Transmigrated Into A Tragic Romance Fantasy-Chapter 25: The Buried Encouragement

Upon enrolling into the Royal Academy, a vow is made at the freshman entrance ceremony.

One would swear to not use their status or privilege while inside the Academy.

Under the sacred mantle of education, all were equal. That was the unique environment of the Royal Academy.

A student would usually enroll at the age of 16 and graduate at 19.

In their 20s, they would utilize the knowledge and wisdom acquired at the Academy as they made their debut in the aristocratic society.

The academy, therefore, was also a place for gaining early experiences and learning about the world.

Groups would form containing people from different ranks, sometimes students from similar regions would interact more, while others would already seek partners or allies for their debut. This marked the start of social interactions inside the Academy, a game for creating their connections for the future.

It was a place where one would acquire knowledge and social skills.

In such an intense environment, there was always someone who wouldn’t fit in.

And that person was Ariel Elrond.

A Lady from a well-known aristocratic family, the daughter of a high-ranking Count. Someone who should have stood together with the highest-ranking students.

However, Ariel completely disregarded her studies or any need for connections during her stay at the Academy. Not even her parents’ pleading and encouragement for her to become a top graduate moved the young lady. Her sole interest had always been the Academy’s library.

And that was how she spent her next three years.

Naturally, she had no close friends, belonged to no community, and knew nothing about mingling with the upper class.

She was a student whose presence was ignored by all.

Someone who wasn’t interested in studying or socializing.

Yet, this person could always be found with a large smile on her face.

A student who, despite her maid’s concern about turning into something as desirable as a ‘dwarf carrying a load of dung’, felt the happiest when she stuffed her bag - that was almost as big as herself - with novels instead of textbooks.

For Ariel Elrond, being a loner during her Academy days was inevitable.

With her poor academic performance, achieving something that was thought to be an unattainable dream.

Being the youngest of three brothers and three sisters, she had no official duties, allowing her some freedom from her parent’s eyes.

Thus, she read every single novel contained inside the Academy’s library, and on her vacation on free days, she would seek out new books from nearby territories or libraries.

The Royal Academy was located in the heart of the Kingdom, the Capital.

In this harsh, distant land of severe cold, it was unlikely for her to encounter a familiar face, and even if a [Royal Academy classmate] was present, there was no reason for them to seek her out.

Although she could have easily made friends whenever she wanted, as she neither found difficulty in interacting with people nor was her personality abrasive, she still chose solitude over losing precious reading time.

She delved deep into the abyss of books alongside a few fellow avid readers.

Regrettably, they all favored romance novels, so she couldn’t share her thoughts with them.

Ironically, her lack of friends made identifying her visitor an easy task.

Despite the rules of the Betrothal Contest explicitly stating that no finalist would be allowed to leave the Grand Palace during the night, Elden’s name naturally came to Ariel’s mind.

“My Lady, the guest awaits you in the drawing room.”

“Oh. Thank you.”

What could he want at this hour?

Wait.

I’ve never told him the location of this place.

How did he find out?

As she walked towards the drawing room, Ariel’s questions grew.

Arriving at the place guarded by two Knights, she entered through the door and naturally called out his name,

“Elden......?”

Her lips were ready to voice her next question - ‘What brings you here?’ - when they became sealed shut.

Because her visitor was a woman.

Standing by a window, looking outside, stood a woman with her hood removed.

She had snow-white hair, characteristic of most Northerners, and as Ariel gazed at her back, she hesitated for a moment.

An inexplicable sense of wrongness arose within the bookworm.

So, with a cautious tone, she asked.

“Who...are you?”

There were no Northerners among her classmates.

Of course, not all Northerners had white hair, but all those with white hair were born in the North, making it a symbol of their heritage.

After a few seconds,

The woman who had been looking out the window turned around.

Her snow-white hair, blue eyes that sparkled like a gem, a sharp nose, plump red lips, a sleek jaw, and a slender neck were all revealed.

It was a familiar face.

However, the person who evoked such familiarity had a different shade of hair,

She had vibrant red hair.

“Fufu-.It has been a long time, hasn’t it? Lady Ariel Elrond.”

“Uhh...”

As she heard that voice, a name flickered at the edge of her mind.

While Ariel tried to piece together her memories, the woman decided to help her, brushing her white hair with her hands as she spoke.

“Ah, the color might be different. But it’s me.”

“Wait, give me a moment.”

At last, she remembered a name.

The name of a student who had vibrant red hair and gem-like blue eyes.

The name of the fellow student who, unlike herself, was passionate about her studies finally surfaced.

Furthermore, it was the name of a student, who lived far away, making the likelihood of their reunion almost nil.

“Er-Erenscia...Was it?”

“Fufu-. I’m pleased you remember me. It’s an honor to meet you like this. Baroness Erenscia Velroc greets you.”

Lumia, the scholar and,

Ariel, the bookworm.

Though different, their reunion started just like that.

**

“Scum.”

“......”

You don’t need to look at me like that, you know?

It was just a minor accident caused by my otherworldly reflexes.

Tap, Tap-.

