The Academic Conference Draws Near
The academic conference was just three days away. Nadan and Professor Nah Tes's research had reached the final stages of compilation. Their lodging—no, it was more like a laboratory now—was already a complete mess, and both Nah Tes and Nadan were sprawled out on their beds.
This was the result of their relentless scrutiny right up to the end, checking every moment for any possible errors.
"Ughhhh…."
It wasn't just Nadan and Professor Nah Tes who were wiped out. Denetim and Tradiaan's groans echoed in the ears of Ludenberg Lavante and Ashytara Solenute as they neatly stacked the organized documents.
"All done?"
"Yeah… This research was no joke. The sheer volume is overwhelming. It took four of us a full day just to proofread for errors…."
"That bad?"
Ashytara knew they'd worked hard, but she hadn't realized it was that intense. She asked Denetim directly.
"If… if this gets presented properly and Liberra shows the past just as it is, winning the conference will be a breeze. I can already picture the scholars going wild with excitement."
"…Isn't that more like going mad from despair?"
"Nah, no way. People thirsty for knowledge won't lose it just because they have to revise every paper and historical record so far."
"Really?"
"…Probably."
"But if it's Istallin's scholars, I can totally see them laughing through it… and that's what scares me more."
"Come on, no chance. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to the moment this gets announced."
"Who usually attends these conferences?"
"Theologians and scholars from each country, to start."
"Even from Abaran?"
"Oh, no, not them. Why would they bother learning about other gods when they think theirs is the greatest?"
Denetim shuddered visibly at Ashytara's question.
"You've always seemed to really dislike Abaran."
"Their people are so stubborn. They hate change, you know? They'd consider positive shifts, but they're so blindly devoted… They cling only to ancient traditions, even when new theories come up."
"I went to Abaran once before, and yeah, that's how it felt."
"Did you meet Eve Arcadia separately?"
"Yeah, a while back. When I was fifteen. That's when I realized what she was really hiding inside."
"…Ah."
"Anyway, Abaran folks aren't coming… So it'll be scholars from the Setra Church, Star Pilgrims, Istallin academics, Ortara scholars… like that."
"Yeah. Plus nobles from other countries, though they're mostly spectators."
"Guess I'll end up there too, then."
"Right. Plenty of Solenute nobles will show up too, I bet. Even Ortara nobles are coming… It'll be as diverse as the friendly matches."
Ludenberg, listening quietly beside her, nodded in agreement.
"It's the most prestigious academic gathering on the continent."
"Aw, thanks for saying that."
Denetim beamed brightly.
"Just stating facts."
"Do other Solenute people see it that way too?"
"Pretty much. Especially since the Setra Church compiles and distributes the conference findings to every country."
"So our work does get recognition from others."
"You didn't know?"
Denetim nodded vigorously at Ludenberg's question.
"We don't venture much outside Istallin. Sure, we take pride in spreading new knowledge, but people might dismiss it as nonsense."
"There are a few like that in Solenute too… but overall, info from the Setra Church or Istallin is trusted."
"Good to hear."
"Especially since we live and work directly with the Setra Church."
"Hehe."
"By the way, Denetim."
Ashytara suddenly called out to her.
"Yeah? What?"
"Got a minute?"
"For what?"
"Come talk with me for a sec."
"Huh? Sure."
As the two stepped out of the lodging, Tradiaan glanced puzzled at Ludenberg.
"…What was that about?"
"No idea."
Ludenberg just shrugged. He stole a glance at Nadan.
…Not that it's entirely unexpected.
Ashytara was probably about to meddle a bit.
* * *
"What's up?"
"It's about Nadan."
"…Nadan? Why him?"
"You like Nadan, right?"
"Wh-what!? What are you talking about? Me liking that bald guy?!"
Denetim denied it fiercely, as if afraid someone might overhear. In truth, her reason for denying it was simple: she didn't want things to get awkward with him if word got back.
"You don't?"
"N-no!"
"Liar."
