58 – To the Academy
In the regained routine of daily life, time passed.
Training, outings, strolls, conversations, even gazing at the stars together on nights when the summer air momentarily cooled down.
As such times went by, we finally greeted the day to return to the Academy.
“Take care of yourself.”
“Yes! Please take care, Father and Mother!”
The Duke and Duchess bid farewell with Mary.
“May you be prosperous.”
Representing the group, Alexis bid farewell to the Duke.
“No, it is I who should apologize for not hosting you properly.”
“It is not so. We are receiving quite an extravagant reception.”
After the formal greetings were exchanged, Jajak’s gaze swept over the group.
And eventually, his gaze landed on me.
“Wade, take care.”
“Yes.”
“And, if you have time, I hope you will occasionally check in on Mary as well.”
“Understood.”
Listening to Jajak’s words, I couldn’t help but smile faintly.
Nevertheless, in the end, they were a couple whose love for their daughter was so great that they couldn’t sleep at night worrying about her.
After the farewells with Jajak and his wife were over,
My gaze turned towards where my father, Lawrence Heblon, was standing.
“……”
“……”
Our eyes met.
However, neither my father nor I found it easy to speak.
How long did that silence last?
“Go and come back.”
“Yes.”
With that, our wealthy family’s farewell came to an end.
“Well then, we will be on our way.”
I nodded to Jajak and his wife.
And so, our group left the mansion of the Blunoa family.
***
The story took place when the group’s carriage, leaving Raikinwood, took a brief rest at a crossroad.
Edan suddenly said he had something to do and took Wade with him, leaving the rest of the group behind.
The group was taking a rest in the shade of the trees to avoid the hot summer sun.
In a time where the small hairs fluttered in the warm breeze created by the high temperature, a scene of everyday life unfolded without any lack.
“Just in case, I’m telling you now.”
Estelle suddenly spoke up.
“Do not disclose anything about Wade to anyone.”
Her tone was calm.
However, the group couldn’t simply accept her words calmly.
Her gaze scanning the group was more intense than usual.
“If Wade’s existence becomes known to the public, you know what could happen.”
“……”
Although no one gave a verbal response, everyone present nodded inwardly.
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As she said, if Wade’s existence and his skills were to become known to the public, they knew well what kind of repercussions could arise.
Just becoming a Swordsman of the Ten Blades level would make all nations and factions on the continent eager to recruit him.
A single Swordsman of the Ten Blades level could change the course of a war and alter the flow all by themselves.
However, that doesn’t mean they are invincible. With sufficient support, they could indeed turn the tide alone, becoming a formidable force, so to speak.
In such a state, a mere eighteen-year-old boy emerged.
It was news and an event that would inevitably draw attention from across the continent.
Just looking at his current value alone is staggering, but when you consider the future, that value increases exponentially.
If he becomes a mere swordsman at eighteen, where will he be in ten years? Twenty years?
And thirty years?
It’s hard to even imagine what level he might reach.
The powerful figures of the continent couldn’t simply stand by and watch such a talent.
They would do whatever it takes to recruit him.
The process might be noble and courteous, but those present were well aware that it wouldn’t be so.
Some will go to great lengths or resort to extreme measures to acquire him, causing turmoil not only for him but also those around him.
The outcome is uncertain, but the most likely scenario is him ending up under the wing of someone with immense power.
While that may be what some desire, it was clear that Wade Heblon’s character wouldn’t be pleased.
Knowing this well, Estelle spoke carefully.
“Lady Eldrid’s daughter, the Knight of Protection, and Mary Blunoa need not worry much.”
Estelle’s gaze swept over the three women.
They held Wade in high regard. Therefore, unless he desires it, she won’t divulge anything.
“Even the disciple of Gomseong seems disinterested in such matters.”
Cedric, too, showed little interest in power or wealth. His master, Gomseong, was a figure who didn’t value such things and had halfway departed from the secular world.
If his disciple were to commit such acts, Gomseong would most likely take matters into his own hands, rectifying the situation with a high chance of sternly reprimanding the wrongdoer. Therefore, the likelihood of him revealing information about Wade was not deemed high.
Hence, there was only one person left.
Alexis De Wolfrun.
The prince of Wolfrun Kingdom, aside from Estelle, was the one closest to power.
Moreover, the situation in the Wolfrun Kingdom where the next king had yet to be clearly determined.
Considering his position, it wasn’t strange for the sharp edge that was Wade, who suddenly appeared, to catch his attention.
“…You need not worry. I have no intention of disclosing information or recruiting him.”
Perhaps having already deduced this fact, Alexis spoke with a bitter smile.
“I have no interest in the throne or power. Though there are still those around me who seem to restrain me or cling to remnants… I don’t particularly desire to wield power.”
In a sense, Alexis entering the academy was to distance himself from the throne dispute.
Therefore, it was somewhat odd to hear that he was now showing ambitions for the throne.
“…Well, even if I say that, you may not fully believe me.”
Alexis looked directly into Estelle’s eyes.
Estelle, with her unwavering gaze, looked back at Alexis, a person who, despite being a prince, was in a position different from his.
He was, after all, the future emperor of the empire.
Not one who naturally rose to that position in a greenhouse, but someone who leaped into the storm of power with his own feet, seizing that position.
