Episode 34
Not long after Elonia began her swordsmanship lessons, Alberich and Llewellyn’s suspension was lifted.
The Asta brothers returned to the academy after their long absence.
“Young Master Llewellyn! It’s been a while, how have you been?”
“Senior Alberich! We’re so glad you’re back safe and sound!”
“Alberich, Llewellyn! I heard you two almost got thrown in jail!”
The Asta brothers were greeted with enthusiastic cheers and well wishes from their fellow students.
Or rather, the enthusiastic students were clinging onto the indifferent Asta brothers, desperately trying to engage them in conversation.
Thanks to their striking looks and exceptional grades, the two held a certain level of influence even within the academy, where everyone was supposedly equal under the pursuit of knowledge.
Llewellyn, ignoring the students swarming around him, turned to Alberich with a bored expression.
“Hey, Brother, no remedial classes, right?”
“Don’t ask the obvious.”
Alberich was the top student in the Swordsmanship Department.
And Llewellyn was the top student in the Academic Department.
Remedial classes were an insult to their academic prowess.
Shaking off the persistent students, the two brothers strolled down the main path of the academy.
“Ah~ Suspension was great. We got to visit El all the time. Now we can only go on weekends. I bet we have a ton of assignments piled up.”
“Focus on walking properly. Look at your uniform, it’s all wrinkled—”
“Blah, blah, blah~ I don’t have any assignments, and I’m not listening to a guy from the Swordsmanship Department who broke a wall.”
Alberich felt a surge of indignation but couldn’t argue back.
He had already told the Emperor that he was the one who broke the wall, so he couldn’t reveal the truth, even if his life depended on it.
Especially after Ricardo had earnestly pleaded with him to keep Elonia’s magic a secret.
‘Llewellyn might be my brother, but he’s a bit of a loose cannon. It’s better to keep quiet.’
Alberich sighed, resigning himself to the situation, and continued to try and reason with his brother.
“Llewellyn, fix your posture. You just got back from suspension, how can you be so—”
“Hmph.”
“…Why are you so uncouth? You have less manners than Her Highness, who’s much younger than you—”
“Whatever, I’m not listening! I’m outta here!”
Llewellyn cut him off and dashed towards the Academic Department building.
Alberich, left alone, clicked his tongue in disapproval.
“When will he ever grow up?”
He shook his head, smoothing the frown from his brow.
But even with his serious expression, he still looked adorable to the passing adults.
***
“Oh, look who it is. Pinky.”
“I’m back, Orc.”
As soon as Llewellyn entered the classroom, a boy, who was definitely not an Orc, greeted him with a playful taunt. Llewellyn responded in kind.
“There he goes again with the Orc thing. What did Orcs ever do to you?”
“They exist. And I hate stupid things.”
“That little troublemaker… He’s back, he’s back.”
By the way, “troublemaker” was short for “disaster of a mouth.”
It was Llewellyn’s nickname.
The boys surrounding Llewellyn, all a head taller than him, chimed in.
“He almost got his head chopped off by the Emperor.”
“Why can’t he just be cute like he looks? He’s the youngest one here.”
“Maybe he’s trying to live up to his looks? You know, like that guy over there.”
One of the boys pointed towards the back of the classroom.
Silver hair that shone like moonlight, skin as pale as snow, red eyes and lips that stood out against his pale complexion, and languid eyes that held a strange allure.
He was undeniably handsome, captivating everyone who laid eyes on him. But the red embroidery on his theology uniform, a symbol of his status, made them instinctively back away.
Lucius Allen, the hostage prince from Heilan.
He was known not only for his beauty but also for his unprecedented level of Holy Power.
And he was brilliant, capable of keeping up with Llewellyn, the youngest student ever admitted to the Academic Department, despite being a theology student.
“…”
“Whoa, he looked at us.”
Sensing their gazes, Lucius turned to the boys whispering about him and offered them a gentle smile.
Most hostages from Heilan were either defiant, refusing to accept their fate, or withdrawn, burdened by shame.
But Lucius, despite his status, remained composed and aloof.
As a result, the boys cowered under his gaze, avoiding his eyes.
Llewellyn disliked that about him.
His mood soured instantly, and he marched towards Lucius, confronting him head-on.
“Hey, what’s with the death glare?”
Unfazed by Llewellyn’s aggressive demeanor, Lucius replied nonchalantly.
