The Eclipsed Order

Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Trip to Gerel

It was a quiet afternoon inside the academy.

The usual noise of students talking in the corridors and the occasional clash of wooden swords from the training grounds could be heard through the open windows, but Ares paid little attention to any of it as he walked through the academy grounds beside Rhal.

Rhal suddenly glanced at him with a grin.

"Man, I heard your father was promoted to Marquis. Congratulations."

"Thank you."

Ares answered casually, showing little reaction to the news despite the fact that his family’s status had changed considerably.

Rhal, however, was clearly more interested in what came with that promotion.

"Now I understand why so many noble families have suddenly started trying to get close to you."

"Let them be. I’m not interested in any of that."

Ares continued walking without even looking at him.

Rhal laughed.

"Even if some beautiful women are included?"

"Especially then."

"You’re seriously hopeless."

Ares merely shrugged.

The promotion of his father had naturally attracted attention. A noble family that had suddenly risen in status would inevitably become a target for other families looking to strengthen their own connections, whether through friendship, political alliances, or marriage.

Personally, Ares couldn’t care less.

He had more important things to deal with.

"By the way," Rhal said, changing the subject, "I heard you’ll be one of the students going to Gerel."

"Yeah."

Ares sighed.

"Honestly, I don’t want to go, but I’m one of the academy’s representatives this time, so I don’t really have a choice."

Gerel was a major city located several days away from the capital, and the academy’s upcoming event was one of its larger annual activities.

It wasn’t simply a sightseeing trip.

The academy would be sending selected students from all four years to participate in a practical event held in the city, where the students would be divided into teams consisting of members from different years.

The purpose was simple enough.

They were supposed to cooperate in a situation that would require more than just individual strength.

Five students from each year had been selected, and the academy had already finalized the teams.

Ares’s team consisted of himself and Charlie from the first year, Abel and Lea from the second year, the fifth princess Lyra and Ron from the third year, and Ferdin and Beale from the fourth year.

It was an unusual combination, with students of completely different ages and levels of experience being placed together.

Rhal scratched his cheek.

"You’re right. Even I wouldn’t be excited about leaving the capital. It takes about three days just to reach Gerel."

"Exactly."

Ares let out another sigh.

"Three days there, several days of the event, and another three days coming back. That’s more than enough time wasted."

Rhal laughed.

"Well, good luck."

Ares glanced at him.

It isn’t completely useless, though.

There are important facilities in Gerel.

Especially the laboratory.

The girls had already discovered information regarding one of the major laboratories operating within Gerel, and although the academy’s event had nothing to do with it, the trip presented a convenient opportunity.

Which meant their next target was already decided.

Gerel.

I was planning to investigate that laboratory eventually anyway.

So this trip isn’t completely wasted.

If anything, being able to enter the city under the academy’s name would make things considerably easier.

Ares looked ahead as he continued walking.

At least I’ll have something interesting to do while everyone else is busy with the academy event.

Rhal suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, right. Going back to your father..."

Ares looked at him.

"It seems he really did manage to capture those two nobles."

"Those two?"

"Count Velmorne and Viscount Randale."

Rhal lowered his voice as if he were sharing some particularly interesting gossip.

"I only heard rumors about it, but apparently Velmorne had some kind of grudge against your father and actually went as far as launching a war against the D’Averon territory."

"That’s what happened."

Ares wasn’t particularly surprised that Rhal had heard about it.

The incident had already spread throughout the capital, and with his father’s recent promotion, the story had become even more interesting to the nobles.

"Seriously, though," Rhal continued, "serves him right. Going that far simply because of jealousy is ridiculous."

He shook his head.

"I’m guessing Count Velmorne is sitting in prison somewhere right now."

"Probably."

Ares answered without much interest.

His thoughts, however, briefly returned to the battle.

He had already received reports about what happened.

His father had won.

Velmorne and Randale had been defeated, their armies had surrendered, and their territories and wealth had been confiscated according to the king’s judgment.

And then there was the strange organization that had appeared during the battle.

The Eclipse Order.

From what he had heard, they had appeared without warning, fought alongside his father’s forces, and disappeared immediately after the battle ended.

Nobody seemed to know exactly who they were.

Naturally, Ares knew.

At least, he knew considerably more than the people around him.

Still, he had no intention of explaining anything to Rhal.

The academy’s main building came into view ahead of them.

Rhal stretched his arms above his head.

"Anyway, don’t forget to enjoy yourself in Gerel."

"Enjoy myself?"

Ares gave him a tired look.

"I’m going there for a practical event."

He paused.

"Where exactly is the enjoyment supposed to come from?"

Rhal laughed.

"That’s your problem."

Ares shook his head and continued walking.

Another opportunity to uncover something interesting.

