Chapter 424

As I mentioned before, I haven’t had any personal chats with Lee Yeon-joo lately.

Lee Yeon-joo has been busy in her own right, and I’ve been swamped too. We both have a lot on our plates.

Especially with the first-year students from the Eastern Empire enrolling, Yeon-joo has become even more swamped. We hardly get a chance to meet up.

Not to mention, given her professional tendencies, she mostly operates at night. She’s the type to work through the night and feel sluggish in the morning.

Juggling morning classes and late-night activities means that I often find myself dozing off during lectures.

‘At least I’m safe during class.’

Even if I don’t get good grades from the professors, I can sleep soundly.

Especially in my elder sister Yeonhwa’s class, I would outright lay down and sleep it off.

Yeonhwa knew about Yeon-joo’s situation, so she didn’t call me out on it. It was more like she ignored it.

‘I didn’t have this problem in the Soul World. This is interesting.’

Yeon-joo in the Soul World was clearly different. She’d chat occasionally and would ask for help with various tasks.

But maybe it’s because more first-year students from the Eastern Empire came in than in the original story. Or perhaps it’s because she’s smoothly gotten past the academy’s collapse part.

Yeon-joo barely interacts with the other students. She’s practically a self-identified introvert.

Her presence was so faint from the start that other students hardly noticed her.

Grace seemed like she was getting closer at first, but sensing something off, she stopped talking to Yeon-joo.

In any case, if I wanted to breeze through the Eastern Empire arc, I’d need to get closer to Yeon-joo. I planned to approach her soon.

“Hey, let’s talk.”

“Huh?”

Just then, as that thought crossed my mind, Yeon-joo approached me first.

It was during the afternoon autonomous training session. I was supposed to be on assistant duty.

But since today’s class claimed to have no need for assistants, I was given the autonomous training instead.

I was just about to start some combat training when Yeon-joo came up to me. Very discreetly.

I stared quietly at Yeon-joo as she glanced around, before opening my mouth.

“Are you asking me out?”

“No way!”

It was such a random question that Yeon-joo shouted in response. A loud shout that didn’t match her small stature.

Moreover, since we were in the auditorium, her shout echoed around.

What this meant was that her shout echoed, instantly drawing all eyes on us.

“… …”

“… …”

With all eyes on her, Yeon-joo started rolling her eyes, trying to gauge the situation.

Thankfully, it didn’t take long for students to get back to their own tasks. It seemed like they brushed it off.

Just then, Karas and Luna had gone off to the duel room, and Grace was absent for a magic experiment.

If anyone else had been there, I wouldn’t have dared to make such jokes.

“Ugh… Don’t joke around. I was trying to have a serious talk.”

“Is this about the Eastern letter?”

“You catch on quickly. Let’s move to a different spot.”

Yeon-joo glanced around before making her request. Without thinking, I followed her lead.

Besides, it was just a casual chat that would end quickly. The real talk would likely happen at night or dawn.

Following Yeon-joo, we arrived at a deserted corridor. Perfect for a small conspiracy.

“Do you still have that letter?”

“In my lodging.”

“Do you know who sent it?”

“I have a lot of suspicions.”

Yeon-joo is on my side. As long as she doesn’t betray me first, she’ll be a great ally.

She’s a principled person who believes that you have to receive something to give something in return. She’s the type to trust only when a contract has been established.

So since I provided information first, Yeon-joo will bring up what she knows too.

“Suspicious parts? Oh, right. Sending a letter in this situation is a bit odd.”

“You know?”

“Something like that. What has that girl deduced?”

That girl has to be referring to Danyerin. I expected her to have kept in regular contact with Danyerin, but perhaps not.

I paused my doubt and decided to connect the two instead. Relations need to be constant.

“Just ask her directly. I’m not good at explaining.”

“Well, that could work. Anyway, thanks for answering. Do you have any info you need? I’ll answer as far as I know.”

“Um…”

I wasn’t sure if I really needed any info. To be honest, the information I have holds more value than what Yeon-joo knows.

Even if the future got twisted, is her information more valuable than my knowledge of the royal family’s secrets?

Moreover, the war in the Eastern Empire is already a scheduled affair. Regardless of how the circumstances change, the result will remain the same.

‘Maybe I should ask what she’s been up to lately.’

For now, that’s the best option. I want to know what activities Yeon-joo has been involved in.

She’s already got one foot in the complex Eastern politics, and she should answer faithfully.

“What’ve you been up to lately?”

“Oh, you know, the same old. Investigating first-years, seeing if there are any rumors floating around.”

“No rumors?”

“Just this rumor about the crown prince going on a rampage. You wouldn’t know, but it’s become a routine.”

I’m aware. The crown prince of the Eastern Empire has a big fascination with sword dances.

After all the purges he’s executed, his paranoia is likely getting stronger. Ultimately, he’ll probably trust no one.

‘Unlucky Stalin, I guess.’

Stalin, who couldn’t properly seize power. In contrast, Karas is the Lucky Stalin.

Above all, Karas has been chosen by Chaos, while the crown prince hasn’t.

Just looking at this tells you how terrible the crown prince is.

