The merry elk pulls an elaborately carved carriage through the fire-shrouded Imperial Military Academy, and the buildings on both sides of the road are lit up.

On the east side of the teaching area of Department A, next to the tender green lawn, a statue of Venus, the goddess of love, stands quietly in the setting sun. The petals of the magnolia tree fell to the ground, and the milky white crumbs wandered in the crimson canvas of the flowing clouds, like butterflies flying in the flames.

The two elk finally stopped outside the glittering glass building, this tame white deer species is almost exclusively found in the cold regions of the far north, and the snow white is the camouflage color that their population has evolved over thousands of years, and it is rare in the warm inland coastal areas, so it attracts the curious eyes of many new students around it as soon as it appears.

"Wow, Professor Russell, it's so beautiful here, it's the first time I've seen the Diamond Auditorium open to the public after being here for so long. Snow ran out of the carriage in his small leather shoes, his white and tender little face shining in the lights of the diamond auditorium, "Brother Al, come and see." ”

"It's coming!" Al replied, and then got out of the carriage, this was the first time he had dressed so formally, and the crisp black suit somewhat restricted his movements, making Al who was used to wearing loose clothes a little uncomfortable.

"The smell of a long time. Professor Russell walked slowly to Al and the others, leaning his neck forward, greedily sniffing the faint aroma of wine in the air, "The Imperial Distillery is a special wine for the royal family, and it can only be tasted once a year at the freshman party. That old man from Anglo is not here this year, and he must be in the lab alone and regretting it. ”

"Isn't Grandpa Anglo coming?" asked Snow.

"A workaholic. It seems that I received some special task from the vice principal last night, and it was mysterious, and even I went to the armed forces department to find him, and I was closed, that strange old man, don't worry about him. Professor Russell waved his hand and stared intently at the rows of oak barrels in the diamond auditorium, and swallowed, "Let's go in first, I seem to see those precious red wines beckoning to me." ”

Al and Snow were speechless for a while, and Professor Russell's previous glorious image in their hearts was completely shattered by this sudden red wine.

As he climbed the stairs, Professor Russell was in a good mood as he recounted the origins of the glass building to his two students.

It turned out that this splendid auditorium was built under the auspices of Catherine, the current queen of the Josephs Empire, in recognition of the contribution of the Imperial Military Academy to the development of the empire in recent years. The glass statue of a woman holding the Kingdom Scepter at the top of the Diamond Hall is modeled after the Queen.

A marble staircase extends to the entrance to the Diamond Auditorium, where dozens of stone stakes carved with saints and wise men surround the auditorium like guards, and attendants in black and red dresses stand on either side of the entrance, politely welcoming the new masters of the Imperial Military Academy.

"Professor Russell, I haven't seen you in a few days, is your body still strong?" In front of the door of the Diamond Auditorium, a tall figure in a lilac striped suit blocked the way of the three of them, he shook the goblet in his hand, and the red wine with a charming color slowly swirled in the glass.

"Hook, why are you here?" Professor Russell's face tightened, and it was clear that he didn't have a good impression of the comer.

"Hehe, it seems that Professor Russell is really old and very forgetful," Hook raised his glass to his mouth and sniffed it, his withered face was furrowed, "As the head of the college management department, I hosted the party, why can't I be here?"

Hearing the implicit inadequacy between the words of this man named Hook, Snow's reaction was not particularly obvious, but he restrained his innocent smile and looked at the person with big eyes, it seemed that he didn't know the person in front of him.

But Al was different, there was already a hint of hostility in his eyes, after all, Al was older than Snow, and he could still distinguish the subtext between Hook's words.

"It's not that I'm forgetful, it's that some people don't deserve to be remembered at all. Professor Russell retaliated without giving in, patting Al on the shoulder, signaling him to relax and not be impulsive.

"Hahaha, that's a good point," Hook gulped down the rest of the wine, and then clapped. Although he was smiling, there was a madness and ferocity in his eyes like a beast.

"Professor Russell, do you know what I liked most about my time in the army? is to listen to those hard-mouthed prisoners say things like that to me, because I always torture them to death one by one and throw them into the orc territory of the Green Valley Forest to feed the beasts. ”

When he heard the words "Green Valley Forest", Al's body suddenly tensed, and he suddenly raised his head to stare at Hook with a calm face, his eyes full of shock, anger, and doubt.

This guy actually served in the Green Valley Defense Line! He looks like he is about fifty years old, and he is afraid that he has reached the age of being a grandfather, but he didn't expect to be so ruthless when he was in the Green Valley Army. Al thought of the soldiers of Green Valley, who had a little loose military discipline on weekdays, and the small town of Nack where he lived, and he couldn't believe it.

Professor Russell was taken aback by Al's bizarre behavior, he didn't expect the kid to react even more strongly than himself.

"You're Al, aren't you?" Hook's gaze swept coldly over El, as if to see him through, "It seems that Professor Russell's students don't have much affection for me, just like the deserters I killed." ”

In addition to the freshmen, there were many teachers and seniors in the crowd attending the freshman party, so as more and more people gathered towards the entrance of the Diamond Auditorium, it was soon noticed that there was gunpowder in the air.

"Professor Russell, Minister Hooke, the party is about to begin, why are you still outside the auditorium?" Director Savoy, dressed in a white gown, came over at the right time to help Professor Russell out.

