Chapter 189
Chapter 189
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 189
Chapter Title: His Gift
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***
C1 Lecture Hall.
Kalli's lecture proceeded as it always did.
"In the case of a drake's hide, a weapon with an ordinary level of mana density can't even pierce it. To inflict any meaningful damage, you must target its weak points. These areas include..."
Kalli's calm voice spread throughout the lecture hall. Even while listening to her pleasant, melodic tone, I couldn't focus on the lecture as I usually did.
*What would be a good gift?*
I had decided to buy a gift after the lecture and go see Kalli. But I had no idea what kind of gift would be good.
...The fact that I didn't have much experience giving gifts to anyone was holding me back at a time like this.
And, to be honest, because Kalli was the recipient, I was even more stumped.
*Kalli doesn't lack for anything...*
As I continued to ponder this during the lecture, time flew by.
"Alright, that's all for today. Good work, everyone."
At Kalli's concluding words, the cadets began to rise from their seats one by one.
*Rustle.*
I, too, was gathering my textbook and preparing to stand when I happened to notice David beside me.
"David."
"Yeah?"
As he turned his head toward me with a calm reply, I suddenly found myself asking a question.
"Hey... have you given a lot of gifts before?"
"Gifts? Why the sudden interest in gifts?"
"Well, I suddenly want to give someone a gift. But I can't really think of what would be good... I was hoping I could get some advice from you, if you don't mind."
Even as I spoke, I felt like I was grasping at straws.
"Hmm. I haven't given that many gifts myself. But go ahead and tell me. I'll know if I can help once I hear the situation."
Seemingly intrigued, he stopped organizing his textbook and prompted me, so I took a moment to gather my thoughts.
It's good to have a friend at times like this, I thought, as I explained my situation with a slight twist.
"First, the person receiving the gift is a woman, and she's older than me... In my opinion, she's perfect in almost every way. Her personal abilities, wealth, family background... it doesn't seem like anything I gift her would be satisfying. I think I made a mistake recently, and I want to use a gift to smooth things over with her..."
...I couldn't just come out and say it was Kalli, so I described the situation, touching upon each of her aspects. Even as I spoke, I felt like I was making it sound incredibly difficult.
"Hmm... An older woman."
David furrowed his brow at my words, seemingly lost in thought, and watching him, I started to give up hope.
*Even I wouldn't know how to answer this.*
Just as I was wondering if there was any suitable answer to my question, David suddenly burst out laughing, as if a weight had been lifted.
"Seriously... You're really something else."
"Something else how?"
"Never mind, it's just an expression. Anyway, you made a minor mistake, and you want to make up for it with a gift, right?"
"Right. I can't go into more detail, but... that's about it."
"Then the gift part doesn't seem that difficult."
...At David's following words, I could only blink blankly.
"Not difficult?"
"Yeah. To me, it seems like a pretty simple situation. Just some kind of small accessory. You know... even if it's cheap. Just buy anything and give it to her as a gift."
I couldn't help but be puzzled by how easily David answered, much more so than I'd expected.
After hearing the conditions and situation I described, how could he come up with an answer so easily?
*A cheap accessory, of all things.*
He's telling me to give something like that to Kalli. Could that really be the right thing to do?
"Han Cheon-seong. You look like you don't believe me."
When I remained stunned and didn't answer, David curved the corner of his mouth into a smirk. To be honest, he was exactly right.
I gave an awkward laugh and opened my mouth.
"...It's a bit much for me to say this after asking the question, but will something like that really work? It's just a little hard to believe."
I knew it was a shameless response. But I couldn't help but ask.
Because I didn't think David's words were the right answer.
"Well, if you think of another answer, you can do what you want. You asked me, so I just gave you my opinion. And if you can't think of anything else, just try what I said. I think that alone will be enough to completely brighten her mood."
"Really... even a cheap accessory will do?"
"Yeah. Why would I lie about something like this?"
David let out a small laugh and shook his head, but even watching him, I was just baffled.
*Will that really work?*
Half-doubting, half-believing... I first found myself nodding.
David was telling me this with complete sincerity. And there was no reason for him to deceive me.
Then it was right to trust what my friend told me.
"Alright. Thanks, David. For giving me an answer... I feel a bit more at ease."
"I'm just saying there's a high probability. It might not be the right answer."
"No. Just hearing you say that was a huge help."
...As I replied, my confused mind seemed to have made a decision.
Seeing how David gave me an answer without much thought, I figured it might actually be effective.
*Shuffle.*
As soon as my mind was made up, I gathered my textbook and stood up.
"I'm heading out then. Thanks again."
"Sure."
After our brief exchange, a place I needed to go came to mind.
The general store located within the academy.
They would surely have... accessories there.
***
*Tinkle.*
The bell chimed as I entered the general store on the academy grounds.
The interior was quite spacious, reminiscent of a large shop, and I found it a bit fascinating to see the countless shelves packed with various goods.
