Chapter 103

That night.

After finishing their arrival schedule at Arsen Academy, the students from Eloden headed straight for their accommodation.

They were tired, and if they wanted to prepare for tomorrow’s schedule, they needed a good rest.

So the students each took their well-assigned rooms to relax. This also applied to the next Saintess, Laurea.

“Huff.”

After letting out a short sigh, she sat on the balcony and looked up.

Facing the cool breeze blowing from beyond the forest, she silently gazed at the night sky.

This forlorn scene was as beautiful as a painting. Though her escort, Ian, didn’t think so at all.

There was only one reason.

It was the wine bottle in her hand.

“…Senpai.”

“What?”

“I’m not here to criticize your drinking habits, but wouldn’t it be better to drink inside?”

“Nope. It’s stuffy inside.”

She pouted her lips, playing the stubborn card. Ian sighed at her adamant refusal to go back inside.

“Still, it’s better than being caught by the other students, isn’t it?”

“So what if I get caught? It’s not illegal.”

Laurea shrugged her shoulders.

In the Holy Nation where Eloden Academy was located, people were legally recognized as adults starting at seventeen. So there was no concern for someone like her at nineteen.

“No, I’m talking about your attire, not your drinking.”

“My attire?”

Laurea tilted her head.

Just out of the shower, she was wearing nothing but a white bathrobe.

Not exactly the most presentable look for a future Saintess.

If someone caught a glimpse of her like this, it was clear her reputation would take a hit.

Meanwhile, Laurea stared at her own outfit and suddenly broke into a mischievous smile. She pretended to adjust her robe and then asked,

“What’s wrong? Did you imagine something lewd?”

“No, not at all.”

“Huh?”

“You’re completely outside my tastes, you know? I’m not particularly fond of drinkers or people with rags in their mouth.”

Just as she finished her sharp response—

Whoosh!

Amazingly, an empty wine bottle flew in.

And Ian caught it skillfully.

As if he expected such a thing to happen. At that moment, Laurea glared at him with fiery eyes.

“…Do you want to die?”

“I was just stating facts, why are you mad?”

“You could’ve dressed it up a little.”

“But then you’d get angry about that too, right? It’s useless to lie in front of you, Senpai.”

The power called “Divine Blessing.”

Reflective Eye.

No lie could pass in front of those eyes that pierced the essence of existence.

Since realizing this, Ian only spoke the facts. Laurea knew this, which is why she fell silent.

After a moment’s silence, Ian opened his lips again.

“As an important reminder, we have a full schedule starting tomorrow. So please don’t go overboard drinking like last night.”

“I know. That’s why I’m planning to stop after this one.”

Laurea took out another wine bottle.

Considering her tolerance, two bottles of wine didn’t even count as overindulging.

As Ian sighed in relief, Laurea suddenly spoke up.

“How about you? Want to take a sip?”

“I’ll pass. I’m on guard duty, after all.”

“Oh come on, it’s safe here. This is the safest place within Arsen Academy, right?”

The accommodation where the Eloden delegation was staying was in a guest building in the academy’s center. Known for its strict security.

Elite units of the Arsen Guards were on watch, and the Magic Department’s renowned Special Operations Division was also on the lookout.

But Ian didn’t think it was safe at all.

“No, not at all.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because there are monsters here.”

Ian’s eyes narrowed.

He was naturally sharp and intuitive. More precisely, having spent his childhood on the streets gave him great survival instincts.

Perhaps that’s why?

Ian’s ability to sense danger was sharper than anyone else’s. Especially his ability to recognize beings stronger than him was top-notch.

‘In that sense…’

The barbarian he saw during the day was a dangerous being.

The moment he saw him, he realized. If he fought that guy, it’d be a guaranteed loss for him.

Ian Marcus, an expert among experts.

Moreover, if he maximized his divine power, he could momentarily use a Master’s strength.

But if he determined that he had no chances of winning, it meant only one thing about the opponent’s identity.

‘…A Master’s level.’

