The Duty Of An Academy Student Should Be To Study - Chapter 135

Episode 135

‘Senior seems to be busy these days…’ 

Theo had been disappearing somewhere as soon as he finished his work as a teaching assistant. Rose hadn’t had a long conversation with Theo in the past month.

Ever since the results of the invention contest were announced, there had been a strange tension whenever she crossed paths with Theo. Rose felt like Theo was avoiding her.

The situation was no different now. Theo seemed extremely uncomfortable being alone with Rose. He appeared as if he wanted to leave this place as soon as possible, but his body remained still, almost frozen.

Rose looked at Theo in puzzlement and asked.

“Senior, is there something wrong?”

Theo, who had been staring into space, flinched.

“Oh… No. I’m just a bit tired. I’m working on personal research, but somewhere else, not here.”

“Oh, I see. I didn’t know.”

“I forgot to tell you.”

Theo forced a little laugh awkwardly, and his eyelids fluttered for a moment.

‘He looks sick.’

Rose considered asking Theo more about his situation but decided against it. 

Since Theo’s presence had become awkward, Rose was hesitant to delve into his affairs. It didn’t seem like he was in the mood to answer any questions.

Theo shifted his gaze around and spoke.

“I think I should head out now.”

“Okay.”

Rose silently watched as Theo hurriedly left the room. He didn’t seem like the Theo she knew. He appeared to have no sense of ease as if he were being chased by someone.

Theo had always been adaptable and flexible in handling various situations. 

Rose couldn’t help but feel uneasy for a long time, wondering what was pushing him so hard.

* * *

Edwin fiddled with his identification card inside the carriage. 

It had been issued a few days ago by the Republic of Baskirk.

The name on the ID was Maxim Borkov. Edwin quietly repeated the unfamiliar name to himself a few times.

Using a fake identification card was nothing new for Edwin. During his time as a secret agent in the Royal Shadows, he had often assumed different identities. But this time, the tension was higher because he was attempting to infiltrate the Republic of Lepti, a challenging destination.

“Why does it have to be this way?” 

Edwin muttered to himself. He was currently on his way to the northernmost region of the Lepti Empire, the territory of House Atwood.

The Atwood family were descendants of a royal lineage absorbed by the Lepti Empire hundreds of years ago. They were allowed some autonomy and maintained their military force to protect their borders. 

While their army’s size was restricted by imperial decree, they still conducted border checks at the Atwood border zone. The peculiarities of the Atwood territory made it difficult for the central military to communicate with them, and there was no direct line to the Emperor’s secret service.

For Edwin to infiltrate the Empire, passing through the Atwood border zone was the safest route. However, just setting foot on Lepti soil was unsettling for Edwin. 

He had been nervous since the moment he received the order from the CEO of Dom Industries to visit the Empire.

‘No matter how well I create a fake identity and sneak into the northern border, can I avoid the Emperor’s watchful eyes? These business people treat the Imperial Family as nothing but pawns.’

With no major wars in her home country for a while and the Emperor implementing gentrification policies, Edwin felt that the Emperor’s power was growing unchecked.

‘If only my leg were still in good shape…’

Edwin felt helpless due to his current physical condition. 

If he were in his previous state, he would have relied on his skills to escape from danger. But with his limping leg, he was completely reliant on others for protection. 

He didn’t fully trust the people Dom Industries had assigned to watch over him. Nevertheless, he had to follow the CEO’s plan.

Inside the swaying carriage, Edwin anxiously chewed his lip and recalled the conversation he had with the CEO a few days ago.

“Do I have to visit the Empire? What if the Emperor finds out about me and decides to cut my head off?”

“I asked one of our major sponsors for a favor, and they insisted on seeing you in person. They believe that once they meet someone who looks like the Crown Prince, they will place their trust in you.”

“Is that person that important?”

“They own a major newspaper and are a member of the Senate. If they sense that it’s worth risking your identity for you, they’ll expose it to the world.”

“You think the Emperor will let it slide?”