Because of that, he knew.
The terror of power.
That people can change at any time.
Alexis, not as experienced as her, was well aware that her words did not sound convincing enough. “For now, all I can ask is for your trust. I have nothing else to say. And… even if there ever comes a day when I show ambition for power, rest assured, I will not resort to trickery.”
Meeting an inscrutable gaze, Alexis chuckled calmly. “I don’t think there’s any reason for you to worry just because I intend to do so.”
Alexis was not someone who lacked discernment. She had a good idea of why Estelle brought up such matters, why Estelle, who had failed miserably in imperial affairs, ended up accompanying them here.
No, ignorance would be foolish.
Though the main party seemed oblivious, among those present, no one was unaware of how Estelle viewed Wade.
Hence, Alexis did not even consider the slim possibility.
He was not foolish enough to reveal his ambitions to someone coveted by the continent’s most powerful figure.
“I hope your feelings remain unchanged,” Alexis earnestly replied. Estelle, seemingly unimpressed by his words, averted her gaze with an indifferent air, and peace returned among the group.
That peace was shattered by Estelle opening her mouth once more.
“Come to think of it…”
“…?”
Despite the change in color due to the magic, Mary’s eyes, still sparkling, were fixed on Estelle. “The Heblon family doesn’t look very welcoming. Looking at their faces, one wouldn’t doubt they are a family, but based on their actions, they might seem rather aloof compared to others.”
As if remembering suddenly, or asking on a whim, it was a light tone.
“Could it be that they have a bad relationship?”
However, Mary noticed unmistakable curiosity and interest in that voice.
She noticed that fact, and seeing Rachel and the child pretending not to notice, Mary almost burst out laughing.
Suppressing the laughter, Mary spoke. “That’s not true. Although Wade and Mr. Lawrence may seem aloof at first glance, their relationship is not bad. No, one might even say it’s quite good.”
It was not a lie.
The relationship within the Heblon family was not as bad as it seemed on the surface.
“It’s strange though, they didn’t seem overly concerned about Wade. Could it be that the news of Wade getting injured at the academy wasn’t relayed to the mansion?”
“No. They are all aware. Of course, Mr. Lawrence too.”
“In that case, it’s even more puzzling. I think when you hear news of your child getting hurt, it’s natural for parents to be unable to rest easy.”
Estelle’s doubts were also reasonable.
In less than half a year at the academy, Wade had suffered major injuries three times, two of which were life-threatening if not handled properly.
Yet, despite such a son returning home, Lawrence did not show signs of great concern.
And even when they returned from the lake house this time.
To an outsider, it wouldn’t be strange for Lawrence to appear unconcerned about Wade.
But Estelle knew the truth.
“According to what I heard from my father and mother, when I informed the family that Wade had been injured, Mr. Lawrence couldn’t sleep for several days.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. Outwardly, he pretended to be calm, to be fine, but it seems everyone around knew.”
Just staying up for a single night can make one look worse for wear.
But if that continues for days? It’s hard to conceal the change in complexion.
Because of that, the people at the Blunoa Mansion had long since noticed that Lawrence couldn’t sleep at all.
“And after hearing that Wade had woken up, Mr. Lawrence finally managed to get some sleep.”
“…I see. Although it may not look like it, is he genuinely worried about Wade?”
Estelle gently nodded.
“If that’s the case, maybe he should show it a bit more.”
“Is that… something beyond his control?”
Upon Estelle’s muttering, Mary gave a bitter smile and replied.
Lawrence is a stern person, distant from the warmth.
Perhaps because of that, Mary had never seen him express his feelings properly.
Even after decades of being close inside and out, that was one thing that never changed.
“In that case, how about Mr. Wade?”
Suddenly, Rachel, who had been quietly listening, asked.
“Wade is no different. He values Mr. Lawrence dearly. Perhaps even more than anyone else.”
Wade is no different.
Though appearing reserved and not showing it, in reality, he cares for Lawrence more than anyone else.
From a young age, Wade, who seemed mature beyond his years, treated Lawrence with what seemed like a formal parental attitude.
But Mary, who had watched Wade for a long time, knew.
How much Wade valued Lawrence.
Yes, to Wade, Lawrence is a precious being.
Perhaps, more than anyone in the world.
That’s why Mary sometimes thought that Lawrence’s existence was like a rope binding Wade.
Wade has a corner where his thoughts are unknown.
Like a drifting cloud.
There was a sense that he could suddenly disappear one day, and it wouldn’t be surprising.
Although many of those aspects have faded now, when Wade was younger, that atmosphere was even stronger.
How to put it… It felt like he was always watching from a few steps away.
Observing the surroundings, and himself.
It seemed like he thought he shouldn’t be standing where he was.
Although he tried to hide it in his own way, Mary recognized it.
Knowing those aspects of Wade well, Mary thought.
If Lawrence wasn’t there, if the rope called Lawrence didn’t exist.
Perhaps, Wade would have hidden his traces from his sight long ago.
“So, you don’t need to worry too much.”
With a bright smile, Mary said.
Genuinely recalling memories of the past after a long time.
Recalling the gaze of a precious childhood friend, still young, who looked at her.
Suppressing the ache in her heart that arose sharply because of it.
Casually, she smiled like that.