Chapter 66: Juyeon and Clara

Juyeon was moving around frantically until she was contacted by Rohan and the Public Security Bureau came.

Based on the vast Mana, she repeated her own search and thought a lot.

The place where the Peacekeepers guided her, the Monolith appearance point. The remnants of the disaster she felt there.

The silence that lingered in the path where humanity’s disaster had passed.

She remembers the air that lingered there.

It was as if it was saying that the terrible incident was an illusion and a lie.

…I built up my strength so I wouldn’t be powerless, so I wouldn’t be inferior.

But in the face of such a natural disaster, she was still incompetent. There was no way to devise a clear solution.

It was like that in the past, and it’s still like that now.

It felt like the world was imprinting it on Juyeon.

“…”

Would she have the same desperate experience as back then, again?

While continuing her search in a brute-force manner, thinking that she couldn’t just stand by and wait.

Beep beep beep! Beep beep beep!

Juyeon’s Smartphone rang.

That name appeared on the screen.

After hearing the news, Juyeon ran at full speed to the Elysium Security Bureau.

Like a fire-made arrowhead, she crossed the sky.

“Commander Juyeon. As we contacted you, we are protecting Cadet Rohan and his party.”

“Please guide me.”

And when she faced Rohan after being guided by the Peacekeeper.

“Instructor!”

The moment she faced Rohan’s bright smile, which she thought she would never see again.

Various emotions boiled within Juyeon.

Ah…

She couldn’t express her complex feelings in a single word.

The tattered Cadet uniform and the blood smeared on it made her heart ache, but it was fortunate that he had returned alive.

Juyeon, as her heart led her, strode towards her student.

And hugged Rohan, who was sitting on the chair.

Juyeon gently stroked Rohan’s head, which had stiffened in surprise.

The past that still torments her.

That day, if her younger sibling had returned safely, would it have been similar to this joy?

Juyeon felt that the memory, which twists and stabs her heart just by recalling it, was loose today, and opened her mouth.

“…I’m glad you’re safe.”

Rohan, who was buried in her chest and holding his breath, felt the deep emotion in Juyeon’s voice and touch.

A sweet and rich scent reminiscent of fruit emanated from Juyeon’s embrace, but it wasn’t the time to make such a strange observation in his head.

Juyeon’s hands loosened.

Rohan returned his head to its original position and met her gaze.

“Instructor. I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”

“Really… This is the first time I’ve had a student like this.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Still, it was an unavoidable natural disaster, so I don’t intend to scold you. It would be more appropriate to praise you for returning.”

Juyeon felt regretful even after saying that.

Looking at the state of Rohan’s clothes, she wondered if there were any painful areas when she hugged him.

“Rohan. What is the state of your injuries? Have you received treatment?”

“I will report on that, including everything else. I just got back, so I haven’t properly explained anything yet.”

The Peacekeepers, after hearing the situation from Rohan and Clara, were in a hurry to report to their superiors and share it with each country.

But there was no option to interrupt Juyeon’s time.

They just stood in the corner, holding their breath, waiting for it to end.

Then.

Juyeon’s burning gaze turned to the Peacekeepers.

“I will be present as Rohan’s guardian. Is that alright?”

“Yes. Of course.”

The Peacekeepers quickly moved, thinking that they could finally get to work.

They sat across from Rohan and Clara, turned on the recorder, and set up the equipment.

Huh?

While the materials for the investigation were being prepared on the table.

Juyeon’s gaze shifted.

Only then did the girl sitting next to Rohan catch her eye.

She seemed stiff, as if she was very nervous.

Juyeon recognized the girl immediately.

This presence is from the Bookstore where Rohan works…?

She was certain of who the beautiful girl in front of her was.

Because this quiet presence itself was so familiar, more so than the visual information she had seen in the video.

Juyeon had many questions she wanted to ask, seeing the girl’s timid behavior as she glanced at her.

But thinking that now wasn’t the time, she waited for the Peacekeepers to speak.

“Before we begin the investigation, as we mentioned during the guidance, if you are feeling unwell, you can receive treatment first.”

At the Peacekeeper’s words, Rohan figured out where to start.

While placing his hand on Clara’s trembling hand to calm her, he spoke in a gentle voice.

“First of all, you might find it hard to believe considering how I look, but it’s not a lie, my body is really fine.”

The Peacekeepers nodded slightly at Rohan’s words and continued to take notes.

They were listening attentively as if to encourage him to continue speaking.

“I received many injuries there and even had one arm severed, but when I came back and opened my eyes, my arm that had been blown off was reattached.”

“Your arm was reattached…?”

Juyeon, as well as the Peacekeepers, showed transparent surprise.

They didn’t know where Rohan was referring to with ‘there,’ and the situation itself was incomprehensible.

“Not only was it reattached, but all the lacerations and cuts have also healed. As you can see, the torn clothes didn’t come back though.”

When the Peacekeepers’ questioning gazes turned to Clara.

