Chapter 18
Chapter 18
A few days later.
Rumors of unusual gravity began circulating around the Academy.
It was said that Professor Harsen had been indicted on multiple criminal charges and brought to trial.
The students were shocked that the kind, gentle Professor Harsen could be a monstrous criminal.
On top of that, the news spread that it was Ophelienne who had captured him.
"Of course, it had to be someone from the Moretti family."
"They say Senior Ophelienne witnessed the criminal firsthand and stopped him. Wow… she’s incredible."
"Anyway, it’s shocking. Professor Harsen… he even bought me meals before."
"They found photos of little girls in his house."
"Disgusting bastard…"
Ophelienne’s reputation spread rapidly among the students. Wherever she walked, compliments followed.
‘Thank goodness.’
Tap, tap, tap.
In the early dawn, Matios jogged through the cold air, exhaling shallow breaths.
Even with his influence and strength, he had been powerless to stop Harsen’s crimes.
This was the city-state of Porca, a place built on equality and democracy. Outside imperial lands, any attempt to force action was unmanageable. Besides, Matios had no political clout.
‘But my sister is different.’
Ophelienne had studied here for three years. Her political influence was stronger than that of most Porca council members.
Catching Harsen wasn’t just about having evidence. Political power mattered more than proof. Ophelienne had that power. There must have been a lot of behind-the-scenes maneuvering when she arrested him.
More importantly, she had real combat ability.
‘Quistian must have been involved.’
He recalled the Moretti family’s elderly steward. The steward had left good memories for Matios, though he had never treated him as a ‘master,’ only as a ‘young lord.’
‘He must have judged that my sister is more fit for the family head.’
Matios also thought Ophelienne was extremely capable as a head. Cold judgment, outstanding charisma, excellent leadership.
And, as expected, she brought Harsen down.
The incident also benefited Ophelienne. Capturing a criminal like Harsen elevated her fame. For someone like her, money was irrelevant—honor mattered. Achievements were crucial to becoming the head of the family. Catching Harsen was a major accomplishment.
In any case, this prevented a terrible disaster from happening in the future. Harsen would not have taken the entire grade hostage, nor would a demon have descended.
‘I’ve changed it.’
Sitting on a bench, sipping water, a faint emotion crossed Matios’s eyes.
Relief at preventing the disaster, and the unknown fear of the butterfly effect it could bring.
This choice might have been wrong. Perhaps stopping Harsen would only lead to an even greater catastrophe. No one could know.
‘Still.’
He felt no regret. He had saved innocent lives. That was enough.
From now on, knowledge of the original timeline could no longer serve as an absolute guide. To survive, he had to rely on his own strength.
‘I need to get stronger, fast.’
He finished drinking, stood up, pressed his knees for a stretch, and resumed jogging.
It was 5 a.m. The crisp dawn air cleared his mind. He ran alone.
After some time, his small lungs screamed in protest.
Ding.
[Stamina +1]
"Haa, haa."
Seeing that, Matios collapsed to the ground, chest heaving violently. The cold air stabbed his lungs. He felt he might die from exhaustion.
‘My stats increased.’
Even so, it was worth it. Through the status screen, he could objectively analyze himself.
His stamina was lacking. Actually, everything was lacking, but stamina was particularly terrible. He panted after only a short run.
“…I should have exercised with my sister when I was younger.”
She had started training at six. Horseback riding, swordsmanship, wrestling, marksmanship—she had learned systematically from experts. Her height was partly due to this.
He had read books instead of exercising. It had seemed enjoyable at the time, but in hindsight, it was a regrettable choice.
He rose and ran again, determined to push his limits.
Then, a sharp wind brushed past him.
A shadow surged ahead, black hair flowing—Professor Wilhelmine.
Matios stared blankly at her back.
"She’s really fast…"
Like a black panther, she surged forward. Wilhelmine had also kept up a morning running routine. Feeling a surge of competitiveness, he pushed himself harder.
As his lungs burned, tap, tap, tap—elastic footsteps drew closer, overtaking him. Her black mane flew as she passed him again.
The track was oval; sooner or later, they would meet. But her speed made it hard to tell if she was human or beast.
She wore functional sportswear instead of her usual uniform. Beneath her cropped top, defined abs were sculpted like by an artist. Long legs struck the ground with each step, thighs rippling gracefully.
