Chapter 278: Adel Sylvain D’Aubermont [4]

Chapter 277

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Episode 72 - Adel Sylvain D’Aubermont [4]

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Coincidences could be truly strange sometimes.

Although Bernice had lived for more than a thousand years, she rarely trusted or believed in coincidences.

Perhaps it was because, when you happened to run into the same person more than once, anyone might start to think they were being stalked.

Or perhaps it was simply because, sometimes, running into the same person more than once really was nothing more than pure coincidence.

Either way, some coincidences seemed to hide a deeper meaning.

’He had been in the Academy all along... and he was none other than Rank 1.’

Her emotions shifted again and again as she sank deeper into her thoughts.

The reason she had initially searched for the owner of the blood used in the Supreme-Quality Elixir was quite simple.

There was a good chance that it was a boy or girl who had been captured by villains and imprisoned somewhere for ten years.

Perhaps they had been subjected to countless experiments or suffered all kinds of atrocities at the hands of some psychopathic villain from childhood through adolescence.

Director Bernice rarely cared this deeply about someone she didn’t even know.

However, whether it was fate or pure coincidence, she had once considered making the owner of the blood her disciple and eventually admitting them to the Academy.

She wanted to give them the chance to enjoy the life they had been unable to have during their childhood.

Those had been her thoughts if she ever managed to find the owner of the blood.

However, as time passed, her thoughts had changed.

And the reason was related to the Astral Spirit standing before her.

The memory of a conversation from long ago slowly resurfaced in her mind.

— —’Ever since I decided to follow you, I’ve noticed that you really don’t have anyone you can call a friend.’

— —’Why would I want friends? Besides, there isn’t anyone my age, and having a conversation with someone like me is simply difficult.’

— —’That’s exactly why you don’t look for a friend. I could be your friend. I’ve been with you since you were a teenager.’

— —’But I see you more as a master or a father figure than a friend.’

— —’But I’m no longer either of those things.’

Back then, Leth’Ruun had asked Bernice why she had no one to talk to.

He always saw her shut away in her office, working day and night with nothing else to do.

From time to time, she also attended the World Congress to participate in meetings and discuss matters of great importance.

But aside from that, Leth’Ruun didn’t see Bernice having any real life of her own.

She didn’t seem to enjoy her existence the way any other person would.

So eventually, he asked her:

— —’Then why don’t you start a family, find a man you fall in love with, have children, and build a family?’

Bernice, however, simply scoffed at Leth’Ruun.

— —’That’s impossible. First, I’ve never fallen in love, and I don’t think I ever will. Second, how could I start a family when I can’t even fall in love?’

— —’Then if you believe you can’t fall in love, why not seek happiness by taking on one or more disciples? Many people who have lived alone their entire lives find happiness in having a disciple.’

’You know I’ve already had more than one disciple, and honestly, I never felt that kind of happiness.’

Faced with her words, Leth’Ruun truly had nothing else to say.

Bernice was, honestly, a difficult person to deal with.

Even so, Leth’Ruun wanted to see her happy, even if it was only once.

Bernice was the strongest person in the world, but even someone like her would eventually reach the end of her life.

Leth’Ruun knew that, someday, Bernice might die.

And before that day came, he wanted to see genuine happiness reflected in her emotions.

That was why, one day, as he was passing by an orphanage, a thought crossed his mind.

— —’Then why don’t you adopt a son or daughter? That’s not impossible, and you could do it at any time. You could observe every child in the orphanage, interact with them, and then adopt one.’

For the first time, Bernice didn’t answer.

Seeing her silence, a quiet smile appeared on Leth’Ruun’s face.

Because that silence was enough for him to understand that Bernice was genuinely considering the idea.

"......"

The memories slowly faded from Director Bernice’s mind.

Bernice raised her gaze toward Leth’Ruun and asked:

"Are you absolutely certain?"

Leth’Ruun nodded without hesitation.

"Yes, the analysis is correct. So, what will you do?"

At his question, Bernice remained silent for several seconds.

Her thoughts were racing, and honestly, she felt nervous.

She remembered the proposal Leth’Ruun had made long ago.

If they ever found the owner of the blood used in the Supreme-Quality Elixir, she had said herself that she would adopt him as her son.

But now that she finally seemed to have found him, Bernice felt nervous.

The idea of becoming a mother, even an adoptive one, was completely different from what she had imagined.

On the other hand, Leth’Ruun smiled.

"Although we already know who he is, we don’t know where he is."

Leth’Ruun said this as he remembered that Adel had disappeared several months ago.

Hearing those words, Bernice snapped out of her thoughts and calmed her emotions once more.

"That’s true."

