The news that Irena Evoy had been admitted into the Münuit Academy at the top of her class had caused quite a stir. Firstly, people were surprised by the fact that they had no prior knowledge of the Evoy family’s background, and secondly, by the fact that a girl from a Korean-American family had beaten “Johann Pertin” to the top spot.
“Miss Irena, congratulations on scoring first place.”
Contrary to the expectations that his pride had been hurt, Johann Pertin greeted her first with a smile. His eyes became gentle crescents and his mouth lifted into an elegant arc.
“As expected of Johann. Such extraordinary compassion.”
“That’s nothing new/tell me something I don’t already know. Johann is famous for his personality. I hear he’s an angel sent down to us by God.”
Of course. He hears such words like those being spoken from time to time. Johann laughed inwardly with satisfaction at the compliments passing by his ear. Now, he just needed to have a smooth conversation with the woman in front of him.
“Thanks.”
“…?”
The reply Johann received was so sharp that he faltered. This was not what Johann had expected. Normally, this would have been followed by words of praise for Johann’s greatness and personality. Or marvel at his generosity.
“Do you have anything else to say?”
But Irena Evoy acted differently. And that was the end of it.
At that moment, Johann’s pride/huge ego had been wounded.
***
Duke Pertin was the third child of three sons and one daughter. Johann Eldorado Pertin was the fifth cousin of the current emperor, Hentat III of the Prieston Empire. Yes, he was born into royalty.
Unlike some of the other members of the royal family, whose bloodlines were meager, Johann was outstanding. With swordsmanship, with magic and with studying. The tutors who had taught him were unanimous in their praise for Johann: “Duke Pertin’s future is bright.”
Naturally, Johann’s excellence shone through from the moment he entered the academy. Between the ages of 13 and 16, the most remarkable / talented students of the empire were enrolled into Münuit Academy, and Johann made a name for himself by being at the top of the class for all four consecutive years.
The praise for him did not stop there. Johann Pertin was such a handsome boy that he was regarded as a person “God must have sent down from heaven”.
With blonde hair that shined like specks of gold, and eyes as clear as the sky, Johann had the kind of good looks that could charm you with a single smile.
With a background to be proud of, and more importantly, a glamorous appearance and personal record, Johann’s future looked bright and promising.
“My goodness, did you hear what she said? How could she be so uptight? Johann was the first to congratulate her and she wasn’t even grateful.”
“Johann is too kind-hearted.”
Before he had met that woman, Johann had never once doubted his future. Johann quietly gritted his teeth at the frustrating conversation he overheard.
‘Irena Evoy.’
That was the name of the woman who shattered Johann’s dream of being at the top of the class from the moment he entered the academy to the moment he graduated, like he had been at Münu Academy.
‘Where the hell did she come from?’
Of course, it wasn’t unexpected that an unforeseen problem would arise. Unlike Münu Academy, which was only open to imperial citizens, the Münuit Academy, an academy for older grade levels, accepted students from all over the continent. It was a matter of no small concern that a variety of diverse people would seek out the academy because of its expanded requirements.
However, Johann wasn’t too concerned about that. Those of the same age that deserved to be admitted into Münuit Academy – children of princes, royalty, nobles and merchants – were naturally familiar with Johann as long as they were worthy. He knew virtually no one who was talented from outside the country.
Furthermore, Johann was the best student at Münuit Academy, never failing to claim the top spot. Johann had never thought about his limitations. At least, he hadn’t until now.
‘The Evoy family… never heard of them before.’
He had an excellent memory and remembered the names of all the children he met, but the name Evoy was really unfamiliar to him. Johann stared at Irena Evoy as she peered out the window.
Her almost-black hair had a seemingly purplish tinge, and her expressionless profile gave off the impression of an intelligent kind of beauty. Her straight hair, which looked as if it was barely fixed up by the maids, was slightly dishevelled, but not so dishevelled that it could be called ‘neat’.
Johann looked at Irena a little more closely. Her back was straight and her eyes were fixed on the book in front of her. It was impossible not to notice the gaze that bore into her, but her posture remained elegant. It was as if she didn’t care at all about what people thought of her.
“Johann, what are you looking at?”
“… It was raining yesterday, so it’s strange to see the sky so clear today.”
“How dreamy.”
What’s so important about the sky? Johann wasn’t really interested in nature or the weather. But he was sensitive to the way people viewed him. That’s who people thought Johann was; a perfect, benign and gentle man, who had a high status yet treasured every trivial thing.
He was still able to maintain the mature persona he had established during his time at Münu Academy because most rumors about him had extended over to Münuit Academy from all the gossiping nobles. Regardless of how many foreign students were admitted into the academy, the opinions of those from the Prieston Empire were the most important and influential.
“Johann, have you decided on which subject you’re going to study? Are you considering choosing swordsmanship again?”
“Why wouldn’t he? Duke Pertin’s father is the greatest knight in the Empire.”
“You’re right. He’ll surely join the Royal Guard once he graduates, just like Sir Isaac.”
They continued to gossip, one after the other, as if Johann wasn’t there. The moment the name ‘Isaac’ was mentioned, Johann’s eyes began to shake.