Chapter 179: Change of Perception [1]
"I am aware that many rumors have been circulating within the Academy recently. However, I hope everyone remembers that this is a place for learning. Today's class ends here."
Inside 1st lecture room.
Professor Lars, after concluding the [Basics of Magic Theory] class, looked at his students with a worried gaze.
The reason, needless to say.
The recent ominous shadow looming over the Empire.
The first Prince Louis and Princess Penelope.
The conflict between the two factions could plunge the Empire into a state of utter chaos in the long term. While students from other nations were allowed to take classes here, this place was in the end, a national institution under the Empire.
It was only natural that tensions among individuals heightened.
So much so that there were even widespread rumors of students forming their own factions, gathering with those who shared similar ideologies.
It was said that within these groups, those with the most powerful family backgrounds naturally assumed leadership roles.
To Lars, this was a lamentable situation. This place was a sacred space for learning.
There was no reason for aristocratic formalities to be maintained here, for commoners to be belittled, or for attendants and maids to be treated with contempt.
That was his philosophy.
But there was no clear solution.
From the start, there was very little he could do alone.
To abolish such harmful practices, one would have to reform the entire continent, but the current Lars did not possess the power to influence even a single nation, let alone the entire continent.
If he had wielded such power, perhaps he wouldn't have lost his son so tragically on the battlefield.
Anyway.
Lars found the current situation difficult to accept.
Why was the first prince Louis, despite solidifying his power as the second-in-command after Esteban, so urgently attempting to start a war?
No matter how much he thought about it, the answer seemed clear.
'Even for a mere territorial war, it is customary to first declare it to the nation first. It's highly likely that another faction has incited the first Prince Louis'
The first prince Louis was impressionable and greedy, which made him all the more dangerous.
Such individuals frequently caused unimaginable problems.
'If a dark cloud indeed envelops the continent in the future, it will likely stem from his reign and its aftermath'
Lars silently contemplated, though he did not outwardly express his thoughts.
It wasn't because Princess Penelope was his student.
Was it because she was more competent?
No, that wasn't the reason either.
What lingered in Lars's mind was the memory of the first prince Louis when he had been his student, exuding arrogance that flaunted his lineage and contemptuously belittling the weak commoners.
After a while, the students had all emptied the lecture room.
He was left alone in the stillness of the empty space. Closing his eyes, he fell into deep thought. The first thing that surfaced in his mind was, naturally, the time he had taught the first prince and the atrocities he had committed.
— Do I really have to take lessons with these lowly worms?
— Cut the nonsense. Equal treatment? Don't make me laugh.
— With a single word from me, instructors and professors wouldn't die peacefully! I'll annihilate their entire families!
The younger first prince Louis had been even more ruthless in his treatment of others.
This resulted in countless budding talents being prematurely snuffed out, handicapped and unable to fully bloom
Each time Lars recalled this, he blamed his own weakness.
— Professor…. have you abandoned me?
The voice was still vivid, as if he could still hear it.
This is what was said to Lars after a student who had clashed with the first prince Louis lost and became crippled.
Despite the Academy's regulations prohibiting the use of real swords during duels, Louis had abused his privilege.
Severing both of the student's legs and rendering him unable to walk out of the Academy on his own.
Later, unlike Rudger, he was able to walk again thanks to a dwarf-crafted artifact made with the help of Nox. However, the shock remains etched in his mind.
'Compared to that time, have I grown even slightly as a person? I'm not sure…'
Nox von Reinhaver.
Suddenly, Lars recalled his student and his expression that mixed with unique arrogance. Though he might be misunderstood as a bad person, in the end, that kid wasn't like that
While he displayed some aristocrat behavior, he never abused his family name or his noble status.
In the 4th Commercial District, where Nox had clashed with Paracelsus in the past was that sample.
At the time, Lars, who went to manage the aftermath, heard from nearby students.
That Nox wasn't fighting Paracelsus to uphold his dignity as noble. Instead, it was to assist Paracelsus, who was trying to save a commoner, to prevent him from being harmed by a noble.
Though it is incomprehensible, and considering Nox's usual behavior, it seems like an improbable act, but it indeed happened.
Initially, Lars didn't entirely trust the testimony of those close to Nox.
But now, Lars knew better than anyone what kind of person Nox was.
Nox had been the one who made the powerless Lars rise from his clash with Rudger. It was perhaps only natural that Nox came to Lars's mind at the moment of crisis like now.
"My top student, Nox-kun… I can't predict what choice he will make. He's such an inscrutable individual. There's no helping it."
After a quiet sigh, Professor Lars began to organize his thoughts about the events that would unfold.
'My course of action is already decided.'
No matter the circumstances, he would protect his students.
The students that had been forming a bond with him, the elites, to the kids whose talents had yet to blossom.
