Episode 226. At the Academy (1)

“…A double agent?”

“Yes. It sort of happened that way.”

Scarlett explained the situation in detail on the way back to the dormitory.

Apparently, Isaac, who took a liking to me, ordered an investigation on me.

“Fortunately, they didn’t seem to know about our relationship.”

“It’s probably because it’s related to Miss Alice. Isaac-nim doesn’t know about things Miss Alice orders personally.”

“Oho….”

That’s a real relief.

“Ah, and if you ever meet the Guild Master together again, please don’t acknowledge me. He’s a monster who notices even a casual glance. If I had acknowledged you there, we would have been caught.”

“Sorry. I’ll be careful.”

I definitely saw Scarlett while bowing my head and apologizing to Alice, but he noticed that?

I really can’t let my guard down.

“But if I’m a double agent, don’t I have to keep feeding them my information?”

“That’s true, but it’s okay. I can just give them vague information.”

Scarlett made a gesture of shrugging her shoulders as if it were no big deal.

“What if you get caught then?”

“In that case, I’ll completely switch over to Hoyeon-nim. Please take good care of me.”

Seeing Scarlett bow her head with a ‘kkub-kkub’, I let out a hollow laugh.

“… You’re quite something.”

She says that, but Scarlett will handle it herself.

Even though she looks like this, she’s a capable woman, so she’ll manage not to get caught.

“Ah, I’ll pass along the information about that Centaur too. It might not happen immediately, but I should get a reply from the Guild Master soon.”

“Yeah. I’ll count on you.”

Liliana will be really happy if I tell her.

As we walked, chatting with Scarlett, the dormitory was already in sight.

Ttirring-

As I entered the dormitory, I saw Liliana lying on the bed.

On the table, Nam Daeun and Nam Dahee were munching on snacks.

“… It really is cramped.”

Scarlett looked slightly disgusted, seeing the crowded dormitory.

There are five people.

It’s a spacious dormitory for a single room, and thank goodness they put a bed in the living room, but honestly, it’s unimaginable.

This is too hot to be packaged as ‘human warmth’.

“Right? You look for a good place.”

“Huh? Is Scout here?!”

“Scarlett unnie!”

As if she heard our conversation, Liliana, who had been lying down looking at her smartwatch, suddenly sat up.

Nam Dahee, who had been eating snacks, was the same.

Both of them rushed over as if they had met family after a long time.

“What have you been doing?”

“I apologize. I was busy with work.”

“Unnie, why are you only coming now? I want to eat delicious food now….”

“… What?”

Tsk.

She must be happy that Scarlett is here after so long.

The owner of the room came, but she didn’t even look my way.

As I took off my outer clothes with a bitter feeling, someone approached me too.

“Did you check out the house?”

Just then, someone approached me.

“You’re the only one for me. Daeun-ah.”

“Heh, it’s because everyone’s been away for a while. You’ll be happy to see them too?”

Nam Daeun smiled and took my outer clothes.

“Something came up today… so I couldn’t see the house. Scarlett is going to look later, so if you want anything, tell Scarlett.”

Hearing my words, Liliana’s face lit up and she grabbed Scarlett’s arm.

“Scout. I like places with big rooms.”

“Unnie, I need lots of toys.”

Hmm, when we move, I should give the best room to Daeun.

“Dahee-ya. You should greet Oppa too.”

“Huh? Oppa’s here too?”

“… Yeah. I’m here too.”

“Scout. Look at this. I made it while you were gone.”

“It’s cool. Liliana-nim.”

Still, it’s nice to see everyone gathered after so long.

The atmosphere feels a bit livelier too.

“Scarlett. You must come see the house later. And Liliana? Come here for a second.”

“Huh? Why?”

Ignoring how happy she was to see Scarlett, I called Liliana, who was clinging to Scarlett’s arm, into the room.

Since it wasn’t something others should hear, I closed the door, and Liliana twisted her body as if she had been waiting.

