Chapter 86
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: A Rewarding First Quest!
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Seo Yume had been grappling with a major dilemma lately.
It was a huge issue concerning Rubelt.
Seo Yume harbored feelings for Rubelt.
He was a precious friend who had helped her countless times since they first met in high school.
But the more time passed...
The more she saw Rubelt's cool demeanor...
The deeper those feelings grew.
And to top it off, not only Rubelt but even his fiancée Eli seemed totally on board with the idea of a harem. Yume's heart was in utter chaos.
It was a mix of joy, awkwardness, and bewilderment.
In that situation, from Yume's perspective, running into Steel Mountain during her date with Rubelt was like the first spark to ignite everything.
Having successfully helped Rubelt drive off Steel Mountain, Yume spent that night replaying his heroic feats in her mind, hugging the White Prism he'd bought her, and rolling around on her bed in sheer delight.
For that moment, she didn't care at all that Rubelt was Eli's fiancé or that he had a relationship with Rize.
Above all, Rubelt had said they should go out again sometime.
The thought of another date with him filled Yume with overwhelming joy.
But after that, things started unfolding in ways that made Yume uneasy.
After an excited weekend, Yume approached Rubelt to talk.
She wanted to start by thanking him again for that day and deepen their conversation.
But Rubelt was deeply lost in thought that day.
She didn't know exactly what was bothering him, but the atmosphere made it hard to approach.
And for some reason, it looked like Rize was worrying alongside him, which made Yume think it might be something serious.
That's when Isihoon couldn't hold back and asked Rubelt what was wrong.
Gaining courage from that, Yume asked too, perking up her ears. Rubelt brushed it off, saying it was just some Eldra family matter and nothing serious.
Yume couldn't press him further.
After all, as an ordinary commoner, she had no place meddling in or solving problems for the world's top conglomerate, the Eldra family.
But if it really wasn't serious, the next day Rubelt was back to his usual reliable, bright self.
Yume found it odd but was relieved he was normal again. Still, the image of yesterday's distant Rubelt made it hard for her to approach him easily.
And a few days later...
Seeing Chisaki get unusually close to Rubelt and sniff him, Yume couldn't help but feel tense as a woman.
'Aren't you a bit too close?'
Yume knew Chisaki's personality was lively and bold from their time together at the academy.
But even so, as fellow women, sniffing him from that close felt weird.
Chisaki was pretty and beautiful, even in Yume's eyes.
If Rubelt, who seemed to like harems, took a liking to Chisaki...
'Like Rize and Eli, Chisaki too with Rubelt...'
Her head heated up in an instant, her chest tightening painfully. Yume clutched it reflexively.
She felt agony just imagining it, yet unlike Chisaki—who was so proactive in every way—she lacked the guts to confess her feelings outright. Comparing herself, Yume hated her own passivity.
Yume wanted to change.
She wanted to be more proactive and get closer to Rubelt.
Like her friend Isihoon, who was making progress with Kim Yesl.
The desire to grow closer to Rubelt piled up steadily inside her.
And that desire exploded during the second encounter with Steel Mountain.
When everyone else felt urgency at Steel Mountain's appearance, Rubelt alone was utterly relaxed.
Proving that composure, he overwhelmingly pressured Steel Mountain. When the thrashing beast charged at her and Kim Yesl, Rubelt swiftly blocked its path and felled it at invisible speed.
The moment Yume saw his back, her heart pounded like it would burst.
It was always like that.
Rubelt always protected her.
From their first meeting.
When she awakened her magic power.
And now, when she was nearly in danger from Steel Mountain.
Rubelt always protected her, and each time, his presence grew larger in her heart.
She didn't want to give up.
She wanted to always be by his side.
She wanted to stay connected to him forever.
Those feelings swirled together in Yume's chest and detonated.
Thump-thump-thump-thump.
Her heart wouldn't stop.
The blood rushing to her head wouldn't calm.
Even Isihoon using his secret technique to take down the Great Fire Boar didn't register with her.
Instead, what caught her eye was Rubelt's pleased smile as he watched Isihoon's feat.
"Yesl! Rubelt! Yume! You all okay?!"
After felling the Great Fire Boar, Isihoon spun around hurriedly to check on everyone.
"Of course we're fine. I've got this, right?"
"Huh? What about Steel Mountain?"
"I took it down."
"What?! For real!?"
"As expected of you, Young Master."
"Whoa, Rubelt... you're seriously... how strong are you?"
"I've gotta be at this level to inherit the Eldra name. Anyway..."
I approached Isihoon and whispered quietly.
"I caught a glimpse—Yesl was staring at you in a daze while you unleashed that secret technique."
"What? R-Really?"
"Yeah. I'm good, so go talk to her. This is your chance. Capture her heart for good."
"Y-Yeah! H-Hey, Yesl!"
