The atmosphere at the dining table suddenly turned silent, leaving behind only the awkward clinking of forks. Kazien's overly detailed and flat explanation regarding the topic left Arken speechless, blinking stiffly, while Alvin and Allen exchanged unreadable glances.
However, the very person who caused the silence seemed completely unbothered. Kazien calmly finished his breakfast, chewing slowly, then sipped his tea as if the conversation had just been a light discussion about the clear morning weather.
"Why did you stop?" Kazien asked innocently as he set down his cup, noticing that Alvin and Allen had been staring at him. "Hurry up and finish. We don't have much time before the academy gates close."
That casual remark made Alvin sigh deeply, as if giving up on trying to understand his fiancé's way of thinking. Allen just shook his head slightly, deciding not to press the issue since Kazien was clearly oblivious to his mistake.
They continued eating in silence, letting everything they thought about Kazien's emotions slip away.
After they finished breakfast, Kazien, Alvin, Allen, and Arken were ready to go to the academy. However, there was one thing different this morning. Arken now stood tall beside Kazien.
Elisa, who was clearing the dining table, watched the scene with a gentle smile.
"Arken, are you going with them to the academy?" asked Elisa, setting back down the napkin she had just picked up.
Arken nodded firmly, his eyes sparkling with hope. "Yes, Aunt Elisa. I don't want to be alone at home while they all go to the academy. It feels so lonely."
Elisa looked at her nephew's innocent face, then shifted her gaze to Kazien, who only offered a faint smile. He sighed softly, understanding Arken's feelings of not wanting to be alone.
"Alright! But remember, tell the Dean the truth before you enter the class! Don't sneak in!" Elisa said, granting permission but accompanied by a stern warning to Arken and the others.
Arken's face lit up instantly. "Okay, Aunt Elisa. We'll be going then!"
"Be careful on the way!" Elisa called out, waving her hand.
The four of them stepped out of the mansion, cutting through the fresh morning air toward the magnificent academy gates. The journey felt livelier with Arken's enthusiastic light chatter. However, their steps came to a halt right in front of the giant iron gates.
A gatekeeper stepped forward, blocking their path. His eyes narrowed as he spotted the unfamiliar figure among the uniformed students.
"Wait!" the guard's heavy voice stopped them. "Why is there a non-student coming with you?"
Kazien took a step forward. "He is Arken, my younger brother. He didn't want to be alone at the mansion, so he's coming with us just for today. He also wanted to see what the academy was like before he became an official student."
The gatekeeper stared at Kazien. His memory was immediately thrown back to the event some time ago, when the King himself came to the academy because of the young man before him. Although he didn't know who Kazien actually was, his survival instincts flared up: Don't look for trouble with this boy.
The guard's stance softened immediately. Rather than taking a risk, it was better to allow this trivial matter.
"Go ahead!" he said briefly, making way. "But remember, don't let your brother disturb the order within the academy grounds! And make sure you report his presence to the Dean."
"Alright, I will tell the Dean. Thank you very much." Kazien replied politely.
Without any significant obstacles, they strolled inside.
Their first destination was Dean Claus's office.
Upon arriving at the Dean's room, Kazien explained the situation in detail. Whether it was about Arken's age, having just turned thirteen and his reason for bringing Arken today to academy before he became an official student.
Fortunately, Dean Claus allowed Arken to join the lessons with them.
"I will inform your homeroom teacher and the teachers who will be teaching your class so they won't be surprised." said Dean Claus wisely.
"Alright, thank you very much, Dean Claus!"
After securing official permission, the four of them rushed toward the classroom building.
Arken's presence instantly became a magnet. Amidst the sea of academy uniforms, a handsome boy in casual clothes certainly caught the eye.
"Hey, who is he? How did he get in here?" whispered a student.
One of Kazien's classmates approached them. "Kazien, who is this kid?"
"He's my brother. We've also got permission from the Dean." Kazien answered calmly.
His classmate's eyes went wide. "Your brother? Wow! He's really handsome! Hey, can I introduce him to my little sister?"
