Chapter 231

Before us appeared Sebastian, the heir of the Restraid Clan.

He was a young man with fiery red hair that looked as if it was burning.

Did he come to see Sister Adela?

He looked at us and slowly opened his mouth.

“Adela, it’s been a while.”

His voice was smooth and his tone polite, but there lay an uncontrollable arrogance in his eyes.

“I didn’t expect you to return this soon.”

“You don’t seem very pleased. I hope you’re not too uncomfortable. I’m just here to greet you out of courtesy. You know, we are among the few noble bloodlines…”

“Hah, just get to the point.”

At Adela’s irritated question, Sebastian shot a glance at me and unexpectedly said,

“Well, Adela. By the way, have you taken in a servant? That’s not like you.”

“What did you just say?”

Anger surged within me.

“Hey! I’m not a maid!”

“Oh? I guess I was mistaken.”

Sebastian scoffed and continued without a care.

“Adela, do you remember what you told me before? You said not to treat other students like servants at the academy. I thought perhaps you had changed your mind, but I guess not.”

“Sebastian! Don’t say things like that. Violet is my precious junior.”

Despite Adela’s firm tone, Sebastian remained unfazed and jutted his chin toward me.

“A junior… Ha! Has the academy’s ability to discern talent really dropped so low? Accepting a child like this…”

“What? You think I’m a child?”

“You’re immature and childish. Am I wrong?”

“Ugh!”

I felt my temper rise and questioned him. Adela also raised her voice.

“Why don’t you just shut that filthy mouth of yours?”

“Hah.”

Sebastian looked slightly taken aback by Adela’s sharp reaction.

But he quickly smirked and continued speaking.

“Adela, why are you keeping this child around? Ah, I get it. You’ve always liked cute things. It’s been toys, animals, and now children.”

Adela’s face flushed a deep red at Sebastian’s words.

“What, what are you saying? Don’t speak carelessly.”

“Calm down. I just asked out of curiosity. You wouldn’t actually have a preference for something like that, right? As the young lady of the Cascadia Duke’s family, you have your reputation to uphold, after all.”

Sebastian was joking lightly, but it was clearly a subtle dig at Adela.

The flush in her cheeks was proof of that.

“What’s with that trash talk, anyway?”

“Respect individual preferences!”

I couldn’t take it anymore and interjected my protest.

“Hey! What do you care about personal preferences?”

Sebastian looked down at me and said,

“Shut it, first year. You seem to have no idea about the world; just sit quietly without causing trouble.”

“What gives you the right? Are you really that impressive?”

“Yeah.”

Sebastian retorted with an arrogant face.

“Just because you got into the academy doesn’t mean it’s all smooth sailing. The real world isn’t easy. If you’re weak, you’ll get eaten alive. A weak little kid who relies on seniors like you will struggle to survive out there.”

Sebastian casually threw this out with a brazen attitude, infuriating me even more.

“Hey! I do have skills! I passed the exam to get in!”

Suddenly, Sebastian’s eyes sparkled sharply.

“Indeed, your flow of magical power and stance are quite impressive. There are clear signs of training, but…”

His hand suddenly grabbed my wrist.

“Ugh!”

“You should work on hiding things like the small pocket in your sleeve or the scabbard. It’s all too visible.”

“Wait, did he just sense I was about to attack?”

I glared at him. Sebastian looked back at me challengingly.

“If you’re that good, let’s duel!”

“Violet! What are you doing? No way!”

Adela tried to intervene, but Sebastian just chuckled and shook his head.

“A duel? That’s an interesting suggestion. But what to do? I’ll have to decline since I’m busy.”

“What? Hah, are you scared, coward?”

“Don’t get it twisted. I don’t have a hobby of knocking down the weak. And…”

A seriousness crossed his face.

“Harming a woman with a sword dishonors a knight’s honor.”

After saying that, Sebastian turned and walked away.

I was left dumbfounded and turned to Adela.

“Sister! What kind of guy is that?”

Adela sighed deeply in dismay.