“The Emperor won’t act recklessly. She has good connections with the Senate and has garnered support from the gentrification faction. She knows she’s in a vulnerable position due to her non-traditional ascension to the throne.”

The fact that the Emperor had crushed a neighboring royal family a century ago was common knowledge. Moreover, the current Emperor had reached the throne through political maneuvering rather than by birthright, which had weakened her position.

“The lady in question isn’t very agreeable.”

“She’s your aunt, and there’s some family sentiment there. Ah, no need to scowl like that. If she sees value in you and supports you, it will be a significant advantage. That’s another reason for your visit to the Empire. Secure supporters.”

Edwin was on his way to the Empire with a plan. The strategy involved rallying conservative youth to sign a petition and creating public pressure through the media. 

The days of the Emperor holding all the power were long gone. As long as the Parliament held the authority to approve the national budget, the Emperor couldn’t act as she pleased.

“Now that conservative youth factions in the Empire are uniting. We’ve been instigating them here and there. If your existence becomes known in this situation, their unity will only grow stronger.”

“So, you’re telling me to visit the Empire?”

“At some point, it had to be done. Did you plan on living outside of the Empire for the rest of your life?”

“It’s not that, but…”

“You need to become a real figurehead, Mr. Edwin. Make the conservative youth your followers. The days when you could resolve everything with fists and blades are long past.”

For Edwin, this was the only option to survive. Running away to the East after selling the technology was no longer viable with his injured leg.

“Once you safely cross the border and arrive in our sanctuary, the rest won’t be as dangerous.”

“Do you think that’s easy?”

“I never thought it would be easy from the beginning. Are you prepared?”

Edwin was honestly terrified. He hadn’t told anyone, but at times, he’d wake up with his leg aching, secretly regretting betraying the Emperor.

“Edwin, you’re the Emperor’s weakness, whether you realize it or not. You’re not a child.”

“Alright, I get it. No more lectures.”

“Why the Emperor spared you, I don’t know, but eventually, she will pay the price for her leniency. A ruler with a soft heart should not lead the Empire.”

The chairman’s last words seemed to resonate with Edwin.

‘Secure supporters.’

Edwin’s stomach churned. He thought about how he might be the heir of the royal family. 

At first, it seemed like a distant possibility, but as the reality of it approached, fear crept in. He wasn’t as suave as the CEO, who could easily manipulate people with his words.

Even though he used to excel in combat, he had lost that ability now. 

‘Am I just an ordinary young man in my twenties?’

His body had deteriorated over time, and the confidence that he could never wield a sword again saddened him.

Edwin, continually biting his lips, was so lost in thought that he didn’t notice when his lips began to bleed. 

‘No, I’m not… I am the legitimate heir of the Empire.’

With great effort, Edwin tried to regain his composure. 

He was getting closer to the Lepti Empire’s border. The day when the storm would hit was fast approaching.

* * *

Jasper made time on the weekend to visit Town House. 

The butler, with a frown, handed Jasper a pile of documents he needed to settle. Due to Ethan’s absence, Jasper had to take care of family-related matters.

Why is managing one mansion so bothersome? Jasper thought that being an administrator must be the most boring job in the world as he worked through the tasks.

‘Ah… when is my brother coming?’

He had no idea Ethan would be gone for this long. What on earth was he doing in Atwood Manor?

The regular council meeting was about a month away, with the graduation ball approaching in two weeks. There were important matters to be handled one after another in the capital, and it was surprising that the person who had staked his life on work addiction and reputation management in social circles was nowhere to be found.

Due to Ethan’s absence, Jasper was too busy today to even hold Rose’s hand. Frustration built up on Jasper’s face as he reluctantly spoke to the butler.

“Did my brother take his communicator? I should try contacting him.”

“Yes, Young Master. I will prepare it.”

Jasper impatiently tapped his desk with his fingertips. 

On days when he hadn’t seen Rose properly, irritation and anxiety welled up. Call it Rose Bell Deprivation.

Soon, the butler brought the personal communicator, and Jasper grabbed the receiver, planning to urge his brother to return soon.