Book 3 Chapter 17

Chapter 66

The assembly time for the final exam preliminary test was exactly 10 o'clock. The reason for such a long grace period was nothing special.

“Excuse me, I'm looking for Cadet Bernard. Where should I go?”

Due to the nature of the final exam, which was run similarly to a festival, relatives of the cadets gathered from all over the empire.

It could be seen as giving time to greet their families.

Thanks to this, the <Delaiten> grounds were bustling with people, leaving no room to stand, from 06:00 when the city gates opened.

“Bernard, Bernard… He's in Group C, so you can go over there.”

And there's only one reason why I've been doing this annoying Q&A with a student roster in hand more than 30 times already.

[Guidance.]

It's because of this purple silk armband wrapped around my forearm.

They say cadets belonging to the student council have to act as guides at festivals like this, but there's just so much to do… I simply can't understand why people are so desperate to join an organization like this.

If I had known this, I would have aimed for second place in all my first-year, first-semester exams.

“You seem to have a knack for customer service, more than I expected, Rain Ludwig.”

And this situation annoys me even more because of Valensidis, the student council president, who sneers at me as if mocking me.

“I'm also a cadet taking the exam today, do I really have to be doing this? They said third-years take theirs next week.”

“Originally, those who are excellent should also know how to help others. That is the first virtue required of those born with excellence.”

For a dark wizard, just by listening to him speak, you'd think a sage had descended. As I narrowed my eyes, the president gestured with his chin, pointing to various parts of the campus.

“My master told me to observe people well. This time is very good for that.”

It wasn't that there were no peculiar sights. Prominent figures from the Eight Great Houses and Sixteen Clans were appearing one by one, perhaps to observe the exam.

“The Vice Dean is entering. All students, attention!”

The Vice Dean of the Chaihak faction was an old man over 70, but his entire body was as muscular as Professor Owen's. Logan was seen standing at attention with a tense posture in front of him.

“……”

On the other hand, Lillian Caraine of the Rivendell faction merely clicked her tongue as if displeased by the visit of her faction members, showing no sign of welcome.

“Why?”

“Because by observing people, you can grasp their weaknesses and strengths. That inevitably becomes a means you can utilize.”

“Isn't that more of a training method for an assassin than a wizard?”

I wonder what kind of person his master is, and what his face looks like. At my honest reaction, Valensidis suddenly gave a bitter smile.

“It couldn't be helped. I was raised to be that way.”

Whether the words Valensidis suddenly uttered were sincere or a joke, there was no time to be surprised or react to them.

Because at that very moment, a suspicious individual entered my sight from the crowd flowing like water, and my entire body stiffened.

Beneath the dirt-colored curly hair, which had no particular distinguishing features, the facial features were plainness itself. The only distinctive feature was a scattering of freckles around the nose.

“No…”

Even if it were somewhere else, it was an ordinary face that wouldn't attract anyone's attention, but Rain couldn't take his eyes off it for a brief moment.

He couldn't help it.

Because that was ‘Lynn's’ face.

There was no time for bewilderment, so I made a quick judgment. The dark wizards are looking for me, perhaps they already know everything about me…

Just then, the guy turned his head this way and that, as if to scan his surroundings. I immediately averted my gaze, but the refuge itself was another huge problem.

Valensidis.

His deep, dark eyes, like a cavity, were staring at me as if to suck me in, as if time had stopped, continuously.

‘Perhaps they've been waiting until now, to make sure they deal with me together?’

Cold sweat beaded on my forehead, and the magic power within my body, sensing the caster's crisis, shifted into combat stance.

‘I'll deal with this guy first. And if I get help from those around me, I might be able to manage somehow.’

Today is the day when many big names in the magic world gather. I can't believe it's Valensidis's plan, but it's a very stupid move.

“Hey, you rat.”

At that moment, the suspicious individual shouted that way.

So they're going to corner me right away?

I immediately tried to construct a 3-star magic circle, but Valensidis's strange reaction made me hesitate.

“?”

The moment Valensidis turned to look at the source of the sound, his expression instantly changed to such a chilling one that it sent a cold shiver down my spine.

Those eyes were saying:

Why are you here?

Valensidis thrust the student roster at Rain as if shoving it, then suddenly walked briskly towards the suspicious individual without a word.

“Haah, haah…”

Only after the presence of the two individuals disappeared into the crowd did harsh breaths burst from my throat.

‘What was that just now?’

Were they not working together? But in that one moment, I was certain of one thing.

Valensidis knows him.

That would prove the worst-case scenario: that Valensidis was in league with the dark wizards involved in the <Redacable> incident…

‘Damn it…’

My injury from the dark poison hasn't fully healed yet, could I fight against those two? But what if they weren't looking for me?

‘What if they just came to meet each other amidst the dense crowd?’

That would be good, but living Lynn's life, I've painfully realized that it's better not to make optimistic observations.

“Final exams, I was almost bored to death, but this turned out well, very well.”

“You didn't come here to play.”

Still, one comforting thing was the presence of the special forces wizards who were around when I spoke with Doran Slade before.