“Are you referring to me?”
“Who else would I be talking to?”
“Your sharp tongue hasn’t dulled one bit. It seems a month wasn’t enough to change a person, after all.”
Lucius chuckled softly.
It sounded like a mockery to Llewellyn’s ears.
“Are you laughing at me?”
“This is just my natural expression. It’s not good to jump to conclusions, Young Master Asta.”
“Are you saying I’m blind?”
“I wouldn’t go that far… But I suppose my meaning was conveyed.”
Lucius smiled gently.
He might be a priest, but his smile when provoked was angelic.
The once boisterous classroom fell silent.
‘Here we go again.’
The other students instinctively distanced themselves from the two bickering children.
The prince of the Ravanta Empire and the hostage prince of Heilan.
Even though they were both princes, Lucius’s status as a hostage put him at a significant disadvantage. But that didn’t stop them from clashing on a regular basis.
It was understandable that Llewellyn, who was used to being the center of attention, felt threatened by Lucius, who was his age and just as talented. And as everyone could see, Lucius wasn’t exactly a saint.
Their pointless power struggle seemed like it would continue indefinitely, but then the professor entered the classroom.
“Settle down.”
The students quickly took their seats, and Llewellyn, clicking his tongue, sat down in front of Lucius.
‘Damn it, why is this the only seat left?’
Ah, I hate this academy.
I’m going to graduate as soon as possible and get a job at the Imperial Princess’s Palace.
As Llewellyn grumbled to himself, the professor began taking attendance.
His name was called soon enough.
“Llewellyn Asta.”
‘Ugh, I really don’t want to be here. If I were at the Imperial Princess’s Palace, I could play with El all day long.’
“Llewellyn Asta?”
‘Seriously, why would they put hostages and imperial citizens in the same class? …Oh, right. It was the Emperor’s order.’
“…Llewellyn Asta.”
‘I already hate Heilan because of that Dolce jerk… Seeing his face first thing in the morning just pisses me off—’
“Llewellyn Asta!”
“Whoa, uh, yes!”
Startled by the professor’s sudden outburst, Llewellyn responded loudly.
A few students giggled, earning a stern rebuke from the professor.
“You just got back from suspension, and you’re already daydreaming?”
“…Sorry.”
Llewellyn mumbled, his face flushed.
However, Professor Theodore, known for his strictness, wasn’t satisfied.
“It seems you’ve grown too comfortable during your suspension. You’ll have to stay for remedial classes.”
“Professor!”
“You’ve missed a month’s worth of lessons, so you have a lot of assignments to catch up on. Collect them after class.”
“Ugh… Fine…”
Llewellyn slumped in his seat, defeated.
He heard a snicker from behind him.
He clenched his fists, mortified that he had embarrassed himself in front of Lucius.
‘This academy sucks! I’m going to graduate as soon as possible!’
***
After enduring all his classes and collecting a mountain of assignments from Professor Theodore’s office, Llewellyn finally escaped.
He was making his way to the cafeteria, his stomach growling, when he bumped into Alberich.
“Oh, Brother.”
“Llewellyn.”
Alberich, impeccably dressed as always, glanced at Llewellyn’s disheveled appearance.
“Tsk, tsk… Look at you.”
“Ugh… You and your OCD.”
“You’re just messy. That’s why you can’t escape those assignments.”
“T-that’s… Shut up! What would you know, you don’t even have any assignments in the Swordsmanship Department!”
Llewellyn, hit where it hurt, retorted angrily.
Alberich sighed, wondering how to deal with his childish brother. He figured Llewellyn would grow out of it eventually and took the pile of assignments from him.
“You’re heading to Garden Fleur, right? Let’s go together.”
“Why would I want to eat with you? You ruin my appetite! Ow!”
“You little…”
Llewellyn protested vehemently but ended up getting flicked on the forehead by Alberich.
Grumbling under his breath, he trailed behind his brother, heading towards Garden Fleur, Lucid Academy’s cafeteria.
“Even though it’s been only a month, this academy is so boring. Don’t you think so, Brother?”
“You’re just spoiled.”
“You think so too. I wish El could enroll here soon. Then this place would be more fun.”
“…Indeed. She’s brilliant and she’s started learning swordsmanship, so she might become my junior soon.”
Alberich nodded, then smiled to himself, imagining Elonia in a Swordsmanship Department uniform.
