I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City – Chapter 83

“Can I go to Tigroba today? I’ll come back as fast as I can.”

“Of course, it’s fine. Do as you wish.”

Rohan responded coolly, noticing Sion’s transparent excitement.

He also expressed his gratitude to Ichinose and Noah, who were observing the situation.

“Thanks for your help. I’ll make it up to you properly.”

Though the two girls sent persistent, questioning looks after receiving Rohan’s thanks, he had nothing to say on the matter and did his best to play dumb and brush it off.

Perhaps sensing even the tiniest hint of awkwardness in his actions and flow, the beastkin girl, who had been watching Rohan closely, became even more curious.

“Hmm…”

Noah, who grew up freely in Tigroba, isn’t as skilled as Ichinose at hiding or suppressing her emotions.

Caught between curiosity and the intangible wall of etiquette, she struggled.

Her eyes fixed on Rohan’s group, and her twitching lips seemed ready to blurt out a direct question at any moment.

“Noah. It seems their business is done, so let’s head to the dining hall now.”

“Ah!”

Ichinose, who noticed this first, grabbed Noah’s arm and quickly moved away.

This was also something Noah’s father had asked Ichinose to do.

“─Noah! Wait…! Just a second, really, just a second!”

“That ‘second’ is exactly why we can’t.”

As the two girls walked away with big strides, Rohan let out a deep sigh.

“Phew…”

He hadn’t expected a chance encounter to lead to such an outcome in an instant.

In Abyss City, where Sion isn’t a playable character, this kind of development was impossible from the start.

Though he wasn’t too worried since he knew about Lord Seolho, Rohan couldn’t shake a lingering unease and asked.

“Sion, should we all go to Tigroba together?”

“No. I’ll go alone.”

In response to Rohan’s question, Sion smiled and shook her head.

She knew now.

It wasn’t something she couldn’t handle alone, and the moment she relied on Rohan for guidance, his daily life would be disrupted because of her.

That kind of burden wasn’t the picture Sion wanted either.

“It’s true I’m still inexperienced with life outside, but… moving around alone isn’t a problem. I’m not a child.”

“…”

“Besides, Rohan, you said the Academy exams are right around the corner. Absolutely not.”

Sion’s firm tone naturally shifted Rohan and Clara’s approach to persuasion.

Though they were worried, they figured she’d manage just fine.

“Then we’ll need to get you a phone before you go. You’ll spare some time for that, right? Let’s have lunch together too.”

“Ah, unnie! I’ll look up the route—”

“Then let’s eat together…!”

Even though Sion had announced in front of everyone that they would leave today, how could she refuse this?

Sion expressed her intention to prepare thoroughly and go. Led by Clara, who held her hand, she followed Rohan.

While walking.

Her tightly closed lips finally opened.

“And, I feel ashamed… but can we postpone the dinner plans to another time…? I’m really sorry…”

The excitement of being able to solve one of her long-standing dilemmas at an unexpected moment.

Caught up in that, she pushed aside the potion Rohan had made and declared she would go to Tigroba today on her own.

Remembering her own disgrace, the girl wanted to show that she was eagerly looking forward to spending the evening with the group.

She didn’t take it lightly at all.

‘Uh, how should I say this…’

Sion, who had witnessed her own shame, felt her throat tighten and her head turn white.

“Why are you apologizing for something like that? We can celebrate when you get back!”

“Exactly!”

Rohan and Clara responded simultaneously, as if sharing the same thoughts.

“…”

Every time Sion faced their kindness, she felt her emotions uncontrollably surging.

It was like a contrasting light telling her that her dark life until now was a lie.

It was overwhelmingly warm for a girl who had just gained her freedom to accept it straightforwardly.

“Let’s have something delicious for lunch so Sion can come back strong.”

“Yeah…!”

The three walked in a cheerful atmosphere.

During the meal, Rohan and Clara avoided heavy topics.

They filled their stomachs with a warm soup that could easily be described as having a kind flavor in the comfortable air.

After the meal, they headed to their next destination without hesitation.

Rohan opened another phone line under his name and handed it to Sion.

“…”

Sion held her first smartphone in both hands, staring at it intently.

Her lips were as calm as usual, but her sparkling eyes clearly expressed her inner excitement.

‘With this, I can stay in touch even while going to Tigroba!’

There were only two contacts registered: Rohan and Clara.

