The First Letter (31)

Words are strong, but they arent as powerful as Vision.

Even if you were to hear an explanation hundreds of words long, it would still be easier for you to understand a concept if you see it for yourself. Thats the power of sight.

Hearing, smell, touch, taste. Although all of them were senses, no sense was as overpowering as sight. Some scholars have even argued that some of the human senses even depend on vision.

Thus, a heavy silence descended upon the knights training ground.

As in front of them, a vivid visual material was being enacted above all else.

The visual materials name was Thean. Due to his messy, bruised lips, he struggled to speak.

You better be careful. That bastard is completely insane .

He trudged and approached the three women who were making fun of Seria. The closer he got, the paler the womens faces became.

Without even asking, they hastily began to come up with excuses.

Wh-Wh-Who said what?

Yes, we didnt say anything, we were just talking about an acquaintance!

However, their excuses didnt last long. It was because Thean, who stood in front of them, uttered a single word in a voice mixed with sighs.

I said that as well.

Theans index finger pointed towards his own face. Thean, who was about to tap his wound, frowned and stopped. Even doing that much seemed to be too painful.

Cold sweat formed on the foreheads of the three women who were mocking Seria. It was a warning.

A horrifying warning that the next ones might be them.

Thean looked at the girls whose faces were dyed white, and scoffed.

Do you think it was just me whos in this condition?

He beckoned the girls to look behind him. There, the gang, who were usually with Thean, entered to attend the lecture.

What they had in common was that they were limping or had bruises on their faces. Anyway, they for sure seemed to be in a terrible condition. At least it was certain that it wasnt an accidental injury.

Having their face riddled with so many wounds must have taken a toll on their pride. It was obvious, after all, no one would want to spread evidence of their defeat to outsiders like that.

Nevertheless, they forced themselves to come to this place.

That fact meant one thing. It meant that it was more to appease someones wrath than having their own ones self-esteem hurt.

Werent they the prideful Theans gang? The students had no choice but to maintain this icy silence.

They got chills down their spines. While mocking Seria, the tragedy they were worried the most had materialized and stood right in front of them.

One of the girls mocking Seria gulped and asked in a trembling tone.

M-Maybe Did you get beaten one by one?

No

His voice trembled in fear as he couldnt even dare to finish his sentence. It was because Thean declared that with a grim face.

The womens faces had already turned pale a long time ago, and now even their eyes trembled violently in fear.

They were swordsmen as well. They were as accustomed to being beaten as they were to knocking someone down, but the reason they were so afraid was that the memory of that day was still vivid and fresh in their minds.

The so-called Yurdinas Beating Incident.

They still remember that one-sided and brutal spurt of violence very well. What if it was them who were standing there?

Just thinking about it made their hair stand on their ends. Even Theans gang couldnt endure it either.

Thean tapped the shoulder of the woman closest to him, as if to comfort her. He then said in a low voice.

Quietly, but just so that anyone who was overhearing the conversation could hear.

We charged at him like a horde, but we were beaten nonetheless. Didnt I already mention? That bastard is insane Be careful, you guys.

Meanwhile, Thean glanced at Seria before turning his gaze away once more, who still seemed to be confused.

Next, I think it will be you.

Hiik, and the women hiccuped and looked at Seria in fear. They looked like they were pleading for something while not knowing how to beg for it.

In an instant, their positions were reversed. With Theans appearance, the gazes of ridicule and criticism toward Seria were immediately dyed in the shade of fear.

Those who had taken part in tormenting Seria, either directly or not, glanced at Serias eyes. Of course, it was the same with Theans gang.

After all, they were a textbook example of what would happen if they were to touch Seria.

Unable to bear it, one of Theans gang shouted.

What you looking at, you bastards! Didnt you see enough?!

At that moment, the students withdrew their gazes. Abeast, whose pride was hurt should never be touched. Common sense dictated that.

Thean heaved a sigh, as if his arduous work was done, and trudged away. The sound of his footsteps continued until he was in front of Seria.

Thean had a slightly dissatisfied expression on his face, but he immediately bowed his head. It was a sign of apology.

I apologize for everything Ive done so far. I wont mess with you in the future.

Why?

Seria asked in a daze. Thean face twitched.

How can you change your attitude so quickly? And even if you did, why did you come out like this.. .

You seem to be mistaken.

Thean whispered. It was the exact opposite attitude they had just shown when he opened his mouth so that everyone could hear.

It meant that it was a secret conversation meant only for Seria. Seria, curious about his intention, kept her mouth shut.

