NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 9 - The Emperor (2)
✦ Chapter 9 – The Emperor (2) ✦
「Translator – Creator」
𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝
After that, there were no further complaints from the expelled students. To be precise, they couldn’t voice their complaints. Afro Garnish, who had voiced his dissatisfaction, was still unconscious.
“Those who passed the entrance exam should return to the academy in a week! Dormitory rooms will be available then as well.”
Since this was already communicated during the entrance exam, no student should be unaware. I, for one, had found a cheap and convenient inn, so it wasn’t an issue for me.
Most commoners would seek out affordable inns like I did, while nobles living in the capital would stay at their homes. Lower-ranking nobles with homes outside the capital would opt for expensive, high-quality inns, and high-ranking nobles usually had a mansion in the capital, so they wouldn’t face any issues.
“Then I’ll see you all in a week!”
With Professor Gedra’s concluding words, all the students filed out of the auditorium in a rush.
As students exited the academy auditorium, their faces displayed a mix of emotions. Those with bright expressions had, without a doubt, passed the exam, while those with gloomy faces were the ones expelled.
“Being expelled on the day of the entrance ceremony? Is that even allowed?!”
“How am I supposed to tell my parents I got expelled?!”
“My village threw a party for me because they thought I’d passed…”
“Hey, there’s a good restaurant nearby. You wanna grab a bite?”
“Sure! Let’s go!”
I wasn’t sure those words would offer much comfort to those who’d been expelled. In a way, it might be better to be expelled now. From now on, numerous incidents would occur in the academy, and students could die in the process.
Of course, I would do my best to prevent that.
Among the throng of students, a distinct hair color caught my eye. Black hair was common in my previous world, but rare in ‘Croaka.’
“Lady Clara~!”
Clara turned at the sound of her name. Her initial expression of annoyance softened to one of mild irritation when she saw it was me.
“What do you want?”
I hadn’t gotten a good look at her during the battle, but up close, her beauty was undeniable.
Her skin was incredibly pale, a stark contrast to her raven hair. It was flawless, even at such close proximity. Her red eyes were like shimmering rubies.
Was this what it felt like to be captivated by someone’s beauty?
“You called me. Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“Ah, sorry. You’re so beautiful, Lady Clara, that I was momentarily speechless!”
“Hmph… Another one trying to flatter me.”
Clara sighed as if this was a common occurrence. As a member of a ducal house and the disciple of the Tower Master, she was probably used to people fawning over her.
She despised flattery. But I wasn’t flattering her.
“Flattery? How could you say such a thing! Do you think I’m spewing insincere words just to please you, Lady Clara?”
“Then what is it?”
“I don’t know how to lie! I’m merely expressing what my heart feels.”
Clara looked at me like I was talking nonsense. After all, how many handsome people would say such things?
“What exactly do you find beautiful?”
She wasn’t asking out of genuine curiosity. Perhaps she was waiting for me to hesitate or stumble over my words so she could use it as an excuse to leave.
An average person would have been flustered by her question, but not me.
‘Alright, it’s showtime, Clown.’
“Your black hair, Lady Clara, is as dark as the night sky, yet it sparkles as beautifully as the stars. And your red eyes… If they were gems, they’d be rubies; if they were flowers, they’d be roses. And your skin–”
“Stop!”
I had much more to say, but Clara shouted, cutting me off. Perhaps it was because of her pale skin, but the blush on her face was even more noticeable. What was going on?
“Lady Clara, if you shout like that, people will stare.”
“And whose fault is that?!”
Clara, uncharacteristically flustered, turned to leave.
I followed closely behind.
“Where are you going, Lady Clara, with that adorable blush on your face?”
“What does it matter to you?”
She said, glancing back at me. The blush on her cheeks had subsided slightly, but her ears were still red.
“Oh, come on, there’s no need for such harsh words between us.”
“What ‘us’?”
“Come on, don’t say such hurtful things. We’re friends, aren’t we?”
“Since when were we… Ugh, never mind. I’m going to the Magic Tower. Happy?”
“Then I’ll see you at the entrance ceremony! Have a safe trip!”
“……………”
Clara tried to leave without acknowledging my farewell. Not a chance. I used [Shadow Step] to appear in front of her.
