Eden Academy

Eden Academy, a premier school for the nobility in Ostania's capital, was renowned as a "cradle of elites" and for its "gentlemanly culture."

The school had a rich history and a strict educational system, and most of its students came from Ostania's upper-class families.

The school placed great importance on students' conduct and etiquette, emphasizing gentlemanly manners and aristocratic refinement. It assessed not only their academic performance but also their parents' character and family backgrounds.

Today, Karen, an assassin, arrived at this place the people of Ostania regarded as sacred.

"Mr. Karen, a pleasure to meet you. I am Henry Henderson, housemaster of the third house, Cecil-class three."

The speaker had long white hair, neatly combed, giving him an air of competence without diminishing his authority.

He wore a long, drooping mustache and always carried a cane, lending him something of an old-fashioned gentleman's bearing.

Dressed in Eden Academy's uniform, he still looked vigorous despite his advanced age.

This was the elegant old man in charge of the first assessment, most memorable for his line, "Elegant. Truly elegant."

Karen remembered him quite well. He was noble-born but kind, with a peculiar fixation on elegance.

Karen gave a proper gentleman's bow. "Housemaster, I'm Karen Nocturne, the new physical education teacher joining the school this year. I look forward to working with you."

"Mm." Henry was fairly satisfied with Karen's performance. His dress and conduct were both gentlemanly. It was this amiable-looking young man's identity that worried him...

They actually hired an assassin to protect the school. What were the headmaster and the others thinking? Can he really teach the children properly?

Henry certainly did not want his future students fighting and killing.

But everything remained uncertain for now. First, he needed to assign duties for the assessment.

"Now, I'll assign the duties for the interview examination in two days..."

Karen sat at the end of a row of teachers. He rather wanted to pick his nose, but with the elegant old man still speaking up front, he restrained himself.

"Mr. Karen, your task will be to guide the students and their parents downstairs along the designated route. Can you do that?"

"No problem. I'll take care of it," Karen said rather languidly.

"Good. That concludes the assignments!" Henry tapped his cane lightly against the floor. The other teachers rose at the sound, and Karen's lightning-fast reactions allowed him to stand in time as well.

"Elegance creates tradition. Only elegance can make this world a paradise. Everyone, let us strive to make Eden even more elegant!"

"Yes!" everyone shouted in unison.

After the meeting ended, Karen wandered among Eden Academy's buildings.

As an assassin, he needed to memorize every building and road on the grounds.

The place was larger than he had imagined. Stone-paved paths wound and intersected, with towering buildings standing on either side. He had already walked for over an hour and had covered only a third of the grounds.

A breeze rustled through the treetops. Karen took a sip of water and was about to continue when he suddenly went on alert, his sharp gaze fixing on a corner diagonally behind him.

"The school is quite large, isn't it?" Henry approached with his cane, his footsteps light, as though he feared disturbing the campus's tranquility.

"Housemaster." Karen placed his right hand over his chest and bowed slightly, copying a gesture he had learned from the other teachers that morning.

"It certainly is. Beautiful scenery and a rich cultural atmosphere-just what you'd expect from a premier academy." Karen looked toward a distant pool, where the gently flowing water lent a touch of life to the quiet campus.

"Mm..." Henry fell silent for a moment, then pointed to a nearby pavilion surrounded by flowers, their petals swaying gently in the breeze. "Let's sit over there and have a chat."

"All right." Karen had a suspicion of his own. The elegant old man probably wanted to discuss his identity.

Once they were seated, Henry looked at Karen gravely, even the wrinkles on his face seeming to tighten. "Mr. Karen, I'll be frank. I want to know why a world-class assassin like you chose to become a teacher at our school!"

"I want your honest answer!" Henry's voice was low, but carried an unquestionable authority.

Though Karen knew the other man could never surpass him in combat, he sensed a faint trace of killing intent.

A man willing to disregard his own life when facing someone far stronger than himself was a teacher worthy of respect.

Karen smiled, hooked his feet over the table in the middle of the pavilion, tossed his jacket casually onto a chair, and leaned back slightly.

His actions made Henry frown, but he said nothing.

The children's safety mattered more than elegance.

"Housemaster, did you know? I'm actually from Westalis. Given your standing and age, you must remember the East-West War that broke out twenty years ago."

Henry had no interest in which country Karen came from, but his words stirred old memories.

The East-West War... it held memories he did not wish to face.

He had been forced apart from the person he loved. Though they were still in contact, they could never return to what they once had.

"Then I'll go on. I was born in a little village no one had heard of. The scenery was beautiful, and the people were simple and honest. I thought I would live there my whole life...

"But a single gunshot destroyed everything I had." Karen's voice was low and hoarse.

"You have my deepest sympathy for what you endured," Henry said.

"So many people lost their homes in that war. I was merely one insignificant person among them."

Karen drained the water in his bottle, let out a heavy breath, and sank into his memories.

"War brings nothing but suffering. It robs countless children of their homes and their hope. That's why I want to plant the seeds of peace in the hearts of these future leaders and do my part to help peace arrive."

That was what Karen truly believed. If he spread the ideals of peace at Eden Academy and made these future influential figures willing to embrace it, then perhaps the war could end.

Henry froze, staring straight at Karen with astonishment in his eyes. He had never imagined that Karen had come to Eden Academy with such a lofty ideal.

"Elegant. Truly elegant!" Henry rose excitedly and struck his cane hard against the ground. "Karen, I understand your desire for peace now."

Henry took out a handkerchief and wiped away a couple of tears of emotion. His gaze toward Karen was full of admiration and respect.

"Mr. Karen, go make your preparations. I'll see you in two days." His voice was much gentler than before. "If you have any questions over the next two days, you may come to me at any time."

"Ah, all right."

Karen stood and gave another gentleman's bow.

Watching Henry walk away, he knew he had taken a firm first step at this school.

"Peace, huh? It's been over twenty years since I crossed into this world. Can something like that... really be achieved in these two countries?"