Changed Status

According to what Jantz said.

‘They say I’m popular?’

I had a hunch because those wild students kept coming to the lab.

But how would I know without experiencing it myself? I just thought they were strange students trying to ride the coattails of a popular person’s fame…

According to Jantz, it seems to be more than just being popular. Flare, Luna, and Sophia’s popularity is so high that I didn’t realize it, but he said I’d know if I went out alone?

A young professor, the sole heir of a prestigious Hero family, a solitary Lion-like figure(?), etc. I’m apparently famous for all that, but more than anything…

‘The scene where I protected Luna must have been a big deal.’

A chivalrous image, perhaps?

A noble image, perhaps?

The point is that women have started to put themselves in Luna’s place.

‘It’s quite amazing how Scarl’s popularity has risen so much…’

In the lecture hall, Luna is like a remote island.

She often talks with Flare during breaks, but most of the time, you only see her preparing for lectures with a nearly expressionless face, or studying and reviewing.

It’s hard to believe she was the maid next to Professor Scarl until six months ago, as she follows the lectures so well, a genius of swordsmanship. In particular, true to her title as a Hero, she shows near-perfect movements in practical training, along with her sister Flare, drawing admiration from the professors.

But her expression is strange.

Flare and her fellow first-year swordsmanship students thought Luna’s expression looked like an anxious puppy.

So much so that Flare secretly asked Luna a question near the end of the lecture, without the professor noticing.

“Sister, is something wrong?”

“Shhh.”

Luna just stared intently at the professor.

Even the professor, feeling burdened by it, finished the lecture quickly.

“Ahem. Let’s finish a little early today. That’s all.”

“Thank you!”

As soon as the lecture ends, Luna jumps up from her seat.

“Sister! What’s wrong?!”

Unlike her usual relaxed demeanor, she looks anxious.

“No. I’ll go ahead.”

Her classmates were puzzled by Luna’s unusual appearance, so Amy, who was close to Flare, asked after Luna left.

“Flare, is Luna sick?”

In response to that question, Flare crossed her arms, pursed her lips, narrowed her brows, and closed her eyes.

The Hero’s unusually serious expression gradually silenced the lively lecture hall.

“No… I think it’s probably because of Professor Scarl…”

It was a weak and quiet answer, but everyone in the lecture hall could hear it.

“Ah, I see?”

And that was the moment when rumors about Luna and Scarl started to spread.

Luna ran eagerly towards Bernatore Manor, where Scarl was.

An inexplicable anxiety had been enveloping her since morning, and she wanted to meet Scarl as soon as possible to calm her pounding heart.

On the way to Bernatore Manor, Luna, who had taken the carriage that came out of the mansion, sat in her seat, catching her breath and continuing to worry about Scarl.

‘It’s been two days. And he said he has guests today.’

Scarl hardly ever tells her anything about Aiden’s affairs.

If Kasha doesn’t know, she has no idea what he’s up to.

‘…It’s not a woman, is it?’

Luna unconsciously bites her thumbnail.

Ever since she and Flare were introduced as Heroes, Scarl and Kasha have been really busy.

She can understand that much. But not seeing him often even at the mansion is really too much for Scarl…

“Stop it. Luna Bernatore.”

As he got into the carriage, he saw Luna.

‘Does Luna know about my rumors too?’

He’s never lived a life where he’s been popular with the opposite sex, so his mouth feels itchy.

“Luna.”

“Yes, Scarl?”

Sensing an artificial feeling from Luna’s smile, Scarl subtly boasts to her.

“Ahem. Luna, have you heard the rumors?”

Rumors.

At that word, Luna felt relieved.

She had also heard the rumors that there was a pink atmosphere between her and Scarl.

Scarl must have heard the news too, so that’s why he’s saying this. He showed such a figure in front of the public, and now he’s using rumors as an excuse…

“What rumors are you talking about?”

Hearing Luna’s somewhat warmer answer, Scarl mistakenly thought that Luna felt proud that he had become popular.

“The rumor that I’m popular.”

At that, Luna’s expression changes to one of disbelief.

She doubts her ears about what the man in front of her just said, and goes through the process of verifying whether she misunderstood what she heard.

But what he said was clearly ‘Scarl himself is popular.’

Seriously? Who? You? Why?

Luna tried her best to manage her expression.

