Planning the Escape to Imanitus
"First, we'll head back to our clan's residence. And wait until my name fades from memory."
"Teacher..."
"What?"
"Let's think about this realistically. Running away won't solve a damn thing. We need to face reality pro...perly..."
Facing reality, huh...
Not words I should be saying.
"What's with that face? You look weird."
"It's nothing. Anyway, shouldn't we head back soon?"
"Already? This is the first break I've had in three days."
"You haven't rested once in three days?"
"Yeah. Interviews, broadcasts, video shoots, announcements, revising documents... I haven't slept a wink. I'm exhausted now."
Olivia spread out on the spot and lay down.
What was I supposed to do with this immature kid?
I just said what came to mind.
"Then you stay here and live, Olivia! Mom's gotta go!"
"Mother?!"
She reacted to the word "mom."
Come to think of it, she'd mentioned her mother was famous.
"Now that I think about it, you ran away from home, right? What if you go back to the residence?"
"W-well...?"
"They probably won't let you out again, right?"
"...Yeah, probably."
"So we need to handle this properly inside Prism, don't we?"
"But it's too hard..."
Olivia whined.
Thinking about it, yeah, it probably was tough.
I sure as hell couldn't do it.
Maybe it was best to just let her relax like this.
But she couldn't vanish like this again.
"How about hiding out at Latynia's mansion for a while?"
"No way. I'm staying right here."
"Come on, don't be like that. There are others outside—go say hi."
"This place is the most comfortable."
"It's inconvenient for me. Come on, let's go out."
"No! You don't know how persistent those mage bastards are. Unless you leave Prism, they'll sniff you out in less than a day."
She must've been hounded relentlessly.
Unless you leave Prism, they'll find you right away...
Meaning, just leave Prism.
Perfect. I had a plan.
"Olivia. Can you get to the dean without being spotted?"
"Yeah. There's a passage connected."
"Then go tell the dean you're going dark for a month. I'll set up a hideout in the meantime."
"Got it."
Olivia agreed readily.
But she was still glued to the floor, not budging.
"Olivia? You said okay."
"Just a bit longer. I'm really tired."
"Jeez... fine."
She'd been through hell, so I'd let her have her way.
I sat on the floor and rested her head on my thigh.
Olivia looked up at me with a confused expression.
"Not making me go right now?"
"You've been through a lot. Just take a nap first."
"Yeah. Thanks."
Olivia nestled against my thigh and closed her eyes.
I stroked her hair until she fell asleep.
I figured she'd sleep all day since she hadn't rested in three days, but surprisingly, Olivia woke up quickly.
Once awake, she tossed me back to the mansion and vanished.
In the drawing room, only Latynia—with her rabbit-wide eyes—and I remained.
"Dojun? That was..."
"I told you, someone I know."
"Instructor Olivia? She could've just come normally—why sneak in so suspiciously?"
"She said she'd get dragged off if spotted, so she came in secret."
"And the method was hiding in that shady orb?"
"Probably tried to sneak in invisibly but got caught."
Someone must've reported her before she even arrived and left.
Likely tripped the mansion guards and had to reveal herself.
"I see."
"She said it was too much and wanted to run. So, could you help, Latynia?"
"Me? Not to brag, but I don't have much pull."
"It's something only you can do."
I planned to flee to the Imanitus Continent.
She was a princess, after all—bound to have connections.
I figured Latynia could pull it off.
I explained my idea to her.
"To our kingdom?"
"If it's too hard, no big deal."
"No, it might work. Though it doesn't look great..."
Doesn't look great?
Latynia must have some backstory too.
Makes sense—why else come to Prism?
"Then forget I said anything."
"No! I'm interested in Instructor Olivia too. I'll figure something out."
"Thanks, Latynia."
"No, I'm interested myself."
Latynia started tapping her smartwatch.
After contacting someone, she hurriedly prepared to go out.
Now changed into outing clothes, Latynia urged me on.
"Dojun? Hurry and get ready to go."
"...Where?"
"Someone to meet. They'll help."
Latynia's connections were shining through.
But why me?
I'd brought it up, so I'd tag along, but...
I changed roughly and followed Latynia out of the mansion.
She headed for Prism's main building.
With the semester over, who would even be there?
"Latynia, who are we meeting?"
