Leaving his father's office Angel was determined anew to change his old way of thinking. No more excuses.
How many people were given the chance to live another life? Especially in a fantasy world setting where every possibility seems within reach.
After his short internal monologue, Angel, headed towards his sister's room since she asked him to visit her room later. Along the way stationed guard bowed politely to him, till he reached Liz's room.
"Hey sis."
"I brewed some tea come sit here. I've been out of the academy for two weeks and still haven't had the chance to really talk to each other with all your training."
Angel approached the table smiling and sat down.
"Haha, you know how it is, or maybe not 'embarrassment of the family, coming in second'." Said Angel joking.
"I see you've also learnt how to joke huh?" replied Liz smiling with him. "Did dad tell you about the court thing? You aren't even 16 yet and still a lot of the responsibilities fall to you."
Liz took a sip of her tea and continued.
"I had a talk with Prince Jonathan before returning to the estate and he told me that the situation is a bit exaggerated. The Third Prince is spiteful there is no way he'll want to support the Second. His logic is 'if I can't have it, then no one can', so enjoy your birthday party and the days before it. There is no reason for you to tangle yourself up with the court schemes."
"Don't worry Liz, dad just told me to keep my eyes and ears opened I'm not tangled up with anything." Said Angel with a slight smirk on his face. "I'm curious though, does this Prince Jonathan trust you that much to open up about the political and economic state of the empire right now?"
"Enough there young man. I know exactly where you are steering this conversation, and no, it's not like that. We are part of the student council so of course we have more contact with each other."
"What do you mean sis, I was not going anywhere with it, and you got defensive suddenly. Maybe I've hit a nerve, Hahaha." said Angel laughing.
"Uhh, I hate you. Don't let me catch you doing anything in the academy. You'll go straight to the disciplinary committee. Let me see you laughing there."
Liz huffed, folding her arms, though the edge in her voice had dulled. "You always were insufferable when you got that look, little troublemaker."
Angel leaned back in his chair, hands clasped behind his head. "You still on with the troublemaker thing. I'm not a kid anymore, sis. Oh, and if anything, I should be grateful to you, you know. It's reassuring to know a student council member will be keeping an eye on me."
She rolled her eyes and reached for her teacup only to realize that it had already gone cold. After a moment, she set it aside untouched.
"Jokes aside," Liz said quietly, "I don't know what mom and dad told you about the academy, but there isn't like home."
"Yeah, I know, dad told me about it when I met him earlier, and before that, and before that..." replied Angel trying to sound tired.
"Knowing and experiencing are two different things. Commoners or low-level nobles would do anything to bring down someone in higher position than them. Our name doesn't carry weight in there. A few will pretend to be your friend just to see what you can offer them." Replied Liz.
"I understand that I do, but this stands only within the academy grounds, outside anything goes, right?"
Liz shook her head. "Heh, you think they are stupid enough to leave the academy where the nobles influence is all over the place? And threats won't work either. When someone has nothing to lose, they stop fearing consequences."
The words lingered between them.
Angel remembered his father's words in the office.
Seeing the shift in his expression she tried to lighten up the mood.
"I won't always be there to pull you out of trouble you know, I'm just a second-year student. I don't have much influence, just yet."
"Don't worry. I'm planning to stand on my own two feet. No help."
Liz raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?"
He stood, smoothing his sleeves. "Yes, really. Little troublemaker no more. I'm going to my room. Later follows a training sesh with mom, you know how she is about training."
"Okay," she said. "Just don't overdo it."
In his previous life, he would've waited for someone else to lead. This time, he wouldn't.
As Angel stepped into the corridor, the glow of mana crystals guided his path, he felt the weight of the academy draw closer.
And for the first time, he didn't look away.