Ian and Astina sat across from each other, facing one another.
Astina was the first to speak.
"I regret the outcome of the last meeting."
The content of the meeting held in the central region.
The discussion revolved around Rudy and Ian, primarily focusing on whether Ian should be the uncontested successor.
The conclusion of the meeting granted Rudy a chance to compete, considering his achievements thus far.
Ian narrowed his eyes as he looked at Astina.
"Do you really regret it?"
Everyone knew of Astina's close relationship with Rudy.
So, it seemed absurd to Ian that Astina was expressing regret.
Of course, Astina wasn't actually regretful.
Why would she express regret when Rudy had just been given a chance to inherit the family?
But she had her reasons for saying so.
"I spoke as a colleague with a common goal."
Ian had been appointed as the Commander of the Royal forces against the Rebels.
Although young to be a Commander, Ian had been a promising figure from his academy days, receiving much expectation from the Empire.
Right after graduating, he had taken over his family's affairs on behalf of his father and enjoyed overwhelming support from the nobility faction.
Ian was old enough and deserving of such a position.
Though Ian as the Commander and Astina as the Deputy Commander might seem like a weak combination, the Royal army was full of veteran nobles, not necessarily involved in frontline battles.
Ian nodded without much change in expression.
"Alright, let's go with that. Now, shall we get to the main point?"
Ian spread a map in front of Astina.
"It seemed like you knew a lot about the Rebels last time. I'd like to hear what you think should be done?"
Astina looked at Ian.
His eyes didn't seem to be testing her; he genuinely seemed curious.
Though they might become enemies later, for now, they were allies.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})Just as the saying goes, 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend,' Ian and Astina shared a common enemy in the Rebels.
Collaboration was necessary.
"Then let me explain."
Rudy, wearing glasses, sat at his desk.
He turned his head while studying.
Behind Rudy was Yuni sitting.
"Aren't you supposed to study too?"
Yuni had spread her study books in front of her but was only staring at Rudy.
Rudy wondered why she was behaving like this.
Yuni shrugged nonchalantly.
"I can study here, too."
"Still, your concentration must be different when we're together compared to when you're alone."
It had been a few days since Yuni decided to assist Rudy.
Rudy's vision had improved enough to see clearly with his glasses, yet Yuni continued to stay close by his side.
Even though Rudy insisted he was fine, Yuni ignored it and kept visiting him.
"After the joint assessment, I heard the final exams are going to be easy anyway."
"True, but with relative grading, we still need to study hard. Besides, isn’t Professor Gracie suffering because you’re here with me?"
Professor Gracie's lab had been struggling since the last performance report, even with a few teaching assistants.
It was time to start new research, and with both Rudy and Yuni absent, Professor Gracie was having a hard time.
Talking to Yuni about it seemed pointless; she did as she pleased, and Rudy couldn’t scold in his condition.
"Next year, when you're in your third year, we won’t be around anymore, so Professor Gracie should start preparing for that."
Yuni's comment wasn't entirely wrong.
Professor Gracie should be able to conduct research without Rudy and Yuni soon.
Rudy was slated for social practice outside the academy next year.
As for Yuni, who had been reluctantly brought into the lab by Rudy, it was time for her to leave as well.
She wasn’t planning on pursuing a research career, so staying in the lab wasn’t feasible.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})"That reminds me, other students must be worrying about their career paths too."
Rudy mused, taking off his glasses.
Yuni frowned at this.
"Put your glasses back on, senior."
Rudy, puzzled by her sudden request, asked,
"Glasses?"
"Once your vision fully recovers, you won’t need to wear glasses anymore. Enjoy wearing them while you can."
Rudy was bewildered by her reasoning.
"What are you talking about?"
"It’s a rare sight to see you with glasses. I want to see it more,"
Yuni explained.
"So, you just want to see it?"
Rudy didn’t understand the appeal of his glasses but decided to go along with Yuni's request.
As Rudy put his glasses back on, Yuni began smiling broadly.
"Senior, you actually look pretty good with glasses, you know?"
"Thanks, I guess,"
Rudy replied, feeling a bit awkward.
He then reflected on his earlier thought about others' future paths.
Rie was destined for the throne, and Locke would likely take over his family's responsibilities in the north.
Rudy's thoughts then drifted to Luna.
The Railer family that Luna belonged to was relatively insignificant, just a small territory in the countryside.
It seemed more beneficial for her to focus on becoming a wizard rather than on inheritor training.