A monster possessing a domain.

A strong one walking a different time zone from ordinary people.

He didn’t know why such a powerful person was in a mere academy, but unless he was a definite ally, it was prudent to view him as a threat.

‘That’s why I was startled earlier.’

It was because of Laurea approaching Ulan without a word. No matter how much Ian tried, he couldn’t effectively utilize his power in a Master’s domain.

In other words, if the opponent had bad intentions, he wouldn’t have been able to protect Laurea.

So he immediately asked,

“Why did you do that earlier?”

“Do what?”

“You suddenly ran out during the day.”

“Oh, that?”

Laurea smirked.

“I was just curious.”

“Curious?”

“I’ve never seen someone with two souls in one body. Well, one of them was asleep, but still.”

The black-haired girl, Noa Darshen.

To Laurea, who possessed the Reflective Eye, she was an incredibly alien existence.

As mentioned before, typically, a person has only one soul in one body, but Noa coexisted with two.

‘And…’

Noa’s essence was also quite peculiar.

Endless darkness.

It felt as though he were peering into an abyss where even the bottom couldn’t be seen. Just facing such an essence sent shivers down her spine.

Having never encountered such a thing before, Laurea thought of Noa as a monster.

Meanwhile, hearing this, Ian muttered with a seriously grim face.

“…You don’t think she’s an abyssal being, do you?”

“Could be, could not be. I’ve never seen an abyssal being properly, anyway.”

However, as long as she was in Arsen, she definitely warranted caution.

Furthermore, there was one more person.

An individual who piqued Laurea’s interest.

“That guy Ulan was interesting too.”

“I have to agree, he was intriguing.”

“Isn’t that so?”

“Yeah, he was the first to immediately catch on that you were suffering from a hangover.”

“…”

She fell silent, holding the bottle upside down.

Ian promptly zipped it and Laurea frowned, placing the bottle down. Then she reverted to the original topic.

“That guy’s the same inside and out.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“It means he has nothing to hide.”

“Well, that’s surprising. Didn’t you say before that the only person who’s the same inside and out was the Holy King?”

Laurea nodded.

Even her mentor, who was soon to step down from the position of Saintess, wasn’t the same inside and out. Not to mention Ian and even Laurea herself.

The only person who’s lauded as a saint was the Holy King.

‘But…’

To think a mere barbarian would be the same.

Also, the essence reflected in the Reflective Eye was pure fire itself. Nothing to hide, simply burning bright to prove existence.

This too was incredibly similar to the Holy King, whose essence was light. Having never encountered a person like this before, Laurea couldn’t lose her curiosity.

And there was one more reason.

“You probably heard, right?”

“Heard what?”

“About the rumors regarding the barbarian who was recently designated as a Grade Zero managed target by the Empire.”

“Oh, I’ve heard a bit about that.”

Ian nodded.

“A month ago, when the Abyssal Monster appeared at the Source of Magic, the barbarian was mentioned then too.”

Back then, the Rubens Empire said this.

The one who defeated the Abyssal Monster that emerged from the Source of Magic was none other than Marquess Seoric Al Gorphant, one of the Empire’s five swords.

In contrast, the information department of the Holy Nation gathered reports that differed significantly from this. There was another individual who faced the monster alongside the Marquess.

And that individual was the aforementioned barbarian.

“Do you know what that barbarian’s name is?”

“I didn’t catch that.”

“They say it’s Ulan Bator.”

“……!”

The moment he heard the name.

Ian’s eyes went wide.

“Wait. I think I also heard the monster’s name…”

“Right, it was ‘Ulan.’”

Laurea smirked.

The reason she was surprised earlier in the day upon hearing Ulan introduce himself was exactly this.

A Grade Zero managed target designated by the Empire.

A warrior who repelled the Abyssal Monster.

Someone strong enough to be cautioned against by the expert Ian Marcus.

All these signs pointed to just one person, and Ian’s demeanor grew serious.

“…I need to try and make contact with him.”