Dusting off, I stood up.

“It was an accident.”

“For an accident, your actions were very...Natural.”

“Wasn’t this the fault of the teacher who launched a surprise attack on her student?”

“I was trying to check your instincts.”

Bullshit.

She was clearly punishing me for reading that shameless fanfic.

When I glared at her, Rachel had the decency to avert her gaze.

As someone who walked on the path of righteousness, she was horrible at lying.

But of course, for an escort Knight, that was an excellent trait.

“So, did you manage to check them?”

“Hm. It wasn’t bad.”

“Good, then let’s continue some more.”

“As you wish, My Lord.”

After enduring a harsh training session, I was utterly exhausted as we walked back towards the annex.

The training had been so rigorous that my limbs felt like they were melting.

If I keep this up, I might turn into a slime.

Whether that would be an ‘evolution’ or ‘devolution’, I wasn’t sure.

“Good work, Rachel.”

“Do you wish to train tomorrow as well, My Lord?”

“Only if tomorrow’s event ends early.”

“I see. I shall make the necessary arrangements then.”

When we finally reached the annex and entered through the main door, Rendler, my head butler quickly approached me.

And behind him, I could see Gelwood.

As the Advisor approached, my butler quickly whispered to me,

“My Lord.”

“What.”

“...The Advisor, he says there’s a message for you.”

“A message for me...?”

“Yes.”

“Why couldn’t you receive it in my stead?”

“Well...He said the Duchess instructed him to deliver it to your hands only, My Lord.”

......Hmm-.

What sort of scheme does she have in mind now? Perhaps a plan to ‘motivate’ me into participating in the Contest?

This message certainly wasn’t the approval of my withdrawal, so as I glared at Gelwood with a tired gaze, he greeted me in return.

“We meet again, Lord Elden. By your state, I can only imagine your training must have been quite demanding.”

“It certainly wasn’t easy. However, what brings you here at this hour, Advisor?”

At my question, Gelwood suggested we walk, as he gestured toward the location.

The gardens inside the annex.

“If it’s not too much trouble, could you spare me a moment of your time?”

While I truly wished to refuse him, I was also curious.

Curious about what he wished to say at this late hour.

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Curious as to why Lumia sent a third party instead of coming here herself.

As such, I had no choice but to accompany Gelwood on a stroll through the moonlit garden.

**

Crunch, Crunch-.

At night, when the birds and other animals were sleeping, the garden should have been a haven of silence and calm.

Strolling through here under the moonlight was indeed a good way to relax.

If it weren’t for Gelwood’s presence, I might have done just that.

Walking aimlessly through this garden, simply soaking in the atmosphere.

However, Gelwood’s voice shattered the illusion of peace and calm.

“This garden, among the four annexes, is said to be the most beautiful.”

“I can certainly see where one might believe that.”

“Haha-. I’m glad your accommodation pleases you.”

A power and influence second only to the King.

True to such renown, even the garden of an annex house boasted a majestic feel.

It might not even lose to the ornate gardens of an Earl.

Of course, being located in the North, a harsh land, the garden was slightly different from the norm.

Here, coniferous trees replaced the usual evergreen varieties, and instead of flowers, snowflakes embroidered the paths.

As I enjoyed the scenery, Gelwood spoke,

“Tomorrow will be the last trial preceding a formal audience with the Duchess.”

“I see.”

“It must be rather tiring for you to participate in these trials when you’re clearly not inclined to become the Duchess consort.”

“Tiring? At times. Difficult? No. I’m merely fulfilling the minimum of my obligations.”

“Do you, perhaps, have any intention of negating your withdrawal?”

Perhaps noticing my lack of interest, Gelwood made a direct question.

And, his tone even seemed to carry a certain hope within it.

Hoping that I would revoke my withdrawal.

Sadly for him, I would not.

“I have no intention of going back on my word.”

“Is that so? What an unfortunate turn of events.”

Gelwood stopped,

Unfortunate, he said.

Quite a biased sentiment for an advisor who should maintain neutrality in any situation.

“Why would you find it... Unfortunate?”

Gelwood simply smiled as he handed me something.

It was merely a folded note.

So, I accepted it.

“During my life, I had the pleasure of witnessing five editions of the Betrothal Contest, but it’s my first time seeing a finalist receiving something from the protagonist of the event. With this, my task here is done, I shall take my leave.”

Bowing his head, Gelwood walked away.

...Was he saying that revoking my withdrawal would make me a strong contender?

Among all my recent conversations, this one had been the most chilling.

And it gave me one more reason to never revoke my withdrawal.

With such thoughts, I unfolded the note.

[800 meters northeast from the starting point, you'll find a cave. I sincerely hope you win in tomorrow's trial. In truth... I fell for you at first sight, Lord Elden.]

I folded the note again.

After looking around for a bit, I dug into the soil.

Then, I placed the note inside the hole.

Covering the hole back again, I grabbed some twigs and placed them above the hole in a cross-like shape.

I smacked the cross firmly onto the ground to prevent any chance of this note reviving and chasing after me.

Finishing this, I quickly fled the gardens.