Chapter 245

Chapter Thirty-Two: So Popular?

A majestic ancient castle, tall towers, and gray walls covered in vines.

The Royal Academy in front of me still looked like a naturally formed castle from a magical world, as perfect and magnificent as ever, seemingly unaffected by this disaster.

Today was not a rest day, so the academy’s main gate was tightly closed, with more guards standing at the entrance than before. I walked up to them, took out my badge and the letter from Headmistress Grandma from my satchel, and showed them to the guards. They then opened the gate just enough for me to slip inside.

After entering the academy grounds, I pinned the badge to my chest and raised my head to look up at the slightly gloomy sky above.

I could faintly see the outline of the moon.

It should be past dinner time now, right? Headmistress Grandma should have left the campus long ago… I might as well head straight back to the dormitory.

I quickened my pace along the road towards the tower by Lake Ceylon, passing many students on the way. I noticed that… whether male or female, they seemed to unconsciously glance back at me. Some would even whisper to each other in groups, making the atmosphere feel strange.

What are you looking at…

Although slightly annoyed, I had almost gotten used to such things and could act as indifferent as Victoria, remaining expressionless.

I couldn’t help but lower my head and quicken my steps.

After entering the tower, I didn’t rush upstairs but instead walked to a door on the left side of the stairwell and knocked softly twice.

After a moment, a loud yet somewhat hoarse voice came from inside, belonging to the plump… ah, I mean the administrator grandma.

“The door isn’t locked, come in.”

I pushed the door open.

The grandma, with her face full of wrinkles and a bulky figure, was sitting at a wooden table in the room. She was supporting her cheek with one hand while holding a large water skin made of animal hide with the other, her eyelids drooping as if she were drowsy.

“Grandma, I’m back.”

I walked over somewhat bashfully and greeted her.

“Oh, it’s little Pepe… I thought it was someone else.”

Grandma glanced at me indifferently, twisted open the water skin, and took a big sip, the strong smell of alcohol spreading throughout the small room.

“Is your body okay?” she asked again.

I was slightly taken aback but nodded immediately.

“Yes.”

So… Grandma also knows a lot about things, huh?

“That’s good.”

She gave me a slight smile and waved her hand.

“If everything is fine, go back to your dormitory. A few young girls have been worried about you… especially that Sarah, who comes here every day to ask nonstop. If you don’t return soon, I might just tell her your address to save her the trouble of bothering me.”

“…”

I didn’t know what to say, so I just smiled bitterly and remained silent.

“Come on, come on, classes will be as usual tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

I bowed slightly to Grandma, turned around, and was about to leave. Just as I opened the door, she added, “By the way, there are more and more people paying attention to you in the academy recently. Be careful and don’t cause any more trouble.”

…Huh?

I didn’t quite understand what she meant, but Grandma didn’t want to say anything more, so I could only leave with questions in mind and went upstairs.

“Hey hey, look…”

“That’s…”

“Isn’t that her… black hair, goddess-like appearance… no mistake…”

“That must be Miss Peyelo, she’s here, she’s here…”

“This is the first time I’ve seen her, she’s so beautiful…”

Such whispers reached my ears as I climbed the stairs. I pretended not to hear them and ignored them.

When I arrived at the door of room 1504, I heard the girls’ chattering voices before I even entered.

“What’s this…”

“Pfft, roses… so she’s openly confessing…”

“Even her name wasn’t left… hahaha… that’s hilarious…”

“This little thing is quite pretty, is it crystal?”

“Oh oh oh, Sophia, what are you doing! Don’t take it without permission…”

“It’s fine to look, after all, it’s all for Miss Peyelo.”

What is this for me?

What are they doing?

Creak—

I pushed open the door.

Three pairs of eyes of different hues turned to look at me simultaneously. The moment I stepped into the dormitory, it felt as if they were emitting bright light.

The moment I opened the door, their gazes shifted toward me.

“Ah——”

“It’s little Peyelo!”

“You’re back…”

With three different greetings, the three girls who were originally gathered around the desk got up with surprised expressions and walked quickly towards me.

“What…” I pouted unhappily, “I’m not that small… Wait, wah ah!”

In my line of sight, Sarah, who was walking in front of them, hugged me tightly around the waist. In the next moment, I felt both my feet lift off the ground.

“Peyelo, it’s so good you’re back~”

“Sarah, let me go down…”

She hugged me very tightly, making it hard for me to breathe. I waved my hands and tried to pull her face.

“Ouch ouch ouch—”

I pulled quite hard, which made her mouth twist and her face look very comical. Sarah, feeling pain, hurriedly put me down.

“Why did you do that all of a sudden! Really…”

I released her soft cheeks and frowned slightly.

“Hehe, it’s been a while, I missed you~”

Oh, do you have to be so mushy…

“Peyelo, are you okay now?”

Behind Sarah, Sophia flipped her long hair and examined me from head to toe with a curious gaze.

“Fatso… The dorm manager said you were sick, are you better now?”

Sick?

Alright, I was sick…

“Yes.” I nodded lightly, “Much better.”

I thought Headmaster would announce my status as a Papal Knight, maybe she considered it might bring unnecessary trouble?

That’s actually quite suitable…

On the other side, Daisy smiled shyly at me. Although she didn’t say anything, I could tell she was quite happy. So, I also smiled back at her, wanting to say something when Sarah grabbed my hand.

“Peyelo, come look at this.”

She pulled me forcefully to the desk and pointed at the messy pile of items on it.

“Look, these are all for you.”

?

What are these for me…

I freed myself from Sarah’s grip and looked closely at those items: a bouquet of fiery red flowers, delicate small trinkets, beautiful hair clips, mysterious badges… there were all sorts of things, and I even saw an uneaten pastry.

“What are these?”

“Hmm…” Sophia rubbed her chin, winked at me, “Gifts?”

Why does it sound like a question…

“These are gifts from the male students,” Sarah teased.

“Gifts for me?”

After hearing her words, I felt even more confused.

“Why?”

“They were anxious because they couldn’t see you,” Sarah shrugged.

Hearing this, I frowned.

“Peyelo, you’re too popular with those animals.”

Sophia casually picked up a silver necklace from the table, played with it in her hand, and explained softly.

“A few days ago, Sophia and I went to ask the dorm manager about your situation, but some nosy person must have overheard… After that, news of your illness spread throughout the academy.”

She turned to the mirror by the dressing table and placed the necklace around her neck to compare.

“We hear people discussing you every day, asking us about you. At first, everyone thought you were sick, then rumors started saying you were injured during the disaster. This is no laughing matter, 1504 gets dozens of visitors daily, bringing flowers and gifts, trying to find out about you. We were almost driven crazy… hahaha, who is this cute guy giving away necklaces…”

Sophia laughed lightly, probably finding the necklace unattractive, and threw it back onto the table, turning to look at me.

“Peyelo, did you really get hurt?”

Beside me, Sarah also stared intently at me, her chubby baby face full of seriousness.