Chapter 102

(2)

3.

Right after hearing that the delegation from Eloden had arrived, Ulan and Noa arrived at the place where they were said to be staying.

Shortly after.

Noa’s eyes widened at the scene before her.

“Wow, there are way more people than I expected.”

She figured maybe a few dozen would show up, but just counting the students in her line of sight, it looked like over a hundred.

Not only the first-years, but it seemed that second and third years had come to check it out as well.

Meanwhile, Ulan tilted his head in confusion.

“I just don’t get it.”

“What don’t you get?”

“Isn’t it just an academy? Why are they all coming to see each other like this?”

Ulan had the excuse of visiting a former ally from his past life. On the other hand, the gathered students had no real reason to be there.

So it hinted at some special reason for coming, but it was entirely beyond Ulan’s understanding.

“Like I said earlier, Eloden Academy is quite closed off. So they’re probably just taking this chance to check things out.”

At that moment, Noa answered his question.

Of course, that was just a superficial reason.

Considering more specific things, there was definitely another reason for the students gathering.

“Also, I bet half of the boys and girls here have ulterior motives.”

“Ulterior motives?”

“Yeah, didn’t you hear earlier? There’s supposedly an extremely beautiful girl and a handsome boy.”

Now that she mentioned it, he recalled hearing something similar.

Still, he remained just as baffled. Ulan furrowed his brow and repeated the question.

“So they’re gathering here for just that reason?”

“Just that? For energetic students like these, there’s nothing more engaging!”

Noa answered with certainty.

It was spoken like it was an absolute truth.

Ulan still couldn’t understand, but he didn’t press further. He felt a voice he recognized amidst the crowd.

“Ah, Ulan!”

A girl with turquoise eyes was beaming at him.

It was Ivella. She seemed to have just finished a lecture, holding a thick swordsmanship textbook piled high.

“Oh, Noa’s here too! What are you both doing here?”

“We just came to check something.”

“Check what?”

“Nothing serious, just heard the delegation from Eloden Academy arrived, so we came to see.”

“Ah, that makes sense. No wonder there are so many people.”

Ivella nodded as if she finally understood the situation. Then she quickly changed the subject.

“Speaking of which, Ulan.”

“Huh?”

“Are you training again tonight?”

“I think so.”

Since enrolling at Arsen Academy, Ulan had been training every morning and evening, barring any special events.

Just like how an axe rusts if not swung often, he thought he needed to keep his body moving to stay sharp.

“Really? Can I join?”

“You want to train?”

“Well, I really want to ask for a duel. I need to review the swordsmanship I learned today, and having a duel partner would make it easier.”

“Got it. Let’s do it together.”

Ulan nodded cheerfully.

Ivella couldn’t hide her joy.

At that moment, Noa, who had been quietly observing their conversation, tugged on Ivella’s sleeve.

“Hey, is that okay?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I think I heard that Delia’s coming to train with Ulan this evening….”

Delia Arpen.

The moment her name was mentioned, Ivella’s expression stiffened slightly. But it was only for a moment, and then she shrugged it off like it was nothing.

“It’s fine. She’s a mage, after all.”

“What does that have to do with it…?”

“Of course it matters.”

Ivella smiled brightly.

“Because I have the perfect excuse for a duel. So if I monopolize Ulan first, it’ll be resolved easily, right?”

“….”

Flames flickered in her turquoise eyes.

A strong determination that she wouldn’t let Ulan be taken away. Seeing this, Noa fell silent.

‘Was it about half a month ago?’

Ever since they went out on a date.

Ivella’s attitude toward Ulan had changed to be far more proactive than before.

She didn’t hide her feelings for him and seemed determined to find opportunities to spend more time together, just like now.

‘And…’

As a result, Ivella’s and Delia’s relationship had naturally soured. It made sense, considering they both had feelings for Ulan.

‘A change that never happened in the original.’

Noa couldn’t predict what the future of these shifting relationships might lead to. She just hoped it wouldn’t interfere with the hero party.

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out at the front of the crowd.

“Hey, look over there!”

“They’re coming out now!”

There was really no need to ask what was coming out. The reason the students gathered was quite clear.

Clump, clump!

The sound of determined footsteps approached from the direction of the building.

Moments later, a group appeared.

Thirty men and women clad in white cloaks. They were students from Eloden Academy.

But there was one puzzling thing.

“Huh? Why do they all look so stern?”

The thirty students had one commonality.

They were all expressionless. There was not a hint of a smile on their faces, and they didn’t even glance at the crowd of students.

They reacted as dry as if they were wooden dolls.

Suddenly, some students began to whisper among themselves.

“Isn’t that because of Eloden’s school rules?”

“Huh? School rules?”

“I heard somewhere that humility and restraint are virtues. So maybe that’s why they’re like that?”

“Well, even so, that’s a bit….”

Just as everyone continued to speculate.

Suddenly, they all fell silent.

“…”

No one dared to speak again.

They merely stared in the same direction with their mouths slightly agape.

The object of their gaze was a girl wearing a white veil.