Several other cadets were inside the store, and I quickly made my way through.
*Step, step...*
Looking around, I saw rows of simple convenience tools.
For example, there were trivial things like hair combs, pins, and a variety of other items. After passing several shelves, I soon found the accessories.
*Considering Kalli's image...*
I thought an accessory that wasn't too cumbersome would be good, and I found one soon enough.
"This one's pretty."
"I know, right? But... isn't the color a bit too flashy?"
"Really? I like this kind."
A few cadets were fiddling with earrings and necklaces, evaluating them. Standing next to them, I felt awkward. It was probably because this was the accessory section, but every cadet browsing, aside from me, was a girl.
"..."
Nevertheless, I quickly scanned the accessories before me.
About three rows of colorful bracelets were on display, and the attached price tag of 5 silver was quite affordable.
My financial situation was really tight right now, but this was an amount I could definitely afford. It didn't take long after carefully examining the bracelets for me to pick one.
*This is it.*
A bracelet subtly engraved with a pattern of blazing flames. The design wasn't too flashy, so it looked like something that could be worn casually.
*Wouldn't it go perfectly with Kalli's signature red hair?*
*Slide.*
Gently touching the bracelet, I found the material was decent enough that it wouldn't be uncomfortable to wear.
*Glance. Glimpse.*
Just then, the female cadets nearby started glancing at me one by one, so I grabbed the bracelet and left the spot.
"Ahem."
I let out a needless cough as I headed for the counter, quickly shaking off the rising embarrassment.
*I'm not sure if Kalli will really like this.*
Even as I finished paying... I still had a strange feeling in my heart.
I was acting on David's advice, but whether a gift like this could truly soothe Kalli's heart... I couldn't be sure at all.
***
Some time later, in Kalli's office.
*Knock, knock.*
At the sound of an unexpected knock, Kalli slowly lifted her gaze from the documents she was reviewing.
"...Yes. Who is it?"
Even as she spoke, her mood was heavy.
She had felt uncomfortable throughout the entire lecture and couldn't even bring herself to look properly at Cadet Han Cheon-seong.
Even though she had decided on a course for her heart, acting on it wasn't as easy as she had thought.
...She kept hesitating, kept worrying.
She waited for a response, lost in thought, but none came.
"Who is it?"
When she spoke a little more forcefully, a reply finally came.
"Instructor Kalli. It's... Han Cheon-seong. Could you spare a moment?"
The moment she heard the hesitant voice, her body seemed to freeze.
*Why...*
Why would Cadet Han Cheon-seong come to see me? A thousand thoughts flashed through her mind as she quickly checked her appearance.
She straightened the disheveled collar of her uniform and swept a hand through her hair, calmly steadying her breath before replying.
She couldn't keep Cadet Han Cheon-seong waiting for long, so she spoke.
"...Come in."
*Click.*
As the door slowly opened... the sight of Cadet Han Cheon-seong came into view, and she immediately stood up.
First, she had to feign composure.
She didn't know why he had come to see her... but she needed to treat him as she always did.
"I don't know what brings you here, but please, have a seat at the table. I'll make some tea right away."
"...Ah, yes. Thank you."
Watching him walk awkwardly to the table, she quickly prepared the tea.
*Glimpse.*
As she did, her gaze flickered toward Cadet Han Cheon-seong as he sat at the table.
Just looking at him... made her heart stir violently.
*What... should I do?*
Now that she was aware of Cadet Han Cheon-seong's feelings, and her own, facing him was far more nerve-wracking than she had imagined.
In the lecture hall, she could get by focusing on the lecture and avoiding his gaze. But now, there was no way to ignore it.
The fact that he had come to see her in person like this... was flustering, yet she couldn't turn him away.
*Clink.*
Placing her and Cadet Han Cheon-seong's teacups on the table, she cautiously spoke.
"So, what is it? Coming to my office so suddenly."
"Ah, well... it's nothing much. I just have something I'd like to give you, Instructor Kalli."
"To me...?"
As she replied, she could faintly sense that Cadet Han Cheon-seong was extremely nervous, which made her feel even stranger.
Cadet Han Cheon-seong's demeanor was different from usual. And she quickly understood why.
*Of course...*
He had expressed his feelings to her directly, so even Cadet Han Cheon-seong couldn't be his usual self.
*Thud.*
Then, he took a small, red box from his cadet uniform pocket and placed it on the table. Her eyes were drawn to it, and her heart unintentionally wavered.
"I truly hope you like it, Instructor Kalli..."
At his words, she couldn't help but lift her head and look at Cadet Han Cheon-seong.
There he was, looking incredibly bashful, yet with an expression that showed he had mustered his courage.
At the same time, she could clearly sense him constantly watching her, gauging her reaction.
"..."
For a moment, her lips hesitated, and her heart...
...pounded even harder.