As Rudy contemplated the futures of those around him, another person came to mind.
"By the way, I haven't seen Astina around lately,"
Rudy remarked.
He hadn't seen Astina since the Jefrin incident, and with no rumors circulating, he assumed she was just busy with her own matters, especially with graduation preparations underway.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})"Astina?"
Yuni questioned.
"Yeah, what's Astina up to these days? Still training like before?"
Rudy hadn't heard anything significant from Luna or Rie either, just that Astina was busy.
"Senior, haven't you heard the news?"
"News?"
"Astina has been appointed as the Deputy Commander of the Royal Army against the Rebels. It seems she might not even be able to attend the graduation ceremony."
Rudy's eyes widened in surprise at this new information.
"What are you talking about?"
"You really didn't know?"
After losing his senses, Rudy hadn't wandered around and mostly met with Luna, Rie, and Yuni.
Since no one mentioned it, Rudy had no way of knowing.
"Astina, suddenly..."
Rudy sank into deep thought.
He had always been concerned about Astina.
He remembered seeing her death in the future when he became a third-year student during the winter break.
Reducing and checking the Rebels' power was his attempt to prevent that future.
Learning that Astina was now directly confronting the Rebels caused him a lot of concern.
"Yuni, do you know how the Royal Army plans to move, anything about that?"
"No, I don't know that much. That kind of information is confidential."
"Right..."
Astina was a thoughtful person.
There must be a plan behind her actions, but Rudy couldn't completely let go of his concerns.
"I need to go there right after the final exams."
"Where to?"
"To the capital, of course."
Mobilizing the Royal Army to respond to the Rebels wouldn't happen immediately.
Soldiers had to be conscripted, and strategies had to be planned.
Astina would likely remain in the capital during this time.
Rudy was determined to help Astina in any way he could.
"I'll have to wrap up the student council work quickly then."
Though the student council term officially ended after the final exams, Rudy needed to conclude other matters to head to the capital with peace of mind.
He had to go there anyway for his third-year, but he planned to make that trip sooner.
"Senior going to the capital..."
While Rudy was pondering, Yuni also seemed lost in thought.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, they heard a knock at the door.
Rudy tilted his head, puzzled.
There were no classes scheduled for the afternoon, and he was studying in the dormitory.
Other students and professors should be in class, so he couldn't think of anyone who might visit.
"Who is it?"
Rudy's question was met with a voice from outside the door.
"From the Royal Palace. Is Rudy Astria present?"
A voice asked from outside the door.
"The Royal Palace?"
Rudy quickly opened the door, curious.
Standing before him was a person clad in a formal uniform, clearly a knight, evident by the sword at his waist.
A companion, appearing to be an attendant, stood behind, holding a small box.
"Good day. Are you Rudy Astria?"
The knight asked.
"Yes, that's me,"
Rudy responded, prompting the knight to bow slightly.
"Greetings. I've come to deliver the results of the recent central meeting."
"The meeting results?"
"The matter concerning the heir to the Astria family."
Rudy nodded, aware of the meeting about the Astria family's succession but not particularly surprised by the visit.
"Please come in,"
Rudy invited the knight into his room.
"Ah?"
The knight appeared surprised to see Yuni sitting comfortably inside.
"Hello?"
Yuni greeted casually, waving her hand at the sight of the royal attire.
Although it might seem disrespectful to some, as a member of the Royal Family, Yuni's casual behavior towards the knight, who was essentially an attendant to the Royal Family, was not problematic.
"Oh, don't mind her. She's just here to help with some work,"
Rudy explained.
"Ahem, understood,"
The knight cleared his throat and signaled the attendant, who then placed the box in front of Rudy.
"What is this?"
"Documents containing the results of the meeting."
Upon opening the box, Rudy found a scroll of moderate size inside.
He unrolled it and began to read.
"The heir competition."
"Yes, the Royal Family wishes for you, Rudy Astria, to engage in a proper competition with your brother."
After reading through the scroll, Rudy noticed something peculiar at the end.
"Ah?"
"Have you finished reading?"
"Yes... but..."
"I will now convey the Royal Family's command."
The knight took the scroll from Rudy and stood up.
"The Royal Palace commands Rudy Astria to return to the capital upon the completion of the term and receive training in spatial magic. Following that, you are to engage in a legitimate competition for the heirship with Ian Astria."
This was the content of the scroll from the Royal Palace, instructing Rudy to learn spatial magic in the capital.
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