Chapter 3

A large mansion spanning five floors.

From the beautiful garden visible beyond the window to the ancient walls and the front gate, everything radiated magnificence.

It was the most elegant dormitory of the Imperial Academy, a place reserved only for the top 10%—those who had proven their great qualifications and dignity.

La Vie Douce Hall.

As if to prove it was the pride of the Imperial Academy, it was luxurious and exuded an unmatched class.

Luina Bercheff sat again in the exact same spot where she had been stood up the previous day.

“Fernan Pellenberg.”

She directed her anger at him.

“He must be trying to put me in my place.”

She was the one at a disadvantage because of the debt. And worse, she couldn’t even deny it.

The enormous debt that the Bercheff family owed to the Pellenberg family. The once-glorious house had collapsed in a single incident and lost all its former prestige.

They had to sell everything to survive, and even that wasn’t enough—they had to go into debt.

“Sorry for being late.”

At that moment, the door opened. A man entered with a maid.

Hair black as obsidian and crimson eyes. It was Fernan Pellenberg, the eldest son of House Pellenberg.

His impeccable attire always radiated elegance and nobility—the very image of an aristocrat, as if painted by hand.

“Young Master Fernan, here is your coffee.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. Call me if you need anything.”

The maid left. Only the two of them remained in the closed reception room.

“Sorry about yesterday. I got a little distracted and forgot about our meeting.”

“Someone saw you leaving your residence just before our scheduled time.”

“…”

“It’s fine. The desperate always have to endure injustice.”

“That’s not what happened…”

“Right, then I’ll pretend it wasn’t.”

Clink.

Luina elegantly raised her teacup.

“I said it wasn’t that… Never mind.”

Fernan let out a brief sigh. The more he explained, the more pathetic he sounded.

“So, what’s the reason you wanted to see me?”

“Ahem. Survival Magic. Combat, War, and Magic. Studies on Magical Beasts and Monsters. Do you know what all three subjects have in common?”

“They’re practice-based lectures.”

“And?”

“The Knight Faculty has similar courses…”

Bercheff’s aquamarine blue eyes fixed on Fernan.

“Starting from the second year, there are frequent joint classes between the Knight Faculty and the Magic Faculty. Is that your goal?”

“There’s one more thing.”

“There is?”

The most important part. Each one is worth five credits.

“…”

“Why that look? You’re short on honors and need to get that scholarship. Isn’t that important to you?”

“I won’t deny it. Then you already know my answer.”

“You don’t want to partner with me?”

“These three subjects, which start in the second year, emphasize cooperation and shared experience between knights and mages.”

That meant choosing a partner was a serious matter.

“Correct. You rank tenth in the Magic Faculty. I’m second in the Knight Faculty. Why should I pair up with you?”

“2nd and 10th place—a pretty big difference!”

“I’ve already received several offers. All better than yours. Naturally, someone in second place would have better options than someone in tenth.”

But reality wasn’t that simple.

“If you work with me consistently for three years, I’ll reduce the interest on your family’s debt.”

“…!”

The Bercheff count family, long responsible for protecting the empire’s northern borders, had been a stalwart frontier margrave house.

The reason it had to be referred to in the past tense was because no one could’ve predicted the massive monster wave that stormed their fortress and devastated their lands. The damage was indescribable.

Even after receiving support from neighboring nobles and selling the rights to a rare golden imperial edict, they still had to borrow money from House Pellenberg.

The interest on that colossal debt alone was an enormous annual burden.

“…That’s not something you can decide on your own.”

“I’m Fernan Pellenberg.”

“But you’re not Duke Pellenberg.”

“Trust me. I never lie. I’ll even put it in a contract, if you want.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Yes. But there’s one condition.”

Of course. Luina’s expression immediately hardened, as if to say “I knew it wasn’t that simple.”

“I knew it. It wasn’t that convenient. What do you want?”

“I want to sponsor you.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said. I want to support you personally.”

“I receive a full scholarship for being the second-highest-ranked student in the Academy.”

“And everyone knows that, apart from your dorm, you live more frugally than most commoners because you send most of that money to your family.”

“…”

Luina fell silent. She couldn’t grasp Fernan’s intentions. Her mouth felt dry. She craved something sweet, like chocolate.

“What are you trying to gain from this?”

“There’s only one reason a merchant sponsors someone. Take it as a compliment—you have talent.”

“That’s not what I’m asking. I’m the eldest daughter of House Bercheff.”

“Being noble doesn’t mean you can’t be sponsored.”

“Most sponsors don’t come from families of equal status.”

