February 17th, 2025 C.E.

The long road slowly reaches its end as I see the Aditi Estate from a distance.

After my Graduation, I spent a few more days in the Academy to finalize my greetings and hang out with my comrades. I also had to go into the city and give the news of my success to all the businessmen with whom I had forged connections.

Throughout the years, I was able to strengthen my relationship with them, so informing them of my achievements was a way to further deepen our relationship.

It's also a way for me to further raise my prestige among them, thus bringing more opportunities.

Regardless, my business in the Academy City has been concluded for now, and with the Royal Academy now closed for the Spring Break, it was time for me to return home.

And now…

"It's been five whole years." A soft whisper leaves my lips as I stare off into the distance and see the fortified compound from a distance.

There was a time when I would have gazed upon the Aditi Estate in pride, marveling at the vastness and majesty of it. But my time in the Academy has broadened my horizons and exposed me to a different world entirely.

Right now, the Aditi Household looks nothing more than an unimpressive hamlet in comparison.

It is truly… nothing special.

To think I spent my entire life obsessing over this small piece of land, fighting tooth and nail to keep it in order. It almost sounds like madness in my mind now, but I merely smile bitterly and shake my head.

Truly… knowledge is liberation.

Many unexpected things happened in the Academy, but I do not regret my decision to go.

It was the best choice of my life—the greatest thing that ever happened to me, besides being born and being returned to the past.

While drowning in thought, I don't notice it when I finally reach the Main Estate's front door.

My carriage comes to a halt as identification is requested from the coachman. The coachman glances back awkwardly, his gaze asking what he ought to tell them.

I smile.

Honestly, I could have taken a designated carriage from the Royal Academy—one that has its seal and flag—but that would be announcing my presence from afar. I wanted to surprise my family, hence why I chose to come lowkey.

Now… it seems I won't be able to get in unless I identify myself.

But, I have already thought of this.

"Show them this." I casually pass a badge from the small window that separates the coachman from me. It's none other than my First Rate Scholar badge.

In the Randalorion Kingdom, a First Rate Scholar possesses great authority comparable to a Mid Rank Knight Household. In fact, one could say they hold more prestige and even end up commanding Knights.

In my past life, I can't count how many times the Household had to serve these Scholars.

Due to the influence of the Royal Academy, their position has been elevated to an absurd degree, and I didn't understand why… but now I do.

Knowledge is Power.

After the guards confirm the validity of the Badge—which has three Royal Seals of Excellence imprinted on it, as well as the Royal Academy's emblem embedded at its center containing the Randalorion Kingdom's insignia—they have no choice but to let my carriage in.

I see one of them scurry off to inform the Main Family Steward, who will undoubtedly inform my parents about the arrival of a First Rate Scholar.

"Pfft…" Despite the childishness of my act, I muse while the coachman returns my badge to me.

For First Rate Scholars who graduate from the Academy, a golden badge is given. Second Rate Scholars receive silver badges, while Third Rate Scholars obtain bronze badges. This serves as an identification, as well as a license to practice as a Scholar.

Those with Royal Seals of Excellence have this added to the design of their badges

In essence, it even adds to the prestige of the Scholar.

'I'm pretty sure I'm the only Scholar that has three Royal Seals of Excellence on my badge.' I smile wryly, nearly laughing at the absurdity.

In some ways, I have become a one-of-a-kind Scholar.

Who wouldn't want to have someone like me in their service?

Ah, it seems I've gotten too carried away.

I'm not narcissistic, I promise. These thoughts are simply to further establish how grand the achievement is, giving weight to the endorsement of the Royal Academy.

While I remain in the carriage, I spot my parents and two siblings hurriedly walking towards me.

They have complex expressions on their faces, no doubt puzzled by the visit of a First Rate Scholar who actually possesses not just one, but three Royal Seals of Excellence. I imagine they think some High Noble's child has come to visit them, considering how inconceivable it would be that I obtained such an accomplishment.

'It's time…' With a bright smile on my face, I open the carriage door and step out.

The cool winds of early spring cause my long hair to flap with elegance, and my prestigious attire dances to the breeze's tune.

"Greetings… Father, Mother…" I shift my gaze to my siblings, stifling my laughter, "Craig, Selicia… it has been a while."

The stunned look on their faces is indescribable, and I find the way they gawk at my appearance hilarious beyond words. However, they aren't the only ones taken by surprise.

I… am also amazed.