Its not because of you or Ian. If the rumors spread that we were defeated this badly, only we would get fucked right? We would be morons who got their ass whooped after running into a fucker from the intermediate ranks.

However, when defeat is so overwhelming, the story becomes different.

When the people who were unaware of the gravity of the situation heard it, they immediately realized what had transpired after watching Theans gang.

How brutally they were subjected to violence.

Then, the publics attention will be directed to Ian, the being who purposely smashed them after defeating them.

He was a person who defeated Thean and his gang, who were certified high above him as far as their skills were concerned. Of course, as he didnt show up today, it seems that he too was seriously injured, but this only highlighted his wrath and cruelty even more.

Then the situation would turn in Theans favor since the public opinion would be that He was beaten by someone worthy.

And in the process, of course, the Thean gang, who used to be the perpetrators, would inevitably turn into victims. In other words, Thean had simply chosen the best option.

After all, he is cunning. If he had been stupid, there was no way he could still pretend to be a gangster in the academy which was full of talented people.

To be honest, I still dont like you. You are rude, and above all, youre stronger than me and have a better background Its really annoying.

However, after saying that, he straightened his bent back. He tapped Serias shoulder with his elbow and patted it.

The traditional greeting gesture of the Southern Kingdoms which meant that they acknowledged you.

However, having good comrades is also a skill. I admit that this time, I lost.

Then he waved his hand and turned around as if his business was over. Seria was still frozen as her gaze still followed his distancing back in a daze.

Thean then glanced back as if he had forgotten. He left Seria after one last request.

And regarding today, please tell Ian this.

The gang following behind Thean had dissatisfaction painted on their faces, and yet they were still following him. It must have been because he was a trusted leader.

He might be a surprisingly smart person, Seria thought.

A mad hound is scary when its your enemy, but its reassuring when its a friend.

After those words, Professor Derek arrived, and the lecture began.

The lecture that day was conducted in a tensed atmosphere from the start to the end, to the point that even Professor Derek was bewildered.

And since then, ridicule and harassment towards Seria disappeared.

On the contrary, some of them who had ridiculed her outright, even embarrassedly, approached Seria to offer their apologies. Seria had been tormented by these requests for days to the point it became ridiculous.

Seria thought so.

As long as Senior Ian is there, everything can be solved..

Yes, everything.

As long as Senior Ian is there.

As she recounted that, her sapphire eyes sank deeply.

****

In the intensive care unit of the temple, I was being scolded by a beautiful girl with silver hair.

She, with her bright pink eyes, is a personage holding a noble status as the Saintess of the Holy Kingdom.

If we had met outside the academy, she would be a high-ranking person whom I wasnt even worthy to make eye contact with. So I couldnt raise my head the entire time I was being scolded.

I occasionally glanced at her bountiful bosom. It was inevitable, as its a basic instinct of a man.

The rebuke of the Saintess continued even so. It might have been because she didnt notice such a gaze or she might not have paid it any heed since it was too familiar.

How could you go to the intensive care unit three times in two weeks? Ian Oppa, do you have the hobby of abusing your body?

Saintess has always been gentle and benevolent, but today she seems to be furious.

Her words were quite sharp. It seemed like my heart was being stabbed. I then raised a timid objection.

No, La Lady? I didnt do that on purpose.

If it wasnt on purpose, then the rumor that Ian Oppa used violence against the eight people who visited the temple today must have been false, right?

I kept my mouth shut. Wait, how did the rumors spread like that all of a sudden?

There was no way that rumors would spread throughout the academy in a single day like that unless someone intentionally spread it. I couldnt figure out who the hell it was, but because of that, my insignificant excuses had no choice but to end on the spot.

The Saintess stared at me with those cold pink eyes for a moment, then heaved a sigh as if she had no choice.

Ian Oppa, cherish your body more. Just because you can get it healed doesnt mean you can mess it up. Unfortunately, most people who treat their lives so carelessly go to Gods embrace just like that.

Yes, I will make sure to remember it.

I was afraid that the Saintess would continue to admonish me, so I answered that way. The Saintess noticed my lack of sincerity, but kept her mouth shut, judging that it would only be a waste of breath if she said more.

After a moments silence, as if contemplating, she gently glanced at me.

I have heard that there is a hint of displeasure in Count Rinella.

Upon hearing that, I let out a sigh as if I knew it would happen. My hand was placed on my chin and on my forehead.

Damn it, I thought.

If you think about it, it was a very reckless thing to do. A person who was only the second son hailing from a countryside Viscountcy, attacked a gang which included high-ranking aristocrats.

They were also opponents I couldnt defeat with my skills. At that time, I had no idea why I got so angry.