The girl nervously nodded in agreement with Rohan’s words.

“I would like to hear the story from the time you encountered the Monolith. Would it be alright if I ask you questions?”

A man wearing glasses. A Peacekeeper with a sharp impression.

It was a pity that she didn’t know him, but Rohan thought he had piqued their curiosity enough and brought up the main point.

“It’s a little difficult to explain everything.”

“Difficult parts…?”

Were there restrictions or something? Juyeon and the Peacekeepers’ expressions became serious.

But Rohan, looking at Clara beside him, gave the impression that the story was about her.

“I am already a member of Academy City Elysium with an established identity. So, I will disclose all the information I have for the public good of Academy City.”

““…””

“However, Clara, who helped me return from there, is currently waiting for a long time for Academy City identification after submitting an immigration application.”

If it weren’t for Clara, the information wouldn’t have been released to the outside world.

Rohan emphasized this repeatedly.

Clara wasn’t a wanted criminal. Her country of origin was clear.

“It’s possible that the country Clara currently belongs to might not want information related to the Monolith to be exposed.”

As a clear and purposeful explanation followed Rohan’s words, the Peacekeepers continued to take notes and responded calmly.

“We’ve heard that there has been an increase in such individuals recently due to the unrest in many countries. We are also aware that the immigration review itself takes at least more than 9 months.”

As one Peacekeeper finished speaking.

The Peacekeeper sitting next to him added.

“Even so, the administration of the agency is unrelated to our Public Security Bureau, so it’s difficult. We only perform criminal record checks at the agency’s request, so it’s difficult for us to get involved.”

They indirectly conveyed that it would be difficult to offer any favors.

Knowing that the authority of the Public Security Bureau is not overwhelming enough to control all the institutions of Academy City, he expected a positive answer, but it was unexpected.

“I am certain that I have information of definite value.”

“Regarding that, our Public Security Bureau intended to form a committee to agree on a reward.”

So the money he’d receive increased.

He was happy, but it was a shame to back down here.

“Hmm… If there’s merit, shouldn’t there be an advantage in the immigration application?”

Rohan crossed his arms with a dissatisfied look and leaned back in his chair.

The meaning conveyed by his gesture was firm and unyielding. The Peacekeepers also looked quite flustered.

“Could I request a brief pause in the recording?”

Juyeon’s voice, who had been watching, spoke.

The Peacekeepers exchanged glances and stopped the recording.

“Rohan.”

“Yes!”

Rohan, who had been acting defiant, straightened his back and answered briskly, causing the Peacekeepers’ expressions to waver.

“It’s difficult for those here to give a definite answer about the work of other agencies.”

“Yes. I understand that. Still, I thought the Public Security Bureau would be able to negotiate sufficiently. Furthermore──.”

He knew that Clara was struggling in a small room without air conditioning or heating.

The majority of immigration applicants would be the same, but since Clara, who was right next to him, was living like that, he couldn’t turn a blind eye.

Juyeon, after listening to Rohan’s words, smiled faintly.

Then, she reached out and held Rohan’s cheek.

What should she say about his actions? They were admirable, but also worrisome.

“Rohan. Regardless of the facts, this is openly demanding the Public Security Bureau to intervene in the affairs of another agency. Do you realize that you’ve been unreasonable? It’s right to apologize first.”

“I’m sorry for being unreasonable!”

Rohan, his cheeks stretched, apologized.

The Peacekeepers also apologized to Rohan, saying they had made remarks that could be misunderstood.

“Good job. But don’t worry about your friend’s immigration issue.”

“Yes?”

The eyes of Rohan, Clara, and the Peacekeepers in the room turned to Juyeon.

“I will take care of that part.”

··

··

After that, things went smoothly.

Regarding Shion, he vaguely explained that he couldn’t see her anywhere after leaving the space.

Rohan, showing the timer on his smartphone and the occasional pictures he had taken, poured out information that would surprise Juyeon and the Peacekeepers. Additionally, he remembered his part-time job at the Flower Bookstore and asked to be excused.

Like that, for about 4 hours.

After finishing the exhausting investigation, Rohan and Clara came out of the Public Security Bureau in a grimy state.

However, this wasn’t the end.

It seemed highly likely that the Public Security Bureau would contact them again and they would have to visit again.

It was dark outside.

Juyeon’s gaze turned to Clara.

“Your name is… Clara, right?”

“Ah, uh, yes…”

Juyeon, despite recognizing that she was Rohan’s friend, addressed Clara formally.

Clara mumbled softly, asking her to speak comfortably.

“You said you were living alone.”

The girl shyly nodded at Juyeon’s words.

“Then, how about coming to my house to wash up and eat?”

“…!”

Rohan, who had been listening quietly, was startled and turned his head so abruptly that it made a cracking sound.

Clara was also startled and lifted her head.

The girl faced Juyeon, who was smiling kindly.

“I have something I want to talk about regarding immigration, and I also want to express my gratitude for helping Rohan.”