Na-Isekai Ako
Chapter 30: Academy’s Got Talent (But Does It Have Taste?) pt 4

Chapter 30: Academy’s Got Talent (But Does It Have Taste?) pt 4

Katherine stiffened. "Marquis Jonathas..."

Sophanes nodded. "Yes, your brother. He often speaks of you, though I never expected to meet you like this. He said his sister was bright, talented, and full of surprises. It seems he wasn’t exaggerating."

Katherine stood speechless for a moment. Brother? Aunt Yevon’s husband was Marquis Jonathas—her brother. She’d been addressing Aunt Yevon incorrectly all this time. She wasn’t her aunt; she was her sister-in-law.

"I... see," Katherine finally managed, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir Sophanes."

Sophanes chuckled. "It seems the Sylvaine family never runs out of surprises."

Brother... she indeed had a brother, but that was in her previous world. Weird gadgets, same features, lost in this world... could it be?

"Hmm... I remember he said the name is..." Professor Sophanes tried to recall. "Noraleigha."

"Oh..." It is her brother.

***

Adolfo listened quietly as the professors spoke with Katherine. There was no denying it—she was the spitting image of Marquis Jonathas, his master.

The first time Adolfo saw Katherine in the coffee shop, he’d been caught off guard. But he quickly remembered how often his master had bragged about his sister. So often, in fact, that Adolfo had grown tired of hearing the same stories.

Yet, despite his usual irritation, there were moments when Jonathas’s tone turned wistful.

"I love my wife, Adolfo," Jonathas had once confided, "but sometimes, I wonder how my sister is doing. I love her dearly, too."

Adolfo glanced at Katherine. She shared her brother’s knack for innovation, but with an added grace and calmness. Where Jonathas was exuberant and prone to rambling, Katherine was composed, her expressions subtle and fleeting. She wore her thoughts on her face, but they were difficult to read.

He looked down at the glass of soda in his hand. Jonathas had mentioned his sister’s love for experimenting with food and drinks, though she’d never cared to master any one craft. "She dabbles in everything," Jonathas had said with a fond smile. "Always curious, always chasing the next idea."

This drink, Adolfo mused, was proof of that creativity. Refreshing, unexpected, yet perfectly balanced.

His master had introduced him to countless gadgets and ideas, expanding his world beyond old theories and swordsmanship—things Florante could never learn from Antenor. Adolfo often considered himself lucky to have such a unique mentor.

And now Katherine was doing the same, introducing flavors and concepts he’d never imagined. He hadn’t expected the test product he sent her to be used like this. She truly was inventive.

After this Symposium, Adolfo was certain people would flock to her, not just for her talents but for being Marquis Jonathas’s sister—the kingdom’s pioneer of innovation. The thought left him oddly conflicted.

"...I remember he said the name is Noraleigha. Is that a name of yours, Lady Katherine?"

Katherine looked surprised but quickly smiled and said, "It was one of my many names while traveling."

Sophanes chuckled. "I see, so it was you."

Yes, it was the name his master kept repeating—Noraleigha. He’d thought it was such a unique name, but now it made perfect sense. It suited her well.

"We expect great things from you, like your brother, Lady Katherine," one of the professors said warmly. "If you encounter any difficulties during your time at the academy, please don’t hesitate to seek our guidance."

"Thank you, professors." Katherine smiled politely, but Adolfo noticed the flicker of confusion in her eyes. Her mind was clearly elsewhere.

Adolfo watched her quietly. He could almost see the thoughts racing behind her calm facade. She was usually so composed, but now, uncertainty clouded her expression.

***

"Thank you very much," Katherine said with a polite bow. "I hope this small demonstration showed how food can be both enjoyable and beautiful."

The applause that followed wasn’t thunderous, but it was warm and sincere. Laura clapped the loudest, her smile radiant. Even Florante gave a small nod of approval.

As Katherine stepped off the stage, she caught Adolfo’s gaze. He raised an eyebrow and offered a slow, teasing clap.

Laura rushed to her side, eyes sparkling. "You were wonderful! I knew you’d impress them."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Katherine replied, her heart finally slowing. "Now, let’s enjoy the rest of the Symposium. I think we’ve earned a break."

But even as she spoke, her thoughts lingered on the conversation she had with the professors and the brother she never expected to find. The performance might have ended, but her journey for answers was just beginning.

***

Antennor checked the list of noble ladies participating in the Summer Symposium. The names were all too familiar—daughters of powerful houses, each with their own ambitions and secrets. Yet one name stood out.

"Katherine of House Sylvaine..." he murmured. "Barbas, any details on this lady?"

"Nothing substantial, sire. Her records appear pristine—too pristine. Almost as if they were deliberately arranged."

Antennor’s fingers drummed against the desk. "And her connections?"

Barbas hesitated before speaking. "Recently revealed to be the sister of Marquis Jonathas. It was unexpected, even among the nobility. But there’s something stranger."

Antennor looked up sharply. "Go on."

"We’ve found others with similar features in different territories. Some of them were deemed lunatics, others vanished without a trace, and a few were found dead under mysterious circumstances."

