Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: A Date That Isn't a Date
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***
My vision was filled with blue.
Leaning back on the park bench, I stared blankly up at the sky. For some reason, I found it hard to tear my eyes away from its vast azure expanse.
‘Maybe I should train in moderation.’
The thought popped into my head unexpectedly.
I had decided to take Saturday off, but I ended up back in the training hall, spear in hand.
As a result, Saturday was completely erased from my calendar. All I did was wake up late and train a bit because I was bored, and just like that, the entire day vanished.
And now, it was just past noon on Sunday.
As I waited in the park for Glacia, as we had arranged, I felt a strange mix of emotions.
“...I feel like I’m becoming more of an idiot, the more I focus on the spear.”
Only a week had passed since the entrance ceremony, yet it felt like so much had happened in such a short time.
Many things had certainly gone my way, but they all happened so fast that my mind couldn't keep up.
The same was true for the people I had connected with.
Leonhardt, Yumia, David, Kalli, Luna, Millia, Glacia, and even the royals, Dersen and Rachel…
I had grown close to some of them, held favorable impressions of others, and was in a more ambiguous relationship with a few, but the sheer number of them felt overwhelming.
“Can I handle it all?”
That was the first thought that came to mind.
When I held a spear, my thoughts became simple and intuitive. All I had to do was think about moving forward, which actually calmed my mind.
But human relationships weren't so simple.
To maintain them, I had to consistently pay attention to them. The moment I neglected them, we would drift apart.
I couldn't take that lightly.
A meaningful relationship could only be sustained when both people showed interest in each other.
‘Growth and relationships…’
I had gained momentum in my growth, but I couldn't focus solely on that. That meant I had to pursue my growth while also maintaining my relationships with them.
“This is difficult.”
I let out the words like a sigh, my eyes still fixed on the blue sky that filled my vision.
Just like the clear, cloudless sky, I wished I could think simply, without all these complicated thoughts.
*Thump.*
Suddenly, another shade of blue entered my vision.
It was a bright, azure hair color, different from the sky. Glacia had approached without a sound.
“What’s so difficult?”
She looked down at me, and I blankly lowered my head to face forward again.
“...It’s just something.”
I answered awkwardly, embarrassed for a moment, and wondered when she had gotten so close.
“What is that ‘something’?”
Glacia sat down next to me naturally, and I just shook my head slightly.
“It’s nothing much. If I had to say, it was a concern about relationships.”
“Relationships… so it’s about people.”
“That’s right.”
“Then I don’t have anything to say. I’m also very clumsy when it comes to relationships with others.”
As she unexpectedly revealed her own awkwardness, I saw Glacia in a new light.
She was genuine and sincere.
She spoke so transparently that I wondered if she had ever told a lie in her life. It was, in its own way, fascinating.
‘Should I call this peculiar? Or special?’
The thought made a small smile escape my lips.
“What does it matter if you’re clumsy now? You can just get better from here on out.”
Facing Glacia, my earlier thoughts suddenly felt ridiculous.
It was easy to imagine the kind of strange relationships she must have with other cadets.
Anyone could see she was awkward in dealing with people. How strange must it have sounded for me to be complaining about that very thing?
Thinking about it, there was no need to take it so seriously. I just had to meet people as things came and spend time with them.
“...Get better from here on out. I think you’re right.”
“Of course. You just have to improve gradually.”
I replied lightly, my eyes meeting hers again.
She didn't avoid my gaze or even flinch.
Seeing that, I felt it once more.
There were definitely no romantic feelings between Glacia and me.
Even though we were meeting up on a weekend, neither of us thought much of it.
If we had feelings for each other, we wouldn't be able to meet so casually.
“Glacia.”
“Yes.”
Looking at Glacia, who answered my call so calmly, I suddenly wanted to spend the day a little differently.
“Do you have any plans in mind? Like a place you want to go with me, or something you want to do?”
When I asked for her opinion first, Glacia just looked at me silently.
Her transparent gaze seemed to say it all.
‘Do I look like I have something like that planned?’
As she met my eyes so confidently, I didn't expect much either.
“As I thought, you don’t have anything planned, do you?”
“No. I don’t.”
Her immediate reply made me laugh again.
“Great. Then that works out perfectly.”
In a way, I was more comfortable with that.
It was better for me to take the lead, and Glacia would probably feel more at ease that way, too.
“Oh, and let me say this first. We’re not training today.”
“Then…?”
“Today, we’re just going to walk around together. A cafe would be nice, or maybe some other amenities, anything is fine. We’re just spending time together. You don’t have to train with me to understand me, right?”
I pointed out the one thing Glacia would be most concerned about, and she finally seemed to understand.
“That’s true. You have a point.”
“Right? And you said you’d pay for everything when you’re with me. I was hoping to be treated by you for a change.”
