7.3

Time had flown by, and more than a year had passed.  

The biting winter air had begun to give way to the warmth of spring.  

Delia and Kartan were approaching their graduation.  

On one late winter day, as the chill gradually subsided, the graduation ceremony for the 157th class of the Imperial Lapolis Academy took place.  

As the Empire’s most prestigious educational institution, its graduates were said to have brilliant futures ahead of them.  

Naturally, the graduation ceremony drew a large crowd.  

Families of the graduates were present, of course, along with unrelated citizens who had come in droves.  

Since the academy was usually closed to the public, graduation day was the only time it opened its doors.  

The venue was filled with people eager to step foot inside the academy.  

Moreover, representatives from merchant guilds looking to recruit exceptional students were in attendance, as were officials from the Empire’s administrative institutions.  

Out of the 96 students who had enrolled in the 157th class, 92 successfully completed the three-year program and were set to graduate.  

In the solemn atmosphere of the outdoor venue, all the students of the 157th class stood in their formal uniforms.  

“Students of the 157th class of Lapolis Academy, today you earn the honor of graduating from the Empire’s finest educational institution. May the day come when your names shine across the lands of the Lapolis Empire…”  

As befitting the academy’s prestige, the graduation speech was delivered by the current Emperor.  

The Imperial Family congratulated the graduates, further elevating the academy’s status.  

“To the valedictorian, we will award a scholarship of 10 million gold.”  

The Emperor’s words elicited gasps of astonishment from the crowd.  

Ten million gold.  

The students’ eyes widened at the mention of such a large sum.  

With that amount, one could afford a decent house in the capital, if not a luxurious mansion.  

Naturally, all eyes turned to two individuals.  

Kartan Roxen and Delia Acremen.  

Both had consistently ranked first or second throughout their time at the academy.  

It was clear that one of them would claim the 10 million gold prize, but predicting the winner was no easy task.  

“The valedictorian is…”  

The Emperor’s lips slowly parted to announce the recipient of this prestigious honor.  

Would the Acremen Family produce its fourth valedictorian?  

Or would the genius of the century, Kartan Roxen, break that record?  

The name that left the Emperor’s lips would determine the topic of conversation for days to come.  

As valedictorian of Lapolis Academy, a symbol of power within the Empire, the announcement held immense weight.  

The venue, packed with people, fell silent.  

“Delia Acremen. Step forward.”

Silent gasps spread among the students.  

As expected, there was no surprise.  

Delia Acremen, who began claiming first place from the second year onward, became the valedictorian.  

Clap, clap, clap—  

Applause erupted from all directions.  

Amidst the growing noise, murmurs spread among the students.  

“Another Acremen.”  

“So the Acremen Family has taken 40 million gold in scholarships?”  

“No wonder their influence is so great. As expected of the Acremens.”  

Delia stepped forward and stood before the Emperor, bowing in respect. The Emperor looked at her with satisfaction.  

“Another Acremen, I see. Truly, the Acremen Family is a treasure of the Lapolis Empire. Congratulations.”  

“Thank you.”  

The Emperor handed her the scholarship certificate worth 10 million gold, along with the valedictorian diploma bearing the Imperial Seal of the Lapolis Academy.  

Delia looked down at them.  

‘Valedictorian. I finally did it.’  

It had started when she was eleven.  

This was the moment she had finally achieved her 12-year-long goal.  

With this valedictorian diploma, she could receive a warm welcome anywhere in the Empire.  

She could even immediately apply for the prestigious position in the West that her father had always wanted.  

‘But.’  

Memories of the struggles she endured to achieve this valedictorian title flashed through her mind.  

‘It doesn’t make me happy.’  

Though it was something anyone would envy, Delia found no joy in her achievement.  

Because it wasn’t something she had done for herself.  

Until now, Delia had lived without knowing what her true goals or dreams were, or even what hobbies or activities she enjoyed.  

‘At least until I met Kartan.’  

Now, however, Delia knew what she truly wanted.  

