Behind-the-scenes side story. From his days studying abroad in Arendt

Brix Vogt, the second son of the Vogt family, spent a relatively free-spirited youth. Thanks to his outgoing personality, he had good relationships not only with people from Ahivith but also from Arendt. He was so well-connected that he often ran into acquaintances while walking down the street.

Even for someone like him, there was one person who was hard to get close to.

That was Aster Blanche.

Having stayed in Arendt since childhood, he didn’t stand out initially. But at some point, he rose to prominence by freely manipulating aura and mana. Rumor had it that he was sent abroad by his family in a hurry.

Considering he came to Arendt alone at a young age, it was clear what his position in the family was. If Paris Blanche had shown any special abilities, would things have been less tiring?

Unfortunately, it was Aster, the illegitimate child, who manifested these abilities, making his life difficult. Not just any abilities, but the remarkable talent of being a magic swordsman who could freely wield both aura and mana. With such extraordinary skills, he was a troublesome presence for his family.

“Aster Blanche is first place again this time.”

A classmate next to Brix clicked his tongue. Brix’s gaze turned to the grade sheet posted on the wall.

[Aster Blanche – 1st place
Brix Vog – 2nd place]

Their names were always side by side. Eternal first place and eternal second place—those were practically their nicknames.

“Too bad again this time, Brix.”

“Well, yeah.”

Brix shrugged as if it was no big deal. To say he wasn’t frustrated would be a lie. But standing in front of the naturally gifted Aster, Brix felt more admiration than jealousy.

For a swordsman, a magic swordsman was like a walking idol. He had tried to get close to Aster several times but found it difficult. Still, being able to exchange words with him made Brix the closest to Aster in the academy.

Anyone who observed Aster for even a day wouldn’t dismiss his first-place rank as mere luck or talent. He practically lived in the training hall, even during breaks. A genius who also worked hard—he was truly a man living in his own world.

A classmate next to him grumbled.

“I don’t get why he lives so intensely. He’s the only one in his family with special abilities. What’s the rush?”

To him, Aster seemed like someone who had it all, sparking a sense of inferiority. Indeed, on the surface, Aster appeared to have everything.

But could that really be considered having everything?

Having already experienced Ahivith’s social circles, Brix felt he understood Aster’s intense drive. He couldn’t help but add his thoughts.

“That’s why he has to be even more intense.”

“What?”

“An illegitimate child who’s better than the legitimate heir easily becomes a target.”

“True.”

The classmate scratched his cheek, agreeing with Brix’s rebuttal. After that, words meant to console Brix but only deepened his melancholy continued.

Brix, accustomed to such things, half-listened as he walked through the campus. Then, someone came running from afar, shouting.

“There you are! Have you heard the news?”

“What news?”

“Aster Blanche is getting engaged.”

“Engaged?”

Brix tilted his head. They were at the age for engagement talks, but they were still studying abroad. It seemed a bit premature, but then came shocking news.

“Don’t be surprised. His partner is none other than the eldest daughter of Duke Francis!”

“What?!”

Of all people, the engagement partner was from the Francis family. Blanche and Francis were well-known rival families. What wind of change could have brought about this union?

“Are you sure you heard correctly? The Blanche and Francis families are famously antagonistic, even in Ahivith.”

“They say the imperial family arranged the match.”

“Ah.”

That changed everything. If the imperial family arranged it, even the Blanche and Francis families would find it hard to refuse.

“Because of that, Aster has filed for a leave of absence next semester.”

“A leave of absence? Is he returning to Ahivith then?”

“Well, actually…”

The person lowered his voice, speaking in a hushed tone.

“He applied for military service.”

“Military service…? What do you mean? Someone who’s about to get engaged is enlisting? Does this mean he plans to participate in the upcoming war?”

A man who’s about to get engaged was enlisting, abandoning his fiancée. It was a clear sign of discontent with the imperial family’s arranged marriage.

It seemed he intended to delay the engagement by going to war. The Francis side would undoubtedly be upset if they knew.

“Wow.”

Brix realized something belatedly and let out a shallow sigh. Originally, it was Paris Blanche, not Aster, who was supposed to participate in the war.

Yet, Aster suddenly submitted an application for military service. While others might think he was trying to avoid the engagement, Brix saw it differently.

Aster was a scapegoat. He was burdened with not only the troublesome imperial matchmaking but also participation in the war.

“It’s bittersweet.”

Just as he was starting to feel sorry for Aster, someone nudged Brix’s side and spoke.

“Isn’t that Aster over there?”

“…He looks like he’s smiling?”

“He must have lost his mind.”

Everyone treated Aster as if he had gone mad. Even to Brix, Aster didn’t seem normal.

He wore a suspicious grin while holding something in his hand. It was rare to see him smiling.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Brix extricated himself from the crowd and approached Aster. When he realized Aster was holding a handkerchief, Brix stopped in his tracks.

The handkerchief, embroidered with the World Tree and pink roses, was unmistakably Camilla Francis’s.

Seeing Aster Blanche blush while looking at it was a sight to behold.

Brix surmised that maybe Aster didn’t entirely dislike this engagement. So, he mustered the courage to speak to Aster.

“Did you receive that from your fiancée?”

“Ah.”

Lost in thought over the handkerchief, Aster belatedly noticed Brix and stiffened. It was a more familiar expression than his smile.

Aster didn’t answer and carefully placed the handkerchief in his inner pocket. Seeing this, Brix teased.

“I thought you were enlisting to avoid the engagement.”

“Not at all.”

Aster scoffed as if it were absurd. At that moment, a wistful look filled his eyes, as if reminiscing about the distant past.

“It’s just unexpected.”

“What is?”

“I never thought she’d agree to marry me.”

Aster was still in disbelief. He had parted with Camilla on bad terms and lost contact.

When he first came to Arendt, he couldn’t even send a letter due to surveillance. He feared it might cause trouble for Camilla.

Unlike the constant threats to his life in Ahivith, Arendt was peaceful. If not for someone wishing for him to settle down, he would have wanted to stay there.

But the more he worked hard, the more the duchess grew anxious. He studied diligently, knowing he needed strength to protect those he cherished.

Though he couldn’t protect his mother, he wanted to protect Camilla with his own strength. That’s why Aster had no choice but to work hard.

Then he heard about Camilla’s engagement to Paris. The shocking news left him stunned, but soon after, he received a message from the duchess.

If he participated in the war instead of Paris, she would arrange his engagement to Camilla Francis. She suggested he think it over, implying it would be beneficial for an illegitimate child like him to have a strong backing.

Though he knew it was a ploy to keep her son out of the war, it was an excellent opportunity for Aster. He’d rather go to war than see Camilla engaged to Paris.

So he gladly accepted the deal. Later, he learned that Camilla had declared to the emperor, ‘I’d rather marry the illegitimate child studying abroad than Paris!’

In the end, the duchess had made it seem like she was doing Aster a favor by arranging the engagement, all while sending him to war.

Just like when she sent assassins, it was a cunning move. The mere thought of it made him want to jump out of bed in anger, but Camilla’s subsequent letter melted his heart.

It included words wishing him luck and a handkerchief. The pink roses embroidered next to the World Tree resembled Camilla’s hair.

Seeing that, his anger subsided, proving he was deeply affected.

“I want to see her soon.”

At Aster’s passing remark, Brix’s mouth fell open. Who would have thought such sentimental words would come from Aster’s mouth!

“So, you’re serious about this, huh?”

Even with Brix’s teasing, Aster didn’t respond. But he couldn’t hide the smile that lingered on his lips.

This made Brix realize that Aster had been looking forward to this engagement more than anyone else.