LGT Chapter 13

“Declaire Fauster?”

A student sitting across the table mentioned the Headmaster’s name, and the other kids enjoying their tea nodded in agreement, joining the conversation about knights.

“Declaire Fauster is the strongest knight.”

“Yeah, there’s no one who can beat the Headmaster in swordsmanship right now.”

“I heard he’s been in dozens of battles. We’ll probably learn about him later in Kingdom History class, right?”

“Of course. Especially his tactics during the War of Richard’s Domain were just…”

Mikhail listened to their conversation while placing his empty cup on the table. Unlike when they discussed food or tea, he seemed to be paying attention, as his body, which had been leaning back in the chair, now shifted slightly toward the table.

“You’re amazing. Jonathan, you really know everything about knights.”

“Of course. I can’t wait to move up and start taking knight courses.”

Jonathan began rambling about how his childhood dream of becoming a knight was inspired by Declaire Fauster. His otherwise unremarkable face lit up when talking about knights.

“I don’t know much about knights, but I still can’t believe you saw that famous sword in person.”

“Oh, that sword at the entrance ceremony? Is that a famous one?”

“Declaire Fauster’s sword? It’s super famous! The sword’s name is Teyria. The sapphire embedded in Teyria’s silver scabbard is so beautiful that two noble families even went to war over it.”

At Jonathan’s words, Mikhail tilted his head slightly. It was a gesture of disapproval. His cold, sharp eyes briefly closed and then opened again. The moment Jonathan started talking about Declaire Fauster’s sword again, Mikhail suddenly interrupted him.

“The swordsmith who made Teyria never forged another sword—”

“Temaria.”

“What?”

“The Headmaster’s sword is called Temaria, idiot. Don’t talk like you know what you’re saying.”

Mikhail bit down on the name of the sword as if chewing it. A cold sneer spread across his handsome face. Jonathan, who had been eagerly describing the sword, hesitated at that derisive remark.

Did he really call him an idiot over something as trivial as a sword’s name?

The fact that no one had ever stabbed this guy before, given his attitude, was astounding. Being a prince of the kingdom certainly had its perks.

“…Anyone could make a mistake over something like the name of a sword.”

Jonathan mumbled, embarrassed. He was right. It wasn’t an exam, just a conversation among friends. Anyone could mess up the name of the academy Headmaster’s sword.

But apparently, not in front of the prince.

Adrian’s first project ended in mere hours. He made no effort to clear the awkward tension that had settled over the table. After Mikhail had already called someone an idiot, anything Adrian said probably wouldn’t fix it anyway.

Hmm—

He calmly sipped his perfectly warm tea.

Did he really need friends anyway? As a prince of a kingdom with a decent amount of power, his looks alone were more than enough, and he was probably more confident in swordsmanship than magic. Maybe it was a mistake to have brought him along after all. Adrian briefly regretted it, but that was all.

Mikhail, having successfully shut down any further talk of “knights” or “swords” from Jonathan, seemed to think he had fulfilled his role and remained silent. When Adrian shot him a look of disbelief, Mikhail responded with an expression that said, “I told you I didn’t want to come.”

Just then, someone slowly walked over to the freshmen’s table. It was a student with long, black hair. Judging by the color of her tie, she appeared to be a second-year.

“Sorry to interrupt your meal.”

She brushed aside her sleek, black hair as she joined the conversation. The freshmen at the table tensed up at the sudden approach of the upperclassman. Fortunately, it seemed she was there for Adrian, as she rested one hand on the back of his chair and began to speak.

“Hans has been whining all morning.”

“What?! When did I ever?!”

Hans? When Adrian glanced behind her, he saw the red-headed boy who had picked a fight in the garden that morning. So his name was Hans.

“He said you picked up his homework for him? Thanks, it might not look like much, but it had the most important part written on it… I was in trouble without it.”

“Oh—”

Only then did Adrian remember her name.

“Catherine Esteban?”

“That’s right.”

