The Villainess' Son is Innocent - Chapter 27
Chapter 14.1
“What are these?”
It was a four-year itinerary outlining the curriculum I wanted to learn. I had Elena’s help in creating a monthly outline detailing what subjects I would focus on.
“Then there’s not much I can do if you wish for this desperately.”
Dad raised his hands.
“You may go.”
Before I knew it, I was leaping out of my seat and rushing to give my dad a hug.
“I’ll do my best not to disappoint you.”
“You could never disappoint me, no matter what it is you do. So feel free to do as you please.”
With this, I wouldn’t have to save up money and run away. I was relieved since I wanted to avoid that plan at all costs, considering there was a chance I could get caught.
After obtaining their permission, word quickly spread that I was enrolling in the academy.
“You’re going to Croscentine?”
Marquis Raymon was absent today, but I could relax in the library whenever I wanted, thanks to the marquis’ permission. Unfortunately, my small peace was disrupted by Hildred, who had come all the way to the library.
“And when are you coming back?”
“In four years.”
“That’s quite a long time.”
It’s just four years, but if Emil happens to return to the capital before that, I plan to adjust my graduation date accordingly.
With one reincarnation and one regression experience under my belt, I had long since completed the academic curriculum on my own.
“But, do you really have to go? Whether you learn at the academy or here, there shouldn’t be much of a difference.”
“Well, the difference lies in the people you learn with.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Here, everyone knows me, and there, everyone’s a stranger. That’s the difference.”
I was unwittingly gaining a reputation for being odd and eccentric due to publicly asserting such words.
Since I couldn’t reveal that I was going there to cure Emil’s madness, it was better this way.
And so, the opening window for enrollment was rapidly approaching.
* * *
“Vel, did you double-check to see if you have everything?”
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
“Elena, should something happen, be sure to inform us immediately. And if Vel requires anything, be it items or money, contact us at once.”
“Yes, understood, madam.”
Following the New Year, I visited Centium, the capital of Croscentine, to take the academy’s entrance exam.
The exam wasn’t very difficult.
And as I expected, a letter of admission, emanating a luxurious and woodsy fragrance, awaited me as the New Year came to an end. I had already prepared to leave Castone.
“I’ll be back, so don’t worry too much, I’ll be fine. I’ll send you a letter as soon as I arrive.”
With a calm demeanor, I bid farewell to my mom before hugging my dad.
“If things get too tough, you’re welcome home anytime.”
“Yes, I know.”
However, Dad held onto me, reluctant to release his embrace.
“D-Daddy…”
It took a while, but I finally managed to break free from his arms.
“Vel, you must get going. Mommy will take care of Daddy.”
As I was about to board the carriage, my steps faltered.
‘What if something happens while I’m gone?’
Could I turn back time again? That thought suddenly crossed my mind.
Mom experienced twelve deaths and regressions. So, did that mean I could also turn back time until I escaped from my death?
‘What caused me to go back in time, anyway?’
Pausing for a moment, I kept looking back, and the distance between me and the carriage shortened.
“I’ll be back. Take care and stay healthy.”
My parents stood there for a long time as the departing carriage moved away.
“Even though His Lordship always seems cold and blunt, he becomes extremely vulnerable when it comes to you and the madam. I only realized it today… Was I too thoughtless with my words?”
“No, it’s fine.”
Why did I go back in time? As I became aware of what I had overlooked, my mind grew complicated.
* * *
Within the capital, there are “veils” set up for transportation to distant regions within the country and to other nations.
These veils were like tangible manifestations of the Northern Lights, only on the ground. Made up of clusters of translucent mana waves, they connected two sides by linking the same wavelengths of mana, allowing people to travel back and forth.
I had used them frequently, so there was nothing special about them for me. Elena, however, seemed very tense as we approached one.
“Do we just pass through there? Without getting off the carriage, just like that?”
“Yes, and we need to travel back through the other side to reach Rilford Academy.”
The coachman signaled that we were about to pass through the veil.
As soon as we did, a foreign breeze greeted us—a refreshing scent of early spring. Compared to Castone, Croscentine boasted a slightly warmer climate, so I shed one layer of my outerwear.
“My lady, the air feels different!”
The jolting carriage continued for a while longer.
After about an hour, boredom began to set in, but then the wheels finally came to a stop.
“We’ve arrived.”
The escort who opened the door extended his arm, and as I stepped out, holding the skirt of my dress, I was welcomed by Rilford Academy, a place I had seen once before.
I still wasn’t sure what I would gain here and what I would learn.
But at least, it would be more rewarding than merely reading books and lounging around.
* * *
“Anything special happen?”
The café, where I briefly met with Hildred before, had flourished considerably in the span of two years.
I wondered if the owner recognized me after such a long time and served me personally. The high-quality tea leaves, typically reserved for the upper nobility, were no different from what I was currently sipping. A delightful aroma danced on the tip of my tongue.
“And by this ‘anything special,’ you mean something related to Emil Calixt?”
“Well, yes.”
“Then no. So just drink your tea, why don’t you?”
“You’re acting a bit cold considering it’s been a while, Hil.”
Setting down my teacup, I tucked my long hair behind my ears.
When I was around twelve, the length that used to be slightly uncomfortable, extending just past my shoulders, had now grown to reach around my shoulder blades. Considering I only cut it once during that time, it had grown quite fast.
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