"Then, do we look for him or leave him alone?"

Director Bernice opened her mouth, and just as she was about to answer, she suddenly fell completely silent.

Her expression changed for an instant.

Leth’Ruun noticed it immediately.

’That presence is undoubtedly...’

As Bernice thought, a strange smile appeared on Leth’Ruun’s face.

However, before he could even realize what was happening, Director Bernice’s figure had already disappeared.

Seeing her leave in such a hurry, Leth’Ruun let out a sigh.

"Wow, she sure left in a hurry."

***

Whoosh!

".....!"

I used my senses to check my surroundings.

’It doesn’t seem like anyone noticed.’

I had infiltrated the Holy Academy using the identity of a First-Year cadet from Class B-2.

My name was Ivan Solaris, the son of a fallen noble who, despite his background, possessed great talent with the sword.

His overall strength was equivalent to that of a Four-Star Awakened at the Intermediate Stage.

My appearance was different as well. I now had golden hair and blue eyes.

To enter the Holy Academy, I had used Spatial Movement to teleport directly inside.

I couldn’t enter through the main gate since I didn’t have a Holy Academy cadet ID yet.

First, I had to find the real Ivan Solaris and take over his identity.

Of course, I also had to lock him up somewhere no one could find him until the Academic Exchange was over.

’Good. Infiltration successful.’

I had concealed my true strength down to the Four-Star level, and I had also needed to change swords.

I stored Inverted Heaven in my inventory and took out my new sword.

A katana.

Ivan Solaris was a katana user, as was his Sword Art.

Although I didn’t know his Sword Art yet...

’I just need to copy it.’

With that in mind, I immediately began moving toward the dormitories after entering the Academy.

My objective was simple: find Ivan Solaris, copy his Sword Art, and then lock him up somewhere safe.

However, as I made my way across the campus, something caught my attention.

’The cadets from Elvenheims Academy haven’t arrived yet.’

The Opening Ceremony for the Academic Exchange would be held this afternoon.

The competitions between the cadets of both Academies would begin tomorrow.

It was ten in the morning, so they probably wouldn’t take much longer to arrive.

I continued walking toward the dormitories for a few more seconds, but...

".....!?"

My senses suddenly detected an extremely fast movement.

In an instant, I spun around, assumed a combat stance, and muttered:

"Imperfect Heavens Art, Fourth Posture: Nine Heavens Perfect Art."

Mana gathered in my fist before shooting through the air toward the person who had suddenly appeared behind me.

Boom!

My fist struck something.

However...

".....!?"

The sensation was strange.

It was as if I had struck something completely impervious to damage.

Then I understood why.

My fist had been stopped by the hand of a mysterious figure.

’She’s far too strong.’

I immediately activated Mana Sense.

And then...

"....!?"

"A little intruder has appeared in my Academy, hasn’t he?"

The amount of Mana I detected with Mana Sense was so vast that it seemed like an endless ocean.

I recognized the voice instantly.

It was Director Bernice.

The moment I heard her voice, I panicked.

"W-what are you talking about, Director Bernice?"

I asked, trying to remain calm.

However, instead of answering, Bernice simply said:

"Let’s go somewhere else. This isn’t a good place."

"......!?"

Whoosh!

The next instant, both Director Bernice and I disappeared.

When I became aware of my surroundings again, I was already somewhere else.

It was some kind of garden.

It seemed to be enormous, and there was a pavilion behind me.

Farther away, on the opposite side of the garden, stood a massive mansion.

’Where am I?’

I turned my head in every direction, trying to figure out where I was.

That was when I heard a familiar voice.

"Ah, hello, Older brother."

".......!?"

I turned my head.

Veronica was standing beside me, looking at me with a gentle smile.

"What is going on...?"

The confusion was evident in my voice.

However, before I could get an answer from Veronica, Director Bernice’s voice suddenly rang out.

"Um... This is my home."

I turned toward her and, "looking" at her, asked suspiciously:

"May I ask why I’m here?"

Director Bernice remained silent as she looked at Veronica and me.

Her expression was completely unreadable.

She seemed to be struggling with some kind of internal conflict.

I changed my vision and activated my Mana Color Perception.

Then, I observed Director Bernice’s emotions.

’Nervousness... What’s going on?’

Several seconds passed in silence before Bernice finally spoke.

"I have a proposal for you two. I... Um, I want to..."

But before she could finish her sentence, Veronica, who was standing beside me, spoke:

"Yes, we accept. We accept you adopting us as your children."

"......!?"

’Wait, what the hell?’

In an instant, I turned my head in disbelief and looked at Director Bernice’s emotions again.

Just to make sure I had actually understood Veronica’s words correctly.