“It’s not even night yet… Master, already? How long have you been holding back outside…”

“It’s not like that. I have something to talk about, so sit down.”

“Ah, what is it?”

Watching Liliana giggle, I slowly began to speak.

“You remember, right? That Centaur from the Underworld.”

“Yeah. Of course. That horse-human.”

When the topic of the Centaur, who was from the same Underworld, came up, Liliana also focused on my words.

“It seems like we’ll be able to meet soon, so think about what you want to say in advance.”

“Huk… Really?”

“Yeah. Don’t stutter in front of them; prepare yourself well.”

“… Okay. Thanks.”

Making eye contact with me, Liliana nodded gratefully, then sat at the desk and began writing something.

★ Heroine Status Window

[Liliana]

• [ Affection: 97 ] (+1.9)

• [ Lust: 78 ]

• [ Appetite: 42 ]

• [ Fatigue: 30 ]

Current Status: Does the horse-human know about my mom too? Probably not…?

She seems to be thinking hard.

Hmm. That’s how it should be.

This is an opportunity I worked hard to create.

I wanted to boast a little more, telling her to be more grateful, but she seemed serious, so I quietly left the room.

*

Monday morning.

I prepared to leave the dormitory.

Because it’s back to academy life from now on.

‘Or is it?’

Actually, to meet the Centaur, I’d have to go directly to France.

I don’t know if I’ll have the time.

“I’ll be back.”

“I’m leaving. Liliana-ssi.”

“Unnie, take care of the house!”

“Bye-bye. I’ll be playing with Scout.”

After saying goodbye to Liliana, I left the dormitory with the Nam Daeun sisters.

Once we find a house, we won’t have to go to school at the same time every day, right?

I really need to find a house quickly.

‘Or is this not right either?’

Since I’m going to the academy anyway, isn’t it better to go with pretty girls?

No.

Actually, the risk is too high.

I’ve been lucky so far and haven’t been caught… but now, it’s a life where even a small mistake could get me caught.

“Unnie! Oppa! See you later!”

“Don’t fight at school, study hard, and if anyone bothers you, make sure to tell Oppa. Okay?”

Before Nam Dahee entered the affiliated school, Nam Daeun tidied up her clothes again.

But why is she telling me about being bullied?

“Okay! Got it! I’m going!”

“Hey, why are you telling me?”

“If Dahee gets bullied, aren’t you going to help?”

“Of course, I have to help.”

I can’t forgive anyone who bullies our Dahee.

“Right? Heh heh.”

Hearing my answer, Nam Daeun chuckled happily and walked ahead of me.

• Mondays are the worst~.

• But it’s Professor Im Sol’s class today.

• Oh, really?

Class A was still full of energy.

Nam Daeun parted ways with me before entering the building and went into Class A first, while I entered a little later.

“Lee Hoyeon, hello.”

“Yeah. Hello.”

Sometimes, unknown cadets greet me like that, and I just accept it lightly.

I don’t want to get involved with guys, and it’s a disaster if I get involved with girls.

It’s hard enough just handling the heroines.

“Hoyeon-ssi. Hello.”

“Good morning. Lumi.”

“… .”

Lumi greeted me with a slight smile, as always.

But Lucy was strangely avoiding my eyes.

“Lucy. Are you sick?”

“Ah, no. It’s just…”

Why is she acting like this again?

★ Heroine Status Window

[Lucy]

• [ Affection: 99 ] (+0.1)

• [ Lust: 85 ]

• [ Appetite: 35 ]

• [ Fatigue: 35 ]

Current Status: Are you really, really going to do it? It’s unbelievable, unbelievable.

“… .”

Just as I frowned slightly after seeing Lucy’s status.

Lumi, sitting next to me, tugged at my clothes.

“Hoyeon-ssi.”

“Yeah?”

“After class today, let’s stop by the club room for the first time in a while.”

“Oh, the club room?”

Sounds good?

I made it early on but haven’t used it.

