Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Chloe, the Unimaginably Well-Connected One
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Irene was in a very good mood today.
It was because Elric had asked her out for a lunch date, peppered her with all sorts of questions, listened intently to her stories, and had even left a good impression on his sister, Silua Raishion.
Though midway through the meal, Silua had dragged Elric away, forcing Irene to finish her food in a rush, she couldn't interfere with his family matters as his future wife.
Having wrapped up lunch quicker than expected, she wandered the campus alone in a buoyant mood.
Then she spotted Elric chatting amiably with a familiar young lady, and her spirits plummeted in an instant.
'...That girl is definitely...'
No doubt about it. She was the one her twin brother, Rian Sisly, had shown intense interest in.
She'd wondered if the guy, who'd never cared about women his whole life, had lost his mind when he suddenly started acting like he'd given her his heart. But at the same time, Lady Fabian was undeniably pretty with a great personality, even by her own standards, so it made sense.
Above all, she had that pure aura that put people at ease.
Yet seeing her chatting so warmly with Elric...
'...Does Elric prefer bright, lively girls like Chloe Fabian who smile easily too?'
A wave of undeniable jealousy surged up unbidden.
She glanced at Chloe Fabian. Her unadorned beauty, perfect figure that curved in all the right places, and that constant pure, vibrant smile.
All things Irene herself lacked.
On top of that, Chloe seemed to like him, and Elric didn't appear to mind. At least, he looked far more relaxed than when talking with her.
'Oh no, if this keeps up...'
What if Elric fell for her?
Elric was so incredibly handsome and perfect that she'd already braced herself for him seeing other women. But even so, she wanted to be the one who captured his heart the most.
Irene's mood sank endlessly.
"Take care!"
"You too, Lady."
As their conversation ended, Irene stood frozen in place, staring at Elric.
He sat there blankly, lost in thought. What could he be thinking about?
'No way... Is he thinking about Chloe Fabian?'
No, he couldn't. He shouldn't. She had to be the one to claim Elric's heart.
Her heart raced. Irene clenched her fists lightly and bit her lip.
But she couldn't disturb his rest. What if he found her annoying?
So she watched him quietly until he stood up, then hurried over a bit too eagerly.
"...Young Lord, when did you get so close to Lady Fabian?"
Skipping greetings entirely, she dove straight into it.
"Pardon?"
Surprise flickered in Elric's eyes. Only then did Irene realize her mistake, her face clouding with dismay.
'I-I didn't mean to sound so sharp...!'
She'd meant to be gentle and tactful, but her emotions had made her words too pointed.
What now? If he started seeing her as strange...
"We're not close. She just approached me earlier about joining her club, so we talked about that briefly."
But Elric calmly explained the situation without a hint of unease.
'...Club?'
So Elric hadn't initiated it—Chloe Fabian had sought him out?
That single fact lifted Irene's mood right back up. Right—he'd asked her to lunch, but Chloe had been the one to approach him!
'...Hee hee.'
Ah, what a relief. Elric didn't seem to have feelings for her yet.
Irene's demeanor softened instantly. Unlike before, her voice took on its usual gentle tone, laced with a hint of excitement as she asked,
"A club? What kind?"
"The Fusion Major Research Club. Apparently, Lady Fabian is the driving force behind its new establishment."
"Fusion Major Research Club?"
"Yes. It seems the goal is to research fusions across various majors—not just magic, spirits, swordsmanship, and martial arts, but even liberal arts."
"I never knew you were interested in major fusions, Young Lord."
At her words, Elric pondered briefly. Interested? Well, the original 'Elric' would have been obsessed. That guy was a mad scholar who'd pioneered new magical frontiers.
But from his perspective, it was ambiguous. It might not be boring, and with all fantasy's essence gathered here, it piqued his interest, but...
'What am I even mulling over? Of course "Elric" would be interested.'
"Yes, a bit."
"...Could I join that club too?"
After his affirmation, Irene hesitated before blurting it out. Heat rushed to her cheeks.
'Aaaah!'
It's fine, good job. A chance to be in the same club as Elric? And after he asked me on a date last time, I need to show some courage too!
"Pardon? Were you interested in major fusions too, Princess?"
