The young man gulped.
For a moment, he simply stood there.
The confidence that had filled his face only moments ago had begun to crack beneath Bereshith's calm and dignified presence. There was something unsettling about the way Bereshith looked at him—not with anger, not with fear, and certainly not with the arrogance that Young man had expected.
It was simply calm.
Almost too calm.
The young man clenched his teeth before raising his voice again.
"I'm the third son of this country's Archduke, Kriska Korlock!"
Bereshith lifted his head slightly.
"Korlock…"
He repeated the name quietly as he thought.
The Korlock family.
One of the most powerful noble houses in the kingdom.
Their status stood immediately beneath the Royal Family itself, making them one of the most influential families in the entire country. The Archduke Kaizer Korlock was a name known throughout the kingdom, both for his authority and the enormous territory under his control.
Bereshith had heard the name before.
But that was all.
He had never had a reason to concern himself with the children of the Archduke.
Kriska, however, apparently expected the name alone to be enough.
"Don't you know who I am?! What are you, a country bumpkin?! Introduce yours—"
"My apologies, mademoiselle."
Bereshith finally interrupted.
Kriska flinched and froze.
Bereshith's expression remained perfectly composed.
"I didn't know I was speaking with the third 'child' of the Great Kaizer Korlock."
His words were polite.
Yet the emphasis he placed upon the word child made several students nearby struggle to suppress their laughter.
Bereshith continued.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am the son of Lucas Redsun."
He paused.
"My name is Bereshith Redsun."
"...!"
Silence.
Then—
"Redsun?"
One student whispered.
"Did he just say Redsun?"
Another student immediately turned toward his friend.
"Don't tell me… He's the grandson of the Sword Saint?!"
"Wait! Isn't Lord Lucas the infamous Blood Knight?"
"I heard about him from my father! Lord Lucas married the daughter of the Sword Saint!"
"No, you're right! My family attended that wedding!"
"But wasn't their first child a girl?"
"Exactly! Not a boy!"
"And wasn't that wedding only a few years ago?"
"Then who is this guy claiming to be Lord Lucas's son?"
The whispers spread throughout the auditorium entrance.
Students who had previously been interested in the argument between Bereshith and Kriska were now looking at Bereshith with completely different eyes.
The name Redsun carried weight.
And the name Lucas Redsun carried even more.
Kriska's expression slowly changed.
The arrogance disappeared.
His eyes widened.
Bereshith noticed.
He didn't seem particularly interested in the surrounding gossip, however.
Instead, he calmly walked toward Kriska.
One step.
Then another.
Kriska instinctively took half a step backward.
Bereshith stopped directly in front of him.
He reached for his right hand.
Kriska stiffened.
Bereshith gently lifted his hand and, with the grace of a properly trained nobleman, placed a light kiss upon it.
The surrounding students immediately became silent, shocked and get their face embarrassed as if they are seeing two men acting weird.
Bereshith lowered his voice so only Kriska could initially hear him.
"I don't know the reason why the third daughter of the Korlock family is introducing herself as a man, but…"
Kriska's eyes widened.
Bereshith lifted his head.
His expression remained gentle.
Yet there was a mischievous glint within his eyes.
His next words were loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
"Please be careful."
The auditorium became quiet.
"If you wish to be treated as a man by using your fists, someone, someday, will teach you what it truly means to stand as one."
Bereshith released her hand.
"And when that day comes, you may finally understand…"
He smiled.
"…the burden of being a man."
Several students stared at one another.
Some immediately covered their mouths.
Others began whispering.
A few couldn't hold their laughter any longer.
Bereshith turned around.
He casually raised one hand and waved.
"It's nice to meet you, Kriska."
He began walking away.
Kriska remained frozen.
Her face had turned bright red.
Humiliation burned through her chest.
The laughter around her grew louder.
"He destroyed him…"
"Without even raising his voice."
"That's the third son of the Korlock family?"
"He just got lectured by a freshman!"
"He's finished!"
"Stop laughing!"
"I can't!"
Kriska's fists trembled.
Her teeth clenched.
Veins appeared along her forehead.
Then—
"WAIT!"
Bereshith stopped.
Kriska's voice echoed throughout the entrance.
"You bastard!"
Bereshith slowly turned his head.
Kriska's face was distorted with anger.
"I AM A SON!"
She pointed furiously at herself.
"I am the third son of Korlock!"
Her breathing became heavier.
"I said I am Man!"
She rushed forward.
"You bastard!"
Her fist pulled backward.
Then she swung.
