Chapter 224

The new week arrived wrapped in anticipation.

Classes were officially over. Lessons finished. Weapons cleaned and stored. Yet the academy grounds were more crowded than they had been all year. Students filled the stone courtyard not to train, not to study—but to wait.

The results board loomed ahead of them.

Boris stood stiffly before it, hands clasped together so tightly his knuckles whitened. His lips moved in a frantic whisper, prayers spilling out one after another—names of gods old and new, obscure spirits, even a few half-remembered saints from folk tales.

Thorne, perched proudly atop his head, chirped and mimicked him, pressing her tiny claws together in exaggerated reverence.

Kana watched with mild amusement.

If effort alone decided grades, she thought, he’d already be first.

The crowd surged forward as the large sheet of parchments were posted.

The first results—Physical Examination.

As expected.

Kana’s eyes flicked over the list. The familiar names clustered near the top. Hers. Boris’. Suri’s as well as all the copper class students were always among the top ten across the first year students.

The murmurs rippled through the crowd. It was rare to see so many students sharing the highest rank, rarer still for it to happen year after year.

Next—Non physical Subjects.

The atmosphere became tense.

Less cheering. More held breaths.

History I.

Kana’s name stood at the very top.

Beside it—

Toby.

Kana blinked.

That’s new.

Toby had never ranked in the top ten before. Ever. Let alone first.

Before she could process it, a voice burst out beside them.

“I Won! I Won!”

Toby was hopping in place, fists pumping, eyes shining as if he’d just slain a dragon barehanded.

Suri tilted her head. “Won what?”

Toby stopped jumping just long enough to gasp for air. “I made a deal with my parents! If I ranked first in one of the non physical subjects, I get to spend my whole vacation with you guys!”

“Oh,” Suri said slowly, realization dawning. “So that’s why you were praying like Boris earlier.”

Kana remembered it clearly now—Toby hunched over books late into the night, dark circles under his eyes, nose bleeding more than once from sheer exhaustion.

“I thought you were dying,” Suri added. “Or stupid. Like Boris.”

Toby flushed bright red, scratching the back of his head. “Th-thanks…?”

Boris straightened immediately. “Hey. I passed too. Did you just call me stupid?”

Suri leaned in, eyes scanning the list again. “Ranked around one hundred in History I… out of two hundred?”

She stared at Boris, genuinely stunned.

“Boris,” she said slowly, tapping Kana’s shoulder, “that’s actually impressive for you.”

Kana nodded solemnly. “You did well. I know you hate the subject.”

Boris grinned, pride swelling despite the insult. “See? I told you I was improving.”

The rest of the copper-class students filtered in as the crowd thickened. One by one, their names appeared.

All passed.

No failures.

Kana folded her arms, watching her friends laugh and argue beneath the results board.

End of the year, she thought.

…

Andel, Leo, Adam, Yuri—and now Toby.

One by one, their parents agreed except for Adam who had no idea where their nomad clan was at the moment.

With smiles, and carefully chosen excuses, they framed it as preparation—training for next year’s annual tournament, discipline, growth. A reasonable thing. A safe lie.

But not everyone’s parents were convinced.

For Rin. For Elle. For Roy.

Kana would have to walk those roads herself.

They stopped near the central district, where stone buildings stood taller, cleaner, and closer together—where money flowed quietly and influence lingered in the air. Rin’s family home was located between storefronts, its façade simple but well-maintained, marble trims polished to a soft sheen.

A place built by careful hands.

Rin’s father, a merchant by blood, his business was about selling all kinds of marble glass—fragile-looking panes that could stop arrows, favored by nobles who valued beauty as much as safety. Her mother worked within the kingdom itself, filtering complaints, interpreting law, deciding which voices were worth hearing.

Yuri tagged along silently as they entered. One of the workers noticed Rin immediately and greeted them, offering a respectful greeting before leading them upstairs.

The second floor was quieter.

Rin’s parents were already waiting.

