Chapter 103
Spring.
The season of new beginnings.
As spring began to bloom in full swing,
a man laden with papers walked through the corridors.
He was none other than a professor at Rahelrn Academy.
Last year’s stormy times,
was a chaotic start for Rahelrn Academy.
Students were caught in a relentless power struggle, each clamoring for their own interests, while professors had to sprint madly to prevent accidents from occurring.
Rahelrn Academy was truly a mess.
Fortunately, after enduring that chaos, things have gradually quieted down recently.
One by one, remarkable students began to establish themselves at the center of the power structure.
Just when it seemed stability was on the horizon…
New students were coming in this spring.
“Damn it.”
The professor covered his face with his hand in exasperation.
It was clear what would happen if a fresh flood of students poured in just when things were settling down.
To be honest, he felt like grabbing the principal by the collar and demanding no new admissions.
But being just a mere associate professor, he had no hope of doing such a thing.
So what was on his agenda for today?
He had to check the list of candidates for the academy entrance exam.
Last year’s entrance ceremony was absolute chaos.
Thus, this time, professors vowed collectively to thoroughly assess the number of candidates to ensure a problem-free examination.
Clack!
He kicked the door to his office open and stepped inside.
At once, several associate professors, their faces shrouded in shadows, glanced over before quickly turning back to their papers.
They were all in the same boat.
“Why is this damn academy so popular?”
Launched with the singular goal of nurturing the world’s greatest heroes, Rahelrn Academy was
an institution built through the combined efforts of the Empire and the Four Kingdoms, along with numerous smaller realms.
They originally expected it to be a venue for unity and joyous collaboration.
But that hope crumbled in an instant.
Students, already steeped in their own factions, were no longer heroes defending the world from invasion but instead were merely aiming for the interests of their own countries.
“The world is rotten.”
He thought that those who just turned eighteen might be different, but he realized just a few days into joining that they were just as sharp and wicked as ever.
“Thinking about it just makes my stomach turn.”
Professor Hamel set his papers down and sat.
Time to get some work done.
“Hamel, are you starting already?”
At that moment, a beam of sunlight fell in, and a woman with a leisurely smile took a sip of tea.
The woman, with striking black hair and a conspicuous beauty mark near her eye, was another associate professor, Kairan.
Why was she so relaxed?
The reason was simple.
She was the unluckiest one burdened with overseeing this year’s entrance exam.
Being in charge of the entrance examination was pure luck.
Professors renowned before joining the academy all refused to take on the responsibility under the pretext that it was the duty of the associate professors,
resulting in the unfortunate situation where the associate professors had to draw straws.
And the one who drew the short straw was Kairan.
So everyone collectively advised her to take a break from paperwork.
“…I hope the entrance ceremony starts soon.”
By the time the ceremony began, all the applicants would have been selected.
Seeing Kairan eagerly awaiting that day made Hamel glance back down at his papers.
Just as he flipped to the first page,
“Damn?”
A curse slipped out unbidden, drawing all eyes onto him instantly.
What he just said was not something an associate professor should utter.
“Who is it? Who cursed aloud again?”
“Please, can we at least keep it down for the entrance exam?”
The associate professors whimpered.
Kairan, the examination officer, trembled every time a curse slipped out.
It was her future on the line.
In the meantime, Hamel buried his face in his hands.
And all because of the name on the application form.
‘4th Princess, Sizelry Ephania.’
She was fifteen this year and rumored to be the Empire’s greatest genius with a sharp mind.
In truth, she was someone who could rightfully be considered the centerpiece of the Empire’s new students this year.
Already, Hamel felt a headache brewing.
To stumble upon an important figure right from the first page was disheartening.
Moreover, the name scribbled as her escort was none other than a formidable individual.
Hamel’s complexion darkened at the thought of her infamous protector.
‘At least she’s applying for Literature as her major and Special Studies as her secondary. That’s a relief.’
Rahelrn Academy is divided into five main departments.
The
Martial Arts Valued,
The Literature Valued,
The Theology Valued,
The Magical Studies Valued, and
The Special Studies Valued, which focuses on skills unrelated to the first four.
Students choose one primary department and a secondary department.
Sizelry was at least applying under Literature, which was relatively quieter.
