Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Second Meeting (3)
Professor Beatrice stood frozen for a moment in front of my canvas.
Her fingertips hovered in the air as if trying to touch the painting, then trembled slightly before withdrawing.
"The results will be announced on the board in one week. Your answer… was impressive. You may go."
Her voice was lower than usual.
I put away my brush, gave a small bow to the canvas, and left the exam hall.
"Ian—! Over here!"
The moment I stepped outside, a familiar voice rang out.
As expected, Yuki was standing on tiptoe, waving her hand in the crowd.
Beside her stood Lil, smiling warmly.
"How was the exam? Did it go well? What did the professor say?"
Yuki grabbed my shoulders, looking me over anxiously.
"There was nothing special. I just drew a bird."
"A bird? Just one bird? You idiot, the theme was vitality! You should’ve drawn something more flashy!"
As Yuki lightly hit my chest in frustration, Lil quietly approached and placed a warm bottle of milk in my hand.
"You did well, Ian. As long as you enjoyed it, that’s what matters. Here, drink this and regain your energy."
"Ah, thank you, Lil."
The warmth of the milk spread through my palm.
I took a sip, glancing between the two of them as sparks flew invisibly.
"...Do you two know each other?"
At my question, Yuki and Lil’s gazes collided sharply in midair.
"Know each other? She’s just an annoying person I run into in the Knight Department."
Yuki snorted, pulling my arm closer to her.
Lil smiled gently and wrapped an arm around my shoulder.
"Oh my, Lady Yuki, that’s a bit harsh. We were in the same group during last year’s joint training, remember? I protected your back quite well."
"Protected? You were so slow I had to cut down everything myself!"
Yuki ground her teeth.
"Ian, that one’s Lil. Second-year in the Knight Department. Her skills are decent, but her personality is too soft. And why she walks around like that as a man, I have no idea."
Yuki still thought Lil was male.
Understandable.
Short blue hair, tight training clothes, a slightly broad yet soft frame.
A convincing disguise.
But to me, the lines surrounding Lil clearly formed elegant and dangerous curves.
Definitely a woman.
"Lady Yuki is as strict as ever. Ian, don’t worry too much."
Lil gently ruffled my hair.
"Our Ian has such nice hair. You must’ve used your head a lot during the exam. Your big brother will treat you to something delicious."
"Hey, Lil. I’ve been holding back, but—"
Yuki’s voice dropped.
She slapped Lil’s hand away from my head and pulled me behind her completely.
The carefree attitude from before vanished, replaced by the cold authority of a noble.
"Ian is a guest of the Castel family. Not someone a mere knight student can touch freely. Did you forget etiquette in your first year?"
Her tone was icy.
"Keep your distance. Lil."
To Yuki, Lil had now crossed from acquaintance to intruder.
"Oh my, Lady Yuki, your possessiveness is as strong as ever."
Lil smiled softly, unfazed.
"And you—why does a man keep calling someone else’s sponsored student cute? Do you have that kind of preference?"
Yuki’s eyes filled with suspicion.
She had completely misunderstood.
"Ah, was it that obvious? Ian is just too cute."
"Y-you pervert!"
Yuki looked ready to draw her sword.
"Did you learn etiquette by yourself? What kind of upbringing makes you behave like this?"
Lil simply winked at me.
"I just follow my heart. It’s natural for an older brother to take care of someone."
"Then go pour that instinct into training, not here!"
Yuki snapped.
"Ian, if your guardian is too scary or treats you poorly, come to me anytime. My door is always open."
"That’s enough! Get lost already!"
With Yuki shouting behind her, Lil disappeared into the crowd.
Yuki kept glaring in that direction for a while before turning to me.
Her eyes burned with a mix of jealousy and concern.
"...You. You just stood there while she touched your head."
"It was troublesome to stop her."
"That’s not kindness—that’s a predator touching its prey! Why are you so careless? First Kara, now that pervert…"
She puffed her cheeks and pulled my arm tightly.
"Lady, my arm hurts."
"Good! Maybe you’ll come to your senses!"
She snatched the milk bottle from my hand.
"I’m not letting you drink this! What if it’s poisoned? I’ll buy you something better."
Still fuming, she dragged me toward the academy’s northern outskirts.
"My mood is ruined. I was going to show you my favorite place, but that idiot—"
Even while complaining, she never let go of my hand.
If anything, her grip tightened.
After passing through a tunnel of trees—
the view suddenly opened.
A cliff.
Below it, the entire capital stretched out like a painting.
A small garden sat at the edge, filled with wildflowers standing strong against the cold wind.
"...Wow."
The city below looked like a masterpiece.
Roofs and roads forming perfect lines.
A living canvas.
"Impressive, right?"
Yuki sat on a bench and patted the seat beside her.
"This is where mana gathers. The air is clean. Whenever things got hard, I came here to clear my mind. Since you’ll be here too… you can come."
With me.
She muttered the last part quietly.
"Thank you, my lady. I think I could draw something good here."
"Always about drawing… seriously."
She pouted, but her gaze softened.
After a while, she spoke again.
"...Ian. That milk earlier. Was it really that good?"
"It was warm and sweet."
"Hmph. Getting impressed by something like that… I could buy you a hundred bottles. Or even a cow for your room!"
I couldn’t help laughing.
"Don’t laugh! I’m serious. You’re my sponsored student. If you accept things from others, what happens to my reputation?"
She blushed, then slowly leaned her head against my shoulder.
Her silver hair brushed against me, carrying a faint rose scent.
"Ian… the academy is harsher than you think. Status matters. Jealousy is everywhere. Especially someone like you—a commoner sponsored by a duke—you’ll become a target."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"So if anything happens, don’t handle it alone. Blow the whistle and come to me. Got it?"
"Understood. I’m more perceptive than I look."
"If you were, you wouldn’t let someone like that touch you."
She poked my side lightly.
The sunset painted the city in gold.
And for a moment—
everything felt quiet.