Lars reaffirmed his resolve as he opened his eyes.
The anxiety of the looming future seemed to gnaw at him.
—————————————
"Nox…. It looks like he has been getting close to Eleanor lately?"
Inside Talia's room, located within the Sidus' hall, a chilling voice could be heard.
This was followed by an extended silence and Ema's visibly flustered expression.
Her face is as if she doesn't know what to do. For her, that reaction was natural. Emma was well aware that even the slightest provocation might cause this young lady, who's not different from a little devil, to stir up trouble.
'But this time is really an exception… I thought she had no interest outside of swordsmanship…'
Initially, Emma had believed Talia's interest would last just a few days before fizzling out. However, contrary to her expectations, Talia's affection for Nox had grown deeper over time.
No, more accurately, it seemed to burn even brighter.
"Miss… nothing is certain yet, so even if you don't get too upset"
"Emma. I saw it not long ago."
No matter how brazen the young lady might be, she was still a child of a noble family.
Talia, who had undergone the strict education of her family, never easily interrupted others when they were speaking…
Emma unknowingly swallowed hard, focusing her attention on the young lady's words in front of her.
Just in case, there was one more thing she had to keep in mind. She had gained the strength to jump out of the window even from this height. While it was like a secret, it was also a well-known fact.
Whether she realized this or not, Talia continued with lifeless eyes.
"Nox and Eleanor went to the top of the Sidus' hall where the princess is… So, who is Nox cheating with? Not long ago, I even saw him wearing the same necklace as Eleanor. Hehe."
Talia's face was frozen as if her brain had stopped working. This wasn't good. Emma, realizing she need to bring her lady back to her usual self, frantically gestured to stop her.
"Miss? It wasn't just anyone, it was a meeting with the Princess. Not only that, the engagement with the Princess has been canceled. On the contrary, Isn't that good news for you?"
"Instead, if there's a 'perhaps' attached to it, wouldn't that change the story…?"
The word 'perhaps' slipped out naturally.
Emma thought this was dangerous. She barely managed to swallow her saliva and looked forward. From here on out, what should she do?
From here, she needs to handle it very well.
She had a duty to prevent her young lady from being corrupted.
"Miss, even though the engagement with the Princess has been broken, there's no way he would abandon his old fiancée, right? There's no way the noble Nox von Reinhaver, whom you admire, would give his affection so freely to someone else."
"…."
"Y, you know, didn't you? That time, Miss, why! The nighttime stroll! You said it was nice. He also said that, for now, it's difficult for him to hold someone in his heart. That kind of thing will never happen, not even if he were to die and come back to life"
"Not even if he were to die and come back to life?"
At that moment, though small, a glimmer returned to Talia's eyes.
Only after that Emma felt a bit relieved, exaggeratedly nodded her head as if it was natural.
"Of course! Nox-nim is a good person…! There's no way he would ever do such a thing"
"That's… that's true…"
To Emma's surprise, Talia easily accepted it.
Lately, she had already been in a foul mood due to external factional issues, so this topic seemed to resonate with her even more.
The more people feel uncertain, the more they want to lean on those they love. Anyone is the same. The feeling of wanting to rely is understandable too.
"But things can't stay like this. Once this Imperial succession battle is safely resolved… I'll make sure to give Nox and those around him a clear warning. It's only right that he and I end up together, isn't it? Nox, right?"
"That.. Of course!"
Emma, without realizing it, practically yelled in agreement.
Why is that? Though the warning Talia mentioned sounded intimidating, if she were to stay despondent now and attacked by the academy's internal faction, or the first prince Louis, or Penelope?
The consequences could be disastrous. At worst, everyone might end up dead.
Even if Robert and the Stilliner family were still strong, just the mere implication of having almost formed ties with the Dark family could be enough of a reason to attack out of displeasure
The first Prince Louis was known to of course, Emma, and even across the continent's people as a tyrant. There was no need for further explanation.
"For now, I think it's best to focus on resolving the issues related to the imperial power battle first."
After saying that, Emma looked at Talia for a moment.
Even without that, recently, Robert made a decision.
Which side to support….
and which faction to lend their strength to. Everything.
Of course, the reason for choosing the faction was rather absurd, but…
Emma recalled Robert's characteristic hearty laugh and the words he had made clear in her mind.
— Us? Naturally, we'll support Nox von Reinhaver!
— Support Reinhaver? That's unimaginable.
— Even if he's my in-law, I carefully calculate gains and losses. I support the talent and boldness of a son-in-law who will elevate my family, I had no interest in the other sides
Not the first Prince Louis, not Princess Penelope, but Nox.
Robert had already planned to mobilize his White Flame Knights according to Nox's movements. In many ways, it was typical of him, determined not to let his potential son-in-law be snatched away.
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