Chapter 26: Princess Anna (4)
What kind of existence was a Royal Guard Knight?
They were the elite few who had endured the grueling Lansed Academy, the cream of the crop.
Their mere presence was a force comparable to the armies held by the kingdom’s lords.
As the guardians of the royal palace, their skills were undoubtedly top-tier.
In short, they were powerhouses with very few above them.
Thus, it was rare for them to feel flustered in combat.
Especially not against someone they considered beneath them.
“It’s true that I intended to draw my sword again. I had no intention of striking this time either.”
I had planned to test Evan once more to confirm if his earlier reaction was mere coincidence.
But not only did he see through my intent, he blocked my attempt from the outset.
“Prediction? Or could he have seen my subtle movements? Either way, it’s beyond common sense.”
I, Anton, wanted to know the source of Evan’s superhuman abilities.
If it was the former, it was impressive enough, but if it was the latter…
“How did you know? That I would draw my sword again?”
“Well…”
All my attention focused on Evan’s next words.
“It’s just a feeling. A simple hunch that you’d draw your sword one more time?”
“I see… You’ve got good instincts.”
I had secretly hoped it was the latter, but even predicting my move was remarkable.
Of course, in truth, I had blocked Anton’s attempt by observing not only his prediction but also the tension in his eyes, shoulders, and hands.
“How could I stay still when you’re so obviously planning to draw your sword? I’m not an idiot.”
I didn’t want to reveal more about myself to someone who tried to test me not once but twice.
Still, Anton seemed quite impressed.
“I apologize. Testing you twice was merely to satisfy my unresolved curiosity.”
“So, did you satisfy that curiosity?”
“At least one part of it. I now understand why the Dean exempted you from the Executor selection process. You’re already far beyond being bound by such tests.”
Anton’s business was done.
But the conversation wasn’t over yet.
“Then, may I ask a question this time?”
“What is it? If it’s something I can answer, I’ll do so gladly.”
Pleased with our encounter, Anton was ready to answer any question sincerely.
However, he hadn’t expected a question like this.
“What should I do if I don’t want to become an Executor?”
“What do you…! Why? You don’t want to be an Executor?”
“Yes. I hate troublesome things. And it’s boring.”
“In all my years, I’ve never seen someone refuse the Executor position. Haha.”
Anton began to understand why the Dean was so fond of Evan.
“He’s exactly like the Dean, choosing his own path over the one laid out for him.”
To the free-spirited Evan, Anton replied.
“I don’t know. No one’s ever made such a proposal to me.”
“Sigh… I see.”
“But…”
“Yes?”
“No, I didn’t say anything.”
Perhaps the Princess might suggest a way, but Anton didn’t bring it up.
“Go on. I’ve taken up too much of your time.”
“Yes, you have.”
“…”
As Evan left, Anton walked in the opposite direction.
Yet, his mind replayed the earlier scene.
“There were certainly those who could block my sword. But to sense my intent before I even drew and stop me outright? How many could do that?”
He walked, lost in thought.
Then, spotting Anna approaching from the opposite side, he hurried toward her in surprise.
“Anton!”
“What? Why are you alone?”
“Because I decided to walk alone?”
“Where’s the Head Instructor or the others?”
“I asked to be alone.”
“But what if you get hurt…”
As Anton fretted, Anna smiled brightly and said,
“Am I a child? I can handle myself just fine.”
When she pouted slightly, Anton gave an awkward smile.
“No, it’s just part of my duty.”
“I know. That’s why you worry so much. But don’t worry too much.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
The two walked side by side, talking about the day’s events.
“Princess, did you look around a lot today?”
“Yes. The facilities were better than I expected. I thought it’d be like hell from the rumors.”
“They make sure you rest properly when it’s time to rest. That’s the policy here.
By the way, did you only see the facilities? Since you’re here, wouldn’t it be good to observe the cadets too?”
“Of course, I did. They’re all so diligent. It’s like they all want to be like you.”
Since the ultimate goal at Lansed was to become a Royal Guard Knight, her words weren’t wrong.
Still, Anton felt embarrassed hearing it from the Princess.
“No, why would they aim for me? There are surely those who will reach even higher realms than I.”
“You never know. Oh, there was one peculiar kid. A red-haired girl.”
The moment Anna described her, Anton realized who it was.
“A redhead who left an impression on the Princess must be Jaina from the Vaberin family. Or perhaps someone exceptional I don’t know.”
“I think that’s right. She seemed refined, like a typical noble family.”
“Did she recognize you, Princess?”
Anna shook her head.
“No, she didn’t. Well, we’ve never met formally, have we?”
“Did she commit any rudeness…”
“No, she was just practicing swordsmanship, so I gave her a bit of advice. She seemed a little hurt in her pride but stayed quiet in the end.”
“You gave advice on swordsmanship?”
“Just a little. She looked like she was struggling.”
Anton wondered what kind of advice she gave.
“Does the Princess have expertise in swordsmanship? I know she always watches the Royal Guard Knights’ sparring, but I didn’t think she’d ever held a sword.”