“That might’ve been true in the past, but aren’t our families in the same boat now?”

“…Are you trying to insult me?”

Luina’s face hardened. The coldness in her eyes exceeded what he had imagined.

But Fernan was confident that Luina Bercheff would accept his proposal—no, he would make sure she did.

‘I’m sorry, Luina Bercheff. But you are not Aint Armian.’

Her family’s honor might be high, but it was no match for the former imperial family. And unlike them, her family was entangled in serious obligations.

“Frankly, I’ve always valued Almon Donertz more than you.”

Almon Donertz. The top second-year student in the Knight Faculty—someone Luina had never defeated.

“But I recently saw your swordsmanship. It was indescribably beautiful, elegant, noble, and just.”

“Flattery won’t change my mind.”

“I may not be a knight, but I’m a merchant who knows people. And you were a gem more valuable than any knight I’ve seen. Even more than Almon.”

Fernan closed his eyes.

“That night, under the moonlight… your sword dance, I still can’t forget it.”

Strictly speaking, it was Aint who saw it. In the future.

“Under the moonlight? I haven’t practiced my sword outside at night recently.”

So it hasn’t happened yet. Besides, Aint hadn’t even entered the academy. Even better.

“I never said it was recent.”

“You said ‘not long ago’.”

“A year ago is still recent to me.”

“…So you’re saying you spied on my sword dance.”

“Does it matter?”

“You’re saying spying on someone’s sword technique doesn’t matter?”

Faced with Luina’s furious reaction and frowning expression, Fernan slightly backed off.

“I’m sorry, but that’s not the point of this conversation, is it? If you want, I can even keep the sponsorship a secret.”

“Why go so far? What exactly do you gain from all this?”

“You. A talent like you.”

Whatever she was thinking, a look of disdain slowly spread in Luina’s eyes.

“Don’t tell me…”

As a knight. That’s all.

“…You expect someone from House Bercheff to pledge loyalty to you?”

“I’m not asking for that. Just be my partner while we’re at the academy.”

The return on investment was small. He was being naïve. But this was the best path.

To Fernan, Luina was a fool clinging to worthless things—chivalry, justice, and honor—things he considered useless.

That’s why it was necessary to bind her not with force, but with kindness and familiarity.

“And yet…”

Of course.

“You know that interest rates in the Empire have recently gone up, right?”

He wasn’t just offering carrots. What a fool! For a merchant, no word was more dangerous or fearsome than that one.

“…Are you blackmailing me right now?”

“I’m a kind merchant. When my goodwill is rejected, I feel hurt.”

“…Soft-hearted? You?”

“Even so, though I’m ranked tenth, I’ll prove I won’t drag you down.”

“Prove it?”

“You’ll see. Now, choose.”

In the end, Luina had no choice but to accept.

That’s how it works. A good merchant makes offers that their opponent can’t refuse.

Whether soaked in kindness or filled with malice, it’s the same.

***

“Welcome back, miss.”

“Nanny.”

Returning to her dorm, Luina was greeted by the nanny who had followed her from the family estate.

“So, how did it go…? What did that greedy bastard who stood you up say?”

“Watch your mouth, nanny. He’s the heir of House Pellenberg.”

“Yeah, yeah. And what did that arrogant prick say?”

“For now, I just want to lie down.”

Luina threw herself onto the bed. She hadn’t trained or swung her sword, but her body felt completely drained.

It meant she had spent a great deal of mental energy.

“He said he saw potential in my sword dance.”

At her soft murmur, the nanny reacted.

“What could he possibly see in your sword dance?”

“Potential.”

“Forgive me for not getting it…”

“He said my swordsmanship was elegant and beautiful. That he saw potential in it.”

“So that bastard spied on your training? And now he’s trying to flirt with you using that? The nerve! Well, he’s got good eyes, I’ll give him that! Don’t tell me he also threatened you with the debt?”

Luina chuckled softly at the quiet anger in her nanny’s voice.

“Don’t worry, nanny. It’s not what you think.”

“Then what is it? Don’t keep me in suspense—just tell me everything.”

“You know that in the second year there are many joint classes between the Knight Faculty and the Magic Faculty, right?”

“Of course. I graduated from the academy too. Wait a second… don’t tell me…”

“You’re right. He asked me to be his partner.”

As she spoke calmly with her eyes closed, the nanny jumped to her feet.

“I knew it! That bastard fell for you and now he’s trying to make a move!”

“He didn’t seem that way at all.”

“What part of that proposal didn’t have that vibe?”

“He said he wouldn’t charge interest during our time at the academy if I partnered with him.”