But this time—
Bereshith didn't allow the attack to reach him.
His body moved almost naturally.
One step to the side.
Kriska's fist passed through empty air.
Bereshith's eyes followed her movement with remarkable precision.
His training had taught him to observe the body before the attack came.
The shoulders.
The hips.
The feet.
The direction of the eyes.
The breathing.
He had already anticipated where the attack would travel.
His right hand caught Kriska's wrist.
Her eyes widened.
"What—?!"
Bereshith pulled.
Kriska's balance immediately broke.
Before she could recover, Bereshith stepped forward.
His fist struck her abdomen.
A sharp blow landed beneath her ribs.
Kriska's breath disappeared.
"Guh—!"
Her body bent forward.
Bereshith immediately followed with another controlled strike to her jaw.
Her eyes rolled upward.
Her body went limp.
The entire entrance fell silent.
Bereshith released a quiet breath.
"How pitiful."
Kriska began to fall.
But before her body could strike the floor, Bereshith caught her.
He slipped one arm beneath her knees and another around her back.
He lifted her effortlessly.
The sight was almost absurd.
The same person who had just defeated the third son of the Archduke was now carrying her like a princess.
Bereshith looked down at the unconscious Kriska.
"I just told you…"
His expression became slightly disappointed.
"Why didn't you listen?"
Before anyone could respond, hurried footsteps approached.
An adult man appeared from the corridor.
He wore respectable academy attire, with neatly arranged clothing and polished shoes. A pair of glasses rested upon his face, and his long blood-red hair fell behind his shoulders.
He looked around at the students.
His expression immediately became serious.
"What's the commotion happening here?"
Everyone became quiet.
The man's eyes eventually landed upon Bereshith.
Then upon the unconscious Kriska in his arms.
Bereshith looked back at him.
There was no panic on his face.
No arrogance.
Only a polite smile.
"Think nothing of it, Sir."
He adjusted his grip on Kriska so that she wouldn't fall.
"Young Lord Kriska has merely taken a faint turn."
The man raised an eyebrow.
"A faint turn?"
Bereshith nodded calmly.
"Might I trouble you to direct me to the infirmary?"
The man stared at him for several seconds.
Then his eyes moved toward the students surrounding them.
Some were still trying not to laugh.
Others looked terrified.
And a few were staring at Bereshith as though they had just witnessed something they would be talking about for years.
The man sighed.
"Very well."
He turned toward the corridor.
"Follow me. The infirmary isn't far."
Bereshith smiled politely.
"Thank you, Sir."
He followed the man, carrying Kriska in his arms.
Behind them, the whispers immediately resumed.
"Who exactly is that Bereshith Redsun?"
"I don't know…"
"But I think we've just witnessed the beginning of something interesting."
And somewhere among the crowd, one student quietly muttered—
"The Black Sheep of the Korlock family just met the 'Son' of the Redsun family."
The words lingered in the air.
Neither of them heard it.
But before the day was over, the entire academy would know both their names.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
The corridor leading toward the infirmary was unusually quiet.
Bereshith followed the red-haired man through the academy, still carrying the unconscious Kriska in his arms. Her head rested against his shoulder, while her arms hung loosely at her sides.
The man glanced back several times.
He still seemed somewhat bewildered by the situation.
After everything that had happened, most students would have left the unconscious noble behind and returned to the ceremony.
Yet Bereshith had done the opposite.
He had carried the student himself.
Eventually, they reached a door marked for the academy infirmary.
The red-haired man opened it and stepped inside.
Bereshith followed.
But the moment they entered, both of them stopped.
There was no doctor.
No nurse.
No attendant.
Only several empty beds, chairs, cabinets filled with medicine, and medical equipment arranged neatly around the room.
The red-haired man looked around.
"Looks like the doctor is out for a moment."
Bereshith didn't answer.
He simply walked toward the nearest empty bed.
Carefully, he lowered Kriska's unconscious body onto it.
He adjusted her position so that her head rested properly against the pillow before taking one of the nearby chairs.
He sat beside her.
The red-haired man stared at him.
"You're staying?"
Bereshith looked up.
"Yes."
The man folded his arms.
"What are you doing? Why aren't you returning to the ceremony?"
Bereshith gave him a polite smile.
"My apologies, but I can't leave this guy behind."
He glanced toward Kriska.
"I am responsible for this guy's health. If I leave, who will answer the doctor's questions about his condition besides me?"
The man's expression changed slightly.
"You'll miss the important message of the ceremony."
He paused.
