Chapter 08
Within the Academy, family servants were strictly forbidden from entering. It was a rule established by Headmaster Pelly when he took office. His reasoning was simple: those striving to become servants of the gods had no need to be waited on, even inside the Academy.
Allen had also received Gale’s old wooden practice sword as a gift. To Allen, who had secretly admired Gale for years, it was the greatest present imaginable.
Originally, both Gale and Quentin had insisted on escorting Asiel themselves, causing quite a commotion. But the senior and junior students studied in separate buildings. Gale, now a senior, argued that since he no longer had many regular classes, he could devote himself to helping younger students.
In the end, however, the Countess thoroughly shut him down.
Holding back tears, Gale ordered—or rather, begged—Allen to take especially good care of Asiel. Inside the Academy, Allen was the only person who could look after her.
Since it was the first favor his respected senior had ever asked of him, Allen was determined to fulfill his mission.
The target refuses to listen to instructions. What should I do in a situation like this, Senior?
“Are you Asiel Windsorberry?”
Just as Allen finally let out a relieved sigh after painstakingly guiding Asiel to the junior building, a familiar voice called out from behind.
Allen’s neck stiffened instantly.
Meanwhile, completely oblivious, Asiel cheerfully turned around.
Standing there was a boy with hair like molten sunlight and brilliant blue eyes that shone like stars.
Wow… he’s beautiful.
Having grown up staring at her own reflection, Asiel’s standards for beauty were naturally high. Yet this was the first time she’d ever looked at someone else and genuinely thought that.
As she stared blankly, the boy extended a hand.
“I’m Dimarion. I heard a special scholarship student would be joining us.”
Why does he sound so stiff?
Asiel gave a little snort before grabbing his hand without hesitation.
“Mm! I’m Asiel. Can I call you Rion?”
Was it her imagination?
The warmth in Dimarion’s eyes seemed to vanish instantly.
Please… someone knock me unconscious from behind.
Allen sincerely wished for exactly that.
To Allen, Asiel was like a younger sister.
Sometimes she even seemed younger than his own biological sister, despite only being two years younger.
Even without Gale’s repeated warnings or the Countess’s tearful 부탁, Allen would have looked after Asiel, who had entered the Academy later than everyone else.
Ever since they were children, he’d simply believed it was his responsibility.
When did that start?
Was it when she’d eaten random weeds from the garden because her father had read her a book about medicinal herbs and ended up with a stomachache?
Or when she’d returned after failing to receive a divine blessing, happily declaring that the gods had officially recognized her as “professionally unemployed”?
Sometimes he worried more about Asiel’s future than his own.
Of course…
If Asiel ever seriously decided to argue with someone, she’d defeat anyone with words.
After all, she’d managed to earn admission to the Academy largely thanks to that very talent.
She spoke without restraint, always had to win every argument, and somehow survived because her fluffy, lovable appearance made everything she did seem adorable.
Even Bernard, who constantly complained about how annoying she was, had admitted as much.
The problem was…
Would that work on a prince as cold and flawless as a marble statue?
Dimarion Umbrell.
The youngest lion of the Umbrell royal family, symbolized by the golden lion.
“Good morning, Your Highness.”
Dimarion’s icy blue eyes shifted away from Asiel and settled on Allen.
Though they were the same age, Allen often found that gaze strangely intimidating.
“…Your Highness?”
“Asiel Windsorberry only started today, so she probably didn’t know.”
As Allen bowed, he sensed Asiel awkwardly bowing beside him.
At least she’s quick to read the room.
“No need to apologize. It’s an understandable mistake.”
His voice was gentle, warm as spring sunlight.
The prince’s elegant eyes curved lazily.
For a brief moment, it felt as though he’d watched a full moon gradually become a crescent.
“So you’re Asiel Windsorberry?”
“…Yes.”
“Since you enrolled midway through the term, I’ll help you settle in as the class representative. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Allen Chaim, if she has trouble adjusting, you may come find me.”
Even the headmaster who admitted me didn’t sound this considerate.
