Chapter 105

(5)

7.

The Student Dining Hall of Arsen Academy.

In the notoriously pricey special room, six men and women huddled together.

Ulan, Noa, Ivella.

Delia, Ian, and even Laurea.

As they glanced around at the other students.

Ulan wore a nostalgic expression.

Naturally.

Four of those gathered, excluding Noa, were comrades he had fought alongside in his past life.

‘Of course, it’s different now.’

Only Ulan recalled that they were comrades in this life. Hence, he didn’t share the years of bond they had developed back then.

Still, he was genuinely happy to be reunited like this.

‘It would’ve been even better if Fertisha and Sven were here too.’

That would be asking for too much.

Just meeting Ian and Laurea felt like a miracle enough. As he lost himself in memories,

The others were busy perusing the menu.

“Delia, what’s good here?”

“This one.”

The moment Laurea finished her question,

Delia pointed to a menu item without hesitation.

Golden Thick Stew. Laurea, examining it closely, tilted her head in confusion.

“Huh? What’s this? Pumpkin porridge?”

“Honey, Spider, Stew.”

“…….”

As the reply came back,

Laurea’s expression froze.

Moments later, as if remembering something long forgotten, she nodded.

“Ah, right. Now I remember. You used to like dishes with bugs in them.”

“It’s pretty good, actually.”

“Ew, no thanks, I’ll pass.”

She shook her head in disgust.

A moment later, Laurea turned her gaze in this direction, hoping someone would recommend a different dish.

“Is there anyone who can suggest something else? Not the bug-filled one, please.”

But no answers came back.

Ivella avoided eye contact as if shying away from the conversation, while Noa seemed to start to propose something but fell silent.

Maybe she was trying to suggest that dish with silkworms she used to enjoy.

An awkward silence followed.

Just as Laurea was about to speak up again, Ulan opened the menu.

“Then, I recommend this one.”

“This is…”

“It’s a stew made with pig ribs simmered with meat and red onions.”

Just the description was a contrast from the spider stew Delia had suggested; it sounded like an actual meal.

As Laurea’s complexion brightened,

Ulan added,

“It has plenty of radishes and green onions, so it’s good for hangovers as well.”

Hangover relief.

As those words came out, Laurea’s expression momentarily changed in shock.

It was as if she had been caught hiding a deeply buried secret.

“Did I drink about five bottles yesterday?”

“……No, you didn’t.”

Quickly regaining her composure,

Laurea retorted with a pout.

At that moment, Ian whispered softly.

“Actually, it was six bottles… Ugh!”

He couldn’t finish his sentence.

Laurea had elbowed him in anticipation of unnecessary comments coming out.

While Ian groaned in pain,

She smiled sweetly and replied.

“I didn’t drink any alcohol, but since I was recommended it, I’ll go with this. Absolutely did NOT drink any!”

After repeating her statement for emphasis,

It wasn’t long before the dishes the group had ordered were served on the table. Among them was the rib stew recommended by Ulan.

Definitely better than the spider stew.

It seemed to smell delicious too. The only issue was its somewhat unique appearance.

“…….”

The pig ribs were whole, floating in the stew.

It looked like something primitive prairie dwellers would eat, causing Laurea to momentarily ponder whether she should eat it or not.

Did Ulan pick up on her internal conflict?

He urged her again.

“Try it. It’s tasty.”

With that short sentence,

He quietly began his meal.

The same rib stew as Laurea’s. Though there was a significant difference in portion size.

Meanwhile, Laurea wore a tense expression.

Naturally. She had never eaten anything that looked quite like this.

But after a moment of deliberation.

“Hoo! Hoo!”

Blowing on the steam to cool it down,

She cautiously tasted the broth.

A short while later.

“……!”

Her yellow eyes widened.

The flavor was far more savory than she had anticipated.

Moreover, the light yet oily taste soothed her aching stomach from overindulgence.

Maybe it was just right for her palate?

“Khuuu!”

A gasp of admiration escaped from her.

But instead of the melodious voice she had before, it came out as a gravelly tone coated in a hangover.

“……Ah.”

The moment she realized this,

It was too late.

