Chapter 173

Right after facing Ulan.

Ivella’s mind went blank.

Truth is, she had some words prepared.

She wanted to ask why he didn’t come.

Why he didn’t keep his promise. But the moment she looked at Ulan, she was at a loss for words, and nothing came out.

“……”

There was only one reason.

Something overwhelmed all her emotions.

‘I missed you.’

It was that warm feeling of joy.

Upon seeing Ulan again after half a month, the flames of jealousy and anger that had been blazing inside her vanished in an instant.

Meanwhile, around the same time, Ulan’s eyes widened.

“Ivella.”

Having spotted her late, he immediately bowed his head without hesitation.

“I’m sorry for not keeping my promise.”

“……Ah.”

The low and deep voice echoed in her ears.

Hearing it, her senses came back to life.

As Ivella seemed to pull herself together, Ulan began explaining why he couldn’t keep his promise.

After a considerable amount of time passed, Ulan wrapped up his story.

Whenever explanations were lacking, Noa filled in the blanks, allowing Ivella to easily grasp what Ulan was trying to convey.

“Hmm, so….”

After nodding with a serious face, she summarized Ulan and Noa’s lengthy chatter in one sentence.

“To sum it up, you predicted Delia would be in danger, so you went to rescue her?”

“Accurate.”

Ulan nodded silently.

Soon, Ivella’s gaze shifted to Noa.

‘Noa has foresight.’

The ability to read the future through dreams.

Having experienced it in the past, she accepted this easily.

However, there was a part she didn’t understand.

“But why did Ulan have to go….”

To rescue Delia.

There were ways to inform the Duchy that Delia was in danger, or they could have borrowed Marquis Gorphant’s power. So why was it necessary?

As she furrowed her brows, Ulan’s answer came.

“Well, Delia is a precious colleague.”

“Precious colleague?”

Her delicate eyebrows twitched.

She reacted to the word precious.

With a displeased expression, Ivella bit her lips and replied.

“Then what am I?”

“What?”

“What do I mean to you, Ulan?”

Ivella stepped forward.

The distance between them closed in an instant—so close that she could almost feel his breath.

Meanwhile, Ulan didn’t even blink.

He casually answered.

“You’re also a precious colleague.”

“……Is that all?”

Another question returned.

Ulan tried to say yes.

But for a moment, he was at a loss for words.

Ivella’s turquoise eyes seemed oddly sad, ready to spill tears at any moment.

“That is….”

So he swallowed what was about to come out. Instead, he blurted out something else.

“For now, that’s the case.”

“For now…?”

Right after she heard those words, Ivella’s expression subtly changed.

It was understandable.

That answer could be interpreted as there’s a chance of a change in their relationship going forward.

The moment she realized this, strangely enough, her heart felt lighter.

Her previously stuffy heart relaxed, and her mood lifted. The jealousy that had dominated her thoughts had eased considerably.

“Phew.”

After finally regaining her composure, she let out a long sigh of relief and turned to Ulan once more.

“Let me ask one more thing.”

“What is it?”

“If I were in a dangerous situation, would you come to save me like you did with Delia?”

“Of course.”

There was no hesitation in his immediate response.

Steady and clear eyes.

It was the truth. Realizing this, the knot in her heart melted away completely.

“……Got it.”

With a deep breath, her breathing steadied.

Ivella silently nodded her head.

“I’ll overlook this incident.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Ulan bowed his head once more.

At that moment, Ivella continued.

“But there’s a condition.”

“Condition?”

“You have to do me a favor later.”

“A favor…?”

“I can’t say it right now, but it won’t be a hard favor for you.”

With slightly flushed cheeks and ears.

Her turquoise eyes fluttered lightly.

Then Ulan, who had been quietly observing Ivella, replied cheerfully.

“Alright, I will.”

Since he was the one who broke the promise first, if this made her feel better, he was more than willing to grant her request. The content didn’t matter, especially if it wouldn’t be hard.

“Okay, then it’s settled.”

Ivella also wore a satisfied expression.

The faint smile blooming on her lips was evidence of that.

Just as the conversation began to wind down.

Growwwl!

A familiar noise echoed.

It came from Ulan’s stomach.

“Ahaha, Ulan hasn’t changed a bit.”

The booming sound echoed clearly.

Ivella burst into laughter.

Turning around, she linked arms with Ulan and beamed at him.

“Shall we grab a meal together after such a long time?”

“Sounds like a good idea.”

It was a suggestion with no reason to refuse.

Ulan’s eyes sparkled.

Just as they were about to head to the dining hall.

“Hold on, wait a minute!”

Someone called out to stop them.

It was Noa. At the sudden halt, Ivella shot her a questioning look, and Noa sheepishly responded with a nervous laugh.

“Um, Delia hasn’t arrived yet…”

“She doesn’t need to be here.”

The cold response came back like ice.

With a frosty stare, she explained why Delia’s absence was necessary.

