Chapter 5
Fate
“Nigel, it had to be you.”
Allen said it as if it were obvious.
“You just said it yourself, that my instincts are trustworthy. I just had a good feeling the moment I first saw you. And now? Even better.”
Allen smiled, his green eyes narrowing slightly.
“Are you… trying to flirt with me…?”
“You need to work on your instincts. Do I look like someone who’d flirt with a stranger? My feelings are pure—completely, utterly pure friendship!”
“Pure friendship, huh? I suppose it’s just for one night. We’ll part ways by morning anyway.”
“Ugh, where’s the romance in that? My instincts tell me we’re destined to be friends for life. Just you wait.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Nigel answered absentmindedly and picked up the book he had been reading earlier.
The silver train ticket buried deep in his pocket had long since faded from his mind.
“By the way, it’s wonderful that His Lordship has made such a great friend. The master and mistress will be thrilled.”
Sebastian glanced alternately at Nigel and Allen, a satisfied smile on his face.
“Friend…”
No, not really. Nigel couldn’t bring himself to voice the objection, caught by Sebastian’s warm gaze.
“Of course! My parents would be even happier than when I got into Sienia!”
A single word passed through Nigel’s mind, impossible to ignore.
“…Sienia?”
“Yes. Our trip to the capital is actually for the Sienia Pre-Festival Party next week.”
Allen pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it.
A familiar letter format—it was unmistakably a Sienia acceptance letter.
“Magic… academy?”
Allen nodded enthusiastically.
“I’ve always been interested in magical tools. Learning there should be helpful in the future.”
…Could this really be fate?
“…Nigel? You don’t look well. Are you feeling sick all of a sudden?”
Allen jumped up, fussing as he examined Nigel.
“No… it’s nothing.”
Nigel let out a deep sigh and placed the stiff paper on the table.
Whether he was caught now or next week, it didn’t matter.
Allen’s jaw dropped as he read the letter.
“Whoa…!”
He even covered his mouth with his hands like he had uncovered a world-altering secret.
“…I told you we’d see a lot of each other. It’s already amazing that we met on the same train and became friends so quickly, but the same academy? Same department?”
Allen spoke so fast Nigel didn’t even get a chance to reply.
“If this isn’t fate, what is, Nigel? Huh?”
Allen grabbed Nigel by the shoulders and shook him roughly back and forth.
“The Goddess Kirelia must have brought us together. No doubt about it.”
Allen released Nigel’s shoulders, pressed his hands together, and solemnly gazed at the sun outside.
Goddess? Really.
“Wait. Nigel, have you arranged a place to stay in the capital? Want to go buy supplies together? I know a lot of good places…”
“Noble Allen.”
The fast-talking, high-pitched chatter stopped instantly at Sebastian’s brief call.
“I understand your excitement, but you mustn’t burden your friend.”
Nigel had grown tired of correcting Allen that he wasn’t his friend.
“Sorry, I’m just too happy.”
Still, Nigel didn’t dislike Allen’s honesty in expressing his feelings.
“…We’re not going anywhere until tomorrow, so take your time.”
“Got it!”
The train pressed on toward the capital with steady speed.
“…You’re really not coming with me?”
In front of Solef Central Station, Allen had been unable to board the carriage for thirty minutes.
“The luggage is heavy, but I can at least take you close to your destination.”
“I said it’s fine.”
“No, it’s because I’m not fine with it.”
From the train to the station, Nigel had managed to evade Allen and Sebastian five times.
By the fifth time, Allen and Sebastian finally grabbed Nigel’s arms and escorted him along, just enough to get him moving.
“…There were too many people in the station, I just couldn’t see clearly. Outside here is fine.”
“Hmm…”
Allen still looked unconvinced.
“I’m serious. You should go. Your family’s waiting, right?”
“…Are you sure you memorized my communication number? If something happens, go to the nearest station and contact me. I’ll help anytime.”
“I said I got it.”
Nigel rubbed the dark circles under his eyes.
Thanks to Allen’s constant chatter the night before, even Nigel’s dreams had been full of Allen pestering him.
He didn’t dislike Allen, but for a while, he didn’t want to see him.
“Alright, then see you at the party next week. Or sooner, if you like.”
“Yeah, got it. Now please, go.”
Nigel waved his hand.
The coachman, wanting Allen to leave, quickly closed the carriage doors, and the carriage sped off.
Nigel watched it shrink into the distance, feeling a sense of relief.
“Time to go.”
Then, someone tapped Nigel on the shoulder from behind.
He spun around to see who it was.
…Again?
It was a boy his age he had met twice before—once at the train station, once in front of the train.
According to Allen, he and Nigel were destined to meet often, but this boy? Fate could not possibly be this persistent.
“What do you need?”
Nigel crossed his arms.
“Ah, actually, I found this yesterday.”
The boy smiled and pulled a handkerchief bulging at the top from his pocket.
When he unfolded it, Nigel’s locket appeared.
“It looked important, so I meant to give it back yesterday, but the timing was off, sorry.”
Ah, great.
The old suitcase that never stayed properly closed had caused trouble again.
“I just kept it safe; I didn’t open the locket, so don’t worry.”
“…Thank you.”
Nigel sincerely thanked the boy and tucked the locket deep into his coat pocket.
It had been his mistake to suspect the boy of being a thief, but the unease lingered.
My instincts are never wrong… so what’s this feeling?
Looking at him brought back that inexplicable discomfort.
…Whatever. Just one glance won’t hurt.
Fatigue from the carriage and the nightmares of the previous night made Nigel brush it off more easily than usual.
He thanked the boy again and entered the first inn he saw.
I don’t even have energy to think about it anymore…
The moment he arrived in the room, all his strength left him.
Nigel barely changed clothes before collapsing into bed.
When he woke, the room was still dark.
Skipping lunch and only sleeping, it was likely early morning.
Nigel lit a candle and sat at the desk, pulling out stationery and envelopes from his bag.
Nothing should have happened…
It had been less than a week since leaving the orphanage, yet worry filled his mind.
Still, he had prepared checks in time, so the orphanage would be financially secure for a while.
Ron and Handel would likely buy new leather balls, well-worn books, and school shirts for the younger children.
The youngest would smile brightly at having brand-new clothes instead of hand-me-downs.
Nigel smiled faintly to himself, imagining it.
Yes, they would live well without incident.
Because I’m not the original Nigel.
The original Nigel had spat at a visiting priest from the orphanage and been dragged to religious trial.
On the day of the trial, his golden aura caused everyone to kneel.
Within half a day, sitting arrogantly on a carved throne, Nigel had issued his first order…
To secretly kill anyone related to the orphanage.
Though he hadn’t done it personally, the bitter taste in his mouth was unavoidable.
Choosing the distant Royal Academy rather than nearby Tilin Academy was partly Nigel’s preference, but mostly to protect the orphanage.
He fiddled with his pen and finally wrote the address and recipient’s name.
Once the name was written, the rest flowed easily.
First, he wrote that he had arrived safely in the capital.
Then hesitated, but added a few lines about Allen.
Finally, he asked about the children, Ron, and Handel, folded the letter, and placed it in the envelope.
Next was Zeronin.
Unlike the letter to the orphanage, his expression stiffened before writing a single word.
Nigel pulled out Zeronin’s unread letter.
It was not one, but three sheets full of scolding and detailed complaints.
Suppressing a sigh, Nigel unfolded the letter.
[I only care about the proof of donation.]
As expected, the first line made him chuckle.