When I playfully mentioned the expenses, the corners of her mouth lifted in what was clearly a smile.
Others might have found it a strange expression, but to me, it looked like she was smiling lightly.
“That’s right. I said I would, but I’ve never actually paid for anything. Alright. I’ll do that.”
As soon as Glacia calmly accepted, I stood up.
“Then let’s head straight to a cafe.”
…
The clinking of ice cubes in the glass was strangely fascinating.
As I tilted the glass filled with kiwi pulp, a refreshing coldness spread through my mouth.
The sweet and sour kiwi was incredibly satisfying.
‘Looking at the cafes, you’d think this was the modern era.’
The world of Groad was set in a medieval fantasy.
It wasn't a world where machines or scientific civilization had developed significantly.
While alchemists could manipulate mana and create items that substituted for modern conveniences, the cafe before me could easily pass for one from the modern world.
The interior featured a stylish marble design, and the overall layout felt very similar.
“Han Cheon-seong.”
At the sound of my name, I naturally lowered my glass and replied.
“Yeah.”
“Why are people looking at us?”
Glacia asked as if she found it strange, and I glanced around.
It was the weekend, so we weren't the only ones in the academy cafe.
In fact, it was quite crowded.
There were many groups of cadets who seemed to have already become friends, and even a few instructors were scattered about.
And among them, a ‘good number’ of eyes were on us.
“...They’re probably just curious.”
“Curious?”
“Yeah. Our student uniforms are different.”
I answered casually, understanding why people were looking at us.
Glacia wore a bright, white-themed uniform, while mine was a contrasting black.
That alone highlighted the clear difference between us. The different colors signified different classes, and Glacia and I were not one, but two full classes apart.
‘Plus, the fact that we’re a guy and a girl is a big factor.’
At this point, it would be stranger if people *weren't* interested in us.
It might be different a few months from now when more couples start to form, but in the first week of the academy, pairs of opposite genders sitting together, aside from us, were almost nonexistent.
*Rustle.*
Glacia fiddled with her uniform and frowned slightly.
“I think your uniform is prettier.”
“...You think so?”
“And I don’t really like the color white.”
Her blunt words made me want to smile again.
One would think that being with me would make her conscious of the romantic implications, for better or worse, but Glacia showed no signs of it.
She took my words at face value, assuming that was the only reason people were looking at us.
Was it a lack of awareness that bordered on naivety? And yet, I found that side of her rather refreshing.
‘Romance, of all things…’
I didn't think Glacia and I could ever be in that kind of relationship, and I didn't have the luxury to be concerned with dating right now.
If I gave my heart to someone, I would surely be unable to focus on my training.
And if we actually became a couple…
I shook my head, cutting off the thought.
Maybe after some time had passed, but at least for now, I couldn't let that happen.
So, I could reply lightly.
“I’ve said it before. I think your A-Class uniform is prettier.”
It wasn't that I disliked black, but it had a gloomy feel to it. Considering that white symbolized the A-Class, it looked much better to me.
“We’re the opposite.”
“Looks like it.”
As Glacia carefully scooped up a piece of cheesecake, I also picked up my spoon.
There were a total of four different kinds of dessert on our table.
I had even chosen some of the more expensive ones, but Glacia remained unfazed.
*Swoosh.*
As I brought the cheesecake to my mouth, I felt a sense of anticipation.
The last time with Luna and Millia, I had been too nervous to properly enjoy the desserts. With Glacia, I felt I could enjoy them at ease.
*Chomp.*
The moment the cheesecake entered my mouth, a gasp of admiration escaped me.
‘...This is delicious.’
As I savored the taste, I felt a peculiar sensation.
—An intense gaze.
I could clearly feel someone staring at me intently.
*Swoosh.*
As I scooped up another spoonful of the cheesecake that had melted in my mouth, I naturally turned my head toward the source of the gaze.
“……”
The moment I saw the person, my hand froze.
There, a woman was staring right at me.
Hair as red as a blazing fire.
Uniquely sharp and refreshing features.
And the black suit-like attire that symbolized an instructor…
“Han Cheon-seong?”
“...Huh?”
“Why did you stop?”
Glacia voiced her question, looking at me strangely, and all I could manage was an awkward laugh.
“...Ah, sorry.”
“You don’t have to be sorry. I just asked because it was strange.”
At Glacia’s words, I pulled my spoon back... and paused.
‘Wait a minute…’
Thinking about it, the way Glacia and I looked right now was enough to draw anyone’s attention.
Yes. Anyone who saw us… could easily misunderstand our situation as a couple on a date.
*Gulp.*
I swallowed hard, feeling as if I was the one who hadn't properly grasped the reality of the situation.
The other day.
Why Kalli had been so disappointed in me…