Chapter 101

Even in a fantasy world, a student’s daily routine remains unchanged.

Classes continue steadily even after midterms, and all one can do is study hard for the upcoming final exams.

The United Academy is no different. After a single day of rest following midterms, classes proceed as usual.

At least, thanks to a week-long exam period, the afternoons are reserved for autonomous training. Most importantly, the weekend starts the next day.

While pondering what to do during the weekend, time seems to slip away. If all goes as I expect, I’ll be learning various trainings from Rize.

‘Will Luna join too?’

Luna receives training from Rize every weekend. Special training that quickly boosts physical abilities.

Every time I go through that training, I might groan a bit, but I’ll definitely see results. After all, it’s Rize’s training.

Anyway, initially, I was supposed to train with Kara during the afternoon class.

“Hmm. Hmm. Sivar?”

“?”

“If you’re okay with it, could you come to my research room for a moment this afternoon? There’s something I want to discuss.”

That was before Godin came looking for me after all morning classes had finished.

I looked at Godin with a puzzled expression. What could be the reason for this?

Godin must have read the unspoken question in my eyes, as he wore a wry smile. This didn’t seem like a good topic for discussion.

“As you know, regarding what you did during the exam period, Sivar…”

“Ah.”

I think I have a general idea of what he’s referring to—the various antics including water torture.

This was certainly an issue that would be brought up for a consultation whether I was involved or not. There’s a saying about a yellow sprout for a reason.

Not addressing this would look quite odd. So, I could understand.

“Then, will Sivar come alone to the professor’s research room?”

This was a question from Luna, who I was supposed to train with. I no longer needed a guardian, and I could go alone.

Yet, she still seemed slightly anxious, her expression showing concern. Anyone who didn’t know might think I was a troublemaker.

‘Thinking about it, that’s a fact.’

Just looking back at what I caused during the midterms was nothing short of shocking.

To others like Luna, I might seem like a ticking time bomb, ready to go off at any moment.

But back then, there was nothing I could do due to attack rights restriction; I did my best.

“Yes. It’s a sensitive and personal matter, so it’s best if Sivar comes alone. Now that you’ve formally enrolled, there’s no guardian, right?”

“Hmm…”

“I’ll report to the principal.”

“Ugh. Then I guess I’ll have to train with a boring person this afternoon.”

After my consultation was confirmed, Kara grumbled. The boring person must refer to Luna.

Noticing Kara’s backhanded comments, Luna shot her a sharp look.

Kara, unfazed, turned her attention elsewhere. Her confidence seemed to have skyrocketed.

“Haha. Then you can come to my research room after lunch. It shouldn’t take too long, so don’t worry too much.”

“Okay. I mean, yes.”

I accidentally slipped into casual speech but quickly corrected myself.

Seeing me switch to polite terms, Godin seemed inexplicably pleased, a content smile spreading across his face.

Though he looked suspicious at first glance, he was genuinely kind. I should take this opportunity to ask him about a few spells.

Even if I fumbled my words, I could still use language, so magic should be possible too. It might only be simple spells, but still.

“Sivar. Here.”

“Huh?”

Just as I finished lunch and made my way to Godin’s research room, Kara briefly stopped me and extended her hand.

I looked at her palm. Atop it rested a few candies.

“Eat this while you’re heading over. Give some to the professor too. But don’t eat them during the consultation; that would be impolite. Got it?”

“Okay. I’ll enjoy it.”

“Great. See you later.”

Having received candy from Kara, I made my way to Godin’s research room, located in the main building.

As I headed there, I popped one of the candies into my mouth. It wasn’t the nurungi flavor preferred by Rod, but strawberry instead.

‘Did Kara like strawberry flavor? I’m not so sure.’

I proceeded into the main building, walking as I recalled the way. I might roam around a bit, but I wouldn’t take too long.

There were professors and staff who recognized me along the way, but I simply passed them by. They were only curious; they weren’t inclined to get any closer.

When I reached the floor where Godin’s research room was located, I bumped into an unexpected face.

“Huh? Sivar?”

“?”

A familiar female voice tickled my ears as I turned in its direction.

There stood Grace, with her sharp features and surprised eyes fixed on me.

“What brings you here, Sivar? Did the professor call for you?”

Grace came closer and asked. Now that I thought about it, she had left right after the morning classes ended.

So, she probably didn’t know I had been summoned by Godin for a consultation. I decided to tell her the truth.

“Godin.”

“Professor Godin?”

“He called me. For a consultation.”

“You mean Professor Godin called you for a consultation?”

She seemed to understand the gist of it. Yet, her face still conveyed confusion as to the reason for it.

“Midterms.”

“Midterm… Ah.”

Once I mentioned midterms, she seemed to put the pieces together. While she might not have witnessed my antics firsthand, she had likely heard about them.

Several students were currently complaining of aftereffects from my water torture. Moreover, Grace was one of those who had seen the bomb vest creation firsthand.

“I see. I understand the situation well.”

“And you, Grace?”

“Me? I have a consultation booked with Professor Delphoi today.”

“Delphoi?”

I scrunched my face at that. An unsettling feeling started creeping in.

Delphoi usually committed his misdeeds much later in the timeline, usually sometime between midterms and finals.

However, perhaps due to my earlier warning, Grace would be learning under Godin, not Delphoi.

“Yeah. I have a consultation today, and then I’m scheduled to become Godin’s assistant starting next time.”

“Oh?”

“Is there something you want to say? You seem a bit stiff.”

I touched my face, realizing I had probably frowned at the thought of what Delphoi might do to Grace.

Having spent most of my time emotionless, it seemed Grace had picked up on that too.

“Be careful.”

“What?”

“Be careful. I get a bad feeling.”

