11.2
Even at the academy, there had been few commoners, but the smaller scale meant she only had to endure the initial introductions. At university, however, she had to repeatedly reveal her status and endure the same judgmental stares everywhere she went.
Frustrated, Ella reached for her glass and began drinking in silence. Although the stares from the other students grew colder, she didn’t care.
That’s when Liam spoke up.
“Are you talking about me?”
“Pardon?”
Everyone, including Ella, turned to look at Liam in surprise. He continued.
“Well, you were asking why a commoner is here. If you’re asking why… it’s because the university invited me.”
“Haha, Senior, there seems to be a misunderstanding. If I offended you, I apologize. I wouldn’t dare say such things to the future heir of Ludville.”
The man, who had been gossiping about Ella, laughed nervously and tried to appease Liam, but Liam didn’t soften his expression.
“Well, I’m still a trainee, so I don’t have a surname yet. That’s why I thought you were talking about me. If you’re going to say something that could cause misunderstandings, it’s better not to say it at all. And why are you my junior?”
For magicians who completed their training, regardless of their original status, they were granted the surname of the Mage Tower they joined. Particularly, the Ludville Mage Tower, which was based in the empire, wielded power equivalent to an Earl’s title. Magicians were essential but rare, which made even families of Earl rank or higher reluctant to offend the Mage Tower.
Because of this, the man could only nervously watch Liam’s reaction.
Ella, sensing the increasingly tense atmosphere, nudged Liam in the side.
“Hahaha, aren’t all students of the same school technically seniors and juniors? Why make such a fuss?”
Feeling Ella’s touch, Liam glanced at her.
‘Why are you siding with him? I’m avenging you, you know.’
‘Who asked you to avenge me? Just stop causing a scene and drink!’
Liam, staring at Ella with a look of disbelief, eventually chuckled at her clearly annoyed expression. He reached out and ruffled her hair. Ella, irritated, swatted his hand away and picked up her glass.
When Liam also raised his glass, the other students, who had been watching nervously, hesitantly followed suit. The man who had been excluding Ella earlier suddenly began speaking with a forced smile.
“Haha, let’s have a toast among fellow students!”
Ugh, how transparent.
Ella found the man’s behavior distasteful but didn’t bother reacting; she simply clinked her glass. Thanks to Liam’s intervention, the atmosphere, at least outwardly, seemed peaceful.
As Ella continued drinking, she started to feel slightly better. With Liam refilling her glass each time she emptied it, the alcohol began to take effect.
While debating whether to try wine or beer next, the lecture hall door suddenly burst open. At the same time, murmurs arose from the students seated near the entrance. The students further inside turned toward the entrance with curious expressions.
The lecture hall quickly became abuzz with whispers as everyone noticed the figure standing at the door.
“Who is that?”
“Is it an outsider? Should we report this to campus security?”
“Wait, is that even a person?”
What’s going on?
Half-dazed from the alcohol, Ella rested her chin on her hand and swayed slightly, as if she might collapse onto the table at any moment. Liam, concerned, glanced toward the entrance—and froze.
“Professor Adolf?”
Huh? What professor?
When Ella turned her head, she saw a familiar face. A massive figure that seemed larger than life, sharp eyes like honed blades, yet with strangely gentle pupils.
There was only one person who matched this description.
‘Why is the Young Master here…?’
Adolf stood at the entrance, staring directly at Ella and Liam sitting together.
The lively chatter in the lecture hall came to an abrupt halt. Those who didn’t recognize him trembled in fear, while Liam cautiously approached and spoke.
“Professor of the Swordsmanship Department, what brings you here…?”
As Liam finished speaking, whispers spread across the room.
“He’s a professor?”
“So, he’s human after all…”
Adolf, after staring at Liam for a moment, finally spoke.
“I heard there was a freshman reception, so I came.”
“What?”
Liam responded in a dazed voice, unable to process Adolf’s sudden appearance. Adolf continued nonchalantly.
“I’m a new professor.”
“Ah…? But this is a reception for freshmen. Well, I guess the more, the merrier… Haha.”
Liam, emphasizing the word ‘freshmen,’ quickly backtracked when he saw Adolf’s expression darken. Nearby freshmen also avoided making eye contact with Adolf, fearing his imposing presence.
Ella, observing the entire situation, wore an expression of disbelief.
Why?
‘Young Master, you’re terrible at acting…’
From Ella’s perspective, it was obvious that Adolf was pretending. His reddened ears gave him away completely.