All eyes, except Ian’s, were on Laurea. Embarrassed, she coughed aggressively to cover the situation.

“Ahem! Khuuuu! I’m sorry. I might have a sore throat from this morning…”

“It’s fine. Drinking isn’t a crime.”

“But I totally didn’t!”

Even in the face of clear evidence, Laurea kept denying it. Perhaps she had her reasons, so they didn’t push the matter further.

The meal resumed.

While Laurea couldn’t help but keep her spoon moving over the rib stew, Noa’s expression across the table was far from pleasant.

‘…I feel like I’m going to be sick.’

The reason was simple.

Ivella and Delia had been constantly engaging in a silent battle over Ulan.

Ivella was particularly intense about it.

She even cast wary glances at Laurea.

‘Of course, I understand her feelings.’

Noa recalled Laurea’s earlier antics in class. Sitting too close to Ulan or whispering sneakily with her lips near his ear, among other things.

It was likely that each behavior had triggered Ivella’s jealousy.

‘Still…’

If only they could restrain themselves during meals.

Otherwise, it felt like he would end up sick from the tension.

Just then.

An even worse situation unfolded.

It was the moment when Ivella and Laurea’s gazes met in the air.

“……!”

Only Noa sensed the escalating tension.

Just when the atmosphere became thick with suspense,

Laurea spoke first.

“You don’t have to be so wary.”

“What? Why are you suddenly saying that?”

“I’m not actually interested in that guy.”

She said with a teasing smile.

In one swift sentence, she pierced the essence of the matter.

Perhaps she had used her Reflective Eye to see right through Ivella’s thoughts.

Meanwhile, the moment Laurea finished her statement,

Ivella narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“……That’s a lie.”

“It’s true. I actually prefer older guys rather than peers or younger ones; I have a thing for uncles.”

Even after the explanation, Ivella still looked doubtful. She must have thought that what Laurea said was nonsense.

Yet, regardless of Ivella’s reaction,

Laurea’s words were the truth.

Because her ideal type was closely related to her penalty.

‘Middle-aged preference.’

Saintess Laurea’s penalty.

Simply put, it made her fancy middle-aged men as romantic interests. Of course, you might wonder what’s the penalty if it’s just that.

‘But the real problem is different.’

The moment a suitable middle-aged man appears around her, her concentration, judgment, and self-control drop sharply.

‘At least, fortunately…’

When Laurea herself reaches middle age, the penalty disappears. Thus, it was almost non-existent in the original story.

Because when the Gate of the Abyss opened and they began to fight against Lords, Laurea had already surpassed a mature age.

‘Even now, it’s pretty much irrelevant.’

Laurea was about to become a Saintess.

Until she stepped down from that position, she would be thoroughly required to maintain her purity. In short, romantic relationships, and even marriage, were out of the question.

She wouldn’t be a rival to Ivella.

‘And I think Ian…’

Probably had a similar penalty.

Something related to his fetishes, but he couldn’t recall exactly what it was. Because Noa had never played as Ian Marcus before.

‘But he didn’t like men.’

Among numerous events in the original story, there was an event where Ian confesses to Delia after developing feelings for her.

Not that it led anywhere, but—

Anyway, based on that, it seemed he wasn’t either a male preference or homosexual.

‘So what is it?’

Just as this puzzling thought crossed his mind, Laurea’s voice suddenly broke through Noa’s reverie.

“No, I really mean it?!”

It seemed like a continuation of their earlier conversation.

Laurea tapped her chest in frustration and continued.

“If you still don’t believe me, I swear by the name of the Divine Being. Is that enough?”

The next Saintess mentioning a god.

Additionally, making a vow by that deity’s name?

There couldn’t be a more solid guarantee than this.

Even Ivella, who had been unwavering all along, lowered her suspicious gaze.

“Alright. In that case, I’ll believe you.”

“Phew, I’m relieved. Honestly, I was worried I’d choke from how much you were staring at me.”

“……Sorry.”

Ivella’s attitude softened considerably.

The flames of jealousy in her eyes had vanished without a trace.