Scarl, who was starting to brag, didn’t notice Luna’s desperate efforts.

“A student named Jantz Haimon came and told me.”

Jantz? Isn’t that a girl’s name?

The moment suspicion turns into conviction.

The meticulous Luna set a trap to confirm.

“Jantz? That’s a woman’s name.”

“They’re both men. Jantz in the third year. Berk in the second year. The names of the Minister of Military Affairs of Haimon’s son and grandson, whom I met yesterday.”

Luna’s anger was slightly relieved by Scarl, who was telling her the identities of the guests he met today, even though she didn’t ask.

It wasn’t a family she was hearing about for the first time.

She heard the name of someone she used to meet often before returning.

Berk is the name of Haimon’s child who often followed Flare…

“Student Jantz said—that I’m the students’ favorite these days.”

Luna thought that Scarl’s arrogant expression was somehow infuriating.

“Favorite? What’s that?”

Scarl, who understood but pretended not to know, drove a nail into Luna’s face.

“It means that I’m the man most preferred by the female students of the academy.”

It’s a rumor she’s hearing for the first time.

She’s never even heard of such a story in the first place.

Luna thought that managing her expression was getting harder and harder.

But Scarl, who thought that Luna didn’t seem very interested in that subtle expression, took out his hidden card.

“Even when you guys were touring for the imperial palace, female students often came to room 404.”

Often.

Often came.

Often came.

Often came. Often came.

Female students often came. Female students often came.

Scarl’s unbelievable words kept circling around Luna’s ears.

“Those wild things.”

Wild.

Veins pop out on Luna’s forehead. Her head goes up as if it’s a habit of Scarl’s. Along with that, the temperature inside the carriage drops sharply.

Scarl was just trying to show off how great he was, but he closed his mouth when he saw Luna’s complexion rapidly hardening.

In Luna’s eyes, who was crossing her legs and clenching her teeth, there was a glimpse of tears of betrayal.

“Huh? So?”

Scarl became dizzy and anxious at Luna’s informal speech, which he hadn’t heard in a long time.

‘Why is she being like this? Ah, I didn’t finish what I was saying!’

“I sent them all back. I’m not into kids.”

Scarl thought he handled it well.

This time, Luna, who was caught up in the word ‘kid,’ slaps her knees with both hands and bursts out in frustration.

“Kid? I’m. That. I guess I’m a kid too, Scarl?”

“You are…”

At that, Scarl naturally scans Luna.

“Ugh.”

Luna, who instinctively flinched at Scarl’s clinging gaze, proudly puffed out her chest and subtly gathered her shoulders to further emphasize her chest. She crossed her legs again, emphasizing her pelvis as much as possible, revealing her femininity.

If her swordsmanship classmates saw it, they would wash their eyes several times and not believe it, but it looks natural in front of Scarl.

Scarl, who thought that Luna’s appeal was more cute than sexy, unknowingly gave a faint smile that he would never normally show.

“Ah…”

The one who falls in love first is at a disadvantage.

Luna, who was recalling that thought, bit her lip slightly and savored the smile she had just seen in Scarl’s heart, which had changed rapidly and calmly.

“You’re still young. Luna. At least graduate from the academy.”

“…Yes, Scarl.”

Does that mean it’s okay after that?

Is that why you haven’t been calling me these days…?

Scarl changed his expression to his usual one and briefly introduced his future schedule.

“I have to go to the Haimon region from tomorrow. I’m planning to stay at Count Haimon’s castle for about a week.”

Scarl’s mouth felt itchy at Luna’s appearance, but now the demon’s work comes first.

Luna makes a disappointed expression at those words.

“Another overnight stay…?”

“We usually call it a business trip in these cases.”

He pretends not to see Luna pouting and looks out the carriage window at the streets of the capital.

Even among those, there may be things like Samigina hiding…

“Can you tell me this time why you’re going?”

If he says he’s going because of the demon, she’ll definitely follow.

But this time, he has to go alone.

‘Before I go, I have to tell Kasha not to tell anyone about this.’

It will be more difficult if Luna or anyone else follows.

This time, he’ll have to show a more cruel side than ever before, so he says firmly.

“It’s an internal matter of Haimon. They didn’t even tell me until they promised that I, an outsider, would help. You’ll be disappointed, but I’ll go alone this time.”

“I understand. Scarl.”