“For whatever reason, she and Ulan must have been together all vacation long, right?”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“So today is my turn.”

No way am I yielding.

With a determined twinkle in her eyes, Ivella tightly latched onto Ulan’s arm.

This was a different, more forceful attitude than before.

With Ivella being so strong about it, Noa couldn’t say to wait any longer.

“Okay, let’s hurry.”

Ivella pulled Ulan along.

Since they couldn’t just let the two go off alone, Noa followed behind Ulan heading towards the dining hall.

Perhaps because it was a somewhat ambiguous time?

Unlike during the semester, the dining hall was fairly empty.

So just as they were about to step in without hesitation, suddenly someone approached them out of the blue. Then, hands flew out to cover Ulan’s eyes.

“Guess who?”

“……!”

Simultaneously, Ivella’s eyes widened.

There was only one reason.

‘What? When did they sneak up on us?’

She hadn’t even sensed their presence.

If she couldn’t feel even the sound of their footsteps as she progressed from mid-level to high-ranking knight, it meant this person was a greater strong one than Ivella.

Meanwhile, Ulan showed no sign of disturbance.

Unlike her, he always kept the Master’s Domain active, so he had already sensed the approaching presence long ago.

Yet, he allowed the approach because he recognized the voice. Just as he was about to respond to the question posed from behind his back.

The world before him brightened again.

Then came a cheerful voice.

“Hehe, just playing a little joke.”

Snow-white hair.

Rabbit-like, bright red eyes.

The girl dressed in neat attire spoke with an unmistakably bright smile.

“I mentioned before, right? I’ll be attending Arsen Academy starting this fall semester.”

Her pure voice rang out like a clear bell.

This girl exuded a mysterious aura; she was one of the heroes who had fought alongside Ulan in their past lives against the Abyss.

It was none other than Fertisha.

“So please take care of me from now on!”

With a bright face and a wave, she smiled.

On the contrary, someone else couldn’t smile at all.

“…….”

It was Ivella.

As soon as she realized the girl blocking Ulan’s eyes was female, and that she was quite a beautiful one too, she thought.

‘What now?’

Her expression crumpled as if saying that, and the embers of jealousy ignited once more in her turquoise eyes.

4.

Private room set in the Student Dining Hall.

The space was enveloped in a blanket of heavy silence as Noa quietly sighed over and over.

It was only natural.

She had originally intended for a simple meal, but it hadn’t turned out that way.

“……”

Ulan was examining the menu.

Fertisha was smiling brightly.

Ivella, with her razor-sharp eyes, and the late arrival of Delia, who frowned at the scene.

For Noa, who was aware of their relationships, the mood was tense enough to warrant feeling faint.

‘I’m really going to lose it.’

Just being in the same space as the four felt like walking on thin ice. And for some reason, her chest felt tight.

‘I just want to go home.’

Weary was written all over her face.

Noa sighed again.

At that moment.

“Hmm, then, to start off….”

Fertisha started to speak.

With her clear voice rolling like an orb, the wary glances of Ivella and Delia turned towards her. At the same time, Fertisha continued with a bright smile.

“Shall we start with introductions?”

Is this really a good time for that?!

Noa wanted to say that. But before she could, Fertisha’s introduction took off first.

“I’m Tisha Lapis, and I’ll be attending Arsen Academy starting this fall semester.”

“Hmm? Tisha Lapis?”

“Yes! I’ve been assigned to 1st year, class 2.”

She smiled broadly.

Meanwhile, Ulan tilted his head.

She was using a pseudonym instead of her real name, after all.

‘Well, that’s only logical.’

Fertisha was the hidden princess of the Empire.

If her identity were discovered, it would attract attention in various ways, so using a pseudonym makes sense.

Additionally, it made sense why she got assigned to class 2.

It was probably to fill the gap left by Himel Deorg’s drop out.

After Fertisha’s introduction concluded, Ivella’s eyes widened, as if she had just realized something.

“Wait, Lapis, could it be…?”

“It’s the marquis family from the Eastern Empire.”

With her prompt response, Ivella’s turquoise eyes grew larger.

The moment she heard the name Lapis, a figure popped into her mind.

‘Rimer Yen Lapis.’

Known as the Empire’s Wild Sword, she was the first woman on the continent to reach the mastery level of a knight. Therefore, she was a person Ivella admired.

‘In that case….’

It made sense now why the presence had been concealed before.

The Lapis family was a prestigious swordsmanship house.

Having been raised there and transferring to Arsen Academy meant she would naturally possess outstanding skills.

Just after realizing this, her competitive spirit as a swordswoman ignited.

Wanting to exchange swords with a girl from a family of a respected warrior, Ivella unknowingly sensed Fertisha’s words coming.

“Since Ulan and Noa were introduced previously, all that’s left is to hear from you two…”

“You.”