Sparkling turquoise hair.

A figure whose curves and voluptuous body couldn’t be hidden even behind a neat uniform, radiating an aura of maturity, purity, and mystique.

‘Saintess Laurea.’

The moment Ulan recognized who she was.

His eyes filled with nostalgia.

To be honest, Ulan and Laurea weren’t on the best terms. She had looked at him with disdain ever since their first meeting.

So Ulan didn’t like her either.

Naturally, he had no reason to like someone who showed animosity right after meeting.

‘But…’

As he spent time with Laurea, Ulan learned the reasons and backstories behind her disdain.

Conversely, Laurea also recognized that she had misjudged and had prejudices against Ulan.

As a result, they had been able to drop their grudges and grow closer, understanding each other’s circumstances.

‘Although they hadn’t become completely close yet.’

Right when their relationship was beginning to improve, the hero party fell into a trap set by Giant King Rargtan. Ulan stayed behind to save his allies and met his end in his past life.

‘I miss those times.’

It was perhaps because they parted just as they were getting to know each other better that Ulan’s gaze held a sense of longing.

Meanwhile, Noa was different.

The moment she spotted Laurea, she blinked faster than anyone else.

She wanted to check her status.

[Name]: Laurea Ro Sharvel

[Age]: 19 years

[Rank]: SSS

[Trait]: Divine Agent

Saintess Laurea.

Among the seven heroes, she was undoubtedly the highest-ranked hero. She was one rank higher than Ulan, the peak of the warrior class.

There was a reason for this.

‘Because she is absolutely indispensable as a hero.’

Of course, the other heroes were also essential named characters. Still, Laurea was special among them.

Because only Laurea could assist the heroes in recovering and purifying poisons.

‘While bards can also heal…’

The bard of the hero party, Fertisha.

Being a half-human, half-spirit, she could use the spirit’s power to assist in recovery.

However, that only amounted to stopping blood or healing wounds. She lacked the power to reattach severed body parts.

‘On the other hand, Laurea is different.’

She possessed staggering divine power.

One of the strongest saintesses ever recorded in the history of the Holy Nation.

So, whether it was fingers or arms and legs, she could just as easily reattach them in no time.

‘That means she’s the party’s sole healer.’

Among all the named characters in the original.

No one could match Laurea’s healing ability and purifying power. Additionally, Laurea had several special abilities.

Just as Ulan was trying to recall that.

“…!”

Suddenly, Noa’s eyes widened.

In the midst of the crowd, their gazes locked with Laurea’s for a fleeting moment. Noa felt a shiver run down her spine.

Because the instant she looked into her eyes.

She felt as if the innermost parts of her hidden thoughts had been completely exposed.

‘…No, it isn’t an illusion.’

Noa shook her head vigorously.

This was one of Laurea’s special abilities.

‘Reflective Eye.’

The eye that pierces through the essence.

In terms of effects, it was similar to the Heart’s Eye.

By merely locking eyes with someone, she had the power to scan their goodness, evilness, traits, and even their essence.

So she hurriedly averted her eyes.

If she maintained eye contact any longer, it felt as if she would be exposed not only as Noa Darshen but also that Yoomina’s memories and existence would be revealed.

Meanwhile, as Ulan reminisced about Laurea, he suddenly felt a piercing glance.

It felt as if someone was keeping an eye on him.

Instinctively, Ulan turned his head. There, a familiar face awaited him.

‘Ian Marcus.’

The Saintess’s escort, and the strongest knight.

A reliable comrade who occasionally served as the vanguard for the party alongside Ulan. He was a formidable opponent with strength comparable to Ulan’s.

‘He’s wary of me.’

It was evident since he didn’t take his hand off the hilt.

He must have instinctively sensed Ulan’s power and presence as a danger.

Just as he locked eyes with Ian.

Suddenly, an unexpected turn of events unfolded.

“Wait a minute.”

“That girl in the veil….”

“Isn’t she coming this way?”

“Huh? Now that you mention it….”

The momentary stir among the students.

Their speculation turned out to be true.

Laurea, who had been at the center of the delegation, suddenly began approaching the crowded area.

Softly!

With graceful steps.

The throng split apart like the sea. There was an otherworldly aura surrounding her.

Shortly after.

Her light footsteps came to a stop.

“Hello there.”

She arrived right in front of Ulan and Noa.

Laurea beamed as she greeted them.

“I’m Laurea Ro Sharvel, a second-year student from the Eloden Academy delegation.”

Right after her unexpected introduction.

The gaze of most students shifted toward Ulan and Noa.

They were filled with questions about why she was speaking to them, along with curiosity, jealousy, and envy.

As all eyes were on them.

“May I know your names?”

Laurea initiated the conversation again.

Noa, tensing up, blurted out.

“I-I’m Noa Darshen!”

“Ulan.”

“Ulan?”

The moment Laurea heard Ulan’s name, her eyes widened slightly.

After a moment, a strange smile blossomed on her face, as if she had just recalled something forgotten.