Alvin and Allen burst into crisp laughter, while Kazien only chuckled. "He just turned thirteen. If we're talking about romance, that depends on him!"
Arken, who was the center of the conversation, stayed silent, shifting to hide part of his body behind Kazien's broad back out of shyness.
Then, they continued walking while Arken gazed around in amazement.
"Brother Kazien! I've decided! I want to be an academy student just like you!" Arken exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Really? It seems we have to discuss that after meeting Mom and Dad later."
"No problem, that's even better! I just want to always be near you, Brother."
Kazien's heart warmed hearing that. He wanted to hug his brother, but he held back because they were in a public place. "Let's get into class."
As soon as they entered the classroom, their classmates looked confused.
"Kazien, who is he and why is he here?" asked a classmate.
"He is Arken, my brother! He didn't want to be alone at the mansion and decided to come with me. The Dean has given permission."
Arken gathered his courage to greet everyone. "Hello, I'm Arken. Nice to meet you," he greeted warmly with a sweet smile.
The effect was instant. Many students found Arken's handsome yet cute face adorable. Quite a few approached and pinched his cheeks in adoration, leaving Arken confused about what to do.
"Why are you crowding around like that? Return to your seats immediately!"
A stern voice cut through the crowd. Dania Rolvold, their homeroom teacher who also taught History and Geography, walked in. Instantly, the crowd dispersed, and the students returned to their chairs.
Arken sighed in relief at being saved by the beautiful woman. Dania placed a large rolled map on the teacher's desk, then her gaze fell on Arken.
"So, are you Kazien's brother named Arken?"
"Y-Yes, that's right! My name is Arken, Ma'am."
"I am Dania Rolvold, the homeroom teacher of Class D. Sit next to Kazien! And please do not cause a ruckus while the lesson is in session."
"Thank you very much! I promise I won't cause trouble." Arken said happily, then sat next to his brother.
The lesson began. Dania unrolled the large map and placed it on the blackboard, displaying the continent's topography and the boundaries of ancient kingdoms. She began explaining the history of territorial shifts and geographical strategies in past wars.
Initially, Kazien was worried Arken would be bored with the dense history material. However, when he glanced sideways, Arken was listening very seriously. His eyes sparkled every time Dania mentioned a place name or historical event.
Dania finished explaining an old expedition route on the map. She turned to face her students.
"So, who can show the location of the mountain pass used by the northern forces to infiltrate during the Five Decade War?" asked Dania while holding a pointer stick.
The class was silent for a moment. It was a small detail in history that was often overlooked.
Just as Kazien, Alvin, and Allen wanted to raise their hands, suddenly a hand shot high into the air accompanied by a voice.
"Me, Ms. Dania!"
All heads turned. It was Arken's voice. His action astonished everyone in the class.
Dania raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised but interested. She immediately invited Arken. "Please, come forward."
Arken stood up confidently. He walked to the front of the large map, took the pointer from Dania's hand, and without hesitation pointed to a specific spot among the illustrations of steep mountains.
"In this narrow pass near the Begiven cliffs. The northern forces used it because the main route was heavily guarded by the southern fortress." Arken said with conviction.
Dania's eyes widened. It was a very precise answer.
"Amazing! Your answer is correct!" Dania praised in amazement. "I didn't expect you to be able to answer a question this detailed correctly!"
Arken smiled broadly, feeling satisfied after receiving praise from the homeroom teacher.
Kazien looked at his brother with pride. Amazing! My brother can follow this history lesson well. I'm sure in the future he will become a great person!
Arken returned to his seat feeling happy.
"Brother, I could answer it! I can't wait to be an academy student like you!" he whispered proudly.
"Hahaha. I am really looking forward to seeing you wearing the academy uniform like me!" replied Kazien.
Meanwhile, Dania returned to her desk while continuing to observe Arken, who was smiling.
Does the Altavis family truly possess above-average intelligence? He just turned thirteen, but his insight into history and geography is already that deep.
She looked at Arken with great hope for his future. With that intelligence, I am certain he will follow in his brother's footsteps as a genius student.