What Delia desired was…  

To be loved as herself.  

To be with someone who would always stay by her side, unlike her family, whose attitudes changed as easily as flipping a coin depending on her grades.  

As Delia stepped off the podium, she searched for Kartan.  

He stood among the graduates, looking at her with a face full of joy.  

‘Congratulations.’  

Even though she couldn’t hear his voice from afar, his lips clearly mouthed the words of congratulations.  

Seeing him, Delia felt happy.  

Not because she was the valedictorian, but because he was congratulating her.  

“With this, the graduation ceremony for the 157th class is concluded.”  

The Emperor announced the end of the ceremony.  

While the official event was over, the more important part was yet to come.  

Representatives from merchant guilds and administrative institutions would now begin scouting graduates.  

As the valedictorian, Delia was naturally the center of attention. Even if she stayed still, people would come to seek her out.  

‘Where is Kartan?’  

But Delia already had her mind set. So she leisurely began searching for Kartan.  

Then—  

“Delia.”  

A familiar voice reached her ears. Without even turning her head, she knew who it was.  

“…Father.”  

And not just her father—her stepmother and all her siblings were there as well.  

Not a single member of the Acremen Family was missing. How amusing.  

‘They all came.’  

Delia couldn’t help but smirk.  

It was all too transparent.  

The closer Delia got to becoming valedictorian, the more affectionate her family had become. When she fell short, their affection disappeared just as quickly.  

She had felt this change in their attitudes every step of the way.  

Today was no different.  

It was obvious that they had all come because Delia had now become someone they needed.  

The fact that they approached her first, worried she might harbor other intentions, made it even clearer.  

Before anyone else could make an enticing offer to Delia, they wanted to give her the order to take the position in the West that her father desired.  

‘As if.’  

The old Delia would have done whatever her father wanted without being told.  

But the current Delia was different.  

She had no intention of acting according to the Acremen Family’s wishes.  

“Delia. I knew you would pull it off.”  

Her father’s words were filled with lies, as if he had believed in her from the start.  

“How proud I am that all my children have been valedictorians.”  

Her stepmother, changing her attitude as if Delia were her own child, spoke without a hint of shame.  

“See? I told you sister could do it.”  

Even her siblings chimed in.  

But all of them only disgusted her.  

Delia had decided to leave the Acremen Family.  

To her, ‘Acremen’ was no longer a miracle.  

“If you take the position in the West, our Acremen Family will finally extend its influence across the entire Empire. At last, we’ll…”  

“No. That won’t happen.”  

Delia cut off Rexukan’s words, which were full of anticipation.  

“What? What are you saying?”  

Rexukan’s face was filled with confusion. But Delia continued without hesitation.  

“Starting tomorrow, I will no longer be an ‘Acremen.’”  

She had no intention of carrying the family name any longer.  

“So, Father, you will never extend your influence across the Empire.”  

Leaving her family, who were too stunned to respond, Delia said her final words.  

“Unless you bring in another child like me from an orphanage. Goodbye.”  

With no lingering attachments, she walked away from the Acremen Family.  

“W-wait.”  

“Delia!”  

They called out to her belatedly, but Delia didn’t look back.  

She felt liberated, as if she had finally escaped a trap.  

Her light steps carried her toward the one who had been waiting for her all along…  

“Kartan.”  

“Delia.”  

Kartan greeted her with a smile.  

Unlike Delia, no one from the Roxen Family had come for him.  

It was utter indifference, but that too would end today.  

Starting tomorrow, Kartan would also discard the name ‘Roxen.’  

“I’m back.”  

“You’ve worked hard.”  

Delia smiled brightly at Kartan, who welcomed her warmly.  

The two of them were happy now.  

Because they had each other—someone who loved them unconditionally, regardless of status or achievements.  

No, they would become a new family for one another.  

“Let’s go.”  

“Okay.”  

Delia felt that any beginning would be exciting as long as she was with Kartan.  

As they stepped outside, they held each other’s hands tightly.