Isihoon rushed over to Kim Yesl and struck up a conversation.
Kim Yesl, still flushed red, stared blankly at him and nodded.
Alright, now for Yume...
'Huh?'
When I turned to look at Yume, I was taken aback by her state.
She was reacting way more intensely than I'd expected.
Her face was even redder than Kim Yesl's, and the look in her eyes carried some kind of resolve.
I could tell my display had hit her harder than anticipated.
"Yume, you okay?"
I approached with concern and placed a hand on her forehead.
"Wha?! W-What's that!? Why, why, why are you t-t-touching...!"
"Why? Your face is all red. You sure you're alright?"
"Y-Yeah?! Oh, this is just...! I-I must've been too tense! The cave's h-hot too!"
"Got it."
Despite that resolved expression, the moment I touched her forehead, the determination in her eyes scattered, replaced by embarrassment and fluster.
It was seriously cute.
At the same time, it convinced me I'd reached the final stage of winning her over.
After that...
We gathered materials from the Great Fire Boar, claimed Steel Mountain's greatsword as a trophy, and headed back to the entrance.
On the way, we linked up with Eli's group and mentioned our encounter—and defeat—of Steel Mountain.
"Lord Rubelt finally took down a Strenzor! Amazing! As expected of you, Lord Rubelt! You're incredible! The best!"
"Thanks, Eli."
Eli bounced around excitedly, celebrating my victory.
"Truly impressive, Rubelt..."
Kagura admired purely.
"What?! You fought a Strenzor without me again?! And you beat it! I wanted to fight too! Me too!"
Chisaki grumbled.
The other cadets gaped in awe and shock at my feat.
If it were any ordinary cadet, they'd suspect it or call bullshit, but since it was me, everyone accepted it without question.
And when we exited and reported to Instructor Dias...
"What!? You took down Steel Mountain?!"
Instructor Dias, usually the epitome of cool beauty, had a reaction that totally hyped me up.
Nothing beats seeing a stoic, cool character react with awe to your exploits.
"Yes. Here's Steel Mountain's greatsword. The body turned to dust, so this is the only proof."
I pulled the greatsword stored in Hepai and showed it to her.
"This... is definitely a Strenzor's greatsword. I've seen one before. You really did it, Eldra."
"Yes."
"Such a straightforward answer."
"Deep down, I'm thrilled with my own performance."
Yume's affection had skyrocketed, after all.
"But openly gloating would undermine my dignity."
I gave a plausible excuse first.
"Worrying about even that... Being the Eldra heir isn't easy."
Instructor Dias chuckled lightly and teased.
"I'll hold onto this greatsword as proof for now. That okay?"
"Yes, of course."
Then Instructor Dias immediately ordered academy staff to have all cadets in the dungeon return at once.
Even though I'd beaten Steel Mountain, a Strenzor had appeared, so they couldn't risk leaving cadets in a dungeon where more might spawn.
Our class returned to the academy faster than the others. Instructor Dias went to report to the chairman, and we had self-study until lunch.
Of course, no one actually studied quietly.
"Rubelt! You really beat a Strenzor?!"
"Lord Rubelt is so cooooool! Kyaaah!"
"What was fighting a Strenzor like?! Weren't you nervous?"
"Hey, Isihoon, you were there too! Spill!"
"Uh, well..."
"Yesl! You were there! Tell us how awesome Lord Rubelt was!"
"Isihoon was awesome too!"
Classmates who rarely talked to us bombarded us with questions.
Me, Rize, Isihoon, Kim Yesl, and Yume fielded them until lunch arrived.
"Phew... Finally free."
"You and Isihoon were total stars~ Heehee."
"Why do you look so happy, Chisaki?"
"'Cause everyone fought a Strenzor without me! And a berserk Great Fire Boar too! I'm jealous!"
"Chisaki never changes."
As we caught our breath over lunch...
"Um, Rubelt!"
Yume looked straight at me and spoke up.
"Thanks so much for saving me today!"
"No big deal. Had to."
"Still... I want to repay you! So..."
Yume steeled her resolve again in her eyes.
"You free this weekend? If possible, just us two... I want to thank you properly, Rubelt!"
Her courageous invitation to a date.
Hearing it confirmed we'd reached the endgame of her conquest.
And the others at the table...
Rize took it calmly, as expected. Eli let out a soft "Oh?" in mild surprise.
Kagura watched Yume with a hint of excitement, like the time had come. Chisaki eyed her with interest.
No one reacted negatively toward Yume.
Except...
"Huh...?"
Only Isihoon froze mid-bite, mouth agape in shock as he stared at Yume.
Huh?
Why?
The question flashed, but I realized right away.
'Oh right, Isihoon knows nothing.'
He was the only one here unaware of my flings with multiple women or my enthusiastic stance on harems.