“Good morning,” they said in unison.

Mik—Rin’s father—stood first. He wore a merchant’s hat even indoors, his posture relaxed, his belly proof of good business. His face carried Rin’s features, softened by age and success.

Beside him stood Rowena.

Formal. Poise like a noble lady. Dressed in dark official attire, every crease intentional. Her eyes were sharp, observant—the kind that missed nothing and forgave little.

“I’m Mik,” he said warmly, gesturing. “And this is my wife, Rowena. Please, have a seat.”

Kana sat straight-backed. Boris followed, Thorne chirping softly as she adjusted her perch. Suri leaned back, casual as ever.

Mik pointed at them one by one, smiling.

“You’re Yuri. Kana. Suri. And the one with the lizard must be Boris.”

They nodded though their eyes were widened a bit.

“Don’t look so surprised,” Mik chuckled. “Rin talks about you often. Especially you.”

His gaze lingered on Kana.

“The strongest student in the academy. I made quite a bit of money betting during the last tournament. Thanks to you.”

Kana inclined her head politely.

Rowena cleared her throat.

“Let us talk about what you’re here for,” she said.

She folded her hands atop the table. “Rin is our only daughter. We do not wish for her to engage in dangerous activities. Especially dungeon raids. She is far too young—according to the kingdom law, she is not the right age yet to enter.”

Kana felt it then. They’ve already decided that Rin wouldn’t go with them.

Still, she spoke calmly. “May I speak with you privately?”

Rowena studied her for a long moment before nodding.

“Very well. Rin, go downstairs. Take snacks with your friends.”

Rin hesitated, glancing back.

“Kana,” Yuri muttered, uneasy, “you’re… just talking, right?”

Kana sighed. “I hate violence.”

Boris tilted his head, right eye twitching as if he could feel the pain again, “I don’t agree with that.”

Kana pushed them and closed the door. 

It was silence for a few heartbeats. Kana’s posture shifted—not threatening, not aggressive.

“You believe Rin will be safest if she stays here,” Kana said evenly. “And you’re right. For now.”

The couples did not interrupt.

“But what about later?” Kana continued. “When she has to stand on her own? When no walls or parents can decide for her?”

She met Rowena’s eyes.

“I defeated one of the imperial students because I challenged dungeons. Again and again. Not because I was stronger—but because I am more experienced.”

Kana smiled slightly. She did not lie. Her level was way higher compared to the imperial student and that was because of her accumulated experience that led her to leveling up. Of course with the help of her exp booster.

Rowena’s eyes narrowed. “You know it’s illegal at your age.”

Kana nodded. “Duke Stark sponsors us. We enter legally. An adventurer always accompanies us. For safety.”

“A typical story to bypass the law,” Rowena said.

“Rin’s class is probably a variant of tank,” Kana went on. “Whether you like it or not, in the future she is destined to be in the front line. Every dungeon experience she would gain will define her future. I know you are worried about her safety..”

She reached into her cloak.

The horse insignia caught the light.

Rowena froze then covered her mouth.

“…we will also be accompanied by a royal knight,” Kana finished.

Rowena exhaled slowly. Her voice softened—not with warmth, but with calculation.

“Alright.”

Mik blinked. “Wait—you’re agreeing?”

Rowena nodded once.

“Our daughter may go,” she said. “If she chooses to.”

Kana noticed it then.

Those eyes.

Not fear. Not an ounce of doubt.

Greed. Now Kana was really curious—she thought the insignia held a small portion of the king's authority but based on Rin mother's reaction, it must be more than what the king told her.

Mik sighed, rubbing his neck. “I was already thinking of allowing it. My wife is simply… protective.”

Kana stood and bowed lightly. “Thank you.”

Whatever Rowena truly wanted—status, leverage, opportunity—it didn’t matter.

Rin would be safer with them. And she would be stronger. With her cheat-like skills, Kana thought every investment in her would help her a lot in the future.

