Initially, Erwin wanted to return to his room. After the test, they had the whole day free. But he realized he didn't want to go back, especially since Brenin had been visibly gloomy for days.
"I don't need more negativity," thought Erwin as he headed to one of the many academy parks.
The academy stood in a vast, flat valley. Some parts had been modified by man, while others, like the grassy parks, remained untouched, offering breathtaking views. Erwin wandered through the academy streets and found one such place: a solitary bench overlooking a spectacular landscape of rivers, hills, and mountains.
He sat on the bench, but couldn't enjoy the view. His mind was tormented by guilt. Since the test ended, he questioned if he had made the right choice, if he had any reason to regret it. Every time he saw his friend's bruised face, it felt like a painful stab to his heart, increasing his guilt.
He couldn't fathom how he had reduced his best friend to such a state. During their sparring, he had tried to stop the fight but couldn't control his strength. This inability turned into torture, lasting several minutes. Only when his friend's body had reached its limit, was he able to knock him out, causing even more pain.
"What... have I done?!" thought Erwin, angrily gripping his hair as if he wanted to tear it out.
In those moments, he wondered if it was worth staying there. If it was worth it to stay if it meant destroying others' ambitions. It was a feeling he had put aside after the entrance test. But now, after destroying his first and true friend's dream, that feeling grew stronger, shaking his uncertain convictions like a violent earthquake.
It was an accumulation of everything: the harsh treatment by the guards, the discrimination, and the difficult life he was living.
For the first time since he was born, Erwin wondered if it was worth pursuing his dream, if it meant enduring all this.
"Ron was right..." thought Erwin, feeling his spirit on the brink of destruction. "This place... is ruthless. It's not for me..."
As he contemplated leaving, he heard footsteps behind him. For a moment, he thought it was Oscar and didn't have the courage to turn around.
"Erwin..."
He recognized the female voice; it wasn't Oscar, and this relieved some of his tension.
But he didn't expect Claire to be there. Erwin quickly turned to her, looking at her with sad, teary eyes, saying nothing.
Claire was taken aback by his expression. She didn't know him well, but in their few interactions, he always seemed cheerful and happy. Seeing him like this was strange, as she expected anything but this.
"Claire..." Erwin said almost in a whisper, wiping his reddened eyes, "What are you doing here?"
Claire stood still, saying nothing. From Oscar's tone, she knew the letter's content must be heavy.
"Why... did I agree to this..." thought Claire, not wanting to see Erwin's shattered spirit.
But she was there and couldn't back out. She had promised Oscar and couldn't break that promise. Despite accepting almost out of pity, she couldn't abandon him now.
Besides, even though Erwin had told her to forget about it, she still felt guilty for not telling him about the bi-monthly test in Section C.
Taking a deep breath and gathering her strength, she approached the wooden bench where he was sitting.
"Can I sit?" she asked with a small smile.
Under normal circumstances, Erwin would have acted like an idiot, displaying extravagant behavior because he liked her; but at that moment, he thought of everything except that. Without answering, he simply moved to the other end of the bench, making room for her.
Claire said nothing and, after observing him for a few seconds, sat down.
"..."
Claire remained silent for a few moments, searching for the right words to interact with him. Then, she realized she had to be as honest as possible, relying only on her feelings.
"You know, Oscar gave me this."
As soon as he heard Oscar's name, Erwin immediately looked at her hand, noticing the letter.
"...He gave it to you?"
"Yes," Claire replied with a gentle smile, looking at the beautiful landscape before them. "I was in the dining hall when your friend approached me and handed me this. He told me he couldn't face you to talk, but from the way he spoke, I'm sure you mean a lot to him."
Claire handed Erwin the letter, which he looked at with a worried expression. "I don't know what happened, but... I want you to read it."
Claire then stood up, ready to leave Erwin some privacy. But as she turned, Erwin grabbed her arm, surprising her.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
"Stay. Please."
"I'd like to, but I—"
"Please. I don't want to be alone..."
Claire was taken aback by his request. She had no obligation to stay with him; after all, they didn't know each other that well.
But for some reason, she saw a bit of herself in Erwin and couldn't help but pity him.
So, despite her hesitation, she sat back down on the bench, staying close to him.
Erwin stared at the letter for several seconds; he didn't want to open it. In his heart, he knew what it contained and believed reading it would only hurt more.
But it was Oscar's letter... his first friend's letter. Even if it would hurt, he had to read it.
With trembling hands, Erwin slowly opened the envelope and took out the letter. He took several deep breaths before starting to read its contents.
