As my eyes fluttered open, I felt an energetic wave throughout my body. No pain, no sore muscles, no nothing. Quite a bizarre experience these last few days.
Since becoming Vera's knight, I have been training everyday in order to become stronger. Mixed together with the etiquette lessons, I was often left tired, even the next day.
It has become especially bad these last few weeks. When the Duke came back, I was left with a lot of time on my hands. Time I mostly spent on training.
Whether it was alone, with Henry, or even the other Dawn Knights I started sparring with, I did my best to become stronger.
And soon it will be time to see the fruits of my labor.
Because tomorrow, I will be headed to Sunrise Academy.
It has been quite a while since the Princess's visit. Her coming here only made me realize the urgency of the situation.
That is also the reason I stopped training for these last 3 days. Since I have been training quite harshly, the Dawn Knights recommended that I rest so my condition is good for the entrance exam.
'I have to pass the entrance exam.'
It is the best way to become stronger. The best way to reach my goal.
'To become strong enough to dictate my own fate.'
But what then?
I've never really thought about what I am going to do after I reach my goal or how to even reach it.
How strong would I have to be in order to dictate my own life? Tier 5? Tier 8? Or to become the strongest in the world?
Isn't my situation good enough? I might complain a lot but life as a knight is not bad.
I have a good place to stay, food to eat and money to spend.
Since I am part of a Duke house, there are not a lot of people who will be willing to mess with me.
'Is there really a need to get that strong?'
I shook my head and got out of bed.
'I shouldn't focus on this for now. I should at least be strong enough to protect myself and Kayla against threats. Until then, I suppose I will just have to dream of a peaceful life for the both of us.'
With a sigh, I got dressed and prepared myself to meet Vera.
***
Knock knock
I quietly knocked on the door to her office. I haven't come to this room in quite a while.
"Come in."
I opened the door to be met with fiery red eyes.
"You're here, good." She was seated at her desk with no stacks of paper or documents in sight.
"I was told you had something to discuss with me," I asked.
She smiled before answering. "Correct. I wanted to discuss with you about the Academy. Specifically how we are going to be acting."
'I expected something like this. The Academy is a special territory so I suspected something was going to change about our behavior.'
"As you know, Sunrise Academy is an independent organization and neutral territory. It receives funding from The Mages association, The Rift Hunters, noble families and even the Royal family."
I nodded my head unsurprised.
"Due to the presence of the Headmaster and their vast amount of resources and funding, no one has the power to demand anything from them on their own ground. Even the royal family."
This fact shocked me a little. I knew the academy was powerful, but even I didn't know they had that much power on their own turf.
"Due to their power, everyone will have to follow their rules, regardless of status. Even me."
I finally started to see where this conversation was going.
"Which means I also have to follow all of their rules. Including their main rule. The rule that…"
"...Everyone is equal, regardless of status or background." I finished her sentence as my eyes widened.
I continued. "Which means that you and I will be equal as well."
"Correct." She affirmed my answer with a straight face.
I can finally see the issue. I am officially Vera's knight but on academy grounds, we are students. Equal students.
This is probably a warning of some kind. It would be pretty problematic if I started acting out of line due to the 'equality rule'.
"It is as you say. You and I will be 'equal' for our stay at the academy. Though it doesn't work entirely as you think." Her smile started getting wider.
"It is true that we would be equal and you would not be forced to obey my commands but this rule only works for our time in the academy. So long as a person leaves the academy, it doesn't count anymore."
"Which means that even though we are all equal, we really aren't."
I completely understood what she was saying.
If a commoner offended a noble during their stay at the academy, they would be immune to their retaliation due to the 'equality' rule. But the moment they were to leave the academy, they would be at the mercy of that noble's power.
'So even though everyone at the academy is equal, it is merely an illusion that only lasts on academy grounds. Meaning, all the powerful people will still be treated differently despite everyone being equal.'
