NOVEL NEXT chapter 35
35 – Each One’s Thoughts
For a moment, silence flowed.
…It’s not an incorrect statement.
Indeed, my family has fallen apart, and as a result, I’ve become someone unable to step into society.
…However, I didn’t really want to hear it from the person responsible for my family’s downfall, the Ircalli family.
I looked at Jezel. Then, she made a surprised expression, saying, “…It was a mistake. It wasn’t intentional.”
“Well, I suppose.”
Turning my head out the window, I spoke. Jezel closed her mouth and stared at me, as if trying to gauge my reaction.
“If you want to mock me, go ahead. Just do it where I can’t see you. I can’t stand being mocked to my face.”
Hearing my words, Jezel sighed.
“No, I wouldn’t do that. I’ve never even thought about mocking you. It just… came out unconsciously. I heard that news recently.”
She spoke with a cautious voice. I furrowed my brow.
“Are you trying to play games with me right now?”
Jezel looked surprised at my words.
“…What? No, I don’t really understand what you’re talking about.”
I looked into her eyes. It didn’t seem like she was lying.
Really doesn’t know? Why my family fell apart. What her father did. Truly, she knows nothing?
…Ridiculous. Destroying someone else’s family so easily, and yet, is one’s own daughter precious? Reading the thoughts of the Ircalli Duke, who seemed to have no intention of sharing harsh news, I sighed.
“…Fine then. It doesn’t matter anyway, do as you please.”
Jezel stared at me intently. Was she trying to gauge my level? Ignoring her gaze, I continued to look out the window.
Then, Jezel looked at me and asked, “Um, how many circles are you?”
“What?”
“Well… It’s usually possible to roughly estimate someone’s level by looking at them, but I can’t get any sense at all from you.”
“Why should I tell you my level?”
Jezel bit her lip upon hearing my words. I frowned at her reaction.
…Doing this is not exactly a noble deed.
If my father in my family doesn’t know what he’s done, there’s no need for me to treat that girl, Jezel, poorly.
“A father is a father, and a daughter is a daughter.”
Sure, just hearing the name Irycalia doesn’t exactly fill me with joy, but even so, there’s no need to consider the daughter an enemy.
I sighed once, readjusting my posture.
“…5th Circle.”
Jezel looked at me with surprised eyes. Her emerald eyes seemed to tremble.
“There’s no need to be too surprised. After all, being a half-baked talent, it’s not that remarkable.”
Jezel listened to my words and replied.
“Well, at that age, being 5th Circle is quite extraordinary. There’s no need to belittle yourself.”
I gazed at her and, with a smirk, said, “Well… anyway, among the spells usable in the 5th Circle, there’s only one. Calling oneself a ‘High Expert’ at that level is rather laughable.”
Jezel looked at me and asked, “…But it seems like the atmosphere has changed a bit.”
Having heard her words, I responded, “Well, in the end, even if you’re aiming to enter the academy, it’s rather funny for someone labeled as a professor, even if unofficially, to rant at a student.”
Jezel smiled and said, “Come to think of it, Edun is said to be Professor Cordelia’s direct disciple. So, is he working as a professor alongside his mentor?”
“Well, sort of by chance. I’m going to be an official professor starting this year. It’s because of the research results. But why do you ask that?”
Jezel’s eyes sparkled as she replied to me, “I happen to like Professor Cordelia.”
I quietly observed the emerald-colored girl in front of me upon hearing those words. What’s with that preference?
Perhaps sensing my gaze or for some other reason, Jezel continued, “Oh, please don’t misunderstand. I haven’t even met her personally. I just… like capable individuals, that’s all.”
“I see.”
“Then it makes sense.”
Professor Cordelia… To be honest, I’m not sure if I can call her a good person, but if you ask whether she’s capable, there’s no room for disagreement; the answer is unequivocally “yes.”
Having grown up hearing about her exceptional talent even at Matop, it wasn’t particularly unusual to feel curiosity and interest in Professor Cordelia.
“A capable person.”
I rested my chin on my hand and looked at Jezelle. She was smiling in front of me.
After rising from her seat, she spoke.
“Well, since I’ve almost found out what I wanted to know, I’ll take my leave now.”
Saying that, Jezelle disappeared from my sight in an instant.
…
Jezelle returned to her seat and reflected on Edun Kainus.
It was astonishing. Who would believe that a man she randomly met not long ago was the successor to a duke who had completely fallen and hidden his whereabouts?
Moreover, he was an Academy professor. It was truly surprising.
‘If he can use magic up to the 5th circle at such a young age, he must have some ability of his own.’
I had underrated him upon hearing he was the heir of a ruined noble family, but he seemed to be a person with his own capabilities.
‘Well… the important thing is not him.’
Certainly, Edun Kainus was different from those who barked without any ability, but that didn’t make him particularly noteworthy in Jezelle’s eyes.
‘To be fair, he stands out more for his appearance than his abilities.’
Having met many people in the social circles, Jezelle had encountered her fair share of good-looking individuals, but Edun Kainus had a uniquely refined appearance.
It wasn’t just about being handsome; there was an air of decadence about him that made it surprising he wasn’t a topic of conversation.
‘Ah, I heard he only interacted well with his fiancée and avoided contact with other women.’
That might be why there wasn’t much talk about his appearance.
Thinking this way, Jezelle shook her head, dismissing her thoughts.
No matter how good-looking he was, it didn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. Why bother thinking about it?
Gizel gazed out of the window. The sunset was gradually painting the sky.
“I’ll be arriving soon.”
Ignoring her father’s objections, she had taken a ship to the academy even before the entrance exam to adapt to the academy’s environment.
“Once I enroll in the academy, I need to observe those with abilities.”
As a member of the neutral Irkalli family, they weren’t as prevalent as other major noble families adhering to specific factions like the Emperor’s or the Nobility’s.
It was inevitable. Neutrality meant it was challenging to leverage tendencies like the ‘Imperial Faction’ or the ‘Noble Faction.’
Therefore, Gizel had always believed in establishing relationships with individuals possessing abilities from a young age.
“Otherwise, I’ll be crushed between the Noble Faction and the Imperial Faction.”
Though her father seemed inclined to collaborate with Duke Cielline, ultimately, the Irkalli family had to build its own capabilities, even if it meant forging connections with other families.
“Above all, I must have abilities myself.”
Due to such thoughts, she never associated with people she considered lacking in abilities.
“There are two things to do at the academy. Making those who show potential form ties with the Irkalli family and becoming as strong as possible myself.”
Of course, it would be ideal if she could become a direct disciple of Professor Codelia.
“Becoming an apprentice of an Anti-Magician, being able to learn that magic, is inherently rare.”
A magician with a different inclination than others, winning by blocking others’ magic instead of attacking with their own. Learning such skills would undoubtedly be beneficial.
“Oh, come to think of it, does Eden Kainus also use Anti-Magic?”
Being a direct disciple of Professor Codelia, it was a possibility.
Considering the age difference between him and herself was even more significant than that between him and Professor Codelia, it was impressive that he was recognized as a master despite being so young.
Lost in these thoughts, Gizel confirmed the ship’s halt, stood up, and brushed herself off.
“It starts now.”
With that in mind, Gizel disembarked from the ship with her bodyguards.
And at that moment,
“Hey! Eden! Over here!”
A voice she had never heard echoed.