Ch.366366. The Intent Behind Early Graduation (11)

In the quiet reception room, only a very thin curtain existed as a barrier.

Outside the curtain, an advisor disguised as a store employee waited for today’s heroine, while inside, the soon-to-be heroine was changing clothes.

‘Who would have thought this would happen.’

The girls who had been having a wild party in the club room had secretly worried that something like this might happen. When it actually did, the members with surprisingly little dating experience boldly complicated and expanded the situation.

Thanks to that, it wasn’t difficult to understand Renias’s position.

-“This might sound strange, but I think Senior Renias was worried we might take Senior Junon away from her. After what happened at the Real Winter Parade…”

Charlotte explained that during the Real Winter Parade, she had observed Renias snatching Junon’s hand away when he tried to pat her head, placing it on her own head instead. She believed Renias saw them as potential rivals.

Aris and Michelle added that they had similar experiences during the after-party, and whenever they felt that watchful gaze, Renias was always standing nearby.

-“In other words, it was jealousy. She saw us as women and potential rivals who might steal Junon away.”

That’s how it was until the four of them clarified that they didn’t see Junon romantically.

But what about the current situation?

Tembris had firmly stated that she didn’t think of him romantically, but with Junon’s rapidly growing fame, countless competitors had emerged across the country.

They had actually discussed once that they might be too harsh on Renias.

-“If Junon were more perceptive, it would be fine, but he’s completely clueless in this area. He won’t understand Renias’s feelings unless someone explicitly tells him.”

According to Senia, he was an absolute idiot when it came to matters of romance.

Putting everything together, Lumia could understand Renias’s position.

‘She must be anxious because her boyfriend is too outstanding.’

Commander of the Empire. Hero who saved the country. Alcaide, chosen by the oracle of the constellation.

Even a gradual rise would be concerning, but his value had skyrocketed after being appointed as an academy professor.

As his girlfriend, it was understandable that she would see every woman rushing toward Junon as an enemy. The fuse had already been set.

And what if, in this already volatile situation, Junon’s lectures became wildly popular?

Nodding repeatedly.

Lumia simply nodded, indicating that she understood everything.

*Swish*

“Ah, you’ve finished chang—”

As the curtain was drawn back, Lumia, who had risen at the sound, stood with her mouth agape, staring blankly ahead. And for good reason.

“Ugh… clothes like this really…”

With her snow-white silver hair and fair skin, most clothes suited her well, and the carefully selected light pink dress was expected to add another charm to Renias.

But she was already an angelic presence at Levrant Academy. From the single strand of silly hair to the soles of her feet, she was flawless.

How perfectly defined were her features on that slender face? With just one smile, she could enchant anyone regardless of gender, and with her firm, smooth figure added to that beauty, clothes seemed like mere rags in comparison.

‘Wow… my goodness.’

The saying “clothes make the person” didn’t apply to her at all. Rather, the dress itself shone because of its owner, and perhaps clothes weren’t even necessary to begin with. She was the perfect heroine, like a pure white angel descended from heaven.

“Lumia?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Is it that bad? You’ve been staring at me…”

“N-no, not at all. Actually, it suits you so well that I was just stunned.”

Had she been distracted? Finally coming to her senses, Lumia waved her hands, vehemently rejecting Renias’s absurd suggestion that the dress didn’t suit her.

“What? It’s just clothes… you’re exaggerating.”

“I’m serious! There’s a mirror here, would you like to check for yourself?”

“Hmm? No, I’m fine… Woah!”

How could even her reflection in the mirror be so beautiful? Lumia had heard that maids put extra effort into dressing their ladies.

If she were a maid serving such a lady, she thought she might have enjoyed dressing her up every day.

Yet the lady herself wore a puzzled expression, as if unsure whether the dress actually suited her.

“Clothes are just pieces of fabric. Whether it’s a dress full of silk and frills or casual wear, it’s the person wearing it that matters. I don’t see how it adds any charm.”

“Eek, how did you know?!”

Lumia let out a small laugh, as if she understood everything.

“Well~ That’s difficult for me to answer right away. You’ll understand when the time comes, Senior.”

“When the time comes…? Ugh, you keep saying that and it makes me nervous… You’re not saying I should meet him wearing just this dress, are you?”

“Oh my. That’s exactly right.”

“How could that be…!”

She was anxious about what Junon might say when they met. She feared that everything she had done so far might have upset Junon and even backfired.

Lumia smiled softly, comparing herself to Renias’s anxious state.

“This is from my own experience. Will you still doubt me? That would be troubling.”

“Huh?! Your experience?!”

“I showed Kain directly and got results. But if you doubt me like this, I…”

“Ha, I’m not doubting you. I can handle it!”

“Good. You’ll understand soon enough, so don’t be too impatient. Just focus on meeting Senior Junon wearing this dress. Understood?”

“Y-yes. I understand.”

“Now then, let me just touch up your makeup a bit?”

What effect could clothes and makeup possibly have? She would only understand when she met him. That these weren’t just pieces of fabric and face paint, but rather formidable weapons.

The moment the brush left Lumia’s hand.

The person sitting before the vanity was no longer the silver rabbit.

***

The door to Professor Muniher’s office clicked open.

It was a door that rarely opened. At most, professors would discuss lecture content with each other, or administrative staff would knock to notify about schedules. To students, it was known as a cave inhabited by a human rather than a monster, due to the professor’s picky personality, high standards, and strict teaching.