Mik laughed softly. “Why does it feel like we just negotiated with my grandmother?”

Kana forced a smile. Did I really act like an old lady?

“Go eat downstairs,” Mik said. “Tell them we agreed.”

And somewhere below, Rin’s future quietly shifted course.

….

After a quick lunchtime meal in the central district, Yuri and Rin split off, their paths diverging like threads pulled from the same cloth. Rin waved at them until distance swallowed her smile, while Yuri walked beside her, hands in her pockets, already talking about plans neither of them fully understood yet.

The trio watched them go.

Then the wagon creaked westward.

Their next destination lay beyond the orphanage—past familiar roads, past lantern-lit streets—toward a place where the land grew quieter and the dead far outnumbered the living.

The capital’s graveyard.

And Roy’s home.

Kana rested her chin against her knuckles as the wagon rolled onward. The rhythmic clatter of wheels did little to settle her thoughts.

“I don’t think this one will be easy,” she murmured.

Suri glanced at her. “You’re thinking the king insignia won’t work.”

Kana nodded. “Gravekeepers don’t care much for kings. Or nobles. Or laws.”

“They only care about the dead?” Boris said slowly. “

Kana sighed. “I don’t think bribing will work as well.”

They rented a sturdier wagon for the journey. The road stretched long and uneven, the air growing colder the farther west they traveled. Winter was loosening its grip, but it had not yet let go—thin sheets of snow still clung stubbornly to the land, refusing to melt.

After a few hours, a familiar tower rose in the distance.

Aldo stood near the orphanage gate, waving both arms with exaggerated enthusiasm.

Boris leaned out of the wagon and shouted, his voice echoing across the fields,

“We’ll come back later!”

Aldo nodded, already returning to his duties as if this were the most ordinary thing in the world.

Another hour passed.

Then the scenery truly changed.

The land rolled into countless hills, each dotted with gravestones—rows upon rows stretching as far as the eye could see. Snow lay over them like thin white burial cloths, softening sharp edges, muting names carved into stone.

The silence here was different.

Not empty.

Listening.

Roy’s house sat at the edge of it all—large, sturdy, built not to impress but to endure. A few cattle wandered lazily near the fence, breath fogging in the cold air. Horses stamped their hooves, unbothered by the buried dead that surrounded them.

At the entrance, Roy sat casually on the steps.

Around him, skeletons moved.

They swept snow from the yard with practiced efficiency, bones clicking softly as they worked. One carried a shovel far too large for its frame. Another carefully stacked firewood as if afraid of doing it wrong.

Kana slowed her steps.

“…I feel bad for the shadow man,” she muttered. “If his ghost finds out his remains are cleaning a front yard, he might haunt us out of spite.”

Suri snorted. “At least he’s being productive.”

Roy finally noticed the wagon and jumped to his feet, waving wildly. He ran toward them, boots crunching through snow.

“You’re here!” he said brightly. “My parents are waiting—they prepared food!”

“We’re still full—” Kana began.

“Of course food is always welcome,” Suri cut in instantly, already hopping down from the wagon.

Kana shot her a look. Suri pretended not to notice.

Before anyone could say more, Thorne leapt from Boris’s head and skittered across the snow, tail flicking with excitement. She chased one of the skeletons in wide, looping circles.

The skeleton froze mid-sweep.

Thorne pounced.

She sniffed it. Licked one of its shin bones.

The skeleton looked… uncertain.

Suri tilted her head. “Are we sure Thorne isn’t a dog?”

Boris laughed nervously. “She does that sometimes.”

Kana stared at the scene—the living, the dead, the absurd normalcy of it all—and felt a familiar tightening in her chest.

This wasn’t a house ruled by fear or ambition.

This was a house ruled by acceptance.

Which made it far harder to change.

Post note:

Skipped the actual exam part(because it’s going to be shown again and I feel it's going to be a bit repetitive)

Hope you enjoy the chap! 🙂

Expect some 👻 in the next chap!