“Have a safe trip!”
“…………..”
“Have a safe trip!”
“Haan, fine… you too.”
“Yes!”
I smiled brightly and was about to head to the inn when…
A man with striking bronze skin blocked my path — it was Kuran Isar. Extending his hand towards me, he introduced himself.
“I am Kuran Isar.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kuran. I’m Loki.”
I shook his hand. His calloused, scarred hand spoke volumes about the life he had led.
“Loki, an honorable warrior! I look forward to our time together!”
“The pleasure is all mine.”
I was about to continue on my way but decided to ask Kuran a question.
“Kuran, have you found lodging for the night?”
“The earth is my home, and the sky is my roof, for the honorable Isar tribe.”
In other words, he was homeless. I had a hunch, but this confirmed it.
“There’s an inn called ‘Frog that Eats Snakes.’ It’s cheap and quite good too. Why don’t you stay there?”
“Hmm. I’ll heed the advice of the honorable warrior Loki. Thank you for the good information.”
Kuran left with those words, and I had just managed to leave the auditorium myself and was heading towards the inn when someone else blocked my way. This time, it was someone unfamiliar.
He’s wearing the uniform. Must be an upperclassman.
“The Student Council President requests your presence.”
Understanding why, I followed the student who had come to fetch me. We eventually arrived at the Student Council Room. The student knocked carefully on the door.
*Knock! Knock!*
“May we enter?”
“Enter.”
The voice that responded was as cold as ice; the student, seemingly accustomed to the frigid tone, opened the door without hesitation.
“I have brought Loki, as requested.”
“Thank you. You may leave now.”
“Understood.”
The student left, and I turned my gaze towards the Student Council President.
Black hair, rare in this world. An icy demeanor. A third-year student, top of his class and the Student Council President. And Clara’s older brother.
As expected of House Adellian, famed for its mastery of magic, he reigned supreme among the students, wielding his unmatched magical prowess.
He then bowed his head to me.
“It’s been a while, my benefactor.”
“Haha, please, speak casually.”
This man… He was still as uncomfortable to be around as I remembered.
“How could I speak casually to my benefactor? Please, have a seat.”
Hearing those polite words spoken in that cold voice and seeing that stoic expression was just too much. I took a seat as he’d requested. I spoke first.
“How is the Duchess?”
“She is well, thanks to your kindness. I can never thank you enough.”
He bowed his head once more to express his gratitude. This was excruciating!
“Ahaha, I didn’t do anything extraordinary. It was the Duchess who persevered until the end.”
I meant it. While my help wasn’t insignificant, it was the Duchess who truly deserved the admiration for enduring through it all.
“Mother wishes to see you as well.”
His expression, usually as cold as ice, seemed to warm a little when he spoke of the Duchess.
“The Duke is still in good health, I presume?”
“Of course. A little too healthy, even.”
Unlike one might expect from the head of House Adellian, famed for its magical prowess, the current Duke was a man of action, preferring physical combat. The image of the Duke charging into battle, his body engulfed in flames, was still vivid in my memory.
“Where do you plan to stay for the week, Benefactor?”
“I’ve found a suitable inn. I plan to stay there until the semester starts.”
“I have a villa in the capital. Please, stay there.”
While staying at his villa would be comfortable in one sense, but incredibly awkward in another.
“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll have to decline. Ah, by the way, I met Lady Clara earlier today. She’s incredibly strong and impressive.”
“……….…”
He looked extremely uncomfortable discussing his younger sister. His reaction told me that Clara’s storyline hadn’t changed.
“Judging by your reaction, you still haven’t told Clara the truth, have you?”
“She only knows that our Mother has recovered.”
“Isn’t it time she learned the truth?”
“I wish for her to remain ignorant of the truth. Forever.”
I couldn’t say anything more.
That wasn’t something I could interfere with.
.
.
.
.
.
The Imperial Palace, the grandest place in the empire.
The Emperor, having just ended a call with Lucas through a crystal ball, spoke to the empty air.
“Bring the boy named Loki to me, unharmed.”
Voices responded from the shadows.
“““For the glory of the empire.”””
— End of Chapter —
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