Chapter 24: Princess Anna (2)
“…”
My reaction to rereading the notice seemed oddly calm, at least to Jack.
But inside, I was a volcano on the verge of erupting. How dare someone drag me into this without my consent?
That… that… damn Duke.
The Executor training program. From what I’d overheard, it was clearly grueling. That’s why I had no interest, and now I was forced into it.
It reminded me of the conscription officer who’d drafted me as a champion of the arena. In this life, Duke was pulling the same stunt.
“Young Master? Where are you going?”
“To meet someone.”
“Huh?”
Leaving Jack behind, I headed straight for the dean’s office.
Meanwhile, Dean Duke Valendo, unaware of my approach, was tackling a backlog of work.
“Ugh, my head…”
Documents piled up to his shoulders. Wearing glasses, the dean squinted, scrawling signatures haphazardly.
They should handle this themselves. What a hassle.
Then, I kicked open the dean’s office door.
Bang!
Arms and armpits full, I carried a heap of weapons. Glaring at Duke, I dropped them on the floor.
Clang!
The dean stared blankly, quill in hand.
“Evan? What’s this about?”
“What’s this about? That’s my question. Why did you put me in this Executor training nonsense without asking?”
Speaking menacingly, I picked up a spear.
“No particular reason, right? Fine. Let’s have the spar you wanted. Until one of us dies.”
I threw the spear.
Whoosh!
The dean caught it with his hand.
“Wait!”
“No waiting!”
Next, I threw an axe, then a dagger. It was all to express my refusal to join the Executor program.
He won’t die from this. He’ll think I’m just throwing a tantrum.
Duke, who naturally favored the strong, had an endless fondness for them. I’d seen that look of affection myself, so unless I truly tried to kill him, he’d forgive me. Indeed, he only deflected the weapons, trying to talk.
“Wait! Evan, are you saying you don’t want to be an Executor?”
As expected, Duke wasn’t angry about me kicking his door or throwing weapons. He was just intrigued that I was complaining about the Executor role.
“Why not? Executors are what every person in this kingdom, noble or commoner, dreams of being. Even the instructors and assistants…”
Executors. Second only to royalty in power, unbound by constraints. Though vassals of the king, they could roam freely unless summoned. They were arguably the kingdom’s most prestigious position, with guaranteed freedom and authority.
But such a position wasn’t handed out lightly, a fact even the kingdom’s children knew.
“Who said I don’t want to be an Executor? I said I don’t want the training. I hear it’s so dangerous and tough that people die!”
I threw a dagger, raising my voice. Duke caught it and tried to persuade me.
“You could handle it. My instincts are never wrong!”
“Why force me when I don’t want to?”
“That’s the dean’s job—training the talented.”
“Then why didn’t you do it yourself before forcing others?”
This time, I grabbed a flail and charged at him. Inhaling deeply, I swung it down.
“I’m a foreigner! Ugh!”
Duke, arms full of documents, caught the flail.
“To be an Executor, you must be a kingdom native. I couldn’t, even if I wanted to. Unlike you.”
“I’m also…”
I was only physically a native; my soul was from the Empire. I was no different from Duke, but explaining was complicated and impossible.
“Also what?”
“Anyway, that’s not the point. Exclude me! Honestly, picking me like that is favoritism.”
“Even if it’s favoritism, who’d object? With you standing there. Has any cadet complained?”
Indeed, despite time passing since the notice, the cadets were only excited. None openly resented my selection.
“Even so, that doesn’t make it fair! Undo it now!”
“No! Ignoring talent would make me unfit as dean. If you don’t want it, leave the Academy. Problem solved.”
“Ugh…”
Leaving now was risky. Forces were after the Fire Dragon Orb in my family’s vault. The Academy was the safest place against those threats, so I had to stick around like a barnacle for a few years.
“No answer? Don’t want that, do you?”
“Tch…”
“Go for now. A guest is coming soon. If they see this, it’ll be trouble for both of us.”
Duke took the flail.
A guest? This guy cares about guests?
From what I knew, Duke was the least concerned with social hierarchy, treating everyone casually. Yet, he was worried about a guest.
“Must be someone important.”
“Indeed. So grab your weapons and go. That’s an order, you rascal.”
Someone important to the dean. I vaguely thought I might find a way out through this person—maybe through threats or persuasion.
“Fine, I’ll withdraw for today. Sorry for the trouble.”
***
At the same time, Everhart was sweating, escorting someone from the Academy’s gate.
“Haha, it must’ve been inconvenient to come this far.”