At that moment, Delia, who had been quiet until now, narrowed her eyes. Like a cat with its fur bristled, she asked in a guarded tone.

“What kind of relationship do you have with Ulan?”

“We don’t have any relationship yet.”

“Yet?”

“Well, if I had to explain, I’d say we bumped into each other on the street.”

It was only a few conversations exchanged.

Thinking it was a ridiculous excuse, Ivella scoffed. Meanwhile, Delia merely bit her lips slightly.

‘Truth.’

There was no lie in Fertisha’s words.

The white light emanating from her confirmed that.

After finishing her response, Fertisha looked toward Ivella and continued.

“By the way, I think I’ve seen you before.”

“What? Me? When?”

“Of course, I never got to say hello directly, but I recall seeing you at a cafe in the capital, having pancakes with Ulan.”

“……!”

A cafe in the capital, pancakes.

As soon as she heard those two words, a memory that she had briefly forgotten ignited like wildfire.

It was when she first went on a date with Ulan.

He had momentarily looked away in a cafe, and at that moment she remembered her experience, her eyes widened upon realizing Fertisha’s presence.

“Ah, could it be that time…?”

“Looks like you remember now.”

Fertisha smiled as if pleased.

After the conversation ended, Ivella and Delia reluctantly finished their self-introductions as well. They summarized the information about Fertisha.

When summarized, it turned out to be nothing remarkable.

It was just a few words exchanged the moment they ran into each other on the street.

‘But…’

That didn’t mean she could let her guard down.

She couldn’t simply relax because Fertisha’s appearance was anything but ordinary. So while she was on alert, suddenly—

“Oh, wait!”

Her red eyes widened in realization.

As if recalling something forgotten.

Then, turning to Ulan, Fertisha suddenly pulled something from her pocket.

“Do you remember this?”

“That is….”

A wooden owl-shaped figurine.

It had a somewhat crude texture, but the moment she laid eyes on it, memories came flooding back.

When she met Fertisha at the night market.

And when she won a prize with her help, this was the gift she had given.

“It’s the figurine I gave you.”

“That’s right! You gave it to me as a gift. It was the first gift I ever received, so I cherish it.”

Fertisha smiled happily.

In contrast, the faces of Ivella and Delia turned icy cold.

That response was only natural.

To them, it would seem as if she was flaunting a gift received from Ulan.

‘But that’s not it.’

Fertisha held no ill intentions.

She had no desire to counter Ivella and Delia, and just a glance at her expression would reveal that she didn’t view Ulan romantically.

‘It’s just she’s a bit oblivious.’

The seven heroes of the Chronicles of Arsen Continent.

Each of the heroes has a ‘symbol’ that represents them.

For instance, Ulan can be described as someone who stands firm against any fear.

Ivella embodies unyielding pride, Delia holds steadfast beliefs, and so forth.

‘And Fertisha represents….’

Unblemished innocence.

A bird in a cage would be fitting as a description since, from the moment she was born, she has encountered only a handful of people.

It was only natural for her to be somewhat oblivious.

‘Considering her personality, simply meeting new people should be a good experience for her.’

At least, that’s true until the penalty she carries manifests.

Just as Noa wrapped up her speculation.

Suddenly, the dining hall door swung open.

The moment the identity of the visitor entered, Ivella and Delia’s eyes widened.

“Marquis Gorphant?”

“What brings you here…?”

Seoric Al Gorphant.

Meanwhile, Ulan seemed to have guessed why he came, mumbling to himself.

“I suppose the verdict has been reached.”

“No, that’s still under discussion.”

“Hmm? Then why are you here?”

“I have business with that transfer student.”

Having finished his response, he turned around.

He then addressed Fertisha.

“Tisha Lapis, the Dean is looking for you.”

“Oh right, I was supposed to see him!”

“Yes, he’s having urgent matters to discuss before the opening ceremony, so you need to hurry.”

“Sure! I’ll do that.”

She got up from her seat in a rush.

Fertisha politely bowed her head to Ulan’s group as she faced them.

“Well then, I’ll excuse myself. Please say hello if we meet again!”

With a cheerful face and a wave, Fertisha followed Seoric out of the dining hall. A moment later, Ivella and Delia muttered with dazed faces.

“Who on earth is she?”

Her character was impossible to pinpoint.

But one realization dawned upon them.

‘We can’t let her near Ulan.’

Both pairs of eyes sparkled.

To be fair, right now, there was clearly no romantic interest from Fertisha toward Ulan. But there was no guarantee she wouldn’t take an interest later on.

Both girls had first-hand experience.

Ulan’s charm was boundless.

The moment they realized this, turquoise and golden eyes intertwined in the air. Then, without any prompting, both nodded in agreement.

Though they hadn’t exchanged a single word, the intent of their shared understanding was unmistakable.

And the following morning.

In the auditorium where renovation was completed, the opening ceremony began, marking the start of the new semester.

Chapter 41. Transfer Student

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