"Ah, um, yes."
Truth be told, Irene had little interest in major fusions. She was a novice outside her own specialty.
But it was Elric's field. Of course she'd study it with him—to have more fun conversations.
"You shared so many insights on magic with me before. It's sparked some interest in me too."
"Ah, right... I did."
Elric's lukewarm response made Irene's heart sink.
'What? Does he not remember? Or...'
Was it nothing to him?
Right, he was a genius. Plenty of people could dive deep into magic discussions with him. The academic world was dying to see him even once more.
'...Why didn't this guy note that down?'
Elric struggled to keep a straight face, internally flustered. Everything else was documented, but he'd skipped the magic chats with Princess Irene. And from her words, it wasn't just once or twice.
'Thought it wasn't necessary?'
Fair enough—the pages were packed, and as a non-mage with no close ties, it probably didn't rate.
Wait, then why did Princess Irene act like it was their first meeting last time?
'...Forgot? Makes sense—a princess meets tons of people.'
She might not remember every Sisly noble like him, but that was her personality. He was broad-minded about such things.
"S-So... I'd like to join too..."
Irene's voice trembled as she continued. She'd felt special to him moments ago, but now not so much.
"Of course. Just tell Lady Chloe Fabian."
Elric responded flatly, giving her instructions. Her heart sank again, but
'Right... it's okay. At least it means he sees me as a bit special?'
She'd settle for that. Four years at the academy were long. She'd slowly worm her way into his heart.
"Thank you, Young Lord. See you."
"Ah, yes. Goodbye."
Irene bowed to Elric and fled the scene. Rude, she knew, but she couldn't manage her expression right now.
After she left, Elric stared blankly at where she'd stood, bewildered.
"...First person I've seen whose mood shows through vibe alone, face unchanging."
Her emotions had rollercoastered solo, reason unknown. The original story had no special description of her.
"Eh, probably nothing."
Maybe good and bad memories flashed alternately. Elric shrugged it off and headed back to the dorm.
Classes ended for the day, and during the break before dinner.
"Elric! Elric Raishion! Where are you?!"
"...Maria Sian sunbae?"
Maria Sian, teaching assistant to Professor Kuina Rosly, flung open the door to Class 1-2, searching for Elric.
"There you are! Elric, if something that big happened, you should've told me too!"
"Pardon?"
Big deal? What big deal? Elric stared at her with a puzzled, blank expression.
"You're joining a club, right? The Fusion Major Research Club!"
"That's true, but why...?"
Hold on—Chloe told him at lunch just hours ago. How widely connected was she for the rumor to reach the TA already?
"Ugh, so dense! You're a study whiz but zero social awareness?"
Maria Sian thumped her chest in frustration at his reaction. Elric felt equally baffled and exasperated by the out-of-nowhere comment.
"No..."
Unfair. He wasn't oblivious—"Elric" was, so he played along, but inside was a Korean soul with average social savvy, hyper-aware of others' gazes.
"Don't you know Professor Rosly's minor is major fusion? She heard you joined at lunch but no request for her as advisor yet—she's been moping all day! I casually mentioned it, assuming you'd told her, and now the lab's like a funeral home!"
"...Pardon?"
He hadn't known. Professor Kuina Rosly's minor was major fusion? Dimension research plus that? Beyond genius—monster territory.
...Not that he could talk.
'But how was I supposed to know?'
It was decided hours ago, followed by nonstop classes. No time to visit her lab.
"This won't do—let's go to Professor now! Club president! President, where are you? Fusion Major Research Club president! Anyone know where she is?!"
"Eh? Me?"
Maria Sian's sudden shout drew a confused Chloe over. She prided herself on knowing most same-year students, but this woman was a stranger.
"Oh, you? No advisor yet?"
"Pardon? No, not yet..."
"Then come with me to Professor! You need one anyway, right?"
"Pardon? Uh..."
"Let's go!"
Maria grabbed Chloe's hand, snagged Elric with the other, and dragged them out. Chloe stammered as she was pulled along; Elric followed, impressed.
'Whoa, even the heroine's outdone in energy. Makes sense—she's Kuina Rosly's TA.'
Elric trailed placidly in Maria's wake.