Life has become quite uneventful these days.

Other than the busy work schedule of the Winter Term, nothing else seems to be surfacing on the horizon. There is the matter of the incoming Royal Academy Excursion, but I have already decided not to get myself involved.

It's only extra work, and I could use this chance to actually relax for once.

As such, everything is going smoothly.

My deal with the Dark Guild is underway, my business is booming, and my career is going fine.

Within this period, I have gotten my Intermediate Alchemist Title. I have already sent word to the Royal Family, so they'll legitimize it in no time. Once that happens, it will become a true certification with no defects.

First Rate Scholar, High Rank Knight, and now Intermediate Alchemist.

I'm building quite a portfolio for myself.

At this rate, I'm certain that I could never find myself lacking an occupation. No matter the Kingdom I head to, there will always be opportunities awaiting someone like me.

'But, these aren't enough to thrive in a Large-sized Kingdom like Dustinville. To truly make it there, I'll need proper connections…' My brows furrow as I calmly assess my situation while marking the answer sheets of the recently concluded test.

I already have Regulus Heathcliff, whom I am in contact with and speak to occasionally, but I can't put all my eggs in one basket.

I'll have to visit Sir Jerome Sirius to write a letter of introduction for me, so I can have a smooth experience with his niece. Unfortunately, my old Master and I aren't as close as we were in my past life. We've only ever met and spoken to each other a few times.

But this is no time to dawdle.

I have garnered quite a reputation for myself in the Kingdom, and Sir Jerome is bound to have heard some of my feats. He certainly won't turn me away from visiting his abode, and once that happens, I'll have him connect me to Lady Beatrice of Dustinville.

With those two as my initial forms of contact, and the accolades I have used to establish myself here already, I believe I would have met the bare minimum to live in Dustinville for some time.

Ah, there's also the matter of money…

Living comfortably in a Large-sized Kingdom, especially as a foreigner, will certainly require a lot of funds. To prevent myself from getting into a pinch, I'll have to save up enough money and also carry a considerable amount of valuables with me.

If I can somehow have a business in Dustinville during my stay there, it will be the best.

But, as long as my business in the Randalorion Kingdom is thriving, I should still be able to access my funds through the banks.

'Because of the distance, it will take some time for the Bank in Dustinville to confirm my funds in the Randalorion Kingdom, which will mean a delay in withdrawals and deposits. Still, it's better than not having access to my wealth at all…' Then, a wry smile forms on my face as I think of the most inconvenient part of this decision.

I won't have an easier time getting what I want in Dustinville. Unlike here, where the Royal Family is cooperative with me, it won't be the same over there. Since it's a Large-Sized Kingdom, I should expect that a Leviathan, or even more than one, is in charge there.

But is this a cause for concern?

I hope not.

According to Regulus Heathcliff, Dustinville is a meritocracy, especially in its educational system.

If I prove myself, then I'll get my due rewards.

If this is true, then I don't have to rely on unfair advantages or schemes to excel. I might not be a genius like Regulus, but I'm a fairly competent person.

I am also hardworking and constantly seek ways to better myself.

DING!

'Hm? Did I have a scheduled visit from someone?' I wonder to myself once I hear the visitor bell ring at my door.

The students should be in class at the moment, and although some of them may be having their breaks or not taking some of the courses at the moment, there really isn't any cause for most of them to even see me.

Could this be another case like the Sasha incident?

It couldn't be my colleagues, since they could have stated their names while knocking. Even Klein and Seraphina would lightly knock before entering.

'Only visitors use the bell and don't speak…' I smile lightly, using Clairvoyance to observe my visitor before I call him in.

To my surprise… it is a familiar face, one I haven't seen in many years.

—Seth Clayford!

"Come in!" I yell louder than I should have, perhaps because of excitement. Not long after, the knob twists, and a slim, elegant young man walks in.

His silvery white hair shimmers beneath my office's illumination, and his beautiful skin appears angelic under all kinds of scrutiny. He still has his gem-like blue eyes, and his previously round face has morphed considerably since I last saw him. He still has an androgynous face, but the cuteness has lessened, his beauty becoming more mature.

Now, although he is a man, he has an appearance akin to a beautiful young lady.

His slim face is perfectly in sync with the rest of his body, which is garbed in a priestly garment. It seems his height didn't improve much during our time apart, as he is only barely average in height, and many could even mistake him for a short individual if he stood near someone like me.

"Javier… It's been a while, hasn't it?" The moment he steps in, Seth flashes me a warm smile, once again reminding me of the past.

The way his eyelashes flutter softly, and his moist lips curl up with a delicate motion.

It takes me back to our time as students in the Royal Academy.

"Indeed." I gesture to the chair in front of me while remaining in mine. "Please, sit. This is quite an unexpected visit, I'll be honest."

When we were in the Academy, I considered Seth my best friend.

But that isn't the case anymore.

Many years have passed, and I hardly know him anymore. He also doesn't know many things about me, so naturally, that feeling of closeness has been compromised. It's still a pleasure to see him, though, and honestly… I would like to catch up with him.

"Thank you…"

Seth settles into the seat in front of my desk, and for a moment, he stays quiet.

