Second Semester Starts with a Bang
“Doesn’t Cadet Rohan have more to explain?”
“...”
Rohan felt the gazes converging on him in a rush.
He knew what Carrot was getting at.
That made it all the more an unexpected question. Rohan’s eyes and the corners of his mouth twitched with embarrassment.
“Oho~? That’s a suspicious reaction if I’ve ever seen one.”
“W-Well... I thought the discussion about Cheongnim would continue.”
“Huh? But according to you, Cadets Ichinose Yui and Noah Frozenheart were there with you, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then that’s that~”
Carrot flicked her ears as if to say there was no point wasting time on more details, flashing a smile.
Juyeon picked up seamlessly where she left off.
“With Cheonoecheon directly intervening in an incident in Samhwa Nation, the security bureau won’t touch it unless something extreme happens.”
Having served as a general back home, Juyeon knew full well the power wielded by Ichinose Jun.
The direct actions Rohan and his group had taken—and any messy fallout—were as good as resolved already.
From what Juyeon had heard, Samhwa Nation’s security bureau was too busy investigating Cheongnim’s transaction partners to bother with anything else.
“A male cadet under Ichinose Jun’s protection... Word about Cadet Rohan will reach the ears of instructors with enemies in Tigrova soon enough, I bet.”
“So Instructor Carrot is from Tigrova.”
Rohan smoothly shifted the topic, and Carrot bit the bait without hesitation.
“Hehe, not quite on the level of Frozenheart, but I come from a pretty storied bloodline myself.”
“Does that mean you’re using a pseudonym, Instructor?”
“Nah, that’s my real name. I just don’t use a family name because...”
“Ahem!”
Juyeon cut Carrot off with a deliberate cough.
Some incidents pulled you in just by hearing about them. Given how Rohan kept stumbling into trouble, it was best not to hear more.
Carrot caught Juyeon’s signal and pivoted.
“Cadet Rohan~ You’ve got some real probing skills! I almost spilled everything like I was under a spell! Sneaky!”
Carrot giggled mischievously, covering her exposed shoulders and arms.
She even let out a playful squeal, flustering Rohan further.
“Huh? I didn’t...”
“Trying to dig out an instructor’s secrets like that! If the guys in our class found out, they’d cry bloody tears of jealousy and come after you!”
That’s when Rohan realized it. She’d only pretended to bite the bait from the start.
Carrot wouldn’t have shared more personal details even if Juyeon hadn’t interrupted—he was sure of it.
It felt like he’d cast a line only to get dragged into the water himself.
“So? Anything fun happen on your Samhwa Nation trip?”
“...I got a girlfriend.”
“One of the cadets you know?”
Before Carrot could speculate wildly, Rohan volunteered the answer.
“Not Ichinose or Noah. But they’re close to both of them—and faces Instructor Juyeon would recognize too.”
Expectation turned to certainty.
Juyeon nodded, thinking of Clara—then jerked her head up at the odd phrasing.
“...Faces, plural?”
Her eye twitched at the implication of multiples.
Rohan swallowed hard under Juyeon’s steady, crimson gaze.
It wasn’t like he’d done anything wrong, and it wasn’t a scolding look. Still, his imperfect values made his own feet itch with tension.
“Our Cadet Rohan’s quite the man!”
“...Thank you!”
Carrot’s casual acceptance from her Tigrova roots lightened the mood.
Juyeon exhaled, reminding herself there was no issue, and relaxed the tension around her eyes.
“I’m sure Cadet Rohan can handle it, but treat your girlfriends well! Got it?”
“Of course.”
“Whenever you fight with them, buy carrot tarts and carrot aides here. Hand one over with a snap—and any lingering grudges will melt away!”
Juyeon sipped her nearly empty coffee, listening to their banter.
I overreacted. It’s not like this is the first or second time I’ve heard news like this.
Her years in society and the wedding invites she’d received made Rohan’s story unremarkable.
She’d even attended ceremonies with over ten wives.
...Is it because my little brother comes to mind?
Her emotions settled as her mind cleared.
Juyeon mulled over Rohan’s words.
Not Ichinose Yui or Noah Frozenheart, but faces I know... That has to be Clara and the elf girl.
How had he gone from academy life to dating an elf in just a few months? Watching Rohan’s actions was endlessly fascinating. The results were downright shocking.
“Now that Cadet Rohan has some solid motivation, you’ll grow even faster, right?”
“I’ll do my best.”