"The dean. She helped a ton when I came to Prism."
"The dean...?"
Han Myeong-sin might still be at the main building.
If we went to the dean's office now, Olivia would be there too.
Sounded good.
"What's wrong? If the dean's inconvenient..."
"No, it's not that. Just unexpected."
"I see. You'll think differently once you meet her. She's softer than she seems."
I knew that.
And that she talked a lot more than expected.
We arrived at the dean's office, rehearsing what to say.
Latynia went to knock, but I just opened the door and went in.
"Dojun?!"
As expected, Dean Han Myeong-sin and Olivia sat facing each other.
The dean gazed at Olivia approvingly, while Olivia fidgeted unlike her usual self.
Hadn't talked yet?
"Hello, Dean."
"Cadet Shin Do-jun? Didn't expect you. Hm? Oh ho..."
The dean eyed me curiously upon entry, then nodded as Latynia followed.
"Didn't know you were the one Latynia mentioned bringing. Sit, for now."
I sat next to Olivia.
Naturally, Latynia sat beside me too.
...Tight fit.
"Um, Latynia...? Isn't this spot a bit cramped? The other side's wider."
"We agreed not to call me that."
"But even the dean says 'Latynia-nim.' How could I..."
Even someone as impressive as the dean called her Latynia-nim.
Thinking about it, Ji-ah called her Latynia-ssi, Ruphus said Latynia-nim, and the mystery guard called her Your Highness.
Only Vivian and I called her without honorifics.
"Anyway! No honorifics!"
"If our princess says so, sure."
"Princess is banned too!"
"You two get along so well."
"N-no, it's not..."
The dean spoke with her signature warm smile.
Latynia belatedly realized the dean was there and flushed.
Olivia watched enviously.
Once the awkward atmosphere settled, I spoke up.
As the one who'd started this, I should explain.
"Dean, how much has Olivia told you?"
"Oh ho. Calling her Olivia? You're close, I see."
"Dean..."
"Ahem. Sorry. How much... nothing yet."
As expected, Olivia hadn't brought it up.
Had we come too soon?
Actually, perfect. No guarantee Olivia would explain well.
I slowly laid it out for the dean.
Her expression shifted constantly as the story unfolded—quite the sight.
"...So that's the situation. Instead of vanishing without a word again, we came to ask if she could take refuge on the Imanitus Continent until next semester."
"Hence Cadet Shin Do-jun's visit."
"Yes."
"It might come off as just running away again."
"Perfect timing since Latynia's a prin—er, princess. We release a press statement saying the princess took interest and brought her back home."
"Didn't Latynia-nim want to keep her identity low-key?"
"It's fine. If it helps Dojun..."
"Is that so? Oh ho... hmm..."
Dean Han Myeong-sin started calculating something.
Seemed serious, but her glancing at Olivia midway felt off.
This old lady...
"A few methods come to mind."
"Really? Could you share?"
"First, what's your combat prowess like?"
My combat level?
Last time with that post-Hitler Kim whatever, the machine broke—unmeasurable.
But I'd never actually fought...
"Hero Association's gauge shattered, so couldn't measure. Never really fought, so not sure if I can use it properly."
"Hm... I see."
"Why my level?"
"Your plan has issues. The biggest one..."
"Biggest one?"
"Would Olivia really go to Imanitus without you?"
I turned to Olivia at the question.
She was visibly shaken.
"She's an adult—she'll manage, right?"
"Adult? Olivia hasn't even had her coming-of-age rite. Still a child."
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
That appearance, a minor? Come on.
Couldn't make sense of it.
"Misunderstanding. Witches mature slowly, rite later than other heteromorphs. She bolted before hers."
"That's slow growth?"
"Mental growth. Physically over twenty by human standards—adult enough. But mentally, needs at least ten more years."
"That makes sense."
Olivia really was just a big kid.
Explained all her reactions so far.
Then what about her personality flip during sex?
"Anyway, you'd have to go with her, but no pretext."
"Yeah, that's a problem if I go too."
"And you're not going alone, right? Hence, new identity needed."
"That's why you asked my level."
"Simplest: mercenary. Old comrade still active—easy to form a ghost mercenary unit with his help."
"Good to keep in mind. What's the other method?"
"The other is..."