Chapter 62

Since Kara joined, nothing particularly exciting has happened.

Grace and Lee Yeon-joo, having lost sleep, were dozing off, but there were no real issues.

The same was true that evening when the safe zone shrank to its maximum. There were hardly any survivors left, and no one wanted to fight.

“Are you going to fight? We don’t mind either way.”

“A peace treaty wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

This was said by Elvin, the last survivor, who immediately suggested forming a peace treaty upon seeing us.

My presence loomed over them like a nuclear bomb, leading to this agreement.

Since we didn’t have to exert ourselves much, we managed a sort of peaceful practice session.

“What did you eat to hold out?”

“I survived on just water.”

“… Aren’t you hungry? That must’ve been tough.”

“I’d rather not eat than eat frogs or snakes.”

Elvin survived some what stupidly, enduring without eating anything.

It seems he dealt with water using potions he’d brought along. Hunting was tough, and he didn’t want to eat bugs, which led to this decision.

“This?”

“Ge, get that away! I’m not eating that!”

I handed him a nicely roasted grub, and he nearly freaked out. I really don’t understand why everyone hates bugs so much.

I left the pale-faced Elvin and handed it to Kara, who graciously accepted it and popped it into her mouth.

“Mm. Mm. So delicious. Why doesn’t anyone eat this?”

“I don’t know.”

“…”

Elvin made a face that’s hard to describe as he watched us. It’s not a lie; it really is delicious.

Anyway, as time passed, evening approached, and the sun was just about to set.

“Everyone did a great job. The survival training ends here.”

Just when we were all excited and chatting in the safe zone, the professors came looking for us.

The eventful survival training had finally ended. Now, we could comfortably rest on soft beds.

“It’s better to take off the bracelets later if you can. They temporarily enhance fatigue recovery and block natural physiological processes. So, go back to the lodging, remove them, and return them the next day.”

“… The fatigue recovery is one thing, but why include a feature to block physiological processes?”

This was Grace’s question. Other survivors also wore expressions of similar confusion.

Depending on the environment, people tend to experience various bodily effects. Physiological processes especially so.

Moreover, circumstances during survival training are extremely altered. They probably hadn’t thought about what was changing.

“There are several reasons, but mainly to avoid awkward situations. We were watching you. Do you understand now?”

“…Yeah.”

Grace nodded her head, probably having guessed to some extent.

She must’ve figured that the faculty was monitoring the students in some manner, allowing them to focus solely on the practice.

There might be some discomfort regarding this, but there wasn’t any significant backlash. Those who distracted themselves were the ones at fault.

“Well, you don’t need to worry too much. We don’t pay attention to the personal affairs of students. It’s one of the Academy’s principles.”

As he said this, Malboro shot me a sideways glance. Even other professors stealthily turned their eyes toward me.

I wondered why they were looking at me of all people, only to realize.

‘Ah, Luna.’

I suddenly remembered Luna, who I had almost forgotten. She must have watched everything I told her about the cave paintings where I lived.

Luna had asked about the cave paintings; however, others could easily misinterpret it as a confession.

From the professors’ perspective, this would have been popcorn-worthy entertainment. I wondered how they would assign points.

‘They’ll manage it well enough.’

The professors were not ones to blabber. They wouldn’t spread rumors but might advise the involved parties.

However, as the saying goes, words can spread far without legs, and little by little, those whispers would grow closer to the truth.

This isn’t something professors can manage. That’s just how rumors work.

Whatever direction the situation takes, I will just finish what I have to do.

“Again, everyone worked hard. Tomorrow’s only the afternoon autonomous training, so rest well until then. Dismissed!”

The moment the professors led us out of the forest, the order to disperse was given.

Students glanced at each other for a moment, then began heading back to their lodgings.

We similarly intended to head to our respective lodgings until Grace called out to me.

“Shivar.”

“?”

I paused my steps and looked back at her, with Kara doing the same.

Grace wore a face drawn with exhaustion. She hadn’t eaten properly in two days and hadn’t been able to sleep either.

Nonetheless, her signature sharp and beautiful features couldn’t be hidden. Plus, her usually fierce eyes softened a bit into a sorrowful expression.

“Um…”

Grace fumbled her words, as though trying to say something. I silently waited for her to finally speak up.

Eventually, Grace looked at Kara beside me and forced a smile. This was an unusual expression from her, who was always so composed.

“…It’s nothing. I’ll be counting on you in the future.”

“Yeah.”

“And you too, Yeon-joo. Let’s do well together.”

“Yes, yes…!”