“If we meet in the next exam, be prepared!”
“That’s what I’m hoping for. Don’t hold back.”
Juyeon couldn’t help a smirk at their exchange.
What a weird guy.
She knew she shouldn’t play favorites. Yet her attention kept drifting to him.
Maybe it was the little-brother resemblance, as she’d thought.
But lately...
“...”
She couldn’t deny it wasn’t just that anymore.
It started with him bringing up post-graduation plans. He was the first man she’d allowed such intimate distance with.
It didn’t bother her. Hearing talk of a promised future always brought joy. Voices certain of a distant tomorrow were rare in this chaotic world.
Clink.
Finishing her coffee, Juyeon eyed Rohan and considered practical matters.
No need to remind him about contraception, then.
His girlfriends weren’t academy cadets, and as responsible adults, there shouldn’t be issues.
Even as Juyeon pondered, the lively chatter continued across the table.
“Cadet Rohan, got any girlfriend pics?”
“Ah, I’ve got some from the trip.”
“Show off to your instructor!”
“You’ll be shocked. They’re really pretty.”
“Lemme see~”
“Here’s two.”
Rohan pulled out his phone to show the photos, and Carrot’s eyes lit up.
Her rabbit ears stretched straight, mirroring her excitement.
“No way! They’re gorgeous! And one’s an elf...?!”
“Elf confirmed.”
Carrot’s expression turned serious.
Then she playfully poked Rohan’s shoulder with a warning edge.
“Cadet Rohan. Be careful.”
“Huh?”
“If the guys in our class find out, they’ll cry bloody tears of jealousy and end you!”
“Why do your class guys always end up crying bloody tears...?”
Amid the joking banter,
Juyeon glanced at Rohan’s phone on the table and nodded.
Definitely that elf girl and Clara.
She pictured Clara in her mind.
She didn’t know much about the elf, but she’d helped Clara with immigration and talked plenty.
They still messaged occasionally. The impression was crystal clear.
Her combat prowess outmatched most cadets, but her shy, timid personality and mannerisms were worryingly introverted.
The Clara in Juyeon’s mind was utterly pure.
She might even believe babies came from holding hands or that storks delivered them.
With a girl that innocent and lovable, he’ll treasure her.
With that thought, Juyeon refilled her coffee.
The three chatted for a good while longer before wrapping up, promising to meet again in the second semester.
One of the year’s two breaks had ended.
Orion Circle, the academy community, was filled with cadets whining about the end of vacation—but Rohan felt no regrets.
He’d been looking forward to the second semester and training under Juyeon.
The break had been plenty satisfying, of course.
He hadn’t slacked on training, and he’d spent happy times wandering Academy City with his two new lovers.
But Sion and Clara faced one unexpected hurdle.
With the three of them always together, it was hard to progress beyond kisses.
Still, he didn’t push things.
Sion and Clara decided to let go of their impatience.
There’d been a trigger.
During dates, they realized Rohan was trying to show them as much of the world as possible.
They understood that proving affection only through physical acts was a shallow mindset.
Compared to their pasts, the present was so fulfilling they could wait.
Just being with Rohan, feeling their bond deepen, was enough to drown them in happiness.
“I’m off.”
“Oppa...! Fighting!”
“Rohan. I’ll be waiting.”
Seeing him off after dawn training, shared breakfast, and gearing up for the academy filled the girls’ hearts to the brim.
A hug and kiss at the door felt like the extravagance of already being his wife, tickling them luxuriously.
“Say hi to your sisters-in-law for me...!”
“Me too, please.”
Rohan promised he would and left Sion’s mansion.
Donning his academy uniform after so long and heading to school felt strangely exciting.
Ichinose and Noah got back at dawn, right?
They’d kept in touch via messages, but he craved their voices and stories.
Would both be in class?
As his fingers itched to call,
Rumble rumble rumble───!!!
A familiar yet ominous vibration gripped and shook the ground.
Rohan instinctively dropped into a low stance, hand on his sword hilt, scanning around.
No way.
Screams echoed from nearby.
He looked up.
Between the buildings, a pitch-black spire had erupted.
Not right in front of him—some distance away.
Rohan knew it was a Monolith.
But its shape differed from the black slabs he’d encountered before, and its size was overwhelming.
This was no good sign.
Like all Monoliths so far, its surface was covered in glowing runes.
And from its tip, it emitted light like a lighthouse.
A quest has been generated.