"Phew…"
Arwen wiped a drop of sweat from her forehead and looked up at the sky. It was already the time when the sun was setting, and the whole world was being painted red. It was time for her to return to her main job as a maid. Thus, Arwen decided to conclude her training.
Accepting Veris's proposal, Arwen chose swordsmanship, not magic or spirit arts. Therefore, without needing to invite a teacher, Veris took on the role of teaching her.
…In fact, behind that choice was Arwen's quick calculation, but the exact reason was something no one knew except for Arwen herself.
Clap, clap.
"Indeed, Arwen learns quickly."
As Veris, who had been watching her practice with a sword in a state of ecstasy, clapped and praised her, Arwen bowed her head in response.
"I am still lacking."
"How humble."
As Veris approached her, who was still catching her breath, and offered her a towel, Arwen carefully accepted it.
Recently, whenever she faced her master, she felt a strange ticklish sensation. Even now, her heart was pounding oddly, and it was certainly not just from practicing swordsmanship.
However, that ticklish feeling was not entirely unpleasant.
Sniff, sniff.
"It's not dirty. Why are you sniffing?"
"...I'm sorry."
As Arwen accepted the towel Veris offered, she blushed at her own unintentional action. The items he handed over always carried a unique scent, a fragrance that felt both sweet and refreshing.
Normally, she wouldn't have shown such a foolish side to her master, but perhaps due to the fatigue from training, her mind was a bit hazy. Thinking this, Arwen wiped the sweat from her face and glanced at Veris.
The boy who had saved her was now growing up, looking less like a child.
His sparkling blue hair, reminiscent of the sky, and his ruby-like red eyes were all incredibly charming. However, as a maid serving him, expressing that was another matter entirely.
"Well then, I'll wash up quickly and return to my duties."
"Take your time. There's no particular schedule."
At Veris's easygoing reply, Arwen tightly grasped the towel in her hand.
The academy.
She was filled with concern that her master's purity might be tainted in that unknown world they would soon face.
* * *
A lot of time had passed.
The years that flowed were long enough for Veris, who had secretly filled his pockets by robbing bandits at night, and Arwen, who was striving to become someone worthy of being with her master, to grow.
And eventually, the time had come.
"...Before I knew it, you're turning eighteen. I wonder if this is how a father feels when he sees his grown son."
"Dear, are you trying to make it a gloomy atmosphere?"
"Haha, that's true."
The Countess, who had been recovering from an illness in the capital, had recently returned to the mansion after regaining her health. The Count chuckled at his wife's scolding.
The birthday celebration for their now-grown son was a simple affair, fitting for the humble nature of both the Count and his son, but it was inevitable for the Count to worry about his son as a father.
Nobles of the Empire had one obligation.
Once they turned eighteen, everyone was required by imperial decree to study at a place called the 'Academy.'
Thanks to this, the imperial family could easily deal with both internal and external threats. No noble would dare to incite rebellion with their children studying so close to the imperial capital.
Of course, those studying at the Academy were not limited to nobles. It was a place where priests from the southern holy kingdom and talented individuals from neighboring kingdoms came.
That place was Vera Academy. And it was where Veris and his maid Arwen would be going tomorrow to fulfill the obligations of the imperial nobility.
"Are you not worried? Tomorrow, you'll be leaving the Count's territory where you've lived your whole life."
"Not at all. I believe in myself."
At Veris's confident reply, both the Count and Countess couldn't help but smile.
They were nobles of the Empire as well. Although they were currently living as lords in the countryside of the east to maintain their family, they had also been students studying at the Academy in the past.
Because of that, Veris's confident demeanor was reassuring to them as a son and as a junior.
"By the way, my dear."
"Yes, Mother."
"Be careful of the women who will be chasing after you."
Startled.
For some reason, Arwen, who was serving during the meal, trembled at the Countess's words, but fortunately, it seemed no one noticed her reaction.
And Veris couldn't help but look puzzled at the Countess's remark.
"Why is that?"
"Though you are my son, from a mother's perspective, Veris, you are... quite an attractive presence to women."
"Is that so? I had no idea."
"Even women on the street turn to look at you. To me, you still look like a child, but you possess great strength and talent. Moreover, your personality is so gentle that you might steal the hearts of women without even realizing it."
Veris couldn't help but laugh at the Countess's genuine concern.
No, even a hedgehog thinks its child is beautiful, but this is a whole new level of doting! That's what Veris thought.
However, it seemed that the Countess's worries were not just her own delusions, as the Count, who had been quietly listening to her, chimed in.
"Your mother is right. The young people at the Academy are not solely focused on their studies. There are ambitious daughters of lower nobles and women from commoner backgrounds as well."
"Don't worry. I'm not an ordinary person."
