LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 9
Right before breakfast with Ellie.
Having heard that Eliaernes Eustetia overcame her guilt and finally stepped out of her room after five days of not eating (not really), Turius welcomed the morning with a brighter face than usual.
However, a tiny worry lingered in his mind.
“I should praise her for the duel last time, but I’m worried that Ellie might have bad thoughts again…”
Just five years. With no help or training, Ellie easily defeated Yurasia, who was known for her amazing talent in the Knight Order.
That was more than enough achievement to praise her and shower her with rewards.
And that punch that ended the duel? It was a blow that revealed Ellie’s hidden potential.
Of course, Turius and Kerian believed Ellie had tremendous talent.
But that talent was in handling weapons, while she had no clue about martial arts whatsoever.
Or was that it?
Ellie was even more gifted in martial arts than she was with weapons.
Turius, confident that his vision was unparalleled even if his strength wasn’t that great, thought of a certain figure when he saw Ellie.
The last line of defense of the Empire.
The Nameless Captain.
And Kerian felt the same way.
Thus, the two brothers, sharing a silent bond, busily showered Ellie with praises in a cheerful atmosphere.
However, what worried them was that Ellie, who loved handling weapons, showed talent in martial arts, which was the complete opposite and often looked down upon by the world.
But if it’s that Ellie…
The proud Eliaernes Eustetia, who is often tougher than Turius, would surely overcome it.
Moreover, while they might not know about her past, there are surely strong martial artists in today’s world.
Especially in Eustetia.
Who would dare to underestimate the Eustetia Duchy? The brothers thought, and they praised Ellie once again with excitement.
Turius said, “Hahaha! With Ellie’s skills, she’d be more than qualified to join the Eustetia Knight Order’s 1st squad! Plus, with Yurasia alongside, Ellie will surely be very satisfied! Hahaha!”
To this, Kerian replied, “Certainly better than joining the Imperial Order. However, I also think that the Nameless Captain, whom she has shown interest in before, might be a good choice. Even if it gets a bit rough, I believe Ellie can handle it. Plus, our captain is a martial artist, so I think there’s so much she can learn.”
After their lighthearted conversation, Turius and Kerian cautiously glanced at Julie, who had been silent until now.
“No matter what, we should just do our best to support whatever Ellie wants,” said Julie with a refreshing smile, observing their somewhat dim-witted attitudes.
And thus, breakfast started with Ellie.
As Turius watched Ellie’s expression, noticing that she seemed in good spirits, he prepared to compliment her.
At the same time, Ellie said, “Oh, by the way, once I become an adult, I’m going to the Demon Realm.”
Turius felt his hairline receding.
*
“…Ellie. Did Daddy do something wrong to you?”
“No? What could my father do wrong to me? There’s nothing like that.”
“Then… why are you suddenly saying that? Did you hear something from Kerian?”
“Why am I suddenly? By my mana and sword, I swear, I didn’t say anything to Ellie.”
“That’s right. Uncle Kerian didn’t say a word.”
Also, it’s not like she said it out of the blue.
Since reincarnating as Eliaernes Eustetia.
Well, ever since regaining her memories from her previous life, that’s been her goal.
Of course, she could have said it earlier, but…
She kept it hidden because she didn’t want it to sound like childish delusions, as she hadn’t achieved anything during that time.
She concealed her hatred towards the demon race and dark mages as well.
But now, she thought it was okay.
Because she found her talent…
And sensed absurd possibilities within that loathsome talent.
Even if she was about to be a martial artist against all odds.
If she could just kill the Demon King, wouldn’t she deserve to be human?
And she thought she might be able to find her comrades in the Demon Realm. In fact, she had been thinking about it for a long time.
There’s no evidence.
But if those attention-seeking guys left some traces somewhere, she could make a vague assumption.
Whether dead or alive, she wanted to know their whereabouts.
Even if they were dead, she believed they wouldn’t have aged and died.
With potions, elixirs, and Dragon Hearts.
There’s no way those guys, who consumed things said to be good for the body and extend lifespan, would have died from aging.
And, she must find Kaloso, the one who betrayed them and stabbed her.
That bastard likely didn’t die either.
There’s no way that the person who betrayed them to side with the Demon King could have died so easily.
“But, why did you suddenly bring that up?”
