Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Entrance Ceremony (3)
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At the appearance of a figure she'd only seen in books, Noah stared at him blankly, her mouth hanging open.
"As expected of the Iron-Blood Chancellor. His aura is on another level."
Should she call it charisma?
He was a man who effortlessly drew everyone's eyes to him.
Noah watched him with faint curiosity, but the moment their gazes met, she hurriedly looked away.
'Did he just look at me?'
No, it had to be her imagination.
She'd just happened to catch his eye as she glanced over.
"Anyway, Sis really showed up..."
"Pardon? What was that?"
"Oh, nothing at all."
Camella muttered softly upon spotting Iris next to the Iron-Blood Chancellor, drawing Noah's attention.
Camella brushed it off with a faint smile.
Noah nodded and turned back to the Iron-Blood Chancellor—only to meet his eyes again and whip her head away in a panic.
'Is he looking at me?'
No, no, no.
That was way too much self-consciousness.
Why would the leader of a nation be staring at her, of all people!
Right, it was just another accidental glance.
Proof? If she looked back now...
'He's walking straight toward me—!?'
The Iron-Blood Chancellor marched directly toward Noah.
Noah jolted in shock.
At the same time, Camella beside her froze, her composure cracking into utter bewilderment.
"Um, Noah? Unless my eyes are playing tricks, the Iron-Blood Chancellor is heading our way, right?"
"M-Maybe it's a mistake?"
He could just be passing by, couldn't he?
But Noah's hopes were dashed as the Iron-Blood Chancellor stopped right in front of her.
"H-Huh, heh, heh heh..."
"C-Calm down, Noah! Deep breaths! Take deep breaths!"
Camella hurriedly soothed Noah, who was trembling like a newborn lamb, trying desperately to bring her back to normal.
Was it thanks to her efforts?
Noah finally regained her wits and faced the Iron-Blood Chancellor standing before her.
Sensing her gaze, he spoke first.
"A pleasure to meet you. Do you have a moment for a chat?"
"Uh, eek! O-Of course!"
She bit her tongue mid-reply, grimacing as she answered.
"Thank you! I've long wanted to speak with the hero who saved Academy City."
"Eek!"
Hero?
It was far too grand a title for a mere freshman like her.
"H-Hero? I don't deserve such a word!"
"Nonsense! You saved the city from crisis—who could deny you're a hero? Even as an aspiring hero, throwing yourself into the fray makes you a true one!"
"...!"
The Iron-Blood Chancellor showered her with praise out of nowhere, gilding her name.
Her face flushed crimson with embarrassment in an instant.
'Ugh...!'
She wanted to argue back, but against him, she couldn't muster the words—a frustrating bind!
The principal standing beside him broke the tension.
"Ho ho, the Chancellor's right, dear. Wielding your blade against the demons deserves every accolade, reckless courage or not."
That's how heroes are born, after all.
She added with a smile, watching Noah flounder amid the endless compliments, clearly amused.
Meanwhile, off to the side as the group lavished Noah with praise, another reunion unfolded.
"Sis!"
"...Mari?"
"I've missed you, Iris Sis!"
"How did you... No, more importantly, stay back a bit."
"His Majesty ordered me to hide my identity and enroll. I'm scouting talent on the down-low right now."
"Sigh... Father, really. He could've at least told me if there was a plan like that."
In truth, Camella had been instructed to contact Iris upon arriving in the city and enlist her help—but she'd forgotten amid the chaos.
"It must be super secretive, that's why. His Majesty surely had his reasons."
"You're right. He's never acted without a plan."
Iris glanced at Noah as she spoke.
"Still, color me surprised. Who knew you'd be with Noah?"
"Oh, you knew? Truth is, he's someone I've been keeping tabs on..."
"Of course I know. Noah's the heir of the Premier County, after all."
"...Huh?"
Camella's smug expression lasted only a moment.
At Iris's words, she gaped, then cycled through a rainbow of emotions as realization dawned.
