Reincarnated as an Elf Prince-Chapter 53: Parting Ways

The lady bowed as she arrived before Lindarion and Melion.

"Welcome, members of the Sunblade royal family. It is an honor to have you visit our institution."

Her voice was warm—like freshly baked pastries—as she smiled at Lindarion.

And… were her eyes sparkling just now?

Melion flashed her a devilish grin. The woman suddenly cleared her throat, straightened her posture, and composed herself.

’??’

Lindarion’s thoughts swirled. Not only had he just learned information he wasn’t sure he even wanted to know, but once again, he was surrounded by strange people.

"I am Sylven Vaelora, the head of this institution. It is a pleasure to have you here today."

Her voice wavered slightly as she glanced at Melion, who remained smiling—silently, ominously.

"I only wanted to show my son around. Please continue your work as usual."

Melion’s voice was… cold? As if she really didn’t like Sylven. No, wait—was that actual hatred in her voice?

’Why, though?’

Lindarion’s gaze darted between them as they locked eyes.

Sylven bowed, her voice turning soft. "I hope His Highness finds the institution to his liking."

Then, with a fleeting smile, she turned and walked off—to do… whatever it was she actually did here.

Melion grinned at Lindarion before taking his hand. "Should we leave darling?"

’…What just happened?’

Lindarion shook his head and sighed. "Yes, we should go."

The guards followed them closely as they descended the tower. And honestly? The trip down took so long that coming up in the first place had been a complete waste of time.

Lindarion let out a deep sigh as they finally reached the bottom of the seemingly endless stairs.

As they walked back to the carriage, he mulled over the overwhelming amount of information he had gathered today. Despite not actually doing much, time had flown by.

’It wasn’t bad… I guess.’

He glanced at Melion, who strolled gracefully toward the carriage, her steps elegant, almost swanlike.

Once they climbed in, Melion smiled at him. "Shall we depart?"

Her voice was gentle—like a harmless caress.

The guards settled in as well. Lindarion nodded, his tone firmer than before.

"Yes."

Melion tapped on the carriage door, signaling the driver, and they set off toward the palace.

From the corner of his eye, Lindarion noticed Therion repeatedly glancing at him.

’What? I’m not going to disappear…’

He shook his head and focused on the road. Fortunately, the ride home was smooth—and, more importantly, quiet.

It gave him time to process the day’s events.

Not that he had too much to think about.

One thing was certain, though.

He would have to return to that place.

And he really wasn’t thrilled about it.

—

Lindarion and Melion walked into the palace at a relaxed pace—only to be greeted by Eldrin, arms crossed, waiting for them.

"My son, may we talk?"

’What does he want now…?’

Lindarion’s thoughts stalled as Eldrin’s gaze flickered to Melion, a silent request to leave them alone.

"I can’t listen in?" Melion asked with a dramatic pout.

Eldrin shook his head. "This is something for the two of us."

With a small shake of her head, Melion turned toward the dining hall. "Fine, fine…"

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

Once she was gone, Eldrin placed a firm hand on Lindarion’s shoulder.

"Are you nervous about the academy, my son?"

The question hung in the air.

Lindarion blinked. That’s it? No way. It couldn’t be that simple.

"…Honestly? No. After training with Erebus, I doubt I have anything to be nervous about, Father."

His voice was steady, confident.

Eldrin nodded approvingly. "True. Not many can endure Erebus’s brutal methods."

He shook his head before leaning back in his chair, his sharp gaze locking onto Lindarion’s.

"I expect nothing less than your very best."

’The best, huh?’

Lindarion didn’t dwell on the words. He knew—no, he wanted to be the best at the academy.

"The academy is going to be long," Eldrin continued, folding his hands together. "You’ll have peers far older than you, as you are just going to be a first year student."

Then, with a smirk, he added, "But just because they’re older doesn’t mean you should lose if anything happens."

’Yeah, figured as much. Not that I planned to.’

Lindarion shook his head, stepping forward slightly.

"I understand, Father. I won’t disappoint you."

Eldrin nodded again, then pulled out a few sheets of paper.

"The strategy you suggested worked. We were able to assist both sides."

A rare smile touched his lips as he met Lindarion’s eyes.

Lindarion nodded. ’So it worked, after all.’

Eldrin tapped his fingers against the desk, watching Lindarion with an unreadable expression.

"I’ll give you some things you should engrave in your mind Son."

He said with a small smile as Lindarion nodded quietly.

"The academy isn’t just a place for learning," he finally said. "It’s a battlefield in its own way."

Lindarion raised an eyebrow. "You make it sound very dramatic father."

Eldrin sighed. "It is dramatic. Power struggles, alliances, backstabbing—it’s a reflection of the real world, just wrapped in textbooks and training grounds."

’So… basically politics, but with more homework.’

Lindarion gave a small nod. "I understand.."

Eldrin leaned forward. "You’ll meet nobles, warriors, scholars—some will want to befriend you, others will want to use you. You must be sharp. Observe before you act."

