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Chapter 4
“Professor!”
“My ears aren’t failing yet. I can hear you perfectly well without all the shouting. So, what exactly is the matter?”
Ever since his student days, Aiden had been famous.
As the son of a Guardian family, he had attracted everyone’s attention the moment he entered the academy. And afterward, his name had only spread further because of his stubborn personality—once something caught his interest, he would throw himself at it without regard for consequences.
Looks like something has really gotten under his skin again.
Seton glanced at Eugene, who was seated opposite him, but the latter merely looked away and pretended ignorance.
…There’s definitely something the rest of us don’t know.
Especially Eugene.
He clearly knew something.
Unable to endure even that brief silence, Aiden exploded.
“Professor! No, Instructor!”
“Ah, what now?! Stop shouting my name and tell me what’s wrong already!”
“Why is Olivia here? In the Knight Department, no less! Three years ago, she was in Monster Classification, wasn’t she?”
Ah, so that’s what this is about.
“You’ve been away on dispatch for a long time, haven’t you? Miss Olivia transferred quite some time ago. In fact, she’s supposed to come here shortly. Just wait a moment.”
“But why?!”
“That’s Miss Olivia’s decision.”
Knock, knock.
As if on cue, a knock sounded at the door.
Everyone turned toward it.
“Professor, may I come in?”
“Oh, Miss Olivia! Come in!”
The door opened quietly, and Veritas Academy’s pride—the treasure of the Knight Department, Olivia Kishiar—peeked her head inside.
How can our Miss Olivia be so well-mannered?
Professor Seton’s eyes brimmed with emotion.
“Professor, there are footprints outside the door. I think you should call someone to clean them.”
“Ah, that’s because some rude fellow opened it with his foot instead of his hand. As expected, you’re the only one who cares about a professor’s dignity, Miss Olivia!”
“My goodness. Is there really someone so uncivilized?”
“Indeed! Something our Miss Olivia would never even dream of doing!”
At those words, a piercing glare came from beside him.
Honestly, that rascal has no shame.
Olivia chuckled softly before greeting the others occupying the room.
“It’s been a while, Captain Eugene.”
“And… Brother Aiden.”
“Olive.”
It was only a simple greeting.
And yet…
What is this atmosphere?
Aiden, who usually charged around like a mad dog with no respect for rank or decorum, had suddenly become astonishingly tame.
And Olivia couldn’t take her eyes off him either.
It was strange.
Far too strange.
“Have you been well?”
“Of course. And you, Brother? You haven’t been hurt, have you?”
Astonishing. Aiden’s speaking like a civilized human being.
Just moments ago, he was barking like a dog.
Seton narrowed his eyes and alternated his gaze between the two.
Long ago, he’d felt much the same way when he caught his beloved youngest daughter sharing cookies with the snot-nosed boy next door.
He had dismissed it as nothing.
Twenty years later, the two had shown up announcing their intention to marry.
Recalling that horrifying experience, anxiety crept onto Professor Seton’s face.
“I’m against it.”
“…Pardon?”
“Professor, have you finally gone senile?”
See?!
Our lovely and precious Miss Olivia with that hooligan Oblivion?
Even if dirt got into his eyes, he could never approve.
“Anyway, that’s not important right now. Professor, answer me.”
“Miss Olivia is right here. Why not ask her yourself?”
Naturally, Aiden ignored him completely and turned toward Eugene instead.
“And Captain, how do you know Olivia?”
“What an odd question. I know her because Miss Olivia has come to see me several times.”
“What?”
“Would you do something about that tone of yours? So reckless.”
Clicking his tongue in disapproval, Eugene walked toward Olivia and offered his hand.
“Well then, Miss Olivia. Are you prepared?”
“Prepared for what?”
“Prepared to join the Lux Knights.”
“We haven’t even had the final practical exercise yet.”
“You’ll pass it at the top of the class. Naturally. I have an excellent eye for talent.”
“You’re too kind.”
Ah, right.
It had been Eugene who wrote Olivia’s recommendation letter when she transferred departments.
Thanks to that, her transfer had gone far more smoothly.
At the time, when Seton had demanded to know why Eugene had recommended her, he had answered:
“Wait one year.”
“She’s that talented?”
“A genius.”
“Give her the right environment, and her talent will bloom.”
And after observing Olivia for three years with equal parts doubt and expectation—
Professor Seton constantly praised himself for having trusted Eugene’s words.
Everyone exchanged warm greetings.
Everyone except one.
In this peaceful room, there was only a single person who wasn’t peaceful at all.
That person was Aiden.
A chilling voice escaped through clenched teeth.
“…The Lux Knights?”
A few seconds later—
“What kind of nonsense is this?!”
Unable to bear it any longer, Aiden shouted loudly enough to shake the room.
* * *
Aiden really is a hooligan.
That was Olivia’s conclusion.
In truth, she’d never seen this side of him before.
Around the Kishiar siblings, Aiden had always acted relatively normal.
But today was different.
The moment he learned that Olivia intended to join the Lux Knights, he went completely insane.
“Who tricked you into joining this crazy knight order? Tell me! I won’t let them get away with it!”
“Captain Eugene.”
“Captain? Captain, was it you?! Draw your sword immediately! I demand a duel—”
“Sir Aiden, calm yourself! This is Miss Olivia’s decision!”
“And what exactly were you doing instead of stopping her, Professor?!”
Crash! Bang!
The commotion continued until the academy guards burst into the office after receiving a report.
“Everyone, please calm down.”
“Do you even know what kind of place the Lux Knights are?! Do you know how they’re treated?! This is ridiculous! You’re ruining her life!”
“We received a report that an intruder had entered the professor’s office…”
“If our Miss Olivia wants to do it, then she’ll do it! Who are you to interfere with her decisions?!”
“I’m telling you, an intruder was reported—”
“Miss Olivia is a genius! Though I suppose there’s no point explaining that to someone who’s never even seen her train!”
“If this continues, we may have to use magical devices to conduct a proper investigation. Do all three of you consent?”
“…”
Even the dignified Professor Seton and Captain Eugene had been dragged into the chaos.
That said everything.
Eventually, after waiting for everyone to calm down, Olivia brought Aiden outside.
After all, there were mountains of unresolved matters between them.
Side by side, they walked through a secluded garden in a quiet corner of the academy.
Finally regaining his senses, Aiden rubbed the back of his neck and cautiously spoke.
“So, Olive. I know I made a fool of myself, but… wait, what are you doing?”
Perfect.
Admiring her handiwork, Olivia smiled with satisfaction.
A strange ring that hadn’t been there moments ago now adorned the ring finger of Aiden’s left hand.
“…W-What is this?”
The clear gemstone embedded in the ring sparkled brilliantly under the warm spring sunlight.
With a smile just as radiant, Olivia answered:
“Our engagement ring.”
“It’s pretty.”
Aiden’s mouth fell open.
His eyes darted between Olivia and the ring.
And then back again.