That was advice that felt like a reflection of the world's harsh realities. Thanks to Veris, who lightly brushed off his parents' concerns, they were able to finish their meal in a cheerful atmosphere.
* * *
"Miss, we will arrive soon. Please prepare to disembark."
"Okay, thank you."
A young woman's voice flowed from inside the large carriage.
She was now standing at a crossroads that would define her life. She had arrived at the Academy, where she would stand alone in the world for the first time, leaving the embrace of her parents.
'Delia, you must not tarnish the reputation of the Hindenstaufen family.' Her parents had high expectations for her entrance into the Academy.
From the children of the imperial family to talented commoners. Moreover, the scope was not limited to the Empire.
The Academy was a place where all the talents of the continent gathered. It was grand enough to be called an academic city, and it was enough to leave Delia wide-eyed as she looked out the carriage window.
"It's amazing."
As the carriage arrived at the stop and Delia set foot in the Academy, her impression was simple and clear.
There were people here and there. Moreover, most of them were carrying staffs or swords. It was not an exaggeration to say that the future of the continent was here, as the level of those she could see was certainly not low.
"Wow…"
Next to her, she noticed others who were expressing similar admiration.
They seemed to be people who had disembarked after Delia's carriage passed by, and one of them, who looked like a rustic country bumpkin, was openly expressing his naive impressions.
'…An elf?'
Moreover, what was peculiar was that behind the person in the black robe was a beautiful elf.
Delia was aware that the civil war that had broken out in the eastern elf kingdom years ago had torn the country apart. Therefore, it was not surprising that elves had been appearing more frequently in the Empire than before, but seeing one up close was still fascinating.
Delia felt a strange curiosity towards them. Although she couldn't see their face due to the hood of the robe, she couldn't help but wonder if there was a rustic farmer's face hidden beneath it.
After pondering various thoughts, Delia decided to call out to them. After all, she was the daughter of an imperial duke. Having grown up without any deficiencies and being referred to as the flower of the Empire, it was a learned behavior to act without hesitation.
"Excuse me."
"Wow, Arwen. Look at that spire."
"It's truly massive."
"Excuse me."
"There are so many people. I realized our territory was rural when I went to the Marquis's festival, but this is on another level."
"Watch your step."
"Hey…!"
"What do you think that place is?"
"Ah… that's a café."
How annoying. Who are these people?
In that fleeting moment, seeing the frustrating country bumpkin made her feel pity. However, their ignorance was too much, and they were so mesmerized by the grandeur of the Academy that they didn't even hear her words, causing Delia to frown.
Delia scolded herself for feeling curious about the rare elf. But with several attendants behind her, she could feel their gazes.
"Hey!"
"Huh?"
Only after Delia made a sharp sound did the robed figure finally turn around.
Even from the front, the hood attached to the robe obscured their face. But one could tell they were a person by their demeanor. Delia clearly remembered the humiliation she felt in that brief moment.
"Looks like this is your first time at the Academy?"
"That's correct."
"I am Delia, the daughter of the Hindenstaufen family, which boasts a long history in the central Empire. I too will be a new student at this Academy. As a fellow newcomer, I would like to offer you some advice. Please consider the weight of your actions."
No matter how she thought about it, it was the best line. Delia thought this and confidently straightened her chest as she looked at the other person.
At her not-so-subtle advice, the robed figure seemed to realize their own folly, scratching their head in embarrassment.
Delia, excited by that sight, continued to speak.
"This year's new students include the Saintess from that holy kingdom and the imperial princess. Also, there are the genius siblings, Beatrice and Gunther, from the Marquis family. Along with them, many outstanding talents will be present. So please be mindful of your behavior…"
"Brother Veris!"
"Huh?"
Delia's exciting lecture was abruptly halted by a loud voice. No, more than that, she felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
Veris. Although she couldn't recall it immediately, it felt like she had heard that name once when she was younger…
"What? Could it be Gunther?"
"Brother! It's been years!"
"You've grown unrecognizably. But how did you know it was me when you're wearing a robe?"
"I followed the halo. How could I not recognize your dazzling light?"
The robed figure, Veris, couldn't help but express pure admiration upon seeing Gunther from the Haruen Marquis family after several years.
He was just a little kid who used to follow his sister around. He had once eagerly accepted Veris's offer to call him brother, but to meet him here, and to see how much he had grown, was astonishing.
"Gunther Haruen. The genius of swordsmanship in the Empire?"
"...Who is this person, brother?"
"This is Lady Delhi of the Huinstaugen family."
"It's not 'Huinstaugen,' it's Hindenstaufen. And it's not 'Delhi,' it's Delia…"
For a moment, Delia was taken aback by the sudden appearance of the protagonist of the rumors. She felt dazed.
She had thought of him as just a foolish country bumpkin, but seeing the famous Gunther Haruen approach first and act so friendly made her feel that something was amiss.