I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City – Chapter 88

Noah, how are you doing in the academy city? That was Lord Seolho’s question.

Sion recalled the time they had met and honestly answered that she just looked healthy and happy.

From a parent’s perspective, that answer was the best, so Lord Seolho had a satisfied look on his face.

He directly answered some questions that Sion had been curious about.

“I’ve put in a call, so your status should be restored within 30 minutes.”

“Thank you.”

Sion was guided by Yuho to a place where the Testarossa legacy was said to be.

Walking through a corridor built deep underground, they passed hundreds of doors.

Yuho, who was guiding Sion, stopped in front of a door that was no different from the others.

“Here we are.”

“…”

The doors lining the corridor had no numbers and no distinguishing features.

How did he find it? Did Yuho memorize this entire space?

While Sion was pondering this curiosity, Yuho tapped the entrance with his fan.

With just that, the tightly shut door slid open as if it had been oiled.

“Shall we go in?”

“Yes.”

Yuho confidently stepped inside, and Sion followed.

They were faced with a space filled with an enormous amount of wealth and items.

Yuho, with his tail wagging, pointed out items that were still impressive even upon a second look.

“With this much wealth, you could do quite a bit of mischief without anyone noticing. You could live without a care for the rest of your life. It’s the dream of many.”

Although Yuho said it was the dream of many, Sion didn’t feel drawn to such a future.

There was even a fear that if she just settled down, Rohan and Clara would slip out of her grasp.

“But I still have things I want to do, so I don’t think I’ll just sit still. I feel like I lack various experiences…”

“Indeed! That’s commendable. Then you can consider that you’ve found the privilege to erase a few failures.”

“Thank you for the kind words.”

Yuho liked Sion.

Perhaps it was because he had a good impression of the Testarossa he had met in the past.

“If there’s anything you’re curious about or need an explanation for, feel free to ask anytime.”

“Thank you.”

As soon as the words ended, Sion took a step forward and looked around.

Among the dazzling jewels and accessories neatly arranged in antique boxes, something else caught her eye first.

“…”

Portraits of her parents hanging on the wall.

They were paintings Sion had seen when she was young. They were definitely the ones that had hung in the Testarossa palace in the past.

Facing them, emotions surged, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Below them, neatly placed and well-maintained books.

Her mother’s parenting diary and a photo album of Sion’s childhood. Items that would have been filled without leaving any blank space if things had gone as planned.

Her emotions churned, making her nose sting, but Sion took deep breaths to calm her heart.

She had no intention of turning this place into a sea of tears.

‘I’ve already cried enough tears…’

The treasures she reclaimed under the name of inheritance were enough to serve as both the driving force for her growth and the pillar of her spirit to endure the hardships.

After a long while of looking at the photos and sorting out her emotions, Sion raised her head.

Yuho politely informed Sion, who was maintaining her status as a precious guest in Tigroba.

“You don’t need to force yourself to take everything. This room can remain as it is, and if you let us know your residence, we can move things for you.”

There was no need to sort out the things to dispose of today.

Yuho made it clear that there was no need to rush, but Sion wasn’t in a position to be so relaxed.

“Still… I’d like to prepare some living expenses. I’ve already received too much help from those around me.”

Currently, Sion was so broke that she even needed Rohan’s help just to get to Tigroba.

Once she returned, she needed to find a place to stay in the academy city and prepare supplies for any situation.

After explaining her situation, Sion continued to agonize over the jewels and accessories she had no knowledge of.

Yuho looked at the girl with a pitiful expression.

‘Those are such precious jewels… It seems like she’d sell them for a pittance if someone offered.’

In a different way from Noah Frozenheart, the youngest daughter of Lord Seolho, Sion was a girl who made him worry.

The treasures here were all items with long histories and rarity.

The thought of such splendid items being undervalued by snake-tongued merchants? It was a scene that Yuho, as a collector, found so detestable that he could barely contain his anger.

‘That’s probably why His Majesty assigned me here.’

As a servant, he had to follow the king’s will.

Yuho took out his smartphone from his drooping sleeve and approached Sion.

“Then, may I recommend some items that I can handle here for you?”

*****

Perhaps it was because Sion and Clara had slept there.

The bed, which had recently been emitting an overwhelmingly sweet scent.

Rohan was lying there, talking to Sion on speakerphone.

─ Anyway, that’s how the missing status was revoked. It felt strange to go from being declared dead to alive… but at least my identity is resolved.