> Dear Erwin,
>
> As you can imagine, I've been expelled from the academy after being defeated by you. I must be honest: I hate you a bit, Erwin. I hate you because you destroyed my dream, the dream I was trying to fulfill to honor my father. But at the same time, I can't hate you completely. I can't because I know you always wanted the best for me, that you always pushed me to surpass my limits and become stronger. None of us could have predicted we would face each other, so don't blame yourself...
>
> In the village I come from, everyone considers me weak. I've always been the one who hated fighting, who tried to avoid pain at all costs. Everyone thought I would never achieve anything in life and often ridiculed me. Everyone treated me that way, except my father. He was the only one who always supported me, even when my mother left us for a richer man. Despite the difficulties, my father never stopped believing in me. His strength gave me the courage to move forward.
>
> When my father fell ill, I was helpless. I watched as the illness consumed him, feeling unable to do anything to save him. He died before my eyes, and in that moment, I remembered a wish he always had: to see his son become a mage, not just any mage, but a melee mage. I can't explain how much this wish tormented me. I hate pain, I hate hitting people, but to honor my father's memory, I decided to enroll in the magic academy and follow the course he so desired for me.
>
> Erwin, I knew you were stronger than me, and I knew facing you meant my defeat. But what you may not know is that every day I spent training, every lesson I attended, was a way to feel I was making my father's spirit happy. He is no longer here, but I feel his presence every time I strive to surpass my limits. He accompanies me, even if I can't see him.
>
> Now that I've been expelled from the academy, I will return to the village and take up my father's work: I will become a navigator, just as he was. It's not the path he would have chosen for me, but it's the one I can pursue with a light heart, knowing I did everything possible to fulfill his dream, even if only for a short time.
>
> I know it will be hard for you, Erwin, to move forward. After watching you closely these weeks, I know the kind of person you are. So, you must continue to pursue your dreams, not only for yourself but also for those you have defeated. Do not dare to give up. You must become the best, not only for yourself but also for all those who, like me, have seen their dream shatter.
>
> Even from afar, I will be cheering for you. I hope with all my heart that you truly become the best mage and explorer. I will never stop believing in you.
>
> With affection and gratitude,
>
> Your friend, Oscar
Erwin clutched the letter tightly, his heart pounding furiously. [I'm an idiot... I'm a fucking idiot!]
Repeatedly, without a word, he berated himself for his cowardice. First, for yet again contemplating abandoning everything. Second, for not realizing that giving up on his dream meant destroying others’ dreams as well.
Bitter tears streamed down his face, but at the same time, it felt like his soul, on the verge of breaking, was saved—thanks to that letter. [Thank you, my friend... now I know what i have to do!]
"Is it a bad letter?" Claire asked, her curiosity tinged with concern for Erwin's state of mind.
Erwin wiped away his tears forcefully, as if trying to erase his weaknesses. This time, a more genuine, relaxed smile appeared on his face. Despite his red eyes, Claire sensed that Erwin, though saddened by the loss of a friend, was happy.
"No... It's not a bad letter!" Erwin exclaimed, folding the letter and placing it back in the envelope. "It's the best letter I could have received. Thank you for delivering it, Claire."
Claire didn't quite understand what had happened, but as she watched Erwin's dazzling smile under the warm sun, she realized for the first time how incredibly handsome he was. She blushed slightly, having never had such thoughts about any boy before.
"Y-You're welcome..."
----------------------------------------
*Marcus's POV*
This week has been a fucking disaster. First, that piece of shit new kid, Erwin, broke my nose in multiple places, forcing me to wear this damned wooden mask to protect the broken bones. Then, as if that wasn't enough, that idiot Oscar made a name for himself in class.
I did everything to ruin his existence... a peasant like him had no place in our class. I hoped he'd leave with his tail between his legs, wanted to see him walk away utterly defeated... wanted him to understand that people like him had no place here.
But instead, the opposite happened, and there's only one person to blame: Erwin Eda.
I wanted to get back at that bastard; I wanted to destroy his life, but I couldn't. Despite being an ignoble peasant, he was sponsored by the headmaster himself. So, even though it made my blood boil, my father couldn't do anything to ruin his life, because if he did, it would be my life that got ruined.
But I couldn't let him get away with it, not after what happened, or I'd be seen as the school's laughing stock.
I thought, I thought, and thought again about what I could do to make his life a living hell. And just when I believed there was no way to get my revenge, the solution practically fell from the sky.
In the distance, I saw Erwin sitting on a bench. He wasn't alone. No, he was with someone I didn't recognize at first, but as I cautiously approached, I realized who it was.
[No way... Claire Winchester?!]
After an initial surprise, I started chuckling under my breath, watching those two lovebirds in that filthy setting. Erwin had gotten himself into trouble, and it was my job to make sure that trouble... got a whole lot worse.
END OF CHAPTER 45 – FAREWELLS.