Chapter 52

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 52

Chapter Title: Wilderness Festival

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Whoooosh.

"...Did I dress too lightly?"

In front of the dormitory entrance.

After she had gone inside, I stood there alone in a daze for a while.

Only when the cold night wind slipped through my collar did I finally snap out of it.

"Hoo."

A heavy sigh escaped my lips along with a puff of white breath.

I wasn't sure if that sigh was out of lingering regret for her departure,

or anxiety about the future looming ahead.

After giving the bench, still faintly scented with Elysia's presence from moments ago, one last glance,

I turned my heavy footsteps and headed back into the dormitory.

"..."

Standing in front of Room 301, I slowly turned the doorknob.

It was late enough that everyone should have been asleep for hours,

so I had to be careful not to wake anyone.

Click.

I cautiously opened the door and slipped inside, and as expected, the room was silent.

The only sound breaking the stillness was the faint snoring leaking from the gap under Imir's door.

I tiptoed over to my bed.

"Mm..."

On the bed across from mine, Kaien lay with his back turned.

Fortunately, he seemed undisturbed, breathing steadily in sleep.

'Good.'

If that guy had woken up,

he might have scolded me for wandering around so late.

I let out a sigh of relief, hung up my outer coat, and slowly lowered myself onto the bed.

As my body sank into the soft mattress,

all the accumulated fatigue seemed to crash over me at once.

But for some reason, sleep wouldn't come tonight.

Whenever I closed my eyes to try to sleep, various thoughts flooded my mind.

But the biggest reason was probably the conversation I'd just had with her.

"..."

'Ho, have you... never dreamed of anything else, Young Master? Like, say, a future lover...?'

'A lover...'

Her playful question still echoed in my ears.

If I had been an ordinary student,

or even possessed someone like Barcan,

could I have dreamed of a romance with her?

'...Pointless thinking.'

I shook my head vigorously to clear the stray thoughts.

First things first—put out the urgent fires.

I could worry about romance later.

Besides, The Glory was a proper yuri game.

There was no room for me to squeeze in.

It was probably just my imagination.

"...Time to sleep."

I forced my eyes shut and tried to drift off.

Wondering what tomorrow would bring,

with a mix of anticipation and worry.

The next morning.

"...Still not up."

A faint voice tickled my ear like an illusion, making my closed eyelids flutter.

"...Mm."

"...!"

Thud.

Rustle.

At the noise, I slowly opened my eyes and stretched languidly.

I'd tossed and turned all night, but somehow managed to sleep.

Whether from habit or tension,

a dull heaviness wrapped around my body.

Rubbing my bleary eyes, I looked around—and sure enough,

"Already gone?"

The bed across from mine was empty. He'd left before I woke up.

As always, he'd tidied up neatly after himself.

"..."

The lingering warmth suggested he'd just left moments ago.

I thought I'd heard the door, too.

Whatever—easier for me.

'Fine. Time to get ready.'

I shrugged it off and got out of bed.

Then a familiar voice drifted from the room down the hall.

"Master... more meat..."

Thump thump thump!

"Imir. Get up."

"Mmm... wanna sleep more."

He knocked on her door to wake her, but all that came back was louder snoring.

I considered dragging her out of bed,

but figured she'd handle it herself and gave up.

'She's turning into a total freeloader.'

At this rate, she'd lounge around all day.

I'd need to find something for her to do this weekend.

'I've already got something in mind.'

Leaving her to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠laze comfortably,

I washed up, threw on my uniform, and checked the schedule on the desk before heading out.

'Intro to Magic Theory this morning.'

What rotten timing.

Knowing his true nature would come out during the Wilderness Festival made facing him first thing unsettling.

But I couldn't skip a perfectly normal class.

"..."

I didn't agonize long.

Of course I couldn't skip.

"I'll be back, so behave."

"Mm... okay..."

Leaving behind her mumbled sleep-talk or whatever it was, I left the dormitory.

I hadn't planned on breakfast,

but just as I was heading out, I ran into two women on their way to the cafeteria.

My plan to slip away unnoticed went up in smoke.

"Oh, oh my! Good morning. Heading to breakfast, Young Master?"

"B-Brother...!"

Glancing sidelong at Elysia, who like me avoided eye contact,

"No breakfast for me today. I'll be off."

I politely declined and quickened my pace.

"I didn't like that class much, though."

