Chapter 72

Ŕ​ëäd̃ ̂​òǹ ̂​K̂ãt̃R̀ẽäd̈​în̂g̃C̃äf̂​é

Early morning.

Eugene, who had arrived at school earlier than usual, looked dazed.

He couldn’t stop yawning.

His dark-ringed eyes glistened with moisture, and every time he wiped away tears with the back of his hand, another yawn escaped.

“Haah…”

Eugene blinked his sleepy eyes. He couldn’t believe how exhausted he was from pulling an all-nighter. 

Normally, he could endure a day without sleep, but now, he felt an overwhelming drowsiness that he couldn’t shrug off. It was clear that he had pushed his body and mind too hard.

He couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened in the infirmary. No matter what he did—whether he sat still, practiced swordplay, ate, or closed his eyes—it stayed in his mind.

The soft embrace. The faint scent. The pleasant warmth and the supple sensation that shifted with every move.

For Eugene, who had lived ascetically devoted to his training, it was too much stimulation.

Eugene’s life followed a strict routine: early to bed and early to rise. As usual, he had lain down on his bed at 10 p.m. sharp. After years of this pattern, he would typically fall asleep the moment he closed his eyes.

But not last night.

Even when he shut his eyelids, something flickered beyond the darkness.

His body flinched involuntarily each time.

The heat that began in his chest quickly spread, enveloping him entirely. His back and abdomen, in particular—where Lucia’s touch had lingered the most—felt like they were burning.

The breath brushing against his nape.

The sweet smell of sweat.

The gentle warmth and tender voice.

Eugene couldn’t sleep.

Even when he pulled the blanket over his head, instead of soothing him, it sharpened his senses.

In the darkness, the events from a few hours earlier replayed vividly. He tried not to think about them, but the same scenes repeated, over and over. Each time, an indescribable guilt mixed with a strange sensation made his heart race uncontrollably. His sweat-soaked pajamas clung to him, sticky and uncomfortable.

Eventually, Eugene decided he couldn’t fall asleep like this and resolved to exhaust himself physically instead.

If he pushed his body hard enough, surely he would tire out and fall asleep naturally.

Leaving the dormitory was out of the question due to the curfew, so Eugene began exercising within his room.

A few sets of sit-ups would do the trick.

Surely, after a dozen or so, all unnecessary thoughts would vanish.

And so, Eugene stayed awake until dawn with his eyes wide open.

100 push-ups. 100 sit-ups. 100 squats.

When that wasn’t enough, he broke curfew, sneaked outside, and ran 10 kilometers.

He repeated this cycle at least 20 times before finally giving up on chasing sleep.

By the time the sun rose, he had abandoned the effort entirely.

But the real problem came next.

His efforts had indeed worked—just too late.

Now that he couldn’t afford to sleep, exhaustion hit him like a tidal wave.

As if a dam had burst, the need for rest weighed down on him, making his eyelids unbearably heavy.

He managed to wash off the sweat before heading to school, but the endless yawns left his cheeks sore.

If this continued, he felt he might doze off at any moment.

As he pinched his thigh to stay awake, the classroom door slid open with a clatter.

“Make way! The great me has arrived!”

“Huh?”

A lively voice. Eugene instinctively turned his head toward the source.

It was a familiar figure—a boy with bronzed skin walking confidently into the classroom. Eugene knew him well.

For someone with such a limited social circle, he was one of the few people Eugene could definitively call a friend.

A few days ago, they’d even been hospitalized together.

Eugene was about to greet him warmly but paused, furrowing his brows at the sense of something off.

“Leo…?”

“What’s with that look?”

“No, it’s just…”

At first, Eugene thought his sleep-deprived eyes were playing tricks on him.

But he was only drowsy, not hallucinating.

With curiosity tinged in his voice, Eugene spoke.

“What’s up with your hair?”

“Hah, how does it look? Not bad, right?”

“It… suits you, I guess.”

Leo puffed his chest out confidently.

Eugene’s gaze lingered on Leo’s hair.

It had been as dark as Eugene’s before, but now it gleamed a bright gold.

Not that it looked bad—on the contrary, it matched Leo’s wild appearance quite well.

Still, it gave off an air of delinquency.

Eugene couldn’t help but picture Leo loitering in a shady alley, smoking a cigarette like some kind of rebellious youth.

“Why the sudden dye job? What’s gotten into you?”

“It’s nothing much. Just a symbol of a fresh start, that’s all.”

“And what does dyeing your hair have to do with that?”

“You don’t get it, do you? Changing your appearance helps solidify your mindset. Every time you look in the mirror, it’s a reminder.”

Leo’s confident reply made Eugene nod in agreement. It made a certain kind of sense.

As one question was answered, another arose. Eugene asked,

“Okay, but what’s this ‘fresh start’ about?”

“What else? It means I won’t let myself get beaten down so easily anymore.”