With a polite smile, Grace spoke to Lee Yeon-joo. I instinctively sensed that this wasn’t what she genuinely wanted to say.

The awkwardness was vexing. Honestly, it wouldn’t be a bad thing to get closer to Grace; there’s nothing wrong with that.

Though I wasn’t sure what she truly wanted to say, if I left it here, it seemed unlikely I’d be able to increase my favorability.

My instincts warned me, insisting to continue the conversation.

“Grace.”

“Uh, huh? Me?”

Grace, probably fatigued, pointed at herself with a bewildered expression.

She looked nothing like the elegant nobility she usually portrayed. This was one of the true selves hidden behind her mask.

I looked at her wide-eyed and voiced what I wanted to say.

“Cake.”

“…Cake? Cake?”

“Yeah. It’s a promise.”

I had promised her a cake as a reward for doing well in our survival training.

Thanks to me, we escaped the crisis and completed the training without any issues. It was time to fulfill that promise.

Grace, who seemed to realize this too, let out a surprised “Ah!” before her expression fell into a goofy one, then she giggled softly.

“I’m sorry. I totally forgot. When should we meet?”

When would be good? I had plans with Luna, so I’d have to postpone, and there were upcoming episodes to consider.

Thinking about that, it felt like it would take a while before establishing a date. Plus, I needed to receive training from Eli and Rod over the weekend.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but what promise did you make with Shivar?”

While I was pondering, Kara interjected. This was probably the first she was hearing about it, so it’d be natural she’d be curious.

Grace, acting nonchalantly, explained the situation.

“Shivar promised to buy me a cake if he cooperated actively. And Shivar has kept that promise splendidly. That’s all.”

“Cake? The sweet and fluffy kind?”

“Yeah, that’s the one.”

“Hmm…”

After hearing her answer, Kara turned to look at me, her green eyes filled with contemplation.

I couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but it didn’t seem to be a negative feeling.

“…Alright. A promise is a promise. But designate a time later, okay? You’re tired, and so are we. There’s plenty of time, right?”

“Sure. Yeon-joo, do you want to join us?”

“Oh, no. I’ll pass.”

Lee Yeon-joo shook her hands vigorously, rejecting the offer. It was a clear refusal to anyone watching.

Grace’s question was probably made out of courtesy, so it could be brushed aside easily.

‘When was the episode related to Yeon-joo again?’

I believe it involves some event with the Hwan Empire personnel visiting. It should be someone of considerable rank.

That person would immediately recognize Yeon-joo and stir up all kinds of incidents. Good thing she has her wits about her; otherwise, it would be chaos.

“Once again, thank you all for your hard work. Tomorrow… I don’t think I’ll be able to wake up, so let’s meet in two days.”

With Grace’s words concluding our meeting, we each returned to our lodgings. As expected, I moved with Kara.

‘Honestly, I hope that person doesn’t come.’

Now that survival training was over, the next episode would surely be about that. An event related to the Priest.

In the Soul World, one can acquire priest-related jobs through that route. However, one’s faith needs to be a bit higher.

With my faith at rock bottom, this isn’t something I need to focus on. But the fact that I’m a follower of “Chaos” is troubling.

“Shivar.”

“?”

Just as I fell deeper into thoughts about that person showing up, Kara called out to me. I broke from my reverie and looked at her.

For some reason, Kara had a slightly annoyed expression. I started to wonder if I had done something wrong.

“I’m not sure if Eli has told you, but you shouldn’t just follow anyone who says they’re going to buy you something delicious.”

“…Huh?”

That was a rather unexpected remark from her. I felt utterly bewildered and could easily take offense.

As I stood there confused, Kara scratched her head and explained herself.

“I mean, Grace looked nice and all, so it seems fine. But don’t just follow someone blindly. Especially if a stranger offers you food or does something nice. Got it?”

Who does she think I am, a kid? I gave her an incredulous look.

Kara must have misinterpreted my expression, as she continued her lecture.

“Alright. Let’s practice. A stranger says they’ll buy you a cake and tells you to follow them. What do you do?”

“Uh…”

I’d take off, leaving the cake behind. But it seemed my answer didn’t please Kara.

“No! You should say ‘No!’ Okay? And now let’s try something else. A stranger offers you money to do something nice; what would you do?”

“Sure.”

“No! You should say ‘No!’ Wow, you almost got into serious trouble! It’s a good thing you figured it out now.”

I didn’t understand why I was reacting this way when I could take care of myself.

Regardless, Kara murmured with genuine concern.

“I’m scared someone might take our cute Shivar away. I need to look after you better.”

“?”

Who’s going to take whom? If they tried to force me, I’d bite them to get free.