TCTCL 1.1

August of the year 564 of the Continental Era

❖ August 15th, a letter from Euilde Elmyr to Richard Elmyr

Dear elder brother,

I hope you have been in good health.

The academy garden is now in full bloom with the late summer flowers, just as you mentioned. The garden behind the annex, as you described, is indeed the most beautiful.

Once again, I have come to realize that your advice, as a distinguished graduate of the academy, is invaluable. I kindly ask for your continuous guidance regarding life at the academy.

I have received and read the book, 『The Art of Military Strategies』, written by Rodelloy, you sent. Although the academy library has a wide collection of books, there are times when professors request reference materials that are not available in the library, which can be quite challenging.

Fortunately, I recalled that the book 『The Art of Military Strategies』, which our Professor of Military Strategy asked us to read and summarize, is in our home library — which I have contacted you about. I was asked to convey deep gratitude from my classmates who were unable to procure the book but were able to write their reports by referring to the book you sent.

Today, there was a big incident at the academy.

As you mentioned before, Kael Clavis, the heir to the Clavis Marquessate, has transferred to our year as a fellow student.

However… I am aware that it might sound audacious for me to ask such a question, but I cannot withhold it any longer. 

Is it truly the case that Kael Clavis is as timid and reserved in his interactions with people as you have described?

Although I didn’t doubt your words, I couldn’t help but question my own eyes when I saw him today.

You have repeatedly mentioned in your previous letters that Kael Clavis is a pitiful person with a frail and fragile body, which has made his personality extremely timid.

You also mentioned that if Kael Clavis were to transfer to the Academy as a classmate of mine, I would be sure to take good care of him, as he would be compelled by Clavis Marquess’ policy to enter the Academy.

While elder brother’s earnest words were somewhat burdensome, I had expectations for a friend who would dedicate themselves to the path of learning together, based on your statement that Kael Clavis possesses exceptional talent in literature.

However, the sight of him that I saw during the introduction of the transfer students today was quite different from my imagination.

I thought he would be smaller and shorter than me, considering his fragile condition. But he was the exact opposite. He seemed taller than even Ian Wallace, the tallest among my classmates. Moreover, his physique seemed more like that of a person who frequents the training grounds to train as a knight, rather than a student who came to the Academy to study. Well, even if he’s fragile, he can still have a strong build.

But elder brother, can it be true that a frail and timid person could overpower three senior students who came to confront him under the guise of subduing the new transfer student, and pin them down on the classroom floor? And this happened in the presence of a professor.

Oh heavens, even now, when I recall that scene, my heart cannot calm down.

That incident happened when our assigned professor, Professor Cestiel, was introducing the transfer student in front of the lecture hall. Suddenly, three followers of the notorious senior student, Hasian, known for their unruly behavior, barged into the classroom unexpectedly. The first-year students were on edge, as this group had a bad reputation.

Embarrassingly, I was frozen as well. However, since you repeatedly asked me to take care of Kael Clavis, I had made up my mind to intervene and stop them if it came to a fight. Of course, there was probably not much I could do against such overwhelming odds.

That’s when it happened. Just as Reilt, the senior who always disregards even professors without hesitation, said, “If you’re a transfer student, you should come and greet the senior on your own,” Kael Clavis grabbed Reilt by the collar and lifted him up, then swiftly slammed him onto the ground as if struck by lightning!

Students, including Professor Cestiel, were too shocked to say anything amidst such an unbelievable scene. Kael Clavis not only threw Reilt to the ground but also the remaining two seniors who came with him and proceeded to trample and crush them under his feet. Oh heavens, forgive me for expressing the shocking events of that time with such gruesome words.

He managed to subdue the three seniors without giving them a chance to catch their breath and crushed their spirits with harsh words.

Respected elder brother.

Please forgive your timid younger brother, who cannot accurately convey the harsh words spoken at that time. Just the thought of it makes my hands tremble, and I cannot bring myself to transcribe his words verbatim.

Is it possible that the Kael Clavis you mentioned, who you said would become a good companion for me in literature, is actually someone else with the same name as the Clavis Marquess’ next heir? Could this foolish younger brother have misunderstood your letter?

While reading the letters you sent, my determination to extend a hand of friendship to a frail and sensitive book companion was clouded by doubts. The person who spewed those harsh and mean-spirited words did not seem to resemble the person you described, so I, being a coward, spent the whole day afraid that I might catch his eye.

Although the description of dark black hair and purple eyes matched, the intense gaze was more like that of a wild animal rather than the 「frail and lonely」 gaze you mentioned…

Furthermore, something like this happened when it was lunchtime, and we went to the cafeteria.

As I mentioned in a previous letter, if our class schedules align, I usually have lunch with Ian Wallace, who is both my classmate and a long-time friend. Today, our schedules aligned once again, and we went to the cafeteria together.

Just as we were about to take our seats, Kael Clavis suddenly sat down right next to me and brazenly asked if I didn’t recognize him. 

I was so taken aback that I could only mumble in response. To make matters worse, Ian, who has a quick temper, thought Kael was picking a fight with me, nearly causing a big commotion in the cafeteria. Somehow, I managed to defuse the situation, but the look in Kael Clavis’ eyes as he left…

I truly thought I had committed a grave offense. But no matter how much I reflect, I can’t think of anything I did wrong towards him.

I feel that I am in need of your gentle advice, dear elder brother, who always leads me to the right path.

I am waiting for the sincere response of a trustworthy counselor, my respected elder brother, to help resolve my worries.

– Your ever respectful and loving younger brother, Euilde.