Ashytara narrowed her eyes at Denetim.
"I already know everything. Leaving you two alone last time was part of it."
"…So that's why you left. Was it that obvious?"
"Super obvious. Nadan would've noticed ages ago if he wasn't so dense."
"Haa."
Denetim sighed. No point denying it anymore.
"Fine. I like Nadan."
Ashytara's eyes sparkled at her firm admission. She'd agonized over her own feelings before, but watching someone else go through it was thrilling.
"What made you fall for him? Any particular trigger?"
"Plenty. But mainly, he's my type."
"…Your type?"
"Yeah. My ideal guy's intellectual. Someone I can talk to easily, considerate… but reliable too."
"I see…."
"That's how I fell. Though there was a specific moment."
"Specific?"
"Yeah. A while back, one of my research papers got rejected by the church. It was from my early, immature days, but it was my first real study."
"Right."
"Everyone else told me to switch topics. I won't say what it was about. But Nadan kept pushing me to see it through. Said giving up easily wasn't a researcher's way."
"And then?"
"He helped out nonstop. Brought food, explained what I didn't know, debated with me… Even when upper management shot it down, he encouraged me, saying another chance would come."
"With his help, the research started showing results. The data got solid. Finally, it was officially recognized."
"That's when it hit you."
"Yeah. After that, we stuck together more—researching, hunting materials… The more time we spent, the closer we got. And it just kept building naturally."
"Nadan's got some unexpected sides."
"He grumbles out loud, but always helps in the end. Too kind for his own good."
"…Yeah. He does the same for Ludenberg, complaining all the way."
"But… I think he doesn't see me as a woman."
"Why?"
"We've always been glued at the hip. He probably thinks of me like a little sister."
"Ah."
"That's what bugs me. He whines about no girls wanting to meet him, how he wants to date… And there I am, right next to him, staring."
Denetim's face fell. Ashytara pondered, then spoke up.
"Just tell him straight up."
"…Wh-what? Tell him what?"
"That you like him."
"No way, that'll make things awkward…."
"Better than sitting back and watching him get snatched by someone else."
"Come on, like any girl would be interested in Nadan…."
"Denetim, you can't know that. Plenty could fall for him like you did. And he's at Solemnute Adem now—far from you."
"…H-ha, but."
"Look, you fell for him quick. He's got that pull. Decide fast. Even I confessed to Ludenberg first."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Ludenberg's so oblivious it took forever just to make him fall."
"…How long?"
"I've liked him since I was eleven."
"You're incredible…."
"If you want something, go get it. You're the only woman around him right now. If you suddenly say you like him, even if he sees you as a sister, it'll shake him. Start there."
"You think…?"
"Sure, it might be awkward at first, or he might turn you down. But you two are always together. He'll have to notice you eventually."
"Makes sense. But rejection would hurt…."
"Short-term, yeah. Think long-term. An initial no is mostly shock. He hasn't seen you that way before. The gap, plus worry about awkwardness—that's what prompts the rejection."
"Then what do I do?"
"Drop it and wait. Once he's aware, his attention shifts to you unconsciously. You'll pop into his head nonstop. Why's Denetim acting like that? Does she really like me? High chance."
"…Ooh."
"Thoughts become feelings. Then show him your best side. Actions that win his favor. You'll have him in no time."
Having tamed the oblivious Ludenberg herself, Ashytara knew exactly how to handle dense types. Her battle-tested advice, drawn from personal experience, lit up Denetim's eyes.
"…Got it."
The clever girl grasped it instantly.
"That should be enough advice. Right?"
"Yeah! Thanks so much!"
"Go get him. Watching you two is fun."
"…So that's why you helped?"
"Obviously. Didn't realize how entertaining it is from the sidelines. Hope you two date soon. Then Nadan'll stop yapping about wanting a girl."
"…Ahaha."
Ashytara crossed her arms with a grin, and Denetim managed an awkward smile. No matter how much she liked him, Nadan's past antics were indefensible.