Chapter 87: Omen (5)
“Perhaps you already know, but I am a graduate of Arpentia Academy.”
While we walked side by side at a slow pace, Professor Yul Runberg quietly spoke.
Since it was something I already knew well, I nodded in response.
“Yes, it is a famous story, so I know it well.”
“Haha, to think it’s famous enough for that?”
He let out a somewhat embarrassed laugh as he spoke.
“Just in case, I even introduced myself as coming from Hilts during the very first class… but if what Lian says is true, then I suppose it was a needless thing.”
“To not know about you, Professor, would honestly be unthinkable.”
Yul Runberg of the Crowns.
Deiare of Hilts.
Windy May Maddown of the Wands.
Rahma of the Crooks.
And lastly, Ras Sink Shagas of the Dots.
The five professors in charge of the common courses.
Except for Rahma, who had long since died, not a single one of them could be said to fall short in reputation anywhere.
Of course, Professor Shagas had been active decades ago, but his name was widely known across the continent, appearing in both textbooks and historical records.
In particular, his reputation and prestige within the Empire were said to be absolute.
After all, wasn’t his very title the “Guardian of the Empire”?
And Windy May Maddown, disciple of Archmage Edas, herself one of the five Archmages still alive, who had personally defeated both the Summer and Winter Essences—there was no need to speak further about her.
As for Professor Deiare, at the present moment his name was still less known among humans, especially within the Empire… but among other races such as Elves, Beastkin, and even Demons, he was so well known that there was hardly anyone who did not recognize it.
On top of that, he had even been a disciple of Sage Arpentia, the founder of this very Academy…
By lineage alone, he could be said to surpass even Professor Windy May, a legendary figure.
And the man walking beside me, Professor Yul Runberg, was in no way inferior to those three.
No—if anything, he might have been even more widely known among the common people of all nations than they were.
If we were simply measuring popular recognition and admiration, there was no one who could compare to him.
“The Guardian of the Imperial Family, Yul Runberg.”
A man who, already in his twenties, had earned the title of Sword Saint through his unbelievable talent and skill.
It was said there had never been an opponent who could withstand his bold yet sharp swordsmanship, and that among the Sword Saints, he ranked near the top.
Though half of his blood was Imperial, the other half foreign, he had nevertheless been awarded the title of Guardian Knight, standing proudly at the Emperor’s side.
He was, in short, nothing less than a living legend.
It was for that very reason that, during the first class, countless students had been unable to hide their excitement upon merely seeing his face.
‘But…’
I stole a glance at his profile, a bitter thought flickering in my mind.
Even as a fellow man, I could hardly believe someone could be born looking so upright and handsome.
His posture was straight and dignified beyond reproach.
It was no wonder people called him the paragon of knighthood.
If I recalled correctly, one noble lady who had once sought his hand in marriage described him as “a work of art.”
And borrowing her expression for a moment… I already knew full well that this “work of art” would one day become so hideously disfigured that one could scarcely bear to look at him.
“……”
In my past life, by now… at least three… no, perhaps four attacks would have already taken place.
As the assaults continued, the Academy poured all its strength into finding the culprit.
Among the proposed measures was having powerhouses like Yul Runberg, Deiare, and Windy May Maddown patrol the grounds to ensure the students’ safety.
In truth, anyone qualified to serve as a professor at this Academy was exceptional in their own right.
And I still remembered clearly how, upon hearing that such figures would personally take action, most of us students—including myself—had felt at ease for the first time.
But then, mocking us all, the culprit hung a corpse in the very center of the Academy—on the statue that stood in the clearing where the entrance and welcome ceremonies for freshmen had been held.
The body had been torn apart so thoroughly it was impossible to recognize, as if ripped to shreds by a mortal enemy.
And that body… had belonged to none other than Professor Yul Runberg, who now walked at my side.
The shock and aftermath had been so great, it defied words.
‘…It was the decisive turning point that led the Imperial Family and the Holy Sun Church to intervene.’
