Knight Academy

Tris Knight Academy was much larger than the Magic Academy, and unlike the latter, its students were not exclusively from noble families. Wealthy families from across the province could afford the academy's fees, and some impoverished families even invested generations of savings into a talented child, hoping to change their family's fate. Thus, the dormitory area here lacked the uniform style of the Magic Academy, instead being divided into distinct tiers.

After returning from Whispering Forest, Richard moved from a shared dormitory to a higher-grade single suite, living even better than Kelly. Beyond that, Richard also received finer clothes and armor sent by Mr. Merkel. All these costs were nothing compared to the profits the Bark Family had earned from their exclusive trade in Dwarf weapons.

Donald took only a small portion of his share, leaving most with Merkel. He knew the Bark Family's sudden expansion in the weapons trade would need capital turnover, and Merkel was deeply grateful for this thoughtful gesture.

Now, with several hundred heavy Gold Coins in his pocket, Donald led Richard and Kelly into the Knight Academy's upscale restaurant. The prices here were steep, affordable only to the academy's noble students, but compared to the lakeside restaurant Donald and Wesley had been frequenting lately in the Magic Academy, it seemed quite ordinary.

"Brother, this must be really expensive, right?" Richard whispered, sneaking a glance around.

"Don't worry. I helped Mr. Merkel close a deal and made a lot of money."

Kelly wasn't as tense as Richard. Her maternal family ran a sizable business in Dorn City, so she often had chances to visit places like this.

"We really should bring Father here for a meal," Richard said with a simple grin.

"Once you become a real knight, we'll take Father to the best restaurant in the city to celebrate," Donald said with a smile, encouraging his brother. In truth, he had already asked Mr. Merkel to send a hundred silver coins to his father under the guise of profits from the Thousand-Tempered Sword. On Lant Island, Gold Coins were rarely used, and Donald also feared that too large a sum might startle the old blacksmith.

When the food arrived and the waiter poured wine for the three, Kelly raised her glass first. "Then, let's wish Richard a swift promotion to knight!"

"And wish my brother success in becoming a magician!"

"Thanks, and may Kelly become a dashing Female Knight!"

The three youths from Lant Island raised their glasses together and drank in one gulp.

Afterward, the conversation turned to the Knight Academy's participation in Dorn City's Spring Festival activities. Richard mentioned the annual spring planting on Lant Island, and Kelly said the tavern would offer everyone a free drink that day. The blacksmith's two brothers had no memory of this.

"Kelly, are these your friends?" A youth dressed like a noble suddenly stepped up to greet them, apparently dining at a nearby table.

"Bertram?" Kelly was surprised to see him here, and there seemed to be a hint of worry as well. She stood up to introduce him to Donald: "This is Bertram, a fifth-year student at the academy. His mother was a close friend of my mother's in their youth. These are Donald and Richard. They're from Lant Island, just like me."

"Pleased to meet you! I first met Kelly when she was only five, with strange little braids, always following me around calling me 'big brother.' In the six months since she came to the Knight Academy, we've been together often. Kelly, since you have fellow townsmen here, you should have introduced us sooner. Let me help you entertain them."

"Bertram, are we really that close?" Kelly's face turned cold instantly. "Donald, Bertram and I are just ordinary friends. Don't misunderstand."

Richard was a bit puzzled. Why was Kelly upset? The other party seemed well-intentioned.

"I should be the one to thank you for always looking after Kelly," Donald said. He naturally understood what Kelly was worried about. Though he had never shown it, he knew how she felt about him.

The girl's face flushed instantly. A faint blush made her fair, delicate features even more captivating. This was the first time she had heard Donald express himself so clearly. "Is he saying I'm his?" Kelly stole a glance at Donald. The eyes that had haunted her dreams were looking back at her, and she shyly lowered her head. At that moment, she had completely forgotten her earlier worry.

Hearing Donald's words and seeing Kelly's reaction, Bertram finally understood why she had been deliberately avoiding him for the past six months.

"You're from the Lant Family?" It seemed Bertram knew the origin of Lant Island's name.

"No. My father is a blacksmith on the island."

