Chapter 198

The trio paid a quiet visit to the orphanage over the weekend, slipping in and out like a secret kept between breaths. By the time the first day of the week arrived, winter clouds hung low over the academy, and Kana found herself walking the familiar stone halls once more, boots echoing softly against the floor.

The classroom greeted her with the same early-morning stillness, every seat already filled. Sunlight filtered through tall windows, pale and cold, catching dust in the air like suspended sparks.

“Kana!” Rin waved both arms, nearly tipping her chair. “The empire people were looking for you after the match. And earlier this morning, one of the students came by and handed this to me.”

She passed over a sealed letter.

Kana broke the seal with her thumb. The sound was small, but somehow it drew everyone’s attention. Heads leaned closer. Chairs creaked.

“Oh,” Suri said, peering over her shoulder. “An invitation?”

“There’s no date listed,” Roy added, squinting. “That means you can visit whenever you want.”

Roy frowned immediately. “Why would you?” His voice sharpened. “Going alone is dangerous.”

Kana folded the letter without ceremony, gently pushing back the faces hovering too close. She slipped it into her pocket, then sent it directly into her [Inventory]. “Maybe someday,” she said. “If I feel like it.”

If I feel strong enough.

The door opened before anyone could argue further.

Professor Wor-en entered first, posture stiff as always, followed closely by Principal Light. The room straightened as one, the usual murmurs dying instantly.

Wor-en cleared his throat. “Principal Light is here to congratulate you on your victory and talk about the prize.” He paused, then added, “And to ask a few questions.”

Principal Light’s gaze swept across the room before settling. “I am mostly curious about one thing,” he said calmly. “Why didn’t you try to win in the first place?”

Silence fell like a dropped curtain.

Every head turned toward Kana.

She stiffened, caught cleanly off guard. Had it really been that obvious? Heat crept up her neck as she stood, smoothing her uniform out of habit. “Our target prize was third place from the start,” she said after clearing her throat.

Principal Light reached into a small pouch and withdrew the ring. It looked unimpressive at first glance. Old. Worn. The metal dulled by time, its surface etched with marks that had long since lost their sharpness.

He turned it slowly between his fingers. “Why choose this?”

Kana met his eyes without flinching. “I feel a very strong attachment to it.”

The principal hesitated. Just a fraction. “Do you possess a skill similar to [Appraisal]?”

Kana shook her head. “I’m not sure what you mean. But the ring was already appraised, wasn’t it?”

That earned her a smile. “Yes,” Principal Light said. “You’re right.”

He looked up again. “Who will wear the ring?”

“I will.”

Her answer came without pause.

Principal Light studied her more carefully now, as though trying to see past the shape of her words. At last, he handed the ring over. “This is… very interesting.”

His gaze shifted to the other students. “And none of you object. Usually, this is where arguments begin. Who deserves it. Who earned it.” He gave a small chuckle. “And Kana didn’t even participate in the group duel but no one opposed it. Perhaps Kana is scaring you all? ”

The class exchanged glances, brows furrowed, expressions puzzled rather than offended. Suri and Rin chuckled.

The principal coughed lightly. “Doesn’t look that way. Very well. Kana, your reward for defeating the empire’s representative will be given personally by the king.” He produced another letter, heavier than the first. “This is your pass to the castle. You may go after class. You are exempt from today’s curfew.”

Kana accepted it, fingers tightening just slightly. “I seem to be collecting invitations today,” she muttered.

Because even before she had stepped through the academy gates that morning, nobles from several houses had already approached her, each offering polished smiles and sealed letters of their own.

The paper in her hands felt light.

“The prizes from first to fifth place will be given tomorrow morning,” Principal Light said. His fingers closed around the ring, the metal vanishing into his pocket as though it had never existed. “I will keep this for now. Yuri, as the leader of the group, you will receive it on stage. After the ceremony, you may give it to Kana.”

Yuri straightened and nodded, suddenly very aware of the weight of that simple responsibility.

Principal Light’s gaze swept across them, no longer warm, no longer curious. It hardened. “I need to brief each group before the prizes are handed over. We do not want a repeat of last year’s incident.”

The room seemed to tighten at those words.

With that, Principal Light and Professor Wor-en turned and left, the door closing behind them with a quiet finality.

For a few heartbeats, no one spoke.

Then Toby crept toward the door like a cat testing thin ice. He pressed his ear against the wood, craned his neck, and waited. Only after several long seconds did he turn back, eyes gleaming with contained excitement. He stepped into the center of the room, puffed out his chest, and dropped his voice into a rough imitation of an adult’s seriousness.

“Have you guys heard about the incident last year?”

No one answered. Instead, they leaned closer, forming a loose huddle around him. Even Kana did not interrupt.

Toby nodded, satisfied. “So. The third prize last year was a potion. Not just any potion. One that permanently increased strength.”

A collective breath was drawn.

“One of the members received it right there on stage,” Toby continued. “Didn’t even wait. He uncorked it and drank it in front of everyone.”

Several faces twisted in unease.

“It turned ugly fast,” Toby said, voice dropping further. “They had already agreed to sell it. Split the money. But the guy was a commoner. No savings. Once he drank it, there was nothing to sell. After the ceremony, they dragged him aside. I heard they beat him to death.”

Silence fell heavy and suffocating.

“Almost. He is still alive and well.” Toby laughed but they didn’t. He cleared his throat.

“And that wasn’t the first time,” Toby added quietly. “Apparently, similar things have happened more than once in the academy’s history.”

“Ohhh…” they murmured together, the sound low and uneasy, like a warning bell echoing underground.

