Life has beco quite uneventful these days.
Other than the busy work schedule of the Winter Term, nothing else seems to be surfacing on the horizon. There is the matter of the incoming Royal Academy Excursion, but I have already decided not to get myself involved.
It’s only extra work, and I could use this chance to actually relax for once.
As such, everything is going smoothly.
My deal with the Dark Guild is underway, my business is booming, and my career is going fine.
Within this period, I have gotten my Interdiate Alchemist Title. I have already sent word to the Royal Family, so they’ll legitimize it in no ti. Once that happens, it will beco a true certification with no defects.
First Rate Scholar, High Rank Knight, and now Interdiate Alchemist.
I’m building quite a portfolio for myself.
At this rate, I’m certain that I could never find myself lacking an occupation. No matter the Kingdom I head to, there will always be opportunities awaiting soone like .
’But, these aren’t enough to thrive in a Large-sized Kingdom like Dustinville. To truly make it there, I’ll need proper connections...’ My brows furrow as I calmly assess my situation while marking the answer sheets of the recently concluded test.
I already have Regulus Heathcliff, whom I am in contact with and speak to occasionally, but I can’t put all my eggs in one basket.
I’ll have to visit Sir Jero Sirius to write a letter of introduction for , so I can have a smooth experience with his niece. Unfortunately, my old Master and I aren’t as close as we were in my past life. We’ve only ever t and spoken to each other a few tis.
But this is no ti to dawdle.
I have garnered quite a reputation for myself in the Kingdom, and Sir Jero is bound to have heard so of my feats. He certainly won’t turn away from visiting his abode, and once that happens, I’ll have him connect to Lady Beatrice of Dustinville.
With those two as my initial forms of contact, and the accolades I have used to establish myself here already, I believe I would have t the bare minimum to live in Dustinville for so ti.
Ah, there’s also the matter of money...
Living comfortably in a Large-sized Kingdom, especially as a foreigner, will certainly require a lot of funds. To prevent myself from getting into a pinch, I’ll have to save up enough money and also carry a considerable amount of valuables with .
If I can sohow have a business in Dustinville during my stay there, it will be the best.
But, as long as my business in the Randalorion Kingdom is thriving, I should still be able to access my funds through the banks.
’Because of the distance, it will take so ti for the Bank in Dustinville to confirm my funds in the Randalorion Kingdom, which will an a delay in withdrawals and deposits. Still, it’s better than not having access to my wealth at all...’ Then, a wry smile forms on my face as I think of the most inconvenient part of this decision.
I won’t have an easier ti getting what I want in Dustinville. Unlike here, where the Royal Family is cooperative with , it won’t be the sa over there. Since it’s a Large-Sized Kingdom, I should expect that a Leviathan, or even more than one, is in charge there.
But is this a cause for concern?
I hope not.
According to Regulus Heathcliff, Dustinville is a ritocracy, especially in its educational system.
If I prove myself, then I’ll get my due rewards.
If this is true, then I don’t have to rely on unfair advantages or sches to excel. I might not be a genius like Regulus, but I’m a fairly competent person.
I am also hardworking and constantly seek ways to better myself.
DING!
’Hm? Did I have a scheduled visit from soone?’ I wonder to myself once I hear the visitor bell ring at my door.
The students should be in class at the mont, and although so of them may be having their breaks or not taking so of the courses at the mont, there really isn’t any cause for most of them to even see .
Could this be another case like the Sasha incident?
It couldn’t be my colleagues, since they could have stated their nas while knocking. Even Klein and Seraphina would lightly knock before entering.
’Only visitors use the bell and don’t speak...’ I smile lightly, using Clairvoyance to observe my visitor before I call him in.
To my surprise... it is a familiar face, one I haven’t seen in many years.
—Seth Clayford!
"Co in!" I yell louder than I should have, perhaps because of excitent. Not long after, the knob twists, and a slim, elegant young man walks in.
His silvery white hair shimrs beneath my office’s illumination, and his beautiful skin appears angelic under all kinds of scrutiny. He still has his gem-like blue eyes, and his previously round face has morphed considerably since I last saw him. He still has an androgynous face, but the cuteness has lessened, his beauty becoming more mature.
Now, although he is a man, he has an appearance akin to a beautiful young lady.
His slim face is perfectly in sync with the rest of his body, which is garbed in a priestly garnt. It seems his height didn’t improve much during our ti apart, as he is only barely average in height, and many could even mistake him for a short individual if he stood near soone like .
"Javier... It’s been a while, hasn’t it?" The mont he steps in, Seth flashes a warm smile, once again reminding of the past.
The way his eyelashes flutter softly, and his moist lips curl up with a delicate motion.
It takes back to our ti as students in the Royal Academy.
"Indeed." I gesture to the chair in front of while remaining in mine. "Please, sit. This is quite an unexpected visit, I’ll be honest."
When we were in the Academy, I considered Seth my best friend.
But that isn’t the case anymore.
Many years have passed, and I hardly know him anymore. He also doesn’t know many things about , so naturally, that feeling of closeness has been compromised. It’s still a pleasure to see him, though, and honestly... I would like to catch up with him.
"Thank you..."
Seth settles into the seat in front of my desk, and for a mont, he stays quiet.
