The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 125

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 125
When I opened it, brilliant magical artifacts gleamed within—treasures from the Imperial Court itself.
“Acceleration artifacts?”
“Ironic, isn’t it? Here we are plotting the downfall of the Mage Kingdom, yet we’re using their creations.”
“Well… I doubt they ever imagined their work would be used this way. But yes, there’s a certain poetic justice to it.”
The Emperor murmured as he peered into the box.
“Yes, this quantity should suffice. Let me see…”
….
“The round trip will take exactly ten days. Wouldn’t you say?”
Seeing those gently curved eyes, I felt an inexplicable heat rise within me.
Yet this was something only he could accomplish.
He was, after all, an Imperial Knight more accustomed to the sword than the pen.
‘Cunning old fox, as always.’
Having finished his contemplation, Leviathan vaulted onto his horse without hesitation.
Since this departure was to be clandestine, he traveled light—his face concealed beneath a black cloak.
“Make sure my daughter isn’t alarmed.”
“Of course, Your Majesty. I’ve already informed her that you have business within the Empire and are traveling on official matters.”
The Imperial Palace Attendant bowed obsequiously as he opened the rear passage.
“Oh, and tell His Majesty to prepare the proclamation for a public holiday.”
….
The Attendant did not respond to the next remark.
Leviathan swirled his cloak and snapped the reins. Four swift military horses burst forth like a tempest.
Ten days.
Ten days, indeed.
‘I wonder if Rubian is having a good time by now…’
Has he eaten? Is he just picking at his food because nothing tastes right?
‘My boy…’
He wasn’t meant to stay at the Southern Resort forever.
As he cracked open the pendant, he exhaled a long sigh.
These ten days truly seemed as though they would stretch on endlessly.
* * *
“Did you meet up with Kalid?”
Sortie, already seated at the table, asked the moment I opened the door.
“Yes!”
I nodded and walked forward.
“I’ve been wanting to ask you something for a while now…”
“What is it?”
“What’s the relationship between Kalid and Rubian… exactly?”
Suddenly?
My hand froze mid-motion as I was pulling out my chair, and Sortie tilted her head with innocent curiosity.
“No, you’re always stuck together. I was just curious…”
I blinked dismissively and replied without much thought.
“We’re just childhood friends.”
“Huh? Really?”
“Why…?”
“Well, I have a male childhood friend too. But you and Kalid are constantly attached at the hip, you know? He didn’t even come to the camp in the first place!”
Sortie said with a grin.
“Oh…? Is that so?”
When I said I was going to the Academy camp, Kalid naturally volunteered to come along. Neither of us had ever thought it strange.
‘Though it does seem like he wanted to go to the Academy more after we came back from outside.’
In any case, being together felt as natural as thread and needle.
‘But normal children don’t do that?’
Is that so…? Was this unusual?
“But Rubian, you need to finish your name tag soon, right?”
My wandering thoughts came to an abrupt halt at Sortie’s voice.
‘A name tag?’
Only then did my gaze shift to the table.
Sortie was diligently writing her name on a blank name tag with careful strokes.
“You have to write your name on the tags and attach them to your belongings before afternoon activities start. Didn’t you hear the rules explained earlier?”
“Oh, right. I remember now. I should write it quickly.”
“Hurry up.”
Now that she mentioned it, that was true.
When I came up to the dormitory, I received several personal items, including blank name tags.
The Academy, which prioritized fostering independence among its students as a key educational goal, encouraged them to do most things themselves.
Managing one’s own belongings was part of that philosophy.
We had to write our names on the tags ourselves and attach them to important items.
The temporary badges to wear on our chests were the same.
“But…you seem to know spelling really well, Rubian.”
Sortie said, watching me pick up a pen.
“I noticed it from when we exchanged letters.”
My hand froze for a moment.
I deliberately feigned composure and asked back.
“Really?”
“Yeah. When did you start learning?”
“Um, well…”
It was more like I simply knew it.
Magic circles were a synthesis of countless languages.
Depending on how one interpreted and rearranged them with different formulas, the results would differ.
Therefore, I could read and write not only the Empire’s language but virtually any language without difficulty.
‘Though it’s a secret, of course.’
My family believed I had learned Imperial and Common tongues faster than my peers by reading numerous herbalism books in Iosia.
Still, perfection seemed suspicious, so I deliberately misspelled particularly difficult words from time to time.
“I’ve been studying consistently since before! The spelling correction training I received at the Duke’s Mansion was especially helpful, you see….”
“Wow. Whose spelling did you correct so thoroughly? It must have been quite the training.”