Leo folded his arms and raised an eyebrow.

He flexed his arm slightly—a limb once broken by the strike of the high rank monster’s tail.

Eugene said nothing. He could understand why Leo had gone to such lengths, even dyeing his hair to strengthen his resolve.

Leo might have considered Eugene a friend, but he also saw him as a rival.

Even Eugene, as oblivious as he could be, wasn’t blind to it.

While Eugene had fought toe-to-toe with the high rank monster, Leo had been taken out in a single blow.

There had always been a gap between their abilities, but not one so vast. In the past, Leo had stood a real chance of defeating Eugene if circumstances were favorable.

Now, that chance was gone.

The difference between them was too great.

Leo, as skilled as he was, was still at the level of a student.

But Eugene, having reached the threshold of awakening, had already surpassed that stage entirely.

Naturally, Leo felt a surge of determination.

“Just wait, you punk. I’ll catch up to you in no time.”

Leo smirked as he spoke.

At his self-assured declaration, Eugene blinked before breaking into a similar smirk.

“It’ll be tough. The harder you chase, the faster I’ll grow.”

“Hah, we’ll see about that. I’ve got a pretty good idea now—about what I’ve been missing.”

There’s no better teacher than real combat.

Eugene wasn’t the only one who had fought for his life for the first time.

He looked into Leo’s blazing eyes, filled with determination, and thought:

Yeah, he can do it. If I managed, there’s no way Leo can’t.

Their conversation seemed to shake off Eugene’s lingering drowsiness. As his hazy mind cleared, he found himself staring at Leo’s hair, a thought suddenly forming in his head.

“Oh, is that what it is?”

“Huh? What is?”

“Your hair. You’re copying that guy, aren’t you?”

“…”

“Although, his hair wasn’t gold—it was more yellowish.”

“…Did you really have to notice that? Ugh, how embarrassing.”

“What’s so embarrassing? Admiring someone strong is perfectly natural.”

“You think so?”

The color resemblance was just a guess, but it turned out to be spot on.

The captain of the Second Division—what was his name again? Kallad?

The image of his strike had left a deep impression on both Eugene and Leo. The way he cleaved that high rank monster clean in half with a single blow—how could anyone forget? Even now, just recalling it sent chills down Eugene’s spine.

It made sense for Leo’s golden hair to remind Eugene of Kallad. After all, he too saw the captain as a role model, just as Leo did.

“One day, I’ll be as strong as him,” Leo said, determination burning in his voice. “Strong enough to crush a high rank monster with one strike.”

“Yeah,” Eugene replied, smiling. “Let’s work hard together.”

Eugene felt a perfect opportunity arise. There was something he’d been meaning to share with Leo—something he knew Leo would appreciate.

The Sun Sword was complete. Eugene felt he couldn’t keep this from Leo. Even if it might sound like bragging, he wanted Leo to know.

“Leo, you know—”

But just as he began, the classroom door opened again.

Instinctively, Eugene’s eyes turned toward it, and then froze.

“Good morning!”

The cheerful voice belonged to none other than Lucia. She waved as she entered the room, her golden hair glowing in the morning light.

Eugene’s drowsiness vanished entirely, as if cold water had been poured over him.

“Good morning, Lucia,” he replied, managing to sound casual. 

It was a relief; lately, he’d found himself tongue-tied whenever he was near her. At least now, he was growing accustomed to her presence.

“Oh? Leo!” Lucia exclaimed, noticing him. “You’re out of the hospital? How are you feeling?”

“Great, as always! Don’t underestimate this body’s resilience,” Leo replied confidently.

He glanced between Lucia and Eugene before grinning mischievously. Giving Eugene’s shoulder a firm pat, he stepped away, leaving them alone.

Eugene sighed inwardly. Is he still misunderstanding this? Seriously, Lucia and I aren’t like that…

…Yet.

Wait, what?! What was he even thinking?

“…”

“Good morning, Alice.” Eugene said, noticing the quiet girl standing beside Lucia.

Alice gave a small, reluctant wave. Her hesitation stung a little, but Eugene didn’t let it show. 

He understood her reserved nature and didn’t take it personally. She was such a paradox—ferocious in battle yet so fragile in ordinary life.

One day, I hope we can be more at ease with each other, he thought sincerely.

Lucia’s voice brought his attention back. “Eugene, can I ask you for a favor?”

Without hesitation, Eugene nodded. “Of course! Whatever it is, just say the word.”

Lucia’s smile brightened, radiant as always. It was the kind of smile that could melt away anyone’s worries.

Eugene couldn’t help but smile back—until she spoke again.

“So, are you free this weekend?”

…What?

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Wow! Ask me out on a date(laughs)!

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Sure, author. 

I’m sure our very own resident sloppy saintess will be more than willing to ask you out on a date!

Though, you won’t see it, heh.