Yet, it didn’t feel empty. To Sion, the two names felt more than enough.

While eating, she also learned the basics of using the phone from them, so calling and messaging wouldn’t be a problem.

“Keep in touch as much as possible. I’ll be waiting.”

“If you’re confused or something doesn’t work, just call me…! I’ll always be available! And, I can search things quickly too…!”

A group chat was formed where the three could exchange messages.

Sion firmly established the usage of the message by pouring out meaningless consonants and vowels into the space.

She raised the corner of her mouth as she looked at the two people.

“I’ll report even the smallest details.”

“Good. And take this.”

The card and cash Rohan handed over.

Sion, solidifying her position with empty hands, accepted it without a word.

Holding it close to her chest, Sion solidified her resolve.

“Today’s matter is personal, no matter what anyone says. I’ll repay the used amount somehow when I return.”

“I won’t charge interest, so take your time.”

Now, if she heads to the dormitory, picks up her usual dried outfit and weapons, she can leave.

“Sion unnie. They say Tigroba is cold, so make sure to dress warmly…!”

“Mm, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Now feeling as close as family, she naturally shares a hug with Clara.

Leaving without even spending a full day.

Looking back, it’s not even funny.

‘How foolish of me to announce in front of Frozen Heart that I’d leave today.’

Now, I have to leave and resolve my long-cherished wish.

Sion keenly felt the weight of her steps.

The girl, trying to spend even a little more time, hesitates while holding onto Clara.

Rohan, who had been silently watching, reminded the girl of the facts.

“Sion.”

“Mm…?”

“You have to come back quickly to see each other as soon as possible.”

A statement filled with obviousness.

At those words, Sion’s eyes widened.

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“Sion unnie! This is the bus!”

Sion, who had finished preparing at Rohan’s dormitory, boarded the bus from the academy city with Clara, who insisted on seeing her off to the station.

Rohan also expressed his intention to go along, but Sion and Clara strongly pushed him to attend his afternoon class instead.

‘It would’ve been nice if Rohan came along.’

But I know this is the right thing.

Even though I know, my heart won’t calm down, and I regret not figuring out the perfume Rohan uses.

Just before departure, under the pretext of the cold, Rohan’s outerwear is tucked in my bag.

Just remembering its existence calms the ripples in my heart.

‘The Sky Train, huh…’

Sion double-checked the mode of transportation she had to take from the bus.

There are various ways and means to get to Tigroba.

There are vehicles and railways on land routes. But compared to flying, they consume an absurd amount of time.

It’s not even that cheap, so unless you’re someone who enjoys traveling or land journeys, there’s no reason to choose it.

Heading to the coast…

There exists an icebreaker that can reach the ice-filled docks of Tigroba.

But the problem is, it also takes a considerable amount of time.

Though the sight of breaking through the ice is spectacular and popular, for Sion, who wants to finish her tasks as quickly as possible, it’s out of the question.

In the end, there’s only one option left.

She decided to take to the skies.

Through the app set up by Rohan and Clara, Sion booked a floating train that glides through the air.

A mode of transportation that uses the floating stones, a specialty of the Sepia Archipelago.

Unlike airships, it has direct routes and is fast, which she liked most of all.

She didn’t care about the reviews saying it was shaky. She figured it was just good training.

‘Estimated travel time is 11 hours, huh.’

A round trip would take a whole day.

That alone is longer than the time she’s had her freedom.

She heard that Tigroba, her destination, has a significant time difference from the academy city.

“…”

For a moment, various thoughts dominated her mind.

**Rustle.**

Sion pulled out Rohan’s coat, buried her face in it, and took several deep breaths.

“Huh, sis!?”

Along with the passengers who were admiring her lovely appearance, Clara, sitting next to her, was shocked by Sion’s intense breathing and bold actions.

The elf girl’s occasional fidgeting made it seem like she was quite excited.

“Haaah…!”

The girl took a deep breath, composed herself, and steeled her resolve with the scent of Rohan filling her lungs and mind.

As quickly as possible.

But without letting haste lead to regret.

She vowed to properly listen to her parents’ story and clear any disgrace from the names of the Tigroba elves and Testarossa.

“Phew…”

Exhaling, she blew her breath into Rohan’s coat, reminding herself.

That her place to return to is by Rohan and Clara’s side.

‘Sion Testarossa’s nest exists nowhere else.’

The girl lifted her head from the coat, her eyes gleaming sharply.

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