Wrapping Things Up (2)
Rana's grandfather, Ratral Heytald, looked utterly drained after just one night. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and he seemed completely sapped of energy.
“……”
He said nothing, so I ignored him and kept walking. I'd always thought well of him. Even judging by how he treated me as the caretaker, he exuded a dignity that went beyond mere kindness—something rare in others. But this 8-circle mage, on the verge of ascending to the transcendent realm alongside the gods, was bowing his head in a way that irked me.
Sure, he was still mortal and couldn't casually break contracts yet, but he was at a level where he could at least try. And yet Ratral had blocked my path without a second thought—even after seeing his granddaughter slung over my back.
“Is Rana… all right?”
I didn't even want to exchange basic words, but I paused and answered. After all, he had a right to know her condition.
“She'll be up and running around by tomorrow.”
“That's a relief…”
I had no idea what he'd been up to that left him so drained. I did all the hard work.
Ratral fell silent for a long while. Then, much later, he finally spoke.
“What… should I have done?”
His words left me exasperated instead. It wasn't worth answering, but I did anyway. Leaving it like this might let darkness fester in his heart.
“Professor, you've lived longer than me and stand at a higher level. Surely you can judge that for yourself.”
The right course of action in that situation had been obvious—blindingly so.
Ratral's voice trembled with self-recrimination.
“Even if it meant giving up everything… you mean I should have saved Rana?”
“I wouldn't go that far. But you shouldn't have stood in my way.”
I'd figured he'd make way for his granddaughter's sake, even at personal cost. That's why I'd tried talking first instead of forcing through. It hadn't panned out as expected, of course.
I continued in a cold tone.
“Especially here, you should have done your utmost as a professor to help a student.”
Guide and protect students as an educator. That was the oath every Tianis professor took upon appointment. Ratral had broken it.
A deep shadow fell over his face. Then, slowly, he spoke.
“…I'm sorry.”
A single small apology. I shot back with sarcasm.
“Save it for Rana herself.”
She'd probably comfort her grandpa anyway. Sometimes I worried about her—she knew when to get mad, but she could be too soft.
“As a professor sworn to protect students, I've committed a grave sin against you.”
“Forget it. Water under the bridge.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“This is my fault. If I could, I'd kneel right now.”
His expression was resolute. He looked ready to do something drastic. Of course, I had zero interest in a professor—someone old enough to be my elder—doing that.
“I'm warning you now: don't.”
“That's not it. Letting you go like this weighs too heavily on my conscience. If you're willing to accept it, I'd grant you a wish. Would that be all right?”
Huh? That was unexpected.
“This isn't about seeking forgiveness. As a professor, I want to commend the courage and sacrifice of student Kyle Arden with a proper reward.”
At least it wouldn't hurt me. I needed something anyway—this worked out perfectly.
“Hmm… how far can you go?”
“Just below the headmaster's authority. Pretty much anything reasonable.”
“Can you restore my academy facility access?”
“No problem. Skipping multiple levels is impossible, but bumping me up one? Easy.”
Perfect. That was exactly what I wanted.
“Then just restore my facility usage rights.”
“Such a modest wish. With my authority, I could open the academy warehouse and let you take whatever you want.”
“Do I look like someone who covets elixirs or magic tools?”
“Fair point. At your level, they'd be useless anyway.”
Still, Ratral seemed unsatisfied with that alone.
“But we can't end it there. Twice. I'll grant two requests.”
“I doubt I'll need the second, but sure.”
“And I'll put in a word with the other professors so you can rest this week.”
“No need for that…”
“No, I heard from the World Tree. You pushed yourself saving Rana.”
Tch, that busybody. Fine, if it was official permission to skip lectures, I welcomed it.
“I'll head in now.”
With that, our talk wrapped up, and I returned to the dorm. Behind me, Ratral murmured softly.
“…Take good care of Rana.”
“I was planning to anyway.”
I tossed back a casual reply and went inside. There, Rana greeted me.
“Kyle! I'm hungry!”
“That's why I brought food.”
We three spent the day in the dorm.
I'd expected my request to take at least two days, but it was done in one. The next day, I got a message to visit the Student Council Hall for rights renewal. I went straight there and got it sorted.
“Surprisingly fast.”
I hadn't thought it'd happen so quickly. Facility access outside the dorm could be renewed mid-semester with a professor's recommendation—but mine was revoked due to the trial. Even Ratral's influence wouldn't make it easy. He'd probably pulled some serious strings.
It also meant the academy trusted him that much. He'd devoted decades as a professor, and he was impeccably honest. Any other prof might've been accused of bribery and shot down.
Now I had department facility access and a free week from lectures. Perfect timing to hit the library with Rana for exam prep.
“Hehe, the library with Kyle…”
“You like it that much?”
“Yeah, I love it!”
On the way to the library, Rana beamed. The path wasn't peaceful, though. Just one day after Rana vanished and returned, the academy was in an uproar. By the time we reached the central area, hundreds of students swarmed us. Dozens more tried prying them off. The momentum was so fierce that Rana, me, my summons, and even Elraim had to push back the crowd.
Even after the princess explained, weird rumors were flying. Something about me brainwashing Rana? Close enough.
Rana worked hard to clear up the misunderstandings. We ended up stuck at the department grounds for nearly an hour.
“Whew… what a mess just to get to the library.”
“Worse than orientation…”
Both Rana and I were wiped out. I'd braced for this, but the scale was beyond expectations.
I advised her.
