Chapter 35: Smile [1]

News about Julien's achievements at Haven quickly reached the Evenus household near Westernborn, one of the two regions under the Evenus Barony management.

".....This doesn't make sense."

Aldric M. Evenus muttered while staring at the files in front of him.

It had been a while since he had heard the news of his son becoming the Black Star, and even now, he had trouble believing the news.

Was this really his son...?

Though not incompetent, he was also not this competent.

And as he read through the new report, his brows further furrowed.

"It's not adding up."

If it were not for the fact that Leon personally said that this was Julien, he would've believed there was something wrong with Julien.

To Tok--

A figure entered after knocking. It was a young man with brown hair and hazel eyes. His expression was clean, and his face held perfect symmetries. By any right, he was a handsome man.

"Father."

He addressed politely as he entered.

"....Linus."

"Yes."

Linus lowered his head in acknowledgment. He was the second son of the Evenus Household and the next one in line for the position.

Unlike Julien, he had a warmer disposition and seemed more approachable.

"Have you noticed anything strange with your brother before he left for the institute?"

"...Hm? Brother? Did something happen?"

"Check this out."

Aldric slid the papers over his desk. Though confused, Linus walked toward the desk and checked out the papers.

"This..."

Gradually, his expression strained. He put the paper down and looked up.

".....Is this real?"

"Yes."

Aldric nodded.

"I haven't told you yet because I found it hard to believe myself. Leon has confirmed everything."

"Ah, is that so..."

Linus casually glanced at the documents one more time before nodding.

"If Leon said so, then there's nothing to worry about."

His expression seemed genuine. With a sigh, Aldric drummed his fingers over the wooden desk. Then, as he casually glanced up at Linus who was staring at the documents with a strange intensity, he waved his hand.

"You may go."

"Hm...? Now?"

Linus appeared surprised by the sudden dismissal.

Aldric didn't look up and sat down on his chair.

"I just wanted to double-check on you. Since we agree, I'll wait for Julien to return after the mid-terms to confirm."

"Ah... I see."

Though reluctant, Linus didn't argue and nodded his head in understanding. Then, with a short bow, he left the room.

Clank--!

A large corridor met Linus's sight as he came out. It was wide but empty.

Tak. Tak.

The sound of his steps echoed rhythmically as he calmly headed toward his room which was located on the second floor of the Evenus estate.

Upon entering his room, he closed the door behind him and headed toward his desk where he poured himself a drink.

Gulp.

The burn lingered in his throat as he relished the drink.

The glass emptied and the pain at the back of his throat eased, cooling his head in the process. Taking a deep breath, he sat on his sofa while muttering a name.

"...Julien."

It was the name of his older brother.

His grip on the glass tightened, and his expression distorted.

"Have you finally decided to reveal your true self...?"

An image floated in his mind.

One of a specific individual. Staring down at him with a cold gaze while his house burned, and everyone he cared about died.

"Fucking bastard..."

He quietly spat through his teeth as his hold of the cup intensified.

Others may not know, but he knew.

His nightmares told him...

Julien.

His brother.

He was a monster waiting to destroy everything they had.

***

There weren't many things that I could do now that I was injured. Training was apparently off the list, but I refused to believe there was no way for me to train without the assistance of my body.

It was why I was now back in the library.

"What kind of nonsense is this..."

There were still many questions that I had regarding the English sections, and how the books were here. Presumingly, this world was a game. It wouldn't be strange for there to be English in this world if that was the reason why English was present.

However...

'What if this world isn't a game...?'

Perhaps it was because everything felt so real, but there was something that nagged at the back of my mind. What if...? What if....?

"Haaa..."

My head throbbed at the idea.

It was crazy thoughts, but my mind couldn't help but wander there on the occasion. Unfortunately, there was also something that became more clear to me the more I had these thoughts.

And it was that...

"I still know too little."

The Mirror Dimension, this Empire, the other Empires, and its history. If I couldn't train with my body, then there was no reason for me to waste time doing nothing but learning.

'I might just find the answers I wanted here... And also a way to train without straining my body.'