“He’s truly a relic of the old age… People like him tarnish the nobility’s honor. Violet, don’t let it bother you too much. He’s not worth your time.”

We nodded at Adela’s words. However, the insulting attitude of that brat from the tin can clan deeply ingrained itself in us.

“One day, I’ll make him pay!”

Sebastian shrugged as he walked out of the Student Council Building.

The encounter just now wasn’t worth stressing over.

Behind him, the heavy sound of clashing metal echoed.

Armored knights were closely guarding him.

The sight of heavily armed knights walking through the campus attracted curious glances from the students.

Of course, it was uncomfortable for him.

Every step taken by the large armored knights caused a significant rumble.

“Didn’t you withdraw?”

“My lord, for the next few days, we are to patrol and guard the academy as per your father’s orders. Additional personnel will also be deployed.”

The head knight said respectfully. Sebastian frowned.

“Did my father send you? I’m not a child anymore; does it really make sense for me to have a guard even within the academy?”

“We’re just following orders. Please understand that it’s the clan’s policy.”

Sebastian clicked his tongue in annoyance. If it was his father’s decision, there was no room for choice.

“By the way, why did my father increase the guard? There was never this kind of thing when I was a kid at the academy.”

“Well, apparently there are signs of something happening in the southern district. We were told to reinforce the defenses of key facilities and academies.”

He grew irritated.

“What’s going on? Is it related to the joint operations with the Federal Army or something?”

“I wasn’t briefed on the details. Just that it was a critical internal matter for the clan.”

Sebastian let out a incredulous chuckle.

“However, one of the commanders or the commander of the guard is said to be visiting the academy soon, so it must be something significant.”

“When?”

“Today, apparently…”

As Sebastian listened to the knight, his eyebrows narrowed.

The reason he had resumed his studies was under his father’s orders.

To finish the postponed studies and inherit the family legacy as soon as possible.

‘His father is visiting? Why is he here?’

He couldn’t defy his father’s orders. Frustration bubbled within him.

“I thought things were going to get more comfortable, but looks like I’ll have to face my father again.”

At that moment, the youngest-looking knight among his guards spoke up.

“My lord, you were quite popular with the girls just now. It seems you have quite a few fan girls among the female students. Was there no girl that you found appealing? I heard there are many young ladies from noble families in the academy.”

“You idiot, mind your own business!”

The senior knight admonished the junior.

Yet, Sebastian, who was hoping to change the topic of discussion, smiled pleasantly.

“Well, I didn’t see any girl that caught my eye. Those self-proclaimed noble girls are nothing but deceitful snobs.”

“Ha ha ha, indeed, our lord has quite the discerning eye.”

“And what about commoners? They would simply swoon at your every word, right?”

The junior knight curiously asked, and Sebastian clicked his tongue.

“Those airheads? I wouldn’t take them even if they offered themselves. I never even considered them.”

“That makes sense. Compared to those girls, you are too good for them.”

The knights flattered him.

At that moment, one knight pointed toward a café table in front of the academy where three female students were chatting together.

“How about those girls? They seem to have nice faces?”

Sebastian glanced at the café in front of the academy, where three girl students were engaged in pleasant conversation.

“You might need to raise your standards a bit—”

In that instant, his gaze stopped as if a nail had punctured him to the table where one girl was seated.

The world froze.

The sunlight illuminated her softly flowing silver hair.

Her blue eyes sparkled like the morning star, her figure was as pure and delicate as a lily, invoking a strong desire to protect.

With a slender waist like a willow, her silhouette presented soft curves accentuated against her slender form.

‘Have I ever seen a girl like her before?’

He was mesmerized by her beautiful and graceful appearance, nearly holding his breath.

“My lord, is something wrong?”

Sebastian stared at her as if he were in a trance.

In this moment, everything in the world seemed to be an obstacle blocking his line of sight to the girl.

“This is… a dream…”

A feeling he had never experienced before washed over him like a wave. Had he ever felt so excited and thrilled?

With a daze, he began to walk toward her.

Finally reaching the table, he ignored what the other girls seated with her were saying and whispered as if in a dream.

“Answer me, you… what’s your name?”