Catherine Esteban smiled warmly at Adrian with her beautiful face. When the two of them sat together in the dining hall, they looked like a picture-perfect couple—blond and handsome Adrian, and the elegant Catherine. Hans, who was staring at them in a daze, was starting to get agitated and muttered from behind, “Catherine…! Hurry up and ask him.” Catherine snapped back to attention with an “Oh!” and recalled the reason she had interrupted their meal.

“Hans ran to the garden to get it back, but you could have just handed it directly to him.”

“Oops. I put what I found in the locker near the lecture hall earlier. I’ll go get it for you now.”

Adrian hadn’t expected to run into Catherine in the dining hall. She was an unexpected helping hand in this situation, and he was already thinking about how to leave the table as soon as possible.

“Well, since my next lecture is in that direction anyway, I’ll just go with you and pick it up myself.”

Catherine smiled as she spoke. Hans grumbled under his breath, clearly unhappy, but judging by his expression, he was ready to follow Catherine to the ends of the continent. Adrian watched them and stood up from the table.

He had finished eating anyway, so it was the perfect time to leave the dining hall.

“See you in class this afternoon.”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Okay, see you later.”

Adrian said his goodbyes to his classmates, who were still enjoying dessert. Mikhail also quietly began to stand up.

Huh? Adrian turned to Mikhail and said, “You don’t have to come.”

“Who said I was going with you? I’m heading back to the dorm.”

Mikhail coldly replied before striding out of the dining hall first.

As soon as the two of them left the table, the students quickly resumed their conversation. Even Jonathan, who had been upset by Mikhail earlier, was now smiling and chatting with the others again. At their age, they could spend the whole day laughing at something as simple as a leaf rolling by.

***

Hans, Adrian, Mikhail, and Catherine were walking down the corridor together. The lecture hall building was a little distance from the main building where the dining hall was located, and the sound of their student shoes echoed against the marble floor as they walked. 

For some reason, there wasn’t a single student in the large corridor leading to the main entrance. Then, someone suddenly sprinted past the four of them. Running like that in the academy uniform wasn’t easy, but the student was incredibly fast.

“Oh, hey, Catherine!” 

The student, grinning widely, greeted Catherine as he ran by. She responded casually.

“Hey! Where are you running off to?”

“Headmaster Declaire showed up at the training grounds!”

“Oh, sounds like a chance to win some bets.”

Catherine smirked, her smile slightly mischievous. 

“Come on, who would bet against the Headmaster? Of course, he’s going to win!” the student exclaimed, as if baffled by her comment. He called out, “See you there!” and continued sprinting down the hallway. 

Catherine watched him go, then turned her gleaming eyes back to the freshmen. She glanced briefly at the tops of Adrian and Mikhail’s heads, then muttered to herself, “Ah…”

“…You’re still in the peaceful first week of Basamiel, aren’t you?”

“Huh?” Adrian asked, but Catherine, not wanting to explain, simply shook her head and dismissed it with, “It’s nothing.” She then pointed in the direction the student had run.

“Come on, let’s get there before the duel ends!”

“…What about the homework?” 

“Homework? Does that matter right now?!”

Catherine’s eyes sparkled as she yelled excitedly. They still had plenty of time before the afternoon class, so there was no rush.

“What’s the point of watching a duel, anyway…?” Hans grumbled, but he followed Catherine regardless.

“That’s the problem with you arts students—no competitive spirit,” Catherine teased with a playful jab, grinning at her best friend.

“Does watching people show off brute strength spark some wild competitive urge in you?” Hans retorted, clearly used to her teasing by now, and stood firm in his response.

Mikhail silently followed behind them.

“Where’s the training grounds? Hurry and lead the way!” 

“…Don’t talk to Catherine like you’re giving orders!” Hans shouted back as he and Catherine broke into a run, directing the comment at Mikhail. But Mikhail didn’t even acknowledge him.

Adrian had no choice but to follow the group as they rushed toward the training grounds. Part of him was curious to see the famous Declaire Fauster in action, but what intrigued him the most was her sword, Teyria… Or was it Temaria? Now he was even more confused.