Chapter 10 “O, what may man within him hide, though angel on the outward side!”

The sound of the horse carriage wheels turning and the rhythmic steps of the horse accompanied the young man's journey. Feeling like he was about to explode, the young man tried to relax, burying the nervousness and happiness that had filled the space in his heart.

“Master Wallace, our carriage has arrived at the destination,” said Albert, coinciding with the halt of the horse's steps.

“Thank you.”

Then, with caution, the young man stepped down from his horse carriage. This was the day he had been looking forward to since morning, the day when he did not expect that his real life would soon begin. This was the day when the young man would be tested to become a “Hero.”

“Ah... The fresh air in this world is truly soothing,” said the young man, inhaling and filling his lungs with the clear air around him.

“Young master, please remember once again, I will come to pick you up at four o'clock in the afternoon at the same place. So, I ask that when you return later, you won't go too far from this area,” Albert reminded.

“Okay, don't worry. Oh, by the way, which class am I in? I thought Kalina would accompany me to school before, but after finding out that she's skipping today, now I don't know where to go,” Wallace asked Albert, his horse carriage driver.

“Oh... that, um...” Albert mumbled while scratching his head.

The young man observed and thought that Albert might have forgotten where his young master studied. But in reality, Albert, who was still scratching his head, just realized that he had never known which class his young master attended.

“How could he know? Fool!”

A woman's shout made the two men shift their gaze towards the source of the voice.

“Pay me, and I'll take you to your classroom!” said the woman.

The woman was wearing white attire complemented with a white fur half cloak, and she had short brown hair resembling Axinite. She also carried a leather bag that encircled her white pants. From her attire, it could be confirmed that she had some connection with the Cathedral authorities in this Holy City.

“Hah!? Pay you? Just to escort me to my class, and you demand payment from me? Who do you think you are? If you don't want to escort me, it's fine because I can just ask other students or teachers,” said the young man.

“Huh! Just try me!” challenged the woman, lifting her chin.

“Ah, Miss Marie! Thank you for coming here. It's hard to admit, but I really don't know where Master Wallace's class is. So, would you kindly escort the young master to his class?” Albert asked Marie.

“Of course, I will escort him. Besides, as humans, we should help each other, right?” Marie replied, extending her hand to Albert.

“Oh yes, of course! Here's the payment, even though it's not much, please accept it,” Albert said, handing money to Marie.

“Thank you,” Marie responded, happily accepting the money from Albert.

“What!? Wait, wait, wait! Albert! Why are you giving money to this woman? Do you think I can't find my class on my own!?” protested the young man.

“No, sir, that's not my intention. What I meant is that I just want to help my friend's child. Actually, Marie's mother, who is currently my friend, is seriously ill. That's why I gave her this money to ease her burden a bit,” explained Albert.

“Seriously ill? Okay then. Hey, you! Return Albert's money! Instead, I'll pay you,” said the young man.

“But sir, what about your lunch money?” asked Albert.

“Don't worry about that. Besides, earlier before I left, Kalina gave me snacks she bought at the festival,” said the young man, who then walked away, leaving the two of them.

Marie smiled, looking at the young man's back as he walked away.

“And that's what he said. Here, I'm returning the money because right now, I have to guide this young master on the path he must tread!” said Marie, then she ran away from Albert and chased after the young man.

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Large and expansive, the size of this school building could even be compared to a football stadium in the world of the young man. With numerous pillars and towering spires reaching high into the sky, the school building looked like a palace aspiring to grasp all the knowledge in heaven. Unfortunately, their heaven is not in the sky.

“Hey, Wallace! Wait up!” called Marie, who was now walking beside him.

“What?” replied the young man with a sour expression.

“Wow! Why is your face so gloomy?” asked Marie.

“Your name is Marie, right? Listen, you shouldn't ask money from Wallace in that manner. Just so you know, Wallace seems to be facing economic difficulties right now. Maybe people of high caste and wealth like you won't care, but at this moment, think again before you take advantage of someone in their difficulties,” said the young man, handing money to Marie.

“Wow... You're impressive, speaking like that, Young Emperor. Okay, if that's the case, I'll gladly hold back. Because unlike you, who is wealthy and esteemed, I can attend this school only because I rely on my scholarship. But well, whatever. Money is money. Where and how I get it, I won't care. Even if I have to bury all my feelings,” said Marie while accepting the money given by the young man.

The young man was slightly taken aback and pausing his steps.

He was wrong; he shouldn't advise others like that. This was no different from the people in his world who previously forced him to think about others but never cared about him.

“If this is how it is, what sets me apart from those who exploited me before?” thought the young man.

Then, burying his pride and embarrassment, the young man spoke softly,

“I'm sorry.”

