The faces of the elders gathered for the meeting didn’t look too pleased.
Having seriously planned something only for it to fall apart twice, and without even knowing why.
The deep wrinkles on their faces could’ve rivaled furrows in a field.
But was that all?
No, the problems causing them fatigue didn’t stop there.
“Hmm…”
It was time to pool their wisdom and come up with a deep answer to prevent such mishaps from happening again.
But recently, another pressing issue had arisen.
“Lately, the Princess has been asking strange questions. Any idea why?”
“She’s been doing the same to me.”
“Hmph! Must’ve caught some random nonsense from somewhere…”
Thinking it was just another occasional act of rebellion, the elders reacted as they always did.
But the Princess’s reaction was noticeably different this time.
Unlike before, she didn’t back down easily when they pushed her to focus on her training.
Her relentless demand for answers was, to exaggerate a bit, enough to make even a leech flee in shock.
“At this age, facing such bold behavior is just exhausting.”
“Seeing how she pokes at the most uncomfortable topics… she truly is of Testarossa’s bloodline.”
“Heh, I thought the same.”
She insisted on attending the elders’ meetings as a royal, or at least demanded the meeting minutes be given to her.
Bringing up impossible requests out of nowhere and refusing to back down.
It was beyond annoying.
“She said the same to me.”
They hadn’t forgotten how they hastily fabricated excuses when the Princess was younger.
About how the compatriots they sent to a safe country were doing, or which country and where exactly they were sent.
She even expressed a desire to meet them and offer words of comfort if possible.
“How are we supposed to let her meet the compatriots who returned to their mother’s embrace for the greater cause?”
If she kept digging into this, it would become an even bigger problem than the previous one.
The Princess’s unprecedented attitude seemed to call for strong restraint.
“Grand Elder. What should we do?”
“Hmm… I told her to let go of distractions to become the weapon that reclaims glory. It seems she hasn’t grasped her duty yet.”
The bloodline of Testarossa aligns with the qualities and conditions needed to become the bullet that pierces Frozen Heart.
A presence they must endure, whether they like it or not.
But her increasingly erratic behavior was anything but pleasant for the elders.
“Let’s set that aside for now. We have more important matters to discuss.”
“Hmph… It’s not that easy to just set aside…”
*Tap! Tap!*
The Grand Elder’s cane struck the floor.
Pang hit the floor, cutting off the conversation.
The elders closed their mouths and turned their gaze to the head seat.
“With all this commotion, will we even get to the main agenda today?”
“…”
“Let’s save the discussion about the princess for the next item and focus on the most important matter first.”
The Grand Elder, dressed in a robe that clashed with the surroundings, pulled something out from his chest.
What the old elf sitting at the head seat pulled out was a pitch-black, shiny coin.
On both sides of the coin, which seemed to bring misfortune just by touching it, was a drawing of a human hand.
The elders gasped as soon as they saw it.
“Oooh!”
“Are they helping us again this time?”
“Ah…! I can feel that our deepest wish is closer than ever!”
The Grand Elder quietly observed the elders’ excitement.
Having enjoyed wealth and glory, they must be feeling a thirst now that they’ve settled in such a small place.
It was the scene he had anticipated.
“Now that we’ve found the answer, we must prepare to show our sincerity. Otherwise, we might end up making another losing deal.”
“There are still treasures left, so we’ll select from those.”
Although they promised painful future expenses with the help from Tigroba, there’s no doubt about their abilities.
They will surely clear the blocked path again this time.
The elders had no doubt.
*****
On a Saturday with no academy classes.
As Rohan finished his workout in the training room, he received a message from Clara.
[Clara: The macarons you gave me are really delicious! (˶˃ᆺ˂˶)]
‘Finally, she ate them.’
The girl, who had hesitated to eat the gift because it was too precious, finally tasted the macarons today.
She sent a long message filled with her impressions and gratitude, saying it was her first time trying something like this.
The rainbow macarons Rohan gave Clara were an 8-piece set.
It was not a waste at all.
It’s certain that just her enjoying them gives them more value.
‘Ichinose praised them too. The taste of food bought with points is indeed guaranteed.’
After replying to Clara first.
