Chapter 40: Farewell Before the Academy

Arthur stood atop the docking bridge of a small Imperial ship that had come to take them to the Academy.

He and his sister, Florian, were already dressed in their Imperial uniforms, a black and gold uniform with a distinct technological design. Visible gold circuitry patterns ran downward, with a black X at the collar and the Imperial crest on their left chest, a crowned Phoenix with a sword across it.

Standing nearby were their mother, Lady Elizabeth, their father, Master Ian, and several guards.

Elizabeth was already in tears.

"I’ll miss you both so much while you’re gone..."

She wiped at the corners of her eyes.

"Please, just be careful."

Arthur sighed helplessly.

"Mother, calm down. You’re acting like we’re going there to die."

His words only seemed to make her even more emotional.

"Don’t say things like that!"

Ian quickly stepped in.

"Elizabeth, calm down."

He gestured toward the two siblings.

"They’re both highly skilled. I’m sure they’ll make it back to us."

He smiled faintly.

"Besides, crying like this makes it seem as though you doubt them."

Elizabeth took a deep breath.

After a moment, she finally managed to calm herself.

She wiped away her tears and sighed.

Then she looked at Arthur.

Without warning, she stepped forward and pulled him into a tight embrace.

"Please be safe, my sweet baby boy."

Arthur’s expression became slightly awkward.

"Mother..."

Elizabeth eventually pulled back.

"As I’m sure you’ve already been told, those who go to the Academy are treated as regular soldiers of the Empire."

She paused.

"Regardless of whether they come from noble families or humble backgrounds, everyone is treated equally."

Her expression became more serious.

"No one is allowed to bring their own resources or bodyguards."

"You’ll only be permitted to use a Mecha and some basic equipment provided by the military."

Elizabeth clenched her hands.

"And the Academy is also where noble heirs tend to face the most danger."

Her voice trembled slightly.

"There is no other place in the entire Empire with a higher casualty rate for nobles than the Academy."

She looked directly into Arthur’s eyes.

"So please..."

Her voice softened.

"Be safe."

Arthur gazed at his worried mother.

He couldn’t help but pity her.

He wasn’t sure he could truly grasp the fear she was feeling.

Having to part with her children for the next fifty-three years...

And knowing that during that entire period, she could suddenly receive a message informing her that one of them had died while serving the Empire...

It was difficult not to be consumed by fear and doubt.

But still, there was some ray of light. While it was true that nobles were all to return home or meet with their parents in that time frame, their parents were allowed to send fleets to support them at the beginning of their mandatory military service.

That wasn’t usually the case if it were a male child, but since Arthur already owned his own fleet, it wouldn’t be a problem.

Florian suddenly spoke up.

"Cheer up, Mom."

Elizabeth looked toward her.

"Do you really think that little of us?"

Florian placed a hand against her chest confidently.

"I’ll definitely protect my little brother, so you don’t have anything to worry about."

She then glanced toward Arthur with a mischievous grin.

"And a cunning bastard like him won’t die easily either."

She nudged him lightly.

"Ain’t that right, Art?"

Arthur glanced at her with a confused expression.

"Art?"

"Yeah."

Florian grinned.

"It’s a cute nickname I’ve decided to call you from now on."

She tilted her head.

"I can’t believe I’ve never thought of giving you one before."

A part of him wanted to respond in annoyance, but he didn’t want to ruin the mood. After all, what was so wrong with his sister being playful with him? He shouldn’t be so petty.

He glanced at her, then sighed.

"Do what you want."

Soon, an Iron Angel stepped onto the docking bridge from the vessel.

"The engine is ready for hyperspeed."

"Please get inside and don’t waste any more time."

Arthur and Florian briefly glanced at the Angel.

As she stepped back inside the vessel, the two siblings turned toward their parents.

They smiled gently, placed their hands against their chests, and stood at attention.

"Glory to the Ashbourne."

Their parents glanced at each other.

Gentle smiles soon appeared on their faces as they did the same, placing their hands against their chests.

"Glory to the Ashbourne."

Ian then smiled.

"Go and make me proud, my little soldiers."

They both nodded.

Arthur then glanced to the side.

Among the guards, Octoria and Seraphina could be seen.

Octoria gave him a respectful bow.

"See you in three years, Fleet Commander."

Arthur smiled.

"Yeah. See you in three years."

He then glanced toward Seraphina.

She wore a serious expression.

"Don’t forget what I told you, Young Master."

Her eyes softened slightly.

"Be careful with what you do."

Arthur nodded.

"I will."

The two of them then turned and headed into the vessel.

The docking bridge slowly retracted.

Soon, the door closed.

A visible blue-and-purple glow began to envelop the vessel.

