Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Don't Like Me
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***
In a world where the Traits one is granted hold the greatest value.
Grand Royal Academy.
Having thoroughly read the novel set in this world, I knew just how unfair it was, how fates were sealed by the Traits and talents one was given.
But I had also seen a glimmer of hope—that even if my Trait was of a low rank, I could reach beyond its limits through effort.
And now.
I was feeling a sense of astonishment of a completely different nature.
‘To reach this level with pure individual strength, not a Trait…’
Until now, while I believed a Trait’s rank wasn’t everything, I had thought its ‘level’ was a massive factor.
That, more than rank, the level created an insurmountable gap.
But I felt as if I was newly realizing that even the level wasn't the be-all and end-all.
“……”
“……”
As we faced each other, I could see the surprise in Luna’s violet eyes.
It was surely a different kind of surprise from mine, but she, too, was so taken aback that she remained motionless.
Seeing that, I felt no need to thrust my spear again. The duel had ended with that single clash.
Glancing at the floor a short distance from her, I saw the completely shattered kite shield. The force of my spear striking it was so immense that even I was taken aback by its power.
I had managed to create such a powerful twist, breaking through that vast amount of mana. I had finally succeeded in knocking the kite shield from Luna’s hand.
And yet, I hadn't reached a skill.
I had gained more than expected from the duel with Luna, but the concept itself remained vague.
—[Pierce and twist at a single point.]
I understood the concept more clearly now than before the duel, but I couldn't grasp it completely.
Still, I felt good.
Not because I had won against Luna, but because I had found a major clue that could lead me to a skill.
“The duel is suspended!”
At the instructor’s calm voice, I lowered the tip of my spear to the floor.
At the same time, I felt the need to re-evaluate Luna.
‘Her Trait is one thing, but Luna’s own potential is absurd.’
In the duel just now, Luna had barely been able to use her Trait.
She was so preoccupied with blocking my spear with her shield that the ‘damage compensation’ ability of Battle Cure was hardly applied.
And yet, she was this skilled.
She had blocked my spear with nothing but her own strength.
‘Is this the power of a high noble?’
In the novel, House Vermont was known as a prestigious family of counts, famous for possessing wealth and power beyond their high title.
They would later become staunch supporters of Leonhardt after he and Luna became a couple.
“The result of the duel. Cadet Han Cheon-seong is the victor.”
Even as I heard the instructor announce the result, a small smile escaped my lips.
‘See, Traits aren't everything.’
I knew that before receiving her Trait, Luna had awakened her mana on her own and even gained the ability to wield it.
That was why she could handle mana despite being only Trait Level 2.
Besides that, Luna, who could handle various armaments including a hammer and shield, was the epitome of an elite from a prestigious family.
Not a cadet who started training after receiving a Trait, but one who was already somewhat complete, having received an education befitting her family’s status since childhood.
“……”
Luna, still staring at me blankly, seemed unable to comprehend the situation that had just unfolded.
How I had twisted the kite shield and pried it from her grasp. That was understandable.
After all, it was a near-miraculous concept that even I didn't fully understand.
Still, looking at her, I knew one thing for certain.
‘I absolutely have to get close to Luna.’
I really, truly had to befriend her somehow.
The power of her Trait was one thing, but now, looking at Luna herself, her talent and aptitude felt nothing short of genius.
It was a stark reminder of why she was the main heroine.
“…Han Cheon-seong.”
As Luna’s lips parted, I met her gaze with a faint smile.
I had no intention of gloating about my victory. Before the duel, I had honestly thought about teasing her a little, but now, I acknowledged her completely.
“What in the world are you? Do you like me?”
But her next words left me utterly speechless.
“……”
I blinked foolishly for a moment, wondering if I had misheard.
It was just so out of the blue. I found myself doubting my own ears.
‘We were just dueling calmly a moment ago, what is she suddenly talking about?’
How on earth had she reached that conclusion? I couldn't understand it at all.
Nor could I understand why Luna was looking at me with such a strange expression.
“Luna?”
I cautiously called her name. Luna took a shallow breath and bit her lip, and every one of her actions felt alien to me.
It was as if she had accepted it as fact that I was in love with her.
“Hey, Han Cheon-seong. I’m really… asking you a favor. Don’t like me. If you really feel that way, I hope you’ll give up on me early.”
She spoke with a voice full of apology, but I had no idea what I could have done to cause such a misunderstanding.
I truly had no idea.
But I had to speak up quickly.
“No, Luna? I don’t understand what you’re… talking about at all. Why on earth would you think… I like you?”
I didn't know why she had such a ridiculous misunderstanding, but her words were so absurd I couldn't begin to comprehend them.
Besides, no matter how pretty Luna was, she wasn't my type. I actually preferred a kind, gentle, and sweet-faced girl like Millia as my ideal type.
“Luna. I really don’t have any feelings like that. I hope you won’t misunderstand. For you to suddenly say that… it makes me look really weird.”
I spoke again and again.
“…I’m sorry.”
But with a peculiar look in her eyes, Luna uttered a single word and turned away.
…I was speechless at the sight.
Should I approach Luna and grab her? I couldn't do that.