But he didn’t pry. It was about keeping boundaries.
“I think Jaina will be selected for the Executor process too. She’s good enough.”
“I haven’t seen her myself, but considering the Vaberin family’s reputation, it’s not unreasonable.
Regardless of becoming an Executor, she’ll likely be chosen for the process.”
“What about you, Anton? Did you meet the people you wanted to? Or visit places you were curious about?”
“I just met the person I wanted to see.”
“Oh? Who?”
“Evan Lafard.”
“Evan? The Executor candidate the Dean favored with an exemption? I want to see him again too.
I couldn’t look closely earlier because I was worried about being caught.”
Just as Anton was intrigued by Evan, Anna was curious too.
As royalty, she knew what an Executor represented and wondered what kind of qualities this candidate possessed.
“What’s he like? He seemed ordinary at a glance, but was there something special?”
“Well… Yes, he’s definitely someone the Dean would like.”
“Really? The Dean seems to cherish him a lot. He must be talented?”
“Talent is one thing, but I think the Dean likes him because they’re similar in character. That tendency to act on their own whims.”
Anton tapped his temple as he explained.
“What do you mean?”
“He told me he doesn’t want to be an Executor.”
“What? That position? Why?”
As expected, Anna reacted similarly, questioning Evan’s refusal of the kingdom’s highest honor.
“Because it’s troublesome.”
“Pfft! He’s refusing that position because it’s troublesome? What an interesting kid!
Now I want to meet him even more!”
“If you’re curious, why not meet him? The night is still young.”
Why was it?
Anton felt a desire to introduce Evan to Anna.
He wasn’t family or a disciple.
Yet, he wanted to boast about Evan to someone.
“I hope the Princess sees him too. How remarkable that kid is.”
It was like the urge to show off a discovered treasure.
A childlike impulse, but that was Anton’s state of mind.
“So, where can I find him?”
***
The dormitory supervisor was utterly bewildered.
Without any prior notice, the Princess had suddenly appeared.
Moreover, the Princess wanted to meet Evan Lafard, the most talked-about figure in the Academy lately.
Thus, the supervisor knocked on Evan’s door to summon him.
Knock, knock.
“Evan, a guest has come to see you.”
Evan’s voice came through the door a beat late.
“A guest at this hour? Can’t it wait until tomorrow morning?”
“Come on… Don’t be like that and come out. They really want to meet you.”
“Ugh, what a hassle.”
Opening the door, Evan swallowed his complaints and said to the supervisor,
“How important must this person be to interrupt my rest? It’s not the Dean, is it?”
“No, it’s not…”
Since she had been told not to reveal she was the Princess, the supervisor hedged.
“Just someone who wants to see you.”
Leading Evan, the supervisor guided him to the supervisor’s office.
“Go in.”
Opening the door herself, she gave them privacy.
“Who is it?”
“Hi! Nice to meet you. I’m Anna, a mage apprentice. We’ve met before, right?”
“Oh? You? What does a mage apprentice want with me?”
Evan, full of complaints, crossed his arms and sat down.
Anna leaned toward him.
“You’ve already been selected for the Executor process, right? Is it true you refused because it’s troublesome?”
“Yeah.”
“If you hate troublesome things, why are you here?”
“Because this is the safest place for me. Personal reasons.”
“You need to be here, but you don’t want the Executor process… That’s tricky. The Dean won’t let that slide.”
“You seem to know a lot for a guest.”
Of course, she’s the Princess.
But she didn’t tell Evan that now.
“I’m just really interested in what happens here.”
“…”
“So, what are you going to do? Time’s running out, and the Dean’s mind won’t change.”
“There’s one way, but I’m hesitant. It might make me look like a lunatic.”
“What’s that?”
Unable to contain her curiosity, Anna asked immediately.
Evan leaned back in his chair and answered.
“Why should I tell you?”
“Oh…”
She wanted to say she was the Princess.
But it wasn’t the right time, so she had to be indirect.
“Who knows? Maybe I can help a little. I’ll talk to the Royal Guard Knight who escorts me.”
She mentioned Anton to draw out more.
Evan narrowed his eyes, then leaned forward as if decided.
“I’ll tell you specially. The method is…”
Anna leaned in, bringing her ear closer.
“At the selection ceremony…”
Finally hearing his plan, she looked at Evan in disbelief.
“Is that possible?”
“I don’t know if it’ll work, but it’ll at least pique the Dean’s interest. That’s what I think.”
“If you do that, it’ll cause a huge uproar.”
Evan’s method was a bombshell that would shake the Academy.
As the only one to hear it, Anna pondered what to do.
“If something like this happens at the selection ceremony, it’ll be entertaining…
But isn’t it too reckless?”
Still reeling from the shock, Anna said nothing in front of Evan.
And Evan stared at her intently.
“So, you’ll help me, right? Princess?”
“…What? What did you just say?”
Her eyes widened at the word “Princess.”
How did Evan know her identity? Since when?
“I asked if you’ll help me, Princess.”
Without a hint of hesitation, Evan raised the corner of his mouth and said.