“Um. Well, yes.”
I brushed it off vaguely and picked up my pen to fill in the blank with my name.
‘Perhaps my arm lacks strength—I still can’t write beautifully.’
The letters were terribly crooked….
‘But I must write my name tag neatly!’
A deep breath—complete.
“Perfect!”
With renewed determination, the moment I wrote the first letter—
Knock, knock, knock, knock!
“Eek!”
It was ruined….
“Everyone, please gather at the courtyard in front of the Dormitory!”
“Oh no, already?”
Sortie jumped to her feet, fastening a temporary name badge to her chest.
I stared down at my name tag with a look of despair.
“What do I do? It’s ruined.”
“Oh dear. I’ll have to ask for a new one.”
On my white name tag was nothing but a meaningless squiggle. And I’d only managed to write ‘Rub-‘….
‘There’s no help for it. I’ll just have to ask for a new one later.’
Hmph. I pouted and attached the ruined badge to my chest for now.
* * *
The camp activities had begun!
The experience camp’s primary purpose was to preview Academy life in advance.
Thus, the schedule consisted of simple class activities to become acquainted with the professors and experience the Academy’s facilities.
Beneath a large autumn tree, girls gathered in small groups, wearing the uniforms provided by the camp and exchanging greetings. The boys hadn’t arrived yet, it seemed.
‘It feels exactly like an upscale private school.’
Somehow, it was a fresh experience.
As I slowly approached the group, a familiar name suddenly caught my ear.
“Do you think Rubian Zebert really won’t be coming?”
Sortie and I stopped in our tracks, exchanging glances awkwardly.
“When I asked the professor, she said the registration was completed.”
“Hmm, that’s strange. With that silver hair, she should be noticeable.”
‘Are they talking about me?’
My ears perked up involuntarily.
“She disappeared so quickly at the New Leaf Festival banquet—I was hoping to become closer this time!”
“I was actually curious about her face…. The rumor is she hides it because she has a major complex about her appearance.”
“Really?”
Wait, my face reveals secrets like that?
“To be honest, I registered for the camp because I thought you might come. Mother said we should get closer… you didn’t even attend my tea party.”
A tea party? How would I know about that!
“I actually thought you looked rather impressive at the New Leaf Festival awards ceremony. Wasn’t it incredibly cool how you accepted first place without saying a word?”
That was just because I was terrified beyond words…
“You have quite the daring side, don’t you? Ah, what a shame! The masked noble lady!”
The girls clicked their tongues wistfully.
I grew flustered and pressed my lips together, unable to continue.
I couldn’t bring myself to say, “Hello. I’ve returned without my mask!”—it was far too embarrassing.
‘What do I do…?’
Caught between inexplicable mortification and awkwardness, I was merely tracing patterns on the ground with my toes when it happened.
“Kehehehe!”
A grating laugh pierced the air.
I turned to see a group of boys approaching. They looked like the mischievous sort at first glance.
“Ugh, they’re so loud.”
“Let’s go. I don’t want trouble.”
The girls nearby quickly moved away, vacating the space.
Regardless, the group drew closer with their raucous chatter. The boy leading them caught my eye particularly.
‘Wait… I know him.’
Looking closer, I recalled glimpsing him briefly at the New Leaf Festival.
A boy dressed as flamboyantly as a peacock.
‘His name was…’
“Hey, Haven. Did you buy new shoes? They look incredibly expensive.”
Ah, right. Haven Abelus!
“Yeah. You can’t even imagine how much these cost!”
Haven strutted about, proudly extending his foot to show off his shoes.
The glossy black leather was adorned with delicate jewels set as decoration.
“Of course, the Abelus Marquis Family…”
The Academy only provided uniforms.
Therefore, shoes, handkerchiefs, and personal accessories had to be brought individually—and they seemed to subtly reveal a family’s wealth.
‘The Academy accepts commoners as long as they pay tuition, after all.’
Haven, who had been preening, turned his gaze and happened to spot me. A smile spread across his face as if he’d discovered an amusing toy.
“What? Isn’t that Sortie?”
“Hi, Haven.”
“Who’s next to you? Hmm…”
His gaze swept brazenly from the top of my head to my toes. His eyes finally lingered on my name tag.
“Ru… u…? What is this, written with your foot?”
Seriously, this guy.
Just as I was about to bristle and open my mouth, Haven glanced at Sortie and let out a snort of laughter.
“Anyway, you really are quick. How could you get so friendly with a commoner after coming all this way?”
I blinked quietly.
…A commoner?
‘Ah, me?’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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