“Hahaha, hey, has the young emperor eaten something weird? It's rare to hear you apologize like that, huh? Maybe today a big storm will appear.” Marie said as she walked ahead of the young man.

“Umm... By the way, do you know that I've lost all my memories now?” the young man asked.

“You? Lost your memory? Huh, that's funny. Don't worry; many people consider it mere gossip. At the moment, not everyone believes that news,” Marie replied.

“What news?” asked the young man.

“Oh, the news about you losing your memory! What else!? Oh, and another one about you staying and living in the house of that sinful woman for a long time.” Marie said.

“Sinful woman? Are you talking about Cecilia?”

“Yes, the same woman who brought you to this Holy City. And because of her crimes, she's being tortured in the underground prison, reminding herself of the hell awaiting her in the end times.”

“What!? So, what's her condition now? Is she still confined in that prison!?”

“Don't worry, besides, why should we be concerned about a woman from the sinful caste? People like her surely understand and know the punishment they will receive if they commit such acts,” Marie reassured the young man.

“I... I will save her!” exclaimed the young man.

“Hmm...? WHAT!? Are you kidding me!? Even though I know you're different now, it doesn't mean you can do all that!” scolded Marie who was still shocked by what she had heard.

“I am Wallace! Hero of prophecy! At the request of my parents, I must be an example and uphold the virtues of a knight! And that woman previously helped and cared for me! That's why I won't let her suffer because it's all my fault and responsibility!” snapped the young man.

Instantly, all the students and teachers turned their faces toward the young man. Marie, who had been standing beside him, quickly used her hand to cover the young man's mouth.

“Shhh... Calm down! That woman has long been freed by our two Bishops. And also, please, never create a commotion in this school, because one day you will surely regret it,” Marie whispered.

Then, the young man brushed off Marie's hand and, with a hint of hesitation, began to ask,

“Really? Has that woman truly been freed? You can't be lying to me, right?”

“Why would I lie to you? Besides, she might also come to this school tomorrow,” replied Marie.

“Huh? Wasn't it said that the sinful people were not allowed to enter this holy city?” asked the young man.

“Who said that? They are all allowed to enter but with a permit. And to get a permit, they must also have a purpose for entering the city.”

“Purpose?”

“Yes, for example, the woman who brought you to this city. She was allowed to enter because she was permitted to study magic in this city. And as far as I know, she seems to be the only person from the sinful caste who can attend school here. Well, the most important thing is, as long as they all have a large Mana and Life force and extraordinary magical abilities, I'm sure all the sinful people will be allowed to study here. Oh, by the way, as an addition, if you have a mission that is somewhat difficult or far outside the city, you can ask that woman to complete it for you. No! Wait a minute, before that, you have to offer your mission to me. If I reject it, only then can you give it to that woman,” explained Marie.

“Hmm? How come everything has turned into an advertisement now?” the young man asked.

“Hehehe, as the saying goes, every difficulty for someone else is an opportunity for someone else,” Marie said proudly.

“Where can such a heartless saying come from!” the young man protested.

“Hehehe…” laughed Marie.

And then, guided by Marie, the young man walked toward his classroom inside the school building. After entering, he gazed at and admired the school building, which turned out to be very spacious and luxurious inside as well.

Colorful magical carvings adorned the walls of the hall, along with magical lights decorating it.

“Wow, it's beautiful... Is all of this magic?” the young man asked Marie.

“If you mean all those carvings and colorful lights, then the answer is yes. All of it is the result of magic.” Marie replied, continuing to walk ahead without slowing down.

“If all this is magic, then who or how can they make it last this long? Isn't it that while using magic, we have to use our Life Force and Mana for its energy?” the young man asked.

“Mmm, about that? If I'm not mistaken... Mmm... Aha! It's because in our city, we have an almost unlimited source of life force energy!” Marie answered.

“Unlimited? How is that possible?”

“Mmm... If I'm not mistaken, it's all because our seven legendary knights worked together to create an energy portal that allows us to continuously mine life force without fearing its depletion. Moreover, why do you care about that? If you're still curious, it's better for you to go to the library than to ask me,” Marie said.

“Tch, just say if you don't know.”

After hearing the young man's mockery, Marie began to feel annoyed. She immediately stopped her steps, then turned to face Wallace and started speaking.

“It's not that I don't know, but because something like that wouldn't be told to an ordinary person like me! Moreover, who do you think I am!? Let me tell you that I am one of the second-genius students in this school!” Marie said with a slightly stern tone.

“Hah! Just being proud of being number two, So by the way, who's the number one?” the young man asked.

Then Marie, while biting her lip slightly, answered, “Wallace, the Hero of the prophecy.” Marie then turned around and continued walking.

