Chapter 37

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The seasons change. Even if people try to stop growing, it never stops.

This was true even at the Royal Kingsland Academy.

It had been three years since Ein entered the school. He had smoothly continued his school life without being demoted from Class 1.

"So, I told him, 'You really have muscles like a slug.'"

"What's that? Are you insulting me?"

"As always, you're being rude to His Highness. And slugs are mostly muscle. So, it doesn't make sense to insult someone by calling them muscular."

"Haha... But it's still weird that slugs come to mind."

It was still early in the day, with the sun not yet fully up. On the open terrace of the Royal Kingsland Academy, a few students were chatting.

They were not skipping class; they were allowed to attend classes freely.

While sipping the tea they had ordered and nibbling on some snacks, their conversation grew lively.

The man who suddenly mentioned slugs was Batts. Despite his appearance, he had an intellectual side and had taken the liberal arts exam. However, Batts came from a baronial family that had served as knights in Ish tarika for generations, and he was better at swordsmanship. The reason he took the liberal arts exam was part of his parents' education plan.

The one who asked if it was an insult was Ein. Over the past three years, his body had grown significantly, and the once gentle and charming boy had gradually developed a more masculine appeal.

The man who called Ein "His Highness" was Leonard. He was the heir to a ducal family and possessed high knowledge in internal affairs. He passed the entrance exam in the liberal arts and had been in Class 1 since his first year.

Lastly, Roland. He was the man Ein spoke to on his first day of school. Roland had high knowledge in magic tool development and was highly regarded not only within the school but also in Ish tarika as a promising future talent. Roland was the only one born to a commoner family.

Among Ein's generation, only these four had managed to maintain their positions in Class 1.

As a result, they became a fixed group, and these four always hung out together at school.

"Hey, Leonard, what are you saying? He's so small, so he must be weak, right? Are you stupid or something?"

"That's because you mentioned his muscles... No, forget it, I was wrong..."

"...Ha. Batts, you're smart, but why do we end up talking about this?"

"Huh? Leonard... Slugs are mostly muscle? I didn't know that."

Ein naturally made friends who could chat with him freely. When the school reported this to the royal family, including Silvardo, they were greatly pleased.

It had been three years since Ein entered the school, and he was now in his fourth year, almost 11 years old. Ein continued to achieve good grades in school exams and was not demoted from his class. He also continued training at the castle, growing strong and handsome.

He had grown taller and was now taller than the average height for his age.

"Your Highness, I didn't mean to insult you! Batts is just... well, not very smart."

"Hey, Ein. I feel like I'm being insulted, just like when I called you a slug earlier."

"It's not just 'feels like it.' It's happening."

"Even you, Lord Ein, are adding fuel to the fire..."

Ein enjoyed gathering with this group. They were all hardworking, and they knew how to balance their time.

After three years, Ein no longer had a bodyguard at school because Dil had graduated. He was now a knight-in-training and Ein's dedicated bodyguard-in-training at the castle.

Gathering in a group with several noble-born students was safe and not a bad situation for Silvardo and the others.

"By the way, Roland. I heard the magic tool you made recently was highly evaluated again. Great job!"

"Ah, thank you, Batts. It was just a lucky success, but I'm glad it worked."

"Roland, you shouldn't be modest. Your achievement has caught the eye of the country, and you should be proud."

Batts suddenly changed the topic. The next topic was about the magic tool Roland had created, which had been highly evaluated by the country.

"Wow, Roland. Does that mean you'll be coming to the castle next time?"

"No, I've been given the opportunity to talk with someone from the development department at the school. I'm not sure what will happen after that."

"I believe you will create a new system to replace the sea crystals, Roland."

As Leonard said, the issue of sea crystals was urgent for Ish tarika. Leonard, raised as the heir to a ducal family, was well-educated about the sea crystal problem and understood its importance.

Even though they were trading with Euru, there was no guarantee it would last forever, making the new development urgent.

"Well, I think I'll go to training now."

After talking for a while, Batts said he would go to training and stood up.

"I'll just pop by the workshop."

"I think I'll go to the library and study. Your Highness, if you'll excuse me... Don't come here."

Following Batts, Roland and Leonard also stood up, and it seemed the gathering was about to disband. However, Leonard noticed someone approaching.

"That outfit. It's a member of the Royal Guard, so they must be here for Ein."

"Let's wait until the knight arrives, just to be safe."

Leonard suggested waiting to ensure it wasn't someone pretending to be a knight to attack Ein.

"Yeah, that's a good idea."

Roland agreed. The three stood by Ein's side.

"Excuse me, Lord Ein. I have a message from Lord Lloyd and have come to the school urgently."

After saying this, the knight showed his status card. Once it was confirmed he was indeed a knight of Ish tarika, Leonard and the others stepped back behind Ein.

"Thank you. What's the message?"

"...It's confidential."

Hearing this, Leonard and the others decided to leave the scene.

"Your Highness, I'll take my leave."

"Have a good day, Your Highness."

"See you tomorrow, Your Highness."