"Still, Professor Leyra's lectures are the best..."

The streets basked in gentle morning sunlight, peaceful as ever.

Now that we'd settled into the semester, freshmen chatted amiably everywhere—

unlike the first day.

Their laughter was so infectious, it lifted my mood.

Creak.

Weaving through students, I reached the classroom.

Even early, it was over half full.

Feeling the stares as I entered, I shrugged lightly and headed to the back.

No assigned seats, but this spot was most comfortable.

I could dodge Iris's persistent gaze,

and survey the whole room at a glance.

"Ah. E-Evan...!"

"Morning."

"G-Good m-morning! Heh..."

Hyera, prepping for class in the front row, met my eyes. I gave her a casual greeting.

We were business partners now, so a little extra care was warranted.

Twitch.

"...Hng."

A chill voice made me whip my head around reflexively.

Iris sat by the window, chin propped, staring daggers at me.

Her eyes radiated such venomous cold that instinctive fear gripped me.

'...?'

Why.

No, what the hell?

Why all ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of a sudden?

The incessant alert chimes and absorption messages flooded my vision, repeating endlessly.

Tap. Tap.

Her hollow eyes held no emotion.

'Be careful. Its end is nowhere in sight.'

The Black King's instinct whispered ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to me.

I know, even without you telling me.

"Ahem."

Staring back risked making me bolt from the room, class be damned.

So I pretended not to notice, sat down, and opened my book.

Of course, Iris's gaze clung relentlessly.

"..."

Cold sweat trickled down my back.

I had to fake flipping pages.

I had no idea what sparked it,

but she was clearly furious with me.

'Why is she like this? I need to know what I did wrong to feel indignant.'

Wiping sweat from my brow with a handkerchief from my pocket,

I grumbled inwardly.

Then, one by one, the remaining students filed in.

Creak.

The front door opened, and Professor Aria stepped inside.

"Good day. Shall we start another lively class?"

Lively my ass.

Do something about that murderous glare.

I've been terrified since earlier.

The professor's entrance changed nothing—her eyes stayed fixed on me.

"...Young Master. Did you do something wrong?"

"I want to know too."

Elysia, now seated beside me, whispered worriedly, but I just shook my head slightly.

I was genuinely curious what I'd done.

"Today, we'll cover the basics of magical principles."

Tap. Tap tap. Tap tap.

Professor Aria began writing on the board.

Her elegant handwriting and gentle voice were flawless.

A model educator, with a kind face and a reputation for passionate teaching.

That's why everyone was shocked when we learned he was behind the Wilderness Festival incident.

I propped my chin, slouching as I observed him.

The content was all familiar, boring as hell, but I stayed focused for any clues.

"The most crucial part of casting magic is controlling mana flow. For example..."

Pausing mid-sentence, his gaze swept the room and landed on me.

"Right. Evan?"

"...Yes. Professor."

I hadn't expected him to single me out.

Startled, I looked up to see Professor Aria smiling.

"Would you come up and demonstrate, Young Master? On the importance of mana control."

"...Me?"

...Me?

Not someone else?

Asking me to demo?

The timing was impeccable, like he'd read my mocking thoughts.

'No way he read my mind, right?'

Sweat beaded as I dismissed the impossible nagging guilt.

'...Don't wanna.'

I hated the spotlight.

And with her glaring daggers instead of paying attention? Up front?

"There are far more skilled people here. Wouldn't it be a stretch for me?"

I tried humbly, lacing it with intent to wriggle free.

But as if he'd anticipated it,

"Haha. So modest. The head professor said you passed the exam with flying colors."

"Ah... well, not just me..."

"Modesty is fine. I could ask others, but I'd like you to show it this ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠time."

"I know you're not magic-focused, but it'd be a great example of precise control."

"Uh..."

"I trust you'll help out. Evan, Young Master."

His words dripped with affable charm, belying the subtle pressure.

A polite request? More like an order.

'Smooth talker.'

Sighing inwardly, I stood.

No escaping now.

"If you insist, Professor."

As I approached the lectern, he handed me a small crystal.

"Infuse it with mana. But spread it thin and even—don't break it. It's about delicate control, not quantity."

It was a mana-reactive crystal.

Lit up at the slightest mana,

but shattered at any imbalance.

A finicky piece of work.

'What a hassle.'

A chill touched my palm as I took the crystal from him.