Sudden Visit (2)
Seowoo had waited in Lucia’s bedroom for a while, but when no sign of her return appeared, he simply headed back to his quarters.
The next morning, with no separate summons, he assumed she didn’t mind that he had left first.
The corridor on the usual morning commute was unusually bustling. Researchers moved with brisk efficiency, far from their usual leisurely pace.
…What’s going on?
Seowoo had always walked with relaxed ease, yet now the same people hurried about, sweating. It suggested some remarkable result from the experiments. Thinking it was none of his business, he continued toward the classroom at his usual unhurried pace—until one of the passing researchers called out to him.
“Hey? Seowoo!”
“Huh? Ah, senior? Good morning.”
“What are you doing lounging around here! Didn’t you hear that a guest has arrived?”
“A guest…? This is the first I’ve heard from you, senior…”
The vampire who had once informed him about Yuria spoke with a scolding tone.
“Ugh, please pass the message properly to the kids. Honestly, there are no employees who actually work diligently.”
“Is a high-ranking person coming?”
“Yes, actually, it’s not just any guest—it’s a distinguished visitor.”
“Could I ask who the person is…? Just in case.”
“I doubt you’d know. It’s Faye Ceylon. If you happen to see her, try not to be noticeable.”
The researcher added, tongue clicking once, “She hates humans the most,” and left.
He had been summoned, yet the researcher hadn’t assigned any other projects—only the warning to be careful.
“She’s really coming…?”
A chill ran down Seowoo’s spine. He realized he would have to stay in the classroom all day.
No, that wasn’t right.
He had given the name on the spot. If he went searching for a nonexistent person, it would only cause more trouble on that side.
Since deciding was difficult, he decided to simply remove the name tag of the assistant listed with the name.
After all, he could turn into a vampire whenever he wanted now.
***
Somewhere along the middle-floor corridor of the research institute, space cracked like glass, creating a gap.
Faye entered through the opening, her dress hem fluttering amid the blue light.
Toot toot.
The researchers’ gazes turned toward the unfamiliar shoe sounds.
“Ah! You’re here?”
“You wouldn’t know if you saw? Quickly guide me to where the Earl Grey matriarch is.”
“Ah, yes! Understood!”
As expected, Faye, who had been chewed out, spoke arrogantly to the tired researcher.
Normally, when visiting a department, one should meet the head first and greet.
She headed straight to Lucia’s office with the researchers’ guidance.
“Ugh… The research institute really does smell bad.”
From the moment she took a few steps, Faye covered her nose with her hand and fanned it.
The researcher who had been leading had to watch helplessly, cursing her inwardly.
After listening to all sorts of rude words, the vampire who escorted her to the office now boldly approached the door with the determination to be freed.
Just as she was about to knock.
The resentful hanging sign.
Absent.
…Life is shit.
The researcher who had tasted the painful reality of being swayed by superiors turned his steps to Acid’s office.
“Professor, there’s a guest at the research institute.”
“Guest? I didn’t hear any message.”
From beyond the door came Acid’s voice.
“That’s… Because Director is absent, so it’s coming to you.”
“…I see. Tell her to come in.”
A small sigh escaped Acid’s lips, followed by permission to enter.
“If you come in, it should be fine.”
“Haa, I hope there are no more wrong turns from now on. Ah, thank you for guiding.”
“Ah, sorry. From now on, I’ll make sure to be more accurate.”
“It’s fine. You can go.”
The researcher who had fists wanting to punch at every word of Faye’s finally greeted with a smile until the end.
After all, feeding and raising children is with the salary.
Bam.
The door opened.
When Faye appeared, Acid, who had been sitting on the chair, stood up to greet her.
Acid extended her hand first, representing the research institute.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Acid Blemish, holding a professorship at Ambrosia Research Institute.”
“Ah~ I thought the golden hair was familiar. Are you the daughter of Blemish matriarch?”
“Yes. So this guest is also a familiar face. Faye, right? I’ve seen you often in the dimensional magic academic journal.”
One hundred percent fake.
The two, like noble daughters, chose speech to elevate each other’s dignity.
Since it was a meeting of families with disproportionate body sizes, both Faye and Acid were cautious.
Warm tea was served, laughter bloomed, but the tea time didn’t last long.
Faye, who had business at the research institute, started.
“Then, shall we talk about personal matters?”
“Yes, let’s.”
No time to waste in this barren office.
Just want to meet him as soon as possible.
“My reason for coming to the research institute isn’t particularly grand.”
“Not grand?”
“It was something that happened a while ago. On the way to the ball, there was a human who insulted me on the magitech train and ran away.”
“A human who has their guts come out?”
Acid felt a strong feeling while answering.
If a human can take the magitech train, only one person comes to mind.
Still, hoping his name doesn’t come out, she clenched her fist under the table.
“Let’s see, the name… Yoon Seowoo, right?”
“…Ah.”
As expected, a sigh escaped her.
“Does the professor know this person?”
“Ah… No? I don’t know well…”
“That’s a shame…”
What humiliation did he give that she came all the way here?
Contrary to the deep sighs, she was a bit curious.
“That disgusting human, how did he treat Faye? Coming all the way to the research institute. It’s quite awkward for the research institute’s perspective.”
“…He flipped me over while I was sitting, saying something out of line.”
“…Huh?”
Acid’s reaction as if disbelieving.
While listening to Faye’s words, she thought, no matter how crazy, how could that be possible?
What crazy person flips a sitting noble?
Of course, it was narrated from Faye’s perspective, so some parts were filtered, but she couldn’t imagine it easily.
In reality, Faye had fallen alone due to the alcohol at the time.
But the power was so strong that she could invent a fact without power.
“But, the reason I came to the research institute isn’t just because of that.”
“Then?”
“This is something I tell only to the professor. I met a handsome gentleman at the ball. Then, when applying for after, I asked where he worked. And he said he works at the research institute, so I came as a favor.”
A hint starts in Acid’s mind.
“…Just in case, did you give him a name tag?”
“Huh! How did you know? I haven’t told anyone…”
It was almost a real laugh.
Now the puzzle pieces are falling into place one by one.
“Ah, it might be someone I know.”
Not just someone I know, but I know everyone.
“If it’s okay, could I know his name?”
“Arus. Arus Earl Grey.”
“Ah… Is that so~?”
“Yes!”
Hold on, hold on.
It’s already past.
And I settled some karma recently.
The only human from the Earl Grey family in the research institute she knows is Lucia, so Seowoo is definitely it.
“Are you sure you know?”
“Yes, fortunately, I know well.”
Faye’s expression brightens.
With a fluttering heart, she stands up from her seat.
“Then, could you guide me? It’s good to find humans, but I want to see Arus as soon as possible.”
“…Ah, I see.”
Acid sits firmly in her seat and nods her head.
This is weird, it’s like someone is stealing her thing, the feeling is very strange.
She’s a familiar raised with the family’s elixir, but in her eyes, it’s like a woman who was mesmerized in an unknown place came to the house and suddenly told her to hand over the man, like a cursed cat.
Acid wasn’t a woman who was easy to deal with, eyes wide open.
“But, this is sorry. I also have a heart for that person.”
“That person…?”
Pretending not to know.
The person you said is that person.
“Arus. Arus Earl Grey. I also have a heart for that person.”
“Yes…?”
Faye’s face shows hesitation.
Smirk.
A victorious smile appears on Acid’s lips.
What are you going to do.
Like that.