EP.14
Jin’s assigned accommodation was located on the top floor of the male dormitory and was truly a luxurious space.
A bed large enough for two people to play soccer on, a sofa that looked incredibly grand to even sit on, and antique furniture that wouldn’t seem out of place in a five-star hotel or a museum—everything was exquisite and opulent.
There wasn’t a single item that didn’t scream high-end, nor was there anything that lacked splendor. It was his first experience staying in such a lavish room in his life.
– Hmm, it’s adequate. It feels somewhat cramped, but as a student, it’s a decent place to lay my body down.
Meanwhile, Erekaya merely expressed incredulity at such a grand accommodation.
“This is cramped? It’s much larger than the house I lived in before!”
– Regardless, it’s still smaller than the bathroom of Pendragon House. Now that I think about it, I really was remarkably frugal in my past life. I spent years in a room smaller than this, without a single complaint.
“…..”
Every time Jin opened his world history textbook, he always wondered how large-scale popular revolutions like the French Revolution or the Russian Revolution could occur, and today, that curiosity was perfectly satisfied.
Because right now, Jin felt a burning desire to stab Erekaya with a spear!
‘Damn bourgeoisie.’
After all, she was a precious gem of the House of Dukes, boasting one of the largest fortunes and powers in the Empire, right after the imperial family. If such a woman were to utter that she valued frugality or simplicity, it would have been truly shocking.
“By the way, I heard that I’ll be immediately placed in Class A starting tomorrow, which you are a part of.”
– That’s true. Regardless of your innate talent or skills, you will be placed in Class A due to your special admission rights to Nineveh. Otherwise, it could create a significant problem for them if they were to neglect the descendant of the Seven Heroes.
Just for reference, Class A is said to consist of particularly outstanding elites among the High Department.
To be honest, he didn’t enter Nineveh just to study, but would his Class A friends consider Jin’s circumstances?
It seemed highly unlikely they would prepare a large cake adorned with many candles or throw a surprise party with party hats and fireworks to fit his arrival.
From Jin’s experience, places crowded with kids of that age are like a kingdom of animals. They love to establish hierarchies, ranking each other, and solidifying their superior-inferior relationships.
It wouldn’t be surprising if, the moment he stepped into Class A, someone shoved a corkscrew into his belly.
– …No, while it’s true that those in Class A lack common sense, they are not so brash as to do something like that.
Even though Erekaya expressed disbelief, isn’t it true that nobody knows how a person will react? One should never let their guard down when it comes to matters of life and death.
“That said, who should I pay attention to or keep an eye on in Class A?”
As the saying goes, knowing your enemy and yourself ensures victory in every battle. Collecting information through preliminary research shows its effectiveness at any time.
Especially if you receive prior information that the path ahead is generously littered with pitfalls, it would be wise to think of solutions to navigate through them.
Well, one problem is that those pitfalls have feet, so even if he tries to avoid them, they might chase him down.
– So, the individuals you need to watch out for in Class A… Hmm, to be honest, they all seem pretty mediocre, so I don’t think there’s really any advice I need to give. If someone bothers you, just beat them up, right?
“Well, that’s true, but I’m quite a peace-loving person… I suppose I’d like to get along with my classmates as much as possible.”
– It’s a truly persuasive argument coming from you.
Erekaya, scoffing at Jin’s words, then responded to his question in a serious tone.
– The only one worth paying attention to is Serika von Valentine from the House of Valentine, who is one year ahead of you. The rest of them are worthless nobodies; it’s a waste of brain capacity to even memorize their names, so I don’t see any reason for you to bother. After all, it’s a place filled with mere children, so there shouldn’t be any significant issues.
It was a brutally sharp remark. Well, one could say it was a testament to our Little Princess’s keen judgment of character.
– Hmm… Actually, it seems there’s at least one person you should watch out for.
“Who is it?”
– Altina von Rudel Seryas. Have you heard of her?
“…Altina Seryas. The current heir of the House of Count Seryas, right?”
Erekaya did not notice that Jin’s voice trembled slightly.
– You know her? Well, it’s not surprising; she’s not a stupid girl who could go unnoticed after your nine regressions.
“Is Altina Seryas currently enrolled at Nineveh?”
– Yes. In fact, isn’t it expected? Simply graduating from Nineveh provides everyone with an easy way to recognize her abilities. She wouldn’t have any reason not to enroll, especially being smart enough to pass entrance exams.
Erekaya’s tone suggested disdain toward Altina Seryas, yet it oddly hinted at recognition of her abilities.