Which was exactly what I was doing.

"Let's see...."

I looked around me, scanning all the books that were carefully lined up on the bookshelves. From magic theory to history, I picked up book after book.

There were also several interesting ones from the English section that I took.

By the time I was done, I had gathered over a dozen books.

"...."

Managing to find a very secluded area of the library, I set the books down and sat down on the chair.

Thud.

The books were quite thick and they numbered a lot, but...

"I have to do this."

Knowledge was important.

Even though I was reluctant to do this, I had no choice but to.

And with such thoughts, I began to open the first book.

"Oh, right..."

But just as I did, I recalled something and took out a pair of glasses from my pocket. It was something the doctor had given me.

The damage my eyes sustained was quite serious.

To the point where I had no choice but to put up with wearing glasses whenever I needed to read.

"How odd..."

They felt weird, finding myself squinting a couple of times. I wasn't sure I'd ever get used to this, but since it was temporary, I ignored the discomfort and began reading.

I had been through worse.

Flip--

***

There were a few things that Aoife kept secret from the world. Hardly anyone knew this about her, and she never planned on anyone finding out about it.

And that was...

"Ba dum~ Ta tum~ Lalala~"

She liked to sing when there was no one around her.

"Ba dum~ Ta tum~"

Such was how she was when she didn't have to pretend to be perfect. Flaws weren't something that the Megrail family accepted. At least, not on the outside.

"Ba dam~"

Her feet stopped and her gaze fell on the rows of books in front of her.

She was currently in the library.

It may have only been the second week of the institute, but for a top student like her, working outside of lessons was extremely important.

How else would she be able to become the Black Star?

Ever since entering the institute, it had always been her goal to snatch the position away from Julien. She was of royal descent, and the fact that she wasn't first, despite all her advantages made her strive to work harder.

She could accept there being more talented people than her.

What she couldn't accept was losing out to them when she had such clear advantages. It gave her a sour taste in her mouth.

As if the world was telling her she wasn't doing enough.

That she... wasn't enough.

"Mhmmm~"

There was also another thing that she really liked about the library.

It was that there was hardly anyone that was there.

She could sing freely without any problems. Well, to a moderate level. There was a chance that a cadet might be hiding somewhere, but she could just silence them if need be.

"...."

She scanned around and looked around the bookshelves.

[Magic Theory]

[Combat Theory]

[English]

She collected all sorts of books. There were many classes that she attended, and it was therefore important that she kept up with all of them.

Aoife even went as far as taking some books for classes that would be taught from the next semester onward.

She was that dedicated.

"Hmm~"

The pile was slowly starting to increase. One book, two books, three books...

It didn't matter how many books she had. Unlike the other cadets, she could check out as many as she wanted.

After all, the Vice-Chancellor was her cousin.

"Ta da~"

All was going well.

Aoife had never been in such a great mood. So much so that she even found herself hopping in a light dance.

To! To!

But that all stopped after a certain point.

"...."

Her steps ceased and her expression stiffened.

A face she least wanted to see. He wore a set of unfamiliar dark-framed glasses. Strangely, coupled with his dark blazer, and undervest, it suited him. His hazel eyes beneath the glasses held a peculiar allure, compelling one to gaze into them.

Standing before her was the last person she wanted to see.

"...."

Her mouth opened, but no words came out.

Seconds passed, and all she could do was open her mouth like a fool, trying to find an excuse, something... to justify her actions... to... to... but....

"...."

Nothing.

Her mind was blank.

Flip--

Her thoughts were rattled by the sound of a singular page being flipped. When she looked up, she saw Julien staring at his book with his usual indifferent expression.

It was as if he wasn't bothered at all by her antics.

"Huuu..."

Aoife wasn't sure why, but she felt herself sigh in relief at the thought.

'Maybe he didn't see...'

Yeah, that could be it.

He must've missed it.

Pursing her lips, she turned around and prepared to head back, when...

"Singing..."

"....!"

Julien's cold voice reached her ears, causing her to involuntarily flinch.

"...Do it somewhere else next time. I almost lost my sight. I don't plan on losing my hearing."