"A blacksmith?" A look of disdain gradually crept onto Bertram's face.

"Donald is a student at the Magic Academy, and Richard is a student at the Knight Academy," Kelly added.

"Donald, could I have a word with you alone?"

"Bertram, what are you doing?"

"Kelly, it's fine." Donald signaled the girl to relax, then followed Bertram out of the restaurant.

Richard looked at Kelly in confusion. "What's going on?"

"I'm going to be your sister-in-law," Kelly replied, her face red, then glanced anxiously outside.

Richard looked astonished.

In a secluded spot outside the restaurant.

"My full name is Bertram Bunt. My father is Baron Ernest Bunt."

"My full name is Donald Wien. As for my father, I've already introduced him."

"My father's fief is Bunt Manor on the western outskirts of Dorn City. I'm his only son. I think you understand what I mean?"

"My father's smithy is on Lant Island. He has two sons, both of whom you've just seen. Still, I don't understand what you mean." Donald knew the other was trying to intimidate him with status, but he kept a smile and a calm tone.

"I don't know how a commoner pays the tuition at the Magic Academy, but you should also know that Tris Magic Academy hasn't produced a Formal Magician in decades. I'll definitely advance to Formal Knight within three years. What do you have to compete with me?"

"Does Kelly already know all this?"

"Of course she does!"

"Then why bother repeating it to me? Oh, right. Kelly hasn't even mentioned you to me. She must think it's unnecessary too. Well, if you have nothing else to say, I'll take my leave."

Bernlight glared at Donald's retreating back, his lowered hands clenched into fists.

Inside the restaurant, Kelly finally saw Donald return. Relieved that he was unharmed, she relaxed.

"Brother, Kelly said she's going to be my sister-in-law. Is that true?"

"Richard!" Kelly's ears burned with embarrassment. She hadn't expected that her playful tease to Richard would be repeated so quickly.

"Are you in a hurry for me to find you a sister-in-law?" Donald laughed, pushing Richard's head playfully. The latter just grinned sheepishly.

After this small interruption, the three continued their dinner. Kelly sat a little closer to Donald, occasionally rising to serve him food. Both tacitly avoided the earlier topic, but in the girl's heart, a sweetness she had never known was slowly melting.

Bernlight sat at a nearby table, watching the scene from the corner of his eye.

When he was eight, he had first met Kelly, who had come to Dorn City with her mother. From that moment, he had secretly developed feelings for the innocent, well-behaved girl. That vague affection hadn't faded when Kelly returned to Lant Island; instead, the distance made it stronger. Half a year ago, reuniting with Kelly, he found his childhood playmate had grown even more beautiful and moving. The unique purity and tranquility of the girl were something he had never seen in Dorn City. Bernlight fell deeply in love. He had already decided that even if his father objected, he would marry Kelly. But to his surprise, the obstacle wasn't his father—it was Kelly. No matter how he approached, showed kindness, or even confessed, the girl remained unmoved. Bernlight wasn't discouraged. He even thought it was only natural. Such a perfect girl wouldn't be easy to win. Her reserve was surely testing his sincerity.

But just as he was brimming with confidence, this situation had arisen. He had lost—lost to a commoner, a blacksmith's son. Now, sitting in the quiet restaurant, the girl of his dreams was seated beside another boy, even serving him food and pouring wine like a maid.

Bernlight was not one to accept defeat easily. He would prove through action that Kelly's current choice was wrong—that everything he possessed was something that commoner could never obtain in a lifetime of struggle, and that her beauty must never be defiled by the touch of a blacksmith's son born in poverty.

But now, what was unfolding before him had become unbearable to watch. Just as he rose to settle his bill and leave, he caught sight of several people entering through the door. The one leading them was the friend he had most diligently cultivated during his years at the Knight Academy.

"Roger! What a coincidence!" Bernlight's face had already shifted into a sincere smile.

"Bernlight, indeed a coincidence." The newcomers were Roger, Lucia, and Fiona.

"Oh, and Miss Fiona! Forgive my poor eyesight, and this is..."

"My cousin."