Wilhelmine overtook him five times while he barely completed one lap. Her expressionless face cutting through the air was awe-inspiring.
It alone exhausted him. He collapsed onto a bench.
"Haa, haa…"
He grabbed his water bottle, but only a single drop remained.
Sullen, he stood and headed to the fountain. A cold leather water pouch touched his cheek.
Startled, he turned to see Wilhelmine, sweat beading her forehead and neck, holding out the pouch.
“…For drinking?”
He nodded.
"Thank you."
He bowed and drank from the high leather pouch, taking care not to touch it with his lips. The cold liquid poured down his throat, making him feel alive.
"Ahh… that was good."
"Stop running for today."
"Eh?"
"Overexertion is harmful, especially for beginners like you."
She took back the pouch, wiping her lips with the back of her hand, and continued.
"The important thing is consistency. Today, tomorrow, the day after. Don’t burn out in one day—come out at this hour every day to train."
"I understand."
He agreed. His body was at its limit. Today was enough.
He rose on shaky legs, but they gave way and he nearly fell.
Thud.
Wilhelmine caught his shoulder.
"See? Not so hard."
"Thank you."
He looked up at her. She gazed at him briefly, then resumed her run, black hair vanishing into the dawn mist.
Next week’s Thornwood exploration required a meeting at a café with the team.
"Ah, hello! I’m Damian Ladanira. Nice to meet you!"
Damian was a chubby boy, wearing glasses, timidly shrinking his shoulders.
"I am Ohen Ran Deschpalt. As you probably know, I am the heir of the Deschpalt Marquisate."
"Wow… an honor, my lord."
"You have the eyes of a pig."
"Pig…?"
Ohen, heir of a marquisate in the Empire, swept the group with an arrogant gaze. When his eyes met Matios, he turned his head in disdain.
"Yuri Ayende."
Through short silver hair, her indifferent gaze was cold. She spoke no more, her eyes fixed on the void, unreadable.
"Matios Vinna Moretti. Just call me Mati."
"Mati."
Yuri repeated his name.
The meeting ended quickly. The atmosphere was awkward, and there was nothing to do.
Yuri headed straight to the library, Ohen took Damian to the cafeteria.
‘Time to go to the library myself.’
He followed Yuri, but from the shadowed corner of a building, he saw Sister Tiana.
He paused before greeting her.
"How dare a commoner reject me?"
"You little—who said anyone would stop you? I just wanted to hang out. Is that so hard?"
"Oh my~ funny. What gives you the confidence to act like this? Don’t you know who’s here?"
Tiana was surrounded by students, being bullied, tearful.
Third- and second-year boys and girls were mixed together. He recognized several faces from when he had reluctantly attended social events with his adoptive father.
‘The Hwang Tae-son faction.’
The most influential student at the Academy was, naturally, the Emperor’s grandson, Hwang Tae-son. His personality and skill might be lacking, but his status shone.
The bullies harassing Tiana were nobles aligned with Tae-son. The largest, most influential faction at the Academy. Even professors avoided them.
‘…This story too.’
Tiana bullied by the Hwang Tae-son faction—she had been marked, in other words.
The faction harassed her all semester, subtly and boldly.
Tiana kept this hidden from those around her and from her brother, Taivon, to prevent him from worrying.
Eventually, one incident occurred: a faction member tried to assault Tiana, but Taivon intervened, barely saving her.
This episode symbolized the Filrn siblings’ family bond and introduced the Academy’s central conflict.
And now, this was the starting point of the relentless bullying that would continue for months.
"….."
He saw green eyes, wet with tears. They had found him too.
Tiana looked at him tearfully.
Her lips moved as if to call his name, then, as if making a decision, she bowed her head toward the ground.
…Is she thinking of me?
Tiana was engaged to Hwang Tae-son. That faction served Tae-son.
If he stepped in for her, it would create problems with the faction, with Tae-son, and potentially strain relations between the royal family and the Moretti house.
Though pure, Tiana was not foolish. She knew his position. She understood he could not help recklessly.
"…."
Annoyance surged. His vision blurred. The refreshing exhilaration of the early morning was suddenly thrown in the trash.
The sight of those smug faces, drunk on power, and the green eyes fading amidst them—revulsion churned in his gut.
“…What the hell?”
Before he knew it, he was standing in front of Tiana. The Hwang Tae-son faction stared at him in disbelief.