Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Second Meeting (6)
The writing tools on her desk bounced slightly from the recoil, then settled back into place as if pulled by magnets.
The heart-shaped bandage on her forehead trembled along with her resolute momentum.
"Do you have a question?"
Professor Beatrice’s cold voice swept across the classroom.
"Question report. Professor Beatrice. According to the academic schedule, the first day of enrollment should be limited to orientation and facility guidance for administrative efficiency. However, your current stance at the podium suggests immediate instruction. Is this a deviation from the planned curriculum?"
……
Silence fell over the classroom.
Wow, that’s impressive.
Did hitting her head earlier mess her up?
I wanted to rest too, but I didn’t have the courage to confront the professor like that.
The noble students turned pale, staring at Sylvia.
Are you out of your mind? their eyes seemed to say, questioning someone who dared challenge Professor Beatrice—the empire’s greatest painter and a notorious critic.
After a moment of silence, Beatrice formed a strange smile.
"Sylvia of House Laurent. Quite bold."
Sylvia’s shoulders shrank slightly.
"Fine. You’re right—it’s bothersome for me as well to start intense lessons on the first day."
At the professor’s unexpected agreement, Sylvia’s shoulders straightened visibly.
Sighs of relief and small cheers spread among the students.
I mentally gave a thumbs up.
Nice, Sylvia. You’re the best.
I had already begun tracing the shortest path to the cafeteria in my mind.
"Appreciation acknowledged. I will record your flexible mindset in my data—"
"However."
Beatrice’s voice lowered, cutting Sylvia off.
The room froze again.
"I’ll give you an assignment. By next week’s first class, draw the most valuable thing in this academy."
The most valuable thing?
"To some, it may be gold. To others, love. I don’t care about format or medium. But anyone who fails to satisfy my eyes will be expelled from Class A immediately."
With that, Beatrice left the room without hesitation.
Chaos erupted instantly.
"What’s the most valuable thing? A historic sculpture?"
"The chancellor’s portrait? Or ancient manuscripts in the central library?"
While everyone panicked, I sat quietly.
What’s valuable?
Ancient relics? Famous statues?
Or maybe a single strand of hair on a bald head?
For me, the most valuable thing is taking a nap in bed.
Or that 20% discount steak from earlier.
But if I drew that, Beatrice might snap my neck.
Then—
"Ugh..."
A groan came from beside me.
"...Error detected."
"I told you to just stay still."
Sylvia had collapsed into her seat, frozen like a statue.
"I had planned early dismissal for data analysis, but instead received an unexpected high-difficulty quest. Risk management failure. Self-destruction probability rising again."
Should I just let her self-destruct?
As I seriously considered it, she slammed her forehead against the desk again.
Clang!
The same crisp sound echoed.
The heart bandage crumpled pitifully.
"Pain level… nine…"
That looked painful.
Her bandages won’t survive at this rate.
After that brief observation, I stood up.
"Top student Ian! Where are you going? Requesting cooperation!"
Sylvia grabbed my sleeve, tears welling in her eyes.
"I’m going to eat lunch."
"Lunch? In this emergency situation, you prioritize energy intake? Is your brain designed purely for survival instincts?"
She stared at me in disbelief, still clutching my sleeve.
"Is it really an emergency? It’s just an assignment. Are you going to skip meals for it?"
"Of course. Efficient time allocation—"
Grrrrr—
Silence.
The sound came from Sylvia’s stomach.
Her logic collapsed instantly.
She froze, ears turning red.
I pretended not to notice.
"You need food for your brain to function."
"..."
She hesitated, then stood.
"Valid argument. Nutritional deficiency impairs judgment. I will accompany you."
Just say you’re hungry.
She neatly packed her tools, though her small shoulders flinched under the weight.
Outside, the autumn wind brushed my face.
Steak with a 20% discount—or the cafeteria’s beef rice bowl?
"Slight inefficiency detected. You have been staring blankly for 15 seconds."
Sylvia took out her notebook beside me.
"I’m deciding what to eat. Do you like steak?"
"From a nutritional standpoint, protein and fat contribute to brain function. However, my budget does not allocate for dining out."
"I have a discount coupon."
I showed her the pamphlet.
Her eyes shook violently.
"...From a cost-efficiency perspective, this is optimal. Acceptance probability: 100%."
Good. She’s reasonable.
Just as I was about to head to the restaurant—
"Ian—!!"
Of course.
"Where did you disappear to after the ceremony?! I waited 30 minutes!"
Yuki stormed over.
"My lady, I said I’d check my class assignment."
"Silence! If your sponsor waits, you’re supposed to run to them immediately!"
She spoke arrogantly, but her fingers gripping my sleeve trembled slightly.
She must’ve been upset.
"Sorry. My class ended early, so I went to eat."
"Analyzing situation."
Sylvia peeked out from behind me.
Yuki’s gaze sharpened.
"Who is this? And what’s with that ridiculous heart bandage?"
Sylvia frowned slightly.
"Report. Yuki von Castel. Voice exceeds 80 decibels. Emotional control malfunction suspected. I am Sylvia Laurent, second rank of the Arts Department. I have agreed to share lunch and observational data with top student Ian."
"What?! Agreed? Who do you think you are? Ian is my—my sponsored student!"
Yuki looked ready to draw her sword.
"Additional observation. Possessiveness exceeds measurable limits. Illogical monopoly detected. Ian, surviving in such an environment is impressive."
"Y-you—!"
Before things escalated—
"Oh my, what are you all doing here?"
A warm, buttery scent.
Lil appeared, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.
"Lil?"
"Now, Lady Yuki, don’t make such a scary face. You’ll frighten Ian."
She adjusted my clothes gently.
"You must be tired. Let’s get you something good to eat."
"I already planned to eat steak with this coupon."
Lil looked slightly disappointed, then smiled.
"Then I’ll join you. I can’t let you go alone."
"...Hey! Lil! Why are you coming?!"
And so—
The four of us went to the steakhouse together.
Lil laid a napkin on my lap, wiped utensils, adjusted everything.
"Do you want cold or warm water? I’ll adjust it."
"I’m fine."
Yuki slammed her spoon down.
"Hey! Are you his parent? Stop it!"
Meanwhile, Sylvia calmly analyzed the menu.
"Correction. My name is Sylvia Laurent. The bandage is a protective device."
Perfect timing.
The steak arrived.
Sizzle—
Silence fell.
I cut a piece and placed it in Sylvia’s mouth.
"Food insertion confirmed…"
Ah, peace.
I finally took a bite.
...It’s good.