The day after, Joshua had assumed his roommates would be bombarding him with questions; but, to his surprise, the two of them were quiet. You might even call it peaceful.

Icarus was deep in his thoughts yesterday and only returned around midnight. Agareth, too, walked out with a shocked expression and didnt show his face until the next morning. Joshua didnt get a chance to bring up the bet, even as a joke.

However, I have no intention of continuing this charade. Joshua sneered.

Right now, Joshua was in a rather spartan room: it contained a desk, a chair, a bookcase, and nothing else. Instructor Kane had called Joshua into his study before classes.

Ash pen Frederick. What is your true identity? Seeing Joshua stay silent, Kane continued. Its best to look through the student roster and other records. The Frederick estate, in the countryside, is now owned by Viscount Hookits the Hook estate now. It says here that Viscount Frederick suffered financial troubles and barely kept his noble status. Five years ago, he sold his entire estate to Viscount Hook.

Kane had probably pulled this information from the Imperial Nobility List. In certain libraries, a list of Imperial aristocrats were available to everyone who needed themespecially members of the Imperial family. Naturally, it took note of where a family lived.

That said, it didnt go into detail; the risk of the information being exploited by an enemy was too great. Despite the scarce information, Kane had managed to deduce quite a lot.

The son of the illustrious Sten family was felled in a single strike, by the son of a fallen noble nobody even knew the name of. Even I couldnt see what you did, or how you did it. Kanes experience with swordsmanship extended far beyond the sphere of a B-Class Knight. His sword was known for forcing his peers to fold beneath its crushing weight.

Your identity makes less sense the more I think about it. Viscount Frederick, the head of your family, vanished ages ago; regardless, he was not a well-known Martial Artist. He doesnt have any reputation for swordsmanship or spearmanship anywhere on the continent.

Kane stared at Joshua with narrowed eyes.

Ill ask you once again. Who are you?

I am Ash pen Frederick.

Kane bit back a retort and the two spent a long moment in silence.

Sometimes, high-ranking nobles or royals from neighboring countries enroll in the Academy with hidden identities. Kanes eyes probed Joshua for a reaction, but Joshuas expression was unchanging.

Ash pen Frederick.

Yes.

To be honest, I dont give a damn what you think. This situation doesnt sit well with me. Even as a sparring session between students, it still involves the Sten family. This could have ended much worse. Belittling the Sten swordsmanship in front of the noble children is an entirely separate issue.

I take full responsibility.

Kane gave him a questioning look.

Ill carry it all.

You say youre gonna take full responsibility Kane smiled bitterly. There was a guy who felt the same as you, last year. Shimizu kun Douglas was his name.

Douglas The familiar name made Joshua tilt his head.

The most important thing to remember is that this isnt a problem you can address on your own. Even among students of the same rank, theres hierarchy and cliques. You shouldnt be surprisedfamily is everything here.

Amaru comes from the Sten family, and that placed him in certain circles before he even arrived at the Academy. They will see this as a challenge. Kane looked Joshua straight in the eyes. Do you understand what Im saying?

From now on, those children will bully children from humble households. That means you. Theyre afraid of what you did to Amaru and theyll worry that theyre next

I only have one question, Joshua interrupted. Splitting the students into social classes, disregarding the abuse and intimidation taking place behind closed doorsis this what a teacher, an adult, does?

I dont think theres anything left to learn from a teacher like you. Joshua got to his feet. If you leave it alone because youre afraid of the immediate consequences, their behavior never stops. Ever.

Ash pen Frederick. Kane addressed Joshuas departing back. You know, theres a lot of things that are impossible to change, no matter how hard you try.

Theres no such thing as impossible. Not trying is for cowardsand I assure you, I am not one. Joshua seized the doorknob.

Unless you intend to do something at the Academy Joshua halted in the doorframe as Kane spoke. If all you want is to complete the compulsory education, then I would advise you to take an easier route. You can join the Imperial Knights, its the same as mandatory education. With your strength, the admission test will be easy.

Then I wont have to waste six years here once Ive figured out Brontos new power. Even if he skipped grades, his stay at the Academy would be four years at minimum. On the other hand, the Imperial Knights were bound to serve for ten years. Kaisers proposal was long goneJoshuas pride would not allow anything else.

Of course, its not like thats the only method. Joshua recalled the letter hed sent Kaiser the day before he left the Duchy and chuckled to himself.

He often sneered when he thought about Kaiser.

What do you think? Kane pressed on, assuming that Joshua was thinking it over. Even if youre already enrolled in the Academy, you should be able to pass the exam with just a little effort.

I have no desire to squander my time in a place like this.

Kanes face brightened. Then

But. I have no wish to flee like that. Im not afraid of anything. Excuse me. Joshua bowed his head slightly and walked out the door.

Kane stared at the empty doorway.

Im a coward Kane stared at the warm sunlight streaming through the window. Would you agree, Shimizu?

The warp gate is so useful. The man who just exited the warp gate took a look around. Its been a long time, Arcadia! Ah Actually, its been a couple of years.

Hic! A young man dressed in a brown wizards robe hiccuped, drawing the mans attention.

This is insane. Shawn, the young wizard in charge of the warp gate, snorted to himself and looked away. He was amazed by what he was seeing.

The Magic Tower controls all the warp gates on the continent. It was one of the Towers most important assets, and it certainly enforced the Magic Towers influence on the continent. Avalons knights were just as cautious of the wizards as the wizards were cautious about them.

Shawn was struck by a wave of dizziness and had to clamp his mouth shut to stop himself from swearing. In the deep shadows of the travelers blue robe, a little lightning-bolt pattern shone through.

Thats Steropess pattern. Who is this man? Could it be the one hed heard so many stories about? The idea was enough to make his body tremble.

Hic!

Hey.

Y-yeshic!

Id like to ask you a question.

S-say ithic!

The man peered at Shawn for a while.

Can you tell me where the Academy is?