Then, I see some sadness and guilt in his eyes.

I know what it is.

'Does he feel bad about my family's slaughter and the fall of the Aditi Household? He must feel guilty for not showing up during that period or sending me a single letter. I mean, it's not like I'm still hung up about it, but I remember wondering why he didn't contact me even once during that period…' I smile lightly.

Then, his next statement answers this inner question.

"Father Gerome told me what happened to your family as I was preparing for my trip here. He likely thought it would be unfair for me not to know before I met you, but… I was more surprised by the fact that it happened almost a year ago."

'Oh? So he didn't know…' My eye twitches a little, but I don't show any emotion.

"I'm sorry I didn't come to see you during such a dark period of your life, Javier. I truly didn't know… no, even if I didn't… I should have come to see my friend at least once during all of these years…" He sighs deeply, his sincerity reaching me.

I can already tell he means it.

That's fine.

I still wonder what kind of restricted life he lives, to not have been privy to information that pretty much spread throughout the Kingdom.

If I had to guess, I'd say the church decided to keep it secret from him on purpose.

"It's fine, Seth… really." I smile warmly at him. "It's not like I visited you, too. We've both been occupied with our lives since we left the Academy, so I don't feel any resentment towards you."

This is the truth.

Honestly, I haven't thought much about Seth since I left the Academy.

Seeing him feeling bad and apologizing so much is beginning to make me feel guilty about that.

This is the problem with human connections.

It is a fickle thing.

In school, we all grow close and promise to remember each other, but once we leave those four walls and make our way to the outside world, we become so occupied with the vicissitudes of life.

As real adults, we become occupied with the affairs of the world.

Reality starts to dawn on us.

Many times, we become so occupied with our own affairs, so caught up with the problems and opportunities swirling around us, that we slowly forget the friends we had back in school. It is a sad thing to think about, but it is life.

How many of my friends have I spoken to since my Academy days?

How many have spoken to me?

Most of them only started coming around and sending me letters once I rose to fame. It could be that not all of them were opportunists, and some could have genuinely wanted to reforge our friendship, but intentions aside, they only reached out once I became relevant.

But I hold nothing against them, since this is human nature.

Even I only remembered Korrin and Jonathan during the Fargos Scandal, and if not for Serena's intensity in our friendship, I would have lost touch with her as well. In fact, I ignored her plight for so long until it was in my best interests to deal with her now-imprisoned husband, Julian.

Does this make me a bad person?

I don't think so.

I am certainly not innocent. I am a sinner, guilty of many things. However, all the things I just mentioned are interwoven into human nature, so it is hard to call them evils.

If I needed the Church during the past few years which I stayed out of touch with Seth, I would have naturally tried to rebuild the friendship and use my connection with him to solve my problem. In fact, isn't that what I'm trying to do with my old Master?

This is life.

We all try to use each other.

Humans are a naturally cooperative race, and it is within our nature to behave in this manner.

As unsavory as it is to admit… this is the truth.

'The only difference between a good and bad person is that the latter wishes to use others without being used, while the former is willing to be used without using others.'

As for me, I am neither a good nor a bad person.

I will happily be used for those I care about, but I also seek to use others.

This, I believe, is the wisest way to live.

Those who live according to this principle are neither good nor bad.

They are simply people—humans in their truest form.

"Javier…."

"You came here for a reason, right? You mentioned how the Bishop only told you because of your visit, which means you were coming here anyway." I smile at him, wondering if he only knew I was a Senior Professor here because of Father Gerome as well.

"Y-yes, actually…"

Seth sighs, his face downcast for a moment.

"I know it's shameless for me to do this after we've just met, and I definitely don't have a right to show up on your doorstep making requests, especially since we haven't been in touch for so long, but this is… bigger than the two of us. It's very important!"

'Oh? I imagine it is…' I laugh to myself. 'Why else would they allow Seth to leave his ivory tower to explain it in person?'

I already know that this person before me is very important to the Church.

The reason they didn't tell him about my family's circumstances was likely to protect him and keep him out of the Leviathan's radar, since it seemed that everyone I cared about was being targeted. If Seth showed up, he would be in danger as well.

I don't blame their initiative that way.

'I suppose this means they could have some knowledge of Leviathans…' A sparkle appears in my eyes, and the cog in my head starts turning.

"After learning you were a Senior Professor here, and you now have considerable influence… I reckoned you would be the best person to meet. I also didn't want to simply send a letter, which is why I chose to come in person." Seth continues talking, and although I am getting a little impatient, I remain quiet after noticing just how much he is shaking.

What could the matter be?

"Please believe me… You need to prevent the incoming Excursion from taking place!"

"W-what?"

Why is he suddenly talking about the Royal Academy Excursion?

Honestly, I decided not to be involved in it, so I don't know a lot about what's going on there. Did something happen that I'm not aware of?

Hold on! Judging by his expression, it's not about what has happened.

No…

This is about what will happen.

'Seth, you—'

"Please just trust me." Seth stares at me desperately. "Everyone who goes on that trip will die if they go ahead with it. No matter what… You have to stop it from happening!"

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