“Wallace?”

“Yes, Wallace, the genius man who has created a miracle and jealousy around him just with his birth.”

“Jealousy? But am I not a hero? And am I not also a leader of the seven honorable knights? Then why do people envy me?” the young man asked.

“... Haven't you realized it?” Marie asked.

“Realized what?”

“Look around you, is there anyone who seems to want to stand close to you?”

Then the young man looked around and began to realize that all the students and even a teacher were walking while keeping a distance from him.

“Hmm, I think they're distancing themselves because they don't want to have trouble with you, Marie,” the young man said.

“Don't joke, what do you think they're avoiding me for!?” protested Marie.

“Because you're money-minded?” the young man answered.

“... Didn't Albert mention it before? I'm not money-minded, but right now, I need a lot of money!” Marie exclaimed.

“Lalala! I didn't hear it!” mocked the young man while covering his ears.

“Well, if you don't believe it, why don't you just greet one of them? Maybe you'll start to realize how much they admire their honorable knight and hero,” Marie suggested.

“Fine! Hey you!” the young man called out to a young woman he saw in the hallway.

The woman was startled, causing her to drop all the books and papers she was carrying to the floor.

“Ah! I'm sorry! Please forgive me!” she said, quickly bowing down to pick up all the books and papers she had dropped.

Seeing the woman drop all her books and papers due to the young man's greeting, the young man immediately felt sorry and wanted to help her. However, the young woman suddenly screamed hysterically, gathering all her books and papers without caring if everything was damaged or not, and then ran away from the young man.

The young man felt confused after witnessing the recent incident in front of him.

“Now you understand what I meant, right? None of them admire you even a bit; they're all just afraid of you,” Marie said, standing and observing the situation.

“Huh, just one person. I'm sure if I try again, they'll...”

Suddenly, the young man's words were cut off by Marie.

“Look around you once again. Is there anyone who seems willing to be your friend?” Marie said.

Then the young man looked around and saw many students and teachers gathering, staring at him with looks that weighed on his chest.

They pointed their index fingers, whispered their opinions to friends beside them, and united their gazes to one point to find a fault they could exploit.

“This is wrong. Why are they looking at me like that? Didn't they say I'm an honorable knight? Didn't they say I'm always regarded as an exemplary student in this school? Or maybe my parents have lied to me?” the young man thought.

Seeing the confused young man, Marie then smiled slightly and brought her thin lips close to the young man's ear.

“Now look and feel it, this is the real you, a hero who feared by everyone.” Marie whispered to the young man.

The young man then turned his eyes towards Marie who standing beside him. Angry, he clenched his fists and sighed deeply.

“Alright, if that's the case. I don't know what Wallace did before to make everyone treat him like this. But if he is truly a knight or perhaps a hero, then fine! I will try to clear his name! Because I believe that whatever he did in the past was surely for the sake of the people he wants to protect.” Thought the young man.

Immediately, without much thought, the young man stood up and gazed at everyone gathered around him. Even though their stares pained his heart, even though their whispers were deafening, and even though their accusing fingers blinded his eyes, all of that wouldn't stop him. Because he was convinced that everything would change and disappear.

Because, as Kalina had said before, humans have always been destined to try to understand and master everything. Therefore, the young man would try to understand and make everyone understand him.

Quickly, he lowered his head and shouted with a voice that resonated throughout the school building, “EVERYONE! IF I HAVE EVER MADE A MISTAKE, PLEASE FORGIVE ME! AND IF I HAVE EVER HURT YOU, PLEASE FORGIVE ME! BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, I SWEAR I WILL TRY TO BE SOMEONE YOU CAN ALL COUNT ON AND BE PROUD OF!” The young man exclaimed with a voice that shook the entire school building.

Everything fell silent, everyone contemplated, and everyone furrowed their brows.

“This is strange.”

After hearing an apology from a knight standing before them, they began to feel…

“Strange.”

They were unsure of the feelings that had now settled in their hearts.

“This is strange.”

“This is unpleasant.”

“I'm leaving.”

“Boring.”

“Hey, let's go to the cafeteria, I'm hungry...”

“Hah... Why is there such weird drama so early in the morning.”

A few moments later, they all dispersed. They didn't understand, and because they didn't understand, they distanced themselves.

Because, as Kalina had mentioned, to master something, humans must understand and comprehend it.

And if they don't understand, they won't be able to master it.

And if they can't master it, then they will leave it.

That's the true nature of humans.

Now, everyone scattered, leaving Marie who still surprised and Wallace with his head still bowed.

“Umm... Ah... Okay, shit. It seems I've done something unnecessary in this place.” Marie muttered, looking towards the carvings on the ceiling of the school building.

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