It might be stating the obvious, but the Royal Academy was truly a place filled with extraordinary grandeur and scale.

Having a massive colosseum large enough to hold war games was impressive in itself, but exploring the academy revealed even more—sprawling art galleries, grand swimming pools, and expansive equestrian grounds, among other facilities.

It was hard to see it merely as an institution for educating young cadets. It was more fitting to call it a domain or an academic city.

Among the facilities in this “city” was an open-style party hall, reminiscent of a Greek temple.

Ordinarily unused, this structure was often mistaken by students as mere decorative architecture they passed by without much thought.

But today—

“Good heavens…”

“Is this seriously that drab old building?”

“The Academy really is full of surprises.”

—today, the hall was on a completely different level.

The students were overwhelmed by its stunning transformation.

What was once described as a dull building had been transformed into a radiant and breathtaking venue.

Flowers.

Flowers covered every corner of the building, with vines intertwining along the walls and countless blooms in full glory.

It wasn’t even the season for such an array of flowers to be blooming, yet they were in full bloom. It was a clear testament to the power and uniqueness of the academy—or rather, Pendragon itself.

“You can tell this was prepared in a hurry.”

“Still, it’s not gaudy. It strikes a nice balance of elegance.”

“This might not intimidate anyone, but it does show off the kingdom’s capabilities.”

Nobles accustomed to such parties were not dazzled by the extravagance; instead, they analyzed the intentions behind it.

While the event was hastily arranged, it marked the first official public appearance of high-ranking foreign dignitaries.

Parties like this often served as a subtle show of power, a message to foreign envoys:

“We can pull off something like this effortlessly.”

It might seem childish, but this kind of display had been part of human history for ages.

For the innocent cadets, however, unaware of such nuances—

“This is the first time I’ve seen so many flowers!”

“They’re beautiful…”

—it was simply a feast for the eyes and an unforgettable memory.

Ignorance, perhaps, was bliss.

The power-hungry nobles, unable to enjoy the scene as purely as the cadets did, could only muster bitter smiles, envious of those simpler days of their youth now long gone.

Still—

“This is good. The drinks are nice, too. But… are we really allowed to eat this?”

“Yes, finger foods handed out by the staff are fine to eat. Though most people don’t touch them.”

“Everyone must be too full.”

“…Haha.”

Even among the adults, some—like the knights—seemed wholly uninterested in the political undertones of the party and simply enjoyed it for what it was.

Ihan.

He was busy sampling the finger foods and non-alcoholic champagne handed out by the staff.

He had no interest in the flowers, nor did he want to get entangled in the nobles’ political games.

So, instead of wasting time wandering around, he decided to focus on getting his fill of the refreshments.

“Better than pretending to know what I’m talking about.”

“I completely agree!”

Levi enthusiastically agreed with his down-to-earth sentiment.

It wasn’t just because she admired her master—it was because she, too, wanted to avoid getting entangled with the nobles.

After all—

“That’s the girl adopted by Tristan…”

“Quite the beauty. Hm, should I propose a match with my son?”

“Don’t be foolish. Even if she’s adopted, she’s still a Tristan. If you upset them, your entire family would pay for it.”

“Still, you never know. Imagine the benefits of becoming in-laws with Tristan. It’s worth the gamble.”

“…You’re incorrigible. Heh.”

—she had absolutely no interest in associating with people like them.

The party had grown quite crowded, with not just cadets but also nobles from outside the academy attending. The sheer number of conversations filling the air made it impossible for most people to overhear anything.

But Levi wasn’t most people.

As one of Ihan’s exceptional students, her mastery of Aura  allowed her to hear even the faintest whispers around her.

‘Aura really is endlessly versatile.’

Though she had started her training later than most, her efforts had paid off. While she still had room to improve in many areas, her proficiency with Aura was such that she could clearly hear even the hushed tones of people discussing her.

…Including those evaluating her or harboring less-than-pure intentions.

Instead of getting angry, Levi expressed her feelings with a bitter smile.

‘I knew this would be the case, but it’s still disgusting.’

The noble society.

Ihan often made jokes laced with disdain for nobles, and Levi now understood where his distrust stemmed from.

‘They’re so two-faced.’

Those who viewed her with lust or envy would likely approach her with polished manners and charm, trying to win her favor.

Some would resent her sudden rise in status.

Others would covet the power she now possessed.

And still others would see her as a useful connection.

