Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: A Fluttering Heart
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***
—Grand Royal Academy.
The sheer scale of the facilities within the grounds of what was colloquially known as GROA was immense, far beyond what one could imagine for a typical academy.
From convenient amenities like cafes, clothing stores, general stores, and food shops to a blacksmith that handled various armaments for cadets, a branch of the Mage Tower, and even alchemists' workshops—all existed within the academy grounds.
It was no exaggeration to say that any facility one might need to visit in a city was available right here at GROA.
This was only possible due to the Empire's full-fledged support, and the aid pouring in from the various noble families and the Imperial Household who had sent their children to the academy was nothing short of 'massive.'
Consequently, even a space for a moment's rest, like a cafe, was of an exceptional standard.
…
Ting-a-ling.
The bell chimed as the cafe door opened.
Inside the spacious cafe, numerous cadets already occupied the seats.
The eyes of the cadets inside naturally gravitated toward the group that had just entered.
—One man and two women.
The composition of the group was unusual enough, but their strikingly exceptional appearances made it impossible not to stare.
Despite the attention, the three acted nonchalantly.
Before long, each of them took their drinks and sat down at a square table.
Cheon-seong picked up his drink, his gaze subtly shifting between the two women.
“...”
As they each held a straw in their mouths, they looked at one another, but their gazes were markedly different.
One was full of goodwill and kindness, even radiating a sense of affection. The other, however, was so frosty it felt downright chilling.
Meeting Millia's and Luna's gazes in turn, I cautiously sipped my drink.
After a refreshing gulp, I gently opened my mouth.
“Since we’re all settled in, I’ll formally introduce myself first. My name is Han Cheon-seong. My trait is Common Spearmanship, and my trait level is 4. I figured I should get that out of the way before we talk.”
“Level 4…”
“...”
While Millia reacted with surprise at my level, Luna simply stared at me with the straw still in her mouth.
“That’s incredible. My trait is still only level 1. To think you’re at level 4.”
“I got a bit lucky. I gained a lot from my duel with Leonhardt.”
I responded calmly, not boasting, and met her gaze.
“You don’t have to be so modest. Level 4 is impressive in its own right. Then I’ll formally introduce myself, too. My name is Millia Ebelon. My trait is Rare-grade, called ‘Affinity with Water Spirits.’ I can summon a child named Seshi.”
As she spoke, Millia held out her left hand, which began to emit a pure white light.
!
In an instant, the white light vanished, and as if by magic, a small bird made of water appeared.
“So this is… a water spirit.”
Although I already knew about Millia’s trait, seeing a spirit in person for the first time was still quite surprising.
Spirits weren't ordinary living creatures, yet here one was, existing in reality. It was, in fact, the most surreal thing I had seen so far.
“I named this little one Seshi. Isn’t she cute, in your opinion?”
She spoke with a hint of pride, and I found myself nodding in agreement.
Swoosh—
The spirit, its body gently rippling, tilted its head and looked around. It was like watching a small, curious bird.
Then, Millia smiled softly and brought her thumb closer. The spirit pressed its body against her thumb, nuzzling its head as if showing affection.
‘...It’s cute.’
Just as she said, all I could think was how cute it was.
It seemed the spirit was rubbing against her as a sign of its affinity. It might not be very powerful right now, but it was a trait with endless potential for growth.
Soon, the spirit dissipated like scattering water, and I stared blankly at Millia.
“Actually… I was summoning her all last night. It’s a bit taxing to maintain Seshi right now. I still need some time to recover.”
She explained, as if embarrassed that the spirit had been dispelled, but I found her all the more endearing for it.
She could have made an excuse or brushed it off, but she calmly admitted her own limitations. Her purity was strangely fascinating.
“Still, it seems like a really great trait. The potential for growth is enormous, isn't it?”
“You think so…?”
“Of course. There are countless famous people renowned for their spirit-based traits, right?”
The number of spirit summoners active on the front lines was immeasurable. And the treatment they received was on another level.
After all, wherever you went, a spirit summoner was considered the elite of the elite.
“But I’m… still level 1.”
“That’s because spirits are hard to befriend… It’s a trait that requires a difficult emotional connection.”
I naturally sympathized with her and continued to praise her.
Had Millia’s trait been even level 2, it wouldn't have been strange for her to be assigned to Class A. It was because she was level 1 during the entrance exam that she was evaluated so poorly and placed in Class C.
In fact, Millia's level progression in the novel was notably slow.
‘Is it because she’s not a heroine?’
I suspected it was because the author had semi-abandoned her character, but truthfully, despite her frequent appearances, Millia was rarely mentioned in detail compared to Luna.
She was always there, like air, but… as time went on, she became just another common side character.
Still, looking at the trait itself, it was right to consider it quite good.
"..."
Perhaps pleased by my words, Millia looked at me with a gentle expression. I smiled back softly, my gaze suddenly shifting to the side.
—Luna.
Honestly, as much as I was thinking about Millia, it was Luna I didn't understand at all.
It was a near miracle that she hadn't refused to sit with me. But for her to be this quiet was also strange.
