Three Days Later...
"Ellena, your carriage is here to pick you up!"
It's here... Today was the day I'd part ways with my family. I was skeptical at first about whether I should go or not, but I'd made my decision. I wanted to improve my power; I wanted to get stronger, just like Father Komar.
"Father Komar, Mother Lilith, I'll be going now, and I promise I'll come back here!"
"Go ahead, we're rooting for you!" They smiled at me, and the children were as joyful as ever.
This was the last smile I'd be seeing from them. I didn't know when I would return to this place, but I would surely come back stronger, Father Komar.
Three Hours Later...
We arrived at the front gate of the Chaereal Kingdom. It seemed like those other carriages were heading to Chaereal Academy as well. It was surprising how enormous this Kingdom was—it was so different from where I was before. My former household, Orsephia, wasn't even located here; it was from Orbhel...
"Why am I even thinking about my past...?"
"Ah, are you okay, Ms. Lorthier? You seem uncomfortable since arriving here."
"Ahaha~ I'm just a bit overwhelmed, don't worry, I'm fine."
Yes, thinking about my past was futile. It had nothing to do with me anymore. In my current situation, I was a commoner, but I was proud of it.
"Ms. Lorthier, we will be arriving in a moment now. Please prepare to disembark."
"Ah, yes, thank you!"
So, I was almost there, huh? I was still thinking about who really sent the admission letter, but I guessed I'd have to figure that out myself.
A Few Minutes Later...
"Ahh~ An elegant lady! White hair just below her shoulder, and lovely golden eyes! You must be Lady Ellena Lorthier?"
What the heck is wrong with this guy? I was just about to get off the carriage, and he greeted me like that. Wait, huh? How did he know my name?!
"Y-yes... I'm Ellena Lorthier. How did you know my name...?"
I searched my memory, wondering where I had met this guy, but I couldn't recall any memory of being acquainted with him or meeting him anywhere.
"Heh~ Don't underestimate this little prince of yours, m'lady. There's nothing in this world that I don't know. Hm hmm, that's me!"
What the hell are you talking about?! This guy must be out of his mind. I didn't expect to encounter someone like him as soon as I got off the carriage.
"Are you perhaps flirting with me? I'm seriously asking how you know me."
"I'll tell you later when the opening ceremony is done. I'll wait for you at the library. See ya, m'lady."
He didn't seem like a bad person, but he was mysterious in some ways. How could I trust someone like him? He must have just used his power to know me just now...
At the Ceremony Hall...
Hah~ I almost got lost earlier, damnit... This academy was no joke; it really was enormous even inside.
"A pleasant morning to each and every one of you! I'm Khalis Chaereal, the King of the Chaereal Kingdom, and I will be holding the ceremonial opening today...!"
After the Ceremony...
Hah~ That was way too long for a speech, and the other students looked exhausted. Since it was our first day, this time was given to us to explore the academy. But where should I go—
"I'll tell you later when the opening ceremony's done. I'll wait you at the library. See ya, m'lady."
Ugh, why do I have to remember that? I wouldn't be going there; I didn't care if he knew me.
Meanwhile, at the library, the "little prince" thought to himself, "Hmm, she seems late... Does she really not want to know? Well, I expected this, haha!"
All the students here were very elegant. Some seemed to have formed circles of friends already, while others were still making introductions and—
"Hey! Haha, you came from a commoner family, right?! Haha! Why are you even here? How did you get an admission letter for free while we had to take an exam just to get in?!"
"That's right! It's so unfair! Haha! You commoners don't deserve it!"
What are they talking about? So they didn't get an admission letter? Instead, they had to take an exam to enter this academy...?
"Only the dean can personally invite or give you an admission letter, letting you enter this academy without a test, so you must be kind of special—is that why he gave you a letter?!"
"That's right! She doesn't even look promising, haha!"
So that was it, huh... does that mean the dean of this academy knew me, too? And if the other students found out that I was a commoner as well, I might end up like her.
Wait... why was I hiding and just watching her suffer? I should be helping her.
"Ellena, you're a very kind child. You're just ten, but you already know what is wrong and right. When you enter the academy in the future or not, promise me you'll still carry that kindness."
"Yes, Mother Lilith!"
"Huh? Who are you, miss? Why are you suddenly meddling in our business?"
"Oh no, bro! Look at her nose; it's bleeding!"
"That wouldn't have happened to her if she hadn't meddled with us. Come on, let's go."
It hurts... but I'm glad she's okay. Mother Lilith, I kept my promise. Although I was used to being hurt, what I received just now was different. That punch is added with a magic enhancement, and that really meant to beat her. If I hadn't covered that blow, she would be in the infirmary right now...
"I'm so sorry, because of me, you're hurt... sobs"
"It's okay. I'm used to it already. Although it really hurts, I'm fine, see... it's just my nose that's bleeding, haha..." I tried to reassure her, but the sting was intense.
"No! Come on, let's go to the infirmary right now! A nosebleed shouldn't be taken lightly!" She grabbed my hand, her eyes wide with worry.
"W-wait, I'm really fine!" I protested weakly, but she immediately pulled me along.
To be continued...