Llewellyn, baffled by his brother’s sudden happiness, objected.
“Don’t be ridiculous. El will be my junior in the Academic Department. She loves studying.”
“No, Her Highness will join the Swordsmanship Department.”
“Why would El want to be your junior? She’ll definitely choose the Academic Department!”
“Be grateful that Her Highness has put up with a childish brat like you for this long. She’s destined for the Swordsmanship Department.”
Their playful banter escalated into a full-blown argument.
As they bickered, Llewellyn spotted someone he didn’t want to see.
“Ugh, why is he still hanging around?”
“Young Master Allen. Did you two fight again?”
“Fight? He was the one glaring at everyone in our department.”
“I’m just glad you have friends, considering your temper.”
“Shut up! He’s not my friend. And you’re no saint yourself.”
Llewellyn wanted to ignore him, but as if sensing their conversation, Lucius approached them.
“Greetings, Young Masters Asta.”
Lucius smiled pleasantly, but Llewellyn bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
“We don’t want your greetings!”
“Stop it, Llewellyn.”
“But, Brother!”
“I apologize for Llewellyn’s rudeness.”
“No worries, I’m used to it.”
Lucius chuckled, his eyes crinkling with amusement.
Unlike Llewellyn, who was openly hostile, Alberich harbored no ill will towards Lucius.
He saw him as a pitiful child, forced into the Empire against his will due to political machinations.
Lucius, ignoring Llewellyn’s childish outburst, addressed Alberich.
“Are you heading to dinner?”
“Yes, we are. What about you?”
“I’ve already eaten. I was on my way to evening prayers.”
Lucius gestured to the bible and silver candlestick he carried.
Llewellyn rolled his eyes, tugging on Alberich’s arm.
“Brother, why are you even asking if he ate? Let’s just go.”
“Oh, Little Master. By the way, how are those assignments from Professor Theodore coming along?”
“You little #$@*&#—”
“Llewellyn!”
Llewellyn’s vocabulary had become even more colorful during his suspension, thanks to his newfound friendship with Ricardo.
Alberich quickly clapped a hand over his brother’s mouth as soon as he uttered words unbecoming of a prince.
“I apologize for his language, Young Master Allen.”
“It’s alright, I’m accustomed to it.”
“Llewellyn…”
“Come on, Brother! Take my side for once!”
“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”
“Hey, where are you going? #!#$—”
“Llewellyn, stop!”
Lucius turned and walked away while Alberich was busy restraining his brother.
Once he was a safe distance away, where their voices could no longer reach him, Lucius dropped his pleasant facade.
His face contorted into a sneer as he stared in the direction of the Asta brothers.
***
Leaving the chaos behind, Lucius arrived at the small prayer room where the evening prayers were held.
Students dressed in red-embroidered uniforms were already gathered inside.
“I apologize for my tardiness.”
“It’s alright, Lucius. But your complexion…”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Lucius’s face paled as soon as he entered the dimly lit prayer room.
He looked completely different from when he was talking to the Asta brothers.
He offered a curt reply and placed the candlestick he had brought with him on the high table in the center of the room.
After lighting the candle, he gathered everyone around and began the sermon.
“…Salvation awaits those who believe and persevere. I have heard the voice of the God of Calamity. If we follow him, he will deliver us from all evil.”
From afar, they might have looked like a bizarre cult, but up close, Lucius’s presence was so captivating, so seemingly holy, that it was impossible to resist his words.
The hostages from Heilan clasped their hands together, their faces filled with fervent devotion.
One of them, his voice trembling with fear, voiced his concern.
“But Lucius, Prince Dolce was a citizen of Heilan, and yet he perished at the hands of the Ravanta Emperor. Why didn’t the God of Calamity save him?”
“Because Prince Dolce lacked faith in the God of Calamity. Only when we purify our hearts and serve him with true devotion will our prayers reach him.”
Dolce’s death was a convenient tool for manipulating the Heilan students.
That foolish prince was finally useful in death, Lucius thought, as he further solidified their faith.
“Remember, brothers and sisters, our one true God is the God of Calamity. Our salvation from the hateful Ravanta lies solely in our faith in him.”
The lone candle, the only source of light in the room, flickered ominously.
The small congregation closed their eyes, murmuring their prayers.
Lucius, staring at the flickering candle, whispered, “…All of this is to escape the clutches of the hateful Ravanta.”