Chapter 246
Chapter 246
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 246
Chapter Title: The Imperial Family Will Reach Out
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***
"I knew it. I suspected as much. Because Cadet Han Cheon-seong wouldn't be able to."
It was a calm voice.
But Kalli's heart wavered greatly, for she understood the 'meaning' embedded in Adelia's voice.
'Really….’
She hadn't considered it at all.
She had thought the interest in Cadet Han Cheon-seong, the abnormally high frequency of his name in private conversations, was unusual. Still, other instructors had also expressed passing interest in him, so she had assumed it was something similar.
But that wasn't it.
The feeling from Instructor Adelia, who was staring at her intently with her chin propped on her hand, was different. Different even from them.
‘...I wondered why it felt so strange.’
There were definitely times when facing her felt... unpleasant.
Even knowing that Instructor Adelia's reputation and popularity were universally positive, she now understood why she had felt that way about her. Why she had been wary of her despite having no reason to dislike her.
It was a kind of instinct, a gut feeling.
The intuition that someone else harbored the same feelings for the one she loved.
“Hoo.”
Letting out a sigh, she paused. The drinking gathering suddenly felt uncomfortable.
"Really... It would have been better if you had answered me when I asked last time.”
“Last time... you say?”
“I asked you directly at the last drinking party, didn't I? What you thought of Cadet Han Cheon-seong. And you denied it, Instructor Kalli. You brushed it off, saying you just thought highly of him as an instructor, just like now.”
Her follow-up words made Kalli freeze.
That had been quite some time ago. The fact that she mentioned it so clearly sounded significant.
'So it was since then...?'
Had Instructor Adelia already harbored feelings for Cadet Han Cheon-seong back then?
The thought made her feel strange.
Facing another woman with the same feelings... was it always this strange? She didn't know how to handle it.
As she lightly manifested her mana to create a barrier around them, she realized an unfamiliar wall of mana already existed in the air.
“...Really, why do this now?”
Kalli froze at the sight of Instructor Adelia letting out a soft laugh.
She had already controlled the space to prevent anyone from overhearing their conversation.
“Why all of a sudden... No, more importantly, Instructor Adelia. How did you know? I said I expressed my feelings to Cadet Han Cheon-seong, but I haven't revealed anything publicly….”
“That's right. You wouldn't have told anyone publicly. It's a relationship between an instructor and a cadet.”
“Seriously, how did you know?”
“It's simple. I met him myself.”
*Thud.*
Seeing her spit out the words so coldly, Kalli felt her thoughts freeze.
'In person?'
“You met with Cadet Han Cheon-seong?”
“Yes. We met today and spent some time together.”
Every word she tossed out so casually sounded terrifying. To mention meeting him so nonchalantly... The fact that such a meeting had occurred without her knowledge felt deeply unsettling.
“Don't worry too much. I'm only just getting started.”
“...W-wait a minute. I don't understand what you're trying to say, Instructor Adelia. I just told you my feelings, even if it was late. That I approached Cadet Han Cheon-seong. Does that mean you've known how I felt all this time?”
“Yes. That's right.”
*Tap.*
Her voice was utterly composed as she spoke, lightly tapping her glass.
...That was even more frightening.
Back then, even Kalli herself hadn't been fully aware of her own feelings. Why her heart fluttered, why it pounded, and why she felt so good whenever she was with Cadet Han Cheon-seong.
But Instructor Adelia, who had been watching her, had apparently figured out her emotions early on.
“That's why I brought it up at the drinking party. I was hoping we could build a more... constructive relationship. I didn't want to just snatch Cadet Han Cheon-seong away.”
Instructor Adelia uttered words that would cause a huge scandal if overheard. As she narrowed her eyes, Kalli found herself doing the same.
“...What exactly is a constructive relationship?”
“What do you think it is? Surely, Instructor Kalli. You're not going to pretend to be naive, or feign ignorance, are you?”
“No. I'm asking seriously. If I had answered you properly back then, what were you planning to say?"
Even as she answered, her heart churned.