Following Leonard, Batts and Roland also said their goodbyes. In front of the castle knight, both Batts and Roland addressed Ein as "Your Highness" and changed their tone.

"Yeah, see you tomorrow."

After confirming that the three had left, the knight began to relay the message.

"A dangerous monster has appeared. Lady Chris has gone to deal with it. There are a few things to discuss regarding this monster, and you are requested to return to the castle today."

Ein was puzzled by the fact that Chris was dealing with the monster. Chris was one of the top experts in Ish tarika, the deputy commander of the Royal Guard, and Olivia's dedicated bodyguard. She sometimes served as Ein's bodyguard as well. The idea that Chris had to go to deal with a monster was hard to understand.

Looking closely, the knight who delivered the message did not look good. He seemed to be holding back something, and Ein could sense that something unusual was happening. The knight only mentioned a dangerous monster, but the degree of danger was probably more than those words could convey.

"...I'll return to the castle now. I need a bodyguard."

"Hai!"

At the entrance of the school, there were several other knights. The knight who delivered the message and the waiting knights were all wearing the armor of the Royal Guard.

"Thank you for your efforts. I will now return to the castle."

"Ha!"

The knights' attitude towards Ein had become that of a royal. In such an unexpected situation, it was appreciated that this simple attitude was sufficient.

*

Even in such a situation, the water train was the fastest way to travel, so they all boarded the water train and returned to White Rose Station. Inside the water train, which only had regular cars, many Royal Guards and Ein, who was being protected, were riding. The other passengers were wondering what was happening, but they were intimidated by the unusual atmosphere and did not dare to ask.

"Prepare a carriage."

"It's ready here."

"Please, Lord Ein."

The carriage prepared for them was a special one pulled by four horses. It could reach its destination faster than the carriage Ein usually used, and the fact that it was prepared made Ein feel something was amiss.

"...Alright, I understand. Let's depart immediately."

There was no need to point this out. They had to reach the castle first. Ein hurriedly boarded the carriage and urged them to depart.

The Royal Guards mounted their horses and surrounded the carriage, setting off.

The carriage, running at a much higher speed than usual, and the Royal Guards running around it did not fit the usually peaceful main streets of the capital.

Ein was thinking in the carriage. What kind of dangerous monster was it? Where did it go? And why did Chris have to go? The messenger was Lloyd, so Lloyd must be at the castle. Ein would have to question Lloyd as soon as he arrived.

Ein was pacing in the carriage, eagerly waiting for the arrival at the castle. If he had only heard that a knight was going to deal with the monster, he might not have been so worried. Chris, who had always been his bodyguard and trained him, was someone he cared deeply about.

"We are here, Lord Ein! Please forgive the haste!"

"Don't worry about it! I will now proceed to the King's presence!"

"Ha!"

"We will also escort you to where the King is!"

The knights opened the doors without knocking, which was unusual. However, it was appreciated that they were hurrying.

Ein hurried to where Silvardo was waiting, where Lloyd should also be.

"Your Highness! Welcome back!"

"Your Highness!"

"Welcome back, Your Highness! The King is in the grand conference room!"

"Yeah, I understand. I'll proceed there."

The castle was noisy, but the servants and knights who noticed Ein's arrival bowed and greeted him. However, the elegance they usually possessed was completely absent today.

Ein was the same, rushing to the grand conference room almost at a run. The knights following him were also in a hurry, but no one reprimanded them.

When he arrived at the grand conference room, it was clear from the outside that there was a commotion inside. Ignoring this, Ein opened the door without knocking.

The grand conference room instantly fell silent.

"...Your Majesty. Crown Prince Ein has returned to the castle."

"Aye. I apologize for the sudden call."

"No, don't worry about it. I apologize for interrupting the meeting, but could you please explain the situation?"

Ein's appearance was unlike his usual self, showing a strong and unyielding attitude that did not allow for any objections. The aura he exuded was truly that of a royal.

Ein looked around the conference room. He noticed Olivia, who was not usually present, looking down without meeting his gaze. This gave him a sense of unease.

"I apologize. Please continue the meeting, Ein, come here."

Silvardo called Ein closer. Beside him, Olivia was still looking down, and Warren and Lloyd, who usually had serious expressions, were also present.

"I returned after receiving Lloyd's message. What has happened? You only mentioned a dangerous monster."

"Let me explain, Lord Ein."

Lloyd, who had delivered the message, stepped forward to explain.

"A sea dragon. It has appeared off the coast of the port town Magna, but it's close to the shore."

"...Is it that serious that Chris had to go?"

After a few years, Ein could now speak to Lloyd in this manner. However, due to Lloyd's role as his sword instructor, he still couldn't drop the "san" honorific.

"Ain... Ain...! Chris, Chris..."

"Mother! What happened!?"

Olivia, in a panic, whispered softly, "Chris is going to die..."

"What did you just say!?"

"Lord Ein, Lord Lloyd will continue the explanation."

Warren, standing nearby, calmly said that Lloyd would continue, implying that Ein should calm down.

"Sea dragons appear every 100 years