Chapter 7 – Back at the Academy After a Long Time

It had been a week since the joint training, and I was forced to take a break from the academy. Since my older brother Bizet’s orders were absolute, I obediently enjoyed my rest. Well, to be honest, I mostly just lazed around and slept.

But I did study properly, you know? Brother Ninreney seems determined to make me a proper Omega. More than usual, he kept preparing study materials, from handmade textbooks to custom tests. I could only feel grateful to him.

When I thanked him, he made a strange, serious face.

“I’m not sure why, but I was told to make sure you get a proper education…”

“From Brother Bizet?”

I thought it strange, since before I remembered my past life, I hadn’t studied at all. I even hated going to the academy and barely attended half the classes, but Bizet, who’s usually soft on me, never said a word.

“No, not exactly…”

I wasn’t sure who gave the order, but seeing Brother Ninreney’s pale face, I guessed someone stronger than him must have told him to do it. Ninreney’s no weakling, but he’s not exactly a fighter either. Our family, the Nobizel dukes, are more known for civil servants than warriors.

Maybe someone told him to at least take care of his little brother properly.

“Sorry for worrying you. I’ll definitely raise my ranking on the next regular exam!”

Brother Ninreney nodded happily at my determination.

When I finally went back to the academy, there was a swordsmanship class today. The first-year students aiming to become knights or swordsmen were gathered together. There were sons of knight families and even some girls. Alpha girls tend to have good stamina, so many take swordsmanship. Betas from knight families also choose it sometimes, so quite a few showed up.

I was pleased, thinking I’d have plenty of opponents. The joint training reminded me that Omegas are still weak, so having lots of Alphas and Betas to spar with felt great.

Few Omegas choose swordsmanship, so my slender figure stood out. I caught a lot of glances, but I was already used to attention from my notorious reputation, so it didn’t bother me.

The swordsmanship class was held for first and second years together. I didn’t take swordsmanship in my first year—I took physical training, but mostly skipped it. Before remembering my past life, I was lazy, and after that, I thought it wasn’t necessary since training myself was more efficient.

Bizet said he’d handle the credits somehow, so I left it to him. Nobles are scary, huh?

“Oryuga Nobizel! You might have skipped physical training last year, but swordsmanship is different!”

A passionate-looking teacher called out to me.

“Yes! I’m looking forward to swordsmanship!”

Because I wanted opponents!

“That’s good! Your performance at the last match was amazing. Make sure you attend classes seriously.”

The somewhat flashy male teacher said that and left. I watched him go and thought, that guy looks like an Alpha too.

Then I saw Neiny smiling and talking to that Alpha teacher.

Wait, is Neiny trying to charm everyone?

I wondered how far Neiny’s going with this—does he have a strong appetite?

Shaking off the thought, I lined up again and suddenly felt someone staring.

A handsome young man stood a little distance away. His straight, neatly trimmed black hair reached his chest. His narrow eyes and thin lips made his refined face look even more elegant.

I thought, “That kind of look screams noble.” Since he was staring at me, I figured I could look back.

His forehead and cheeks were perfectly white and smooth.

The handsome guy came closer.

“…Nice to meet you. I’m Izeal Roydenatel.”

I tried to remember. I’d started looking at the noble registry lately. I had to know which Alphas I might get close to. I didn’t want to marry into the wrong place. Bizet said I didn’t have to marry, but I heard Omegas tend to become resistant to suppressants as they age. The best way to ease the heat during their season is to have a bond mate Alpha to spend it with.

So I planned to find someone eventually.

But since regaining my memories, I felt less sensitive to the scent of Alphas. I could smell it, but I didn’t feel it was good or bad.

Izeal Roydenatel gave off that typical Alpha floral scent, but I still didn’t feel anything special.

Roydenatel is a marquis family, right? They have an Alpha son named Izeal. This handsome guy must be him.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Oryuga Nobizel. Do you need something?”

He seemed a bit nervous, so I tried to sound cheerful.

Many Alphas approach me because I’m an Omega, but Izeal seemed different. He hesitated about how to start the conversation.