It seemed that his peaceful academy life was about to become troublesome again.

Not that I really expected it to stay peaceful forever.

Ares glanced toward the sky.

For now, though, I’ll just go along with the academy’s plans.

After all, there’s no reason to rush.

If the laboratory is really connected to what we’ve been investigating, I’ll find out soon enough.

And if it isn’t...

Well, at least I’ll have something to do during the trip.

The day of departure arrived sooner than Ares had expected.

Before sunrise, the academy’s eastern gate was already crowded with students and instructors. Several large carriages had been prepared for the journey, while academy staff moved between them, checking luggage and making sure every student had gathered with their assigned group.

Ares stood quietly among the other first-year students, his hands resting inside his pockets as he watched the preparations.

Three days.

That was how long it would take to reach Gerel.

Just thinking about spending that much time inside a carriage made him sigh inwardly.

I’d rather stay in the academy.

Unfortunately, being selected as one of the first-year representatives meant he had no choice.

"Ares."

He turned his head.

Charlie was standing beside him.

Unlike Ares, Charlie seemed completely comfortable with the situation. As one of the top students in their year, he had already become accustomed to being involved in academy events, and unlike most of the other students, he seemed genuinely interested in the practical.

"Looks like we’re about to leave."

"Yeah."

Ares glanced toward the carriages.

"It seems so."

Charlie smiled.

"You don’t look very excited."

"I’m not."

Ares answered honestly.

Charlie laughed.

"I knew you’d say that."

Ares didn’t answer and simply looked back toward the gate.

A few moments later, the students assigned to their group began gathering.

Abel and Lea, the two second-year representatives, arrived first. Both greeted Charlie and Ares before taking their places.

Ares returned their greetings politely.

"Good morning."

That was about it.

He didn’t particularly know either of them well, so there wasn’t much reason for him to force a conversation.

Soon after, the third-year representatives arrived.

Among them was the fifth princess, Lyra, accompanied by Ron.

The presence of a princess naturally caused several students nearby to become slightly nervous, but Ares simply glanced at her before looking away.

He had no reason to approach her.

The fourth-year representatives, Ferdin and Beale, arrived last.

Once everyone was gathered, one of the instructors approached them.

"Your group is complete. Make sure you remain together throughout the journey and follow the instructions given by your assigned supervisors."

Everyone nodded.

Charlie was the first to respond.

"Understood."

Ares simply nodded afterward.

The instructor left to check the other groups.

For a moment, nobody said anything.

It wasn’t particularly awkward, but there wasn’t much reason for them to talk either.

They were students from different years who had barely interacted before.

Charlie eventually broke the silence.

"So, since we’ll be together for the next several days, we should at least know what we’re dealing with."

He looked toward the older students.

"Do you know anything about the practical?"

Ferdin answered first.

"Only the general information. The academy hasn’t revealed the details yet."

"Same here," Beale added.

Abel crossed his arms.

"I heard we’ll be assigned several objectives after arriving in Gerel, but that’s all."

Charlie nodded thoughtfully.

"That’s what I heard too."

Ares listened quietly.

This was more useful than meaningless small talk.

After a short while, Lyra spoke.

"I heard the practical will involve several locations throughout the city."

Charlie looked toward her.

"Really?"

She nodded.

"That’s what one of the instructors told me. Apparently, we’ll be evaluated based on how well each group handles the assignments rather than simply completing them."

"I see."

Charlie seemed interested.

Ares remained silent.

The academy probably wanted them to cooperate, make decisions under pressure, and demonstrate how well students from different years could work together.

Nothing particularly complicated.

At least that’s what it should be.

Ares looked toward the road leading away from the academy.

Then he remembered something else.

Gerel.

The laboratory.

That was the real reason he didn’t completely dislike this trip.

The girls had already gathered information about a major laboratory located within the city, and although Ares hadn’t decided exactly how he would investigate it yet, being there under the academy’s protection would make things considerably easier.

I just need to finish the practical first.

After that, I’ll find some time to look into it.

A few minutes later, the instructors gave the order to board.

Ares entered the carriage with Charlie and the others.

Because of the difference in their years, the group naturally separated into smaller conversations rather than immediately becoming close.

Ares took a seat beside the window.

Charlie sat nearby.

The others settled into their respective places.

Once everyone was inside, the carriage door closed.

The horses began moving.

Ares rested his head against the window and watched the academy slowly disappear behind them.

Charlie glanced at him.

"You’re really quiet today."

"I’m usually quiet."

"That’s true."

Charlie laughed softly.

Ares didn’t answer.

He simply continued watching the scenery outside.

The capital gradually disappeared as the convoy moved toward the eastern road.

Fields replaced buildings, and eventually even the familiar roads surrounding the capital were left behind.

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