That someone was Princess Anna and her royal knight, Anton.
“It’s fine, Head Instructor. I’m just here to look around, so don’t worry too much. And avoid calling me princess.”
“Sorry. Our… apprentice insisted on coming.”
Anton understood Everhart’s nerves. Anna had disguised herself as an apprentice, changing clothes to avoid attention. No one could stop a princess set on visiting the Academy.
Even His Majesty couldn’t stop her.
But the Academy was a hundred times safer than a tavern-filled port city, so he took comfort in that. Since she didn’t want to reveal her identity to avoid disturbing the cadets, they just needed to keep things quiet.
“Oh! Is the dean here?”
“Of course! How could he be elsewhere when our… apprentice is visiting? If he’s not, I’d drag him back.”
Anna was posing as a wizard apprentice traveling with Anton during her stay. Few in the kingdom had seen her face, making it feasible.
“Hehe, you’re funnier than you look.”
Seeing Everhart’s desperate efforts, Anton gave a sympathetic smile from behind. Bonding over their shared plight, they headed to the Academy Main Building’s dean’s office, climbing the stairs. There, they ran into me, descending with an armful of weapons.
“Evan, where’ve you been? What’s with all that?”
“I had a meeting with the dean.”
“A meeting? Like that? Alright.”
My suspicious appearance warranted more questions, but with an important guest behind him, Everhart let me go.
“Carry those carefully. I’ve got business, so I’m off.”
“Yes, I’ll go.”
I gave a light bow, glancing at the people behind the Head Instructor, then descended. Meanwhile, Princess Anna snuck a look at me as I passed indifferently.
“He really didn’t recognize me. I worried for nothing.”
“You’ve never left the palace, Princess.”
“Still, not even a glance is surprising.”
Beyond her princess status, Anna was strikingly beautiful. Most men would at least look, but I didn’t.
“I agree. Passing you without a glance means he was either scared of me…”
“Or?”
“A eunuch.”
“Haha!”
Joking, they reached the dean’s office floor. Seeing the chaotic interior, Everhart and Anton shook their heads, as if used to it.
“Dean, I’ve brought the Princess.”
“Oh! Princess Anna! You’re here! And Anton! We meet again! Haha!”
Facing Anna and Anton, the dean grinned broadly. They reacted differently.
“Our ever-cheerful dean! Good to see you again! But why’s it like this in here?”
“Uh… Hello, Dean.”
Anna stepped closer, while Anton backed toward the door with Everhart. Their eyes met, forming a silent bond.
“There was a little situation, haha! By the way, why’s our Princess back? Last time, you wanted to keep things quiet.”
“Yes! I planned to, but since I’m here, I had to visit Lansed. It’s where loyal subjects are trained. I couldn’t just pass by.”
“Haha! So thoughtful at your age. Impressive.”
The dean smiled at Anna like a doting grandfather.
“By the way, I saw a cadet on the way up who said he met with you. Who was he? Is this mess because of him?”
“Ah! You must’ve crossed paths. That’s Evan Lafard, the first selected for the Executor training.”
Only two days had passed since the order to select Executors arrived. Despite instructions to deliberate over five years, someone was already chosen. Anna, surprised, asked,
“There’s already a candidate?”
“Yes, I guarantee his skill.”
“Really?”
“Trust this old man’s judgment…”
The dean elaborated, but Anna didn’t hear, fixated on me skipping the Executor selection test.
He didn’t seem special like other Executors… Is there a secret?
She couldn’t believe an ordinary cadet was a preselected Executor.
But she didn’t know I was the Academy’s top talent, the very definition of special.
And Anton, silently observing, had already sensed it.
He’s definitely unique. He was concealing his Qi. At that age, that level means he’s no weakling. And causing this chaos in the dean’s office means he’s as crazy as the dean.
Anton trusted the dean’s judgment. Duke Valendo, who’d come from the continent, had dedicated his life to fighting the strong. If he handpicked me, I surely had hidden strength.
I should meet him if I get the chance. See if he’s Executor material.
It was curiosity mixed with a hint of jealousy. Anton had been talented at that age but never reached Executor status.
So, he was curious how much talent warranted such an early pick.
“Now, let’s show our apprentice Anna the Academy! Right, Head Instructor?”
While Anton’s thoughts spiraled, the dean planned to give Anna a tour.
“Yes! Where to first? I’ll take you anywhere you wish.”
Unaware a princess was among them, Lansed Academy’s ordinary yet extraordinary day began.