Ragnar walked across the peaceful academy campus, looking at the different buildings stretching across the land. At the center stood a massive tree with crimson leaves, its wide branches casting shade over the courtyard.

  Countless students gathered beneath it, some wandering alone, others sitting quietly on the benches surrounding the trunk.

  Watching their bright, hopeful faces, Ragnar found himself smiling faintly.

  He had grown up in an unfortunate environment. The moment he understood what it meant to live, he was thrown onto the streets to survive by the authorities after the orphanage he was in was closed down.

  He did all kinds of things, witnessed all kinds of darkness in humans, and the things they did to those they considered inferior. Living a life in the shadows, he also adapted to that darkness until a light reached out to him, a light which made him what he was today.

  His master, one of the strongest humans this world had seen and the one who sacrificed himself for the good of mankind, the same mankind which betrayed him in the face of danger.

  Just as he saw his master dying, the darkness threatened to take over him again, but before dying, his master made him promise something, a promise to become a light for those living in darkness.

  That was the reason Ragnar established the academy.

  At first, it was just to honour his master’s wishes, but gradually, without any intention, he grew to like this peace, the happy voices and the smiles of students he was never allowed to have.

  He instinctively pulled out a cigar from his pocket, but just as he was about to light it and take a drag, a nimble hand snatched it from his mouth.

  “How many times do I have to say not to smoke in the academy?” An annoyed female voice came from beside him. “For someone who cares so much about his students, you sure are irresponsible.”

  Ragnar knew who it was before even turning. He had sensed her coming long before.

  “And how many times do I have to say that this old man can’t control his habits, and these cigars are only for show and won’t harm anyone’s health?” He muttered softly. “Even if they did any harm, you know mana would flush out such substances anyway.”

  “Still, it’s a bad influence on young minds if the Principal of the Greatest Academy in the Starford Empire walks around so irresponsibly with a cigar.”

  The woman scoffed, her calm green eyes narrowing as the soft wind rustled past her silky brown hair.

  “Seriously, I should have never assigned you as my secretary, Amy. You act like such a geezer for being so young. Why don’t you let loose a little and enjoy life?” Ragnar acted grumpily, but he knew himself, if she left the academy, the whole place would be doomed.

  Still, he couldn’t wish more for her to leave this academy.

  She was one of the orphaned war slaves Ragnar had saved long ago and he had made sure that she wouldn’t lack anything in the orphanage he ran.

  He even considered her a daughter to him, and actually wanted her to enjoy her life instead of being stuck in an academy like this. But after graduation from the academy, she stuck with him, saying she wanted to help him grow the academy even more, and no matter how much he pushed her away, she never left.

  “You know I won’t ever leave, old man.” She replied confidently while flicking his cigar away.

  Ragnar sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

  “So, why are you here already? Weren’t you going to meet those old geezers at the noble council regarding the budget arrangements for the year?” He asked, shifting the subject. “Did those snakes give you any problems? Should I pay them a visit?”

  “As if your visit would help. The last time you went there, they were almost about to close the academy.” Amy sighed. “And surprisingly, this year they readily allowed us the budget we requested, but…”

  She paused, looking into his grey eyes.

  “But…?” Ragnar tilted his head slightly.

  “They want us to allow the admission of Princess Ravelle de Obsidia, the one born under the Star of Misfortune.” Amy answered.

  She already knew the response of the old man, and before he could say anything, she interrupted.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea, sir. She is said to bring misfortune to those around her, the one who murdered her own mother as a child. More importantly, she would bring all kinds of trouble from those cults who think she is—”

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  Before she could complete her sentence, Ragnar spoke.

  “Enough, Amy.” He looked at the tree once again and the students around it. “I won’t allow any child to be rejected just because of some superstition and prejudice. Allow her admission. This academy accepts everyone irrespective of who they were before, and you should know that the best.”

  Amy took a deep breath and nodded in resignation. She knew how pointless it was to convince this wall of a man with his soft heart.

  “Okay, sir.”

  “And prepare an identity for the boy in the infirmary,” Ragnar said. “He seemed to have lost his memory and doesn’t remember anything.”

  Ragnar had sensed that the boy was hiding something, but more than that, he had sensed the darkness in his heart, a darkness similar, or even more intense than what he once had. And if possible, he wanted to guide him toward the light.

  “Which kid?” Amy asked, her eyes narrowing slightly, wondering what kind of kid the old man had brought in this time.

  “His name is Raze. I allowed him to live in the infirmary until the academy entrance exam. Create his identity until then and try to find out if he has any family.”

  Amy didn’t say anything for a moment before nodding. “Okay.”

  Just then, a young girl came toward them. She had bright fiery red hair and eyes.

  “Has Raze woken up yet, sir?” She asked as soon as she arrived, concern evident in her voice.

