Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Hatred of the Family

The guards, teachers, and students behind Mr. Gron parted to either side, revealing a wide aisle down the center of the corridor.

A robust young man strode in, draped in a short black cloak, a heart guard strapped to his left chest, and a sword at his waist, radiating an imposing presence. He wore high riding boots, each heel adorned with two pure gold spurs that occasionally clinked crisply against each other. The youth’s features were striking, his long pale golden hair especially eye-catching. Yet a savage scar ruined his appearance: a wound ran from his left temple clear down to his chin, the result of a blade that had also destroyed his left eye. A black leather eyepatch was tightly fastened across his face, concealing the injury.

Mr. Gron frowned; he seemed to recall this young man from somewhere. Lin Qi frowned as well—the youth bore a strong resemblance to Blackmane Haus, though he carried himself with far more maturity and restraint. Most telling was the badge upon the heart guard: in the center of a sword and shield, a rooster crowed skyward, its talons gripping the throat of a dying viper—emblem of the Imperial Royal Legion.

Lin Qi’s face drooped. A relative of Blackmane Haus? He’d heard the Round Table Knights’ association was a legacy inherited from Haus’s elder brother—who had graduated top of his class from the Imperial Military Academy and was rumored to have achieved considerable exploits after joining the army. Lin Qi recalled Haus boasting drunkenly that his brother had once led an elite imperial cavalry unit deep into the northern island chains, sacking a werewolf tribe and returning in glory. Judging from the aura of this young man, he was indeed a hardened veteran, much like the desperate men who served under Lin Qi’s own father.

Behind the youth followed six lightly armored soldiers, chins raised at a forty-five-degree angle, their faces etched with arrogance and pride. Such conceit and swagger were almost palpable, enough to make both Mr. Gron and Father Barring frown involuntarily.

The young man approached Lin Qi, his solitary eye fixing Lin Qi with a piercing stare. He slowly extended a hand and smiled, “Lin Qi, is it? My apologies—this was a small mistake on my part. I shouldn’t have listened to Haus’s nonsense. He was barely sober and hadn’t yet figured out what had really happened.”

Lin Qi straightened, squared his shoulders, and calmly clasped his hands behind his back, refusing the handshake. To shake hands with this youth? Lin Qi wasn’t that foolish. This was clearly a battle-hardened military man—Lin Qi had no intention of testing his strength against him. Though he had been conditioned from childhood by his father and a band of eccentric uncles, honing his strength from the age of three, Lin Qi saw no need to compete here.

What would it matter, win or lose? Lin Qi was now an accounting student at the Fifth University—he had to comport himself as a model student. He must always remember he was a university man who used his mind, not a bare-chested warrior hacking people down with weapons.

The young man’s expression darkened—a reaction like Lin Qi’s was tantamount to disrespecting his entire noble family. With a cold snort, the youth withdrew his hand and bowed slightly to Mr. Gron and Father Barring. “I am Haulin of the Bavier family. My apologies for today’s incident; my family will bear all losses.”

After a brief pause, Haulin continued coolly, “But I must ask the Dean and Father here not to press charges against these men. They are honorable individuals, each performing his duties faithfully. Surely you would not make an example of them for a single careless mistake?”

With his family’s name revealed, Haulin was invoking the weight of the Baviiers—military nobles who had risen during the century-long island wars, with nearly every male in the family holding a commission. Though their title was not lofty, their influence was considerable. By naming his family, Haulin made it clear that unless Mr. Gron and Father Barring wished to pick a fight with the Baviiers, the matter should be dropped.

After all, Lin Qi had not come to harm; the dragoons and brass-hats had already been punished. The empire’s noble circles had rules of their own. Even if Father Barring was a servant of God, above worldly power, he could not afford to offend a powerful hereditary noble lightly.

Especially since Lin Qi had nearly chopped him to pieces with an axe only yesterday!

Father Barring was, at best, an occasional companion of Lin Qi’s, not a sworn brother. So, puffing out his plump chest, Father Barring solemnly declared, “Since they have cleansed themselves of their sins, God is merciful.”

Blinking, Father Barring stepped aside, adopting an air of detachment.

Mr. Gron pulled out a white handkerchief, dabbed at his nose, and absently touched the smooth little vial in his pocket. Returning the handkerchief, he said gravely, “I hope there will be no repetition of this incident. Lord Haulin, this is the campus of the Fifth University.”

Haulin bowed slightly, his apology earnest. “My family will make good any losses. This was my mistake, and the Baviiers will see to all damages. I must also apologize to Mr. Lin Qi—he was innocent, and it was only my foolish brother’s drunken ramblings that led to this.”

Haulin handled matters with finesse. Lin Qi had already prepared irrefutable evidence: a model student helping Father Barring copy prayer scrolls could not possibly be connected to a tavern brawl or arson. Haulin simply chose not to pursue it any further. Even if this case reached the king, with a priest as witness, Lin Qi would be exonerated.

Father Barring and Mr. Gron left the dormitory satisfied, knowing Haulin wished to speak privately with Lin Qi. The battered dragoons and brass-hats gave Lin Qi a long, searching look, accepted a purse from Haulin, and quickly departed.

Leaning against the doorframe, Lin Qi grinned at Haulin, who smiled back. “Is there something you wish to say to me, sir?”

Haulin ordered his six guards to disperse the curious students from the corridor, then stood before Lin Qi with his hands behind his back. Sighing lightly, he shook his head. “Haus is useless. He couldn’t even best you. Born to a noble house of military merit, yet unable to prevail in mind or strength over a common-born student—he will face severe punishment from the family.”

Lin Qi nodded slowly, meeting Haulin’s single eye with a cold sneer. “And then?”

Haulin turned and strolled toward the staircase, speaking over his shoulder in a frosty tone. “The family will remember you, Lin Qi. You have earned the Bavier family’s enmity. But we won’t stoop to your level. We’ll see to it that Haus defeats you openly—defeats your entire family openly!”

Lin Qi laughed brightly, shaking his head.

“My family? Hah, go to hell!”