Chapter 63

“Summer break.”

It’s not that long, just about ten days.

During this time, students either relax or head back to their family homes.

During this summer break, I ended up spending time with Iris and her crew.

“Does it make sense for a couple that just started dating to be apart during the break?”

“I don’t think being in a relationship means you have to be glued to each other all the time.”

Inside a rattling carriage, Hania and I were chatting.

To encourage students during the summer break, Jerion Academy opens the beautiful southern sea, Aaron Bay.

Some students were visiting Aaron Bay during this time for relaxation.

Iris decided to visit Aaron Bay.

“That’s true. But the real reason you explained directly, didn’t you, Iris?”

At that statement, I fell silent.

Then I shifted my gaze to Iris.

As she looked out the window, when her eyes met mine, she slightly raised the corners of her mouth.

Iris had been smiling at me more often lately.

“For now, Hania, it’s probably better for you too.”

According to Iris’s words, the assassination case concerning Nia Cynthia had come to light.

Coincidentally, someone had witnessed me on the day I was heading to Magung.

A knight on duty saw me taking a different path, separated from Sharine, toward Magung.

As a result, out of nowhere, my name had suddenly surfaced.

I explained that I was visiting Magung as part of the Student Council’s preparations for the next Magung Battle.

But due to the timing, it quickly turned into me being labeled as Nia’s killer.

As expected, the 3rd Princess Faction was making a big deal about my name.

They wanted to frame me for assassinating Nia Cynthia, trying to pin the blame solely on me.

‘That’s not going to work, though.’

The 1st Prince Faction was already aware of my existence.

If they cast the blame on me acting alone, that would jeopardize their chance to shake the 3rd Princess Faction.

So, they gathered opinions from various places to defend me.

Even without my input, they proactively collected evidence that I wasn’t the culprit.

However, the 3rd Princess Faction didn’t remain idle either.

They schemed to use me to buy some time.

If the investigation got muddled because of me, it would be easier for them to cover their tracks.

Thus, I found myself at risk of being caught by the imperial palace for interrogation.

And Iris was the one who prevented that.

Originally, it was Iris who had hinted at saving Nia.

So she stood up for me and quickly pulled me to her side.

“Don’t use my cousin in a place like this.”

No matter how much the 3rd Princess Faction pushed, there was nothing they could do once the 3rd Princess herself spoke up.

In the end, they gave up on using me.

It was all for the purpose of buying time, after all.

They didn’t necessarily need me to achieve that.

For them, provoking a 3rd Princess who could become an empress was top priority.

Now that they knew I had a good relationship with the 3rd Princess, they wouldn’t meddle with me any longer.

Iris understood this, which is why she made a point of bringing me along for this summer vacation.

All I could do was feel grateful to Iris.

‘The problem is that my name has resurfaced.’

Once it surfaces even just once, the eyes will follow.

‘The 1st Prince Faction might start approaching me soon.’

They must have figured out I’m not really Hanon by now.

So to dig into my true purpose, it was certain they would try to get close.

How to maneuver through this situation was entirely up to me.

“And.”

At that moment, Iris tapped her knee.

While I was absentmindedly observing that, Hania shot me a glare, forcing me to stand up.

Then I sat in front of Iris, and she hugged me tightly.

Iris had long legs.

She easily surpassed the average woman’s height.

So I fit perfectly in her embrace.

I felt the soft touch behind me.

The scent of roses unique to Iris tickled my nose.

“Hanon is warm, which helps me fall asleep.”

At that moment, I had become Iris’s plush toy.

The residual warmth left in my body after harboring flames of fire helped Iris sleep comfortably.

“Uuuuh, Iris is hugging me like this.”

Hania, filled with jealousy, started tearing apart a handkerchief.

As someone who loved Iris, she could only envy me.

‘But I’m really having a tough time here.’

Honestly, I’m scared of the future.

Right now, Iris’s actions stem from her thinking of me as her cousin.

But if she finds out that I’m Bickamon, the very cousin she previously expelled,

‘I might die on that very day.’

Thanks to that, every time Iris behaves this way, I feel like I’m walking on thin ice.

But I couldn’t refuse the order of a princess.

Refusal could mean something entirely different.

‘Above all.’

I wanted Iris to fall asleep peacefully too.

