chapter 15: So, you finally found a girl to bring home, huh?

Ethan, taking Anna's suggestion into account, decided to reach out to Ulric's twin brothers. He hoped to get closer to Ulric by increasing his communication with the twins. Upon returning to the training field, Ethan started talking to the twins and tried to spend time with them.

Meanwhile, Anna also implemented her own plan and tried to communicate with Ulric. Her goal was also to get closer to Ulric and earn his trust. Both of them were steadfastly progressing towards their goals.

For several days, Ethan and Anna tried to spend more time around Nemora and Ulric. Over time, they managed to build a close friendship with Nemora and gained her trust. However, Ulric seemed more reserved, and reaching out to him would be more challenging. Ethan and Anna continued their plans to gain Ulric's trust patiently and strategically.

At the same time, Ethan continued his studies. His new mentor, John, had particularly emphasized, "If you learn something twice, you've learned three things, Ethan." Ethan had indeed focused on his studies and improved himself.

6 months later,

It had been half a year since Ethan joined the academy. During this time, he had utilized it to improve his skills and relationships. While he had become close friends with Nemora, he hadn't made as much progress with Ulric. Yet Ethan had devised a plan with Anna for this. Soon, the academy ranking test would take place. As the name suggests, this test is conducted to rank students based on their power levels.

Power level encompasses not only brute strength but also various other factors. These tests are usually conducted annually and are held in dangerous locations to push the students' limits.

Ethan knew that Ulric would participate in this test. It was a perfect opportunity to get closer to him. Ethan offered to help Ulric in the test. Ulric hesitated at first, but upon seeing Ethan's sincerity, he accepted the offer.

On the day of the exam, Ethan and Ulric set off for the exam area together. The first stage of the exam took place in a forest. Students had to hunt hidden monsters in the forest and reach a specific point. Ethan and Ulric moved together and successfully completed the first stage.

The second stage of the exam took place in a labyrinth. There were traps and puzzles hidden in the labyrinth. Ethan and Ulric managed to navigate through the labyrinth using their wits and strategies.

The final stage of the exam consisted of a duel. Each student had to duel with a randomly selected opponent. Ethan was chosen as Nemora's opponent. Ethan didn't want to harm Nemora, so he engaged in a friendly duel with her. Nemora appreciated Ethan's honesty but wanted him to use all his strength. Ethan won the duel by using his gravity magic.

When the exam results were announced, Ethan and Ulric ranked at the top. Ethan had kept his promise to Ulric and helped him in the test, leading to the establishment of a friendship between them.

As Ethan and Ulric's friendship progressed, Ethan learned about Ulric's past and what happened to his family. Ulric told Ethan about how his father's betrayal and his family's death had affected him. Ethan understood Ulric's pain and supported him.

Ethan and Ulric started training together and learned a lot from each other. Ethan taught Ulric about martial arts and strategy, while Ulric taught Ethan about survival in nature and scouting.

Their friendship caught the attention of other students at the academy. Many were surprised that Ethan and Ulric became close friends. However, Ethan and Ulric continued to develop their friendship regardless of what others thought.

As Ethan and Ulric's friendship seemed to transcend their lives at the academy, Ethan offered to help Ulric reclaim his viscounty. Ulric accepted Ethan's offer, and they began planning together.

Despite facing many challenges ahead, such as Duke Eddart and the Avarya Kingdom, for now, they had to wait until the end of the academy. But time was ticking, and eventually, Ethan's first year at the academy came to an end. Ethan invited his friends to dinner at the palace, and they didn't refuse, especially Aphrodite and Anna.

When they arrived at the palace, Ethan's mother, the queen, and his father, the king, warmly welcomed his friends. During the special dinner at the palace, a pleasant conversation ensued at the table. While Aphrodite and Nemora admired the splendor of the palace, Ethan proudly introduced his friends.

The queen, inquired kindly about their time in the kingdom and expressed her pleasure at inviting them to the palace. The king expressed his pride in Ethan's success at the academy and praised his abilities.

During the dinner, they shared the time Ethan spent with his friends and their friendships, creating an intimate atmosphere in the palace. The queen and the king asked curious questions about the young people's future plans and assured them of their support.

After spending enjoyable time at the palace, Ethan's friends thanked the queen and the king before leaving. Ethan emphasized once again his gratitude for their friendship and expressed his gratitude to Anna and his other friends.

The palace visit was a testament to Ethan's successful completion of his first year at the academy and the further strengthening of his friendships. Now, the future was leading them towards bigger adventures.

After his friends left the palace, Ethan wanted to spend some more time there since he was on a one-month break. However, he didn't just sleep all day; during this time, he began spending time in the library to learn more about this world.

The next evening, Ethan's mother also joined them for dinner as Richard had some problems to deal with. Luciana looked at Ethan with a warm smile, expressing how proud she was of him. Luciana teasingly remarked, "So, you finally found a girl to bring home, huh?" Ethan, shocked by her words, accidentally spilled his soup. He replied, "Mom, they're just my friends." Luciana chuckled, "Hahaha, son, don't say that to them; you might break their hearts. But how did you charm the Duke's daughter, Anna? I always heard she was emotionless." She continued teasing Ethan.

Luciana's teasing continued throughout the evening, and Ethan tried to ignore her jests. Before leaving, Luciana offered some advice to Ethan, "Remember, my dear son, you and these girls are still young, so for now, focus your time on the academy and strengthening yourself. Well, when you grow up, I'll see if I accept those girls as my daughters-in-law." She ended with a teasing tone.

Ethan agreed with his mother; after all, you can develop yourself the most when you're young in this world. As you grow up, the rate of growth of your mana level slows down. Thus, Ethan's second term at the academy began after a month passed.