"Besides, the Prince is announcing something important today. Don't you want to hear it?"
Bereshith jolted for a moment.
Then he smiled.
"No, it's alright."
He leaned back in the chair.
"I think I already have an idea of what the message will be."
The red-haired man raised an eyebrow.
"If you say so."
He turned toward the door.
"Don't regret it later. I warned you."
Bereshith nodded.
"Thank you for bringing us here, Sir."
The man waved his hand dismissively.
"Take care of yourself."
With that, he left.
The door closed.
Silence returned.
Bereshith looked at the unconscious girl lying on the bed.
His expression gradually became thoughtful.
"Why is this girl pretending to be a man?"
He leaned forward slightly.
"I remember during my lessons with Lady Maria that the Archduke has three children. Two boys and one girl."
His eyes narrowed.
"The eldest is Karl Korlock. The second is Kyesec Korlock."
He paused.
"I don't remember hearing about a third son named Kriska."
Bereshith scratched his cheek.
"What I do remember is the name Kinsley."
His eyes settled upon the sleeping girl.
"Kinsley Korlock."
The only daughter of Archduke Kaizer Korlock.
The daughter whom, according to everything Bereshith had learned, the Archduke adored more than anyone.
Bereshith stared at her for several seconds.
Then he sighed.
"…Lady Kinsley."
There was no response.
"I don't know what you're trying to accomplish."
He leaned back.
"But if you wanted to enter the academy using a different name and identity, you probably shouldn't have kept your family name."
His expression became mildly exasperated.
"Especially when you're pretending to be the third son of the very family you're trying to hide."
He stood.
The infirmary was quiet.
The ceremony was taking place elsewhere.
Nobody was watching him.
So Bereshith stretched his arms above his head.
"Since I'm already here…"
He stepped into an empty space between the beds.
His feet settled into position.
His breathing became slow.
Then his fists moved.
One.
Two.
Three.
A jab.
A cross.
A step backward.
A pivot.
His movements were controlled rather than violent.
Shadowboxing.
His body moved through combinations he had practiced countless times during his rehabilitation.
His breathing remained steady.
His shoulders stayed relaxed.
He shifted his weight from one foot to another, practicing balance and footwork without making unnecessary noise.
Minutes passed.
Then—
"Hnn…"
Bereshith stopped.
He heard a faint moan.
He turned immediately.
Kriska's fingers twitched.
Her eyelids moved.
Bereshith lowered his hands.
Finally, she began to regain consciousness.
"Finally."
He walked toward the bed.
"You're awake, Lady Kinsley."
Her eyes opened.
For a moment, her vision remained unfocused.
Then she heard the name.
Her eyes immediately widened.
She sat upright.
"You!"
Her breathing became sharp.
"How did you know my name?!"
Bereshith didn't answer immediately.
Kinsley's eyes became suspicious.
Her entire body tensed.
Bereshith calmly stepped backward.
He walked toward the infirmary door.
Then—
Click.
He locked it.
Kinsley's eyes narrowed.
"What are you doing?"
Bereshith walked back toward his chair.
He sat down.
Only then did Kinsley move.
She suddenly lunged toward him.
Her right hand shot toward his neck.
Bereshith caught her wrist.
Kinsley gritted her teeth.
"Let go!"
She immediately attacked with her left hand.
Bereshith caught that wrist as well.
Both of her hands were now restrained.
"Let me go, you bastard!"
Bereshith looked at her calmly.
"Calm down, Lady Kinsley, and allow me to explain."
"That's rich coming from an unknown origin like you!"
Her eyes burned with anger.
"You aren't the son of Lord Lucas, are you?! So why should I listen to a liar like you?!"
Bereshith became completely still.
For several seconds, he simply stared at her.
Then—
His shoulders began to shake.
Kinsley blinked.
"What?"
Bereshith covered his mouth.
A small laugh escaped.
"Pfft…"
He tried to suppress it.
He failed.
"Puwahahahaha!"
Kinsley's face twisted in confusion.
Bereshith covered his face as he continued laughing.
"This is the first time anyone has ever called me a liar!"
"Stop laughing!"
"Puwahahahaha!"
"You bastard!"
Kinsley's anger reached its limit.
She suddenly threw herself forward.
Bereshith lost his balance.
THUD!
His back struck the floor.
Kinsley landed over him.
"You bastard!"
She grabbed his collar.
"How dare you laugh at me!"
Bereshith couldn't stop laughing.
Even as Kinsley pushed her hands against his neck, his expression remained strangely amused.
