A dull longsword and a heartbroken villager

“…” Bray stared blankly.

“…” Naruko was shocked.

"=A=" Levy is sunbathing.

"When did you become so familiar with those two?" Bray stared wide-eyed at his sister in disbelief.

"What? I've looked for you so many times these past few days, and you're never home," Lux complained.

“It’s always Xiaoyou and Xiaoxue when I open the door. Is it strange that I know them?”

"..." Bray thought about it and realized that there really wasn't anything strange about it.

As expected of someone from the Claes family, their ability to maintain a good relationship with dragons is probably a talent.

"Don't stand outside, come in and sit down." Xiaoxue kindly took Lux's hand and invited her in.

"Mm." Lux nodded with a smile.

"..." No, why are Xiaoyou and Xiaoxue acting like they are the masters of this house?

“By the way, you said you’ve been looking for me lately, is there something you need?” Bray asked.

"As your sister, can't I come to you for no reason?" Lux walked up to Bray and pinched his face.

“Mmm…” Bray made indistinct sounds with a blank expression.

"Hiss..." Naruko hissed in alarm.

The only person who would dare treat Bray like that is probably his own sister. "You said your school has a trip?" Bray asked, touching his cheek that Lux had pinched swollen.

“Yeah, I’m going on a trip to Clinton.” Lux said casually, sprawling out on the sofa, without any regard for appearances.

"Just like before, you can bring your family members," Lux said.

"So I was wondering if you wanted to come, but I didn't expect you weren't home."

“I see.” Bray frowned. This was his sister’s invitation, and he felt he had no reason to refuse.

However, there's another thing that's bothering Bray now.

"Lux," Bray called out to Lux earnestly.

Lux noticed Bray's sudden seriousness and straightened up a bit.

"Did you repeat a year?" Bray asked.

"??????" Lux's head was filled with question marks.

"You're saying I repeated a grade?" She pointed to herself, saying incredulously.

Lux, who is hailed as one of the most talented girls at Imperial Academy, will she repeat a year?

How could her brother possibly come up with such an impossible idea?

“Yes, otherwise why would you still be in school?” Bray said, nodding to himself.

His focus was as bizarre as ever, so bizarre that Lux couldn't even react.

Lux was silent for a moment.

"Brother, you've never been to school, have you?" Lux asked Bray after a long silence.

“Ah, I only studied at the town’s private school for a short time.” Bray rubbed his chin, recalling for a moment.

It seems that Lux was the only one in the family who received a lot of education. He studied at a private school until he was about twelve or thirteen years old, and then stopped.

Thinking about it this way, my Lux is actually a high achiever.

But how could a top student fall so low as to have to repeat a year? The thought pained Bray, and a very subtle expression appeared on his face.

"It's okay, just tell me if you have any problems, and I'll help you solve them." Bray patted Lux ​​on the shoulder and spoke to her in an elder's tone.

"But don't fall into depravity."

“After hearing what you’ve said, I’m convinced you have absolutely no concept of the academy,” Lux said in a deep voice.

At this moment, Naruko, standing nearby, pricked up her ears and started gossiping like crazy; there was plenty of juicy gossip between these siblings.

I never imagined that Bray hadn't read many books. I can use this to roast Bray in the future. Then Bray won't even be able to refute me. Naruko is so excited just imagining it.

“Your brother didn’t really study much…” Bray’s expression gradually went blank; his sister’s words seemed to have hurt him.

He...is indeed a rough guy, but being emphasized like this by his sister makes Bray very sad.

Although he didn't study much, he learned everything he was supposed to learn... he was quite good at math and languages.

They just didn't go to a prestigious academy for further study.

Going to the academy basically means learning foundational knowledge, which is closer to academics; if it's a combat course, it leans more towards competition.

“I don’t shortchange anyone when I buy groceries… I can do multi-digit multiplication pretty quickly…” Bray stammered, looking down.

“And he’s not illiterate either; he knows all of Common Tongue.” Bray stammered, looking down.

“This isn’t about being illiterate or not.” Lux cleared her throat and tapped the table in front of her as she saw the dejected Bray.

"Brother, let me tell you."

"At the Imperial Academy, outstanding students can pursue further studies for another 3 years after completing 4 years of study."

“Then, if the students who pursue further studies are particularly outstanding, they can stay at the academy as researchers for another two years.” Lux picked up her teacup, ignored Bray’s expression, took a sip of tea, and began to explain slowly.

"Your sister is good enough to enjoy the academy's resources until she's in her twenties."

"Being able to access the resources of the Imperial Academy is extremely helpful to my development," Lux said, a hint of pride in her voice.

