Capítulo 7: Lingering past(1)
"You there!" A distinct voice pierced through the air, drawing my attention. I turned to see a girl with fiery red hair fashioned into a distinctive high ponytail. Her eyes matched the crimson hue of her hair, and her slender frame exuded an air of noble elegance.
There was an unmistakable arrogance etched upon her face, an expression that seemed to proclaim her superiority. One could instantly tell that she hailed from a sheltered upbringing within a wealthy noble family.
As she was attending the opening ceremony, she must have been one of the freshmen entering Freljord Academy that year.
Freljord Academy—a place founded by the founding emperor with the goal of providing education for talented children while dismantling the oppressive class system that had plagued the commoners. The emperor believed that through shared study and play, the future generation would forge bonds and bridge the gap between classes.
He wanted Freljord to be a place where any talented children despite their origin could get a quality education and be nurtured into good citizens.
As such year after year, alongside noble children and recommended students from influential officials, many peasant and commoner children were given the opportunity to enter Freljord Academy. However, entry was not easily obtained.
Although entry was not restricted, not everyone could enter the Freljord Academy.
Firstly, Fees were a hurdle, as the education provided was not free unless one secured a scholarship. But even having the means was not sufficient; the instructors set qualifications that aspiring students had to meet. Moreover, the system was not always fair.
Corrupt officials, willing to exchange seats for extravagant gifts, made it even more challenging for commoners to gain admission. Over time, the founding emperor's intentions had faded into history.
Setting aside these reflections, my attention returned to the red-haired girl who had called out to me.
"Huh? Are you talking to me?"
I wondered why she, whom I had never encountered, would address me in such a manner.
Looking at her appearance, I am sure that she is from some rich noble family. I had very faint memories of my academic days in my past life, so I don't remember everything clearly, so I was wondering who she is...
Red eyes, red hair...
"Are you sick somewhere?"
She asked pointing at my head.
I don't know what she meant by that but asking if my head is alright as soon as we met... I wanted nothing more than to hit smack her head.
But some gear in my head turned just before I could lose my patience.
Red hair....Red Eyes...Arrogant expression...
Wait a minute, I might know who she is after all.
"Julia..."
Confusion filled her expression as she responded, "Huh?"
"Julia von Rozental!"
"Huh?! Do you know me?"
Oh crap!
I was so surprised to recognize her that I blurted out her name without much thought!
Julia von Rozental— the only daughter of Duke Leopold Von Rozental, one of the three dukes of the Mauryan Empire, and the direct disciple of Sylvia Oriane, the esteemed tower master of the Tower of Temperance.
"How do you know my name?" Julia inquired, her curiosity piqued.
It took some time to recognize her because I had a very faint memory of my academic days but I finally realized who she.
Julia von Rozental, the undying Phoenix and the Archmage of Endless Fire.
She was the youngest archmage of all time and a person who reached the peak of 8 stars in my previous life.
If it isn't for the fact that she was injured by the Black Dragon, Murkhan, She would have long reached the realm of 9 Star and surpassed the great Sages of the Mauryan empire.
Realizing my slip of tongue, I hastily responded, "Your entrance score was at the top of the class. There's no way any freshmen wouldn't be aware of your name."
Though it sounded like an excuse, it held a grain of truth. Julia had excelled in the entrance exams, securing the highest score among all freshmen, making her name well-known among her peers.
"Well, that's true," Julia admitted, a faint smile gracing her lips despite her attempts to conceal it.
Was it so easy to deceive the Archmage of Endless Fire?
Curiosity got the better of me as I questioned, "Why did you ask if I was sick?"
Even if she is the future archmage, It was indeed strange to ask a complete stranger about their well-being, especially concerning their mental state.
"You've been talking to yourself and making various expressions since earlier. I was wondering if you had any mental disorders or something," Julia explained matter-of-factly.
I had been so consumed by the shock of my rebirth that I had forgotten I was in an auditorium surrounded by thousands of people. She must have witnessed my contemplative state.
Nevertheless, her words didn't sit well with me. "You should mind your own business," I retorted, refusing to remain silent before this sheltered child.
A future archmage or whatever, right now, she was just a brat, I was not going to stay silent in front of a sheltered kid like her.
"It's very rare for crazy bastards to be admitted to Freljord. Everyone here is around my level, but I've never seen someone as insane as you," Julia spewed her words with an infuriating mix of arrogance and condescension.
'What the hell! Is she really a noble?'
I couldn't help but think. Her rudeness was unparalleled, even surpassing my experiences as a hardened mercenary. It was absurd how a mere child could provoke such anger within me.
'What the hell am I doing? Getting angry due to a child's provocation?'
But then, a realization struck me. I laughed, a mixture of disbelief and self-amusement bubbling up from within. How could I, someone who had weathered countless trials and tribulations, be rattled by the provocations of a brat?
Her eyes narrowed, sensing my amusement. "Are you laughing?... By any chance, are you a pervert who enjoys being cursed at?" she quipped, her tone laced with a mixture of curiosity and annoyance.
I couldn't help but chuckle at her audacity. "No, not a pervert," I replied, my amusement shining through. "I'm simply amused at your self centered arrogance."
The corner of her mouth twitched, caught between maintaining her dignified facade and succumbing to a smile. Perhaps she wasn't accustomed to encountering someone who could match her sharp tongue.
---***---
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