Chapter 142: Exam Preparation (2)

R​ead ​on KatRea​dingCafe​

The men’s dormitory room was suffocating—stale and reeking of sweat.

In contrast, Leon’s room was filled only with the faint scent of flowers. The moment he opened the door, the delicate fragrance tickled his nose, making him instinctively sniff the air.

Sitting at his desk, Leon opened a book. Since their study session at the library had disbanded, he figured he might as well continue alone.

Aiming for a scholarship meant he had to work harder. Though his childhood mentor had provided financial support, he wasn’t shameless enough to rely on it forever. He intended to do everything he could on his own.

The quiet room echoed only with the sound of pen scratches and the ticking of the clock.

“…”

But even as he focused, his thoughts kept drifting back to the earlier conversation about the saint. Restless, he pulled out a white staff from his drawer. For a so-called “legendary” artifact, it was treated rather carelessly. Yet lately, he found himself reaching for it more often.

Neither in the Holy City nor in Steele had anyone outright demanded he use it.

The staff was no different. It had broken through a triple-layered barrier on its own and placed itself in his hand—only to do nothing afterward.

‘It chose me, yet it doesn’t force me to act.’

‘…What do you want from me?’

A saint who ascended to the heavens, leaving behind his mortal flesh, his disciples, and countless mysteries—only to vanish into the distant stars.

And those very stars, each twinkle of light, were despised by the heretics.

A story that had nothing to do with him.

Shaking his head, Leon tried to put the staff back. But just then, the door burst open, freezing him in place. He hadn’t done anything wrong, yet he felt oddly guilty.

“Oh, were you studying? Sorry, I’ll be quiet.”

“No, I was just taking a break.”

Quickly shutting the drawer, he swiveled his chair around. Ian placed a paper bag on his desk and spoke again.

“If you run into any problems, let me know. We can figure it out together.”

His usual gentle smile was warm as he made the offer.

Leon hesitated before turning back—

“Leon, do you think you’ll have time after the exams?”

“Huh?”

“Even during the break is fine. Actually, Sugar brought it up first. About… your mother’s treatment. She suggested we all brainstorm ideas together.”

The way Ian hesitated made the topic all the more surprising. More accurately, the fact that Sugar had suggested it was the shock.

“That— I mean, Sugar did?”

“Yeah. She was the one who mentioned it.”

Leon blinked slowly.

“Like I’ve said before, she’s actually really kind. Sure, when she loses her temper, she’s terrifying, but… deep down, she cares about the people close to her. Riley agreed to help too, and… I know a lot about the Holy City’s mysteries.”

“…”

“Honestly, I’ve been researching in the library for a while, but… I never thought to ask everyone to join in.”

As she gave an awkward laugh, Leon clenched his fist, nails digging into his palm.

“We’ll all help. I hope it makes a difference for you.”

“…Thank you.”

“Also, these are some documents from the Holy City.”

He pulled out a stack of papers, lowering his voice and moving stealthily, as if sharing a secret. It was oddly endearing.

“Normally, I shouldn’t show these to anyone. But you’re a friend, so I’m making an exception.”

“What is this…?”

“Victims who underwent the same experiments as your mother… current treatment attempts for the…”

“Fused. Test subjects. You can say it plainly.”

“Right. These are logs on their treatments. The types, symptoms, and affected areas vary, but… I thought it might help. Riley also added some notes. He knows a lot.”

He handed the documents to Leon.

“I skimmed through them. Compared to early-stage fused, recent cases are so intricately merged that separation is nearly impossible. It’s like they were born that way—completely unified. But in a way, that’s fortunate. Your mother was one of the earliest cases, so…”

“The bond is weaker, meaning separation might still be possible.”

“Exactly…”

Leon accepted the papers carefully, the weight of his friends’ kindness pressing heavily on him.

‘What have I done to deserve this? A coward who turned away from his fate—why do they care so much?’

They had their own struggles, yet they still made time for him.

‘After that day, I stopped caring about anyone else’s circumstances…’

Instead, he wallowed in self-loathing, assuming the worst of others.

Of course, he hadn’t completely ignored them. Why else would he have started reaching for the staff again?

But intention without action meant nothing. Empty words of care held no value.

“If this feels like too much, it’s okay to say no. That’s what friends are for. Especially since, well… we don’t really have anyone else.”

Ian averted his gaze slightly, licking his dry lips.