"You're—"
She tightened her grip.
"—still laughing?!"
Bereshith grabbed her wrists.
He tried to loosen her grip.
"My apologies…"
His voice was strained from her hands around his neck.
"…for laughing at you."
Kinsley glared at him.
"But telling me I'm a liar…"
He coughed.
"I simply couldn't help laughing."
Kinsley's anger didn't disappear.
"Then stop laughing!"
Bereshith finally managed to loosen her grip.
"You do realize…"
He took a breath.
"…I could be the adopted son of Lucas, right, Lady Kinsley?"
"!"
Kinsley froze.
The words struck her like a hammer.
Adopted son.
Her hands slowly loosened.
Her eyes widened.
Then a memory returned.
Two years ago.
Her father's study room.
She remembered standing there with her brothers.
Her father had been unusually serious that day.
His voice had carried an authority that made all three children listen.
"My children… Your father finally have the information about the the farmer who is producing the pure and untoxic livestock, fruits and vegetables..."
The Archduke had looked at them one by one.
"He is a young man you must remember."
Kinsley remembered how her father had folded his hands behind his back.
"He is greatly respected by Prince Rayryn."
His voice had become even more serious.
"And he is loved by the Sword Saint and the Blood Knight."
The three siblings had exchanged confused looks.
The Archduke continued.
"It is said that he will attend Sol Academy this year."
He had paused.
"He is the adopted son of Lucas, the Blood Knight."
Kinsley's father had looked directly at his children.
"If you ever meet him, you must do what you can to respect him."
Another pause.
"And get close to him."
At the time, Kinsley hadn't understood why her father considered one boy so important.
She had assumed her brothers would meet him first.
After all, they were older.
They had already entered the academy.
Two years had passed since that conversation.
And somehow, fate had brought the mysterious boy directly in front of her.
Bereshith Redsun.
The very person her father had warned her about.
The person she had been told to respect.
The person she had been told to get close to.
Kinsley's face slowly became pale.
Her eyes shifted toward Bereshith.
She had done everything wrong.
She had insulted him.
She had attacked him.
She had attempted to choke him.
And moments ago…
She had nearly killed the very person her father had specifically warned her about.
Bereshith looked at her.
His expression was surprisingly gentle.
"So…"
He tilted his head.
"Are you going to stop trying to strangle me now?"
Kinsley stared at him.
Her mouth opened.
But no words came out.
For the first time since she had entered Sol Academy, Kinsley Korlock had absolutely no idea what to say.
And Bereshith?
He simply smiled.
"Well?"
The silence inside the infirmary became almost unbearable.
Kinsley slowly looked away and stops strangling him.
"…This is a disaster."
Bereshith blinked, then release her too from his grip.
Then he smiled again.
"I agree."
He paused.
"But I think we should probably start by introducing ourselves properly."
Kinsley looked back at him.
Bereshith extended his hand.
"I'm Bereshith Redsun."
Kinsley stared at his hand for a long moment.
Then, reluctantly, she reached out.
"…Kinsley Korlock."
Their hands met.
And with that simple handshake, the strange relationship between the adopted son of the Redsun family and the hidden daughter of the Korlock family began.
Then...
Bereshith slowly pushed himself up from the floor, rubbing his shoulder where he had landed. Kinsley was still beside him, looking embarrassed and unsure of what to do.
Without making much of it, Bereshith reached around her waist, carefully lifted her just enough to move her out of his way, and placed her beside the bed.
"Excuse me."
Kinsley stiffened.
Bereshith then stood upright, brushed the dust from his uniform, and straightened his clothes. Once he was satisfied that he looked presentable again, he turned toward her.
"Now, things have been cleared up. I think it's best for us to go back to the ceremony, isn't that right, Lady Kinsley... No, Kriska?"
He extended his right hand toward her, offering to help her stand.
Kinsley stared at his hand for a moment.
Her face was still burning with embarrassment.
She remembered everything she had done.
She had attacked him.
She had tried to strangle him.
She had accused him of being a liar.
And now this same person was offering his hand as though none of it mattered.
Kinsley looked away.
"No, I am fine. You can go back first. I'll stay here."
Bereshith remained silent for a moment.
Then he slowly closed his hand and lowered his arm.
"If you say so..." he replied calmly. "Then, I'll stay here too."
He walked toward the other bed and simply lay himself down.
Kinsley's eyes widened.
"Why are you staying?! Because I wanted to stay?! Are you dumb?! You're skipping the ceremony!"
Bereshith stared at the ceiling.
