Chapter 21: Dean Duke Valendo (1)
After the tumultuous exam, the cadets were granted a rare break. This time, due to a near-catastrophic incident, the Academy provided the cadets with extra rest days as a gesture of consolation.
Most cadets simply enjoyed the break with ease of mind. Only Jack and Jaina, the direct victims of the incident, lay in the infirmary receiving treatment. And Evan, forgoing his training once again to tend to Jack, was heading toward the infirmary.
“There’s Evan Lafard.”
“Where’s he going?”
“Looks like the infirmary. Probably to see Jaina.”
“Right. Didn’t he save her life? I’m jealous. This must mean the Vaberin family owes him, right? Though his family’s got some name too.”
Nearby cadets whispered among themselves behind Evan’s back.
“By the way, Jaina’s chances of taking first place are pretty much gone now.”
“If she’s up against him, I don’t think she’d feel too bad about it. Honestly, it’s ridiculous to think he’s even in the same league as us.”
“True. He took down an Alraune that even the instructors couldn’t handle alone. And that time during the sparring when he told everyone to come at him.”
By now, hardly anyone at the Academy looked down on Evan. Instead, the number of those wary of him had grown—mostly those who had subtly harassed him, like members of the Noble Society.
“At least he’s not as reckless as Dale or Branco.”
“Shh! Just keep quiet. Don’t even bring that up.”
They shrank back like rabbits hiding from a wolf, unsure when Evan might turn and bare his fangs at them.
Why are my ears itching like this?
Thus, Evan Lafard was regarded as a dangerous figure among the cadets. Whether he knew it or not, he paid it no mind and simply headed to the infirmary to care for Jack.
“Jack, I’m here.”
“Young Master! I told you, you don’t have to come.”
“No, it’s fine. It’s noisy outside, so I came here on purpose. It’s not because of you.”
Though he said this, Evan had come because he was worried about Jack. He felt partly responsible for Jack’s injuries and wanted to ease his guilt, even if just a little.
“It’s just more comfortable here.”
“Still…”
In this oddly reversed situation, Jack felt awkward but secretly pleased. Having lived his entire life serving others without receiving much in return, this felt especially meaningful.
“How’s your arm? Can you move it now?”
“Yeah, thanks to the priestess and the nurse putting in so much effort, it feels like the bones have already mended. It still hurts if I clench my fist hard, though.”
He waved his heavily bandaged arm around. The infirmary had spared no expense in treating Jack, a gesture meant to take responsibility for the issues caused during the exam.
“If this wasn’t the Academy, I’d have squeezed them for a fortune in medical bills.”
“Come on, we’re alive, and that’s what matters, right, my lady?”
“Hey, why’d you wake me by talking to me? Just let me sleep.”
The curtain was pulled back, revealing Jaina with a bandage wrapped around her head.
“I wasn’t sleeping. And can you keep it down? It’s so noisy I can’t stand it.”
“Look at her. I saved her life, and she’s already forgotten all about it.”
“I haven’t forgotten! I’m plenty grateful.”
Jaina averted her gaze from Evan. The atmosphere of eagerly approaching him, as she had before, had shifted slightly.
“I’ll make sure my family compensates you properly later, so keep that in mind.”
“Oh? Does that mean I get to see the ducal family’s heirlooms?”
“As if they’d give you something like that!”
Her changed demeanor was, naturally, because Jaina had seen Evan’s true nature. Though brief, the frenzied look he displayed while facing the Alraune had instilled an unconscious fear in her. She couldn’t bear to imagine what would happen if Evan, instead of laughing and joking as he was now, turned hostile.
If I hadn’t said such harsh things during that confession… No, it’s already in the past. I’ll just be more careful from now on.
He was someone who, if he chose, could crush someone like her in an instant. That made approaching him as casually as before feel mentally burdensome—especially since she was the one who had rejected him first.
“I won’t bother you about swordsmanship anymore. I’ve finally figured out what I need to do.”