"Director Savoy, it's nothing, I've met an old friend, reminiscing about the past. Hook placed the empty wine glass into the tray held by the maid beside him, and his grim face slowly softened.

"Professor Russell, you forgot, I said that I was going to introduce your new students to me today, let's go to the auditorium hall and talk while drinking," Director Sava looked taller than Hook, who had been a soldier, "Minister Hook, do you want to join us?"

Russell nodded at Sava and did not deny what Sava had just said, even though he knew better than anyone that Sava had deliberately said it to ease the tension between him and Hook.

"No need, you talk. Hook loosened his gray tie, "I'm going to entertain members of the school board, so I won't accompany you." ”

"Alright then, Minister Hook, we'll be out of company. Sava said to Professor Russell, "Professor Russell, Snow and Al, let's go." ”

Director Sava took the lead in leading several of his students towards the Diamond Auditorium, followed by Professor Russell and his party. Although Al was curious about the experience of this so-called Minister Hooke, especially the strained relationship between this man and Professor Russell.

But Al knew that it was better to leave first, and then he called Snow and pulled him away from Hook's wandering gaze on him.

"Professor Russell, I heard that you and Master Anglo both like the red wine made by the Imperial Distillery, I will send someone to bring you some later, please give it to Master Anglo for me. Hook's words were full of frivolity, "By the way, by the way, take me to say hello to the master." ”

Shortly after Professor Russell's brush with Hooke, Hook's slightly mocking words came.

Al stopped when he heard Hook's words, and slowly turned around, glaring angrily at Hook's back.

This man's repeated provocations and insults to Professor Russell have pushed his endurance to the limit. Al didn't know what had happened between Professor Russell and the man, but he couldn't accept such insulting and vicious remarks to an old man in his old age.

While in the small town of Nack, Uncle Paul did not lead him to a rich life, but he taught him one of the most precious things in the world - the virtue of being a human being.

Just as Al was furious and ready to reason with Hook, a large, wrinkled hand was in front of his chest, it was Professor Russell.

"Al, go. Professor Russell's voice was low, and he shook his head, although his face was not pretty, but his eyes were gentle.

"But—" Al was reluctant.

"Brother Al, listen to the professor, let's go. Snow's little face was a little pale, and he had never experienced such a sabre-rattling situation.

Hook now picked up a glass of freshly poured red wine from the maid's tray.

Al gave Hook a deep look, but he didn't say anything, turning around and following Professor Russell and Snow into the crowded halls of the Diamond Auditorium.

After the setting sun in the west diminished the last rays of its brilliance, it reluctantly bid farewell to the world and fell into the mountains beneath the sea of clouds, the moon rose from the sea level in the east, and the sea breeze became thicker.

At the moment of twilight, Frédéric Chopin's solo piano recital "Nocturne" was played in the Diamond Auditorium, and the peaceful, silent tone announced the official start of the grand Imperial Military Academy freshmen party.

The musical fountain in the center of the Diamond Auditorium changes with the undulating music tones, gushing with different forms of splashes, and the professional dance troupe hired by the college dances around the fountain, wearing white gauze smocks and crystal high heels, like fairies walking against the waves.

Some of the people in the auditorium sat opposite each other, chatting about the current hot topics, some were in groups of three or five, discussing the ranking of freshmen announced by the "Xinlan Daily" yesterday, and some joined the ranks of dance, showing their beautiful dancing postures without hesitation.

At this time, Al was sitting alone on a glass bench at the edge of the hall, bored drinking a new drink without any alcoholic content.

Ten minutes ago, Al was in the middle of the hall, following Professor Russell and Director Sava to talk about the freshmen. From Director Savoy's mouth, Al learned that the first place on the list of freshmen in the A department was a civilian named Eve, the first place in the freshmen in the B department was a young man named Newcastle, and the first place in the C department Al had seen that it was Andre, a leather-clad boy who claimed to be from Luban Island.

Then things gradually deviated from Al's expectations.

Sure enough, the attraction of red wine to Professor Russell was huge, and after a few drinks in a row, his cheeks were already slightly red. At first, he was still chatting warmly with Director Sava about Al's situation, and Al listened quietly, and in response to Director Savoy's curious gaze, Al responded with a polite smile from time to time. But as the chat between the two gradually became hot, the two gradually got a little drunk, and finally directly abandoned Al and Snow around them, and the brothers who hooked their shoulders became longer and the brothers shorter.

Al had no choice but to take Snow to the edge, and simply provided all the drinks here for free, so the two of them each ordered a glass of juice, which was rare and quiet. Unfortunately, Aunt Portis in the crowd saw little Snow and had to introduce him to other female teachers, so Snow was taken away "honorably".

Now, the lonely Al smiled bitterly and untied the bow around his neck, which made him a little breathless, because the guy named Hook had disturbed his interest, especially the unbeaten face, which made Al angry.

The seats next to Al in the corner were empty, and they were two worlds away from the joyous crowd on the dance floor. No one would miss the opportunity to make new friends on such an important occasion, except for Al, who is like a monk far away from the world, hiding in the mountains and wilderness where no one cares, ignoring the hustle and bustle of the world.

Children who have been lonely for a long time can't adapt to the strange eyes projected around them, just like their eyes can't accept the dazzling light in the dark night for a long time.

"Mind if I sit next to you?" As Al looked down and bit on the plastic straw, a figure blocked out the light flowing through the hall from the side, it was a girl's voice.