56
Evie was walking quickly down the corridor of the main hall, carrying her bag on her back.
It was time for a mandatory general culture class, and I had just said goodbye to three people in Professor Mallis's class.
As she quickly headed towards the next hall, successive thoughts ran through her mind.
"I'm fine."
I realized why Lucas looked like that a little while ago.
“Both Irene and Mr. Arcel were worried about me.”
Unlike them, who would leave the academy to visit their families or relatives, Evie was going to be alone here with nowhere to go, and that worried them both.
“Even Mr. Lucas was worried about me.”
There was no tone of sarcasm in Lucas' face when he suggested she go out to enjoy the festival, like the one she had seen in the faces of the high school students at Elram.
He really wanted Evie to go out and enjoy herself.
Therefore, Evie did not feel sad or upset. I just felt a little sad.
“I wanted to explore outside the academy.”
Evie remembered the world she saw. Her first memory of her life was in a barn attached to an inn stable.
She woke up every day and slept on a pile of straw stored for horse feed.
At that time, the world for her was limited to the village where the inn was located and the surrounding forest. She had never imagined that another world existed.
Then, when she met the shelter director and left the hostel, Evie saw a new world for the first time.
When she arrived at Elram City and saw the sea and the ships floating above it, she held the principal's hand without saying a word for a long time.
She was deeply shocked to encounter an enormous world that she had only thought existed in stories.
There, she met children her own age, and people who didn't yell at her or spit on her.
As she was learning to read and going to school, Evie realized something new. The city of Elram, where she lived, was only a small city, and there was a huge capital located far away.
It's all part of a great empire, ruled by someone called the Emperor.
But she only understood this with her mind, without being able to imagine what it looked like.
“Maybe I will live in Elram all my life.”
Moving between cities costs money, and she had no reason to go to another city. So, Evie thought that Elram would be her entire world.
But when she came to the academy, she saw another world. Tall buildings that seem endless, markets filled with all kinds of goods, and streets crowded with people.
But that amazing vision did not last long. There was no time to stop and explore, as she was ushered straight into the academy.
Of course, the academy itself was an amazing and magical place. The magnificent buildings she had never seen before, and the views of the Imperial Palace seen from high places, were enough to make her feel like her world was expanding just by looking at them.
“However...”
Evie remembered the streets crowded with people.
“They said there was a festival going on.”
I remembered what I had read in books about the capital's festivals. People came from all over the empire with exotic goods to sell.
There were also foods that were sold only at festivals.
“It must be delicious...”
But she can't eat it.
“I don't have money.”
Even if she went out, she would just be a visitor watching and then coming back.
“Besides, going out alone is dangerous.”
She has not yet discovered all parts of the academy, so how can she find the courage to wander around the capital on her own?
Evie remembered the map of the capital hanging in the lobby of the main hall.
The academy was marked on the map, allowing her to realize how large the capital was. I was shocked to learn that the capital was hundreds of times larger than the academy.
And all those places are full of buildings and streets. In a complicated place like this, she wasn't sure she could return safely if she went out on her own. You don't even know where anything is.
“When I'm a little older, I'll go out and explore.”
While she was thinking, Evie passed the Academic Affairs office.
“Oh, Evie!”
One of the employees got up from her seat when she saw her, called her, and then handed her a small piece of paper.
"What is this?"
“Professor Sian Ruochen’s office location. We received confirmation this morning, and I was going to send a notification to the dormitory.”
Evie's face lit up with joy.
"Thank you very much!"
Evie was walking holding the paper, her heart beating hard.
“Now I will be able to see Professor Sian more.”
Evie remembered the marstone. Its light at night was always warm and beautiful. It is a soft light that illuminates the surroundings without blinding the eyes.
Thanks to him, she no longer feels afraid when sleeping, but rather sleeps in complete comfort. Maybe because Professor Cian was the one who gave her fear-free nights.
Of all the people she met at the academy, Professor Cyan, whom she had only met twice, was her favorite.
Secretly, he meant more to her than Professor Mallis who cared for her, more than Eren, and even more than Arcel and Lucas.
“I will go to him after class.”
Even though Professor Mallis said she didn't need to bring any more flowers, Evie still went to the greenhouse every morning to pick up the remaining flowers.
“From now on, I will put some in Professor Sian’s office as well.”
Evie thought that something new and pleasant had been added to her life, and she quickened her steps.
* * *
“Oh my God, Eren, how hard was that kick?”
“That kick? Speak politely to a lady from the Terence family.”
“Lady? Look at this! Even if I was kicked by a horse it wouldn’t be so bad. Man, don’t ever marry her.”
Lucas pulled up his pants to reveal a bruise forming under his knee. The kick was clearly intentional, as it left a visible mark from the front of the shoe.
But Arcel's eyes, as he looked at his friend's wound, showed no sympathy.
“You deserved it because of your recklessness. And do not talk about marriage lightly. One word from you is enough to set off gossipers.”
The people believed that one of them, Arcel or Lucas, would become the adopted son of the Emperor.
They were aware of this to some extent. Unless an exceptional student appeared in the academy, the Emperor was likely to choose one of them, the two of whom he had known since childhood.
The nobles, who had been anticipating this, were warily anticipating who the future empress would be, a position that had not yet been decided.
Suddenly, Lucas said in a dull tone:
“But Irene Terrence... she doesn't seem to want to marry either of us.”
Arcel looked at him carefully. Lucas was right. Irene didn't see them as potential partners, she saw them as a nuisance.
But, more than that, she viewed them as a major obstacle. However, she continued to accompany them for an obvious reason.
“She cares about her family’s reputation, and of course she thinks about Evie too.”
Thanks to the presence of Arcel and Lucas with her, Irene regained her position, which had almost collapsed. And so is Evie.
The help that Evie received on the day she entered the academy turned into a burden on her. But when everyone showed that her relationship with Arcel and Lucas was not fleeting, people's treatment of her changed quickly.
“In that sense, she's definitely Terence.”
Thanks to Eren's actions, Arcel notices that people's treatment of Evie has improved. Therefore, he was willing to go along with her plans.
When Arcel didn't defend him, Lucas pulled down his pants and pursed his lips disapprovingly.
“I know I made a mistake... I was speaking without thinking.”
Arcel replied in a cold tone:
“So, think before you speak from now on.”
“Okay, I apologize… but I really wanted Evie to enjoy going out.”
After muttering for a while, Lucas pointed with his finger as if a brilliant idea had occurred to him.
"Hey, how about we invite her over to our house this weekend? My brothers would love her. They always say they want a little sister. And my parents said they wish they had a daughter."
Arcel, who was walking in front of him, stopped and looked at Lucas who followed him.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because you're pathetic.”
After this reply, Arcel turned and walked away, leaving Lucas behind.
"Hey! Arcel! Wait!"
Lucas tried to follow him limping, but finally gave up and muttered:
“What made him angry all of a sudden?”
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