Rohan packed his bag, left the training room, and headed back to the dormitory.
As he walked, he reflected on Clara’s recent behaviors.
“Hmm…”
When she’s at the bookstore, she approaches conversations more comfortably and shows a brighter smile.
The messages exchanged have become more affectionate and intimate than before, but Rohan senses it.
That Clara’s recent behaviors are sometimes strange.
‘It’s tough.’
Her timid actions…
It was understandable for Rohan, who knew Clara, to fall within the normal range.
But ever since the day they talked at the cafe, there’s been a noticeable change in her gestures.
The problem is, unlike before, it’s hard to guess what’s going on.
When they talk, she often trails off her voice and gives up, as if something comes to mind midway.
It was clear she was curious about something.
‘Well, I’ll just have to wait.’
Even though I’m curious, I shouldn’t push too hard.
This is the definite answer when it comes to Clara.
Still, it’s nice to feel the distance between us has shrunk a lot.
The relationship with Clara is steadily progressing.
“…”
A weekend where I finished my workout more leisurely than on weekdays.
I walk down the bright, sunny academy city boulevard, my footsteps echoing.
Shops that weren’t open earlier in the morning have now opened, and there are quite a few pedestrians.
Rohan slowed his pace and looked around.
He wanted to buy something he remembered while giving Clara macarons.
‘I should get a gift for the shop owner too.’
I wanted to return the favor for all the care they’ve shown.
It wouldn’t be a lie to say Clara’s connection has helped.
‘They said nothing too hard. Maybe I’ll look for something soft.’
Rohan turned off the path back to the dormitory.
Even though I remember the big buildings in Abyss City, I don’t know much about the shops around here.
I’ll take this chance to find out.
And then, as I think about gifts, Juyun comes to mind.
‘Would the instructor even accept a gift from a cadet…?’
This side is tricky.
Regardless of taste, it seems like a cadet’s gift would be rejected due to regulations.
I’m not sure about either, so I’ll set it aside for now.
Passing by the shopping street I saw earlier, I go deeper.
Rohan moved further inside.
‘Oh! There’s a place like this here.’
Just looking around, it feels like I’m traveling abroad.
Rohan stopped in front of a wagashi shop that opened from Samhwa Country.
He tastes a thinly sliced yokan offered as a sample.
It was pleasantly tasty. This sweetness would probably pair well with the hot tea the shop owner always drinks.
“I’d like to give it as a gift. Can you wrap it?”
“Of course!”
The man in traditional Samhwa attire nods vigorously.
Rohan follows the guidance and enters the shop.
He looks around at the neatly arranged products.
‘Hmm…’
Samhwa Kingdom’s Night Yanggaeng. The small size is only 2 coins, so it’s not too burdensome… This should be fine, right?’
Rohan isn’t exactly swimming in financial freedom.
But this is a cost-saving measure, so it should be fine.
“Please wrap this one up for me.”
“Thank you!”
The employee’s skilled hands quickly placed a neat paper bag on the counter.
After finishing the payment and stepping outside, the sunlight was just too good to head back right away.
Since I was already out, I decided to take a stroll down the alley.
Then, a quiet park came into view, and from beyond the bushes, a familiar voice could be heard.
─ Roll to the left.
─ Meow!
─ Watch the moves! Roll to the right.
─ Meow!
Just in case, Rohan quickened his pace and checked beyond the bushes.
“Don’t run into the road, okay? Got it?”
─ Meow…
As expected, the owner of the voice was Noah Frozenheart.
Rohan’s guess was spot on, but the scene before him was so baffling that he was left speechless.
“?”
In front of Noah, chubby cats were rolling around, receiving some kind of discipline.
“Your ears are better than most people’s, right? If you ignore the sounds and just dash across the road, you could get hit by a car. Understand?”
─ Meow, meow!
As Noah growled and scared them, the cats flipped over, showing their bellies.
It was quite a sight.
“What are you doing…?”
Rohan, who had been watching the scene, stepped out from the bushes.
Perhaps sensing his presence, Noah Frozenheart’s focus broke, and their eyes met.
“Huh?”
On the other side, Noah’s round ears perked up in surprise as she noticed Rohan.