From Leon’s perspective, he had made another friend, but their group was still small. Fair enough.

Touched by his consideration, Leon managed a weak smile.

“I… don’t know how to thank you enough. You’re all too kind to someone like me.”

“Don’t say that.”

“But it’s true. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay this.”

“We haven’t even made the medicine yet. Why worry about repayment already?”

“Regardless of the outcome, your kindness won’t disappear.”

He had focused solely on his mother, ignoring everyone else. He never expected to have friends, never thought he’d deserve them.

Yet here they were.

And that alone sent ripples through his heart.

Ian stepped closer.

“Leon. If you’re truly grateful… there’s an easy way to repay friends.”

His mysterious violet eyes met his, piercing as always—enough to make his thoughts stall.

“Someday, just help me. Help us. Help them.”

“…”

The heart of a saint—no, of a genuinely good person.

The ripples in his heart grew stronger.

“Ah! Don’t take it as pressure, though. Just take it easy. Like helping with homework…! Or taking turns buying meals…! Though with Sugar, maybe not too often! She’ll get spoiled!”

His flustered backtracking made Leon’s lips twitch.

“Heh… Haha…”

He laughed—a rare, unrestrained sound.

Not the bitter smiles he usually wore, but genuine amusement. His eyes crinkled, his cheeks lifted. The usual hollow, gloomy expression was gone, replaced by pure innocence.

The soft, ticklish sound reached Ian’s ears.

“…”

“Ah… Ian? Did I… offend you by laughing?”

“N-No…! We’re done talking, so you can get back to studying…”

His Holiness, who had been staring intently, suddenly turned away.

“I-I’m gonna go shower…!”

He dashed into the bathroom like a gust of wind.

Inside the steamy bathroom, Ian unwound the bandages constricting her chest and exhaled.

Touching her flushed skin, she felt her heartbeat pounding. Her face burned all the way to her ears.

‘…That guy. If he tried, he’d be so popular with women.’

A single smile could topple hearts. As a romance novel expert, she knew.

‘Why does his taste have to be like that…?’

With a face like that—a smile even Her Holiness found startling—it was such a waste.

‘Ugh… Why am I so flustered? I can’t calm down.’

She thought she’d grown used to handsome faces after being around Riley. Apparently not.

Groaning, she let out a sigh as the shower water ran.

***************

“This can’t be real…”

Sugar lay sprawled on the couch, her damp practice test crumpled beneath her.

“No way… No way… Riley… Pffft… Kghhh…”

“Are you insane?”

The owner of the name looked down at her with genuine concern.

Though she claimed the test was “damp,” it wasn’t actually wet. Just… a little rain had fallen. A lot of rain.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes… How many did you even get wrong?”

Ian plucked the test from Sugar’s grip, winced, and immediately handed it back. Leon snorted loudly beside her.

“Sugar. Did you not study?”

“Ian… If I hadn’t studied and gotten these results, I’d admit it…”

“Well… the exam’s next week. You’ll do better by then.”

With the exam looming, Steele’s students were deep in preparation. Currently, the group had just finished a mock test—with Sugar being the only one devastated by the results. Ian awkwardly tried to console her.

“This won’t do. Starting today, you’re studying until curfew every day.”

Riley’s tone was firm.

“At this rate, you won’t graduate. I had no idea it was this bad.”

He’d assumed she was keeping up, given how often she had her books open. But seeing these results, one-on-one tutoring was now mandatory.

“Will I get a reward if I do well?”

“You’ll get punished if you don’t.”

“Ugh…”

Sugar whimpered but sat up. He wasn’t wrong. If this continued, she’d fail. And Steele didn’t let repeat students advance.

“I’ll do my best…”

For all her antics, she was diligent when she put her mind to something. Her execution was flawless—when she actually tried.

“Start with correcting your mistakes.”

“Okay… But first, bathroom break…”

“Make it quick.”

Sugar left the clubroom and trudged down the hallway. As she walked, she glanced out the window at the scenery beyond the school.

The interconnected buildings of Steele’s campus. The plains outside the grounds. The distant mountains. Peaceful.

Her gaze drifted until it suddenly fixed on one spot.

Far, far in the distance.

“…?”

A sharp, prickling sensation shot through her.

Sugar tilted her head but quickly shook it off, heading to the bathroom.

If she took too long, Riley would scold her for slacking.