Then, I see so sadness and guilt in his eyes.
I know what it is.
’Does he feel bad about my family’s slaughter and the fall of the Aditi Household? He must feel guilty for not showing up during that period or sending a single letter. I an, it’s not like I’m still hung up about it, but I rember wondering why he didn’t contact even once during that period...’ I smile lightly.
Then, his next statent answers this inner question.
"Father Gero told what happened to your family as I was preparing for my trip here. He likely thought it would be unfair for not to know before I t you, but... I was more surprised by the fact that it happened almost a year ago."
’Oh? So he didn’t know...’ My eye twitches a little, but I don’t show any emotion.
"I’m sorry I didn’t co to see you during such a dark period of your life, Javier. I truly didn’t know... no, even if I didn’t... I should have co to see my friend at least once during all of these years..." He sighs deeply, his sincerity reaching .
I can already tell he ans it.
That’s fine.
I still wonder what kind of restricted life he lives, to not have been privy to information that pretty much spread throughout the Kingdom.
If I had to guess, I’d say the church decided to keep it secret from him on purpose.
"It’s fine, Seth... really." I smile warmly at him. "It’s not like I visited you, too. We’ve both been occupied with our lives since we left the Academy, so I don’t feel any resentnt towards you."
This is the truth.
Honestly, I haven’t thought much about Seth since I left the Academy.
Seeing him feeling bad and apologizing so much is beginning to make feel guilty about that.
This is the problem with human connections.
It is a fickle thing.
In school, we all grow close and promise to rember each other, but once we leave those four walls and make our way to the outside world, we beco so occupied with the vicissitudes of life.
As real adults, we beco occupied with the affairs of the world.
Reality starts to dawn on us.
Many tis, we beco so occupied with our own affairs, so caught up with the problems and opportunities swirling around us, that we slowly forget the friends we had back in school. It is a sad thing to think about, but it is life.
How many of my friends have I spoken to since my Academy days?
How many have spoken to ?
Most of them only started coming around and sending letters once I rose to fa. It could be that not all of them were opportunists, and so could have genuinely wanted to reforge our friendship, but intentions aside, they only reached out once I beca relevant.
But I hold nothing against them, since this is human nature.
Even I only rembered Korrin and Jonathan during the Fargos Scandal, and if not for Serena’s intensity in our friendship, I would have lost touch with her as well. In fact, I ignored her plight for so long until it was in my best interests to deal with her now-imprisoned husband, Julian.
Does this make a bad person?
I don’t think so.
I am certainly not innocent. I am a sinner, guilty of many things. However, all the things I just ntioned are interwoven into human nature, so it is hard to call them evils.
If I needed the Church during the past few years which I stayed out of touch with Seth, I would have naturally tried to rebuild the friendship and use my connection with him to solve my problem. In fact, isn’t that what I’m trying to do with my old Master?
This is life.
We all try to use each other.
Humans are a naturally cooperative race, and it is within our nature to behave in this manner.
As unsavory as it is to admit... this is the truth.
’The only difference between a good and bad person is that the latter wishes to use others without being used, while the forr is willing to be used without using others.’
As for , I am neither a good nor a bad person.
I will happily be used for those I care about, but I also seek to use others.
This, I believe, is the wisest way to live.
Those who live according to this principle are neither good nor bad.
They are simply people—humans in their truest form.
"Javier...."
"You ca here for a reason, right? You ntioned how the Bishop only told you because of your visit, which ans you were coming here anyway." I smile at him, wondering if he only knew I was a Senior Professor here because of Father Gero as well.
"Y-yes, actually..."
Seth sighs, his face downcast for a mont.
"I know it’s shaless for to do this after we’ve just t, and I definitely don’t have a right to show up on your doorstep making requests, especially since we haven’t been in touch for so long, but this is... bigger than the two of us. It’s very important!"
’Oh? I imagine it is...’ I laugh to myself. ’Why else would they allow Seth to leave his ivory tower to explain it in person?’
I already know that this person before is very important to the Church.
The reason they didn’t tell him about my family’s circumstances was likely to protect him and keep him out of the Leviathan’s radar, since it seed that everyone I cared about was being targeted. If Seth showed up, he would be in danger as well.
I don’t bla their initiative that way.
’I suppose this ans they could have so knowledge of Leviathans...’ A sparkle appears in my eyes, and the cog in my head starts turning.
"After learning you were a Senior Professor here, and you now have considerable influence... I reckoned you would be the best person to et. I also didn’t want to simply send a letter, which is why I chose to co in person." Seth continues talking, and although I am getting a little impatient, I remain quiet after noticing just how much he is shaking.
What could the matter be?
"Please believe ... You need to prevent the incoming Excursion from taking place!"
"W-what?"
Why is he suddenly talking about the Royal Academy Excursion?
Honestly, I decided not to be involved in it, so I don’t know a lot about what’s going on there. Did sothing happen that I’m not aware of?
Hold on! Judging by his expression, it’s not about what has happened.
No...
This is about what will happen.
’Seth, you—’
"Please just trust ." Seth stares at desperately. "Everyone who goes on that trip will die if they go ahead with it. No matter what... You have to stop it from happening!"
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