Chapter 67 : Wish

“Feels like something’s missing.”

No matter how much I think about it, I can’t figure out what it is. Did Teferi really take something she liked while cleaning? But even if I tried

to suspect her, there wasn’t anything in particular that seemed to be gone. If I had to name something… maybe dust? She really did a

fantastic job cleaning.

“You’re still standing there? We’re late, come on, let’s go already.”

“Mm-hmm.”

It had been a while since I heard Arwen’s voice. I was overwhelmed by a mix of joy from seeing her again after a week and the dread of the

holiday ending.

In the end, I had no choice but to leave the dorm with an uneasy feeling. What on earth was missing?

Once I stepped outside, someone was waiting for me.

“How have you been? I heard you’ve been having trouble sleeping.”

Amitel suddenly jumped out on my way to school. Was this the first time I’d seen her since that day?

I didn’t tell anyone or act differently—how did everyone find out I had insomnia? It’s not like anyone is spying on me.

“I’m okay now. Ever since I slept with Teferi, I’ve been fine.”

“Slept together? You mean, in the same bed?”

She had been silently walking with a blank expression but suddenly looked at me in shock. Did I say something weird? I suppose it could be

misunderstood.

Though, it’s a bit ridiculous to call it a misunderstanding. It’s more of a “pathetic” kind of confusion, really.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. We literally just slept. Ever heard of dream therapy?”

She clicked her tongue and shook her head. Well, healing isn’t exactly a word that fits into the world she’s lived in—it’s a soft, squishy term for

someone used to violence and hardship.

The words she’s more familiar with would be… crime and drugs? Fighting and violence? Nothing beneficial for education, anyway. That’s

probably why she reacted so sensitively to the simple phrase “slept together.”

Look at Teferi. She climbed into someone else’s bed without a second thought. Maybe learn from her.

“Anyway, the message finally came.”

Walking in step with me, she took a neatly folded letter out of her pocket and showed it to me. The high-quality paper was unmistakably from

Reens.

I sighed and accepted the letter. Great, more stress wrinkles.

“It’s finally here.”

We had passed through Reens’ Skull Town on the way to the Black Forest. After several incidents, we agreed to end things with Amitel

participating in one final match.

It was a deal so good it was suspicious. I opened the envelope and skimmed through the contents.

“Let’s see, ‘Dear…’ skip that. ‘We deeply appreciate your…’ Why is this so wordy?”

“Skip the useless parts.”

“I know. Uh, ‘We request your participation in the upcoming match’… Wait, is this what I think it is?”

The letter was surprisingly refined and polite—not what you’d expect from criminals. The content, however, was another matter.

To summarize, they’d come pick her up in two weeks, so she should prepare in advance. Amitel tapped a section of the letter.

“It says here you’re invited, too.”

“Shut up.”

In another letter, my name was proudly listed: To Trea Ludvek, fiancée of the player. Thankfully, I wasn’t playing—just attending with a VIP

ticket.

Still, it was an invitation sent by actual criminals—from the worst den of crime on the continent.

“What if I say I’m not going?”

“Not going? But the last time you said—”

“I’m going. I just… you know.”

At my grumbling, Amitel twitched slightly. Was she afraid of going alone?

I noticed something flickering nervously in my peripheral vision—it was her tail. I patted her shoulder and said,

“Calm down. I’m just a little anxious, that’s all. It’s not going to be a normal match, right?”

She was invited as a pit fighter, unlike me. She would have to risk injury—or worse, death.

If it really came to that, I’d take the risk and help her.

“I might not know, but you should be safe enough. This match is pretty famous in the underworld… lots to see, just think of it as a show.”

I said that, and suddenly she became a promoter for Reens. Guess she didn’t want to go alone.

“Lots to see?”

“For example, the gambling halls. They’re the biggest on the continent.”

“Now that’s something I’m good at.”

“Everyone I’ve seen who said that at a casino ended up broke and crying.”

“I’m not like those idiots. Don’t lump me in with them.”

“That’s exactly what they said, too.”

A very wholesome topic for a school morning conversation. The two delinquents walked into the academy beneath falling flower petals.

Unlike us, Teferi—ever the model student—had arrived early.

[Trea! And… Ami? You came together?]

“Mm-hmm. We met just outside.”

Teferi looked awkwardly at Amitel. Her face seemed calm, but she fidgeted unconsciously. The feeling was mutual.

Amitel, unfazed, gently pressed her palm on my head, messing up my carefully styled hair.

“Alright, see you in two weeks.”

With that, she headed upstairs for her class. Despite planning to sleep through it, she always kept perfect attendance—probably for

graduation.

Once she left, Teferi quietly stepped closer.

[…Where are you going in two weeks?]

“Remember the promise? I’m just tagging along as her guardian.”

She might end up in a shady contract if she went alone. I have to go, even if it’s just to ease my anxiety. It’s my fault for taking her in.

[Then what about me…?]

“Oh, well, it might be dangerous for you. You’re not really connected to that world.”

Last time, no one even noticed Teferi. Even the Grandmother didn’t care much. Unlike me, presented as a fiancée, she wasn’t a necessary

figure.

If she insists, I could bring her along, but it’s not exactly a vacation.

[I see…]

She looked dejected, like she’d been left out. It’s a little sad. Not sure who’s worried about who here.

Without these two, I’d be a total outcast.

To cheer her up, I changed the topic.

“Anyway, you cleaned my room really well. Honestly, I was surprised. Thanks.”

She cleaned so perfectly, it was like she knew where everything belonged—even things I didn’t remember.

Teferi lit up at the compliment, reminding me of Headmaster Rue. She was kind of like a kid.

[Hehe, it was nothing.]

“You didn’t, like, steal any underwear or anything, right? It just feels like something’s missing, haha… Teferi?”

[Huh? Of course not! Why would I do that? There’s clothes all over the dorms anyway.]

“I’m joking! Don’t take it so seriously. I barely even know how many clothes I own, besides my shirts.”

[Really?]

Nothing I own is that special. I don’t care much about what I wear under my coat. That’s what servants are for.

If a noble lady remembered every piece of clothing she owned, it would break the fantasy.

Teferi sighed in relief and checked the calendar.

[So I won’t be able to take the test properly. There won’t be time to study.]

“Yeah, but I’ll probably still do better than you.”

Teferi squinted at me. But it’s true—I’m a college graduate, after all.

Even if I slack off, I won’t lose to someone who’s only been in the city for six months.

[…Really? Then want to make a bet? Whoever gets the higher score wins. Loser grants the winner a wish.]

“Why… do we need to do that?”

A bet means I have to study. For me, liberal arts class is just time to zone out.

And in a few days, we have the dungeon raid practical exam. No time to waste.

[What, scared?]

“…You better start thinking of your wish. It won’t be something normal, right?”

I had no intention of trying—but her provocation lit a fire in me. I really need to work on my temper.

Still, there’s no way I’ll lose.

We both smirked mischievously.

But seriously—why are you smiling? It’s obvious I’m going to win.