Chapter 2

To read the fully translated 200 chapters, patreon.com/zennin12

Tak!

Surprised by the chef's unexpected statement, I quickly put down the bowl I was eating from. The chef's voice continued.

"The road between the Vade Marquisate and this city is already open, so you don't have to cross the mountain. You can travel comfortably. If you're fast, you could make it in a day."

"What? That can't be. The village chief clearly said…"

At that moment, I felt as if I had been hit hard on the back of my head with a large hammer.

– You should go that way. You'll have to cross a mountain, but there aren't any significant dangers, so you should be able to get through quickly.

– I don't know exactly how long it takes, but I believe it usually takes about three or four days at a normal pace.

The image of the kindly smiling old village chief who gave me directions came to mind.

"The village chief told you to take the mountain path? That's strange. Unless he did it on purpose, he wouldn't have sent you through such a dangerous route."

"..."

I couldn't say anything and just stood there in a daze.

'What is this? Did the village chief lie to me?'

He seemed so kind.

He even gave me camping supplies for free…

Why would he deceive me?

At the same time, an image of the benevolent old village chief sneering with a sly smile flashed through my mind.

No, that can't be right.

Shaking my head to rid myself of these unnecessary thoughts, I heard a voice calling the chef.

"Hey, chef. Bring out a stew and a meat set."

"Ah, yes. Understood."

As the chef responded to the new customer, he gave me a pitiful look and spoke.

"If you're done eating, leave the bowl here and go. And kid, don't trust just anyone so easily. There are many scary people in this world. Tsk."

With that piece of advice, the chef disappeared.

"..."

I looked at the bowl with a bit of stew left and sighed deeply.

"Haah, did he really deceive me on purpose?"

I don't know.

First, let's finish eating.

Tak!

After emptying the bowl of food, I bowed as respectfully as I could toward the kitchen and said,

"I'll definitely repay this kindness, chef."

Already, there were two people in this world I owed… No, wait.

"The village chief, that person…"

As I thought about the village chief again, I shook my head.

"Never mind, let's just go. I'll go to the academy and live quietly. I can sort out favors and disputes later."

The protagonist of this novel will take care of the ending anyway, so I just need to survive until then.

With that thought, I started walking towards the academy.

  *

Some time later.

"Well, that's the academy's main gate."

I muttered as I looked at the grand and luxurious gate in front of me.

The massive gate made of white marble and adorned with shimmering gold.

Various statues and exquisite carvings were arrayed around it, likely to showcase the authority of the Imperial Academy.

It was truly magnificent and beautiful, but what caught people's attention even more was…

Stomp, stomp.

"…Please enter safely!"

"I am Jerain of the Forest family."

The people passing through the main gate and entering.

All of them were dressed in luxurious clothes, riding white horses, and escorted by knights.

They looked like princes and princesses from fairy tales, each exuding elegance and an antique charm unique to nobles.

Moreover,

Thump!

"Welcome to Flaines Imperial Academy."

The sight of the guards saluting the people entering with their spears held high was beyond mere admiration.

'Alright. I just need to get inside.'

Seeing that splendid scene, I felt that all the exhaustion and bitterness I had felt would completely melt away as soon as I entered.

My steps grew faster and faster.

Step, step, step!

Finally, I stood before the beautifully combined white and gold academy gate, which was wide open.

I lined up slowly, and as I was about to pass through the gate, following the people ahead,

Clang!

"…?"

"Stop right there!"

The spears of the guards, who had been greeting people with precise salutes, were now pointed at me.

'What's this?'

Startled by the sudden turn of events, I quickly raised my hands in the air and shouted.

"What, m-me?!"

At that moment, I saw my reflection on the shiny armor.

Dirty, disheveled.

I looked like a village beggar or a street homeless person, no doubt about it.

'Well, I'd stop someone like this from entering too.'

I raised my arms quickly, clearly indicating I had no intention of resisting.

"I-I'm a student here."

One of the guards, still wary, approached me slowly.

"You said you're a student?"

"Yes, I'm a student here."

"Then show me your student ID."

"Well, the thing is…"

I lost my bag with the student ID when I was chased by the bear.

"…I don't have my student ID, but I really am a student here."

I had no way to prove my identity right now, but I had to say something.

The guard looked at me with suspicion.

Just then,

"What's going on here?"

A higher-ranking person approached us with a stern tone.

"Captain, this person claims to be a student…"

"Then verify their identity."

"He says he doesn't have his student ID."

"What?"

The captain frowned at the report and came closer to me.

"So you're saying you're here… Oh?"

The captain, who had been about to question me, suddenly stopped speaking.

He squinted his eyes, observing me closely.

"K… Karmon Vade?"

Oh? He knows me?

That makes things easier.

"Yes, that's right. I'm Karmon Vade. I'm a student here."

I nodded confidently and shouted.

But at the same time,

"K-Karmon Vade?"

"Is he really Karmon Vade?"

I saw the guards behind him flinch and heard voices of caution.

What… is this?

Why is the atmosphere like this?

Sensing a bit of unease, I quickly spoke up.

"So, now that my identity is verified, can I go in?"

"…"

The captain, who had been staring at me intently, sighed as if he had no choice and nodded.

"…Yes, you may enter."

Why did he suddenly sigh?

With a puzzled expression, I quickly moved my feet.

Step, step, step.

Just then, I heard murmurs from behind.

"He finally came?"

"…I thought he wouldn't come. What nerve does he have?"

"If he cared about such things, he wouldn't have done those things in the first place."

"Great, more trouble."

I clearly heard the guards' murmuring voices.

It seemed like they were talking about me…

'Is my reputation really this bad?'

I suddenly realized the status and reception of Karmon Vade in this world.

'Anyway, now's not the time to worry about that. I need to get my student ID reissued.'

With that thought, I headed straight to the administrative office after entering the academy.

To read the fully translated 200 chapters, patreon.com/zennin12