"What? You already knew?"
"O-Of course! Naturally, I approached him knowing full well!"
What had been a casual glance now twisted into premeditated intent in a heartbeat.
"The son of the famous 'Hero of Light.' I'd naturally gathered intel on Sir Noah."
"...Son? Right, more importantly, be careful. Blood will out—Noah will shine soon enough."
So keep up the friendship steadily and deftly fend off foreign advances.
Iris continued, eyeing Camella's dazed grin with concern.
"Remember this: Noah is vital to our Viheight Kingdom. Losing her would be a national tragedy."
"O-Of course! I'll swat away any hands reaching for Noah—don't worry!"
"...Good. If anything tough comes up, come to me anytime."
Iris stepped back subtly, avoiding facing Camella directly, then flicked her gaze to Camella's chest before turning away sharply.
"...Tch!"
Missing Iris's muffled grunt as she left, Camella turned a new gaze on Noah.
'Noah's the son of the Premier family? From the Hero of Light's lineage...?'
Camella remembered.
The tale of the Hero of Light from her childhood fairy tales.
The hero who overcame countless trials to slay the Demon King!
Who was she kidding?
'Sir Alex's son!'
Camella was a die-hard fan of the Hero of Light, Alex.
───
Finally escaping the Iron-Blood Chancellor's grasp, Noah let out a weary sigh laced with exhaustion.
"I ended up accepting even this..."
The crude stone shoved into her hand as a "gift."
What she'd thought was a cheap mana stone turned out to be a priceless artifact.
A rare purification artifact, no less!
It cleansed potent poisons, mana addiction, and heavy demonic energy alike—a superb item!
"Ugh... My stomach, my stomach hurts..."
Clutching her throbbing belly, Noah vented her extreme stress.
Handed over with such a cheerful smile—she'd assumed it was junk!
Typical Iron-Blood Chancellor—even his gifts were extraordinary.
"I'm done. Whatever, it's scary."
She had no clue why such a powerhouse was interested in her.
And why no one around him stopped it.
Was this chump change to him?
A purification artifact as a casual gift?
...For real?
"But he's the head of Dongriam, right? He probably gave it without a second thought."
"Yeah, probably..."
Her escapism was short-lived.
Camella's voice snapped her back, and Noah sighed deeply in resignation.
At least his schedule whisked him away quickly.
'Any longer, and I'd have fainted on the spot!'
An exaggeration, but not far off.
In that sense, she owed the principal thanks for suggesting that surprise speech.
"Ahem."
Right on cue, a familiar-faced instructor ascended the podium.
"Ahh, a pleasure to meet you all. Freshmen of Slaine, esteemed parents and guests. I am Yi Hwa-ryeon, Cadet Division Chief here at Slaine."
It was the instructor from the entrance exam.
But Noah didn't recognize her at first.
Her look was too different.
"My goodness..."
Camella gasped beside her upon seeing the instructor.
'She's a whole different person?'
The wild red bob was neatly trimmed.
Her worn gym clothes replaced by a crisp suit.
Even the ratty slippers swapped for pricey shoes.
To freshmen who knew her old self, it was pure cognitive dissonance.
How long did that daze last?
Lost in a dreamlike haze, a powerful presence suddenly jolted Noah alert.
"That man is..."
And she saw him.
A radiant man ascending the podium slowly.
A lofty emperor clad head to toe in gold.
His domineering aura scattered about him as he gripped the podium mic.
"Mm."
His robust frame, unmarred by the ornate garb, filled her vision—
"Indeed, I am the Emperor."
"...!"
His gaze locked precisely on one spot.
"But that empty title won't impress you much."
Ignoring all other freshmen.
"So allow me to reintroduce myself."
He tore up the script his aide had prepared.
"The Hero of Light who felled the former Demon King. As a member of his party, the tank who fought alongside him to vanquish the Demon King."
With a blooming smile.
"That is who I am."
He stared straight at Noah.