My Past Life is Riddled With Many Sins - Chapter 24
“What? Our Regina is back?”
Henry rushed out from the kitchen with a frying pan in hand.
“Yes, I’m back.”
“Did you make it back okay? You’re not hurt or anything, are you?”
Just like a couple, their questions were identical. Regina chuckled and repeated her earlier answer. Then, she pulled something out of her bag and handed it to Melissa.
“What’s this?”
“Take a look.”
With a puzzled expression, Melissa examined the paper then her eyes widening in shock.
“My goodness!”
“What is it, Melissa? What does it say?”
“Certificate of passing. Regina Heather. This certifies that the aforementioned name has passed the Imperial Academy’s entrance examination for the year 1307.”
Melissa read aloud what was written on the certificate for her illiterate husband which brought a joyous look to Henry’s face.
“My God! Our Regina did it!”
Tossing aside the frying pan, Henry hugged his daughter. Regina was not thrilled.
“I haven’t showered. I might smell.”
“What smell! Hey, everyone, did you hear? My daughter passed the Imperial Academy entrance exam!”
“Isn’t that the test where you have to be really smart to pass? A genius daughter from an uneducated father, Henry, you’ve really made it!”
“Congratulations! To Henry, Melissa, and our village’s pride, Regina!”
“A cause for celebration! In that spirit, Henry, pour everyone a drink!”
In the small village where everyone knew each other, cheers and congratulations came from all around.
“Alright then. Drinks on the house for tonight! But make it quick and leave, we’re closing up to celebrate at home.”
With Henry’s declaration, the tavern erupted in joy. Melissa, initially wanting to scold her husband for the extravagance amidst their poor circumstances, couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Watching her parents overwhelmed with happiness like they had the whole world, Regina thought to herself.
‘I guess I have no choice but to enroll, even if it means risking getting involved with Skyler.’
Because she wanted to see them smile more.
* * *
Time swiftly passed, and soon it was the day for Regina to depart for the academy.
“Did you pack everything? Check again in case you missed something.”
“I checked last night.”
“Just to be sure.”
Though slightly annoyed by Melissa’s nagging, Regina knew she’d miss even this when she left. She weakly responded and went through her luggage again.
“The tuition, dormitory fees, meal plans, and other expenses… What was it called, student loans? You said we could pay it back after graduation, right? You made sure?”
“Student loan is to be paid after getting a job, Father. I’ve applied for it, so don’t worry.”
Regina repeated the explanation she had given almost a hundred times over the last couple of months. Only then did Henry seem to relax, evidently anxious about his daughter being expelled from the academy due to financial issues.
“I might not be able to come home despite the short breaks between. The journey from the capital here and back takes over four months, and the breaks are only about three months. But I’ll send letters.”
“Don’t stress about sending letters as it’s going to cost you. You’ll need every penny.”
At Melissa’s remark, Regina tilted her head to the side.
“And then you’ll cry about missing me if I don’t send any?”
“What! As if Mom is a child? Will I cry! You’re funny.”
Laughing at Melissa’s fuss, Regina tied her shoelaces and straightened up.
“Well, I’m off then.”
“Your health comes first, second, and third. Nothing else matters. Just come back to us healthy, understand?”
Melissa looked at her daughter earnestly, with Henry adding his concern.
“Your mom’s right. We don’t care about anything else as long as you come back safe and sound.”
“Got it. Sandra, Alec, listen to your parents while Sister is away, okay? Or you’ll face my wrath when I return.”
Threatened by Regina, the siblings nodded frantically in agreement.
“Oh, okay, Sister.”
“Got, got it, Sis.”
After patting her siblings’ hair, Regina left the house. She had declined her parents’ offer to carry her luggage to the village edge. A former swordmaster who could handle mana was surely more physically capable than her ordinary parents.
Indeed, the luggage wasn’t too heavy. Unlike her previous short trip for the exams, this time she was leaving to live away for years, while carrying various belongings, almost like a traveling merchant.
“That is…”
After camping out to take the shortest route, Regina was in a messier dirtier start than when she first left home. Then, she spotted a familiar place.
The first inn where she had stayed when she first went to take the entrance exam for the Imperial Academy. The place where she had encountered Friedrich’s reincarnation.
‘The innkeeper’s cooking is delicious, but….’
It’s better not to go.
In reality, the chance of running into him again there was almost zero, but still, a place he’s shown up even once is a danger zone. She must not surrender to her appetite.
Shaking her head vigorously, Regina resolutely passed by the inn. Thus, diligently pressing on towards her destination every day, she eventually arrived at the capital.
Without looking anywhere else, especially avoiding even glancing towards the square, Regina went straight to the inn she had stayed at before. The innkeepers warmly welcomed her back.
“Oh, what brings you back here!”
“I’m about to attend the academy’s entrance ceremony.”
“What? So, you passed the exam?”
“For now, yes?”
Regina found the couple’s reaction rather curious. Why did they think she would have failed?
In her days as Yekarna, whenever she set out to do something, everyone naturally assumed success rather than failure.
As if success was something entrusted to her, so naturally taken for granted.
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