‘That would make it seem like…’
It would look like I had just been rejected by Luna and was now pathetically clinging to her.
Moreover, countless cadets were watching our duel.
“……”
As I blankly looked around, I saw some cadets leaving as the duel was over, but I could also clearly feel the strange gazes of those who remained.
And those gazes were slowly turning towards me.
‘Why… are you all looking at me like that?’
As the cadets’ eyes filled with a look of pity, as if they were watching a guy who had just been rejected after a confession, I was truly at a loss for words.
They say that when a situation completely surpasses your understanding, your thought process shuts down. That was exactly how I felt.
It was a true dilemma.
If I followed Luna and insisted that she was wrong, I’d look like a pathetic guy, but if I stayed put, I’d be branded as the guy who liked Luna and got shot down.
“…”
Suddenly, my eyes met Millia’s.
She looked just as surprised as I was, standing frozen in place. An idea suddenly popped into my head.
A very good way to clear up the misunderstanding that I liked Luna…
But I quickly shook my head.
‘No matter how flustered I am… what kind of ridiculous thought is that?’
For a moment, the absurd idea of confessing to Millia on the spot to clear up the misunderstanding about Luna had crossed my mind, but that was something I absolutely could not do.
“Hoo.”
A sigh I couldn't hold back escaped, followed by a hollow laugh of disbelief.
‘I definitely won the duel.’
But I felt like I had lost.
This strange feeling, like I had suffered a crushing defeat… what was I supposed to do?
‘Still, what’s gained is gained.’
Gaining a more concrete understanding of the concept of a skill through my duel with Luna was definitely a huge reward.
Even if the price felt a little too steep…
***
*Clack. Clack.*
The heavy, dull sound of heels echoed through the darkened dormitory hallway.
It was Luna and Millia.
A deep stillness and a strange silence hung between them.
“…”
“…”
Normally, their conversation would have created a cheerful atmosphere, but now, not a word was spoken between the two.
Then, a group of female cadets passed by them.
“Tonight’s dinner menu was really not that great.”
“I know, right? And the money we get as C-Class cadets feels so insufficient.”
“Seriously, anything even a little tasty is so expensive. What’s with 20 silver….”
“That’s why I’m going to ask my family for some support. 20 silver isn’t even enough for living expenses.”
The female cadets chatted brightly as they walked past. Glancing at them, Luna felt unusually envious today.
Normally, she too would be…
…chatting with Millia like them right now. But she couldn't.
“…”
Luna peeked to her side.
Looking at Millia walking without a word, her heart felt incredibly heavy.
‘How did it come to this?’
She truly didn't know why… things had become so awkward.
There was never this heavy, silent atmosphere between Millia and her.
They used to exchange friendly words, happily talking about their day. But now, it felt as if an invisible wall stood between them.
“Luna.”
When Millia suddenly spoke, Luna jumped in surprise and answered immediately.
“…Yes?”
“You were amazing in the duel today.”
“Oh, no. Amazing? I lost miserably.”
“No, you weren’t miserable. Han Cheon-seong is just too strong. I think you did plenty well, Luna.”
“…Really?”
“Yes, really. It made me think, that’s my dear friend, Luna.”
A smile unknowingly escaped at Millia’s kind words.
‘That’s Millia for you.’
My most cherished and precious friend, and a friend I wanted to stay close with forever.
She was so grateful that Millia had broken the silence first.
“Still, thinking back, I have a lot of regrets about the duel. It’s not that I don’t think Han Cheon-seong is strong or that I don't acknowledge him, but it makes me wonder if I didn’t try hard enough. I feel like it would have been different if I were Trait Level 3.”
The difference between Level 4 and Level 2 was indeed vast.
But it was also ridiculous for her to blame her level. A level was proof of how much one had worked to evolve their Trait.
“No. Thinking about that, it’s just that Han Cheon-seong is too strong.”
“Is that how I should see it?”
As she took in Millia’s words,
she saw that Millia's gaze, as she looked at her, was just a little, a truly minuscule amount, more subdued than usual.
It made her think again.
About the end of her duel with Han Cheon-seong today.
About why she had suddenly uttered such strange words to him.
At first, she just wanted to keep Han Cheon-seong from getting closer to Millia, but ironically, after the duel, she started to reconsider.
—What was truly best for Millia?
Knowing her best friend’s heart, how should she act…
At first, she didn’t know why Han Cheon-seong had approached them with interest.
Even so, she had tried to prevent it.
By rejecting him first, she had tried to eliminate any possibility of him taking an interest in her.
She knew how Millia usually thought of her. Kind-hearted Millia might have preemptively given up on her own feelings.
‘But is this really the right way?’
She, who was inept with anyone besides Millia, wasn't sure, but she honestly wondered if this was enough.
Still, she thought that because of today’s events, Han Cheon-seong would no longer show any interest in her.
“…”
A faint smile formed on her lips as she looked at Millia, who had suddenly fallen silent.
Millia’s complicated gaze once again seemed to be thinking of Han Cheon-seong.
Perhaps because they had spent so much time together, the changes in Millia were so clear to her eyes… it was as if she could now feel her thoughts.