But today, students entered through that door. Two of them, in fact.

“Professor!”

Jon and Noel responded briskly, as if they had completed their task and returned. Seeing their reaction suggesting everything went smoothly, Muniher nodded and tossed two pouches to them.

“Ooh…!”

“They are divided equally.”

“Thank you!”

The two bowed immediately at the money pouches.

While their purses now contained enough to cover next semester’s tuition with pocket money to spare, making their lips curl up involuntarily, now that the job was done, it was time to resolve their questions.

“But Professor, will this really bring those two together?”

“Yeah, I wanted to ask that too.”

All they had heard was a request to help connect Junon and Renias by spreading rumors, but they hadn’t received an answer about the outcome. Though they had readily agreed, they wondered if this was the right approach.

Professor Muniher smiled slightly and answered.

“Perhaps you’re worried I might be causing Junon some harm?”

“What? No, that’s not it… It’s just that you didn’t explain anything, so I was curious…”

“We’d also like to know how the rumors we spread will help…”

*Tap.*

Muniher set down his teacup and spoke.

“You two, always talking in circles. Don’t worry. I know Junon dislikes such rumors. He’s not someone who grew up with encouragement, but rather was shaped by criticism and degradation through a thoroughly bottom-up life. Naturally, he wouldn’t be pleased with people seeking him out.”

“Then why did you ask us to spread these rumors?”

“These rumors won’t significantly affect Junon, who now has academy affiliation, even if they persist. Reporters, journalists, and guild officials wouldn’t dare approach, and at most, he might gain fans or students eager to attend his lectures. Well, lectures from a young professor who has both skill and experience through early graduation would certainly be explosively popular.”

“So… this wasn’t about spreading rumors about Junon…”

“From the early graduation…”

“That’s right. Academy affiliation doesn’t really need protection. If Renias is from the Lantana ducal family, she can provide plenty of protection. But when someone who completed early graduation becomes an academy professor, wouldn’t that serve as an excellent stimulus?”

“It’s for Renias!”

Muniher took another sip from his teacup, smiling affirmatively instead of answering. Jon and Noel nodded in understanding.

Whether this would become a bridge between the two, they could easily judge based on what they had observed. They were certain this was indeed a bridge—a process to strengthen the connection between the two and accelerate their relationship.

“That seems to answer your question. Be careful with your words.”

“Yes, sir!”

After cautioning them about the potential trouble from gossip, the two left, finally reassured.

Left alone, Muniher leaned back in his chair with a satisfied expression and picked up a book to cover his face. There probably wouldn’t be any more visitors to bother him, and it was time for a short nap.

‘That guy. How can someone so smart be so blind when it comes to romance?’

The reason for inducing this progress was because of the relationship between the two who couldn’t seem to move forward. In the empire that had finally found peace, they could be enjoying themselves to the fullest, but seeing only their ambiguous movements… the four professors had been frustrated with the same sentiment.

Anyway, he had successfully carried out his plan through Jon and Noel. All that remained was his niece Renias’s reaction. The relationship between the two that had been stagnant would likely make significant progress starting today.

However, the door opened again, suggesting there was another visitor after all.

Without even a single knock.

Muniher, who had been keeping his eyes gently closed, lowered his book with a frown. He had expected that if anyone were to visit again, it would be Jon or Noel.

“What is it now? I’ve already told you everything you wanted to know…”

Unfortunately, his expression froze as soon as he saw the visitor.

“Pro-fes-sor?”

Senia’s eerie smile as she dragged in the two unconscious students who had just left this room.

“Senia? What is it? Why suddenly…”

“And why did you suddenly do that to us, Professor~?”

“Hmm. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh. Pretending not to know? That’s troublesome.”

As he cleared his throat and feigned ignorance, a cross-shaped vein popped on Senia’s forehead.

Just as Jake was entering, Muniher saw his chance and pointed at Senia, saying:

“There’s someone here who wants to meet with me for a trivial reason. She seems to want guidance in combat training, so take her with you.”

He had never requested combat training. He was merely sending a signal to Jake, who had appeared at the perfect timing, to save him.

However, Dennis and Dalia appeared behind Jake, followed by more students. Charlotte, Aris, Michelle. All were Tembris members.

Were they all here to help? No, that wasn’t it.

“Ahem… I’m sorry, Muniher.”

“Well… they’re really smart kids, haha…”

“Sorry, honey. We can’t help you. Because we’ve been caught…”

They had all been caught by Tembris.

“Now, I think we can have a proper conversation, don’t you?”

*Gulp.*

Only now did Senia’s eerie smile feel truly terrifying. Enough to send chills down his spine.

“Professor. Why did you do this to us? Hmm?!”

“Do you know how much money we paid to learn how to appeal our cuteness to the guild?!”

“I may have a straightforward personality, but I never imagined it would be perceived as an outgoing charm!”

“I understand the intention to bring those two together, but this was too much!”

*Thud.*

The book Muniher had used to cover his eyes fell as the four expressed their anger.

Sensing that there was no way to escape this, he adjusted his posture and answered.

“Ahem… I-I’m sorry. You see…”

With the four growling before him and everything exposed, he had no choice but to apologize, confessing that he had planned to use Tembris, which Renias would inevitably visit, to encourage the two to make progress in their relationship.