Her head felt dizzy, and a wave of nausea washed over her.
And it was all so surreal. What was supposed to be a light drinking party, a chance to open up and build camaraderie... had turned strange.
“I'll tell you this upfront: I have no intention of monopolizing him. There are various circumstances and overlapping conditions to consider as well. And it just so happened that there was another woman with the same feelings as me. Just like you, Instructor Kalli... That's why I wanted to connect and have a proper talk."
Her way of speaking was bizarre—direct yet metaphorical. But Kalli could sense the meaning behind it.
“...You intended for us to share Cadet Han Cheon-seong. Is that what you're trying to say?”
“In the grand scheme of things, you could say that. Besides, I thought we could see eye to eye, being in the same position as instructors. I was trying to open up to you.”
“Wait a minute. What does that... What are you even talking about...?”
She was left speechless, utterly dumbfounded.
'What on earth does she think love is?'
Kalli couldn't understand how someone from a high noble family could possess such a mindset.
As far as Kalli knew, Instructor Adelia held a rather important position within her Evangeline family. And Kalli herself, as the eldest daughter of the Ishtar family, had a position and responsibilities that were by no means small.
This wasn't some commonly accepted type of relationship.
“What do you mean?”
Yet, unlike Kalli, Adelia faced her calmly, prompting Kalli to blink.
“That's my line. Are you saying you don't find your own words strange, Instructor Adelia?”
“Strange? It's a socially accepted relationship. For an outstanding man like Cadet Han Cheon-seong, having several women isn't a flaw, is it? In fact, considering various aspects, he is more than qualified for it.”
Things were getting worse and worse. Kalli was truly speechless at Adelia's blatant mention of a harem.
She was serious.
'...She's really saying that with a straight face.'
As she thought this, she felt an unconscious thirst.
*Gulp!*
Lifting her glass, she downed the wine in one go, her brow furrowing deeply.
*Clack!*
She set the glass down hard and took a slow, deep breath.
“Cadet Han Cheon-seong is not that kind of man.”
She spoke resolutely, calming her emotions with a cold resolve.
More than anything right now, this woman, Adelia.
She had a strange idea about Cadet Han Cheon-seong. He was clearly different. The Han Cheon-seong Kalli knew was upright, pure, and an impeccably moral man.
He was fundamentally different from the kind of men who flirted with every woman and tried to embrace them all.
“Not that kind of man….”
“That's right. Cadet Han Cheon-seong gave me a proper answer. He said he would become a man worthy of me. Beyond that, we've shared many emotional exchanges. I can assure you, he is not that kind of man. I don't know why you think that way, Instructor Adelia, but that kind of thinking is wrong from the start.”
Purely one-on-one.
She believed love was about two people sharing the purest of emotions.
One-to-many love was a value she found difficult to accept.
How could that possibly be true love...?
“Pfft….”
Her train of thought was cut short by the sound of Instructor Adelia's laughter.
“Why are you laughing right now?”
“No... Well, if that's your set of values, Instructor Kalli, I have no intention of commenting on it. But to say it's *wrong*... that's just a little... It's really funny.”
As she tilted her head, still propping her chin on her hand, Kalli couldn't help but flinch at the sight.
Kalli was aware that her own statement was dangerous.
“I know. The fact that most male nobles are trying to form harems and contribute to the Empire... Childbirth is a very important issue, so I'll admit I misspoke.”
...To deny the concept of a harem was tantamount to denying the current Imperial Family of the Empire, which was pushing for it.
And it was also a denial of the majority of the nobility.
“A mistake? We're just talking, the two of us. Why would I blame you for that? And besides, what woman wouldn't think like you, Instructor Kalli? Wanting a husband who looks only at you, who loves only you—that's what everyone wants. There's nothing to blame you for.”
“...If you understand that so well, then why?”
“I just had a vague feeling that Cadet Han Cheon-seong would end up with a harem. How much he'll grow in the future, how greatly his presence will be felt in the Empire... Don't you think about that more than I do, Instructor Kalli?”
A natural, gentle tone of voice.