Sebastian gazed at the silver-haired girl with wide-eyed amazement. Manners were long forgotten.

Just as the lady of his dreams was about to speak, a calm and composed voice pulled him back to reality.

“Excuse me, who are you?”

“Excuse me, but what business do you have here?”

“What?”

Turning his head, he noticed the two other girls seated with her staring intently at him.

‘How dare you!’

Sebastian felt fury at being interrupted.

A few minutes before facing the rude nobleman, Daphne and Kalia were happily contemplating how to enjoy the mountain of sweets produced by their friend with a penchant for desserts.

“Delicious, right? For sure! I had no idea Violet had such skills!”

“Yeah, they were baked well. It’s true they are well made, but…”

Kalia pointed to the cookies on the table with an incredulous smile.

“Why did she make a mountain of them? And during club activities, no less.”

“Still, it’s true she made them deliciously, right? And she said it was for us. So I think we saved on dessert costs.”

Kalia, happy that it was a gift, was nonetheless worried about her friend who rushed in like a runaway train at every opportunity and crossed her arms in annoyance.

“Ugh, Daphne. You are the problem here. You should think about reining Violet in when she does something. If you keep coddling her, she’ll barreling headlong into trouble without a brake or anything. You should really give her a stern word…”

“Good things are good things, aren’t they? Don’t be too tough on Violet.”

“…Wasn’t it the other way around before? Anyone would think I’m the only one scolding.”

Amidst their conversation, Irene quietly spoke up.

“Let’s think positively. Violet focusing on something productive instead of violent activities is a result after all. If she continues doing such good and wholesome things, it will benefit everyone.”

The three of them recalled their first week at the academy, where they had an interview with the headmaster of Aegis Academy.

At that time, Headmaster Brecht had said to them to ensure their friend does not go astray.

“I heard that Violet’s friend would help her not to take the wrong path. It will be difficult… but I ask it of you.”

“Well, it’s certainly better than making bomb vests or corpses, right?”

“That’s true.”

Just as the three girls were discussing their friend, an unwelcome guest appeared.

When they turned their heads to the heavy mechanical sounds, a red-haired boy with a menacing aura loomed before them.

“Answer me, you… what’s your name?”

Behind him, the armored guards that seemed to be the source of the mechanical sounds stood propped up intimidatingly.

The three of them jumped up from their seats in unison.

“Wha…? What is this all of a sudden…”

Caught off guard by the sudden arrival, Kalia stepped forward to interject for Daphne, who was bewildered.

“Who are you, old guy?”

Irene, as if thinking more deeply, replied more thoughtfully.

I memorized the faces of the key figures of the four major clans, so recognizing him wasn’t hard.

“Excuse me, but what business do you have here?”

The boy appeared dazed like just waking from a dream but replied with a tone laced with unpleasantness.

“Don’t worry about it. I have business with that girl over there. Young lady, I ask you once more, what is your name?”

“If you wish to hear about someone else, wouldn’t it be polite to first introduce yourself? Sebastian… no, Sebastian-senpai?”

At Irene’s sharp remark, Sebastian let out a short sigh and awkwardly smiled.

‘By the way, that girl with purple hair… wasn’t she from a notable clan?’

“Oh, right. I was rude. Allow me to introduce myself.”

Trying to hide his embarrassment, Sebastian scowled for a moment but then raised his voice with composure.

“My name is Sebastian Restraid. I am the 32nd heir to the throne of the Arnor United Kingdom and the heir of the Restraid family. Now you know who I am.”

The girls murmured among themselves.

‘Restraid… one of the three major clans?’

‘Right. That person is the heir.’

‘Why would a person like him be asking me such a question…’

“You seem to be a first-year student, is that right? Now that the introductions are done, may I ask your name?”

The three girls reluctantly showed signs of agreement.

The first to respond was the sharp-featured girl with pink bobbed hair.

“I’m Kalia. That should be enough, right?”

Sebastian furrowed his brow. It seemed she didn’t know how to be polite.

‘Her looks and figure aren’t bad, but she’s too tall and has a terrible attitude. Like a street cat.’