"I think you meant... 'we' are skipping the ceremony."
He turned his head toward her.
"I am not here because I wanted to. I am here because of you, remember?"
Kinsley jolted.
For a moment, she couldn't answer.
He was right.
If she hadn't attacked him, he wouldn't have been here.
If she hadn't caused the commotion, he would have been sitting inside the auditorium with the rest of the students.
And yet, instead of blaming her or leaving her behind, he had chosen to remain.
Kinsley lowered her gaze.
She slowly walked toward her own bed and sat down.
Silence filled the infirmary.
The sounds of the academy outside were faintly audible through the walls. Students were still moving through the corridors, and somewhere beyond the infirmary, the opening ceremony was undoubtedly continuing.
Neither of them spoke for several moments.
Eventually, Kinsley broke the silence.
"I heard about you... two years ago."
Bereshith's eyes shifted toward her.
"Ohhh..." His voice carried genuine curiosity. "That's interesting. What did you hear about me?"
Kinsley hesitated.
"Well, not much. I learned about it from my father. He said you were supposed to enroll in this academy two years ago."
Bereshith returned his gaze to the ceiling.
"Well, I got into an accident. I was unconscious for almost a year, and afterward I was bedridden for months."
Kinsley's expression changed.
"An accident?"
Her voice became softer.
"What happened to you?"
Bereshith continued staring upward.
"Well, two years ago... I was invited by Prince Rayryn to enroll in this academy. But on the way here, we were ambushed by people who were trying to kill us—"
Footsteps suddenly echoed from the hallway.
Bereshith stopped speaking.
His eyes turned toward the door and sit up.
The footsteps grew louder.
Several people appeared to be running toward the infirmary.
Kinsley also turned toward the door.
Then—
BANG!
The door was forcibly opened.
"Bereshith?! Are you okay?!"
Bereshith's entire body stiffened.
His eyes widened.
He knew that door had been locked.
Yet standing in the doorway was none other than Princess Inoha.
Bereshith's expression immediately became awkward.
"O-oh... Princess."
He forced a smile.
"What are you doing here?"
Inoha didn't answer.
Instead, she immediately rushed toward him.
"Bereshith!"
She threw her arms around him.
Bereshith nearly lost his balance.
"P-Princess?!"
Inoha began inspecting him from head to toe.
She checked his face.
His shoulders.
His arms.
His chest.
His back.
Even his legs.
Bereshith stood there in complete embarrassment.
He glanced toward Kinsley.
She was staring.
That only made things worse.
"Princess Inoha, I am okay," Bereshith said awkwardly. "I'm not hurt or anything."
He tried gently pushing her away.
But Inoha refused.
"Stay still."
She continued examining him.
Bereshith sighed helplessly.
After several moments, Inoha finally seemed satisfied.
She stepped away and looked him directly in the eyes.
"Looks like you are okay."
Her voice was initially calm.
Then her expression changed as she immediately grab Bereshith face and looked at him intensely.
"Now explain."
Bereshith blinked.
"Explain what?"
"Why are we hearing that you are in the infirmary on the first day of school, Sir Bereshith?"
Her voice became colder.
Bereshith stared at her.
He knew that tone.
It was the tone of someone who wanted an explanation immediately.
He simply raised his hand and pointed toward Kinsley.
"It's because of her."
Inoha slowly turned her head.
Her eyes landed on Kinsley.
"Oh my~"
Her expression became deceptively pleasant.
"I didn't realize there was someone besides Sir Bereshith here."
Kinsley immediately straightened herself.
She lowered her head respectfully.
"It's alright, Princess Inoha."
Her voice was stiff and nervous.
"And Sir Bereshith is right. It was because of me that he is here."
She swallowed.
"I attacked him and caused a commotion. He struck me, and I lost consciousness. Then he brought me here."
Inoha remained silent then she release her hand away from Bereshith's face.
For several seconds.
Then she began walking toward Kinsley.
One step.
Then another.
Kinsley watched her approach.
Something about Inoha's smile made her uneasy.
Inoha stopped directly in front of her.
Then she reached forward and gently but firmly took Kinsley's face between her hands, turning it toward her.
Kinsley's eyes widened in confusion.
Inoha stared directly into her eyes.
Her smile disappeared.
"Why did you attack him?"
Her voice was quiet.
Far too quiet.
Kinsley swallowed nervously.
Inoha's gaze sharpened.
"Who are you to attack my man whom I love?" It was cold and menacing tone, as if it's not warning but a real threat.