To take Delphoi down, catching him in the act would be the best course. That sneaky bastard never left much evidence behind.

Godin had only been able to discover his criminal activities in the Soul World. But even that was no easy feat.

As a victim, Grace had been somewhat silenced due to family pressures, and many other students were in similar situations.

Though the timing didn’t match up perfectly, I could at least give her a heads up. If things got tough, she could always visit later.

After I warned her, Grace stared at me for a while, then glanced around. Finding nobody else around, she leaned in, speaking softly.

“…Sivar.”

“Yeah?”

“I heard that the professor who set the attack rights restriction was Professor Delphoi.”

So that bastard was behind it. I shouldn’t have underestimated that guy; he was skilled in the art of politics.

It wasn’t that I couldn’t have predicted it, I was just too distracted by the ridiculous restrictions.

“Therefore, I recommend you avoid crossing paths with Professor Delphoi if at all possible. He doesn’t seem like a good person to be around.”

“Got it.”

“Alright then, I’ll take my leave for now.”

“Wait a moment.”

“Yeah?”

I stopped her before she could leave. I rummaged through my pockets and pulled out some candies.

I still had plenty left from Kara, and I always kept uneaten candies in my pockets.

Think of it like Porori storing acorns in their cheeks. The difference is that he has acorns, and I have candies.

“Here.”

“This is candy, right?”

“Yep.”

I handed Grace grape-flavored candies that matched her hair color. The similarity in color made them look great together.

As she blinked her eyes, alternating her gaze between the candy and me, I added quietly.

“Eat it when you’re feeling down.”

“…Pfft.”

At my words, Grace broke into a soft smile as she took the candy. Her sharp eyes lost their edge, and her beauty shone through.

Afterward, she tucked the candy into her pocket and thanked me with a gentle smile.

“Thank you. It’s tough right now, but I promise I’ll eat it later.”

“Sure.”

“Should I buy you a cake in return?”

“Really?”

If she does, I’d be grateful. The exchange of candy for cake—what a miraculous trade.

Grace nodded in response to my confirming question.

“Of course. I did say I’d buy you cake whenever you want, right?”

“Is that really okay?”

“Of course! You see, you may not know this, but the Verche Duke’s family has a ton of money.”

It felt like we were having a conversation at an equal level. This wasn’t condescending; it was thoughtful.

Seeing her like this, it became apparent that Grace had a genuinely kind heart. She was just sharpened by the strict upbringing of her family.

And if you looked closely, you could see a tiny innocence hidden beneath, occasionally bursting through—revealing her true charm.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. I’ve received plenty of help from you too, Sivar. Well then, see you soon!”

Grace expressed her gratitude and waved goodbye. I waved back at her as she walked away.

I continued to watch her retreating figure before shifting my focus again. As I took my next steps, the earlier unease grew even stronger.

‘Am I really going to commit an act today?’

I suppressed my foreboding feelings and arrived at Godin’s research room. A musty smell of books filled the air as always.

“Ah, you’ve arrived. Would you like to sit here for a moment?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you like coffee, Sivar?”

“I’ve never had it.”

Thinking back, I realized I had never tasted coffee. At cafes, I only ever ordered sweet drinks; coffee was off the menu.

I figured it was time to give it a try. I watched as Godin poured me a cup and slowly took a sip.

“How is it?”

“Bittersweet. No, it’s sweet and bitter?”

“That’s just how coffee is. There’s a saying that you taste coffee not with your tongue, but with your nose.”

“Really?”

“…But that doesn’t mean you really breathe it in through your nose. It means to enjoy the aroma.”

Godin hurriedly explained as if he sensed my unease. He must have thought I was going to take a snort of it.

Even I wouldn’t inflict self-torture like that. Just getting water up my nose is painful enough.

Yet, I inflicted that pain on someone else. Even now, it seemed more than sufficient for a consultation topic.

‘Grace…’

Even while consulting with Godin, a sense of dread regarding Grace wouldn’t leave me. Regardless of timings, Delphoi was still Delphoi.

Once that incident erupts, I’ll never see Grace again.

As mentioned before, she would be treated as if she were discarded by her family.

Tremble, tremble—

Unable to contain my restless feelings, my legs began to shake. Godin’s words barely registered.

Was this instinct of mine or just my personal intuition?

Regardless, I felt the need to pay a visit to Delphoi’s research room.

“Godin.”

“Yes. Please go ahead.”

“I need to use the restroom.”

“Go ahead. I’ll be waiting.”

With that excuse, I left Godin’s research room and headed straight for Delphoi’s.

I wasn’t sure where Delphoi’s room was, but I could easily find it if I remembered the direction Grace had gone.

‘Found it.’

Before long, I reached Delphoi’s research room. It was situated quite far from Godin’s.

If I barged in without a plan, I could throw off my timing. Plus, there’s no guarantee that I need to do that today.

Knock, knock, knock—

I lightly knocked on the door. As I did, I sensed a presence from behind it.

Click!

Next, I heard the sound of the lock being undone. Under normal circumstances, they would just open the door, so why was the lock engaged?

While I pondered this, the door creaked open slowly.

However, the door didn’t open fully. It was neither halfway nor even a little bit; it merely cracked a tiny bit.

“… Who are you?”

The familiar face came into view through the gap. A man sporting an incongruous bob cut.

As soon as I saw Delphoi, I craned my neck to see what was behind him. Unfortunately for me, Delphoi was rather tall, so I couldn’t get a good view.

“Where’s Grace?”

“Grace?”

“Yeah. Is she here?”

At this question, Delphoi glanced back slightly.

“She’s not here. What do you want?”

He audaciously told a lie.

You’re in deep trouble now.

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