Then—

WHOOSH!

The glow suddenly extended into a streak of light as the vessel shot forward, disappearing into the distance at hyperspeed.

As the ship vanished from her sight almost instantly, Elizabeth continued staring into the distance for several moments.

Eventually, she let out a quiet sigh.

She rested her head against Ian’s shoulder, her fingers idly curling around a strand of his hair as she leaned against his back.

"I miss them already..."

Ian glanced down at her with an amused smile.

"Oh, come now. Is the mighty undefeated Battle Valkyrie of House Ashbourne really so faint-hearted?"

Elizabeth immediately raised her hand and lightly smacked him against the chest.

"Don’t tease me."

She puffed out her cheeks slightly and looked away.

"Come now, dear. I’ve told you times without number, I don’t like that title."

Ian chuckled.

"I know, I know."

His smile widened as he looked at her.

"But the expression you make whenever I say it is always pure bliss for me."

He leaned closer with a playful grin.

"Come now. Look at my face."

Elizabeth pouted and deliberately turned her head away.

"I don’t want to."

Ian’s grin only grew wider.

"Are you really going to ignore your husband?"

"Yes."

"Even if I ask nicely?"

"Yes."

"What if I beg?"

Elizabeth finally glanced at him from the corner of her eyes.

"You’d never beg."

Ian placed a hand over his chest, feigning shock.

"My wife knows me so well."

Elizabeth couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

But the smile on her face soon softened as she looked once more toward the direction in which the ship had disappeared.

"They’ll be fine, won’t they?"

Ian’s playful expression faded slightly.

He gently placed an arm around her shoulders.

"They will."

His voice was calm and reassuring.

"They’re our children, after all."

Elizabeth leaned closer against him.

"You’re right..."

For a moment, the two simply stood there in silence.

Then Elizabeth quietly muttered,

"I still miss them."

...

Inside the Imperial ship, the atmosphere was considerably quieter.

The moment they entered, Arthur and Florian were guided through a short metallic corridor before arriving in the main passenger compartment.

The interior was surprisingly spacious.

Rows of comfortable seats were arranged along the sides of the chamber, while large reinforced windows stretched across the walls, allowing them to see the vastness of space outside.

At the center of the room was a circular table surrounded by several seats.

Florian immediately walked over and dropped herself onto one of them.

"Ahh..."

She leaned back comfortably and stretched her arms.

"Finally."

Arthur glanced at her.

"Finally what?"

"Finally, we’re away from Mom’s crying."

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

"You really had to say that?"

Florian shrugged.

"What? She was crying like we were going to a battlefield."

Arthur sighed.

"To be fair, we’re going to the Imperial Academy."

He walked over and sat across from her.

"It basically the same thing."

Florian stared at him for a moment.

Then she smiled.

"Exactly."

Arthur shook his head.

His gaze soon shifted toward the large window.

Outside, the moment the ship entered hyperspeed, the view of space had transformed into a strange tunnel of blue and purple light.

Countless streaks of light extended endlessly into the distance.

Arthur leaned slightly closer to the window.

...So this is hyperspeed.

Although he had experienced it before through the memories and knowledge of this world’s inhabitants, seeing it personally still felt somewhat impressive.

Florian noticed his expression.

"First time seeing it?"

Arthur glanced at her.

"Not really."

She tilted her head.

"Then why are you staring so much?"

Arthur paused.

"...Because it’s pretty."

Florian’s eyes widened.

Then she burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! You think it’s pretty?"

Arthur frowned.

"What’s so funny?"

"Nothing, nothing."

She covered her mouth, trying to suppress her laughter.

"It’s just..."

She looked at him with a mischievous smile.

"I didn’t know my little brother was so sentimental."

Arthur’s expression darkened.

"Florian."

"Yes, Art?"

"Stop calling me that."

"No."

She smiled brightly.

Arthur sighed.

He already regretted allowing her to do whatever she wanted.

I should have just told her no.

Before he could say anything else, the Iron Angel who had escorted them inside approached.

She stopped a few steps away and bowed respectfully.

"Young Master Arthur. Young Lady Florian."

Arthur turned toward her.

"Yes?"

"We will arrive at the Imperial Academy in approximately three days."

Florian sat up.

"Three days huh?"

"Correct."

Florian nodded thoughtfully.

Then she looked toward Arthur.

"So..."

Her eyes narrowed mischievously.

"What are you going to do for the next three days, Art? Wanna test your skills against your older sis?"

Arthur stared at her.

"Not interested."

Florian’s smile immediately disappeared.

"Boring."

Arthur shrugged.

"I don’t care."

She crossed her arms.

"You’re really no fun."