Lindarion hummed.

"So, I basically shouldn’t trust anyone?"

Eldrin chuckled lightly then looked Lindarion in the eye.

"That’s a bit too paranoid, son. Trust those who earn it."

He just nodded. "I understand.. Is there anything else dad?"

Eldrin handed him a sealed letter. "This is from me to the academy’s headmaster. It is for Thalorin to see, nobody else shall open it. Do not lose it."

Lindarion turned it over in his hands. The wax seal bore the Sunblade crest—official, important-looking.

’It must be something important…but why didn’t he give Thalorin the letter?’

Lindarion was about to ask but Eldrin shook his head and interrupted him. "Get some rest. You still have some days before leaving."

Lindarion nodded quietly then left the room. Walking towards his own bedroom as the maids greeted him with warm smiles.

’I’m going to miss this.’

—

The days passed in the blink of an eye as Lindarion laid in his bed, the morning sun shining through his window.

BANG BANG BANG!

His door practically shook from the force of the knocks.

"Wake up, Your Highness!"

Lindarion groaned. "Five more minutes…"

The door slammed open.

Melion stood there, smiling way too brightly for this ungodly hour.

"Five minutes? How about now darling?"

Lindarion buried his face in his pillow.

’I hate waking up early…what day is it even..’

Melion laughed, dragging the blankets off him. "Rise and shine, my little son! Your glorious academy life awaits!"

Lindarion sat up, squinting at the sunlight streaming in.

"Why are you so energetic Mom?"

Melion twirled a strand of her hair as she smiled.

"Because I’m excited for your future in the academy!"

Lindarion groaned again as he sat up in his bed.

Melion leaned in, smirking. "Oh, and Thalorin is waiting for you outside. All of the staff members came to see you off as well."

Lindarion blinked. "Wait—what?"

Melion clapped her hands as she left his room. "Better hurry Son, you don’t want to ruin your grand exit!"

Lindarion sighed.

’This is going to be a long five years.’

Lindarion took a deep breath, straightened his posture, and swiftly changed into a fitting outfit. His father’s letter was tucked neatly into his coat.

As he glanced into the mirror, a strikingly handsome young elf stared back. Dressed in an elegant black-and-white ensemble, he exuded nobility. His long hair was tied up, yet it still cascaded down to his waist. His emerald-green eyes glowed faintly as he adjusted the hem of his clothes and secured the sword at his waist.

’Alright. Time to leave I guess..’

Stepping toward the door, he hesitated for a moment.

’Huh… they really are outside. It’s very quiet.’

The grand hallway—usually bustling with attendants—was eerily silent. Completely empty. It felt almost abandoned.

A strange sense of nostalgia welled up in him.

’I’m going to miss this place…’

Pushing open the doors, he stepped outside…

And immediately wished he hadn’t.

His heart nearly dropped to his feet.

The entire palace staff was lined up outside. Maids, cleaners, guards—everyone was present, all bowing deeply in his direction.

A thick, solemn atmosphere filled the air.

’…Is this a farewell or my funeral? I’m gaining aura with this…’

Lindarion kept his expression neutral as he slowly walked past them, his presence commanding yet… slightly awkward.

At the very end of the line stood Seraphine, his parents, and Thalorin. All of them were smiling slightly—even Seraphine! That was rarer than someone finding a seven-star skill book in some cursed dungeon!

As Lindarion reached her, Seraphine gave him a slow, formal bow.

"Take care, young prince."

Without hesitation, Lindarion stepped forward and pulled her into a hug.

"You take care of my parents."

For a brief moment, Seraphine stiffened… then, surprisingly, she hugged him back.

Lindarion felt warmth creep up his face.

’A-Ah. Abort. Abort mission—!’

A throat cleared behind him.

He turned to see his mother, Melion, watching them with a knowing smile.

"Mother. Father."

Lindarion quickly moved on, stepping toward his parents. Melion approached and embraced him, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

"Be careful, my son."

Lindarion nodded before turning to Eldrin, who extended his hand.

A firm handshake. Two strong grips.

"Stay safe, son. And don’t forget what I told you."

Eldrin added a subtle wink.

Melion’s eyes narrowed slightly, but—perhaps wisely—she decided not to ask.

With a final nod, Lindarion turned to the last person.

’Thalorin.’

The old elf was… scratching his head, his wild beard looking particularly unkempt.

’Hard to believe he’s a member of the Council sometimes…’

Shaking his head, Lindarion stepped closer, only to find Thalorin grinning at him like a mischievous child.

"Shall we?"

Lindarion took one last look at the people he was leaving behind.

Even Theiron, the guard, was smiling at him.

Wait. Was he… tearing up?!

Thalorin placed a firm hand on Lindarion’s shoulder.

"Let’s go."

And with that, space itself fractured—

Lindarion barely had time to process his own thoughts before the world twisted.

And then, suddenly—

CRASH.