Where Paths Converge

As Minato grew accustomed to the Evergreen estate, the time finally came for his lessons to begin.

The morning sun streamed through his window, warm light brushing across his sleepy face as birds chirped outside. A knock sounded at the door.

“May I come in, young master?” Celis’s voice rang softly.

"Oh good morning, Celis. Yes, come in.”

Celis entered alongside two other maids, bowing politely.
“Excuse us. We’re here to help you change and prepare for the day.”

Minato nodded, still rubbing sleep from his eyes. Within minutes, they dressed him neatly and led him to the dining hall, where he shared a hearty breakfast with Lady Camellia. Once the meal was over, Celis appeared at his side once more.

“Young master, once you’ve rested, please be prepared for sword training.”

Later that day, Minato found himself on the training grounds, standing tall over Percival, his practice sword at the man’s throat. The surrounding knights and maids erupted into applause.

“Young Master Minato is truly a genius unlike any other!”

Their cheers echoed, swelling into a chorus:
“Minato, Minato, Minato!”

The dream shattered.

Minato blinked awake, startled. Celis stood over him, calling his name.
“Huh? Wait, where's my adoring crowd?”

Celis sighed, unimpressed.
“Young master, it’s already afternoon. As a noble, you must learn to wake on time. No, any person must wake on time. This is unacceptable.”

“But Granny back in the village always let me sleep as long as I wanted. Sure, Preyas and Lygus complained, but Granny scolded them for it. Oh, I see what you mean. My bad, Celis.”

She helped him out of bed, hiding a faint smile at his embarrassed expression.
“It’s fine, young master. As long as you put effort into your studies, I know you’ll make the family proud. We’re all looking forward to your success.”

Fuelled by her words, Minato ate quickly and followed Celis out. As they walked toward the training grounds, he spoke up.
“By the way, where’s Camellia? Well… Lady Evergreen.”

Celis giggled behind her hand.
“It’s cute seeing you treat her with such respect. Apparently, you called her a scary old lady the first time you met her.”

Minato froze, cheeks burning, then hurried to catch up with her. Celis only continued with a gentle smile.
“Her grace is busy finalizing paperwork regarding your admission. The other nobles aren’t fond of her, you see.”

As she spoke, flashes of Camellia’s struggles played across Minato’s mind: the constant scorn, the whispered insults, the grief of losing her husband and child, all met without sympathy.

“The nobles despise her because she treats commoners as equals,” Celis explained. “Within her lands, everyone has access to food, water, and even education. Demi-humans too. She built a small school so they can rise above poverty.”

Dark images of demi-human slaves crossed Minato’s thoughts.

“We demi-humans are little more than livestock to most nobles,” Celis continued quietly. “I was a slave myself until her grace bought and freed me. I chose to stay because I want her dream to become reality. But… she has endured countless attacks for it.”

Minato walked ahead of her, his face brightening with resolve.
“Don’t you worry. Now that I’m here, I won’t let some boneheaded noble lay a finger on her. Just wait until I get to the academy. I'll show them hell.”

His eerie smile made Celis giggle softly. Together, they walked toward the training grounds, where Minato’s long months of training began.

For five months, Minato was put through relentless training.

The first week nearly broke him.

On the training grounds, Percival stood with arms crossed.
“Hold your sword higher. Again.”

Minato’s hands shook as he lifted the practice blade, sweat dripping down his forehead. His muscles screamed.

“I can’t”

The flat of Percival’s sword cracked against his own, nearly knocking it loose.
“You can. Again.”

Minato gritted his teeth, breath ragged, and swung clumsily. Percival parried with ease and sent him tumbling into the dirt.

Lying there, staring at the sky, Minato groaned.
“Granny was right… farmwork was easier.”

From the sidelines, Celis covered her mouth, hiding a laugh.

By the second month, things changed.

Steel rang as Minato’s blade clashed with Percival’s. His strikes were faster now, still rough, but sharper, more deliberate.

“Better,” Percival said, pushing him back with a grunt. “But don’t swing like you’re chopping wood. A sword is not an axe.”

Minato smirked, twirling the blade just enough to mimic Percival’s stance.
“Guess you’ll just have to show me again, old man.”

The watching knights erupted in laughter. Percival’s eyebrow twitched.
“You dare?” He lunged, driving Minato into a furious exchange that left sparks flying.

By the third month, Camellia herself joined him on the field.

The clang of steel echoed as her elegant blade disarmed him in three moves. His practice sword skidded across the dirt.

Minato stared at her, dumbfounded.
“…Okay, that’s cheating.”

Camellia only smirked, lowering her weapon.
“That was restraint. If I had meant to end you, you wouldn’t have even seen the strike.”

He retrieved his sword, determination blazing in his eyes.
“Fine. Again. But this time, I won’t blink.”

Camellia’s smile softened, just for a moment.

By the fourth month, Celis sat with him in the study, drilling him in economics and kingdom affairs.

“And so,” she lectured, pointer tapping against the chalkboard, “if the grain supply is disrupted, what happens to the price of bread?”