Thanks to that, Noa felt a more relaxed atmosphere to continue his meal.

“By the way, everyone.”

After all the meals had been concluded,

Laurea spoke up.

“What’s the next agenda?”

“We’re heading to class.”

Even during this exchange period, lectures proceeded as usual. As Laurea and Ian nodded, it was now Noa’s turn to inquire.

“What about you guys?”

“Are you going to register for the joint classes?”

Delia added her question.

Students from Eloden could audit all classes under the pretense of joint courses.

Meanwhile, Laurea and Ian, upon being asked, feigned a thoughtful expression.

But their deliberation didn’t take long.

“Yes, since it’s a rare occasion, we’ll be attending.”

“So, can you tell us what classes you are taking?”

“That’s easy.”

Noa nodded cheerfully, and then Ivella and Ulan, followed by Delia, listed their course schedules.

How much time had passed?

Ulan then asked.

“So, did it help at all?”

“Definitely! I’ve decided what I want to attend.”

“What class is it?”

“Hehe, it’s a secret.”

“……A secret?”

“Yes, it would be boring if I told you in advance.”

Ulan looked perplexed, not understanding what was so uninteresting about that.

But he didn’t press any further. It wasn’t really crucial information.

After each had decided on their courses to audit.

The topic of conversation shifted.

The second exchange agenda.

It was about the friendly mock battle. Yet, Ivella and Delia responded with indifference.

“Honestly, I’m not interested in mock battles.”

“Yeah. They seem bothersome.”

For the first time, their opinions aligned.

They believed there would be no benefit in participating. And then Laurea looked at them in surprise.

“Really? That’s unexpected. I thought everyone would be interested because the prizes are quite nice.”

“What’s the prize?”

“Outing Permission.”

“……!”

The moment Laurea finished speaking,

Their expressions changed drastically.

Not just permission to go out, but an Outing Permission worth three days and two nights!

“At our Eloden Academy, outings aren’t free, so such rewards hold significant value. But I guess it’s not the same for Arsen?”

She asked out of envy when Ivella suddenly corrected herself.

“Then, I guess I should join too.”

“Huh? But you said you weren’t interested earlier…”

“My mind has changed.”

Even Delia decided to change her mind.

It was as if they were resolved to get that Outing Permission no matter what.

While the two girls ignited their passion,

The discussion flowed to the last agenda of the exchange meeting. It was the visit to the Source of Magic.

Right after the Source of Magic was mentioned,

Laurea and Ian exchanged looks.

This topic was the real reason they wanted to speak up, the story they were most eager to hear.

“I’ve always wanted to see the Source of Magic.”

“Same here. I’ve only seen it in books; I’ve never seen it in real life.”

After naturally leading the conversation,

They opened their mouths again.

“Oh, by the way, I heard something curious from the Empire last month.”

“They say a being presumed to be an ‘Abyssal Monster’ appeared at the Source of Magic; is that true?”

Ian cautiously asked.

The response came from Ulan and Delia.

“It’s true.”

“Right here, all of us, gathered.”

“Huh? What do you mean, gathered?”

“Just, the literal meaning.”

“When that Abyssal Monster appeared, I and Ulan and Delia were there.”

“……!?”

As they met each other’s widening yellow eyes,

The three calmly explained what had happened.

An Abyssal Monster had shown up at the Source of Magic, Zone 2, and they had engaged in fierce combat against it.

Moreover, when Delia invoked a seven-star Stellar Magic, “Meteor Shower,” and annihilated nearly a thousand magical beasts,

“H-Hundreds?!”

“Wasn’t there just one monster?!”

Laurea and Ian’s eyes widened.

Perhaps they had mistakenly thought only one Abyssal Monster appeared.

“Did you perhaps mistake it for any common monsters…?”

“Absolutely not.”

Delia responded firmly.

Ulan and Noa also chimed in to back her up.

“Delia is correct.”

“The Abyssal Monsters we saw definitely crawled out from the Abyssal Rift.”

As Noa finished speaking,

Laurea asked,

“Wait, what do you mean by rift?”

“Right. I forgot to explain that.”

Realizing his mistake, Noa corrected himself.

