The summer breeze, gentle and warm, blows on the dark brown hair of a certain young man.

The thin strands of his hair look unruly despite his best efforts to appear polished, but the ponytail he sports gives him an air of refinement. His slightly tan olive skin accentuates his hardened face, and the scar on his left cheek adds to the air of maturity around him.

His brown eyes blaze with ambition, and although his face now sports a small beard, he cannot hide the youthful smile he has on at this moment.

"At long last… I'm finally here."

He casts his gaze at the scenery before him—The Royal Academy.

After several months of diligently preparing for this moment, he seized an opportunity and finally succeeded in his application.

He has become a guard here—one of the Main Patrol Officers of this prestigious institute!

With an iron armor covering most of his body, as well as a crimson robe leaking out of certain edges, he has the dignified appearance of one of the Royal Academy's guardians.

Of course, he only belongs to the lower ranks.

As a Low-Rank Knight himself, his choices are quite limited. He could have joined another Knight Household, but that wouldn't align with his family's ambitions or his personal goal.

"Ever since the fall of the Aditi Household, I—Dustin Aditi—promised myself that I would be the rising star that revives the Aditi name and return it to the era of prosperity!" Dustin grins, his voice resonating with overwhelming energy.

Now that he has been employed here, he has reached the initial stage of his plan.

'Now, I just need to accumulate my wealth and resources, while making a name for myself and forging connections. Eventually, I'll be able to establish my presence here. If I can accumulate many good deeds and get noticed by the higher-ups, I will be promoted and have more opportunities awaiting me!' He thinks to himself with delight. 'Big brother is also a Knight, and right now, he is serving in Baron Romulus's Estate. He is working hard, so I must work even harder."

Ever since he was a child, he had received the expectations of his parents.

They told him he was destined for greatness.

Unlike his older brother, he had talent for the sword and could become a Mid-Rank Knight if he worked hard enough. At the moment, he is nothing but a Low-Rank Knight, but if he had the Aditi Martial Technique, he would have already been a Mid-Rank Knight by now.

But that is no excuse for him.

'Even big brother recognizes my talent. They're all counting on me… I can't let them down.'

Dustin Aditi clenches his fists in determination and nods.

He knows…

'I am the hope of the Aditi Household!'

To revive the Aditi Household and ensure his family stands at the top, as the Main Family, he is willing to do all it takes. Even if he has to plunge into corruption, or stoop before the spoiled brats of the Royal Academy…

Even if he has to become the lapdog of the Senior Professors here.

Whatever it takes!

'One day, my renown will exceed even Javier's, and I will be recognized as the greatest Aditi in history!' Raising his fist high into the air, he makes this declaration to himself.

"Hey, you, why are you standing around like a buffoon?"

A voice suddenly cuts through Dustin's grand speech, causing the man to snap out of his reverie.

"A-ah!"

"Go join the others and start your shift already!" The grumpy tone is from none other than his superior, a grumpy, fat man with a greasy face.

"Or would you like to be fired on your first day?"

"S-sorry, sir! I'll be going right away!" Dustin scurries off like a scared mouse, his head hanging low despite his soaring heart.

Even now, he doesn't know that Javier Aditi is a Senior Professor in this very same Academy.

****************

Almost… there.

Two more weeks, and it'll finally be time for Summer Break.

I just have to endure a little more.

To alleviate my growing hunger, I have resorted to learning more advanced recipes from Seraphina, which has somewhat reduced the burden on my body.

At least, I am no longer losing weight…

Other than learning cooking from Seraphina, I've been visiting Klein quite frequently these days.

He's helping me better understand University Education, and I'm learning about all it'll take to apply, so I won't be caught off guard when the time finally comes. Unexpectedly, I've become remarkably close to the couple.

Though Klein didn't tell me, and Seraphina hasn't brought it up, I know he must have told her about my awareness of their relationship.

As such, it's practically an open secret that I know about it at this point.

Klein no longer displays any awkwardness whenever he visits, and I'm present. I also make sure to give them their space whenever I visit, also leaving early so they can have that time to themselves.

I'm quite considerate, aren't I?

Although being around them for a while has had me thinking about my own love life.

Right now, the only person I'm remotely interested in is Anna.

But that's an impossible prospect.

Other than the barrier of status, Anna sees me as someone too young, and she also has her own circumstances that prevent her from getting into any serious relationship. It's why, despite being in her late thirties, approaching her forties, she still hasn't settled down with a partner.

Right now, even as I sit before her, I can't help but feel a pang of guilt.

A bit of shame, too.

'Although I haven't completely gotten over Dahlia, I have strong feelings for this woman…'

I sigh to myself.

Since I plan to save my friends and family, is it wrong to entertain thoughts about another woman when Dahlia will be alive in the future I envision for myself?

I can try my hardest to convince myself that this much is fine, using the unofficial relationship of Dahlia and me as an excuse… but I know in the depths of my heart that it's bullshit. We both loved each other, and that's a fact.

If not for circumstances, I would have ended up with her.

'She wouldn't have died in the first place if she hadn't gone as far as bringing her family's troops to save me. This shows the depths of her affection… the level of her feelings!'