Minato’s head slowly tilted sideways as his eyes fluttered shut.

“Wrong!” Celis snapped, flicking chalk at him.

“Gah!” He jumped up, rubbing his forehead. “How’d you even? I wasn’t asleep!”

“Lies,” she said flatly, reaching for another piece of chalk.

“Fine, fine!” Minato raised his hands in surrender, grinning sheepishly.
“Bread prices go up. Which means riots. Which means… nobles get cranky.”

Celis sighed, but her lips twitched.
“Not the words I’d use, but… close enough.”

By the fifth month, the estate had changed.

On the practice grounds, the knights gathered, whispering as Minato faced Percival one last time before the exams.

Steel clashed in a whirlwind of sparks. Minato’s movements were still raw, but they carried weight, rhythm, and purpose. With a sudden shift, he caught Percival off guard, his wooden blade stopping inches from the man’s throat.

The knights erupted into cheers.
“Young Master Minato!”
“Brilliant strike!”

Breathing hard, Minato blinked in disbelief, then broke into a wide grin.

Percival pushed the blade aside with a chuckle.
“Not bad, boy. Not bad at all.”

From the balcony, Camellia watched silently, her arms crossed. Her face betrayed nothing, but deep within, a small ember of pride glowed.

Finally, the day of the entrance exams arrived.

Camellia entered Minato’s room as he tied back his unruly curls into a loose bun, the purple tips glinting faintly in the sunlight. His fitted charcoal tunic, navy vest with silver buttons, slim trousers, and knee-high boots gave him a sharp, polished air. Fingerless gloves covered his hands.

He turned with a confident smile.
“Well? Don’t I look dashing?”

Camellia raised an eyebrow, though a small smile tugged at her lips.
“Not bad… trying to impress me, are you?”

Her dark green curls framed her face elegantly, her side-falling cape draped with effortless grace.

Minato eyed her with admiration.
“Sadly, I can’t outshine you when it comes to style. Still, I bet the two of us will blow those other nobles right out of the water.”

Her chuckle was soft, though a faint blush touched her cheeks. Adjusting her cape, she nodded.
“Then let’s get moving. The carriage awaits, and the royal capital doesn’t tolerate tardiness.”

With a grin, Minato slung his bag over his shoulder.
“Lead the way, your grace. Let’s make sure I don’t embarrass myself in front of all those nobles.”

The carriage rolled out, sunlight dancing on the crest of Evergreen, a silver shield bearing a great tree with five leaves.

When they arrived at the academy, nobles and commoners alike were already gathering. As Minato stepped from the carriage, whispers spread.

“Isn’t that Camellia Evergreen? That brat must be the commoner she took in.”
“Look at him showing off like that. The nerve of him.”

Ignoring the murmurs, Minato turned, bowed, and extended his hand to Camellia. Confused but amused, she accepted. Together they walked hand in hand toward registration, leaving the crowd stunned.

“Good day,” Minato said warmly to the registrar. “I’m here to confirm my registrationMinato Caelestis, from House Evergreen. A pleasure.”

The clerk frowned. “Your name checks out… but shouldn’t you have used Evergreen? Where did Caelestis come from?”

“Ah, my apologies. Caelestis is my family name. My parents passed long ago, but Lady Evergreen kindly allowed me to keep it. I’m endlessly grateful.”

Before the clerk could respond, a tall man with fiery red hair approached. His eyes burned like embers.

“Explain yourself, boy. What do you mean by family name?”

Minato smiled innocently.
“I mean no offense, sir. My name is Minato Caelestis.”

His gaze flicked to the man’s crest a black field with a blazing phoenix. He bowed respectfully.
“You must be Duke Vulkaris. It’s an honour. I’ve heard of your flames that reduce your enemies to ash. Truly fitting for one of your stature.”

Kael Vulkaris smirked at the flattery. Camellia, however, frowned.
(Oh boy. What’s this brat planning?)

“For a commoner, you at least know when to lower your head,” Kael sneered, glaring at the other commoners. “Unlike the rest of the ants infesting this place. I, Kael Vulkaris, will register my son next.”

His son strode forward with arrogance. Darian Vulkaris, his slicked red hair glowing like fire, sharp amber eyes brimming with disdain. His crimson and gold attire gleamed in the sun as he fixed his gaze on Minato.

“I am Darian Vulkaris. My father may have humoured you, but I wonder what rat dares call himself by a family name. Why are you even here, commoner trash?”

Camellia’s fury rose, but Minato stopped her with a hand. His smile was calm, though his eyes sharpened.
“Young master Vulkaris, you do have quite the sharp tongue.”

The world seemed to darken. Shadows crept at the edges as Minato’s glare cut into Darian, anger barely restrained. He exhaled slowly, then turned, taking Camellia’s arm.

“A word of advice: do your best in the exams. With luck, perhaps we’ll see each other again at the academy.”

Darian’s throat tightened. Words refused to come. His hatred simmered as he watched Minato walk away, Camellia steadying him with her touch.

From the sidelines, Kael’s voice growled with cold authority.
“Darian. At the practical exam… crush him until nothing remains.”