Chapter 28

“Hey, have you heard about it? It seems that a powerful monster was summoned during the entrance exam for the new students in the ice cave.”

“Wow, that’s quite something. Wasn’t it supposed to be just kobolds or slimes there?”

“True, the usual ones are usually not that strong. Does it imply that there’s a strong student among them?”

“No way, they looked pretty fragile.”

“Indeed. It’s said that someone else managed to subdue the powerful monster.”

Even though the children were discussing the matter, Ian’s expression remained mostly unchanged. But then, he turned around at that moment.

“Ah, that little mouse, managed to pass, huh? Let’s see how far she can go. Will they even let her stay?”

“With her current abilities, surviving alone might be a miracle. Hehe.”

Listening to the mocking of Zaka and the others, Ian’s eyebrows twitched slightly as he silently listened.

“….”

Then, deliberately, he bumped shoulders with Zaka as he walked by.

Thud!

“…Ack! Who’s that?”

With an incredible force, Zaka tumbled over, screaming as he rolled on the ground.

With a cold gaze, Ian spoke, “My mistake. Sorry.”

“…This, this was a mistake?”

Zaka’s face turned crimson as he yelled. Despite being the rightful first in line in the direct Lineage, it was clear that Ian was at fault here. However, in this place, Ian’s words were more valid than Zaka’s.

“Yes, it was a mistake while I was passing by.”

“….”

Zaka was left speechless. But inside, he was boiling with frustration.

‘He’s from the direct Lineage, huh? I really can’t stand that brat. Ugh!’

Ian recalled the small, plump child who used to look up to him. The chubby child, offering a large shrimp with a bright smile.

‘No, I didn’t do that for that child’s sake.’ Suppressing that thought, Ian continued on his way. Behind him, the girls followed closely.

“Ian, where are you going now?”

“Shall we go to a dessert shop in town together?”

“…I’m not in the mood. You guys can go.”

“Huh… Please come with us next time?”

Ignoring the girls’ hopeful gazes, Ian eventually created a teleportation portal.

However, at that moment…

Just as he was about to step into the swirling blue portal, something caught Ian’s eye.

Whoosh, a wave of blue light from the teleportation portal, just before entering it, Ian’s forehead wrinkled. Then, he abruptly stopped and turned to face Lenea. With a chilling gaze, he stared at her.

“…You.”

“Yes? Me, me?”

Lenea blinked her clear, innocent eyes in confusion. She had always admired Ian deeply.

And why wouldn’t she? Ian was the indisputable leader among the Crovache nobles, the most exceptional bloodline within the clan. Not only did he possess exceptional talent and looks, but also formidable strength.

Before she knew it, the children around them were all focusing on Lenea. Seeing them blushing and watching Ian from a distance wasn’t a rare sight.

“Yes, why do you have that?”

Ian asked coolly. Lenea’s hands trembled slightly as she stepped back, her face flushing red.

“I, I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“That thing in your pocket. The teaching tool used by instructors, the teleportation stone.”

In the Icewood Education Center, students could only use and carry teleportation stone teaching tools when instructed by teachers or with their permission.

Therefore, Ian, who was keenly attuned to magic, knew that Lenea possessed one.

Under Ian’s remark, Lenea’s face turned scarlet, and she bit her lip tightly.

“No, this is just an errand given to me by the teacher!”

“Then why don’t you show me? Whose errand is it?”

“….”

Coincidentally, Caroline was passing by, and Ian called out to her.

“Teacher Caroline, this child has a teaching tool from the instructors.”

“…What did you say?”

Caroline’s expression stiffened. Lenea was known for her virtuous and kind nature, setting an example for other students.

“Lenea, show it to me.”

Lenea handed over the teaching tool. It was clearly a teleportation stone for moving to the training ground, with a few coordinates saved in it.

At that moment, the incident with the golem being summoned in the ice cave flashed through Caroline’s mind.

But why would Lenea do such a thing? Besides, that child couldn’t be that skilled. 