“Because I want to walk the path that our ancestor, Arisa Eustetia, walked.”
Prepared response.
Upon hearing that, her father’s expression hardened, and he fell silent.
Kerian stopped eating with an expression similar to his father.
However, her mother nodded, as if she expected Ellie would say something like this.
But…
“Isn’t it too dangerous for Ellie now?”
Her mother spoke softly, but her eyes were scary.
Her crimson eyes peeking from narrowed eyelids were especially intimidating today.
“Yes. It’s too dangerous for me now. So, once I become an adult—”
“Well, I think it’ll still be dangerous for our Ellie even when she becomes an adult.”
A cold silence fell in the restaurant.
To an outsider, it sounded like normal parents worrying about their child.
But everyone present understood the implications of her mother’s words.
That even if I become an adult, it would still be dangerous.
In reality, what they meant was, “It seems our Ellie will still be a loser when she grows up?”
What the heck.
What was that?
Had her mother ever spoken like this before?
Surely, she knew her mother was extraordinary, but she had never imagined she would say something like this.
As a result, she was left speechless.
Other knight orders go by, but she never expected to hear such words.
At least, she thought her father or Uncle Kerian would say it; she never expected it to come from her mother.
“What do you think, Ellie?”
…It was true that she lacked strength.
Moreover, if she really were the talented Eliaernes, it would undeniably be dangerous.
However, she was the reincarnation of Ronan Luzarack, who had memories from a previous life, a hero’s party member.
Even if she was lacking in strength, it wouldn’t be as dangerous as they thought. She had killed more demons than anyone else.
Yet what about now?
Outwardly, she was just a small girl with pink twin tails, a squishy body, and below average height—barely 150 cm.
The young lady of the Duke’s family, who had never been outside and was completely clueless about the world.
Eliaernes Eustetia.
Of course, she had anticipated such questions and thought of various responses.
However, none of them would satisfy her mother.
It felt like her mother was trying to draw something out of her.
…For now, she needed to give the answer her mother wanted.
“How can I prove it to you?”
Her mother smiled.
“How about we discuss that after breakfast? You must be hungry after all that exercise this morning.”
“…Alright.”
*
“What’s this?”
After finishing breakfast, I received a paper from my mother, who was smiling more brightly than the scent of black tea, and I felt dazed.
“A way for our Ellie to go to the Demon Realm safely and return unharmed.”
“This?”
“Exactly.”
Confident that it would be of some help, I stared down at the paper once more.
At the top, in large letters, it said Karela Academy.
“…Are you saying I should go to the academy…?”
“Yes.”
“Go to the academy, with those little kids… I mean, students?”
“Exactly.”
“Why?”
“First of all, there’s no martial artist in the Eustetia family who can help Ellie. But I’ve heard there are professors at Karela Academy who can assist Ellie unlike our family. You’ll surely receive a lot of help there,” she replied.
That’s indeed correct…
Because I need to learn about martial arts now.
Of course, Arisa’s image still lingered vividly in my mind. Nonetheless, I had no idea how she used those techniques or the principles behind her actions.
So, I would need to learn the basics.
But given my mother’s expression, it didn’t seem like that was the only reason.
“…What’s the real reason?”
“Because Ellie is weak.”
“Huh?”
My mouth dropped open at my mother’s blunt statement as if there was nobody to listen anymore.
“I’m really strong.”
“Not in my eyes.”
“I beat Yurasia.”
“Does Ellie think Yurasia looks strong?”
“Well, that’s… not really.”
“Exactly?”
My mouth had dropped open again. Then, my mother slid a candy into it.
“Of course, I know Ellie has amazing talent and is stronger than her peers. But I also understand she is lacking for going to the Demon Realm.”
Chuckles — My mother simply laughed.
“Even if Ellie doesn’t see it that way, I think so. Did that hurt your feelings?”
“A little.”
“Oh no… but can’t you view it as something said out of care for our Ellie? The concern is genuine too.”
“Alright.”
“Thanks for understanding.”
Phew— letting out a deep sigh, I sucked on the candy, gazing once again at the paper.
Karela Academy.
An educational institution through which the Empire cultivates countless talents, including knights, adventurers, and Demon Realm expedition teams.
Ignoring the unnecessary glorification of the academy’s reputation, I checked the list of alumni under it.
