It was a trivial matter, if one considered it trivial.
Taking it at face value, it was really just a junior showing so respect to a senior.
The hierarchy and order of the academy, which had begun alongside the Empire’s history, were by no ans light, and no one would consider it problematic for junior and senior students to show a bit more courtesy than usual.
However, when the current imperial family’s bloodline and the forr imperial family’s bloodline were involved, things beca a bit different.
The Schwaben had been the imperial family for three generations now, but before that, the Armian had lived as the imperial family for nearly nine hundred years.
A hundred years was insufficient to completely erase from the people’s minds a great family that was the very history of the Empire itself.
One of the most definitive ways to break that perception was through an official abdication.
Publicly declaring that the throne had clearly moved elsewhere, accompanied by nurous pieces of evidence and witnesses.
Though it might seem insignificant compared to a real abdication, the beginning of all great things was often small and unremarkable.
’What should I do?’
But surprisingly, Gardner took it indifferently.
After all, that was the reality.
Though he wanted the Armian family to reclaim the throne soday, it wasn’t wrong that the current emperor was a Schwaben.
"Yes, pleased to et you, senior. I am Aint Armian."
As the story seed to be growing longer, Aint slightly bowed his head, ensuring it was neither against etiquette nor too excessive.
When he greeted cordially, the other’s response wasn’t that intense either.
"Yes, nice to et you, Aint Armian."
Rudger patted Aint’s shoulder lightly with a smiling face.
"Balrosi Viston. I’m glad to et you too. I’ve heard about you occasionally."
"I’ve also heard a lot about you, senior."
"There shouldn’t be much about ."
"From being the second-ranked in an academy where talents from across the continent gather, that’s not nothing."
Afterwards, Rudger began to converse with Balrosi in a more relaxed manner.
As the tension that seed about to burst dissipated, sighs of relief erupted from here and there.
The music, which had been stopped, began to flow gently again. At that mont, soone naturally blended into the scene.
A man wearing a black mask that half-covered his face.
With neat yet luxurious clothes and pitch-black hair, no student failed to notice his distinctive aura.
’...Senior Gerhard?’
As the path naturally opened and their eyes t, Gerhard indifferently passed by Aint.
He arrived directly by the prince’s side, and the prince sent Balrosi away.
And as if that was a signal, the ship beca noisy with various sounds.
’He didn’t even acknowledge .’
’Yes.’
’Less impressive?’
Doing such a thing in front of everyone would rather be a bad move.
"Aint. Let’s go et other people."
"Alright."
Aint headed towards the crowd with Balrosi, who had approached just in ti.
***
"I wondered why you ca early, but there was a good reason. How was it?"
"Not particularly interesting."
Rudger tilted his blood-red wine.
"To think that soone who is supposed to be of the forr imperial bloodline would bow his head without any backbone."
"Was it you who called him?"
"I told Alkan to deliver the invitation. I thought he would co with Balrosi if it was given to him. We couldn’t avoid eting each other forever."
As long as they attended the sa academy, they would inevitably see each other’s faces at least once, even if they were in different years.
Especially if their years were close, there were occasional joint classes.
"Is that all?"
"What else should there be?"
At the sharp tone, Gerhard changed the subject.
"No, I ant the first impression."
"No way."
Rudger shrugged.
"A person who willingly accepts humiliation is one of two types."
Either they truly have nothing.
"Or they are biding their ti for the future. And his eyes didn’t look like he had nothing."
Of course, he didn’t think Aint and the Armian family would truly beco a threat.
Though they were a family that had ruled half the continent for nearly 900 years, even if they were now ruined, they might have sothing up their sleeve, but that was all.
"If they really could turn the situation around with that sothing, they would have done so long ago."
Rudger muttered indifferently.
"What about you?"
"I felt similar. There’s sothing, but it doesn’t seem that remarkable."
"If you felt that way, it’s more credible. It’s always been that way, hasn’t it? A rchant’s eye is good at judging people."
Rudger’s eyes narrowed as he smiled.
"Since I answered a question, now it’s my turn. I noticed you ca in with Luina Berchef."
"She’s the eldest daughter of the Berchef family and the second-ranked in the Knight Departnt. She’s more than qualified."
"Yet it was you who blocked her, wasn’t it?"
Rudger swirled his wine glass.
"You’re not going to eliminate her debt now..."
"That’s not sothing I can decide alone."
"Yes, that’s right. That’s why I’m more curious."
Since the mont she beca a second-year, their relationship and attitude had suddenly changed 180 degrees.
"What happened during the vacation? Did the two families agree to a political marriage?"
"Do I have to answer?"
"That’s my wish."
"Wishes are more valuable when they remain as wishes."
"You’re not denying it?"
Gerhard didn’t particularly react. If he said it wasn’t true, the other would say that a strong denial is an affirmation.
"Everyone seems to be here, so we’ll set sail now."
"Do as you please. It’s called a yacht club, so we should go out to sea."
Set sail!
Set sail!
Eventually, the massive cruise departed from the dock.
***
"..."
Abandoned by Gerhard imdiately after boarding, Luina sat in a corner, blankly staring at the sea.
Watching the gently flowing waves cald her mind. Seeing the peaceful sea made her feel as if she were on vacation.
’Don’t let your guard down.’
But today’s purpose was neither simple socializing nor a vacation.
It was to catch the evil ones, the betrayers of humanity who served demons.
Luina slowly fidgeted with her glass. The cocktail inside had a relatively low alcohol content.
"What are you doing alone, senior?"
Luina raised her head. Through the mask, innocent brown eyes were visible. The golden waves beyond were a bonus.
"Aint Armian?"
"Yes, senior. It’s nice to see you here."
Masked Aint naturally half-leaned against the wall next to Luina.
"Everyone’s enjoying themselves, so why are you alone?"
"I’m not used to this."
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