Chapter 153
Chapter 153
Haha." Even adults—even knights—ignored the politics and simply enjoyed the party. Lee Han. He eagerly grabbed finger foods and non-alcoholic champagne from the staff. He had no interest in flowers, and noble politicking only gave him headaches if he got involved. So why wander? Better to stuff his face and call it a win. "Better than pretending to know and butting in." "Exactly!" Levi wholeheartedly agreed with his candid take. It wasn't blind loyalty to her master. She wanted no part in noble entanglements either. And for good reason. "That's the one adopted by Tristan..." "Fine beauty. Hmm, should I propose a match with my son?" "Forget it. Adopted or not, she's a Tristan. You'll only bring trouble on your house." "But you never know. Imagine the gains from a marriage tie to Tristan. Worth the shot." "...
You're hopeless. Heh." ...
She had zero desire to mingle with them. With invited nobles swelling the crowd beyond cadets, the hall buzzed, conversations blending into white noise for most. But Levi could eavesdrop on multiple threads with ease. She was Lee Han's prized disciple, after all. 'Aura truly has endless uses.' She'd started late compared to others, but effort paid off. Still lacking in many ways, she wielded [Aura] adeptly enough to catch every whisper. ...
Even those unwittingly appraising or leering at her. Rather than rage, Levi responded with a bitter smile. 'I knew it was like this, but they're so base.' Noble society. Lee Han often joked about hating nobles, but those barbs hinted at deeper distrust. And Levi fully understood why. 'Their outsides and insides don't match.' Those harboring lewd intent would approach with refined courtesy, hiding sinister thoughts. Some might envy her sudden rise. Others covet her power. Or see value in alliance. Levi was sick of it all. Her life had already been ruined by nobles once. In truth, she might harbor more resentment than even Lee Han. Yet she could smile, hold her temper because... "Want me to go sort them out?" "I'm fine, Master." "No, I'm not. Don't worry. I've memorized their faces. I'll sneak in a one-hour tendon-severing session later." "I-I'm really fine..." Yes—because someone got genuinely angry on her behalf. That's why she could say she was okay. And smile. "-No, I'm going now." "W-Wait, Master!" ...
Though his overreactions could be embarrassing at times. Levi found her mix of awkwardness and joy ironic.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ There was some back-and-forth, but the party hall wasn't all discomfort. "Whoa? First time seeing the instructor in uniform?" "You look great, Instructor!" "Please wear it more often?" It was a chance to see familiar faces—and disciples—in new lights. "...
Why do you chicks swarm me on sight?" The chicks. The girls approached, dolled up to the nines. Usually frail and delicate, but noble ladies through and through? In dresses and makeup, they were stunning. Freshness that outshone the surrounding flowers. Youth was indeed unbeatable. "Your fathers will cry rivers later." "Why?" "Imagine your pretty daughters marrying some dark brute. Tears, right?" "Eek, what?!" Surprising perhaps, but Lee Han got along fine with the chicks. He'd trained them to toughen up, looked out for them in various ways—unlike the male cadets, they held no grudges. If anything, covertly. "Dance with me later, Instructor." "Me too!" Some even harbored crushes. Lighter, more calculated than Levi's pure affection—but gratitude all the same. And he wasn't fool enough to miss it. He defused lightly: "Sorry, I'm here with someone. Gotta get my partner's okay first." "Aw, no fair..." "Sorry." Partner excuse. Dragging Levi into it—and it worked better than expected. He saw her daily, but to others, she was strikingly beautiful. Why else would Karin call her 'the Academy's first love' the day before? Her smile stirred protective instincts—gentle yet alluring. With her beside him, even the young ladies couldn't steal him away. Levi's baby-bear cuteness turned into a subtle, intimidating smile, making approach harder. "Eee..." As some ladies pouted. Conversely, men crushing on Levi ground their teeth, blaming Lee Han. 'That jerk!''So strong!''...
I wanted to dance with Lady Levi.''Damn it!' Lee Han unwittingly stacked up grudges, oblivious as ever. "...
Why's my back itching so much today?" The unfamiliar sting of jealousy was all he felt. But before he pinpointed the cause. - [His Excellency Salah al-Adil Muhammad Sultan enters! One of the 17 Sultans ruling the Western Continent, lord of the grandest oasis!!] - [From the Ivory Tower of Mages! Tower Master's great disciple, the Golden Mage, enters!!] Amid the florid announcements, eyes—including Lee Han's—turned as two men entered in turn. The first, in exotic garb yet impeccably dignified, seemed the sultan—a handsome man. Following, a blond with a cynical edge strode in. Lee Han's impression? 'Tanned guy and blond punk?' He tilted his head at the duo, split gold/tan down the middle. 'They look exactly like trouble.' Harsh, perhaps—but his honest take.