“That’s a relief.”

─ Separately… I want to show at least some courtesy to Yuho, who has helped me for a long time. He offered to have a meal together, and it would be really rude to refuse.

“Do that. It’s a good opportunity.”

Rohan also knew who Yuho was.

He had briefly appeared in the Abyss City worldview video.

Being a celebrity in Tigroba, a quick search on his phone would bring up a flood of information.

“So, you’re staying one more day, right?”

“Nope, I’ll head back as soon as the meal’s over. The day won’t change, after all.”

“Guess it’s just a matter of a few hours then. If the timing works out, I’ll head to the station with Clara.”

“Well, if there’s enough time, I won’t say no to you seeing me off.”

Rohan naturally smiled.

He was glad to see Sion chattier than usual, probably because things went well in Tigroba.

He was sure he had worked hard just to see this side of her.

Then, a comfortable silence.

A brief pause in the conversation.

Sion let out a faint laugh.

“Huhu…”

“Something good happen?”

“I’ll show you when I get back. You can look forward to it.”

You could feel the excitement in Sion’s voice.

Something’s up.

After a bit more small talk,

Rohan realized there was news he hadn’t shared yet. He had just finished preparing, so he planned to tell Clara tomorrow at the bookstore.

“Oh, and just in case, I made plenty of side dishes.”

“Huh?”

“The schedule for the academy’s practical exam changed. I’ll be on an uninhabited island from Monday to Friday.”

“…”

Before he could tell her there was enough for Clara and her to enjoy, Sion declared in a subdued voice,

“I’m heading back to the academy city right now.”

“…?”

“If I say something urgent came up, even Yuho-sama will understand.”

“Wait, what are you talking about all of a sudden?”

Her voice was serious, not joking.

Rohan sat up abruptly in bed.

“It’s not like you won’t see my face. It’s not like I’m coming back after a few years.”

“That may be true, but…!”

“Do what you need to do properly. Proper goodbyes are necessary, right?”

“…Got it.”

She does as she’s told, but her reply and tone had a hint of sulkiness.

Rohan found it hard to hold back his laughter.

“Sion.”

“Yeah…”

“I’ve got something to show you when I get back too, so look forward to it.”

“!”

Rohan’s gaze turned to the shopping bag on the table.

Inside were two dolls, recommended and consulted by Ichinose, an expert on Waterdrop Friends.

A teary-eyed pink dragon and a somewhat dopey-looking shark.

They’re classic versions of the characters Woowool and Blueby.

Rohan, of course, knew that Sion had a subtle interest in these characters. It was obvious from the memos she had when they first met.

And separately,

He had prepared a hairpin as a gift for Clara, not a doll.

Originally, I thought about surprising her with clothes or shoes as a gift. But not knowing the size was the biggest problem.

Including a receipt so she could exchange sizes might be a solution, but even that might be a challenge for Clara.

‘It’s not like I just randomly bought it, though.’

The price was more expensive than a doll, as if they sprinkled gold dust inside.

But can you really save money on something like this?

The black sheen on the hairpin seemed like it would blend perfectly with Clara’s purple hair, and my hand just reached for it.

‘This is truly a reasonable expense.’

If you think about Abyss City, which never released character skins, the answer is clear.

This was an irresistible desire for Rohan.

─ …I’ll look forward to it.

“Don’t get your hopes up too much, just keep them moderate, okay?”

The slight tension seemed to evaporate.

The casual conversation flowed smoothly, and the topic kept changing.

─ Rohan. I have a question.

“What is it?”

─ Tell me the name of the perfume you use.

“Perfume? What perfume?”

─ The one you usually wear.

“I don’t use perfume.”

After all the trouble I went through to save money recently, why would I use something as luxurious as perfume?

Even if I had some financial leeway, it’s not something I’d be particularly interested in.

I think everyone’s natural scent is the best.

─ You don’t use perfume?

“Nope. Never have. Don’t even own any.”

─ …That can’t be right.

There was a rustling sound on the other end of the phone.

Whatever she was doing, it seemed like Sion’s attention had drifted away from the call, so Rohan spoke up.

“Sion.”

─ Ah!

“Call Clara and let her know the situation. She’ll be waiting.”

─ Uh, okay… got it.

Sion hung up the phone, flustered and stuttering.

Rohan scratched his head in confusion at her reaction and started preparing for tomorrow.

After all, life on the deserted island is really just around the corner.

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