“Of course. Just by the information we’ve gathered so far, it’s clear he’s an important figure.”

Laurea nodded.

She also felt that talking with the barbarian might unravel the contents of the prophecy mentioned.

“But just making contact won’t be enough.”

“Why not?”

“Do you think you’d easily share secrets with someone you met for the first time?”

To extract the information they wanted, a friendly relationship was necessary since the opponent was stronger.

“So should we take the direct approach?”

“Huh? What approach?”

“We’ll find him at the dorm, and then just casually start a conversation saying we came to share some nice words. Like how evangelists do.”

“…Declined.”

As soon as his answer finished, Laurea shook her head.

“That would just raise suspicion.”

“Really? But I read in textbooks that everyone succeeded in preaching using this method!”

“Of course. They only wrote about success stories.”

“Eww, is that how it is?”

“That’s how it is.”

After delivering the harsh reality.

Laurea released a sigh.

“Huff, it can’t be helped. I’ll think of a plan related to him, so just do whatever I say.”

“Well, fair enough.”

Ian nodded gladly.

It was much easier that way.

“But Senpai.”

“What now?”

“I thought you said you’d only drink that much earlier?”

Ian’s eyes narrowed.

He saw Laurea pulling out a fresh bottle and couldn’t let that go.

“Oh come on, you misheard.”

“But…”

“Did you see me stop after only two bottles?”

“…”

Well, he hadn’t.

Laurea typically polished off at least five bottles in one sitting.

“Sigh, fine. Do as you please.”

“Oh? Giving up already?”

“Yeah, anyway, it’ll be your head that’s splitting tomorrow, not mine.”

As soon as Ian’s statement finished.

Laurea’s expression narrowed.

“Hey, why does your answer feel prickly?”

“Ah, the fact you noticed that is a relief. At least you seem to have a minimal amount of conscience.”

“Are you teasing me or what?”

With a mocking tone, Laurea tipped the bottle upside down, and Ian silently prepared to catch it.

As they bickered back and forth.

The night at the academy deepened.

5.

The next morning.

At the Arsen Academy administration office, they officially announced the arrival of the Eloden student delegation.

But not much commotion followed.

Since most of the students were already aware of this fact. In reality, the number of spectators who went to see the delegation exceeded a hundred.

“I believe everyone is aware that the Eloden student delegation arrived yesterday.”

Perhaps that’s why?

Professor Miel Gulakas, the advisor of class 1-3, began speaking with the assumption that students knew about Eloden Academy’s visit.

“The official exchange period lasts for fifteen days. During this time, we will conduct various cultural exchanges, joint classes, a field trip to the Source of Magic, and friendly mock battles.”

After skimming through the exchange schedule, he flicked his long tongue while looking back at the students.

“Additionally, since this exchange focuses on student interaction, one student from Eloden Academy will be assigned to each class.”

As soon as he finished this explanation.

Students’ faces brightened with excitement.

They knew there was to be an exchange event, but they never expected to have one of Eloden’s students in the same class.

“However, due to the delegation’s circumstances, two students might be assigned to one class. Our class happens to be one of those cases.”

After finishing up to there, Professor Miel suddenly turned around. Striding over, he opened the entrance door.

“Alright, come in.”

There was no need to ask who he was talking to. As soon as Professor Miel finished speaking, two young people stepped into the classroom.

Thud, thud!

Two males and females entered, their white capes billowing behind them.

With their entrance, the classroom erupted in an instant.

“Hello. Good morning.”

“Nice to meet you, fellow Arsen students.”

Facing the class 3-1 students, the two began introducing themselves.

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

“And I’m Ian Marcus, a first-year student as well. It may be a short period, but I hope to get along well.”

A girl with a delicate atmosphere and stunning looks, and a boy with a friendly impression.

The diverse charm of these handsome and beautiful students lit up the faces of the classmates. However, there were also slightly different reactions from some.

That was from Ulan and Noa.

Chapter 25. I’ve come to share some good words.