Several families that were already quite renowned even 400 years ago appeared.
There were even some families thought to be extinct.
Below that, I saw the faculty listing.
From the headmaster of the Magic Tower to the head of the royal knight order, the royal mage, and various well-known individuals.
I recognized many names having familiar family names.
Students can enroll from the age of 17.
Entrance exams consist of practical and written tests.
The practical test changes every year and cannot be specified while the written test evaluates everything from Imperial history to various subjects and the ecology of demon races.
Although it states the required duration to graduate is three years, it also mentions that students with low grades or insufficient achievements may repeat classes, so the duration cannot be guaranteed.
If I go to the academy, two years, or rather just over a year remain.
I’m not worried about the tests or anything.
Rolling the candy around in my mouth, I looked at my mother.
Honestly, I could just leave home without permission.
I could inform my parents about my safety and whereabouts through letters.
Though it would make me a terrible daughter to my mother and father, is there anything I can do? They might refuse to allow me to go.
Yet, the reason I sought permission this time was.
Well, I mean…
It’s my parents after all.
Regardless of being the reincarnation of Ronan, they are still undeniably my parents, Eliaernes’s.
With no ulterior motive, just pure love for me as their child… Ugh, how cringy.
In any case, that’s the situation.
I now had parents unlike in my previous life, and I didn’t want to remain a terrible daughter to them.
“Will you let me go to the Demon Realm after graduating from the academy?”
“To be honest, I was going to make top graduation a condition, but if I did that, our daughter would probably leave home in a huff, so I couldn’t say that.”
Seeing that my mother seemed to read my mind perfectly, she nodded willingly.
“Once Ellie graduates from the academy, we will fully support whatever our daughter chooses to do, of course, without any illegal actions.”
“What if I want to lead a knight order to the Demon Realm?”
“That’s no problem either.”
“What if I asked to send the Nameless ones?”
“Actually, that might be even better than sending a knight order. If Eustetia Knight Order heads to the Demon Realm, there will be no one left to protect our family.”
“Even the Nameless Captain?”
“Definitely.”
In that brief moment, it felt like my mother’s breath stammered.
I guess being a captain is tough.
Even the Emperor was said not to know the true identity of that individual.
Well, anyway.
“I got it. I’ll go to the academy.”
Let’s do this.
After all, I graduate at 20.
The age I had planned to leave for the Demon Realm was also 20.
So, timing-wise, there shouldn’t be problems.
Though spending three years with those little kids sounds like a pain, I must surely gain something valuable from it.
But.
“Can I go with Yurasia? I won’t ask for tuition. Just leaving a word with the Knight Order would be enough. I’ll also ask Yurasia about this.”
Yurasia is coming along too.
“Paying for tuition isn’t an issue, but why that girl?”
“Because I haven’t made an appearance in society or attended any parties. I’m a bit worried about not having friends.”
That’s a lie.
The real reason for wanting Yurasia to accompany me is so that her fighting style doesn’t stagnate during my absence.
Before she becomes completely accustomed to Eustetia’s swordsmanship, I want to teach her all the techniques I had used in my previous life.
Even though I’d be laying down the sword, Yurasia would not.
So, if we were to go to the Demon Realm together later, I’d want her to take my position.
And also, I somewhat want to leave some remnants of…
Not that idiotic martial artist Ronan, but the legacy of Ronan Luzarack.
Of course, this can only happen if Yurasia agrees to it.
“Hmm… Hehe, alright. Is it okay if I tell Dad what we talked about today?”
“Yes. I should tell him anyway. Then, I’m going to find Yurasia.”
“Okay. Don’t go too overboard, and always be careful.”
“Yes.”
While I was at it, I also needed to wrap up some training.
“And don’t harass Yurasia too much, huh?”
“Eh? Why would I bully Yurasia?”
I treat her so well.
*
“Wah, waah… Am I going to get fired? Am I… going to get fired from the Knight Order? Am I really going to become a personal servant for the young lady? I’m so sorry, I’ll do much better, please forgive me just this once? Huh? Wahh!”
“No, you are getting fired, but that’s still a year away—”
“Only a year left!! Waaaah!”
“No, for crying out loud! Can you listen when someone is talking?”
“Hic! My lady cursed at me… Waaaah!”