After the class concluded, there was still a lot of time left until the sun fully set. The material taught was basic and well-known, leaving Nathan as perhaps the only student who genuinely benefited from the day's lesson.
Clara Marshall instructed the representative students to follow her outside, apparently to introduce what truly set the Imperial Academy apart from all other institutes of Rune Arts education. It was something that could not be replicated, something that she sincerely believed was the most effective method of teaching. Everyone found it quite fascinating for Clara to praise a certain system, it meant that it was truly something to look forward to.
On the long paths toward the outer areas of the academy, though everyone else remained in their circles, Nathan served the role of an icebreaker, traversing between everyone as if all the representative students were his close friends, with nobody being more important than anyone else.
"Hahaha, unfortunately, Daniel still hasn't seemed to change. I can easily visualize him doing the same thing again now."
Charlotte Clayfield was the one representative student Nathan had never communicated with. Utilizing their shared friendship with Daniel Whitedawn, he successfully managed to strike up an interesting conversation with her. Charlotte was not only the future family head of the Clayfield family, but was also destined to collaborate with him in different ways throughout their journey at the academy. Knowing Daniel's close relationship with her, he knew for sure that she would be a great help when he needed it.
"That was actually so boring, no? They should've just taught us some Rune Arts already, I can't wait." Fist-bumping Monica Gladius, Nathan commented casually. Though he had to say, fist-bumping Monica wasn't the best experience he could have; he felt that he might have broken a bone or two.
"I know, right?" Monica shook her head. "Academy education is just not for us. They don't get straight to the point. Let's be real—who really needed to recap that information?" Having Nathan talk to her again was a relief for Monica. With Nathan's identity in mind, she had thought it was certain that he would be prideful and all that. But it turned out he was still a "warrior" at heart, as she would say.
William Schwarz was part of the conversation too. His way of speaking was casual and inclusive, a common demeanor for a Schwarz family member. Nathan found it quite surprising that William did not bring up anything personal or related to alliances. He left a good impression, though also a suspicious one. At least from Nathan's perspective, his friendliness was not an act of manipulation.
"Yo, David, you still got that food from yesterday? Surely lend me some—I'll pay you back."
David Edmonds sighed with his usual innocence. "I want to have it too, but we can't leave the academy. No street food for the rest of the year…"
"How about we sneak out somehow? They won't dare to punish us." Nathan suggested mischievously.
Unlike William Schwarz, Leo Blanc, who had been walking with David earlier, did not join the conversation as William had. But Nathan wasn't going to let him off the hook just yet.
"Greetings, Leo. I've been wanting to talk to you for a long time. With those troubling events yesterday, I couldn't find the right opportunity," he said politely, with a faint smile on his face. Leo was by far the hardest person to form a connection with, given his relevance to the Rune Arts Federation, which made the atmosphere tense between him and the Blanc family.
Of course, Leo Blanc would be thrilled to count Nathan as his ally. But he was a careful boy, at least before knowing Nathan's true intentions, he had to keep his tone neutral and doubtful.
"A pleasure to meet you, Mister Modernson. I, too, wanted to get to know you, but considering your association with the Rune Arts Federation, I thought it would be troublesome for me to converse with you."
Tilting his head, Nathan's gentle smile grew wider and more sinister. "Being part of the Rune Arts Federation doesn't mean I'm a supporter of the Schwarz family."
Royalty supports the Blanc family, but could you say that the Blanc family was part of the royal family? The same goes for the Rune Arts Federation and the Schwarz family. It wasn't a difficult concept to comprehend.
"Oh?" Hearing his words, a smile filled with reassurance instantly emerged on Leo's serious expression. "That's a great point indeed." Even with such things said, the conflict between the Schwarz and Blanc families wasn't simply a war between two clans—it was more like a debate over the best method to rule the kingdom. Not being a part of the Schwarz family did not by any means make Nathan an ally.
"Let's not talk about associations and all those complicated things. Let's focus on personal context," Nathan continued. "Between us two, at least, nothing is stopping us from working together for the completion of 'our' dream, right?"
"Hmmm, I see. Now we're talking." Leo put his arm across Nathan's back. Whatever Nathan's true intentions were, it was certain that they could bring each other benefits. To the Blanc family, and most of the other aristocratic clans in general, that was all that truly mattered.
Nathan and Leo laughed mischievously together, as if they had already completed a masterful scheme.
But on the other side, another arm crossed Nathan's neck and reached his unoccupied shoulder.
Leo Blanc's gaze grew slightly colder. "William Schwarz, William Schwarz… You also want to get to know me better?"
William laughed loudly and confidently. "Oh, I'm never going to step down THAT low. Just interested in what's going on between you and my mate Nathan over here."
Nathan stood between the two boys' wrestling gazes. Though pressure filled his heart, there was not even a glimmer of fear.
"Come on, guys." He shrugged—it was difficult to do so with two arms pressing on his shoulders. "We're all classmates, after all. Always good to make some more friends, am I right?"
"Of course, Nathan, but there is a limit to what type of people can become our friends," Leo replied.
"That's not very respectful of you, Leo. But that isn't really a rare occurrence—should've expected better. I apologise on that behalf," William followed.
And so, a new member had joined the mischievous laughter, though none of the three really knew for certain what each other was laughing about. Everyone else looked at them in confusion. When did Schwarz and Blanc get so "affectionate" with each other?
Before Nathan found out his "true" identity, he had already been planning to bring the two clans together for his own benefit. If he could receive support from the two most influential families currently, his dream would be easily achievable. And from the circumstances and information he had received, he didn't really find it an impossible task. At least between William and Leo, there was something to work with.
A mutual goal, for example, was practical in solidifying alliances. Yet people tended to believe that a mutual enemy did the job better. With both ideologies in mind, Nathan understood what it took to bring two polarized adversaries into comrades-in-arms: a collective goal to remove a mutual enemy.
Who could this mutual enemy be? Nathan had already found the perfect candidate.
Intentionally, Jennifer Lumendra was the only one Nathan did not talk to. Thinking about his words from yesterday, Jennifer's perspective toward Nathan had already entirely shifted. Though prideful as always, there was still a faint satisfaction that escaped from her eyes.
To be honest, Nathan didn't even quite know why his actions, or rather, inactions, impressed Jennifer so much. But his instincts and past experiences told him that the more distant and cold he seemed to act in front of her, the more acknowledgment and trust he received.
Nathan's goal was straightforward—before anything even began to be carried out, he must at least leave a decent impression on the Representative Students. Even if he couldn't force all of them into supporting him, he didn't want any of them to be his enemy.
If Nathan recounted every single day he had spent in this world, he couldn't point out a single individual who could be called his enemy. Everyone in Lostburg—good or evil—as long as they were not mentally insane, would all describe him as charismatic and "set apart."
It was as if Nathan was born to inspire admiration. Even if his face wasn't necessarily the most handsome, it was pleasant, approachable, and weirdly memorable. It was nearly impossible to put Nathan's appearance into plain words.
He had a perfectly blended ambience of both an outlaw and a hero, a beggar and a king, a maniac who slaughtered many, and a savior who liberated humanity. These contrasting roles were an intricate fusion of tapestries, every angle providing new insight into his true character.
Without any of these qualities, Nathan Modernson would no longer be the Nathan Modernson that everyone knew and loved.