“Other than that… there’s a rumor among first-years about something strange?”

“Among the first-years?”

“Yeah. Are you aware of something called parent observation classes?”

“?”

I tilted my head. That was the first I’d heard of it. I hadn’t even heard about it in the Soul World.

The very idea of parent observation classes at the academy is quite ridiculous.

‘Aren’t they overstepping their bounds a bit?’

This could escalate into more than just childish fights. Parents are essentially the heads of the families.

If things go south, it could become a muddy battleground. I could already envision Professor Dis clutching his neck in distress.

“It’s just a rumor, but I’ve been hearing that kind of talk. I’m not sure if the academy will permit it though.”

“Isn’t that dangerous?”

“That’s why the principal is supposedly watching over it personally. To prevent any foolishness.”

“… …”

If Rod is there keeping watch, things are different. I can somewhat understand that.

But still, parent observation classes? That’s a development I didn’t expect at all.

Also, I’m curious if I’ll be working as an assistant then. Normally, it wouldn’t make sense for me to.

If I end up being an assistant, it’s likely to lead to all sorts of uncomfortable situations.

‘I feel uneasy about this.’

Not just uneasy, but I have concerns swirling around too. Like how Reyna might get caught up in this.

From Reyna’s point of view, it’d be a situation that’s not just suffocating but incredibly irritating.

Having to be on her toes because of political conflicts in distant lands. I could already see the picture forming.

“… … Are you a child?”

Ultimately, I had to say it honestly. Yeon-joo’s eyes widened in surprise.

Then, she started to chuckle. It seems my words struck her as funny.

“Since you say that… it feels a bit peculiar? The most child-like person calling someone a child.”

“Do I seem childish?”

“Isn’t it true? You cause weird incidents every day. The moment you get distracted, you’re off somewhere odd. Totally childish, right?”

It’s sad that I can’t refute that. But I couldn’t let it slide gracefully.

Unlike others, Yeon-joo had a strong teasing tone. I wanted to fire back.

“You’re childish too.”

“Where do you get that?”

I didn’t want to say something like that. But it couldn’t be helped.

I looked Yeon-joo up and down and said bluntly,

“Your body.”

“Hey!!!”

At her shout, I silently covered my ears. Her small size didn’t match her loud voice.

I glanced at Yeon-joo while covering my ears. Her face was bright red, and she was shaking all over.

With her small hands tightly balled up, she certainly looked ashamed. Well, who told her to act so childish?

“It’s true. Child-like body.”

“You, you, you…! Do you know that sounds inappropriate?!”

“I don’t know; I’m just stating facts.”

“Ugh!”

She seemed speechless, quivering in frustration. Plus, perhaps out of annoyance, she began to stomp her feet.

I couldn’t help but think she resembled a rabbit in that moment. I know that rabbits stomp their feet when they’re mad.

I thought our conversation would end just like that, but I hadn’t considered Yeon-joo’s personality.

“Wh-what if I’m not childish?”

“Huh?”

“What if I’m not a child? What will you do then?”

Yeon-joo really hates losing. It’s the opposite of her usual submissive act.

I stared at her, determined even as she blushed. Those were some pretty shocking words.

“… … What?”

“If my body isn’t childish, then you’ll have to do me a favor?”

“Huh…? No way! I see you’re mature now.”

“I don’t buy it. Follow me.”

What is she asking me to follow her for? I just stood there, dumbfounded.

In reaction to my confusion, Yeon-joo, still looking angry, shouted urgently,

“I’ll show you my body, so follow me!”

“… …”

Oh my goodness. What kind of immature mindset is this?

I had to break a sweat trying to stop her.

Fortunately, after she heard my words of apology, things calmed down, but Yeon-joo’s red face didn’t settle.

“Hmph! Just try talking like that again. I swear…”

“Just?”

“You… you’ll have to show proof too!”

What does she mean by proof? I watched Yeon-joo storm off, stomping her feet.

She really is hot-headed in all sorts of ways, just like a year ago.

‘No, wait. Should I call her childish instead of hot-headed?’

Her innocent nature makes me think she must have patriotism deep inside her heart.

I shook my head and walked in the opposite direction from where Yeon-joo had gone.

And right as I reached the corner of the corridor, I couldn’t help but flinch.

“Sniff sniff. Sniff.”

That smell is familiar. I became sensitive to smells living out in the wilderness.

And the scent wafting around the corner was one I knew well.

The peculiar sour smell of sweat mixing heavily with the aroma of a person.

I looked down as I inhaled that scent. A single hair that looked as if it was spun from gold lay on the floor.

‘Was Luna here?’

What on earth was she doing here?

*****

Meanwhile, at that moment, Luna was on her way somewhere, looking utterly disbelieving.

“Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god…!”

Although she was walking fast, it was still immensely brisk.

‘Sivar and Yeon-joo?! How long has this been going on?!’

A dizzying misunderstanding took hold in Luna’s mind.

And as if to confirm her suspicions, a message appeared in her view.

[Faith is increasing!]

‘See!’

Seeing that message gave Luna no choice but to believe even more strongly in her assumptions.

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