“I see. So you’re….”

“Senpai.”

However, the rest of her words were cut off by Ian, who followed behind her.

“It’s not appropriate to suddenly run off like that.”

“I apologize. I just wanted to greet my fellow students from Arsen Academy. We’ll be interacting for the next two weeks, after all.”

It was a trivial reason for straying from the group.

But no one questioned it.

Most students were half mesmerized by Laurea’s sweet voice.

“So everyone.”

After lightly glancing around.

Laurea gently lifted her skirt.

“I look forward to getting along with everyone in the near future.”

With a bright smile, she finished her introduction.

The moment her lips closed, students rushed to introduce themselves.

“N-nice to meet you!”

“I’m Melion!”

“I’m Yarden from the 2nd year, 1st class! Just let me know if you want a school tour!”

“I’m from the Count Rapieta family…!”

Perhaps they viewed it as an opportunity to make friends?

The students of Arsen all shared their names and affiliations, hoping to catch Laurea’s attention.

But most couldn’t make eye contact with her. Perhaps for the same reason that Noa had looked away earlier.

Ulan, however, was different.

Since Laurea finished her introduction, he hadn’t taken his eyes off of her.

“I-I said Ulan, right?”

“Yes.”

“Is there something on my face? You’ve been staring at me since earlier.”

Under the weight of her intense gaze, Laurea awkwardly asked. Ulan answered as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“You look quite tired.”

“Haha, well, I am a little tired. I’ve been on a tight schedule starting this morning.”

She scratched her cheek as she replied.

Just then, a surprise question came flying out.

“Did you drink too much last night?”

“…Huh?”

“You look like you have the eyes of a hangover.”

The moment those words left his mouth, Laurea’s composure shattered.

Her eyes shook like a torrent.

Just as she looked like a girl caught hiding something, suddenly a loud shout came from the Eloden delegation.

“What nonsense is that!”

The student council president, Teron Shulagen.

Leading the way, the students from Eloden Academy frowned heavily. Then they glared at Ulan as if demanding an explanation.

“Do you know who this is?”

“To say Laurea drinks…!”

“How dare you make such insulting remarks…!”

“Even if the heavens split apart, that wouldn’t happen!”

The students showed no restraint in expressing their displeasure.

Just as strong denials were being thrown around.

“Pfft!”

Suddenly, laughter echoed.

It was Ian stifling his laughter. He found something amusing, shaking his shoulders with laughter.

But his reaction didn’t last long.

Because Laurea quickly pinched Ian’s side.

Meanwhile, Ulan reflected on the memories from his past life.

‘Laurea used to love alcohol.’

Whenever they had dinner with comrades, if alcohol wasn’t included, she hardly ate at all.

She had lived each day attached to drink, often suffering from hangovers the day after heavy drinking.

‘Of course, she never showed it outwardly.’

Thanks to her strict self-discipline, Laurea rarely displayed any weakness.

Yet, those who had been with her for a long time, like the other seven heroes, could tell with just a glance.

Whether she had drunk moderately or excessively the night before. And at present, her eyes were reminiscent of someone who had overindulged.

Thus, Ulan offered a piece of advice.

“For hangovers, redwood berries are good.”

“R-redwood… what?”

“Redwood trees. They grow abundantly in the Eastern Forest. If you get a chance, drop by and try some. It’ll help.”

Ulan casually tossed out those words.

Laurea looked flustered just then.

From afar, Teron stepped forward.

“…Laurea.”

“Yes?”

“While it’s good to interact with the students, I think it’s time we should move along.”

The Eloden delegation had a schedule.

Acknowledging this, Laurea nodded as if she understood. She then looked at Ulan, Noa, and the students, smiling brightly.

“I would love to chat with many of you, but I must take my leave now due to our schedule. I look forward to the day we meet again.”

With a final polite farewell.

Laurea and her delegation departed.

As Ulan gazed after them, suddenly someone poked at his side.

“…Ulan.”

It was Ivella, looking a bit sulky, now pointing at the now distant Laurea.

“Do you know that girl?”

“Eh, of course not.”

The reply came from Noa.

“Ulan hasn’t even been to the Eloden Academy, let alone the Holy Nation. He only left the prairie when he enrolled at the Academy.”

“That’s right. Guess I was mistaken.”

“Huh? Mistaken about what?”

“I just had this uneasy feeling, like there was going to be a new rival popping up.”

“…”

“Hehe, but if that’s not the case, then it’s all good.”

Ivella smiled cheerfully.

On the other hand, Noa couldn’t bring herself to smile at all.

It was due to her suspicions.

‘What’s going on? Why do I have such a strong hunch all of a sudden?’

If we consider the original pairings, there indeed existed a possibility between Ulan and the saintess.

Though the likelihood was quite slim.

Even so, the fact that she instinctively sensed it was both surprising and concerning to her.

“Let’s head back. Time for a meal and some training.”

Meanwhile, Ulan walked on, conversing with Ivella like it was normal.

Thus, the day when the student delegation from Eloden Academy arrived came to a close.