Chapter 159: The Last Nemesis Before Summer Vacation (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 159: The Last Nemesis Before Summer Vacation (1)
After finishing the post-incident cleanup, Leilan Claudia sat alone in her room, lost in thought.
It was a dilemma so absurd that she couldn’t bring herself to consult anyone about it.
The scenes from the previous day were still vivid in her mind. The overwhelming presence displayed by the masked villain was not something one could easily forget.
Though not everyone had escaped unscathed, he had saved the cadets she thought were beyond saving. Moreover, he had toyed with a formidable demon as if it were a mere plaything.
But what shocked her most was his reason for intervening.
— Don’t you find it unsightly?
Her heart gave a small flutter at the memory of that indifferent voice.
In all the long years she had lived, this was a first.
She tried to deny it as a misunderstanding, but the more she did, the more clearly his image rose before her eyes.
“…Really, at my age.”
Of course, she wouldn’t let personal feelings interfere with her duties. She was an S-rank Hero and the Chairperson responsible for Leilan Academy.
— The world still needs you. It would be a bit troublesome for me if you went and died or got hurt recklessly.
…How many people had ever treated her so flippantly? Even the teacher who had overseen her education when she was a young child hadn’t dared to speak to her like that.
And once she grew up and began fulfilling her responsibilities as a High Elf, it became unthinkable.
She remembered the sensation of his gloved hand gripping her throat.
It was a sensation that should have been unpleasant, yet her heart had pounded fiercely.
“…I didn’t think these were the kind of emotions I was destined to feel.”
Suddenly, she recalled a dear friend who had once bashfully confessed to falling in love with a cadet.
“…No, it’s not that I like him. I’m just interested because of his unique background and the unusual circumstances.”
Even to her own ears, it was a pathetic excuse.
“No, if I truly thought it was nothing, I wouldn’t be moping around like this by myself.”
Though she lacked personal experience, she had lived long enough to understand the nature of romantic affection. She also possessed the ability to view herself objectively.
And she was clearly beginning to harbor something more than mere curiosity toward the masked villain.
But why? What about him drew her in so strongly?
She had lived a long life but had never considered romance. There had never been a suitable partner, and as a High Elf, she couldn’t choose a mate lightly.
She had never felt this way toward other elves, nor toward other heroes.
…Of course, back when she was young and naive and first encountered human culture, she had briefly been infatuated with the ‘bad boy’ trope. But that was a story from her immature days, and she hadn’t been attracted to a villain since.
Unaware of the simple fact that there was a vast difference between a mere villain and a ‘bad boy’ persona, she continued to agonize through the night.
* * *
My body feels strangely hot and damp.
Did I have another nightmare?
It’s possible, considering I killed someone for the first time in a while.
It’s a damnably cruel nightmare.
It shows me the people I miss, making them feel so close I could reach out and touch them.
I’d rather they resent me. If they scolded me, tormented me, and mocked me, I could at least apologize.
But looking at them as they continue to smile at me makes my heart ache. Paralyzed by guilt, I can’t even bring myself to reach out; we just stare at each other from an awkward distance.
It’s okay. It’s just a dream. Everything will be fine when I wake up.
I tried to pull myself together, but the moment I saw my mother’s face, my emotions crumbled.
I’ll protect everyone this time. I came back to do just that, so I won’t ever give up.
So… so…
I had to say something, but the words wouldn’t leave my mouth.
* * *
Something cool and pleasant brushed against my head.
The hair that had been unpleasantly stuck to my forehead with sweat was brushed aside, and a light breeze cooled my skin.
Am I still in the dream? I need to wake up soon.
“So-hyun, are you okay? Did something happen with Ga-eul yesterday?”
…I feel like someone used to do this for me a long time ago.
Ah, right. Back when I used to hide my pain, my mother would notice and do this for me.
I thought I shouldn’t act like a spoiled child, but she would always appear like a ghost to take care of me.
Even though she was hurting too.
Is she here? That can’t be right.
Oh, right. This is a dream, isn’t it? Then I guess it’s possible.