Would it not be a betrayal to give my heart to someone else, exploring another relationship?

Yes, Dahlia is dead at the moment.

But I don't intend for that to be the case once I achieve my goals.

'But since I wish to regress, wouldn't that mean this version of the future won't exist once I go back? No… I can't think like that!'

The more I think like that, the more I trivialize the present, as well as the future.

I need to be decisive.

Living life as it happens, enjoying every waking moment, and truly indulging in the process of existing—that is what it means to be truly alive.

'It seems my feelings of gratitude towards Dahlia and my friends have turned into shackles of guilt, preventing me from exploring anything that seems to taint their sacrifice…' I sigh and shake my head, not knowing what to do with my present feelings.

I'm at a crossroad.

Conflicting thoughts reside within me.

'I can only set them aside for now…' I shift my gaze from Anna and stare at a letter in my hand, reading the contents yet again.

"I didn't expect such an update so early. You're lucky, Javier. The Royal Family is even sending someone to the Academy to deliver the will of the King regarding your matter."

"It's a little surprising…" I mutter almost absentmindedly. "I thought it would take more time, but to think we got a response so early."

Not just that, but to think the Royal Family would be delivering their verdict this way, it feels a little over the top. Normally, they'd just send a letter to the Knight Academy and Royal Academy while delivering an official certificate to me.

It's not something so grand as to send a Royal Emissary to deliver the message.

'If it were a High Noble Title, I would understand. But I'm just a High Rank Knight…' It makes very little sense to me, but I have no complaints.

This is a good sign, and it means the Royal Family is likely to assent to my request.

In such a spectacular manner, in fact!

'My reputation will soar, and my position within the Royal Faction will be strengthened as a result of this. Earl Balric Wolfshade wouldn't be able to bully me anymore since this is the will of his precious Royal Family. In addition, I'll finally have some breathing room when it comes to the politics of this Academy.'

All of these are good things that would be made possible by this overt endorsement.

'I wonder who will come. Maybe it'll be the same Royal Emissary I saw last time…' I make a wry smile, hoping that isn't the case.

Could it be one of the princes? No… I'm not too high-profile for that.

Or am I?

The Royal Family has been showing me quite a bit of consideration lately. Not only did they forgive my disregard for their declaration concerning the Aditi Estate, but they also properly explained the massacre that Zarius inflicted, making me an innocent party.

—A survivor.

I even secured this position of Senior Professor thanks to the Royal Faction. Of course, this also benefits the faction, but it benefits me more.

Then, there's this matter of delivering my appointment in such a manner.

Piecing all of these together, this is quite a lot of consideration given to a mere First Rate Scholar like me. There's definitely something else going on.

In that case, maybe having a prince deliver the verdict isn't too far-fetched.

I seriously doubt it, though.

In any case, it appears that the emissary will be coming before the term officially concludes. If that's the case, it'll be another topic of discussion for my Aunt and me when we finally meet.

I already sent her the Special Resources ahead of time, along with other relevant notes and materials that should aid in pointing her in the direction I want. I got a letter from her last night confirming that she has already begun studying them, so it appears things are progressing well on that front.

Everything seems to be working out fine.

I just need to wait.

'Even if she isn't as skilled as Anna, by the time I visit Aunt Leila, she should have made considerable progress. That'll save me some time and effort.' I smile to myself, barely containing the excitement that squirms within my heart.

"Thanks for this, Anna." I tightly clutch the letter, creasing it a little.

"It's no problem. Ah, by the way, do you have plans for your Summer Break? My young nephew's Coming-of-age Ceremony is taking place within that period. You could come."

"Your nephew? You mean the third prince, Claus?"

"Yes, him."

"Really? Is it something that just anyone can attend? I thought only High Nobles and dignified guests could attend such events. I know I'm part of the Royal Faction, but I don't think it would be a good idea if someone of my standing—"

"That's not a problem. He specifically requested that you come. Apparently, he's been a big fan of yours for a while now. You know, the whole Hero of the Kingdom stuff… haha!"

"Are you teasing me right now? Please stop…"

I laugh with Anna, but a part of me feels a little skeptical about the sudden interest of the third prince in me. After all, I met him once during the Royal Banquet, and he didn't seem particularly invested in me back then.

He was courteous, sure, but there was no fondness present.

'What could have changed?'

Regardless, I tell Anna that I'll think about it. I am too occupied at the moment to make any promises, but if I manage to resolve my issues before then—which I find highly doubtful—I should be able to make time.

'But even if I don't attend, it won't really have any negative repercussions.'

The third prince is a Royal, but he barely has any power. If the Royal Family invited me, I would have no choice but to attend, but a personal invitation from the kid can be ignored.

'If I weren't so busy, I would have accepted. After all, this is a way for me to learn more about the Royals and their understanding of Leviathans. But, first of all, I'm not sure how much the Royals know, and secondly, I'm not certain to find the information that I seek in the Ceremony.'

As such, I need to pay more attention to my most urgent situation.

"See you later, Anna!" I wave farewell to my dear friend, quickly setting aside the thought of the third prince from my mind.

However, in the following week, I received one of the greatest shocks of my life.

The third prince—Prince Claus Randalorion—came to visit me!

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