He began explaining how Professor Dirck had turned into a monster, and that it was from his death that the Abyssal Rift opened.

After the pristine explanation was fully delivered but,

“…….”

Laurea and Ian fell silent.

With serious expressions.

It was understandable.

During Noa’s recounting, the first verse of the prophecy unexpectedly came to mind.

“The fragments of the Abyss have flowed into the world through the rift; the day the gate opens is near.”

Transmuting fragments into monsters, and rift into, well, rifts.

The contents lined up perfectly with the events that took place at the Source of Magic.

Right after piecing the situation together.

Laurea, with an enlightened expression, started to move her lips again.

“I just want to ask one more thing.”

“What is it?”

“I heard rumors that one of the Five Swords of the Empire, Marquis Gorphant, fought as well.”

“That’s right. He arrived as reinforcements when Delia’s magic was running out.”

Ulan nodded solemnly.

Soon, he began to recall the past as he continued.

“Thanks to the Marquis protecting Noa and Delia, we were finally able to subdue the Frost Dragon.”

“Huh? Frost Dragon?!”

“What’s that?”

“It’s one of the Lords of the Abyss.”

As soon as the word “Lord” left his lips,

His scarlet eyes turned fierce.

“It’s called the nightmare of mages due to its power to freeze magic solid.”

Finishing the brief summary of “that thing,” Ulan firmly asserted they had defeated the Frost Dragon.

But at that moment, Laurea, who had been listening quietly, suddenly had a sharp glint in her eyes.

“But how do you know that?”

“What are you talking about?”

“About there being a leader of the Abyss and that it’s known as the Frost Dragon.”

Laurea’s remark came quickly.

Simultaneously, Noa cheered internally.

At last, Laurea was asking that question he had been dying to know.

‘How will he respond?’

Eagerly, Noa awaited Ulan’s answer, filled with a mix of expectation and curiosity. A short while later, his answer came back.

“It’s a simple reason.”

His voice carried no emotion.

Ulan spoke in a calm tone, as if recalling something from long ago.

“Because I fought it once.”

“……Huh?”

Noa asked back in a daze.

His expression was completely bewildered.

It didn’t make sense.

The Frost Dragon had only revealed itself this time, so when exactly did he fight it?

‘He must be lying.’

Noa felt pretty sure.

But that was Ulan’s blunder.

No lie could stand before Laurea’s Reflective Eye. Thus, soon the truth would surfacing, and he would have no choice but to confess.

But in that moment.

“That’s surprising. I never knew that happened.”

Laurea maintained a serious expression.

Noa’s eyes widened in horror at her reaction.

It felt like she accepted Ulan’s words as the truth.

An entirely unexpected development.

As Noa’s mind froze in disbelief, Laurea continued her line of questioning.

“Could you perhaps tell me when that happened too…?”

“I can’t disclose that.”

Ulan shook his head.

“You wouldn’t believe me even if I told you.”

This was also the truth.

It had to be the truth.

Ulan was someone whose exterior and interior matched perfectly.

Meanwhile, Laurea systematically pieced together the information she had gathered.

During that process, the sound of a bell interrupted her thoughts.

Ding! Ding!

It was the signal announcing the beginning of the morning lecture.

“I guess it’s time to get up.”

With Ulan’s murmured words as the cue,

Ivella and Delia also stood up. They all had morning lectures to attend.

“Thanks to you, I had a great meal today.”

“Not at all. My pleasure.”

Laurea smiled brightly.

Although the special room fee was quite hefty, she had gained even more valuable information.

She too stood up.

To see Ulan off.

“Well then, see you again in the afternoon.”

“Huh? Afternoon?”

Ulan looked puzzled.

But he received no answer in return.

It wasn’t until after that,

Ulan comprehended what Laurea meant, precisely after the morning lectures had ended.

More accurately, the time was far past noon.

As the Practical Hunting class was about to commence.

“Nice to see you all.”

A familiar voice echoed.

A girl with turquoise hair.

She faced Ulan and Delia with a playful smile.

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

The surprisingly quick reunion marked the beginning of the joint class with the next Saintess.