Hehe, this is nice. It’s been a long time. I have so much I want to tell you.
It hurt so much. I was in so much pain.
It felt so unbearable that I lived in denial. I knew I shouldn’t, but I felt like I couldn’t survive otherwise.
I did a lot of bad things, and I have so many regrets, but I came back to try again, even if it’s late.
Even if the things I did can’t be erased, I can at least apologize. Even if I want to run away, I’m going to do my best this time.
So, you know, Mom.
Don’t forgive me.
“…M…om.”
“…Huh? Mom? What are you talking about, So-hyun? I’m…”
“Hehe, Mom, I’m sorry. I know. I know I messed up. You can scold me later…”
I grabbed the hand that was trying to pull away in surprise.
“It’s okay if it’s a dream. Please don’t go yet. Just a moment. Just a little longer. I think I’ll be okay if you stay just a little longer. Please stay with me for a bit.”
The stiffened arm gradually relaxed, and a hand began to softly stroke my forehead again.
“…Okay, So-hyun. Mom isn’t going anywhere.”
It was a gentle voice.
It sounded a bit different from my mother’s, but I figured that was just because it was a dream.
“Really? I’m just going to sleep a little more and wake up soon… so you can’t go anywhere.”
“Of course. Is there anything you want to eat? Mom will have it ready.”
Haha, she can’t even cook, but since it’s a dream, I guess I can ask for this much.
If I said anything was fine, she’d laugh as if she were troubled.
If I said I didn’t need anything, she’d pout and say I was being mean.
“Actually, there were a lot of things I wanted to eat. But I didn’t think I should say it. So… um… omurice. I… I like omurice.”
The first omurice I ever had was just a poor imitation—plain rice topped with a thin egg garnish and ketchup—but it was the most delicious thing in the world.
“…Is that so? Mom will make it for you. Get some sleep, son.”
“Really? You promise? Good. That’s good. But I shouldn’t fall asleep, or else… again…”
“It’s okay. Mom isn’t going anywhere, so you can sleep.”
“…Liar. You’re a liar. I know you’re not her. But thank you anyway. I’ll sleep just a little more and wake up again.”
Ah, right. I should have said I love her.
Even if she said she wouldn’t go anywhere, there’s no way that’s true.
I’m so sleepy.
* * *
“What the…?”
When I woke up, my body felt strangely light.
I remembered having a nightmare halfway through, but upon waking, I felt oddly refreshed.
“…You’re up?”
“Yeah. But Ha-ni, have you been crying?”
She had been fine when we returned after the incident yesterday, but now her eyes were swollen as if she’d been crying.
“Huh?! I didn’t cry! No! I didn’t! Why would I cry!?”
“No, I just thought your eyes looked a bit puffy…?”
Then again, what could have happened in that short time to make her cry?
“Breakfast is omurice.”
“Oh, that’s great. But didn’t you say we were having short rib patties this morning? You said the frozen ones were going to go bad soon.”
“…I saw we were running low on eggs. Just eat what I give you.”
“…What are you talking about? We just bought eggs. Well, I like both, so it doesn’t matter.”
I sliced into the soft, half-cooked egg of the omurice, revealing chicken fried rice sautéed in ketchup.
“Whoa, it’s chicken rice? This must have been hard to make.”
“…Not as hard as what you’ve been through.”
“What do you mean? I was just having a great sleep until now.”
“Ugh, never mind! There’s just… stuff! Anyway, let’s just eat!”
As I ate the omurice with Ha-ni, whose eyes were still strangely red, she kept vowing to make it for me again every time I said it was delicious.
Seriously, what is up with her today?
* * *
“Ah, so that’s how it was settled yesterday?”
I feigned curiosity as Lilac explained the events of yesterday’s incident.
“So they didn’t catch that masked villain?”
“…Yeah. He really seems like an incredible person. I didn’t expect him to escape from that situation.”
Actually, he’s not that incredible. He’s sitting right in front of you.
“But honestly, I don’t think he’s such a bad person. Our first impression of him was the worst, but thinking back, a lot of people would have died both this time and last time if it weren’t for him.”