However, this incident posed a danger to all the new students.

“Lenea, come with me. We need to investigate this matter more thoroughly. Why did you lie about it being the teachers’ errand?”

“T-That’s….”

Lenea bit her lip, thinking to herself. She never imagined she would be caught so easily.

And getting caught by her beloved Ian made it even worse.

At that moment, Lenea recalled the small child with fluffy brown hair.

Elliana.

‘It’s all because of that child.’

Even though she had been kind enough, the insignificant child rejected her.

It was the first time this had happened. All the children in Icewood Education Center wanted to be friends with her, but the three-year-old kid was an exception.

With teary eyes, Lenea looked at Sofia, her close friend and a member of her round, who had bravely spoken up. Actually, it was Sofia who had acted.

Sofia timidly raised her hand.

“Um… Actually, it was me. Lenea didn’t do anything wrong.”

“What?”

* * *

As more children testified that they saw Sofia enter the ice cave, Lenea was pushed further into the background.

Sofia was given a punishment for breaking the rules: she had to write a reflection and receive a week of disciplinary measures.

Although there were suspicious aspects to Lenea’s behavior as well, there wasn’t concrete evidence, so he decided to let it slide. Above all, the child who might be his younger sister didn’t know about this at all. He felt he should inform her.

Even though he weren’t particularly interested in power struggles among the heirs in the Icewood Education Center… for some reason, he felt concerned about that kid.

‘Indeed, I am here due to my father’s request to care for her, my younger sister.’

“…Younger sister can truly be bothersome.”

Suddenly arriving in front of the Dandelion Palace, he brushed away his silver hair and mumbled softly.

* * *

As Elleana sent her Seedling Class friends away, she found herself outside in the garden, embraced in Sarah’s arms. It was to bask in the sun’s warmth.

“Let’s see. It seems the area under this tree receives the best sunlight. Lady, would you like to take a nap here?”

“Yes.”

Sarah set up a small canopy beneath the tree she had planted in the garden. The canopy, made from soft, blush-colored fabric, was perfect for indulging in a nap. The garden, adorned with pink daisies, was a source of happiness just to behold. Elliana’s chubby cheeks quickly turned rosy as the sunlight enveloped her.

“This is wonderful. Thank you, Sarah.”

Whenever she soaked in the sun’s rays, she felt relaxed and content. As long as she didn’t have unpleasant dreams, that is. Smiling brightly, Elliana lay down on the canopy. Sarah placed a bee-shaped doll beside Elliana and then carefully tucked her into a warm, woolen blanket. A heated stone was also tucked in, ensuring she wouldn’t get cold.

“Aren’t you cold?”

“No, it’s perfect.”

Even without the blanket and the stone, it might have been slightly chilly. Oddly, the vicinity of the Dandelion Palace wasn’t very cold.

Unbeknownst to Elliana, by the Duke’s command, powerful temperature-controlling magic had been cast around the Dandelion Palace, ensuring the continuation of clear and sunny days.

Temperature-controlling magic cost astronomical amounts per day. If known, it would astonish anyone by the sum. Thanks to the current warm temperature, Elliana, basking in the sun’s rays and enjoying a drowsy state, was approached by Ian, who was sweating.

Blinking, blinking.

Seeing Elliana on the verge of sleep, Sarah was about to speak when Ian shook his head, placing a finger on his lips. Then he gestured for her to move away.

Sarah nodded and stepped back.

Ian pulled over a rocking chair that Sarah had been sitting on and sat beside the canopy.

The chair was quite small, designed for a baby like Elliana. He peered at his sister’s sleeping face. She appeared so delicate. Her smooth chestnut hair was tied with a blue ribbon, swaying gently in the breeze like the stem of an apple.

“…She’s so small. She must be one of the most fragile beings I’ve ever encountered.”

At that moment, when he thought the child was asleep, her eyelids fluttered and then widened in surprise, resembling a startled rabbit.

“…!”

Caught in the act of watching her all along, Ian quickly turned his head when their eyes met.