The nanny’s voice, boiling with anger, suddenly calmed.

If it’s Fernan Pellenberg… he could be a good match for you. He’s rich and handsome.

“Aren’t you switching sides a little too fast?”

“I didn’t mean to, it just slipped out.”

Clearing her throat, the nanny avoided Luina’s gaze and asked:

“Even so, it’s suspicious. Who do you think blocked the Empire’s support and put your family into debt in the first place?”

“Saying he did all of it just for this goes too far, doesn’t it?”

“He planned this for almost eight years just to be your partner? No way! It’s definitely about the secret sword technique.”

“Maybe he didn’t know why he changed course so suddenly, but one thing was clear.”

“…Either way, I couldn’t refuse.”

“Three years of interest waived, personal sponsorship, a clause that states the sponsorship remains confidential, and a condition that the contract dissolves automatically upon graduation.”

“The terms were just too good to turn down.”

Luina handed her the contract. The nanny examined it carefully and nodded firmly.

“There are no hidden clauses. Everything overwhelmingly favors you. Why would Fernan Pellenberg sign something like this? Is he really in love with you?”

“I told you, he said he saw potential in me.”

“From spying on your sword dance?”

“He said he’s a merchant who prides himself on reading people.”

Considering Fernan Pellenberg’s reputation, it might not be a lie, but there are too many red flags. Above all, that he suddenly gave up his right to the secret sword technique—that’s hard to believe.

“I agree with you, nanny.”

And yet…

“You’re going ahead with it anyway?”

The nanny asked, with certainty.

“The terms are simply unbeatable. I just need to last three years as his partner. Just by waiving the interest, the family benefits immensely. And I already signed.”

The moment she signed the contract, Luina made her decision.

“To be honest, I’d like to stop you. But if you’ve already decided, I’ll support you. Still, what worries me now are your grades. He may be in tenth place, but compared to you, he’s far behind…”

“He said he’d prove he’s not lacking.”

“Prove it? How?”

“I don’t know.”

“What the hell is that money-obsessed weirdo plotting…?”

“I wonder the same.”

What exactly was he aiming for, going so far as to give up a massive amount of money just to sponsor her and be her partner?

‘Do I really have that much talent?’

She never thought she lacked talent, but aside from her parents and a few family members, no one had held her in such high regard.

More than anything, if he was willing to take that kind of risk, wouldn’t it have made more sense for him to pursue Almon, the top student?

“…”

Whatever his true intentions, it would be a lie to say she wasn’t happy to be recognized.

“Nanny.”

“Yes, miss?”

“I should write a letter to father.”

“He’ll be heartbroken. Knowing you’re sacrificing yourself for the family.”

“This doesn’t even count as a sacrifice. It’s just the right thing to do.”

“Still, I think it’s better to leave out the part about the sponsorship, just in case.”

“Yes.”

“But what exactly did he mean by ‘proving himself’?”

“Who knows.”

Surely, he wasn’t thinking of challenging her.

No way. His skills weren’t even close to her level.

Luina shook her head.

***

“Young Master, are you sure about this?”

A question that carried many implications.

The plan against the Bercheff family had been devised by none other than Duke Pellenberg himself. Though the Pellenbergs were a great family, they lacked swordsmanship experience compared to magic.

They had long coveted a superior sword technique, and the secret martial style of the Bercheff border guardians—who had defended the north of the empire for generations—seemed especially appealing.

The Bercheffs fell at the perfect time, and the stage was set. The plan was about to bear fruit.

“And I personally revoked that plan.”

A sword technique of exceptional quality and a future Royal Knight in the making.

Unless the Pellenbergs were a house obsessed with swords, it wasn’t worth losing the goodwill of someone destined for the Royal Knights. The Pellenbergs held assets far more valuable.

Not counting his small act as a broke noble.

The problem was that he was the only one who knew, and there was no way to explain it.

“I’ll write a letter to Father soon.”

“And what will you say?”

“…Something. Whatever.”

“Well, you’ve already done it, so I won’t ask more. But I wish you the best. I hope I get to serve you again—alive.”

“…You may go.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

The assistant left.

“How am I even supposed to explain this?”

No matter how well he phrased it, a beating awaited him.

He could already picture his father clutching his chest and collapsing after reading the contract, screaming about catastrophic losses.

If he had a son who did something like this, he’d have kicked him out for selling out the family for a woman.

“I don’t know. I’ll think about it after a nap.”

Clutching his throbbing head, Fernan collapsed onto the bed, choosing—for now—the easiest option sleep.