“You better have. If you didn’t get it after I showed you that much, you wouldn’t be a genius—you’d be a dunce.”
“A dunce?! Argh…”
Jaina clutched her head and lay back down.
“Look at that. She’s only like that because she’s so hotheaded.”
Just as Jaina’s attitude had changed, Evan had grown more confident. The reason was that he had perfectly reconstructed the day of Jack’s confession.
Right after the exam, Jack had told Evan about the notebook where he’d organized his thoughts. Evan opened the notebook left in Jack’s room and read it.
⌜Behind the dining hall, around nine o’clock. Evan Lafard called out to the lady after she finished her meal.
—Evan Lafard confessed as follows: “I think I’ve fallen in love. Will you go out with me?”
—To which the lady replied, “Get lost, you loser.”
—Evan Lafard’s face turned red, and he scurried off, only to trip over a rock and fall.⌟
Upon learning the full story, Evan was swept up in a complex mix of emotions. The idea of being remembered as such a humiliating figure was repulsive. But on the other hand, knowing the truth meant he no longer had any qualms about dealing with Jaina.
“Pfft.”
“But, Young Master, if you act like that, won’t people think you’re some petty guy who’s bitter about being rejected?”
“Hmm? But then, doesn’t that mean she’s the one clinging to a petty guy like—”
“Who’s clinging?!”
Unable to hold back, Jaina threw her pillow. Evan caught it naturally.
“As the saying goes, even a pillow can be a weapon in the hands of a master…”
He was about to tease Jaina further, finding her reaction cute, when an instructor entered the infirmary.
“Evan, there you are. Come with me somewhere.”
“Huh? Why me?”
“The dean’s looking for you. So, let’s go.”
“The dean?”
The dean of Lansed Academy was summoning him. Hearing this, Evan stood up without much thought.
“Jack, rest well.”
Once the two were left alone, Jaina made a request to Jack.
“Jack, throw that pillow back.”
“My arm…”
“Oh, right.”
Jaina got up herself to retrieve the pillow.
***
Evan, summoned by the dean, followed the instructor who had come to fetch him toward the Academy’s main building, where the dean’s office was located.
As they walked, he noticed a crowd of cadets gathered near the main building. Upon closer inspection, he saw something loaded onto a cart.
“What’s that?”
“That? It’s a sort of trophy the dean brought back from his recent outing.”
“A trophy?”
A cloth-covered cart had several monstrous arms sticking out—six or seven of them.
“Does the dean have a hobby of hunting monsters?”
“Well, yeah. He loves fighting, after all.”
“But why would someone like that want to see me?”
“No idea.”
“It’s not something bad, is it?”
“What, did you do something shady behind our backs? If not, don’t worry.”
The instructor replied cynically. They entered the main building and climbed the stairs in silence.
“…”
“…”
Then, as if a sudden thought struck him, the instructor quietly spoke to Evan.
“Just… don’t think too strangely of the dean when you meet him. He’s always been like that.”
“…?”
Evan didn’t understand what that meant but took it at face value.
Must be a weird guy.
He didn’t know the dean’s face or have any conversations with him. The only thing he knew was a brief tidbit Jack had shared before coming to the Academy.
—All I know is he’s obsessed with fighting.
—Why does his name sound familiar?
—Well, because he’s the dean?
—No, not like that…
Recalling that old conversation, Evan climbed the stairs silently. They reached the top floor, and the instructor stopped in front of a door at the end of the hallway.
Knock, knock.
The instructor knocked on the door.
“I’ve brought Cadet Evan Lafard as requested.”
“Come in.”
It was the head instructor’s voice. The head instructor was in the dean’s office too.
“Go on in.”
The instructor patted Evan’s shoulder and stood by the door. Evan grabbed the handle and opened it.
Creak.
As the door opened, he saw the familiar figure of the head instructor and the back of an elderly man looking out the window.
Is his shirt too small, or are his muscles just that big?
As Evan marveled at the overwhelming presence, more gorilla than human, the mountain-sized old man turned around.
