide territory to the capital in about a day. Using that would explain the speed. However, the magical express is quite expensive. She must have really wanted to convey this message quickly.
"…this message?"
I decided to forget my immediate thoughts.
As evident from the letter, my sister Lena has always been excessively affectionate towards me, which is often pointed out as her only flaw.
By the way, Lena's crest is the same as my former one, the [Crest of the Sword], and her skills are exceptional even in the academy. Coupled with her beautiful appearance, she's popular among her peers regardless of gender, yet she's never had a romantic rumor.
Strange.
"…"
For some reason, a shiver ran down my spine, but I brushed it off.
I then remembered being summoned by the Adventurer's Guild.
"Since I'm going there, I might as well register as an adventurer."
There are dungeons that require adventurer registration to enter. While it's not urgent, it wouldn't hurt to get it done early.
I gathered my gear and left my room, heading for the mansion's entrance. Just as I was about to step outside—
"Well, well! Where does the useless one think he's going all geared up?"
I looked towards the voice. There stood a blond boy—my half-brother, Dion.
(What a hassle…)
Keeping a calm expression, I answered his question.
"I'm just heading into town."
Hearing my reply, Dion snorted.
"I thought you were going to fight monsters with that gear. But that can't be, since you're useless!"
Dion laughed mockingly. I felt a mix of wanting to retort and the desire to ignore him to avoid the hassle. With a sigh, I responded.
"And you, I believe you've fought monsters before?"
"Of course! I'm already over level 40! A number you, a useless person, will never reach!"
"…Hmm."
That was higher than expected. Equivalent to a D-rank adventurer.
Dion's birthday is nearly six months earlier than mine, so he received his crest earlier. I've heard rumors about him going to dungeons with Sylphide family guards, which explains his rapid level rise.
(Well, the [Crest of All] gets tough beyond beginner levels…)
There's no need to tell him that. It would just cause unnecessary anger.
As I considered this, Dion sneered even more.
"In any case, you won't pass the Royal Academy entrance exam… If Father even lets you take it."
"...…"
The academy. Hearing that word, the first thing that came to mind was my sister, who already attended—but wait.
Switching gears, I recalled information about the academy.
The Royal Academy is the world's premier educational institution in the Kingdom of Alexia. Established about 300 years ago, it didn't even exist during the time of Creon 1000 years ago. For nobles, graduating from the Royal Academy is the highest honor and a crucial asset in noble society.
That said, if becoming stronger is the goal, efficiently navigating dungeons to gain skills would suffice. Given my game knowledge, attending the academy isn't strictly necessary.
(Still, I'd like to attend the academy for a bit.)
After regaining my past life memories, I discovered something about the academy. While attending for three full years seems excessive, there's a specific reason I need to enroll.
And the entrance exam was approaching.
(How it turns out is uncertain, but I need to be prepared.)
With that determination, I brushed off Dion's continued taunts and left the mansion. I could hear him shouting behind me, but I ignored it.
Once I was a good distance from the mansion, I straightened my posture.
"Alright, let's head out."
My destination, of course, was the Adventurer's Guild.