Of course, “quieter” meant quieter compared to the chaos of other departments, where even associate professors struggled to keep up with the intellects competing there.
On the surface, it looked like the calmest department.
‘I guess that’s a small blessing.’
In Literature, students basically took exams prepared by the academy and were graded based on their performance.
So, it was safe to say there would be no issues during the entrance examination.
Nevertheless, as a precaution, he carefully put her application aside and glanced at the next documents.
“Damn.”
Once again, an expletive escaped him.
All eyes turned on him again, but Hamel remained fixated on the documents before him.
The name that jumped out at him on the next page sent sharp pangs through his head.
‘Mary Diana?’
This was the girl rumored to have nearly killed the 4th Princess, Sizelry Ephania, at the hands of a World Erosionist.
Although it may have been a long-told tale, which outlined the clause of her execution, that was now dodged, how in the world did she end up submitting an application to this academy?
‘They’re admitting a princess who almost got killed along with a notorious fugitive?!’
Hamel couldn’t comprehend the situation.
It defied all logic.
Then he noticed something written in the special notes.
‘…Has the imperial seal inscribed.’
The imperial seal of the Ephania Empire, which would instantly crush the head of anyone who dared show their teeth against it, was now stamped on Mary Diana.
‘And it’s Sizelry Ephania holding the conditions for that seal’s immediate invocation?’
Hamel’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Mary Diana had once stood as a candidate for the throne and was said to be a potent wielder of divine ability.
The empire wouldn’t have wanted to lose such a card, so it only made sense that they would eagerly and tightly tether her to the royal family.
The problem was that the one holding the leash was none other than Sizelry Ephania.
Since Mary Diana was targeting the 4th Princess, it was only natural for her to have that power over her.
‘There’s something more to this.’
Perhaps Mary Diana’s escape from execution stemmed from Sizelry Ephania’s mercy.
With just a few years under Rahelrn Academy’s banner, he had learned to recognize, at least broadly, the power struggles at play.
An ominous aura permeated through.
‘Another suspicious individual.’
Her primary focus was Martial Arts, with her secondary in Special Studies.
The fact that her secondary was Special Studies added to Hamel’s unease, though he pushed it aside.
There were still plenty more documents to go through.
As Hamel raised the next document, he muttered,
“Damn.”
This time, he didn’t even bother finishing the curse.
He sighed, wondering how all these troublesome characters found their way into his paperwork.
The first name he saw was Valheim.
The strongest family in the world and a bastion that had birthed many a hero.
The youngest of them, Kraush Valheim, was listed here.
His head felt like it might explode.
He immediately recalled Charlotte Valheim, one of Rahelrn Academy’s most troublesome students.
The Sword Saint, Charlotte Valheim.
In line with her title, she was the best swordsman at Rahelrn Academy and the biggest troublemaker as well.
The moment she was crossed, she didn’t hesitate to annihilate her opposition.
Her specialty? Not hiding her fiery temperament.
Hobby? Making others look down.
With her eyes deceptively soft, even an associate professor like Hamel felt intimidated.
And now her younger brother was coming.
‘Rumors about the youngest Valheim have reached me several times. I think I recall a few rumors that he’s changed recently.’
Rumors about the youngest Valheim had been swirling around quite a bit lately.
‘It certainly feels like I’ve heard fewer tales about him in passing.’
Rumors that Kraush had made a comeback and was a fabrication were also ongoing.
But it was still Valheim.
He would undoubtedly be another storm brewing.
Primary in Martial Arts, secondary in Special Studies.
Hamel sighed and set that document aside.
Then, he resumed his reading.
‘Once again, this year seems no easier compared to last year.’
With each document he flipped through, he released deep sighs at the sight of names from prestigious families.
It had already been a year since families were watching carefully and sending in applications to Rahelrn Academy.
“Ha, even the direct line of the Igrit family is here.”
Recalling the crimson magical tower, he surmised that the magical studies department must be equally tough.
‘But wait, doesn’t it seem strange that so many suspicious individuals have declared Special Studies as their secondary field of focus?’
The direct descendant of the Igrit family was also in Special Studies, leading to Hamel’s puzzled expression.
Then, upon flipping the next page, he spotted a name.
‘Arthur Gramalte.’
The name was so ordinary that he casually set it aside among general applications.
After that, the count of suspicious individuals kept increasing.