– Objectively speaking, she possesses decent skills. After all, with the blood of hunting hounds in her veins, she would be in trouble if she lacked the talent to bite back.
“Hunting hounds?”
– Didn’t you know? The House of Seryas is a cadet branch of the House of Pendragon. Though it may have been hundreds of years since they separated, they are practically unrelated now.
However, historically, both the Pendragon House and the Seryas House share the same ancestor, leading to an unspoken rivalry or perhaps a similar power struggle between the two families.
– It’s not like that. That kind of inferiority complex is merely a lowly sentiment harbored by the House of Seryas towards the House of Pendragon. I just don’t particularly like that woman who constantly contradicts me.
“…So, to summarize, you two are in a sort of rival relationship?”
– Rival? Altina von Rudel Seryas wouldn’t even come close to my level, no matter how many lives she lived. I’ve tried several times to make her aware of her position in the grand scheme of things, but she has a knack for fleeing like a rat, preventing any resolution from happening.
Despite her words, the fact that Erekaya—who typically dismisses most individuals as less than weeds on the street—was this concerned about Altina Seryas indicated the latter’s considerable skills.
– Yet, today you seem unusually interested in other people. Could it be that, even at your advanced age of over a hundred, you can’t contain your joy at attending class with a young and lively girl?
“That’s not it at all!”
– Then what is it? Speaking of which, your reaction earlier was a bit suspicious. Speak frankly, Jin. What was your relationship with Altina von Rudel Seryas in the past? What kind of presence does she hold for you that elicits such a look?
“Look?”
– Don’t you realize? Right now, you’re making a face like you’re about to vomit.
At those words, Jin touched his face. Just as she said, his expression was indeed quite contorted.
“This is, well…”
– Don’t even think about trying to deceive me. While we haven’t known each other long, I can tell if you are lying.
It seemed that deceiving Erekaya or trying to gloss over things wouldn’t work. He couldn’t keep displaying such reactions every time Altina was mentioned moving forward.
“Altina Seryas, in other words, Altina…”
Jin let out a complicated sigh, mixing various emotions, and spoke quietly.
“She was my lover. In the past, we were in love with each other.”
Jin had gone through a total of nine regressions, using those experiences as a stepping stone to save this world, which was doomed to destruction.
However, that statement could be interpreted as follows:
This world had ultimately met its doom in all nine of those iterations without ever being saved.
Now, he could hardly even recall when it all happened.
In some past cycle, despite everyone struggling until the very last moment to avert the end, they faced the conclusion of destruction.
In that previous timeline, Altina von Rudel Seryas was his one and only love.
‘Jin.’
Even now, when he closed his eyes, her image vividly resurfaced. The memories of those days when they truly cherished and loved each other, whispering loving words, and comforting one another.
Jin had genuinely loved Altina.
Therefore, after time rewound, Jin had intentionally avoided meeting her.
The Altina he remembered was gone. The Altina he loved was dead. Even if he regressed, the Altina he knew and loved would never return.
The current Altina was a different person from the one he used to know. Because the current Altina neither knew him nor would ever embrace him.
And she no longer loved him.
– …Do you still have lingering feelings for her?
“Lingering feelings?”
Jin sighed at Erekaya’s words. This topic was indeed far too uncomfortable for him.
“No, there are no lingering feelings. Altina is dead. The person I knew will never come back. So, I truly don’t feel anything.”
Those words were not directed at Erekaya. They were a desperate shout toward himself, echoing as a reminder of what could not return.
At least, that was how it felt to Erekaya.
– No, Jin. That’s not what I meant…
“Thank you for your concern, Erekaya. But it’s fine. Falling in love with your past self is purely a matter, isn’t it? I’m not foolish enough to let personal feelings interfere with my duties.”
– …Duties?
“Yes, duties.”
Saying that, Jin once more gazed at the blinking status window before him.
-■End■-
■The■ ■Progeny■ will bring■, Erekaya ■Pendragon to ■feel■. ■In return, her existence should bring happiness to others. ■It is that■ so should this■ bring ■about the conclusion■■.
“If we don’t succeed, the world will perish. If I can’t make Erekaya Del Pendragon happy, countless people will die. You’re also cooperating with me to prevent that, right?”
– That…
Erekaya hesitated for some reason. Jin somehow guessed the reason behind her hesitation.
To reassure Erekaya, he decided to smile as much as possible and speak words of reliability. To show her that he was not someone untrustworthy.
“Right, so you don’t have to worry. Because, you see, I—”
“…Now I have confidence that I won’t love not only Altina but also you.”
