Chapter 35- A Wise Summer Vacation (2)

After Ishiel has done saying what she wanted, she immediately left the cafeteria. Seeing this, Celeste, who was sitting across Clayo, only chuckled as she witnessed them falling out with each other.

“Oh, dear. Our Ishiel is always serious about everything.” Celestes said.

“Because that’s Ishiel,” Clayo answered.

“What? Are you covering for her?”

“I don’t, and it’s just the simple truth.”

“Haha. You’re unfriendly. Try to enrich your life sometimes. She’s gorgeous and seems to be obsessed with you, so it should be fine if you get to know her, right? Anyway, I’ve heard your aspirations. And I can’t believe that you like vacation spots so much… In that case, I’ll give you an invitation in return for giving me such enjoyable entertainment. My mother has a hotel on the beach in Novantes that we could go to.” Celeste said.

“I don’t know that place.”

“Where have you been living all your life? In the closet?” Celeste laughed like a gay before she explained, “While I don’t know the best beach in Albion, I do know that the beach in Novantes is a decent holiday spot. So, do try to visit there soon. After all, vacation is upon us. My mother’s hotel there is a white one. It is built on a white chalk cliff there and has a good reputation amongst the visitors. I’m sure it won’t disappoint you.”

At this point, a narrative phrase from the manuscript flashed before Jeongjin’s mind. Celeste’s mother, Catarina Tangpet de Nege, was the country’s number one hotel manager. And during the war, Catarina’s name would resound among the masses when she offered her hotel as a field hospital.

But before that day, she was famed for her state-of-the-art services and interior designs, which you could only see it at The De Nege Hotel.

Perceiving Clayo’s interest in her proposal, Celeste further enticed him using the momentum of their conversation.

“It was originally my grandmother’s villa, but she remodeled it as a hotel at the time I was born. There are also a lot of vintage wines that preserved at my grandmother’s former villa’s cellar. So, I’m sure that if you come, I’ll be able to offer you champagne every day.”

“Cele, I want to go too!”

“Me too! But I like Lime Sherbet, not champagne.” Lippi said.

“Mine is lemonade!” Leticia seconded.

“You two, my cute Angelium ladies, are always welcome. Clayo, I’ll send you an invitation soon. Be sure we’ll see each other at the Novantes! ”

Soon after, Celeste left the cafeteria with the twins. Clayo, who was finally left alone with his meal, felt strained as if only ruins remained after the storm came to visit and decided on one thing:

When I get away from my father, I should avoid Novantes.

***

The first semester’s classes were finally over. And the long-awaited final exam’s results were finally out.

Clayo managed to complete the mandatory Basics of Swordsmanship course with much hardship. He ran 1000 meters with all his might during the exam and finished it within 4 minutes and 59 seconds and got a perfect score. Thus, he gained a total of 50 points from this course.

In History, he memorized the entire list of supplementary textbooks with the help of Behemoth’s front paw beatings and managed to get 92 points, almost reaching a full 100 points.

Unfortunately, though Clayo was determined to get a higher score, he didn’t know the name of the former king. Thus, his grade fell slightly due to the short-sightedness of the cat.

While in the Classic subject, he got 85 points. Of course, this was also thanks to the cat’s paw beatings cramming hell he went through.

And for the basics of magic, he got a magnificent 100 points there.

Luckily, the dean did not include the student’s attendance in their grading system. As such, although Clayo didn’t attend his classes in the early days, Jevedi gave him a perfect score.

Overall, the accumulated score he got was 327 points. Thus, Clayo’s standing has elevated to ninth place out of everyone in the class. Interestingly, although it was Professor Rosa who was known to be generous with her grading score, it was Professor Jevedi, her antithesis, that gave Clayo a higher rating between the two.

Done looking at his grade, he looked at the other student’s ranking that posted on the bulletin board. At the top of the list was Ishiel Kishion. Once again, she was the top-scorer with a total score of 397 points.

Every day she either studies or trains with her swords. It’s ok for you to relax a bit and enjoy your life, kid.

But, at the same time, he felt sorry for himself. After all, at Ishiel’s age, she had already known her life’s goals and mission, unlike him, who only bumbled around confusedly when he was around her age.

Yeah, maybe Ishiel was right, but that path would only lead to me having to give my loyalty to Arthur, the main character of this novel. I just can’t do that. He is the protagonist of this novella, so he should accomplish his role while I set the pace of my own life.

So, although his conscience has slightly burdened because he had to bruise a child’s sincere feelings and broke her heart, what else could he do? After all, he had already planned to leave school. And as a consequence of his choice, they wouldn’t be able to see each other again. So, cutting off their connection with each other was kinder to her than doing anything else.

***

Clayo was humming to himself as he sent a telegram to his father’s secretary’s office in Colpos from the school’s post office.

[9th place overall. Requesting the release of the withdrawal suspension of my account. Fulfill your promise.]

Did you see my result, Father? Now give me my money back!

Since he made it to the top 10, his enlistment naturally was withdrawn. Now, all he had to do was wait for the withdrawal suspension on his account to be lifted and removed the full amount and ran away.

Planning up to that, a satisfied smile spread across Clayo’s face as he imagined the bright future beckoning to him.

***

His father’s reaction was swift. In the afternoon the next day, after the vacation ceremony finished, somebody came to look for Clayo.