And with every addition, Kairan didn’t see Hamel’s slight tremor from afar.
＊ ＊ ＊
A colossal tree reaching to the heavens, piercing the clouds.
The Sacred Tree.
The World Tree.
Each season granting different hues, dropping pink petals in spring.
Beneath that gigantic tree was the grand structure of Rahelrn Academy.
With a sprawling campus that included dormitories for students, Rahelrn Academy, under the influence of the Sacred Tree protecting it from the World Erosion, proclaimed itself as the best academy in the world.
And fitting for that ambition, Rahelrn Academy’s inaugural year was truly a storm of talent.
As that whirlwind of a first year came to an end,
another storm loomed, ready to strike Rahelrn Academy.
Clop, clop, clop—
The sound of a carriage creaking filled the air, and inside, a figure with dark blue hair slowly opened his eyes.
Appearing to be seventeen or eighteen at most, he turned to the window.
As petals from the World Tree danced past the window,
the world was adorned in a breathtaking pink, lush with beauty.
However, he felt nothing.
Reason being, he had seen the view enough times to tire of it.
“So, I’ve finally arrived.”
He muttered to himself, introducing himself as Kraush Valheim.
He had come to take the entrance examination for Rahelrn Academy that he had eagerly awaited.
“Excited?”
To his surprise, he heard a voice instead of drifting into thoughts.
Kraush turned to see a crow perched nearby, preening its feathers.
This was his familiar, the immortal Crimson Garden, a minion of the World Erosionist.
“Excitement, my foot,” Kraush scoffed, holding back a smirk.
In the past, this place was an escape for him.
Better to stay at Rahelrn Academy than dealing with petty squabbles in Valheim.
But unfortunately, Rahelrn Academy wouldn’t be a sanctuary for him either.
The name Valheim would consistently shadow him.
“But this time will be different.”
Kraush lifted his hand, feeling the surge of lightning and dark flames flowing through him.
He was no longer the person he used to be.
This time at Rahelrn Academy would be nothing he could have ever envisioned before.
“If that’s the case, I’ll give you a warning.”
He spoke, forgetting for a moment that he had dismissed excitement.
Kraush sent a sardonic glance toward Crimson Garden.
“Just be sure not to use that last trick of yours during the entrance examination.”
“What are you talking about?”
Kraush sighed at the absurdity of the statement.
“Do you really think I’d use that backfiring trick?”
“You do have a tendency to expend energy on the unnecessary.”
As Crimson Garden glared at him, Kraush turned away.
“Just take this warning to heart. Controlling your output isn’t that easy. You don’t want to end up killing anyone, do you?”
There were a few people he’d like to kill, but Kraush just nodded.
He didn’t intend to judge someone based on his knowledge from the past.
Of course, if he decided someone was trash, it wouldn’t bode well for them.
“Besides, take this.”
Suddenly, Crimson Garden tossed a brooch at Kraush.
As he caught it, she explained,
“This is something that will transmit my voice. Should a crow appear within the academy, it’s possible some of them might recall the incident back at the Crad.”
“Right decision.”
During the events in the empire, Mary had seen a crow before.
So, Kraush carefully tucked the brooch away.
“What about you, Crimson?”
“I plan to fly around at my own leisure. Just know that.”
If that’s the case…
Clap—
At that moment, the carriage jostled again, coming to a stop.
“Kraush, we have arrived.”
Hearing the voice from outside, Kraush opened the door and stepped down the stairs of the carriage, where a petite maid stood waiting.
With her rich brown hair and gray eyes, she resembled someone Kraush knew very well.
She was Alisha, the daughter of Aliod.
Had she not suffered from a condition in her youth that stunted her growth, she would have looked exactly like a feminine version of Aliod.
Aliod was the chief steward of the Qing Pine Hall.
Now that Kraush had reached adulthood, having a caretaker was no longer necessary.
So, he sent Alisha to accompany him to the academy.
Ever since Aliod had recovered from her illness, she had instilled in Alisha the need to repay Kraush for saving her life.
She thought Alisha would faithfully fulfill the role of maid for Kraush.
As a result, despite having initially planned to head to the academy alone,
Aliod insisted that Alisha come and wait on him, saying it was a promise to help him.
“Thanks for your hard work, Alisha.”
“It’s nothing.”