Roger showed no intention of introducing Lucia, and Bernlight immediately understood. Roger's father was the Celtic Duke, the empire's highest nobility. Though Bernlight had always worked hard to get close to him, even his cousin's name was not something he could casually inquire about. Still, running into Roger here seemed like a perfect opportunity.

"Roger! Would I have the honor of introducing a few friends to you?" Having been classmates with Roger for five years, Bernlight had long since learned his temperament—he likely wouldn't object to such a scene.

Roger glanced at Lucia, who gave him an indifferent look.

"Sure. But when I came in, it looked like you were alone. Where are these friends?"

Bernlight bowed and led Roger's group to Kelly's table, introducing her: "Kelly, this is Roger Celtic, eldest son of the Celtic Duke, the most outstanding senior at the Knight Academy!"

Bernlight did not see the expected shock or panic on Kelly's face. Not only hers—the blacksmith's two brothers were also smiling easily. Were these three people brain-damaged? Or had they failed to understand that a Grand Duke was a Duke, the empire's most exalted noble?

Bernlight steeled himself and continued: "Roger, this is my friend Kelly, and these two are..."

"Haha, Bernlight, no need for introductions. What a coincidence, Donald—you're here to see Richard and Kelly, right? It's been almost a month since the Whispering Forest, and I didn't expect to run into you here. I heard from Lucia that you've entered the Magic Academy. Congratulations!"

"Why didn't you call me when you came to the Knight Academy? Hmph! Since we've met, let's sit together. Richard, move over a bit." Seeing Kelly sitting beside Donald, Lucia pouted, pulled over a chair, and sat down on Donald's other side.

"You... you know each other?"

Fiona also sat down without ceremony, glancing at the flustered Bernlight. "Know each other? Donald saved our lives..." She possessed a noble's unique talent for making every word sound sarcastic, leaving you unable to discern her true feelings.

"Saved... your lives?"

"Haha, strictly speaking, that's true. Donald, order some wine—I haven't properly thanked you yet!" Unlike Fiona, Roger had a different noble talent: whenever he wished, he could make you feel like his best friend in no time.

"That was just me stumbling into it, and I caused everyone to worry about me all night. I should be the one thanking you."

Roger and his two companions indeed all sat down, ordered wine, added dishes, and dined together with Donald and the others.

Sitting off to the side, Bernlight was stunned speechless by the scene before him, his eyes vacant. In his eyes, the lowest commoner and the highest noble were actually friends. Donald, Richard, and Kelly showed no restraint around Roger. No—this must be because they didn't understand Roger's status. The Celtic Duke's fiefdom stretched across Tris Province and Pokona Province; even the lord of Dorn City would bow respectfully before him. How could Roger, the Duke's legal heir, possibly be friends with a blacksmith's son?

What shocked Bernlight even more was that Roger's cousin—that noble girl as beautiful as Kelly, who had just disdained to even give him her name—was now sitting beside that blacksmith's son, deliberately leaning in to whisper in his ear. Something was definitely off. Bernlight had decided he would not make a move until he understood Donald's background.

Donald was in a difficult position. He had just tacitly accepted Kelly's feelings, and now Lucia had suddenly inserted herself, showing him the same intimacy. He had tried his best to avoid it, but Lucia still leaned close to his ear to speak. Though her words were only about preparing for the Martial Magic Tournament and plans to return to the Magic Academy tomorrow—trivial topics—the posture itself was deeply awkward.

Lucia was doing it on purpose. Seeing Kelly and Donald sitting so close before she arrived, like a young couple, had irritated her. It felt like Kelly had cheated while she was away. Thinking of all the time she'd spent at the Magic Academy with no progress, while Kelly had achieved this much in just a few short holidays, she felt a strange sense of defeat. Now, she had to close that gap—without delay.

Roger and Fiona glanced at them but pretended not to notice.

Only Richard seemed to have suddenly caught on, secretly weighing which one would make a better sister-in-law. After much deliberation, he still preferred Kelly—he was a bit afraid of Lucia.

(I sincerely thank the friends who have silently supported this book. I've been trying to write faster lately. Starting from this chapter, each chapter will aim for at least three thousand words. The book is signed and will definitely be completed—this is a promise to you all, and to myself.)