Without realizing it, Asiel puffed out her lips.
She knew she ought to humble herself before the prince of the kingdom.
But somehow…
Her heart refused to cooperate.
“You should thank His Highness, Asiel.”
Allen’s gentle reminder broke her thoughts.
Forcing an awkward smile, she quietly thanked him.
“I have a feeling you’ll be visiting me very soon.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll gladly welcome you, so don’t worry.”
With a graceful smile, Dimarion ended the conversation on his own and turned away.
Watching his retreating figure, Asiel muttered quietly,
“He laughed at me.”
“What?”
“He laughed at me!”
Pointing at herself with one finger, she blinked her large eyes.
Her long, thick eyelashes fluttered dramatically.
Seeing Allen only staring blankly, she sighed heavily before pulling up the corner of her own mouth with a finger.
“He smiled like this!”
“He probably thought you were funny.”
Allen lightly patted her back, urging her toward the classroom.
But Asiel merely stomped her feet.
“Ugh, that’s so unfair!”
“What’s unfair? I’d laugh too. For heaven’s sake, at least memorize the names of your own kingdom’s royal family.”
“Oh… right.”
“It was my first time meeting a prince.”
I’ve never met anyone like you before.
Allen had suspected Dimarion wouldn’t like Asiel.
But now that it had actually happened…
His head was beginning to ache.
The Academy had already been buzzing because a girl who had never received a divine blessing had enrolled halfway through the school year.
And now she’d admitted she didn’t even know the royal family’s names.
I should’ve sat her down and explained everything before she came…
Making up for it now, Allen began hurriedly explaining.
Gregory Umbrell was in the same year as Gale and had the same golden hair and blue eyes as Dimarion.
Edith Umbrell didn’t attend the Academy.
He looked ready to lecture her on the entire Umbrell royal family.
“Oh! Bernard!”
Perhaps because of all that, Bernard suddenly looked like the most welcome sight in the world.
Startled by Asiel’s enthusiastic greeting, Bernard paused before returning to his usual cool expression and giving a small wave.
“Hi.”
“Hi. So you really got in?”
Their friendly exchange made Allen quietly sigh with relief.
These two had been one of his biggest worries.
Bernard was one of his closest friends at the Academy.
Asiel was the person he was closest to—and responsible for.
So this is what it feels like to get over one huge obstacle…
“You got in too, didn’t you?”
“I guess our school’s standards have dropped.”
…Nope. Wrong mountain.
Even spoken in such a polite tone, those words carried a frightening edge.
Just imagining having to keep these two together made Allen dizzy.
“Hello. You’re Asiel Windsorberry, right? I’m Dexter Hugo.”
Fortunately, the boy standing beside Bernard changed the mood.
Unlike Bernard’s sharp appearance with his purple hair and dark green eyes, Dexter had light brown hair, slightly darker brown eyes, and a naturally gentle, approachable atmosphere.
“I’m happy we’ll be attending the Academy together.”
“Me too! Nice to meet you!”
Asiel, who had an uncanny ability to recognize when someone genuinely liked her, beamed brightly as she shook Dexter’s hand.
“It would’ve been nice if today’s classes were by grade.”
“Too bad it’s Divine Authority class today.”
At Etuar Academy, first-year students mostly attended general education courses with their own grade.
However, once a week, students possessing the same divine authority gathered together for specialized lessons.
Dexter’s words reminded Allen of something important.
He immediately grabbed Asiel’s shoulders.
“What was the name of your deity again?”
“Huh? Bokaner.”
“It’s Bucanu.”
Allen felt his patience wearing dangerously thin.
Perhaps because she had never received a divine blessing, Asiel had never shown much interest in the Church of Etuar.
The Windsorberry family had also intentionally avoided discussing the subject around her.
“It’s Bucanu, the God of Alchemy. Please, please remember it, okay?”
“For junior students, you’ll probably start with basic herbal studies.”
“In first year, there are only two students with that divine authority.”
“Marisa Ford…”
“…and you.”
