Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 43: Almost (1)

1010 AF

A young man sat under the largest tree in the garden, his legs crossed, a breeze blowing his black hair across his neck.

Laying the book, he was reading on the grass beside him, he closed his eyes and let the wind caress his face.

He takes a deep breath and exhale.

A group of girls who were watching him from a nearby tree sighed dreamily, marveling at his handsome face.

Everyone in the Academy knew and respected that Kyle Lethe always rested under the tall tree. And so the girls of the Academy never disturb or rested around that tree for fear that Under Marshall Kyle will not rest there.

Handsome and polite, Kyle had become a true gentleman and had no problem befriending nobles and common folk alike.

He is handsome and dashing and very polite, and possesses a gentleman manner. Befriending the nobles and the common people, he is the most moderate person in his group.

The Four Greats of the Knight Academy. Arial, Lisa, Kyle and Helia.

Arial is too hard to approach as there is just this something about him that intimidated people, Lisa is very aggressive in her manners and action; while Helia has to high of a status for even a noble.

Helia is descended from the kingly line of Vangua, and her great ancestor even has some blood relations with the MontBlanc dynasty in the past.

Even though her family is just another noble family in the Dukedom, their family position has always been a little special.

Arial on the other hand is the son of one of the wealthiest lords in the Dukedom and his family is a famous patron of art and knowledge.

Arial himself is a very private person and his astonishing feat of bravery and strength in the Academy is widespread.

And as his reputation rises, many more people find it hard to approach the leader of the Four Greats.

Lisa on the other hand is very protective of Arial and Helia and is also known to be very talented at double handed weapon and famously known because of her temper.

She is strict in her training, training the junior in swordsmanship when the teacher gives her the responsibility.

Behind her back, many of the juniors call her the Devil of the Four Greats. The reason they were given the title of Four Greats is likening them to the Four Immortals.

The Four Immortals consisted of Eastern Devil, Western Serpent, Northern Badger and Southern Healer.

All four of these legendary figures are masters of martial arts that has probably reached the pinnacle of martial arts.

If there is one apt description that could describe Lisa it would be the Eastern Devil.

Kyle on the other hand while he follows the rule of the Academy when guiding the juniors, he is also considerate and quite generous and forgiving.

His strictness is not terrifying like his sister, or as cold as Arial.

Which made him even more popular among the junior and even among his senior.

Opening an eye, Kyle noticed the girls watching him, giggling among themselves. He smiled at them and they all blushed, one girl waving her hand.

Kyle nodded in acknowledgment.

She is a Golden Lion Knights by the name of Hilda, and Kyle had once rescued her from one of her quests.

Since the Four Greats, as they had come to be known, had risen to fame by accepting a hard quest during their first week at the Academy, many junior students had tried to follow their example, and Kyle, Arial, Lisa and Helia were often sent to save students who had overestimated themselves.

Kyle realized that Hilda was approaching him, running slightly across the garden. He stood up as she reached him, and she held his arm, a blush ripening her cheeks.

If this was Arial and someone grabbed his arm without his permission, surely Arial would look at them coldly, and his glare is enough to make any person release him.

If it was his sister, the girl would be on the ground right now.

If it's Helia, then with a few words, the girl would be too embarrassed touching her. But Kyle just smiles politely.

"Under Marshall Kyle," she said shyly, looking away from him to study the blades of grass by her feet.

"Thank you. That last quest if you hadn't saved me, I don't know what would have happened. I was stupid and reckless; it won't happen again. Thanks."

"It was nothing," Kyle smiled. "Helping juniors is the responsibility of seniors."

"Really, it meant a lot to me. Actually I want to get to know you better. Would you like to eat with me here in the garden tomorrow?" Hilda blushed madly as she spoke.

Kyle hesitated.

Eating in the garden together, man and woman, in the Academy ground, is just another way to say that you are fond of each other.

It is a declaration of sort. In the Academy there is many rules about ranks, relationship with other knights and the code of honor.

And one of the traditions that is passes down is seeing each other on the Garden of Gerhardt.

It was said, that the first Knight Master at the time lost his loved one, in his journey on Novus Gaia. By her custom, he burned her corpse and bring her ashes here.

When they were in love, they used to rest under the shade of this tree. He buried her ashes under the tree.

Every day he would spend a few hours of his busy time, under the tree, just closing his eyes, and sometimes smiling, sometimes crying under the tree.

It was a symbol of undying love for the people of the Academy. Then it turned into a love charms for the young Knights.

It is said, that whoever get the blessing of the tree, would have an undying love. Which is why people have been seeing each other on the Garden, hoping to get its blessing.

Some even married after they went out from the Academy when they were seeing each other on the garden, which just strengthen the belief.

Most great noble houses of course will not participate in this kind of childish traditions since their marriage is usually very important and most time will be considered from the perspective of the household.

But while Kyle is also a noble son, he is not descended from some prestigious or illustrious line of nobility.

His mind drifted back to an argument he'd had with Helia the day before.

Helia had sent one of her friends, one of Kyle's many admirers, to ask him on a date in the garden, but Kyle had rejected her immediately.

The poor girl had cried for days, which had infuriated Helia. The words she had spat at him had made his heart burn.

"Do you know why girls don't like you? Because you're always acting aloof, like you don't care. You're trying to be Arial. Well, guess what? You're not him and you never will be, so just be yourself and stop being an arse!"

It must be said; among the Four Greats, Kyle is the most handsome and beautiful one.

Arial is charismatic but to call him handsome and beautiful, he is not.

But he had something that Kyle did not possess. He inspires and he could make anyone trust his leadership.

Arial has this charismatic power and charm to make people obey him. He is decisive in battle and he is capable of turning a losing hand into a winning hand.

Kyle is also strong and capable but compared to Arial he does not have the ability to influence the Academy as a whole.

Even though Arial is not the Commander of House for the Fierce Dragons most people would follow anything he said and already regarded him as the Commander of the House and even the teachers usually gives him free reign

Inside the Academy itself there are many Knights that worship Arial as their own personal hero.

Arial emulates the Knight codes. Brave, honorable and determined in pursuing justice.

"Under Marshall Kyle?" Hilda said, snapping him back to the present.

"Call me Kyle," he said, fixing the smile back on his face.

Hearing this, the girl cheek gets redder. Saying him Kyle when his rank clearly outranks her in the Academy?

This means that they are close.

In the Academy strict conduct is exercised when addressing superior officer.

Unless, it is stated by the party involved, one must always adhere to the formalities. But friends and lovers are of course exempted.

The usage of rank is clear and evident in this, to determine relationship. People of the higher rank do not need to dispense with formalities, but people below have to.

But telling the girl to call her Kyle means Kyle is not avoiding the girl and warmly accepted her proposals.

"Sure, why not. Meet me here tomorrow."

Hilda's blush deepened and, beaming, she ran back to her friends to replay every word of their conversation.

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