Walking with Daniel, Joseph, and Jay through the streets of Gemville was an unexpectedly interesting experience for Nathan. His friends back in Lostburg were typical wild scoundrels, full of excitement and always up for mischief, but the aristocrats were different. They were composed, confident, and even lenient in a way that felt strangely relaxing. Nathan found himself enjoying their company more than he expected.
He didn't know why they were walking through the streets by themselves without private transport or even bodyguards, but he didn't want to risk revealing his peasant identity by asking.
They headed directly to the transportation station that would take them to Endnest. Though it wasn't extremely far, they chatted along the way to kill time.
"Did you guys know that heirs of both the Schwarz and Blanc clans are enrolled this year? They are from branch families and not the main clans themselves. But we'll still have to be careful if we see them around the school grounds," Jay said slowly.
Hearing such news, Daniel sighed in slight grief. "A tough situation, isn't it? My family has supported the Blanc clan throughout history, and I really can't afford to be the first one to break that tradition." He shook his head in resignation. "But Joseph's father is the president of the Rune Arts Federation, so I guess we were destined to be rivals."
Joseph remained as calm and collected as always. With a gentle yet somewhat spine-chilling smile, he shrugged. "Well, since we've known each other for so long, let's not trouble each other too much."
Nathan listened to their conversation, trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together in his mind. But before he could come to a clear conclusion, Jay turned to him and asked, "What about you, Nathan? You're a member of the royal family, so I'm guessing Blanc clan?"
Before Nathan could reply, Daniel smirked and gently slapped Jay on the head. "Didn't you hear him before? His family is so branched out that he doesn't even carry the last name Runaria. I doubt the royal family would care if he picked the Schwarz clan instead. Hear me out, Nathan. We aren't exactly friends yet, but some of the clans and students in the academy aren't any better than Johnson Frederick and his gang. If you run into people like that again, just know, we've got your back."
Jay and Joseph both nodded with wide smiles. "And you'll do the same for us, deal?" Jay added mischievously.
Nathan froze. In the world he had known, people only cared about themselves. The act of selflessness when saving him was something he had only ever seen himself do.
But he didn't have time to get emotional over Daniel's words. After a brief pause, he came up with a safe answer.
"I'll say I'm staying neutral," he stated quietly, a slight smile on his face. Thinking about his father's advice, he knew he didn't need to pick a side. It was better to stay neutral until he fully grasped the situation.
However, as soon as he spoke, the other three boys halted and looked at him in profound surprise, as if he had just said something horrifying.
"I have my reasons," Nathan added calmly, keeping his expression unreadable. Instead of explaining himself or trying to justify his choice, he decided it was smarter to keep his answer vague and let them make their own guesses.
Despite his words, the three boys subtly kept their distance for the rest of the walk to the station. They whispered among themselves in voices that most people wouldn't be able to hear. But Nathan, born with sharp senses and raised in a noisy area, picked up most of their conversation.
They weren't speaking with hostility—just curiosity. Apparently, being neutral between the Schwarz and Blanc clans was an extremely impressive feat, something only the strongest families could achieve. Even most representative students wouldn't make that choice; it was an action that brought no benefits—only risks.
This odd formation remained until they reached the transportation station. Nathan had expected the building to be elegant and colossal. After all, it was one of the major constructions not just in Gemville, but in every other major town.
Instead, the transportation station was short and almost… unremarkable. A simple counter stood right behind the entrance, with several peculiar teleportation devices shaped like arcs behind it. There weren't many people around, likely due to the efficiency of the process. Teleportation was a free service available to all except, of course, Lostburg citizens.
Daniel suddenly walked up to Nathan and patted him on the shoulder, causing him to turn around in surprise. However, the previous confusion in Daniel's eyes was gone—replaced by his usual confidence, friendliness, and just a bit of arrogance.
"You know what, Nathan? At this point, we don't care about who you really are or where you came from," Daniel said. "But staying neutral in the power struggle between the Schwarz and Blanc clans is a dangerous move. Unless you have someone like… the king himself backing you. So as your… allies, I'd suggest you rethink your decision. Neither I nor Joseph will force you to join our side, but for your own sake, you really should pick one. I'm going to be honest with you, if you piss off either of these two clans, we'd have no choice but to step aside."
Under normal circumstances, Nathan would have forced a smile and spoken some words of admiration and agreement. But something in the three boys' expressions struck him.
How many people in the world would care this much about someone they had just met? Especially aristocrats, whom Nathan had always believed to be the most selfish of all.
Strangely, Nathan didn't feel the need to put on an act around them. In fact, he couldn't, even if he tried. These boys had the potential to become his first real friends outside of Lostburg. As a representative student, how many people would approach him with the pure intention of friendship?
"Daniel, replace the word 'allies' with 'friends,'" Nathan said boldly, his voice soft but steady.
A flicker of warmth passed through Daniel's eyes, but his tone remained firm. "Take my words seriously. You only have one life to misuse."
Nathan chuckled as he walked towards the counter and flashed his invitation letter at the receptionist, who instantly stood up and gestured for them to proceed toward one of the teleportation devices. His expression was a mix of fear and admiration.
The three boys followed behind, confused at the sudden confidence radiating from this seemingly timid and gentle boy.
Just before they stepped into the teleportation device, Nathan sighed and spoke calmly.
"You're right, Daniel. I can't stay neutral."
Hearing this, Daniel let out a deep breath of relief—but before he could say anything, Nathan interrupted.
"I'll side with the one that the people of Runalond choose."
The three boys exchanged glances of fear and confusion again. Joseph, his usual composure replaced with genuine anxiety, quickly spoke up.
"Nathan, everyone has a different choice when it comes to which clan to support. Even Daniel and I, who had known each other for almost 10 years, are on opposite sides. So… what do you really mean by that?"
Nathan turned around and smiled. "So the people made two different choices, is that right? Then so be it."
"I will side with both."
Daniel opened his mouth to argue, but Nathan's words were so insane that he couldn't even speak.
"Siding with both clans?" Jay exclaimed. "These two have been enemies since the founding of Runalond! If either of them finds out, they'll kill you!"
Nathan remained steady. He still didn't fully understand the Schwarz and Blanc clans, but he knew one thing for certain.
"Even though they have conflicts, they are still just people of Runalond. There must be something they both value. If I can discover what it is and bring it to both clans, then it won't matter which side I physically belong to. At the end of the day, hatred and enmity are just excuses. The only thing still driving their conflict is their own interests… and maybe something on a larger scale."
The three boys stared at him, dumbfounded. They had never heard anyone speak like this before. His words made sense, but when everything was put together, it left them struggling to comprehend his true ideal.
Nathan was just following his father's advice. But deep down, there was something more.
In Lostburg, gang wars were common. As someone who never picked a side, Nathan had always watched from a bird's-eye view. From there, he had learned something valuable: The true purpose of conflict itself.