Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: About Chloe and Cecilia's Recent Situation
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“Congratulations, Tail!”
Yujin offered his congratulations with pure sincerity.
However, Tail—the one actually receiving them—had a stiffened expression.
‘Damn.’
Why do I have the top enrollment spot that was supposed to go to Ethan, the fallen noble protagonist?
Tail’s hand trembled slightly.
‘I’m screwed.’
Totally screwed.
Getting top enrollment was a good thing.
It meant he’d stood out big time to the instructors during the entrance exam.
But for the Pharaoh Academy as it stood right now, he absolutely shouldn’t have snagged that top spot.
There was one reason for that.
The academy’s policy of selecting talent “without regard for status” had been a topic of discussion ever since its founding.
But after endless debate with no final decision, it had only been settled this year.
In other words...
‘Every previous class was 100% nobles or other races. It’s only this year they’ve allowed commoners.’
Which meant Cecilia and Chloe had probably entered ahead of him.
And that implied...
‘The entire student body of nobles looks down on commoners enrolling.’
It could even extend to the professors.
Unfortunately, Tail hadn’t known this when he’d decided to attend the academy.
Yerin had never mentioned that it used to be nothing but nobles until suddenly commoners started getting in.
This was info Abbot Noha had shared—he’d researched the academy right before they’d started prepping to leave the monastery.
He’d added:
Recalling Noha’s worried words, Tail thought:
‘What do I do, Abbot?’
I’m already fucked.
I’ve become the top enrollee representing our entire incoming class.
Imagining Noha letting out a long sigh upon hearing the news, Tail chuckled dryly.
“Tail. Then you’ve gotta do some kind of oath, right?”
At Yujin’s words, Tail’s face went pale.
Damn.
No way.
Please.
Say no.
“Huh? Tail. There’s writing on the back?”
At Yujin’s words, Tail slowly—agonizingly slowly—flipped the paper over.
And just like that, Tail’s hopes shattered into pieces.
Top enrollees will give an oath from the stage on the day of the entrance ceremony, so please arrive 1 hour earlier than the scheduled time.
“Fuck.”
The curse slipped from his lips.
Looks like he’d be reciting that oath while getting glared at from every direction.
Whether Yujin sensed his turmoil or not...
“Whoa, top enrollment! That’s huge!”
Yujin beamed at Tail, clearly proud that his friend had landed such a major role.
“Sweet! Let’s hit that cafe from yesterday!”
Tail’s body went rigid.
“No, why?”
The words nearly climbed out of his throat.
Oblivious to it all, Yujin shouted with a grin.
“It’s a day for good news, so I—your pal Yujin—will treat you to dessert special!”
As if to say you’re welcome? Tail could only swallow the flood of sighs building in his chest.
‘Anyway... you’re just gonna eat it all yourself...’
Top enrollment and a dessert shop.
Tail genuinely wanted to cry.
Before heading to the dessert cafe, Tail and Yujin stopped at a daily necessities shop to pick up entrance ceremony supplies.
“Tail! Check this out. Pencil case is adorbs.”
Yujin was pointing at a green frog-shaped pencil case.
“Frog’s so cute!”
Well, Yujin had always loved frogs ever since he was a kid.
‘Weird taste.’
What’s cute about a frog?
Just then, people who’d been sneaking glances our way snickered.
They were decked out in high-end fabrics, screaming “noble” at first sight.
They giggled, chatting loudly enough for everyone to hear.
“Wow. World’s really changed. Commoners going to school now?”
“Hah. Yeah. Academy’s gonna get filthy.”
Their laughter shifted to another topic.
“Hey. You hear? Top enrollee this time’s a commoner.”
“No way. Our class rep’s a commoner? Thinking of dropping out now.”
“Hah. Me too. It’s embarrassing.”
Yujin’s face hardened.
Because that “top enrollee” was his friend, Tail.
“Tail. Stuff here sucks. Let’s go somewhere else.”
Yujin grabbed Tail and hustled to another necessities shop.
But...
The next place...
And the one after...
Everywhere they went...
The chatter about the “commoner top enrollee” buzzed nonstop.
“Hey. Why’s a commoner even going to school?”
“No, more than that—top enrollee a commoner? Makes no sense.”
“We gotta file a formal protest.”
The nobles’ reactions were predictably negative.
“Hah. Top enrollee’s a commoner in my class? Gonna get dragged down too?”
“Seriously. If you’re a commoner, just lay low—why show off and make it tough for the rest of us?”
Even the commoner students’ takes were kinda negative.
Reactions to commoner enrollment were already sour.