Levi found it all revolting.

She had already seen her life nearly destroyed by the whims of nobles once before.

In truth, her hatred for nobles might even surpass Ihan’s.

Yet she could smile and refrain from getting angry, thanks to—

“Want me to go teach them a lesson?”

“…I’m fine, Master.”

“No, I’m not fine. Don’t worry. I’ve memorized their faces. I’ll just sneak in later and give them a one-hour lesson in ‘dislocated joints.’”

“I-I really don’t mind…”

Yes, thanks to someone who got genuinely angry on her behalf, Levi could say she was okay.

And because of that, she could smile.

“—No, I think I’ll handle it now.”

“W-Wait, Master!”

…Though sometimes, his overreactions left her flustered.

Levi found the mix of exasperation and gratitude she felt toward Ihan to be an ironic combination.

+++++

 

There was a bit of commotion here and there, but the party hall wasn’t entirely unpleasant or uncomfortable.

“Wow! It’s the first time I’ve seen you in uniform, Instructor!”

“You look amazing, Instructor!”

“Can’t you dress like this all the time, please?”

It was also an opportunity to see familiar faces and witness the cadets in a different light.

“…Why do you all rush over to me the moment you see me?”

The chicks.

The girls, dressed to the nines, gathered around him.

Normally, they appeared weak and frail, but perhaps because they were noble daughters, they now exuded elegance.

Dressed in their finest gowns and makeup, the girls looked stunning.

Their radiance rivaled the flowers adorning the party hall.

Youth truly was a weapon.

“The fathers of you lot are going to shed plenty of tears in the future.”

“Why?”

“Think about it—seeing their lovely daughters married off to scruffy men. Wouldn’t that make them cry?”

“Ufufu, what nonsense!”

Surprisingly, Ihan didn’t have a bad relationship with the “chicks.”

Unlike the male cadets, the girls harbored no resentment toward him. Perhaps it was because he often encouraged them to exercise and stay healthy and looked out for them in various ways.

In fact, some of them—whether openly or subtly—held a fondness for him.

Unlike Levi’s pure-hearted admiration, their feelings might have been lighter or even calculated, but affection was still affection.

Ihan wasn’t oblivious to the situation. To diffuse the moment lightly, he threw out a casual line:

“Sorry, but I’m not alone tonight. You’ll have to ask my partner for permission.”

“That’s so mean…”

“You’re awful!”

Using his partner as an excuse, Ihan deflected the attention.

Levi was the partner in question, and his excuse worked better than expected.

Ihan, who saw her every day, probably didn’t think much of it, but Levi was undeniably beautiful even to others.

It wasn’t for nothing that Karin had jokingly called her “the Academy’s first love” the previous day.

Levi’s gentle smile and air of kindness made her someone people instinctively wanted to protect, and her presence beside Ihan made it difficult for the noble daughters to approach him further.

Even now, Levi, who usually resembled a docile bear cub, wore a faintly intimidating smile, making it even harder for anyone to come closer.

“Hng…”

Some of the girls visibly shrank back.

Meanwhile, the men who admired Levi clenched their fists in frustration.

“That damn guy!”

“Strength is all that matters, huh?”

“…I wanted to dance with Lady Levi.”

“Damn it all!”

Unbeknownst to Ihan, resentment toward him was piling up by the second.

“…Why does my back feel so prickly today?”

He found the sudden wave of envy directed at him unfamiliar and puzzling.

Before he could figure it out—

[Presenting Sultan Salah al-Adil Muhammad, one of the 17 rulers of the western continent and master of its largest oasis!]

[Presenting Lord Huey de Beiron, the Golden Mage, apprentice of the Tower Master of the Ivory Tower of Mages!]

The grand introductions of the new arrivals drew the attention of everyone, including Ihan.

Two men entered the hall in sequence, their every step commanding the crowd’s gaze.

The first, dressed in the exotic attire of a distant land, was undoubtedly the Sultan. His refined features and regal bearing left no doubt about his identity.

Following him was a man with golden hair, an aloof expression, and an air of cynicism—clearly the mage.

Ihan’s first impression of the two was blunt and to the point.

“A tanned dude and a blonde delinquent?”

As he watched them enter, he tilted his head slightly, mulling over his impression.

Yep…

“They look like they’d act exactly as they appear.”

It might have been an overly harsh judgment, but it was Ihan’s honest and straightforward assessment.