Alisha, wanting Kraush to rest, remained seated on the carriage without stepping inside.
So, as Kraush thanked her, she bowed politely.
Seeing that, Kraush couldn’t help but smile softly.
That expression was unmistakably reminiscent of Aliod.
Despite using honorifics excessively, it seemed she had unintentionally grown accustomed to the manners.
Yet there was one regard in which she differed from Aliod.
“The hem of your skirt is flipped up.”
Just a sign of her innocence, I suppose.
“Ah, s-sorry!”
Alisha, who had been maintaining her poise, turned crimson and quickly arranged her skirt, associating with Kraush’s thoughts of Aliod’s wife.
Her demeanor was also quite similar to how his wife carried herself.
“I’ll be taking the exam, so head to where the other attendants are. I’ll join you afterward once I finish.”
“Yes, I’ll grab the luggage and head over.”
Typically, students would retrieve their belongings after passing the entrance exam,
but Kraush and Aliod were both confident that Kraush wouldn’t fail Rahelrn Academy.
After Alisha lowered her head respectfully and walked away,
Crimson Garden flew out of the carriage.
Following her, Kraush raised his gaze toward the magnificent structures of Rahelrn Academy lying below the World Tree.
He wondered how many familiar faces he would meet when heading to the Martial Arts department.
The crowd gathered around gradually increased as he treaded forward.
A multitude of exam-takers had come for the Rahelrn Academy entry examination.
“I’d say there are at least a thousand of us.”
Kraush thought back to how he managed to pass the exam last time.
He vividly remembered just barely scraping through at the last minute, driven by fear of the name Valheim.
‘Why’d I even think of that now?’
His mood soured, and he frowned just as a jostling sound came from behind.
Thud—
A figure rushed past, colliding shoulder-first into him.
Kraush, who had a sixth sense, would’ve avoided the collision under normal circumstances, but with so many people around, there was simply no space to evade.
So, as he shook his shoulder and turned to see a behemoth of a man, he felt a wave of recognition.
His clothing appeared as though it might rip due to sheer muscle mass, leaving him more beast than man.
The troubling thing was that Kraush recognized his face.
This huge musclebound guy had entered during the imperial martial arts tournament when Kraush participated before his regression, and he was none other than the pig that knocked him out in a one-hit elimination during the preliminary rounds.
What a coincidence to run into him here!
It was a matter of sheer luck that he kept pursuing Rahelrn Academy.
Before he could process his incredulity, the muscle pig’s expression took on a fierce glare.
“What’s up? Why are you staring at me when you bumped into me?!”
Kraush blinked, taken aback.
The guy didn’t seem to recognize him at all.
‘Wait, was his name Crad back then?’
Given that both his appearance and build had changed, it made sense he’d be unrecognized.
In that case, Kraush decided to jog his memory.
Surely he had said something back then.
“I was looking, you pig.”
“What, what? Pig?!”
With the words, the muscles of the Pig-Human lit up, transitioning instantly from confusion to anger.
Without hesitation, he came barreling at Kraush through the crowd.
Seeing this, Kraush raised a hand.
The Pig-Human’s physique looked familiar for some reason.
It was almost like déjà vu, a fleeting thought flashing in his mind.
“Surely…”
Surely, in that martial arts tournament, something like this had happened before.
As the idea flickered inside his mind, Kraush, before he could think further, had already moved.
Boom!
And just like that, his fist slammed into the Pig-Human’s face!
“Ugh?!”
A brief grunt escaped as the muscle-bound pig went airborne—whoosh!
The force of the strike sent him sailing into the air.
Bam!
The already delayed cries of those heading to the Martial Arts department were replaced with screams as they scurried away from the battered Pig-Human falling from the sky.
“Ahhh!”
“Whoa?!”
Stars danced before the eyes of the Pig-Human, sprawled on the ground.
Caw!
Amidst the clouds, a crow’s call pierced the air as the muscle-bound pig fell unconscious, heartily reminded of the martial arts tournament when he had attempted to deliver a surprise attack on the strange kid.
“C-Collo,” he muttered, before convulsing, spiraling away into a faint.
Watching the scene unfold, Kraush sighed, dusting off his hands.
“People should apologize when they bump into someone, don’t ya think?”
Let’s hope this lesson sticks.
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