“…I saw the match the other day…”

He put a long finger near his mouth and tilted his head, crossing his arms at the waist. That gesture felt familiar.

Where had I seen it?

Nobles are trained from childhood to control their manners. They smile calmly when talking, never showing emotions. They always read the situation and never break eye contact.

But Izeal’s gaze wandered, and he absentmindedly touched his mouth—probably a habit.

“Hmmm?”

I’ve definitely seen this somewhere. Izeal is a year younger than me. Maybe we met at a party, but I don’t remember talking to him.

The Roydenatel marquis family is strict, very “old nobility.” Even if they’re lower rank than a duke like us, they wouldn’t want to associate with a reckless son like me.

But I did see him somewhere.

Where?

A flicker caught in my memory.

Captain——…

There was always someone by my side. My most trusted subordinate.

He followed me no matter the plan. He stayed with me until the very end…

“Al…?”

The name popped into my mouth.

Izeal’s eyes widened in surprise.

“…Captain?”

“No way? Really? Why, why? Al, you came here too?”

He opened his narrow eyes, shining.

“I thought so… I saw you fight the other day, and your style was just like the captain’s, so I guessed it was you.”

Izeal spoke happily.

“Wait, wait. Not here though.”

We were drawing attention. People were watching the conversation between notorious Oryuga Nobizel and the strict Roydenatel marquis heir. They wondered what we were talking about.

“That’s right.”

Izeal noticed and forced a composed noble expression.

“We should talk somewhere else. Too many eyes here.”

I hesitated, but Izeal offered to visit our house. Omegas visiting Alpha families is considered bad manners; usually, Alphas visit Omegas. This way, no one would look at us strangely.

“I’ll ask for permission first, so please get approval from Duke Nobizel.”

“Do I need my brother’s permission for that?”

“All requests to Oryuga get handled and shut down by the Duke himself.”

“Oh, I see. Got it.”

I guessed as much, but turns out not only marriage proposals but everything else gets rejected too… Will I even get married someday?

That’s how I met my former subordinate again.

Bizet Nobizel sat at his desk, reading a letter over and over, groaning in frustration. His younger brother Ninreney stood nearby, looking troubled.

The letter was from Izeal Roydenatel, Marquis heir. An Alpha with a calm and mature personality beyond his years. Adults say he’s very intelligent and already active as the marquis’s right-hand man, even though he just entered the academy.

Why would such a man approach Oryuga!?

Bizet cared deeply for his little brother, but he knew the world was harsh. He didn’t understand why an Alpha with many admirers would come near Oryuga. Honestly, he found it hard to refuse.

And Oryuga had asked Bizet to approve Izeal’s visit.

“Why all of a sudden…!”

Bizet’s overprotectiveness hasn’t changed since long ago. He wasn’t as harsh with Ninreney because he’s an Alpha, but for the Omegas Oryuga and Noatuna, his doting was extreme. He gave them anything they wanted, no matter the cost, which made them pretty spoiled.

“They hit it off during swordsmanship class… I heard Izeal was impressed by Oryuga’s fighting at the joint training.”

“But Izeal isn’t really a fighter.”

“He’s better known as a businessman, but from what I hear, he’s quite skilled in combat at the academy.”

Hearing that, Bizet frowned even more.

“I think he’s a good match…”

Ninreney also read the letter. It started with a seasonal greeting, praised our duke family, then casually stated the main point. The letter showed a skill beyond his years.

“It’s just a visit, not a marriage proposal!”

Ninreney said that, then asked what to do on the day of the visit. It was already decided. There were two letters from Izeal — one asking Bizet for permission, and one for Oryuga. I replied quickly and set a date for the next holiday. I hadn’t checked if that date worked for them, which bothered me, but Izeal and I had already been talking at the academy, so maybe it was settled.

I couldn’t tell Bizet all this —he’d probably get furious.

“I’ll welcome him myself.”

Seeing Bizet’s burning determination, Ninreney got worried and decided to help greet the visitor.