“Never disappear without a word again. I can't deal with this crap twice.”
“Yeah… this isn't good…”
Even Rana—who loved people—agreed for once. She was right; no one would welcome a repeat.
Then Elraim chimed in.
“Young master, you're exaggerating. Back at the estate, crowds like this were the norm—far bigger.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. During territory events in your childhood, nearly every resident rushed to see you. Not anymore, though.”
“Sis, Kyle did that?”
“Yes, Rana. Back then, he had softer eyes—quite cute.”
“Quit with the nonsense.”
I shut down the tangent and headed to the library. My first visit since transmigrating. The Tianis Library was massive, befitting its vast collection—about 1.5 times the size of the entrance ceremony arena. The academy's largest building.
“Kyle, ever been to the library?”
“Probably not.”
The original delinquent had zero interest in studying. Maybe once after enrollment? Who knows.
“Don't even know how to enter? Here, follow me.”
Like teaching a kid—or a newbie freshman—Rana tapped her wristwatch on the magic device to the right of the entrance, passing through the mana barrier.
“Like this.”
“Think I'd mess that up?”
The method was familiar. Tianis had modern touches—like the smartwatch vibe of the wrist devices, another invention of the founding emperor. I entered the same way. Elraim just walked in; she had special enchantments.
“So you did know.”
“What do you take me for?”
“A student who built a wall against studying and never set foot here?”
“…Fair.”
No good comeback. Anyway, department facilities worked like this. With exams looming, the library was packed. Floors 1 through 3 were full, 4 at 90%. We headed to 5.
“Over here!”
Rana led the way, keeping her voice and steps quiet. The moment we sat at an empty spot:
“Huh? Kyle-hyung? Here to study?”
Evan's group popped up beside us. He had a knack for showing up at the right times. After quick greetings, I told Evan:
“Evan, starting tomorrow, come straight to my dorm after lectures.”
“Huh? Fine by me, but don't you have class then?”
“Off this week. Be there, no excuses.”
“Sure.”
Evan didn't pry. Infinite trust made things easy sometimes.
“And Cloi. Come with me a sec.”
Next, Cloi. I grabbed her hand and dragged her off.
“Senpai, doing this in a library? Embarrassing~”
“Shut up and follow. Rana, wait here. Elraim, stay put.”
“Okay!”
“…Understood.”
Elraim looked displeased but stayed back. I took Cloi to a quiet corner. The shelves looked orderly but had disorienting tricks woven in. Used right, no one would approach. I threw up a mana barrier to block sound, just in case.
“Dragging me to a corner like this—what for? The fun kind I'm thinking of?”
Cloi feigned innocence. To me, it screamed hidden anxiety. Nothing had blown up at the academy, and Rana was fine.
“Come on, senpai. Staring like that is scary~”
She reached out, slowly unbuttoning my shirt, deliberate and teasing.
I called her name lowly.
“Cloi. Stop.”
“Why? Isn't this why you called me?”
She leaned in, whispering in my ear. Her breath tickled.
Blatant seduction. Playing it cool to the end.
I told her straight.
“No need to act calm about Rana. Cut it out.”
“……”
Cloi pulled back, pouting slightly. A hint of anger flickered.
“…How'd you know?”
“Not the point. The point is you tried to kill Rana.”
“Senpai… didn't anyone tell you? Mentioning a woman's secrets gets you hated.”
I closed the gap she'd made, our faces inches apart. I whispered:
“So, hate me now?”
I knew the look in her eyes. Desire. Overwhelming possessiveness she couldn't hide. Cloi wanted Kyle Arden.
She smiled, eyes curving, unleashing the lust she'd bottled up.
“Think one word erases it?”
“Knew it.”
I didn't know why, but she'd never give up on me. That much was clear.
“Cloi.”
“Yes~?”
Her true self emerged, charm flooding out, tempting reason itself.
I gripped my mind tight.
“This is my first and last warning.”
She'd acted outside the timeline. Failed this time, but she'd try again. So I'd redirect her focus.
“Seduce, brainwash, hallucinate—I'll take it all. If it's aimed at me. Touch anyone else, and you're done.”
I warned her, baiting myself.
“Want me? Earn it.”
A challenge too. Make me yours if you can—focus only on me and take me.
Cloi grinned wickedly.
“And if I don't hold up my end?”
“Then I'll kill you. Everything on the line. Guaranteed.”
I glared with killing intent. She didn't flinch.
“Senpai…”
Her smile twisted with ecstasy, eyes burning with craving. My chill thrilled her.
She caressed my cheek, voice dripping desire.
“This just makes me want you more. Teasing me now? Naughty~”
“Promise. No bullshit.”
“Fine. Can't pass up the chance. As you wish, then…”
Charm magic bloomed before me. It bounced off my iron will.
“Aw, no dice as expected.”
She smacked her lips.
“Take care from now on, senpai?”
“Shut up and study.”
“No way! Come with me~”
She clung to my arm, so I brushed her off with an excuse about finding books. She looked disappointed but returned to the table.
“Phew, that should do it.”
I sighed in relief watching her go. Protagonist business mostly settled. I'd be annoyed more, but it'd work. For their safety, this sacrifice was nothing.
If she were minor, I'd cut her out—but I couldn't. Cloi was as key as protagonist Evan.
I calmed down, picked books, and rejoined Rana. Cloi sat beside her but just read, no funny business. Relieved, I sat and cracked open a book to study.
Thankfully, the day passed without issue.