episode_0054

Humans easily feel a sense of longing for things they do not have.

Especially if it goes beyond something ordinary, it hits you even harder.

However, if this feeling of longing becomes stronger and stronger.

At some point, it tends to transform into a dark, sticky emotion that goes beyond simple longing or envy.

Jealousy and disappointment… and when it reaches its peak, hatred and obsession.

Such emotions gradually begin to eat away at a person’s life, eventually causing them to easily make extreme and unreasonable choices.

Even if it were a very clever trap.

*

The season when spring has passed and we are now in the middle of hot summer.

Even while walking in the shade, the stifling heat was palpable, and students flocked to libraries and teahouses where cooling magic was in effect.

And, Zeros was also included among those people.

“Hoo..”

Zeros sighs while opening a book inside the library.

Around him, there were many students with their books open, and they were all absorbed in their studies.

Because soon the final exams to wrap up the semester will begin.

However, unlike those who were so passionate about learning, Zeros did not come here to study.

Although the book he had spread out in front of him was clearly a textbook, it was merely a decoration to keep him seated without being kicked out.

The reason he was sitting there was simply to escape the heat and enjoy the cool breeze, and he was literally just looking for refuge, and of course, he had no intention of studying.

‘It’s a 10-year-old class and a 10-year-old test, so there’s no need to rack your brain like that.’

As for the exam, if you literally just study hard during class time, you will have no trouble getting a mid-to-upper level.

Of course, thinking about the future, he would need to pay more attention to his studies later on, but at least for now, Zeros was approaching his studies with some degree of leeway.

Actually, he had a lot of other issues to worry about right now.

‘The relationship with Katlena… Is this the only way it has to end up?’

Not long ago, after that ‘kiss’ in question, Zeros could sense that Katlena had become much less hesitant.

The wall between lover and friend that Zeros had thought of had disappeared for her as well, and she was treating Zeros with a more lively feeling.

Catlena has become much more active, not only casually holding hands, but also leaning against each other or giving a light hug when the two of them are alone.

Although they hadn’t kissed since then, Katlena had shown a closeness that could practically be called a lover, except for the fact that they were both 10 years old.

And on this point, Zeros decided to accept it after a period of conflict.

From the beginning, as a servant, Zeros was in no position to push Katlena away, and furthermore, Zeros himself was unable to take what happened lightly.

Even at this very moment, when I think of that moment, my face feels flushed.

‘Even if it’s a relationship that can’t be realized… I guess it’s my duty to accept that child’s feelings. Since I’ve already received more than enough affection as a servant.’

With his heart and the thought of not wanting to be indebted to her, Zeros was able to make up his mind.

Even if it comes back to him as pain later.

Yes, Zeros has made up his mind to some extent about love.

However, at this very moment, unlike the previous problem that he had resolved, there was one more issue that was still troubling him.

‘Sentinel. I thought there was a possibility ever since I joined the student council, but I never thought it would really turn out like this.’

A force of the student council and a sort of leadership group under the command of Princess Senel.

In fact, Zeros was admitted to that department, which could be said to be the most powerful in the academy, semi-automatically, following Katlena’s wishes, right after the incident with the princess the other day.

Since I originally entered as a student council officer, it could be said that it was a natural process to the extent that my department was practically decided.

Although Zeros didn’t know the exact details behind it, it was assumed that Katlena had accepted Senel’s suggestion.

And this made Zeros think back to his life at the training camp, which he had forgotten for a while after parting ways with Serif.

‘No… No matter what, it’s still the leadership team. What kind of leadership team conducts such intense physical training every week?’

Sentinels, carrying sticks instead of guns, are conducting guerrilla training for half a day as if they were soldiers.

And the most spectacular of them all was the sight of Sentinel Chief Senel overseeing the training with a smile on his face the entire time.

When I saw her smiling brightly while others were having a hard time, I felt a lot of ill feelings that I hadn’t felt in the original work.

‘I like the fact that they are giving me proper training in magical powers, but… ugh… I’m sure it’s not my imagination that is making my body weaker as the days go by.’

However, Zeros was not in a position to express much dissatisfaction about these aspects.

It wasn’t just him who was going through such a hard time, but his owner, Katlena, was also suffering.

‘Although I’m trying to control it to some extent since she’s a woman… I’m saying that she’s having a hard time too. It seems like she’s losing weight more and more.’

From the perspective of a couple who share feelings for each other, Zeros always felt sorry whenever he saw Katlena like that.

‘Still… for now, it’s the path that Katlena chose herself. For now, it’s only right to respect it. Somehow, Katlena herself seems quite satisfied with this situation…’

Rather than complaining, Katlena was enthusiastic about training.

Thinking about that, Zeros slowly closed his book and got up from his seat, deciding to just watch the situation for the time being.

After leaving the library, Zeros begins to cross the school grounds under the warm sunlight.

Today was the day of the Sentinels’ meeting that had been announced for some time.

*

The Sentinels, who monitor the security of the Academy, have branches in each building within the campus.

This was to prevent accidents and incidents that could occur anytime and anywhere, as there were 10,000 students, and also to monitor and immediately respond to the activities of factions scattered throughout.

And, among those branches, there is a branch located in Jungang-dong where the student council office is located.

The 7th Sentinel Branch, which is in fact in charge of overseeing the other branches, is currently comprised of branch managers and their deputy manager Senel who have gathered from other branches.

And, the executives who had originally belonged to Branch 7 were present.

‘Those people are the Sentinel branch leaders.. It’s my first time seeing them all at once, but they all definitely look the same. They come in all kinds of forms, from witches and wizards to sirens, werewolves, and even lizard folk.’

‘There aren’t as many familiar faces as I thought… Well, the membership is probably a lot different now than when I was student body president. But the diversity of races is the same now as it was then.’

Zeros and Cattlena, who were originally assigned to Branch 7, are here as a bit of a bonus.

The two sat quietly in a corner, looking around at the branch managers in front of them.

And then, right after confirming that everyone was gathered like that.

Senel, the manager, slowly got up from her seat, took on an unusually serious expression, and opened her mouth.

“Now that everyone is here, let’s skip the formal greetings and get straight to the point. Agenda. Let’s distribute the things we’ve prepared.”

“Yes, sir.”

Agenda slightly bowed his head to Senel’s words and then immediately distributed the papers he was holding to the people in the room.

This was also given to Katlena and Zeros, and the two, along with the other branch managers, began to examine its contents.

‘This is..’