"Is this your twisted way of trying to say that I shouldn't have any intention of defying you?" I asked Vera, my voice leaking shock at the amount of pettiness if that were true.
"No no, I am telling you this for a different reason." She seemed to enjoy my reaction.
"The reason I am telling you this is actually the opposite."
"The opposite?"
'What the hell is that supposed to mean?'
"Instead of having to follow me around all day and treat me like a princess, which I know you love doing, I am permitting you to do whatever you want." Her innocent smile spread throughout the office.
'She's going to...what?'
How does that make sense? Why would she allow me that instead of following her around like an actual knight?
'What's this witch planning?' I couldn't help stare into her eyes and look for any hint of deception.
"Haha, You don't have to look at me so suspiciously. There's a good reason for it. Please sit down." She urged me to sit down opposite to her, instead of standing at the entrance silently.
I gave a quick look before sitting down on the luxurious brown chair. Vera folded her hands as she started looking around the room.
"I promised you power two months ago in return for being my knight. I plan on taking that seriously. I already gave you a level 4 Battle Art, which is good but not the end. In order to truly become powerful, you should follow your own path and discover it at your own pace."
'My own pace, huh.'
"Being here might be good for your basics and introduction to being an awakened but if you truly want to become better, you have to seek your own path to strength, not one laid out to you."
Her usual smile disappeared, replaced by a serious visage. And for once, I could see how genuinely committed she is to keeping her promise.
"So from the moment we enter the academy, you should focus mostly on improving. And if you need my help with anything. Just ask me, understand?" Vera explained with an unusual fervor.
I could feel my mouth hanging open.
'Is she actually being...nice to me?'
No teasing, no making fun of me. She is genuinely trying to help me.
Help…
Ever since my Father's death, I've been doing everything alone. Sure, Kayla mostly did all the stuff around the house, but becoming a hunter, risking my life, staying cautious. I never truly felt the support of anyone. Sure some people were nice to me like Henry but they all had their own lives. They didn't care too much about my life. About my suffering and about my dreams.
Having someone who is actually trying to help me feels…..
'Nice. Not amazing, not great but it helps.'
"I know you might not like me, but there is no reason to be so shocked. I can be quite benevolent, you know? And besides, it isn't as if your role as knight completely stops. You still have to accompany me during certain events and assist me in certain matters."
She most likely misread my expression as disbelief.
"So is that clear?" She asked one more time.
"Yes, I understand." With a little more conviction in my voice I answered.
"Good, then prepare yourself for tomorrow. Say your goodbyes, gather all the stuff you will need and meet me at the gate tomorrow morning."
"I will." I started walking back towards the door.
"Wait a minute, isn't there something you should say to me?" When I turned around at the voice I was met with the wide smile of Vera.
'What is she talking abou-, Oh, that.'
"Aren't you grateful about all that I'm doing for you? Shouldn't you show your appreciation for me, hmm?" She edged me on while smiling.
"Haaaaah"
I let out a big sigh before looking at Vera.
"You're right, I should show my appreciation." Vera's smile turned even wider as I started bowing my head.
"Thank you for that time when you personally showed me how NOT to do my hair."
"Huh?"
"Goodbye, my lady. I will see you tomorrow." I turned around with a smile and walked out the door.
"Huh?"
The door closed with a bang.
"..."
Silence permeated through the room.
After a while, the blond haired girl picked up a small mirror and started pointing it at her head.
"Is there something wrong with my hair?"
After checking repeatedly for the next few minutes she put the mirror down.
"He was just messing with me, there is nothing wrong with my hair." With a sigh she put down the mirror on the desk.
"..."
After putting down the mirror, Vera's eyes kept drifting towards it.
"There's nothing wrong with being sure right?" She picked up the mirror before inspecting herself once more.
"Whooh, nothing wrong here. I should start preparing for tomorrow."
She got up to start preparing for tomorrow's departure.
"..."
"No, I am not going to check the mirror again, there is nothing wrong with me." She said out loud.
"..."
"....Maybe just once more."