Chapter 1.5 

With his appearance, he looked like he should be reciting scriptures, crossing himself, and standing in front of a cathedral in a white priest’s robe. What a waste.  

“What?”  

“Our village is way over there, at the edge of the land, so we’re far from the trends of the capital. It’s probably a 10-year-old style, you’re right.”  

The man narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Evelyn, as if trying to determine whether she was being serious or sarcastic.  

Meeting his gaze, Evelyn was reminded of a temple she had visited as a child. Didn’t the angels painted on the ceiling have faces like his? Noble and cold like untouchable relics carved from marble.  

‘Ordinary people wouldn’t even dare to speak to him.’  

“My father saved on food and clothing for a month to buy this from the most expensive clothing store in our village.”  

Evelyn wasn’t ordinary. She had ten years of experience playing with the children in her hometown. She had often turned tantrum-throwing kids into docile lambs.  

“My father bought it so I wouldn’t feel out of place at the academy. Is it really that bad?”  

Though slightly exaggerated, there wasn’t a single lie in her words. Evelyn slumped her shoulders lifelessly. Few people could remain cold toward her after seeing her like this.  

A hint of discomfort flickered across the man’s gaze. Perhaps realizing he had been too harsh, his eyebrows furrowed.  

“If it’s that kind of clothing, you should’ve said so earlier.”  

“You should’ve given me a chance to explain.”  

“Are you talking back to me now?”  

The man, who had quickly changed his expression, shot back sharply, his tone icy as if he had never felt embarrassed.  

“Talking back? Of course not.”  

If she let her guard down and talked back, she might not live to regret it. In such moments, retreat was the best option.  

“I was just answering honestly with a pure heart.”  

Evelyn blinked innocently. I don’t know anything. She had used this tactic often while serving at a restaurant and dealing with difficult customers.  

Sure enough, the man’s sharp gaze softened ever so slightly.  

“So, where is your father now?”  

“He left for a faraway place a while ago.”  

As she continued, a sudden gust of wind made her eyes sting. To make matters worse, dust got in, and tears welled up.  

“…A faraway place, you say?”  

“Yes, well, it’s far, but he only left recently.”  

Evelyn rubbed at her eyes, trying to get rid of the foreign substance.  

Her father, who had inherited the family blacksmithing business for three generations, had recently packed his bags and left for a city hosting a limited-edition mithril auction.  

‘His knees aren’t even good. I told him not to go, but still.’  

Her stinging eyes made her forget what she had been saying. Evelyn wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. Suddenly, the man reached out his hand.  

“If it’s hard to talk about, you don’t have to force yourself. Just give me that.”  

“Pardon? What? My coat?”  

Finally, the foreign object in her eye was gone. As the man’s words registered, Evelyn hesitated and stepped back.  

The buttons on the man’s clothes alone probably cost more than her entire outfit. Was he asking for her belongings after she saved him?  

“Your gaze is unpleasant. Why are you looking at me so suspiciously?”  

“Me? No way.”  

Evelyn quickly feigned ignorance. She couldn’t believe how he treated someone who had just saved him…  

But arguing with a noble as a commoner would only result in the academy siding with the noble. That much was certain.

“I’m sorry, but I have an urgent matter to attend to. If you’re not injured, I’ll be on my way now.”  

By now, Evelyn was old enough to know that good intentions weren’t always rewarded. As a poor, unsupported new student at the academy, Evelyn decided it was best to leave.  

“You went on and on earlier, but now you’re acting as you please. Where do you think you’re going, leaving a conversation unfinished?”  

The man stepped to the side, blocking Evelyn’s path. The refined-looking man stood like a delinquent in a back alley, leaning on one leg.  

“Just give me the coat you’re holding. I’ll wear it.”  

“What? No, there’s really no need for that.”  

“You said you’d give it to me. Are you not going to?”  

What was this? Had I begged him on my knees to wear this coat even once?  

The man’s expression turned sharp, his gaze prickly. Evelyn quickly adjusted her demeanor.  

“No, of course, if you want it, I’ll give it to you. Take it as much as you like.”  

Feeling like she had saved someone from drowning only to have her belongings stolen, Evelyn handed over the coat she had been holding.  

The man held the coat against his body and gave a simple critique.  

“It’s too short.”  

“Yes, yes……”  

Evelyn replied half-heartedly.  

The coat was a simple design, something commonly found in the market. But when the man draped it over his shoulders, even that looked intentional and fitting.  

Despite his prickly nature, he didn’t react further. Perhaps feeling like he was hitting a pillow, the man’s momentum subsided. He didn’t pick any more fights. Adjusting the collar and tidying himself up, he looked at Evelyn and asked,  

“I’ll return the coat later. What’s your name?”  

“Evelyn Stina, from the Swordsmanship Department.”  

“Evelyn Stina?”  

The corners of his lips curved into a smile. The man recognized who Evelyn was and didn’t bother to hide it.  

“I thought you were extraordinary when you used aura. Now I see, you’re the famous figure from the Swordsmanship Department.”  

“Oh, it’s nothing.”  

“I’ve heard about you. The Kingdom granted you a special admission for your talent. You won the Kingdom’s Swordsmanship Tournament and earned your place here, didn’t you?”  

Evelyn’s position at the academy was unusual. Though she had been admitted under exceptional circumstances, she hadn’t easily blended in.  

“Wow. Hearing it directly like this is so embarrassing. It makes me feel like I’m someone special or something.”  

Evelyn laughed awkwardly. The man, as if observing something curious, casually remarked.  

“Winning a championship isn’t something to be embarrassed about. Take pride in it.”  

“I’d like to, but it’s not so easy here. As you can see, my position is… well, you understand what I mean, right?”  

“Your position? You mean being a commoner in the Swordsmanship Department, surrounded by nobles who live in luxury thanks to their parents?”  

A commoner girl who defeated prominent competitors to win the Swordsmanship Tournament. That was Evelyn Stina’s position. She had talent but no backing, which made her the subject of much gossip.  

“And you should add being a commoner girl to that. As a noble, you must understand.”  

Could a commoner really deserve to become a Royal Knight of the Kingdom? To nobles, who carried an ingrained sense of superiority, she was nothing but an eyesore.  

“Graduating from the Swordsmanship Department at the academy grants eligibility to become a Royal Knight of the Kingdom. I can see why.”  

The man spoke indifferently. That was all, but his calm voice oddly put Evelyn at ease.  

“I’ll visit the Swordsmanship Department next time.”  

“There’s no need for that. If people see us interacting, it won’t reflect well on you. I’ll come find you later when it’s quieter.”  

Evelyn had no intention of causing trouble for others. The man didn’t seem particularly moved. He gave her a look that seemed to ask, ‘What’s with this person?’  

“You speak well for someone who doesn’t even know my name.”  

“Your name—no, your title. What is it?”  

The man opened his mouth as if to answer but then changed his mind, a smile forming instead.  

“I’ll tell you the next time we meet.”  

That was their first meeting.