Tsking internally, he shifted his gaze.

“I’m Irene Solstice. Nice to meet you, senpai?”

A calm and intellectual girl with violet hair spoke.

“Hmm, are you by any chance from Helios?”

“Yes, that’s correct…”

Ah, she was the famous clan heir who just transferred.

Sebastian found it impressive. But the moment their golden eyes met, he felt an odd sense of déjà vu.

‘Damn, I just thought she was a smart girl… but now I feel she’ll act just like Adela. This could be a hassle.’

While her face was acceptable, her small stature was far from his preference.

The last to respond was the beautiful silver-haired first-year girl.

“…I’m Daphne Grace.”

Her clear eyes, with a hint of anxiety, looked pure and fragile, distinctly different from the other two girls.

“I see…”

Sebastian whispered her name as if casting a spell.

Daphne Grace, Daphne Restraid.

‘Daphne Restraid… Hmm, not bad. Wait, what am I even thinking?’

“But… why did you call for me?”

Pausing for a moment, Sebastian recalled the courage of his ancestors breaking through the heart of the monsters and decided to push forward.

“The matter is simple. I find you appealing. Be my woman.”

His outstretched hand was abruptly blocked by a faint green barrier and bounced back.

“…!”

Startled, Daphne hesitated and shook her head.

“Senpai, I think it’s too soon to make such a decision after just meeting. We don’t know enough about each other. It’s not that simple between a man and a woman.”

“Are you rejecting my sincere feelings? Do you think I’m lacking?”

Disappointment laden his voice.

“This crazy guy is saying nonsense…”

Kalia muttered, but Irene poked her in the side to silence her.

Daphne continued in a kind yet firm tone.

“It’s quite overwhelming to meet so suddenly. However, becoming a couple is something that needs to take time to understand each other. We’ve just met, please understand.”

In that moment, Sebastian’s pride was considerably hurt. But he didn’t let it show, instead thinking.

‘Hmm… It wouldn’t be fun if she just gave in right away. I should approach her slowly.’

If she surrendered too easily, he’d lose interest.

Moreover, that green barrier… it wasn’t magic. It must be a Unique Ability?

‘Defensive capabilities… perfect for a knight!’

He decided to retreat elegantly.

“I see. If I have caused any unnecessary disturbance, I apologize. Then I shall take my leave—”

“I won’t accept your proposal in the future either. I’m sorry.”

Though he had failed to woo her, he felt he gained something. With a satisfied smile, Sebastian resolutely vowed within himself.

I will definitely make that female student mine.

‘For now, it’s a strategic retreat. That’s fine. I will wait patiently until she comes into my embrace…’

Just as he attempted to withdraw gracefully.

If it weren’t for the knights who couldn’t bear to see the son of the great commander being rejected by a mere girl, things might have gone smoothly.

-Bang!

The table in the outdoor café was overturned.

“What on earth are you doing?!”

“Stay where you are! I’ll give that disrespectful brat a piece of my mind!”

The knights couldn’t contain themselves and began to berate him, leaving Sebastian startled.

“How dare you reject? Who does that large-breasted girl think she is…?”

“My lord offered a chance, yet she doesn’t even know her place!”

Infuriated by the knights’ harsh words, Kalia snapped back.

“What did you just say to Daphne? You tin can bastard! Shut your mouth!”

“This bitch really—”

“It’s an order! Stop!”

“Everyone calm down…”

In that moment, just as tensions peaked, a girl with yellow hair burst out of the bushes and charged at Sebastian.

-Swish!

“Die! Perverted nobleman!”

-Crack!

“You, it’s that girl from earlier!”

“Democracy!!!”

Sebastian easily deflected Violet’s attack. The senior armored knights drew their swords upon witnessing that scene.

“My lord was ambushed! Let’s take them down!”

“Call for reinforcements!”

The surrounding students screamed.

“W-who’s in the discipline committee? Call the guard uncles!”

“Professor!”

Underneath the afternoon sun, an outdoor brawl unprecedented in the history of Aegis Academy was just beginning.

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