“I heard you were looking for me, Dean.”
“Oh? You must be Evan Lafard. Pleasure to meet you. I’m Duke Valendo, the dean of this Academy.”
While the dean grinned broadly, Evan furrowed his brow.
…Duke Farman?
Why did the name feel so familiar? There was no reason for the dean of this island nation’s Academy to have any connection with someone like him, who was starting a new life.
But there was a connection—a tie not to Evan Lafard but to his past life as Mikhail Reverk.
I thought he wouldn’t die easily, but to meet him here of all places.
Though his hair had turned white and deep wrinkles lined his face, Evan could tell the old man before him was the boy he had once faced long ago.
Those piercing eyes that seemed to never lose their spark, even in death; hands so ferocious they could crush boulders barehanded; and above all, the scar by his mouth from their battle all those years ago.
Despite the passage of time, these traits unmistakably proved that this was the boy Evan had known—Duke Farman.
“Why? Is there something on my face? Haha, you’re staring so hard it’s making me shy.”
The man himself seemed oblivious, though.
Of course he wouldn’t know. I’m not the same person I was back then. So, this guy ended up coming to this island nation. No wonder that loudmouth disappeared without a trace. Even changed his surname.
In his days as the Empire’s vanguard, countless warriors had sought him out to test his renown. Duke was one of them.
Though not yet of age, much like Evan now, he had challenged him. If it were anyone else, Evan might have kicked them out, but he accepted Duke’s challenge for one reason.
That guy’s muscles seem to grow just by breathing. I’m jealous, really.
A body blessed by the gods—that was Evan’s assessment of Duke back then.
With that physique, Duke had already made a name for himself among his peers and even across the continent. So Evan had taken the duel seriously. Of course, Evan won.
Still, Duke left a lasting impression in his mind. From time to time, Evan had wondered what that kid was up to. He never imagined he’d see him here, though.
“Evan?”
“Oh! Sorry, I’ve been a bit out of it lately.”
The head instructor’s call snapped Evan back to reality. Even though Evan had zoned out, the dean brushed it off casually.
“Haha, no worries. Sit down. I’ve heard a lot about you. Seems you caused quite a stir while I was away.”
“Yes, but I just did what my body told me to.”
“And yet you pulled off feats that seem unbelievable for a cadet your age.”
Look who’s talking.
The thought came unbidden. Who was it that had rampaged across the continent with that hulking body before even reaching adulthood?
“Thank you.”
“So, here’s the thing…”
The dean signaled the head instructor with his eyes. As if something had been discussed, the head instructor shut his mouth and played ignorant.
What’s this? What’s he scheming now?
Curious about what had been discussed, Evan was caught off guard by the dean’s sudden remark.
“I want to see your potential for myself.”
“Huh?”
“How about it? When you’re ready, want to have a proper spar with me?”
This time, Evan looked at the head instructor, who merely shrugged.
“Are you serious? Not an instructor or assistant, but the dean wants to spar with a mere cadet?”
Even to Evan, who didn’t know much about the Academy, this was beyond common sense.
“What’s wrong with that? This place is ultimately about training imperial knights. If I see potential, it’s good to check it out early.”
“And you’re going to do that personally?”
“I’m just someone who loves a good physical clash. Haha!”
Duke hadn’t changed a bit since his youth. That familiarity made Evan nostalgic.
I thought I’d never see someone from that era again…
A fleeting sense of nostalgia passed through him. Misinterpreting Evan’s faint smile, the dean grew intrigued.
“You seem to like the idea too, huh?”
“But how could I possibly spar with the dean?”
“Come on, kid, I’m fine with it.”
“Tch.”
Everhart sighed, as if agreeing with Evan’s reluctance. Who in their right mind would challenge the dean? Even if he proposed it himself…
Thud!
Evan flipped the desk. Grabbing the armrests of his chair, he swung both feet up and kicked the desk.
Crash!
He launched a surprise attack on the dean.