Chapter 240
Three years. A time of patient waiting. While others generally shied away from it, I voluntarily took part in the Student Council, and by my second year, I was dealing with underclassmen worthy of an Executive Manager. But what could I do? I was just a common noble, not even a legitimate heir. A bit of hardship like this needed to be endured if I wanted to make something of myself in the bureaucracy.
Yet, perhaps out of pity for me, Enen bestowed upon me a tremendous blessing this year.
“When we meet next, it’ll be in the administration.”
“Thank you once again. Without you, Supervisor, this wouldn’t have been possible.”
“Oh, please. You would have made it as a civil servant anyway. I just helped shorten the time a little.”
I bowed my head in gratitude to the living blessing standing before me multiple times.
Even so, the blessing humbly dismissed her own kindness. That time saved was immensely valuable to me.
‘A true mentor…!’
In my heart, the Supervisor was nothing less than a life teacher. How could it be otherwise?
Normally, recommendations are something you receive through various connections or transactions. However, the Supervisor saw my potential without any strings attached and provided me with a recommendation letter—literally from an Executive Manager level administrative position.
“Isn’t the Vice Captain headed to the Military Department?”
“Yes! That’s correct!”
“Since I’m in the administration, I don’t know many in the Military. I probably won’t be able to follow up on my recommendation.”
Encouraging the appointed officials moving to the administration, the Supervisor patted the Vice Captain on the shoulder.
The Vice Captain seemed moved by that pat. Receiving a recommendation was already a lifetime’s worth of help, and yet the Supervisor felt sorry for not being able to keep an eye on him.
“In exchange, I’ve mentioned you to His Highness the Crown Prince. He likes young talent, so if you work hard, you’ll surely reap the rewards.”
“Th-thank you! Thank you so much!”
“Haha, I’m more grateful.”
At that, the other officials looked at the Vice Captain with envious eyes.
In a lifetime, if you could even exchange greetings with a Duke even for a second, there’s no greater luck. To be remembered by such a Duke is a true blessing.
To be honest, I felt a flicker of envy for a moment, but it disappeared just as quickly.
“If you have no particular place to go, come to the Information Department. They are in desperate need of administrative personnel there.”
Those were the Supervisor’s parting words before leaving the Student Council room. It was effectively a direct invitation.
‘A true superior…!’
I made my decision. No matter what happens, I would go to the Information Department.
I would bury my bones there.
*
As I walked with a calm expression, I could hear Marghetta snickering beside me.
“Congratulations, Carl. Looks like you’ve got some fine subordinates!”
“Haha. It’s the empire’s blessing.”
More accurately, it’s the blessing of the Information Department.
‘This is the best.’
I couldn’t help but smile. It couldn’t get better than this. After a year of waiting, I had finally gained some solid people.
I invited those planning to go to the administration and even helped build a small debt with the one headed to the Military by introducing him to the Crown Prince. With these debts stacking up, sometimes people would be sent over from the Military to the Information Department.
It’s like collecting ten coupons to receive a free chicken, but who cares.
“Next year, I’ll be a third-year student.”
Amidst that, seeing the third-years leave and join was bittersweet for Marghetta, who murmured in a somewhat sentimental tone.
People you’ve spent two years with are leaving, and now she’ll be the top year. It’s a complicated feeling.
“Yes. And the year after, it’ll be marriage.”
At that, Marghetta flinched for a moment and glanced around anxiously.
“Dropping out is not an option.”
“…Of course not. A member of the Valenti family wouldn’t do something irresponsible.”
Trying to play it cool, I spoke softly, and she responded a beat late.
But perhaps she sounded a bit down? If I hadn’t added that, maybe I would have seen Marghetta drop out.
“That’s right. Moreover, when our children ask about their school life, we must be able to give them proper answers.”
I patted her head gently to comfort a somewhat gloomy Marghetta.
Yeah, at least one of the parents should have a graduation certificate. Dad didn’t finish school, and Mom dropped out. Isn’t that a little too sad? It could disappoint our children and lead them astray.
“Y-yes. That absolutely has to happen.”
Thankfully, hearing my words seems to have lifted her spirits, and Marghetta wore a bright smile.
Thanks to that, it feels like it’ll be a happy closing ceremony.
The academy’s second-semester closing ceremony doubles as a graduation ceremony.
“Three years may be but a fleeting moment in life, but that moment can serve as a stepping stone in yours. If so, these three years should be priceless.”
In the auditorium where the ceremony was taking place, the Principal was sharing his last advice for the students wrapping up three years of study.
Meanwhile, Villar and I enjoyed some quiet moments in a corner on the second floor, fully relaxing without a care in the world.
“You’re heading back home after a year, huh?”
“Yes. That’s how it is.”
Villar replied somewhat blandly, but there was undeniable happiness in his expression.
Villar. The unfortunate knight who had to suffer a year of tears, meeting the wrong prince. Even during last summer vacation, when everyone else went home, he had to stay back in the empire alone.
“You went through a lot. May you enjoy your winter break.”