As a former Guardian Knight of the Emperor…
And, according to Lancia, someone closely tied—almost bound—to the Holy Sun Church as well.
That such a man was brutally murdered… it was only natural that both the Imperial Family and the Holy Sun Church would step in.
“Hmm, is there something on my face?”
Sensing my gaze, Yul Runberg lightly touched his cheek.
He smiled awkwardly, as if embarrassed, and I returned an equally awkward smile.
“No, it’s nothing.”
He was a man who should have died.
Even though I had already experienced it before, the fact that someone destined for death was still alive and breathing never failed to stir complicated feelings within me.
Whether it was through my intention or not.
Whether it had happened because of me or not.
“It just struck me how incredible it is, to be walking with and speaking to someone like you, Professor.”
“Hahaha! If you keep gilding my face with such words, I won’t know where to put myself.”
Laughing heartily, he cleared his throat with a small cough.
“Well then, shall we finally move on to the main subject?”
At his words, I straightened my posture and glanced around.
This place was so secluded, there was still no trace of anyone nearby.
“The truth is, the reason I pay such close attention to you, Allen, is because my circumstances were, in many ways, similar to yours.”
He began to speak quietly.
“You must already know that I am of mixed Imperial and foreign blood.”
“Yes. That is well known.”
“Haha, then I suppose it is also well known that the country of my other half was destroyed long ago.”
“……”
I gave no reply.
That seemed enough of an answer for him.
“Well, it’s hardly something I need to hide… As people say, half of my blood comes from a nation that perished long ago.”
With a bitter smile, he gazed up at the sky.
“Because of that, I faced much discrimination. Call it the sorrow of a fallen nation, if you will… Though half my blood was Imperial, no one would ever treat me as such. When I first entered the Academy…”
He shook his head lightly, as though suppressing a shiver.
“Lian Gwendil, I imagine I don’t need to explain how the foundations of this Empire were built—you already know it well.”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
“I know it well.”
The Empire had originally been an alliance of countless nations, groups, and factions, formed to resist the overwhelming advance of the Demons.
But when that common enemy, the Demons, fell silent, what remained was nothing more than a massive union stripped of its purpose.
And the Great Emperor was the one who most keenly understood how dangerous a directionless alliance of such magnitude could be.
He led those who were outwardly united but inwardly rotting, and only after many years of strife, schemes, and political battles did he finally manage to establish the beginnings of the Empire.
How much intrigue and bloodshed filled those years was known only to those who lived through them.
“From the very roots, it was like that. And yet, paradoxically, discrimination still runs rampant within the Empire. Even just a few days ago, Professor Shagas’ assistant suffered such treatment. And not only foreigners, but other races—and those of mixed blood as well—fare no better.”
“……”
“And dare I say, Allen, your situation must be similar.”
He was right.
Among the malicious rumors about Allen, the most prominent were those concerning his mother.
And most of those did not mock her status or character, but rather scorned her as a foreigner of unknown origin.
“That is why I wished to change things.”
Yul Runberg murmured quietly.
“I wanted to change people’s awareness from within this country.”
Without realizing it, I replied:
“That path will be filled with thorns.”
“I had already resolved myself to that long ago.”
He was still gazing at the sky.
“Who can know when people’s hearts will change, or how long it will take? To be honest, if it were so easy… if just I alone could have changed it, then it would not have remained the Empire’s chronic disease for hundreds of years. But…”
Lowering his head slowly, he looked at me.
In his eyes flickered a light I could not put into words.
“That is why I believed it had to be me, a man of mixed blood, who must do it.”
“……”
I knew what sort of people bore such a light in their eyes.
Those who, rather than bending, would sooner choose to break—their unwavering conviction always shone just like that.
“A pebble like me, cast into the lake called the Empire, might create nothing more than a single small ripple. But if those ripples continue, linking one after another… then one day they will become a great wave. That, I believe without a doubt.”
“Truly…”
I could not help but pause in my words.
“You are incredible. That is all I can say.”
“Haha. To tell the truth, I felt embarrassed the moment I said it, but thank you for putting it that way.”