Just two days ago, at the entrance ceremony, our impressions of each other had been terrible. To be honest, I didn't have a good opinion of Luna either, but… she was a major heroine.
Perhaps misinterpreting my gaze, Luna spoke up abruptly.
“Luna. Trait is Battle Cure. Level 2.”
Her words were clipped, saying only what was necessary before she looked away from me. I found her behavior fascinating all over again.
At the very least, she was showing a minimum of courtesy by participating in our conversation.
“I’m sorry. Luna is really shy around people other than me. So, Han Cheon-seong, I hope you won’t take her attitude the wrong way. Luna… I wish you’d speak a little more gently. We’re with another cadet, after all.”
“I am being… very gentle right now. Millia, I’m really doing my best.”
An involuntary laugh escaped me at the exchange between the two.
I didn't think I would feel much of anything looking at Luna anymore. In fact, I was starting to feel that this situation was quite alright.
Honestly, I knew.
I knew how arrogant and condescending Luna could be. And I also knew that, just as she said, she was truly doing her 'best.'
'I'm glad I talked to them.'
Honestly, I had hesitated to approach them, but things had turned out so well that I was glad I did.
The gears of my relationship with Luna, which should have never meshed, were somehow turning. Of course, that was only possible with Millia acting as the lubricant.
But the fact that it was working at all was something.
"..."
As I smiled faintly and brought the straw to my lips, I suddenly felt a gaze on me.
Following the stare, my eyes naturally met hers.
“......”
Millia was looking at me.
And I couldn't help but feel that her gaze was anything but ordinary.
“Millia.”
“Ah, huh…?”
At that moment, Luna's voice rang out, and Millia, looking slightly flustered, immediately turned her head away from me.
“The desserts here are quite good. I was hoping we could go order some together.”
As Luna spoke calmly, Millia nodded with an awkward smile.
I immediately added my own words.
“I’ll have an apple pie, please.”
If they were going, I figured I might as well ask them to order for me.
“...”
Luna shot me a glare before silently rising from her seat.
“Okay. I’ll do that. But is one apple pie enough? I can order more for you if you want.”
“...In that case, Millia, please order one more dessert that you like.”
“Alright.”
Millia smiled gently and left with Luna.
Left alone, I found myself unconsciously pursing my lips.
“...This.”
I murmured softly, my heart pounding.
‘Isn't this a green light?'
No matter how I looked at it, Millia seemed to be giving me a clear signal.
Her gentle tone of voice, the strange way she looked at me, and just a moment ago, her consideration for me—every little thing felt significant.
It felt as if she were genuinely interested in me…
‘Could I be imagining things?’
And yet, I found myself thinking it over again.
Since falling into this world, I had never once been overly self-conscious. I knew that my appearance felt out of place here and that others found me peculiar.
An Asian man among a group of what were clearly Westerners—how could that not be strange?
Besides, the protagonist of this world was Leonhardt. It was only natural for a world with a medieval Western setting.
But…
This strange feeling persisted, and I couldn't help but entertain these thoughts, even if they were baseless.
“...”
Thinking back, it had been strange from the start.
The conversation had flowed more easily than I expected. At the same time, Millia had responded to me so warmly. Even I felt a little comfortable being here.
‘That’s right. Millia is too different.’
I was here in this cafe with them because she was showing me clear favor.
...As several circumstances tugged at my heart, stirring strange feelings within me, I thought.
“Okay. Let's think about this slowly.”
I decided to put a lid on my feelings for now.
Receiving someone's kindness or affection is always a joyous thing.
And if an attractive woman like Millia showed me favor, it would be stranger if my heart didn't flutter.
But if I was just misunderstanding and getting ahead of myself… this whole relationship would turn truly awkward, so I needed to be careful for now.
Thump.
Even so, realizing my interest, my foolish heart pounded away.
…
It wasn't long before the two returned with desserts.
“Han Cheon-seong, did we keep you waiting long?”
Millia, carrying a tray laden with various desserts, asked with a gentle smile. I shook my head.
“No, not at all.”
As I spoke, I couldn't help but meet her eyes.
A person's eyes don't lie.
Millia's light blue eyes still seemed full of goodwill. It was hard to say if there was affection there, but it was a gaze that made me certain she didn't dislike me.
Slide.
As the two sat down, Millia personally pushed an apple pie and a chocolate dessert toward me. Even that simple gesture felt strangely significant.
...Come to think of it.
‘Millia is pretty close to my ideal type.’
She's affectionate and treats me with a gentle, sweet voice.
Her cute features and the beauty mark under her eye give her a multifaceted charm.
The more I thought about it… Millia was indeed the woman closest to my ideal type.
And the more these fanciful thoughts filled my head, the more I tried to rein in my heart.
‘Slowly.'
Let's not rush things. I'll just try to confirm her feelings, little by little.
Just as I picked up my fork to cut into the apple pie.
Thud.
I suddenly felt a sensation on my knee.
It was a light touch, but its tip was sharp enough to cause a small sting.
“...?”
Bewildered by the action, I looked straight ahead.
Luna was staring at me with an utterly indifferent expression.
Immediately after, Luna's lips moved without a sound, and my gaze was drawn to them against my will.