Though it was someone else’s troubles, Villar was not just anyone. He was a fellow who suffered like I did, as a comrade who led a rough life since meeting a bad higher-up.
Happy with the news that Villar would finally return, I extended my hand for a handshake. Well, I was itching for a celebratory hug but restrained myself since it was during the ceremony on the first floor.
“Thank you. I wish you a healthy winter as well, Supervisor.”
“Haha, I hope so too.”
With our handshake, visions of the brides-to-be flashed through my mind. Red… white… pink… yellow… back to white…
Unfortunately, it seems this winter will be more chaotic than any before. I guess I’m far from a tranquil winter.
And it looked like Villar reached that conclusion as well, his peaceful and happy expression fading into an awkward smile.
“To gain decades of happiness, one must endure hardships first. That’s just how it goes.”
Villar, having seemingly made a realization, quietly opened his mouth.
A bit unexpected. He usually wouldn’t initiate a conversation unless it was about work. Occasionally we’d chat about non-work-related things, but mostly, I would have to bring up topics first.
Yet here he was, offering personal advice. Is this… the bond between comrades?
“It gives me strength to hear the words of a life senior like you.”
I responded with a small smile touched by his warm sentiment. Honestly, I don’t think it’ll only be a moment, but thinking about the decades to come, it might just be a flicker in time.
“Senior, huh. I only have my age to show for it, so hearing that feels a bit awkward.”
“Oh, well, if you say that, I should say I have no other advantages besides being young.”
Both of us simply laughed at that.
Those holding their shining diplomas dispersed, and the heartfelt farewells shared among seniors and juniors wrapped up the ceremony.
“I’ll head out first. Happy New Year, Brother.”
“Sure.”
Erich left with the mage sent from his family.
“I’ll also be on my way. See you at the New Year’s Ball.”
“Are you going too?”
“The Crown Prince mentioned I should show my face now that he’s turned adult.”
Living in the Imperial Palace, Ainter also departed, leaving behind the confirmed report of the Crown Prince’s paranoia being notably lessening.
Well, now that the Crown Prince has bigger issues to worry about rather than his half-brother who’s lost everything, his standing has been as solid as ever since I first arrived at the academy, and in the year that’s passed, it’s only gotten stronger.
“Then I’ll take my leave, Professor! I look forward to the school opening!”
“You don’t have to come next year.”
“Haha! That’s a bit harsh!”
With heartfelt goodbyes, Yuris also took off. Please, let my sincere feelings reach Enen. Surely a year is plenty of time for study abroad.
And as one by one, they departed, the remaining members were set to travel to the Principality. Now it was just a smooth ride in a carriage for a leisurely trip—
“His Highness summoned you.”
An unexpected twist finally arrived.
A mage from the Barenti family appeared before Marghetta, bowing politely as he announced he was there to escort her.
And not just from anyone, but at the command of the Iron-Blood Duke.
“…….”
“Miss?”
Marghetta, who had stealthily edged up beside me at the mage’s words.
She too seemed troubled by the situation, her eyes darting as she struggled to speak. Should she respond to her father’s call or leave with her future husband?
But something felt odd. Marghetta clearly told the Iron-Blood Duke that she was going to the Principality, not to Wulken. Marghetta was not the type to forget even simple reports.
‘Why now.’
Despite that, the Iron-Blood Duke decided to send a mage on the day of the closing ceremony. If he wanted to see his daughter, he could always wait for the New Year’s Ball—
…Ah.
‘He’s trying to deal with this first.’
I finally realized. The Iron-Blood Duke wasn’t just calling for Marghetta; he wanted me as a bonus by calling her.
At the New Year’s Ball, I was supposed to meet the Duke. Additionally, if the Iron-Blood Duke caught wind of the rumors swirling in the Principality, he would naturally be worried about me possibly choosing the Marshal over Marghetta.
Thus, he wanted to officially sort out my relationship with Marghetta before that. Whether it’s an engagement or marriage.
“Sir.”
I addressed the apparently flustered mage standing before Marghetta, who remained speechless.
“You can call me Sir Filio, Supervisor.”
“Right, Sir Filio. Did the Duke happen to give any extra instructions?”
“Well…”
As he hesitated, the mage began to speak again.
“If you keep asking just like now, you’re right on the money; don’t overthink it…”
“Is that so.”
“And don’t think of making excuses regardless of how many guests there are.”
“…I see.”
The mage’s remarks were pointedly directed toward both Louise and Irina, who were also set to head to the Principality.
If we were already planning to go by carriage, it’d be a heartwarming thing to arrive via teleportation first to the Wulken territory.
“Mar. Let’s go.”
“Carl? Are you okay with this?”
“His Highness invited all of us, right?”
This was already a predetermined answer.
…Yeah, a trip to Wulken before heading to the Principality wouldn’t be that bad. Louise and Irina would surely be happy about it.
‘Damn.’
The problem was that I still wasn’t prepared for the impending uproar.
At the very least, I had thought it would come next year.
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