Father and mother practically remain the same, but my siblings have changed considerably.

Selicia is now eighteen years old, and it shows in her overall visage. The snotty brat from my memories has vanished, and a more refined person now stands before me.

Her hair is still cut short, but she is far taller with a more mature visage. Her jade green eyes seem to have matured with countless hardships, and despite the gloves she has put on, I still notice signs of calluses.

It seems she has been training hard to be a Knight.

Then, what of my younger brother, Craig?

His long black hair has been tied into a drooping ponytail, and he has the proper appearance of a proper young man. He looks even taller than I was at his age, though he still hasn't lost that cute face of his.

My siblings… my family…

"… Glad to see you are well, everyo—"

"JAVI!"

"BIG BRO!"

My siblings charge at me with a loud shout, jumping on my body with unbridled delight.

When they were much younger, I could handle their weight, but I ended up tumbling over, unable to sustain their sudden charge. My prestigious outfit immediately gets sullied by the mildly met ground, but this only causes me to laugh.

How fun!

I've truly missed them!

I made a lot of friends in the Royal Academy, but nothing truly compares to family.

"J-Javier…?"

"…."

My parents walk closer to me, their faces expressing surprise, joy, relief, among other kinds of emotions. As they draw nearer, I notice how unkempt my father's beard has grown, and also notice my mother's aged face.

It seems that they, too, have changed in more ways than I expected.

They try to pry my siblings away from me, most likely out of concern, but I stop them while laughing brightly.

"Haha! This is great! Perfect, even!" It's far better than the welcome I was expecting anyway.

Without mincing words, I look at my parents, and then at my excited siblings, feeling an abundance of love coursing through me.

"It's really… good to be back home!"

***********

It has been a week since I returned to the Aditi Estate.

Not much has happened, but a few things are underway, which will cause the Estate to be busy pretty soon. The most pertinent one is Craig's Coming-of-age Ceremony. He's turning sixteen in a few days, which means the family will have to host another ceremony.

Since he isn't the Heir, it won't be as grand as mine, but it is still something worth celebrating for the sake of tradition. I specifically ensured I arrived home early so I wouldn't miss it.

Unfortunately, I couldn't be there for Selicia's own, but from what I know, it went well.

Sir Jerome Sirius even attended, further reaffirming his promise to my sister.

Right now, she's in the Knight Academy, and in a few years, she'll be a certified Knight. She has told me of the prejudice that she faces there as a woman, so I had to encourage her by using my own experience in the Academy as an example.

In order to achieve something grand, one has to surpass great hurdles.

This is why only a few exceptional people exist in the world.

Female Knights are rare in the Randalorion Kingdom, and none have emerged from the Aditi Household. This clearly means that Selicia must carve her own path with tears and blood, showing an unwavering spirit to match the determination in her heart.

My sister's journey isn't something I can interfere with, as much as I love her. Instead, I can only show support as her brother by offering insights and encouragement.

This is a path she chose.

She has to see it through herself—breaking down the obstacles in her path with her own hands.

To boost her spirit and also to test her skills, I have sparring sessions with her.

She has certainly improved.

Her flow is a lot smoother now, and her feints are far more difficult to read, making her less predictable. Since she isn't so stiff anymore, the transition between moves has become a lot quicker and more intuitive, further boosting her speed.

She was always very nimble, so this improvement has raised her flexibility to new heights.

Her grip control is better now, which allows her to exert more strength.

And so on…

Just like the old days, Craig comes to watch our training while singing or playing instruments for us during our break. He also recently picked up dancing and acting as a hobby, and after showing me some of his moves… I have to admit that he is really good at them.

My brother is too talented!

His unrestrained spirit also hasn't changed in the slightest, allowing him to fully indulge in the exuberance of youth. Such youthful display of passion… I truly admire it.

Unlike me, who has been jaded by life—both in my past and my current life—it is relieving to see the innocence of my siblings. I truly wish to protect it for as long as possible, but I cannot shield these two from the waves of life.

I do not wish to.

A life of restraint is not something I wish for my siblings, so wherever they wish to go… they should. Whatever happens to them is the consequence of the path they choose.

Selicia is already an adult, and Craig will become one soon as well.

They ought to be responsible for their own lives.

That is my gift to them.

Naturally, I will love and support them as their brother. But I am but a mere spectator in their lives, and I have my own path which I must walk.

Setting the grim thoughts aside, I have actually been having a lot of fun with my siblings.