Even now, they pretend to be uninterested in this side, but they are definitely keeping an eye on my movements. But with their skill, could they really stand up against Valensidis or that suspicious individual…?

If a contingency occurs, it would be better to just fight alone. Because if someone dies nearby, it'll just give me disturbing dreams for no reason.

“What?! What are you thinking about so deeply?! I called you so many times!”

At that moment, a voice loud enough to hurt my eardrums was heard. That voice is familiar now. Casena Page.

“Can't you see this?”

I showed her the armband on my forearm. And the student roster in my hand too.

I wish she'd realize I don't have time to deal with her with this…

But unfortunately, there was another uninvited guest besides Casena.

“Brother Rain!”

A shadowy creature suddenly sprang up from the bottom of my vision. Black hair like ebony and red eyes, it was my younger sister whom I hadn't seen in almost half a year.

“Seri.”

Of course, Rain's hand was faster than her leaping into his arms. He grabbed her head, preventing her from coming any closer.

“H-Hey, let me go!”

“No, you'll probably cause trouble.”

“B-Bro…!”

Meanwhile, from the opposite side, a peanut-sized boy with black hair and red eyes was crawling along and tripped over a stone.

Of course, his body was suspended in mid-air by Rain's momentary telekinesis just before it collided with the ground…

Letting out a deep sigh, Rain picked up his young brother and held him in his arms. Bran Ludwig sucked his fingers and smiled brightly.

Then Seri gaped her mouth wide as if she was incredibly jealous, and suddenly started throwing a tantrum.

“Seri, hug Seri too!”

“You're heavy.”

“I'm not heavy!”

Dealing with Seri, who was stubbornly tugging at his clothes, and Bran, who was fumbling Rain's face with his saliva-covered fingers, made him sigh again.

‘Why do siblings have to be so tiring?’

Maybe being an orphan isn't so bad. You wouldn't have to deal with siblings like these.

“Rain.”

A benevolent voice wafted into his ears. Rain, turning to look, felt the physiological emotions ingrained within him clash with Lynn's true nature.

“Mother.”

Is it natural for people to be so happy when they meet their parents after a long time? Lynn's persona suppressed the smile that was about to spontaneously form on his face.

Brim Ludwig was not a beauty.

But she possessed the power to warmly captivate people's hearts with her refined demeanor and beautiful smile.

“Yaaawn…”

And beside her, Elin Ludwig was seen approaching, stretching and yawning.

Both were wearing the Ludwig family's traditional outer garment, but while the aunt, who had carelessly shortened her clothes, looked rebellious, a serene dignity flowed from the mother.

‘Rain's family…’

Casena, who had instantly become an outsider in the midst of the commotion, felt her thoughts momentarily cease.

Because she was on crutches, it was impossible to leave quickly. If she did, she would only draw more attention.

If so, she had to greet them, but what should she say? What kind of speech should she use in the first place, ah, she didn't know!

“Huh?”

Just then, Elin's eyes caught sight of Casena, standing awkwardly next to Rain, not knowing what to do. An insidious smile immediately bloomed.

“Well, isn't he just like his father, already charming girls… Ow, that hurt! Sister! Why are you pinching me?! I didn't even say anything wrong!”

Brim, who had pinched Elin's arm once more, stepped forward and politely bowed.

“I greet Miss Casena. My name is Brim Ludwig. My son has been greatly indebted to you.”

“Oh, no! Not at all!”

It was quite a peculiar sight to see the headstrong young lady flustered and waving her hands in denial.

“Oh my, polite language despite the difference in status… You truly are a remarkable person, just as I've heard. And you two, go and greet her.”

Seri, looking intensely at Casena as if something displeased her, eventually bowed.

“I'm Seri Ludwig. May I ask what your relationship is with my brother?”

Of course, as soon as she said that, Brim pinched her cheek and dragged her back… Bran, held in Rain's arms, also gave a clumsy nod.

“I'm Bran Ludwig.”

Casena still had to use crutches, so she couldn't perform a noble's bow. Still, as she tried to show some courtesy, the clock tower on campus began to chime.

“It's already 9:50.”

Elin Ludwig said it lightly, but for the cadets, it was not a sound to be taken lightly. Because they had to go to the assembly point now.

“I should get going.”

As he put Bran down and was about to leave, Brim suddenly hugged Rain gently and whispered softly.

“I heard everything about what happened with Miss Casena from Duchess Madelia's letter.”

I don't know why she blabbed about it after telling me to keep quiet. As she said that, Brim smiled serenely.

“Your father was very proud of you, Rain. So much so that he couldn't sleep a wink all day. I really wanted to tell you this myself.”

Family love (家族愛) was still an unfamiliar sensation and warmth. It was a realm of emotion that no mathematical formula could ever solve.

Therefore, not knowing what to say at all, he merely scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“It was just a transaction. It wasn't anything grand.”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

Brim smiled gently, as if she understood even the hidden meaning behind such a trivial action, then pushed his back forward as if to encourage him.

“Now, go! Mom will be cheering you on enthusiastically with your siblings!”