Kana folded her arms. “That’s why the principal watched our reaction so closely.”

Toby snapped his fingers. “Exactly! He’s here to see if we’re united in our decision."

“If he thinks we’re not,” Toby continued calmly, “he might use his skill to make us vow.”

“Uhm… Kana?” Rin leaned forward, voice lowered despite the empty corridor outside. “What about the secret?”

Kana did not hesitate. She had already made her decision. “It’s simple,” she said. “Dungeon raids. Many of them.”

Roy blinked. “That’s it?”

“Yes.”

He frowned. “Will that really make us strong like you?”

Kana nodded once,“You won’t notice it right away. But before we enter the academy next year, you will feel the difference. We’ll spend the entire vacation raiding dungeons.”

A few sharp inhales followed.

“You’ll need permission from your parents,” Kana added calmly. “Tell them Duke Stark has approved it. He’ll provide assistance. There are always adventurers guarding us when we raid.”

That earned a new silence. Heavier this time. Doubt crept into their faces, unspoken questions stacking atop one another. Unsure whether to go or not. Whether the risk was worth it or not.

Suri noticed immediately.

Her lips curved into a knowing grin. “You’ll probably learn another new skill. And I’m not talking about a skill book. It’s from the text of god itself.”

Kana shrugged. “I don’t know if it works the same way for everyone. But some of you should gain at least one new skill— granted from the text of god.”

Her brow furrowing just slightly. She wasn’t sure at all about exp distribution. Would it be the same for those who simply watch but still part of the party? The northern dungeon was not a good reference for her, after all everyone made a contribution one way or another, how about for those who simply watch, those who didn't do anything? Would they give the same amount of exp for those who contributed a lot in fighting a dungeon monster?

That uncertainty lingered in the air, all of it would be answered soon.

Classes continued as usual after that. Lectures blurred into notes, notes into bells. When the final dismissal rang, Kana stood without delay.

She headed straight for the castle.

Suri, meanwhile, tightened her thick cloak and disappeared into the alleyway of Academy, resuming her nightly patrol.

……

Kana was escorted through the inner halls by a pair of royal guards, their armor whispering softly with every step. The moment she presented the invitation, the atmosphere changed, they treated her like a noble. Doors opened that usually remained sealed. Corridors grew quieter, thicker, as though the castle itself was watching her pass.

She was led into the same private room she had entered before. The room smelled faintly of old wood and burning oil. The fire in the chimney crackled steadily, a slow, patient sound that filled the emptiness.

The king had not arrived yet.

Kana sat, resting her hands on her knees, and let the silence settle around her. Her thoughts refused to stay still.

What should she ask for?

Gold would be useful, yes. Access to restricted dungeons, perhaps. Skill books. Information. Protection for the orphanage. There were so many paths branching out before her that choosing one felt heavier than the battle she had just won.

The fire popped, scattering sparks. Kana stared into it, watching embers collapse and reform.

Footsteps approached.

The door opened without announcement.

The king entered.

Kana stood immediately and bowed her head.

“Congratulations on your win,” King J said. His voice was calm, but his face was half-swallowed by shadow. Late afternoon light spilled in from the tall window behind him, outlining his crown in gold.

“I’m surprised you won.” King J muttered and walked around,”The empire should be wary of us for the next hundred years or so.. they're going to be careful from now.. As long as we can buy more time that all will matter.. we can still build our forces.. And very soon we will find the traitors with the help of…. Hmmm.. how about those bastards.. They are slowly killing our people inside.. What should I do with them…”

“Ah right! Have a seat,” he continued as if he just only noticed Kana. Then, after a brief pause, “First I’ll tell you about your father.”

Kana froze for half a breath before sitting again. Finally! He’s alright, right?

“He was…” The king exhaled slowly. “A gold badge holder. Your father’s name is Kavon.”

Kana’s fingers tightened slightly.

“He was close to my own father,” the king went on. “So close that he chose to adopt him.”

Kana looked up.

“Which makes your father,” the king said carefully, “My brother. Technically speaking..”

The words landed heavier than she expected.

“You were, by title, part of the royal family,” the king continued. “After your father’s death, your mother was given a choice.”

Kana already knew what came next, yet hearing it spoken aloud felt different.

“She refused,” the king said. “She was a castle worker. A teacher to the young princes. She did not want a crown or the title, nor protection that came with chains. She chose to live somewhere far away and we didn’t know at that time she was pregnant with you.”

Kana closed her eyes briefly.

“My father honored her wish,” the king said. “He removed your names from the bloodline records. Officially, you ceased to exist as royalty.”

The fire cracked sharply, as if punctuating the confession.

“Your father served as a royal knight,” the king added. “Your mother taught princes how to read, how to think. They met here, resulting in your existence..”

Kana let out a quiet sigh.

So that was it.

All the careful distance. The warnings. The way her mother flinched whenever the castle was mentioned. Kana had planned to ask her one day but looked like she didn’t need to.

But now, at least she understood.

The more she involved herself with the castle, the more her mother would worry. Not out of fear for Kana’s ambition, but fear of the past reaching out to claim them again.

Kana lifted her gaze.

“There’s more to it… but I’m not going to tell you yet.” King J said,"Perhaps. Someday. I’ll invite you when I feel like it.”

“Now tell me.. should I call you my niece now?” King J chuckled then went back to his stoic serious expression he always wore,”Tell me. What is your wish?”

Post note:

We are now officially entering the next story arc. I’ll just call it the road to First Promotion Class Arc.
Hope you enjoy the chap! 🙂