She is the vessel that is supposed to become an evil zone.

The more I reduce the nightmares of the evil zone, the more I can prevent the possession.

‘Ending Iris’s nightmares.’

That will happen in Act 6.

Until then, I must prevent Iris from being completely devoured by her nightmares.

‘One of the other bad endings, the nightmare ending.’

If Iris is completely consumed by nightmares before Act 6, that would lead to a bad ending.

The world would be completely engulfed by the evil zone’s nightmares, ending everything.

To prevent that, I had to continuously manage Iris’s nightmares.

‘Originally, the percentage of her nightmares would be visible.’

But this is no longer a game; it’s reality now.

So I can’t check Iris’s nightmare percentage with my own eyes.

‘I have to make estimations.’

Iris’s nightmares are still ongoing.

For that, I’ve been working hard to improve her sleep quality.

‘But it’s not a fundamental solution.’

In the end, it’s all just a temporary fix.

With that alone, I cannot completely stop Iris’s nightmares.

‘To solve this.’

I need one person.

That person who can replace the flame of determination, I need to summon to Jerion Academy.

‘It’s like climbing a mountain.’

But it’s something that has to be done.

I quietly ignited my will.

“Hanon has become warmer.”

First off, I need to get out of this situation.

* * *

The southern Aaron Bay.

In the past, it was an unknown sea opened up by Aaron during the age of exploration.

On the side of the Flame Butterflies, not only is there mystery but also various strange creatures abound.

Therefore, exploring the sea became a monumental achievement, often labeled heroic.

Now, on the Jerion Academy-owned beach of this Aaron Bay, students enjoying the sea were frolicking in the waves.

The sea is a place that holds many dreams for students.

Especially, Ahpilros Beach here attracts a bunch of vibrant teens.

The beach is a magical place that makes people shed their layers.

Women harbor peculiar expectations, while men brace themselves to unfold their dreams.

“Hey, hey, want to play with us?”

“Uh, what to do?”

Because of this, many students displayed their youthful innocence at the beach.

And as I watched this, I was just a porter guarding our luggage.

“Why do I feel inexplicably annoyed?”

Sitting on the sandy beach, witnessing students flirting and playing made my irritation boil over.

As I frowned, I heard footsteps approaching.

“Why the long face?”

Upon hearing that familiar voice and turning my head, there was Hania with her peach-colored hair flowing in the breeze.

Naturally, the gazes of the surrounding students fixated on us.

What entered my sight was a flawlessly sculpted physique that left little to the imagination.

Wearing a bathing suit with cherry blossoms the same color as her hair, was none other than the daughter of the imperial platoon commander.

Hania Repidia stood there.

I almost gasped in admiration.

I had seen Hania in a bathing suit before in illustrations, but the real-life impact was on a different level.

The same could be said for those around her.

The burning glares from envious men overshadowed even the sun’s rays.

“This time, the attention is quite bothersome.”

“Can’t help it.”

“I didn’t wear this to show you!”

“But we’re a couple now, so it could be seen that way, right?”

“Shall we break up?”

“Fine. I’ll go start flirting too.”

I decided to leave our luggage behind and move on.

“Where are you going?”

At that moment, another voice reached my ears.

The voice with a strange allure naturally drew my attention.

And then, everything went dark in front of my eyes.

“What do you think you’re looking at?”

It was Hania, covering my eyes with her hand.

“Hania, my eyes have the right to see treasures!”

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep all that for you instead.”

“You two seem really close.”

Iris’s soft laughter reached my ears.

I could feel Hania smiling broadly at Iris.

Taking that opportunity, I quickly poked Hania in the ribs.

“Eek!”

Hania jumped in shock, letting go of my eyes.

And soon I faced Iris, who revealed her long, slender legs under a black bathing suit.

However, she wore a long coat overhead and even sported a straw hat.

My eyes gradually cooled.

Bang!

“Are you crazy? Where do you think you’re stabbing?”

And then I was hit by Hania, tumbling onto the sandy beach.

I paid the price for my actions.

“I’m sensitive to sunlight, you know?”

Iris’s skin was as white as snow.

So, it was only natural her fair complexion was vulnerable to the sun.

‘I knew this would happen, but.’

With so many changes in reality lately, I thought today might be different.

