episode_0082

At the cafeteria, Claire, Rachel, Victor, and Helena finished their meal and got up from their seats.

No matter how nice the carriage was, they couldn’t avoid getting tired on the way, so they decided to neatly end it here and return to their dorms.

“How can you not say a word during the meal?”

Before joining the others and after being alone with her for a while, Claire seemed uncomfortable with my actions and words. Blushing and seeming somewhat off, she continued eating as if something was amiss.

Unable to focus on the meal, I nudged her shoulder and asked if she was okay. Startled, she just nodded slightly, blushing even more, and continued eating with her head down.

When Rachel and Victor asked why we were late when we entered the restaurant, they focused solely on the meal afterward.

“I thought we would have gotten closer during the group test and spending the vacation together. I didn’t expect our relationship to be this awkward.”

Seeing that neither Rachel nor Helena seemed eager to talk about anything special, I quietly ate my dinner too.

Victor, who usually tried to initiate conversations and steer them, also ate quietly, keeping an eye on everyone’s reactions.

Surely, during the group test, we didn’t just stay silent and prepare with minimal interaction.

Although observing the occasional conversations between the three at the mansion made me doubt it, a lot depended on how well the three of us synced in this main scenario.

I stopped Rachel, who was about to leave for the dormitory, trying to clear my uneasy mind.

“Rachel, Lady Astrea, could you spare me a moment if possible?”

Initially puzzled by my request, she soon composed herself calmly.

“If Yukal, if you call me by my name, I can spare as much time as you need. There’s still plenty of time before the training grounds close.”

“Rachel is quite persistent in this regard.”

Even amidst training throughout the vacation, she always insisted on being addressed comfortably if I didn’t speak freely. While I had maintained the upper hand in our interactions so far by constantly refusing, given the urgency of the situation today, I had no choice but to accept.

“…Understood, Rachel. Since it’s just a name for now, this can be seen as significant progress. Please go ahead.”

While I had only called her by her name once before, which led to her jumping out of the carriage thinking it was an attack, it was regrettable that there hadn’t been more instances like that.

Despite my respect for her at Sungyong Manor and enduring her requests for change without reciprocating, I couldn’t help but feel some resentment towards her for not altering her attitude towards me.

“Still, being the successor to the Astrea Duchy and not pressuring the other party with that status, Rachel feels remarkably impressive.”

Having obtained Rachel’s consent and preparing to leave, Claire was the one who held me back.

With an anxious expression, she seemed hesitant as if contemplating whether to convey what I had said to Clare, but upon my assurance that it wasn’t necessary, she reluctantly let go of my arm.

Let’s walk a bit. As the vacation was coming to an end and the students were gone, the tranquil scenery of the academy caught our attention, causing us to pause in our steps.

“So, what is it that you wanted to discuss with me separately? If Yukal, who hasn’t spoken to me until now, has agreed and made the request, it must be quite an important matter.”

It was Rachel who brought up the topic first.

Considering her character, I thought she wouldn’t have forgotten the time I saved her life, even though I hadn’t directly approached her. Surprisingly, she was more amicable than I expected.

“Do you remember when you told me that if I ever needed help because I saved your life, I should just ask?”

“Of course. If one forgets that they owe their life to Yukal, wouldn’t they be no better than subhumans?”

Although I assumed Rachel wouldn’t forget, her response was more friendly than I anticipated, even without me initiating the conversation.

“It’s just my speculation, but by mentioning this, you must have something you want me to do. Please tell me without hesitation. If it’s within my capabilities, I’ll do it.”

“If I were to request, I would like for Clare, Victor, and Helena to join forces and fight together.”

At the mention of fighting, Rachel closed her eyes momentarily.

Having a belief that strength should always be used in the right place, she was likely pondering whether my proposal would endanger others.

After some contemplation, Rachel posed a single question.

“The targets I have to fight, they are not affiliated with the academy or innocent people, correct?”

“Of course. I can’t disclose everything, but there are enemies targeting Ardente Academy students. I would appreciate it if you could wield your sword to protect others.”

Upon hearing my words, Rachel seemed relieved and gently smiled.

“If that’s the case, you don’t need to make such grand requests. You can always tell me without hesitation. Although for a moment, I doubted whether you might ask me to take the lives of innocent people when you made such a sudden plea, I concluded otherwise. Forgive me for briefly doubting you.”

Stopping Rachel from bowing to apologize, I continued speaking.

“No need to apologize. It’s only natural to consider such thoughts when someone suddenly asks you to fight. Instead, I should be grateful to Rachel, whom I trusted. Please don’t say such things.”

“I’m thankful for your words. There’s something I haven’t yet conveyed to Victor, but if you wish, I will do so.”

“I would appreciate that.”

After obtaining Rachel’s cooperation and seeing her off to the swordsmanship training ground, I went to find the next person.

*

As soon as I heightened my senses, there was nothing but admiration for the location I detected.

I must have deduced that Rachel would head to the swordsmanship training ground and waited in a nearby park, observing the direction I would come from.

“You didn’t take long to convince her, did you? You’re here earlier than I expected.”

Smiling brightly at me, the woman was Helena.

“Did you know I was coming?”

“Yu-Kal, who never let Rachel have the last word, suddenly seemed to be asking for something when he finally spoke. He disappeared with Claire, engaging in what seemed like a conversation, and continued to gaze as if he had more to say over the meal; how could I not know?”

Seeing her sharp intellect and quick wit, I found myself thinking once again that I needed to raise my guard.

In Seongyong, she used to just obstruct anyone who didn’t move according to her will until the end. However, now, despite colliding with me due to the Claire incident, she still shows no particular movement, leaving me puzzled.

‘Always keeping me on edge.’

Swallowing a sigh inwardly, I eventually broached the main topic first.

“There will soon be enemies targeting students at Ardente Academy. It would be great if you could fight alongside Claire, Rachel, and Victor.”

“Okay, got it!”

“What? I didn’t think you would accept so easily.”

To my surprise, Helena, with a mischievous grin, said, “I won this time, hehe. You see, Yu-Kal, does that mean I have two freedom passes to use you as I please, including this one?”

Well, it’s never going to be that easy.

“I arranged for us to visit the Astraea Marquis during the vacation, so shouldn’t one be excluded?”

“Yes, but what I asked was for you to come to ‘my’ family. When I agreed to you mentioning Rachel’s family, it was only because I consented.”

She certainly has a knack for putting people in difficult situations.

I thought offering an alternative after apologizing for not granting Helena’s request and receiving her approval would resolve things, but she managed to throw a wrench into the works.

“Or we can make it all go my way under the condition that you grant everything I want! How far are you willing to go for me~”

“Let’s just stick with two…”

If I don’t set limits within the range of what I can accommodate for her, there will undoubtedly be significant issues later on.

Unlike my sigh, Helena seemed pleased, smiling broadly, pushing me to the brink of frustration.

“Now that it’s come to this, prepare some blood as well. Enough to fill this park area and then some.”

“Alright, understood.”

“Just in case, I’m talking about animal or monster blood, not human blood.”

To cover the possibility that Helena might prepare human blood, I emphasized the point further.

“You probably won’t see me for a while, but please refrain from doing anything strange…”

“Come on, when have I ever done anything strange? Don’t worry about that.”

‘You’re the one saying that.’

With my mind thoroughly exhausted, I concluded negotiations with Helena and now moved on with heavy steps to recruit the most important person.