Craig and Selicia initially didn't appreciate how great their big brother has become, so I had to explain just how grand my achievements in the Royal Academy are. All my accomplishments have been laid bare before them, so now they understand.

Call it bragging if you will, I don't care.

I had to let them know.

They've been very interested in my adventures in school, so I have also been telling them all sorts of stories regarding my Academy life. I make sure not to exaggerate, and I tell it as it is, but even then, my accomplishments feel unreal.

Some of the things I tell them sound like fiction, but they're actually true.

I indeed became close to the Prince and contributed greatly to the Royal Faction. A Count apologized for the foolish behavior of his child and even invited me to his Estate. A Count's niece also had feelings for me. In fact, many High Nobles admired and desired me in the Academy.

I'm not being arrogant or anything, just stating facts.

These things actually happened.

"Big bro, why do you exaggerate so much? You actually know the Prince? Stop joking!"

"I can't picture you as a ladies' man, Javi! How can someone related to the Count fall for you? Why don't you tell a more believable lie?"

I feel like crying at Craig and Selicia's harsh and disbelieving words. They really think I'm making all these stories up. My siblings truly do not have a high opinion of their big brother.

Sigh…

A prophet is truly scorned in his own hometown.

I don't blame them, though.

They're still young and don't understand how the world works at all. Soon, they'll learn how awesome I really am.

Speaking of learning how awesome I am, some Minor Families came to visit today.

All the Minor Families of the Aditi Household have to attend Craig's Coming-of-Age Ceremony, but they came earlier than normal because they received the news of my arrival, and rumors of my achievements spread to them.

Of course, I intentionally let it spread.

They immediately came rushing to the Estate in droves, congratulating me on my graduation.

All of them even brought gifts for me—how thoughtful.

Out of all the Minor Families that visited, the most memorable one was Uncle Jerome's family.

His two children, Dustin and Gregory, came along.

Gregory was already a Knight during my Coming-of-Age and was busy with his apprenticeship, so I didn't meet him back then. Now, both Dustin and Gregory are Knights in Uncle Jerome's family, albeit Low-Rank ones.

Even though they came to pay their respects, I could sense an indignant air from their family.

I'm sure they thought they had a chance at the Main Family now.

Ignorant fools…

I had to teach them a lesson.

Since Dustin finished his apprenticeship not too long ago, I decided to challenge him to a spar in order to 'test his mettle.' He excitedly accepted, thinking it would be the perfect way to humiliate me and assert his dominance.

After all, we are still a Knight Household, and our greatest value is based on strength.

If the Heir of the Aditi Household turns out to be a weakling, Scholar or not, his legitimacy will be put to question.

But… things didn't exactly go according to my cousin's expectations.

I absolutely demolished him in our duel.

These people aren't stupid, but they really underestimate me. Do they think my Royal Seal of Excellence in the Department of Martial and Chivalric Studies is merely for decoration?

I was the best among my peers in that Department for a reason.

Uncle Jerome could not simply take his golden boy's defeat lying down, and so, like the sore loser he is, he had his first son, Gregory, challenge me as well. Gregory, with a much bigger build than me and seemingly more experience, made a mock bow with a crooked smirk as he requested a spar with me as well.

Idiot…

Naturally, I granted his wish and served him a delectable dish of humiliation, offering a delightful drink of shame alongside it.

In essence… I delivered the most mortifying experience to Uncle Jerome and his family

These people have no sense at all.

Rather than accept their place in the family or leave, they thought they could suppress me.

I can't say I blame them, though.

It is humanity's natural instinct to strive for greater heights.

Unfortunately for them, the family's ability does not match their ambition

They are doomed to fail.

After that experience, I don't expect any funny business from them or the other Minor Families anytime soon. I will put some precautions in place, just in case, but if they know what's good for them, they should maintain their positions or continue trying to suck up to me.

Of course, as time passes, and they hear more rumors about me from high places, they'll fully understand who I've become.

This will prevent what happened with Uncle Jerome from happening again.

One thing I've also been reflecting on lately is how much I have improved, not just in knowledge and influence, but also in strength. As unbelievable as it seems, I've already surpassed the level I attained in my past life.

With my current skills and overall experience, I should be comparable to a High Rank Knight.

The only thing I lack is a proper Armament and a corresponding High Rank Martial Technique

Hmm…

Perhaps I can somehow improve the Aditi Martial Technique and advance it to that level.

Just a thought, though… just a thought.

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