“Come on, Iris, let’s leave that guy and go have fun ourselves.”

Hania playfully nudged Iris toward the seaside.

Watching that, I gathered my things and followed.

‘I wonder who will show up in this side story?’

The beach event is an extra episode from Act 3.

Depending on the influence Lucas has on the heroines, the people who come to the beach could differ.

Thus, I had no clue who might show up this time.

All the more so since the main character, Lucas, was dead.

“Honestly, since we worked hard this time, it’s okay to play a little today!”

“B-but I need to train a little to deal with that guy…”

“You’re addicted to training. It’s an addiction!”

As I followed Hania and Iris, I heard another familiar voice.

I lifted my head in disbelief.

There stood Isabel Luna, being pushed by her friends, with her honey-blonde hair flowing.

Upon seeing her, my eyes widened in shock.

As our gazes met, Isabel’s eyes widened as well.

“Y-you?”

Isabel Luna.

There she was, in a bathing suit that resembled her hair color.

As I stood there, I involuntarily took in her swimsuit-clad figure.

Having diligently trained lately, her physique was even better than in the illustrations, adorned with a short skirt that barely covered her thighs.

She was all curled up like a small animal, yet the strength couldn’t be concealed in her chest.

Isabel was a prime example of what it means to be the ‘main heroine.’

“D-you?”

Clearly surprised at running into me, her face was filled with embarrassment.

“Eep!”

She hurriedly covered her body with her hands.

This wouldn’t hide her form, but one thing was for sure: her actions only elicited reactions from the guys.

“What are you staring at?”

At that moment, stepping in front of Isabel was her close friend, Mina, also from the Martial Arts field.

“Isabel is really pretty, but…”

“M-Mina!”

Isabel protested from behind Mina, but Mina had a bold and carefree attitude.

As I briefly glanced at Mina, I locked gazes with Isabel again.

She flinched and shyly hid behind Mina.

“I-I’m not here to skip training! Mina insisted so much that I came!”

Isabel hastily explained.

Listening to that, I couldn’t help but frown.

“Okay, have fun.”

People need to relax sometimes.

If this could brighten Isabel’s mood, I was all for it.

“Ah.”

Yet for some reason, Isabel appeared to be on the verge of breaking down.

What’s this? I told her to have fun, so why does she look like that?

As I was puzzled, Isabel hung her head low.

Knock knock—

Just as I was about to speak to her, someone tapped my back.

Turning around, I felt a cold sensation on my cheek.

There stood Sharine, poking my cheek with her ice cream-covered finger.

So she came as well.

Wearing a deep blue bathing suit, she displayed her slender form.

Except she concealed her waist and below with a long skirt.

“Hey there, Hanon.”

“Why are you poking my cheek with ice cream?”

“Isn’t it fun?”

“You’re the only one enjoying it.”

“Really?”

Sharine took the finger that had poked my cheek and sucked the ice cream off it.

What a strange act.

“You made my cheek sticky.”

“Want me to clean it for you?”

Sharine slightly parted her lips, revealing her tongue.

“No thanks.”

If I asked her, I might end up in an unimaginable situation.

“Ice cream is expensive, you know?”

If she didn’t want to poke, she should’ve just kept it to herself.

As I wiped my cheek, Mina and Isabel looked at me with mixed expressions.

“…You’re really close with Sharine, huh?”

Mina, shocked, gazed at me.

I had never made a good impression on Mina.

From her perspective, I was probably not a favorable person.

So, naturally, she would be surprised to see me close with Sharine, Isabel’s close friend.

“I’ve never seen her act like that with a guy before.”

Mina looked at Sharine, who was munching on ice cream.

Sharine’s languid expression revealed nothing.

While Mina tilted her head, Isabel spoke up.

“Hanon and Sharine…?”

“Hanon, what are you doing?”

Cutting off Isabel’s sentence was Hania.

As she appeared, everyone halted.

Of course, the three here were all aware that Hania was my girlfriend.

“Come on, Iris is waiting.”

Hania naturally grabbed my hand.

For a moment, I felt like I really was Hania’s boyfriend, but then I noticed the swift glances she threw at the three of them.

This was intended to further engrain our relationship.

A clever tactic.

However, at that moment, for some reason, a chilling sensation swept over me even though it was summer and I should be sweating.