“No, it is no empty flattery.”
A man of mixed blood who had entered even the Emperor’s direct order of Guardian Knights.
And his motivation was none other than to break the eyes of discrimination cast upon countless people like himself, to make himself the cornerstone for change.
What else could I say but that he was incredible?
“By any chance, what you wish to say about Allen is…”
“It is as the student imagines.”
Yul Runberg nodded.
“In truth, I was hoping that Allen would become another pebble, one to carry on the ripples.”
Then, with an embarrassed laugh, he went on.
“Hahaha! To speak so openly with favoritism, I suppose that disqualifies me as an educator. But the heart does not always obey.”
“Are you perhaps thinking of taking Allen as your disciple?”
At my question, he shook his head.
“No. To be honest, I did entertain such a thought, but Professor Deiare had already made the offer before me. So I had no choice but to give up.”
“……”
At that, I faltered for a moment.
How did he even know that? I wondered.
But seeing my expression, Yul Runberg quickly spoke, as if reading my thoughts.
“Judging by your face, you already knew.”
“You mean…”
“I heard it directly from Professor Deiare.”
At his reply, I gave a small nod.
I had heard the two of them had patrolled together once, so it was not strange such talk had come up.
“And the reason I sought you out like this was because Professor Deiare told me that not only had Allen refused his offer, but he was even considering withdrawing from the Academy.”
And then.
He steadied his breath and looked at me.
“I also heard that after speaking with you, Allen not only regained his peace of mind but began living Academy life with a very positive outlook.”
“……”
I felt as though I already knew what he wanted to say.
And so, I could only swallow a quiet sigh.
“You seem to hold great expectations for me, but I am in no position to say anything to him. I am just his friend.”
“It is precisely because you are his friend. There are words only a friend can say.”
Yul Runberg murmured.
“Do not worry. I am not asking you to persuade Allen, or to arrange an opportunity to talk. That is not my request.”
“Then…”
“Tell me, Lian—do you wish for Allen to withdraw from the Academy?”
Once again, he spoke swiftly.
“There is no need to answer with respect for his choice. I simply wish to know your true thoughts.”
“……”
Unlike him, I could not answer right away.
But if I had to be honest… yes.
As he said, I did not wish for Allen to leave the Academy.
And that was for many reasons.
For the sake of my future safety… and as his friend, too.
“Judging by your face, I need not hear the answer.”
Yul Runberg nodded.
“What I wished to ask was that you remain by his side, as his friend, with that feeling in your heart.”
With a faintly bitter smile, he added:
“For I never had such a friend myself. But I know well how much strength such a friend can give.”
“If it is only that, then you need not worry.”
“Yes, then my mind is eased.”
Yul Runberg shrugged lightly.
Then, after chewing on his lips a moment, he spoke again, almost as if making excuses.
“Ah, and…”
“Yes?”
“Mm… and truthfully, I know very well that what I am doing and saying now seems contrived. I had hoped to hide it, but I cannot avoid explaining.”
Lowering his voice as if in a whisper, he said to me:
“What I said before was sincere, but… in fact, I once received a great favor from Count Amiel. That is why I am meddling like this. He once said to me in passing, ‘Please take good care of my two sons.’”
“Ah.”
Hearing that much, I could now roughly understand why he had gone so far as to say all this to me.
I nodded in acknowledgment.
“I will, of course, keep this story secret.”
“Haha, please do. If it leaked, I would be in great trouble.”
With that, he said it had been a pleasure to talk with me, and that he hoped we could speak again another time, then walked out of the park.
It felt awkward to follow him, and besides, I wanted to整理 my thoughts a little, so I turned my steps in the opposite direction.
No—more precisely, I followed the signs calling to me.
—……!!!
—~~~? ……!!!
They were Spirits.
They surged desperately toward me, as if beckoning me to come.
At the end of the path they led me down stood a great tree.
And behind that tree.
There sat Cecilia, crouched quietly.
“Cecilia.”
“…?!”
At my call, she started violently in surprise.