Instructor Adelia, having completely erased her earlier coldness, was asking her naturally.
As if asking if Kalli didn't know better... The meaning behind her words seemed to strike Kalli's heart, leaving her dazed.
“I have thought about it. That Cadet Han Cheon-seong will one day make a great name for himself….”
Of course, she had thought about it.
An unprecedented growth rate, reaching Trait Level 4 on the day of the entrance ceremony. Even after that, Cadet Han Cheon-seong's achievements were overwhelming, even when looking back through the academy's history.
He reached Trait Level 5 in just two months, and not only did he gain clues about his skill, but he had already fully awakened it. He had faced Apostles multiple times and overcome every crisis.
So, just how brightly he would shine and become a pillar of the Empire was something not only she could guess, but everyone could easily predict.
Objective reality and even the rumors circulating about him all suggested, with undeniable certainty, that he was destined for an extraordinary future.
“……”
Then, she blankly lowered her head and stared at her pale hands.
And belatedly.
Very belatedly... she seemed to be grasping reality.
‘In that case….’
Various families would have no choice but to take notice of Cadet Han Cheon-seong.
Given the Empire's current situation, outstanding individuals were something that transcended class. Even for a commoner, in an era where the front lines were so close that you could feel their breath, where immense danger lurked, if you had the ability, the treatment you received was completely different from before.
And for someone like Cadet Han Cheon-seong... it was certain that even the high-ranking noble houses, the so-called 'Great Families', would be talking about him.
“I think you're a truly exceptional person, Instructor Kalli. The reputation you built on the front lines is incredible, and the value of your individual power is also immense. I truly believe that.”
“...”
Even at her continued words, Kalli's lips hesitated.
She felt as if she had only been looking at the few trees right in front of her. In contrast, Instructor Adelia seemed to be looking at the entire forest.
Unlike Kalli, who had been absorbed in her thoughts of him for the past few days.
Adelia was already thinking years ahead, envisioning the Han Cheon-seong of the future.
And that was so very different from Kalli.
“That's why you were granted the glorious title of a Pillar of the Empire, Instructor Kalli. Your title was Crimson Dawn, wasn't it? Who would dare underestimate your value? Even I think you're truly amazing….”
Despite her repeated praise, Kalli's heart only sank.
She clearly harbored the same feelings for Cadet Han Cheon-seong as Kalli did...
‘How can we be looking at such different things?’
“So, Instructor Kalli. I'll ask you this without any ulterior motives. Do you really think it's possible for you alone... to have Cadet Han Cheon-seong?”
And when she finally asked the very question Kalli was thinking, Kalli blankly raised her head, feeling as if her breath had stopped.
“……”
The County of Ishtar to which she belonged, her personal fame as a Pillar of the Empire, her achievements and dedication to the Empire...
Considering all that, her presence was by no means small. She had thought it was immense enough to make any man who would be her partner look only at her, or even feel burdened by it.
...But Instructor Adelia was asking her the opposite.
With utterly transparent eyes. She was asking with a gaze full of sincerity.
Asking if it was really possible for Kalli alone to have him.
“……”
She opened her lips, but no words of conviction came out.
Considering the growth of Cadet Han Cheon-seong that she had imagined—no, the growth he had shown so far—in the future, he would definitely.
'On the same level as me….'
He would reach that level.
He more than had the aptitude to reach Trait Level 9. The mindset he possessed, one that didn't break despite countless crises, was a testament to how much he was destined to blossom.
That's why she, who had already reached this level, could feel it.
That no matter how much time it took... he could reach the same level as her.
—A man at Trait Level 9.
And upon realizing that, a sigh escaped her lips involuntarily.
“Hah……”
“Don't be too disheartened. I'm not saying your values are bad, Instructor Kalli. You may think I'm getting ahead of myself, but I'm already thinking about it. With Cadet Han Cheon-seong's growth, talent, looks, and character, if we don't start thinking about it now, the Imperial Family will try to reach out.”
The gentle voice she heard….
Felt like it was digging right into her heart.