***
Approximately ten hours earlier, on the morning of the freshman welcome party.
‘This is so embarrassing…….’
After Ella left, the shame of being caught in such an awkward situation began to overwhelm Adolf. He tried hard to forget the incident and went to bed early. Waking up at dawn, he headed to the training hall. The heat from the previous day still lingered, and he felt the need to move his body.
When Adolf entered the training hall, the trainees, who were rubbing their sleepy eyes, quickly scattered. Adolf looked at them with a puzzled expression before settling into a spot.
‘Have they already finished their morning training? They’re so diligent.’
Watching them leave, Adolf reflected on how he had been neglecting his own training recently. He drew his well-sharpened sword from its scabbard. The blade gleamed brilliantly under the sunlight.
As he gripped the sword, every muscle in his body tensed. Adolf tilted his head from side to side to loosen his shoulders, then closed his eyes and began recalling the contents of the swordsmanship manual, chapter by chapter, from beginning to end.
Swoosh……!
Opening his eyes, Adolf lightly swung the sword from above to below. The sound of the blade cutting through the air echoed. The trainees, who had been walking away, paused at the sound. They turned their heads just in time to see Adolf begin moving gracefully in the early morning light of the training hall.
He moved as if he were fighting an invisible opponent, slashing and thrusting into the empty air. He slid back slightly, then returned smoothly to attack again. Each time he took a stance, his center of gravity shifted effortlessly. At one moment, he leaned back as if retreating, only to quickly lower his head and spring forward, pushing off the ground. Like a bird soaring into the sky and landing softly, his movements were fluid and powerful. His body emitted white steam from the heat generated by his intense movements.
The students from the Swordsmanship Department watched in awe, both fearful and mesmerized. It was undoubtedly the skill of a Sword Expert.
Adolf continued his imaginary duel with the invisible opponent, exchanging blows for what seemed like countless rounds. Time had passed, and evening had arrived. Finally, he stopped his training, catching his breath that had risen to the tip of his throat. He wiped the sweat dripping down his forehead with the back of his hand, though it made little difference, as his entire body was drenched.
After finishing his training with some light stretches, Adolf headed to the shower room next to the training hall. As he removed his sweat-soaked uniform in the changing room, he overheard a conversation from deeper inside the shower room.
“Wow, are we finally allowed to drink today?”
“Let’s drink it all by tomorrow morning.”
Wasn’t alcohol prohibited at the Imperial University?
Adolf, tilting his head slightly in doubt, tied a towel around his waist and entered the shower room. Upon seeing the still-youthful faces of the others, he nodded in understanding.
‘They must be freshmen. That’s how it is at that age.’
Adolf decided to overlook the freshmen’s little act of rebellion and began pouring water over himself. However, an irritating sound began to reach his ears.
“So, are freshmen from other departments coming too?”
“Probably? But I heard they’re gathering by department.”
“Oh, so it’s just the Swordsmanship Department freshmen drinking together? Then there’s no one to impress, and I showered for nothing.”
“Haha, you’re so transparent.”
Freshmen? Alcohol?
Adolf was startled and stopped them from leaving. The laughing students, who had been joking with each other, nearly fell over when a man a head taller than them blocked their path. They barely managed to steady themselves.
‘There are two of us. Don’t be scared.’
They whispered to each other. Adolf urgently asked the freshmen, who were nervously exchanging glances.
“I’m Adolf, a professor of the Swordsmanship Department. Are the freshmen gathering to drink today?”
A-Adolf?
Recognizing the infamous Adolf they had heard so much about from senior trainees, the two students turned pale. Their hands trembled, but one of them managed to stammer out a response.
“P-Professor, good evening. I’m Glen de Lophital, a freshman aspiring to join the Swordsmanship Department. Yes, there’s a freshman welcome party tonight. We’re supposed to get to know each other over drinks……”
Hearing this much, Adolf urgently cut Glen off and asked again.
“A welcome party? Then are students from other departments also attending?”
“Y-Yes, I believe any student who wishes to come is welcome…”
As Adolf’s expression grew darker, Glen’s voice trailed off. Adolf stood there in a daze before abruptly bursting out of the shower room. The two freshmen finally let out a sigh of relief.
Adolf, who had rushed out of the shower room in a panic, searched the entire Administrative Department before finally spotting the red-haired individual he was looking for.