Ha-ni suddenly spoke up in defense of the villain.
Lilac seemed to be deep in thought and remained silent for a moment before nodding.
“That’s true. But considering he calls himself a villain, he might not be entirely good.”
“Right, right. If someone with that kind of power is playing villain, he must have some ulterior motive.”
I nodded along, casually agreeing with Lilac.
“…Still, don’t you think a day might come when we can fight on the same side? With his strength, we could surely save so many more people.”
Well, I’ll never stand on the same side as the ‘masked villain,’ but I will do my best to make sure as few people die as possible.
“Then all that’s left is to find out which organization was behind it?”
“Right. They said that since the demon was defeated, it’s basically over.”
No, it’s not over yet. That demon might be dead, but since he failed, the Demon King will just send others up.
Eventually, when all the demons fail, he will come up himself.
Belphegor, the Demon King of Sloth.
He is the boss of the academy’s first year, and the point where my original sin—the one that truly ruined everything before my regression—began.
This time will be different.
I’ve held onto all the bonds I once rejected. This time, I haven’t abandoned anyone.
Perhaps finding the brief silence uncomfortable, Ga-eul spoke up with a bright smile.
“Oh, but once finals are over, it’s summer vacation!?”
Ah, right. I have to take finals now, don’t I?
But unlike me, who was focused on the exams, the others seemed much more interested in the keyword ‘summer vacation.’
“Ah, that’s right. It’s already vacation time. That was fast.”
“Fast?! I feel like it’s taking forever!”
Ga-eul shook her head as if exasperated by Lilac’s laughing response.
“Hehe, what is everyone doing for vacation!?”
“I plan to return to my family home and focus on training.”
“I’m going to join Yu-hak.”
Cheon Yu-hak and Ju Ri-ra… well, that figures. Try to make some progress in your relationship during the break, will you?
“I’ll stop by my family home, but I think I’ll be back at the academy pretty soon.”
“I don’t have any particular plans other than greeting Lilac’s parents.”
Hmm, sounds about right for everyone.
“I don’t have much planned either. I’m just going to head to the beach for a bit due to some circumstances.”
To be precise, I’m going to a dungeon located at the sea, but they wouldn’t react well if I said that.
“…The beach!?”
Ga-eul took the bait.
“Huh? What? Who are you going with?”
“Hmm? Oh, I was just going to go by myself. It’s not like I’ll be gone for long.”
“What?! No way! If you’re going for fun, let’s all go together!”
“She’s right, So-hyun. It’d be nice if we all went. Or is it something serious?”
“It’s not that, I just thought you guys might find it a hassle if I asked everyone to come.”
Mm-hmm, everything is going smoothly. The biting is so good, they’ll be hooked in no time.
No backing out, okay? We’re going together until the end.
“The beach. It might be nice for me to go once in a while too.”
If Cheon Yu-hak goes, Ju Ri-ra is a package deal.
“…If Lilac is going, I’m in too.”
Lee Yu-na was a given. The problem was Ha-ni…
“If everyone else is going, I guess I’ll go too.”
…Seriously, haven’t you been a bit too eager to go on trips lately?
“Then it sounds like everyone has plans for the first week. Shall we aim for the second week?”
“Oh, that sounds lovely. I’ll have some free time then as well.”
“Really? Then… huh? What the.”
Everyone turned toward the voice that had suddenly cut in. Aisha was standing there.
Lee Yu-na glared at her with eyes full of hostility.
“…What are you doing here?”
“Ah, don’t be so guarded. I didn’t come for Lilac today.”
Ignoring everyone’s stares, Aisha strode toward me.
“You certainly made a clever escape last time, didn’t you? Did you not realize things would turn out like this at the academy?”
She applied light pressure to my chin with her finger, tilting my head up as she began to scrutinize every inch of my face.
“…What do you think you’re doing?”
“You’re about to become my property. Shouldn’t I inspect you thoroughly?”
…Ah.
Shit.
I felt the temperature in the classroom drop by about two degrees.