And this had poked the bear even harder.
Tail—who’d foreseen this—barely reacted.
‘Well, it’s the spot closest to the academy. Bound to be tons of students.’
So the rumors would spread like wildfire.
Yujin, though, was different.
His face had gone pale.
“Tail... sorry. Being top isn’t all upside.”
He mumbled in a shrinking voice.
Tail chuckled at the deflated Yujin.
“It’s fine. I knew already.”
Yujin snapped his head up.
“Sweet! Then dessert cafe it is!”
“No, hold on...! This isn’t good news...!”
Madness flickered in Yujin’s eyes at Tail’s protest.
“The tougher it gets, the more sweets you need to fuel your resolve! Let’s go!”
With eyes practically shooting laser beams, Yujin dragged Tail along helplessly.
‘You’re gonna eat it all yourself anyway!’
Tail vented his frustration inwardly.
Tail and Yujin finally emerged from the cafe around 7 p.m.
“Ahh, so full.”
Yujin patted his bulging belly.
‘Yeah. No kidding.’
Five slices of different cakes? Anyone’s stomach would burst.
As Tail eyed him oddly, Yujin strode forward confidently.
“Alright, time to head back to the inn.”
“Ah, Yujin.”
Tail paused a moment before continuing.
“I’ve got somewhere to be.”
“Somewhere?”
In the capital?
Yujin cocked his head but shrugged it off.
“Cool. I’ll head back first. Don’t stay out too late!”
“Yeah, go on ahead.”
After Yujin waved goodbye and left, Tail pulled something from his pocket.
A map of the capital from Khan. One spot marked with a black dot.
The place Khan had told him to drop by if he ever came to the capital.
‘Guess I head there.’
Tail started walking slowly.
And after some time...
“Huh...”
Tail let out a hollow laugh at the sign before him.
No wonder—it was a very familiar name.
[Kingwangjjang BAR (Main Branch)]
He couldn’t believe it.
He’d never heard that the Black Wing Guild had main and branch locations anywhere.
‘Could just be a regular bar.’
With that thought, Tail slowly pushed open the door.
But inside was a very, very familiar bartender.
Uncannily like the one from the Kingwangjjang BAR back in monastery territory.
“Oh! Tail-nim!”
The bartender greeted him like an old friend.
‘Not just similar—the same guy?’
As confusion set in, the bartender grinned.
“Master’s waiting for you.”
“...Khan?”
Khan was here?
Tail followed the bartender deep into the back.
Opening the door revealed a deep, dimly lit room.
A massive bolt caught his eye.
Movement rustled from within.
“...Khan?”
What was going on?
Was Khan really here?
And then—that unforgettable voice he’d heard monthly for five straight years.
“A celebrity’s graced us with his presence.”
It was Khan.
Really Khan.
Tail’s tension melted away as he chuckled.
“Celebrity, my ass.”
“Word is, you’ve made quite the flashy debut in the capital.”
His deep, masculine voice dripped with teasing.
“Cut it out. I’m stressed enough about that already. So why’re you here?”
Khan replied matter-of-factly to Tail’s question.
“War’s over, capital’s booming—so I relocated the main branch. The monastery spot’s a branch now.”
Tail chuckled at his casual explanation.
“Not here because of me, right?”
Khan snickered at the probing tone.
“Who do you take me for, some idle pushover?”
Tail flopped onto the sofa.
“Anyway, we said next time we meet, it’d be your real face.”
“Hmph.”
Khan let out a short grunt at Tail’s words.
“You won’t remember it. But we met here in the capital.”
“...We did?”
“Yeah. Locked eyes and everything.”
Locked eyes with Khan?
Had he ever even crossed paths with some middle-aged guy?
‘Drawing a total blank.’
Tail’s mind reeled.
“Khan. You’re not just bullshitting to dodge this, are you?”
“...Keep yapping if you wanna get tossed out.”
Classic prickly, prideful Khan.
“Fine. I buy it.”
If it was that serious, they must’ve met—but when? Where?
“So. You’re here. Got any questions?”
Tail hummed thoughtfully at Khan’s prompt.
Khan was the info guild master, after all.
Might as well pick his brain or drop a commission while he was here.
As Tail mulled it over, Khan asked, sounding surprised.
“Odd. I figured you’d lead with this.”
Tail flinched at Khan’s slow, deliberate words.
“About Chloe and Cecilia’s recent situation.”
Tail’s eyes trembled.
Khan’s voice turned temptingly sly from behind the bolt.
“What? Not curious?”
He sounded like he was smirking smugly.
“Just say the word, and I’ll spill.”