Antennor’s grip on the parchment tightened. "Dead, you say? How many?"

"At least four confirmed cases. But there are whispers of more. Some spoke of strange phenomena surrounding them before their disappearance, others claimed they carried knowledge beyond their time."

Antennor leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. "And no common origin? No traceable lineage?"

"None that we can find, my lord. It is as if they appeared out of nowhere."

The air in the chamber felt heavier. Antennor’s mind raced, connecting the pieces. These anomalies weren’t mere coincidences. They were patterns—patterns that someone had tried to erase.

He exhaled slowly, a dangerous glint in his eye. "Increase the surveillance, but remain unseen. I want every detail—her habits, her weaknesses, who she trusts. And Barbas?"

"Yes, my lord?"

"Find out what happened to the others." He tapped the parchment with two fingers. "And make sure Katherine of House Sylvaine doesn’t suffer the same fate—until we know exactly what she is."

As Barbas left the room, Antennor’s gaze lingered on Katherine’s name. Whatever secrets she held, he would uncover them. The pieces were finally coming together, and he would ensure that he was the one in control of the board.

***

Later that evening, Katherine sat on a bench in the academy gardens. The soft glow of enchanted lanterns lit the cobblestone path. The air was cool, carrying the faint sweetness of blooming night flowers.

Her mind was restless. Yevon had told her they were aunt and niece, but if Jonathas was her brother, then Yevon should have been her sister-in-law. Why had she lied? Did she know the truth all along? And if Marquis Jonathas was really Norlukas, her lost twin, where was he now?

Adolfo found her there, arms crossed, gazing at the sky. He approached quietly, the crunch of gravel under his boots the only sound until he spoke. "Deep in thought, my lady?"

Katherine, startled, turned to him. "Oh, you scared me. You really should make more noise when you walk. Maybe wear bells?"

Adolfo smirked. "Noted. I’ll be sure to announce myself with a fanfare next time."

She sighed. "Good evening, my lord. It’s getting late."

He sat beside her. "It is. Yet here you are, lost in thought."

Katherine glanced at him. "You’re very observant."

"It’s a curse," he replied dryly. "You’re thinking about your brother."

She hesitated before nodding. "Do you know my brother, my lord? Can you tell me about him?"

Adolfo was quiet for a moment before saying, "Yes. Your brother is one of the best professors here. If not the best, in my opinion. He’s brilliant, confident, and has a way of making the impossible seem possible."

Her shoulders relaxed slightly. "I see... He seems to be doing well." A quiet relief settled over her, though her questions remained.

Adolfo cleared his throat. "Your performance today was impressive. Not just the drinks and the snacks—though those were really good—but how you handled the crowd. You were calm, confident, like you belonged up there."

Katherine grinned. "Are you saying you were impressed? Careful, dear Count, flattery might go to my head."

"Then I’ll take it back. You were tolerable at best."

She laughed, nudging his arm. "Too late, I already heard it. You think I’m brilliant."

He rolled his eyes but smirked. "I’ve seen seasoned knights freeze under less pressure. But you? You stood there like it was nothing. You should be proud."

She let out a small chuckle. "I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did."

Adolfo nodded. "If today proved anything, it’s that you don’t need to ’fit in.’ You stand out just fine on your own."

Katherine smirked. "And here I thought you barely tolerated me."

"Barely," he agreed, a teasing glint in his eyes.

He leaned back on the bench, watching the sky darken to deep blue, stars beginning to dot the sky. After a moment, he stood and offered his hand. "Shall we head back? Or are you planning to overthink yourself into the ground?"

Katherine sighed, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear before accepting his hand. "Is this your way of telling me to stop worrying?"

Adolfo tilted his head. "More like reminding you that you don’t have to figure everything out at once."

She met his eyes, thoughtful. "And if I never find answers?"

Adolfo was quiet for a moment, then said with rare sincerity, "Then you make one. People like you don’t just fit into the world—they shape it."

Katherine smiled faintly. "That sounds... exhausting."

"It is," he admitted, "but you’re already doing it."

The soft lantern light flickered as they stood, casting long shadows behind them. Adolfo offered his arm this time, and after a moment’s hesitation, Katherine took it, surprised by how natural it felt.

As they walked back toward the academy halls, the evening air felt lighter. Katherine glanced at Adolfo as he escorted her through the corridors.

"Is there something on my face, Lady Katherine?" he asked, raising a brow.

"No," she said, hesitating for a moment. "I was just thinking... it’s been a while since we actually talked." She paused. "I thought you wouldn’t even remember me from the ball where we first met."

Adolfo smirked. "How could I forget a lady like you?"

Katherine met his gaze. His red eyes were as striking as ever—perhaps even more so now. He looked back at her, and for a moment, something unfamiliar yet oddly natural settled between them.

"You’re being too kind, my lord," she teased. "I worry you might start charging me for it."

Adolfo chuckled. "I’ll consider it—if the job comes with decent refreshments."

Katherine laughed, and for the first time that night, she wasn’t lost in thought or worry. They talked idly as he walked her to the dormitory, and when they finally bid farewell, she realized something.

It had been a good night.