Rebirth of the Ruined Noble

I found myself alone in the quiet confines of the infirmary after the departure of the enigmatic old man. His parting words had struck a strange chord within me, though I didn't dwell on them for long. Just as my thoughts began to settle, the door swung open, and a familiar presence entered.

"You're awake?" Evan's voice rang out, his hands full of various items he had brought with him.

With a single look I noticed a whole lot of fruits and flowers along with some kind of weird stone statue laid in his hand.

With a sense of urgency, he rushed toward me, concern etched across his face. "Are you alright?"

I mustered a smile, attempting to ease his worries.

"There's still some lingering muscle pain, but as you can see, I'm quite alright.", I said, lifting up my hand to sign a thumbs up.

As I talked with Evan, I belatedly noticed the presence of another person who was still standing at the entrance of the infirmary.

"You seem pretty fine, the Instructor exaggerated the fact by saying that you were gravely injured!"

It was Julia Rozental.

Her usual air of arrogance accompanied her. However, her presence here, despite her demeanor, spoke volumes about her underlying care for me. Truly comprehending her character required a deeper understanding.

I responded to her with a mere smile, recognizing the futility of engaging in banter at that moment. However, our conversation was swiftly interrupted by the entrance of yet another person.

"Should I come back at another time?" A voice as soothing as music flowed into the room filled with hesitation and uncertainty.

"Princess Aurora?" Julia's voice carried surprise as she beheld the figure standing at the infirmary door.

"Your Highness?" I tried to rise, catching sight of Princess Aurora, who had come to visit me. I had anticipated Evan's visit after the old man left, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine the princess herself would check on my well-being.

Caught off guard, I stumbled backward, collapsing onto the bed, my body still too weak to support me. Although the academy's healers had mended my physical wounds, the strain on my muscles persisted, as I had pushed myself to the limits.

"Careful-!"

Thankfully, Evan reacted swiftly, reaching out to catch me before I could fall further. "Careful!"

Rushing to my side, the princess implored, "Please be careful. It's alright if you don't move."

Following her advice, I settled back onto the bed, enveloped in a silence that filled the room. An awkward atmosphere descended upon us, with no one daring to break the stillness.

Evan beside me was a fallen noble, whereas I was a future heir to a barony which wasn't all that compared to the princess of the empire, so feeling awkward in her presence was a given.

It was Julia who eventually shattered the quietude, her curiosity getting the better of her. "I didn't know the two of you were close enough for Her Highness to personally visit you."

She was the only one in the Freljord academy who could speak with Princess Aurora like this.

Nevertheless, Quickly coming to Princess Aurora's defense, I spoke up, defending her kind-hearted nature. "Her Highness has a compassionate soul. She was merely concerned for a fellow classmate."

My plan to utilize my connection with Princess Aurora to meet the emperor remained intact. Despite encountering the Sword Saint, I had yet to discover a clear path to achieve my goals of stopping the fire dragon, Ugram from going on a rampage.

Having more than one option to achieve my goal in case I failed was very much needed, so It was imperative that I maintained a favorable impression in front of the princess,, regardless of the circumstances.

"Ye…s, I was just worried since professor Iris said that Eren was gravely injured.", Princess Aurora said in a hesitant manner.

Hearing her, I was curious to know what had happened after we were rescued by the sword saint.

"Professor Iris told you that? Can anyone explain what happened after Zephyr and I entered the exile yesterday, I don't remember anything as I was unconscious."

"Yesterday?"

Evan exclaimed, a mixture of shock and disbelief on his face.

"Yesterday?"

I echoed, failing to understand what he implored.

"". . . .""

The room grew still as Evan spoke softly, his grip tightening around my hand for support.

"Eren, it... it has already been three days since you returned from exile."

"Three days?" My voice quivered with disbelief.

Julia nodded, her calm demeanor contrasting with her usual attitude. "Yes, three days."

"That means I am asleep here for three whole days?"

All of them nodded at my question with a pitiful gaze which made me feel even more miserable.

The realization hit me like a tidal wave, leaving me momentarily stunned. My mind went blank trying to process that fact that I was unconscious for three days. I sought to organize my racing thoughts.

Zephyr and I had entered exile, faced a demon which was incredibly strong compared to what we had thought, and been saved by the Sword Saint. Shortly after, darkness claimed me, and when I awoke, I found myself here in the infirmary.

And beside me was the Sword Saint, Aralion Stromblade.

"Damn that old man," I muttered under my breath, frustration seeping into my voice. "He didn't even bother to inform me that I was unconscious for three days after talking all that bullsh*t about the poor child!"

.

.

Meanwhile, somewhere in a dimly lit tavern, an old man with flowing white hair savored a glass of exquisite wine brought to him by an attentive waitress.

With a hiccup, he suddenly gazed upward at the ceiling, his mind filled with a growing sense of unease. The old man took another sip of his wine, his brows furrowing as he tried to recall what he might have forgotten.

"Is someone remembering me? I feel like I am forgetting something... hmmmm?"

Yet he failed to remember what he had forgotten.

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