Honestly, there isn’t much to do there, but… if she wants to, I should do it.

“Okay. Let’s hang out later.”

“You promised. You heard that too, right Lucy?”

“… Yeah.”

Lucy was still avoiding my eyes, her cheeks slightly flushed.

*

The morning class was taught by Professor Im Sol.

It was a practical session, where Professor Im Sol would walk around and point out flaws as the wizard cadets used their magic.

Getting advice from a high-level mage like Im Sol is a rare opportunity, so all the cadets loved this class.

I was positioned at the very back of the shooting range where the cadets stood in a line.

Everyone wanted feedback first, so this spot wasn’t popular.

It’s good to have it all to myself since there’s no one else here.

“But why are you here?”

I looked at Lucy, who was standing blankly beside me. Lucy pouted slightly and looked up at me.

“… Because I wanted to be with you. Is that okay?”

“Sorry. I was kidding.”

Lucy was also a mage, so she took this class with me.

I continued, smiling.

“Normally, you’d be fighting over there too.”

Cadets lining up in front to receive feedback.

Usually, Lucy was among that crowd.

“There isn’t that much difference anyway… I just wanted to talk to you.”

“To put it simply, you chose me over magic, didn’t you?”

“Please stop saying weird things!”

Pak pak!

Lucy, her face flushed red, started hitting my arm repeatedly.

Even while getting hit, I felt strangely good.

“Okay, okay. I’m sorry.”

“Hoo. If you say anything weird again, I’m really leaving.”

It’s cute how she gets embarrassed when I tease her after coming here herself.

I glanced to check how far Professor Im Sol had come; it would be a while before it was our turn anyway.

“The professor is still far away, so I’ll take a look. Try casting a spell.”

“… You?”

“I’m Lee Hoyeon. Don’t you know the genius mage Lee Hoyeon?”

“Hmm. That’s true. Then watch closely!”

Hwarureuk-

As Lucy drew the magic circle, dozens of her signature sharp fire arrows floated in the air.

Shwoong- Kwadeuk!

Finally, after carefully observing the magic hitting the target, I nodded.

Because I think I roughly know the problem.

“How was it?”

“Everything’s good, but the finishing touch of the magic is lacking. When you draw the magic circle….”

As my level increases, I can point out the shortcomings just by looking.

Maybe I’m better than most magic professors?

They can’t grasp the problem immediately just by seeing the magic either.

Conscious of the issues I pointed out, Lucy drew the magic circle again.

Naturally, a much hotter and more menacing fire arrow was created than before.

“Wow, wow. You really are a genius.”

“Of course.”

It feels good when a pretty girl hypes me up.

“At this rate, you seem to teach better than Professor Im Sol….”

“Hey, don’t say things like that…!”

I was startled by Lucy’s words.

“Then you wouldn’t need to attend my class. Cadet Lucy.”

“Huh? What? Huk. Professor Im Sol…”

Professor Im Sol had been standing behind Lucy the whole time, listening to my instructions.

Lucy seemed not to have noticed because she was focused on her magic.

Im Sol, who had been looking at me with a warm gaze as if thinking, ‘As expected, my disciple can do no wrong,’ hardened her expression at Lucy’s words.

“It’s not like that. I wasn’t trying to insult you, Professor, I was trying to praise Lee Hoyeon…”

Lucy’s voice trailed off.

Because Im Sol’s expression didn’t soften.

“Haa, Cadet Lucy, please go over there and practice on your own.”

“Yes! Understood!”

Finally, Im Sol sighed and shook her head, and Lucy, not missing the chance, quickly slipped away.

Her escape speed is unusual?

Im Sol watched Lucy flee into the distance, then finally looked at me and smiled slightly.

“Are you trying to steal my disciples now too?”

“She’s overflowing with talent. It happened unintentionally. I apologize.”

“Haa, now you’re trying to act like an equal to a professor?”

Im Sol approached me as if exasperated and flicked my forehead.

Of course, a pleasant smile was playing on her lips.