At this rate, Lux should become some kind of expert.

For example, a great academic figure or a grand mage.

"..." Bray's expression was a bit frozen, and you couldn't tell what emotion was in his dead fish eyes.

Lux's words made Bray realize one thing—his sister hadn't repeated a grade.

Moreover, it seems to be a normal school year, and it will probably be a long time before it ends.

"Not repeating a grade? That's great." As expected, Lux still has the normal Claes bloodline; she didn't embarrass herself.

“Well…” Bray hesitated for a moment, seemingly wondering whether to say what was on the tip of his tongue.

"What?" Lux tilted her head, looking at Bray who seemed to want to say something but hesitated, puzzled.

"Aren't you afraid you won't be able to get married? Especially in your twenties..."

"I'm not at the age where I'm being pressured to get married yet! Bro, wake up!" Lux shouted, leaning on the table.

"Well, I was just a little nervous."

"You're not just a little nervous."

“You’ve found a boyfriend, remember to bring him to me. I need to test him,” Bray said seriously to Lux.

"I think if I really had a boyfriend, he would be beaten to death by you because of this assessment."

“It was chopped to death,” Bray corrected Lux’s choice of words.

Lux pinched her brow, her mind filled with complaints, but she couldn't figure out where to begin.

"Wait a minute, why did the topic suddenly veer off to this?"

"I came here to talk to you about travel," Lux said irritably, thankfully realizing she'd gone off-topic.

"So, bro, do you want to go?"

“Go ahead, but you might bring this group with you.” Bray gestured to everyone present.

Feeling that she had been called out by Bray, Levy subconsciously turned her head and gave a cute smile 0V0.

Levy had no idea what was going on, but she just laughed.

"Uh, this might be troublesome." Lux was in a dilemma.

You should know that her real purpose was to bring her brother and the princess together.

If that pink-haired girl were here too, things would get quite complicated.

"It's okay, I'll pay for it myself." Bree was a little smug after receiving Yun Ji's salary.

"My invitation is completely meaningless," Lux muttered.

If you pay for it yourself, it means you won't be traveling with the college's tour group.

This means that the chances of him bringing the princess and his brother together are greatly reduced, or even nonexistent.

"What did you say?"

"She didn't say anything." Lux quickly shook her head, her twin ponytails swaying like a rattle.

"Alright, the time is exactly one week from now, don't forget."

"Wait for me at the academy gate," Lux instructed.

“Yes, I remember.” Bray nodded.

Actually, once Bray heard that it was a trip to Clinton, he had already decided to go.

Whether it's for his sister or to visit the gravedigger, it's all good.

Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I last visited Mira.

---

Lux didn't stay at the Bray's house for long before taking her leave.

Despite being invited to dinner by Xiaoxue, Lux seemed to have many things to do at the academy and left first.

"Lux is really busy," Bray remarked, lying there like a salted fish.

Just then, Naruko sneaked up behind and walked up to Bray.

Then, biting Bray's ear, he said something.

"Illiterate Bray."

"..." But this time, Bray's veins didn't bulge; instead, his expression stiffened.

---

P.S.: This is a single update today, Kira☆

Clinton is a relatively old town.

This city is one of the earliest cities in the history of the Will Empire.

Of course, the city did not prosper later due to various factors.

However, the city's antiquity has become its defining characteristic, with many well-preserved ancient buildings attracting numerous historical researchers.

Aside from their research value, these buildings can also be used as tourist attractions for visitors to explore.

With the help of tourism, Clinton's country, though not prosperous, was not impoverished either.

Many people would organize themselves to visit Clinton.

To preserve its charm, many old buildings around Clinton were not demolished, but instead well-preserved.

Of course, some buildings are still inhabited.

In the suburbs of Clinton, there is a very old-looking house that is still inhabited.

The old house was surrounded by thorns and roses, and although the gray walls looked old, they did not appear dilapidated.

No matter the time of day, the old house gives off a gloomy feeling. Looking at the windows covered with vines, it's hard to imagine that people still live inside.

But that's just how it is.

A young girl in a gothic dress sat on the balcony, holding a coffee cup, leisurely enjoying the afternoon.

The girl was surrounded by a white table, a white chair, and a white cup.

However, all of this white has been tinged with the pale yellow of time.

Although the pale yellow is not obvious, these colors make it easy to tell the age of these items at a glance.

The elegant and gorgeously dressed young woman used an old-fashioned tea set, making her seem like a fallen noblewoman.

The girl's golden hair was tied up and hidden under her velvet hat.