  Ragnar let out a soft smile. “Yes, I was just about to send someone to inform you. He woke up just a few minutes ago, I was just about—”

  Before he could complete his sentence, the girl bowed in a rush and left without waiting.

  “Ahh, young people these days.” Ragnar muttered, his voice carrying no anger, only playfulness, returning to his casual personality as he gave Amy a side eye. “You should learn something from them and get a life, Amy.”

  Amy frowned at him. “I do have a life.”

  “Yeah, sure.” Ragnar waved at her, clearly making fun of her. With that, he took out another cigar from his pocket and, before Amy could snatch it, he vanished from his spot, leaving a flabbergasted Amy behind.

  —

  Meanwhile, Ellara sprinted through the academy campus, through the clean streets, as the wind rustled her bright crimson hair.

  It hadn’t been long since she knew Raze, and yet the shared horrific experience had somehow made her feel closer to him than many others back at her estate.

  She knew he was a cold bastard, someone who didn’t flinch even when Luna sacrificed herself, or at least that’s what she had thought before. But then, when the enemies attacked again, she had seen him in a slightly different light.

  He didn’t show any expression on his face, but the way he lifted her and ran, the way he fought the mage even when he could have simply abandoned them and escaped, told her something more than any words ever could.

  And most importantly, she was guilty of dragging him into her mess. Unlike the mercenary group who knew what they were signing up for, Raze hadn’t known anything. He was just a clueless boy who lost his memories.

  ‘So, if something had happened even to him, how could she have forgiven herself?’

  With that thought and a slightly rough breathing due to her short sprint, she arrived in front of the infirmary door located within the medical wing of the academy.

  She passed her hand over her clothes once, straightening the wrinkles on before knocking on the door.

  No response came for a moment before a neutral voice echoed.

  “Come in.”

  She took a deep breath and entered, not knowing what to say. As soon as she did, her eyes met the calm blue eyes of the boy. He wore a simple white shirt which failed to hide the toned muscles underneath it.

  “H-hey, Raze.” She greeted him awkwardly, not knowing what else to say.

  Through their journey she had talked a lot to him, sharing all kinds of things and stories, but now, all of a sudden, her brain simply failed to process even the next sentence.

  “Heard you woke up, so I decided to drop by.” Still, somehow she managed to speak.

  Raze looked at her.

  “Hey, Ellara. Thanks for dropping by.”

  He didn’t speak much either, just like before, but somehow this time the silence felt awkward.

  “How’s Lyla?” He asked after a moment.

  “She is doing fine. Although her right leg was in truly bad condition, the healers somehow managed to heal her. They said that if we had reached just an hour later, her leg couldn’t have been saved.” Her voice came out calmer than what she felt.

  Raze nodded.

  “I see, good to know.” His response was dry.

  “How are you? Do you feel fine now?” Her voice was filled with concern and guilt as she lowered her eyes slightly. She noticed the bandages wrapped around his body.

  From what she had been told by the principal, Ragnar, his body resisted healing mana because he was one of the Attuned, people whose affinities were so strong that they resisted everything except their own and because of that, all healers could do was give him healing potions made through alchemy instead.

  Only those worked on him.

  But their effects were slower than normal healing, which made his wounds still fresh.

  “I feel fine now.” He replied.

  “Good to know.” She smiled slightly at him as the awkward silence spread once again.

  ‘Speak something, dammit.’

  Ellara tried forcing herself to say something, anything, but again, just like before, the words simply refused.

  Finally, she mustered up the courage and spoke.

  “I am sorry for everything, Raze.” She muttered, her voice breaking slightly.

  She lowered her head, clenching her fists and jaw. Her heart pounded in her ribcage as she expected many things. She expected him to resent her, or to curse her for not telling him about the danger her mere presence carried, but instead his calm voice came.

  “Why are you apologising?”

  She raised her head and looked at him. His expression was as if he genuinely couldn’t understand her.

  “I am sorry for everything, for dragging you into my mess, for making you risk your life, and for all the injuries you suffered.”

  He tilted his head slightly.

  “It wasn’t your fault. I was weak. The world is cruel, and weakness is a sin, and even if you hadn’t been there, there would have been countless other problems that could have killed me while travelling through that dangerous forest.”

  His calm blue eyes met hers.

  “It was my choice to join the group, it was my choice to fight, and at no point did you influence my decision. So stop blaming yourself, as I do not resent you, and nor should you resent yourself.”

  His voice was far from gentle. If anything, it was cold, and yet she couldn’t help but be swayed by it as she let herself loosen slightly, releasing all the pent-up emotions she had been suppressing ever since she left the forest.

  She cried.

  Her body collapsed onto the ground as she sobbed like a little kid.

  Raze didn’t get up, he didn’t try to console her, but somehow his mere existence, being there without judging her, made her feel comfortable.

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