But then I had a faint conviction. An unfounded conviction that I will never be defeated by the likes of them.

Guilt towards Seria must have played a part since I was also indirectly responsible for the harassment towards her.

Nevertheless, there were some points in my recent behavior that I couldnt understand. It all happened after I lost my memory.

Of course, I had a plan too.

No matter how powerful Count Rinella was, it could not be compared to the Yurdina family. Seria was a family member who received the surname of Yurdina. Even though she wasnt the eldest daughter, there was no way Rinella would want an open conflict with her.

Thats why they must have said that there was a hint of displeasure, it was because they couldnt express it explicitly. Its just that how could the second son of a countryside Viscount, not even Seria, dare to mess with their children?

It didnt seem like they were going to take any action. No matter how different the prestige of our families was, I was still a member of the nobility. They didnt want to outright protest against an event of violence that happened within the academy.

Rather, the rumors spreading about the countryside Viscounts second son would hurt his reputation. Although Count Rinella prestige was high, they werent such a powerful family that could single-handedly crush a noble family.

If it was the Yurdina family, it could be said that they had that level of prestige and influence. They were one of the top five Aristocratic Households of the Empire.

Nevertheless, it was true that the warnings of the Rinella family were concerning. Not for me, but because of my family.

I was afraid that Count Rinella might unknowingly exert pressure on my family. It would be an issue if they were to do so. I rely on my family for the academys expensive tuition, so it was difficult for me to not get concerned.

The Saintess glanced at my complicated expression. Then, pretended not to notice and said.

I explained Ian Oppas situation well.

?

My curious gaze turned to the Saintess.

She said I explained it well, but this was only putting a good word at most. A slightly more implicit meaning was as follows.

I sent someone capable, so they wont be able to use their means.

But why the hell? Upon noticing the suspicions lingering in my eyes, the Saintess heaved a sigh.

Heaven protects the righteous. Ive roughly heard about why Ian Oppa used violence once again.

As it was time to leave, the Saintess got up and winked at me. She had a charming smile.

There is also the favor of last time.

What do you mean by favor?

Hehehe, if you dont remember, thats fine.

I still had a bewildered expression on my face, but the Saintess answered mysteriously.

Just when she was about to leave the hospital room, she left a riddle as if she had just remembered.

Come to think of it, your complexion has improved a lot since then.

Then?

Yeah, fatigue was evident in your eyes back then. Im glad youre fine now Well then, Ill take my leave, Emmanuel.

Fatigue was evident in my eyes. I could roughly guess what was going on.

Again, during the time I lost my memories of, it seemed that I had done something. But what the hell did I do?

No matter how much I racked my brain, I couldnt find an answer. Its been a long time since the memories of that week were completely erased from my mind. However, since she said favor, I can only guess that it wasnt a bad thing for me.

My unanswered worries didnt last long. It was because, as soon as the Saintess had left, someone poked her head out.

Ian Oppa!

With a grin, I immediately guessed the identity of the visitor.

It was Celine. As usual, she waved her hand with a bright face and quickly approached me like a bullet.

I heard about Thean. Did you really smash those bastards? Uh-huh, since when were you the type of man to do such a cool thing?

What type of manly woman are yo Ugh!

Slam, Celines palm slammed into my shoulder. Since I was still wounded, I could only scream and writhe in pain.

Celines face turned pale in an instant. She then grunted.

You still cant read the mood. How could you reply so rudely in this situation?

It wasnt meant to be a joke.

Humph, Celine harrumphed like that and folded her arms. There was a blatant discontent in her eyes.

You ruined your whole body for that kind of woman. Is it that difficult for her to even say a word of gratitude?

Even if it were you, not Seria, I would have stepped forward as well.

As I continued to speak, I blurted those words out at the end of my speech. Celine turned her head away from me looking a bit sullen, but she glanced at me to see as if she was curious about the next part.

A groan came out of my mouth. I was hesitating.

Celine urged me in a slightly annoyed tone, frustrated to see me hesitating like that.

Wh-What did you say?!

Yes, I have to ask you.

In the end, I couldnt resist her prompt and opened my mouth. Celines brown eyes turned to me. I hesitated a little longer and asked.

Do you hate Seria?

Celine didnt respond for a while when she heard that.

She just kept looking at me. As if to gauge the intents of my question, I decided to ask a more explicit question.

The nasty rumors about Seria, I thought it might have been you who spread them.

Upon hearing that, Celines expression hardened. She slowly opened her arms.

Two piercing gazes collided in mid-air. My eyes sank deeply.

Celine didnt say anything for a while.