episode_0007

“I absolutely refuse.”

“….?”

As if rejecting the word ‘academy’ with his whole body.

Rudy showed a disgusted reaction towards the word ‘academy’.

Unable to resist her curiosity, Rose asked, “Why?”

“….”

Rose’s curiosity was normal.

Going to the academy would make life easier with excellent education and networking opportunities.

Promising inspectors, swordsmen, magicians, even spirit masters, were mostly graduates of the academy.

Of course, Rudy had also attended the academy.

Graduating early by surpassing the professors in just a week.

But Rudy’s problem was different.

In the academy, there would be the favored children of the four major powers, whom Rudy had crossed paths with.

“Damn, I dropped out once, how much more humiliation will I face if I run into them again!”

Rudy’s reaction, knowing this, was perfectly normal.

…Seeing Rudy firmly keeping his mouth shut, Rose raised her voice in frustration.

“No, speak up! Are you mute?”

How could he explain the reason for not wanting to go because of crossing paths with the four major powers?

Originally, it was something his friend from the world before Rudy’s possession had done.

But Rose wouldn’t believe that, she would believe it was something Rudy himself had done.

Also, the reason for his debt was partly because of the four major powers.

If he explained the reason, his true identity would be exposed one by one.

“I absolutely cannot tell you. But why suddenly ask about the academy?”

“You were planning to send me to the academy. I thought you would naturally want to go.”

“Is that academy the Agnis Academy of the Central Empire?”

“Yeah. It’s the best one, right?”

“It’s fine. You’re paying off my debt… Why are you going to such lengths for me? You don’t seem like someone who does good deeds out of the blue, so I’m getting a bit wary.”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

A sheepish Rose.

Rudy’s words made sense.

If someone had normal thinking, it was natural to be wary.

Being brought in by a national authority for no reason and even helping him.

Suspicion was natural.

‘…Should I honestly tell Rose that I need Rudy’s power? No, I can’t.’

If he explained the reason for needing power, he would have to mention the Lunar Cult.

The Lunar Cult was a national terrorist organization.

The moment he mentioned it, Rudy would realize that he would be politically involved.

Rose hadn’t fully grasped Rudy’s personality yet.

If he wasn’t a just person, he might refuse.

‘Refusal is absolutely not an option.’

Rose needed Rudy’s power.

The enemy of her parents from her childhood.

The inhumane, insane cult of the Lunar Cult had to be eradicated.

That’s why Rose had become a Grand Elemental Master like she is now.

In fact, Rudy also knew that the world would be destroyed by the Black Dragon, which the Lunar Cult would resurrect.

He thought he had to stop that ending in order to live.

But Rose had no idea about Rudy’s thoughts.

Rose racked her brain as much as possible.

‘How should I approach this…’

As silence continued to flow, Rudy gradually distanced himself, on guard.

“Why won’t you tell me?”

“Well, that’s…”

Doubt in Rudy’s expression turned into certainty.

Rose was at a loss, inwardly cursing herself.

‘No, what should I say? There’s no reason!’

Just as Rudy was about to speak lastly.

“Of course, because it’s not the right thing to do, I-”

“…Because!”

“Yes?”

“Because it’s just my preference! You!”

“….”

Rudy’s eyes widened at Rose’s hasty statement.

‘Oh, of all times…! I blurted it out in a rush!’

Blushing, Rose bowed her head.

There was no reasonable explanation, and she knew it.

From her perspective, saying such things was extremely embarrassing as it was the first time in her life.

Since childhood, she had only focused on growing with the abilities of a spirit master.

Although she had received attention from others before, expressing her feelings was a first.

In reality, it was not her personality, but there was something about Rudy’s inexplicable charm that suited Rose’s taste.

…Rudy, with a blank expression, looked at Rose.

“What, what are you looking at?”

“……”

“Say something! Am I the only one talking here?!”

“…Uh.”

Scratching the back of his head, Rudy thought.

‘It seems like an obvious lie.’

A national power figure and the only Grand Spirit Master in the world.

Why would he, who was in debt, do it?

There was no lie that wasn’t a lie.

Rudy thought there must be another motive.

‘…Should I poke the hornet’s nest?’

Due to Rudy’s prolonged silence, Rose became annoyed.

Rose stared intently at Rudy, who did not speak.

Finally, Rudy spoke.

“Uh, I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

“That’s not my type.”

“……”

***

‘That crazy busty woman…! Ugh!’

Déjà vu.

Rudy, covered in bruises, was lying on the infirmary bed receiving treatment from the priest.

The wounds he received from Rose seemed worse than he thought, about 30 minutes had passed.

‘What a temper.’

As Rudy writhed in pain, the priest said, “Oh, how long has it been since you came here like this again? I told you not to provoke Lady Rose!”

“I really didn’t do anything this time….”

Feeling wronged, Rudy finished his treatment.

He immediately received a call from Rose and returned to the mansion.

“Sit.”

“……”

Rose’s voice seemed colder and more distant.

Seeing her mood, Rudy cautiously sat on the opposite sofa, and Rose said, “No, just leave.”

“…What do you want me to do?”

“Shut up.”

“……”

“If you want to talk nicely, just enroll in the academy.”

“Excuse me? Oh, no, I can’t.”

“Do you want to settle your debt without enrolling?”

“……”

Nod.

Although he was grateful, he really didn’t want to enroll in the academy.

It was for the same reason as before.

Agnes Academy had the children of the four major factions.

Charlotte Claret, the illegitimate daughter of the Dark Sword Clan.

Zion Phregia, the second son of the Magic Clan.

Ines, the Elven Princess of Elundir.

Aria, the Saint of the Cathedral.

If he encountered them, he would never have a peaceful academy life.

He was currently on trial, and in the worst case, he could be expelled again.

It would be difficult to face Rose if that happened.

After sighing, Rudy spoke seriously and politely, “I really don’t want to enroll in the academy.”

“…Hm.”

Understanding his intentions, Rose closed her eyes and thought deeply.

‘I don’t know the reason, but if he dislikes it that much… But he still needs to attend the academy.’

If he were to oppose the Lunar Sect in the future, he needed at least some combat skills.

If he died, it would be a waste.

“Are you confident in your swordsmanship compared to those who attend the academy without actually enrolling?”

“To some extent? Yes.”

“Then let’s do this.”

Rose made a decision.

“I don’t know why you’re refusing to enroll in the academy, but I don’t want your talent in swordsmanship to go to waste. So, I’ll give you a deadline.”

“A deadline?”

“Yes. I’ll assign a private tutor for you, and you have to prove that you can grow without the academy within a limited time.”

“Why do I have to do that?”

“If you refuse even this, I will really demand repayment of your debt.”

“……”

Rudy couldn’t refuse.

*

-Status Window

Rudy Pafnir (17 years old)

Swordsmanship and Aura: 3 stars

Magic: X

Spirit: X

Lust: 50 (Charm 50)

Strength 125, Agility 70, Magic Power 50

User who has chosen the 7 deadly sin trait ‘Lust’.

After spending a few days eating food prepared by skilled chefs at the mansion.

Rudy’s power level had slightly increased.

A protein-rich, regular diet.

It was all about gaining muscle strength.

“I used to only eat two meals a day when I worked hard to pay off my debts.”

But now, with three meals a day and dessert provided.

I even started to think about just living comfortably in the mansion.

“But that’s not the way.”

The villains of this world, the Eclipse Cult.

If left unchecked, they will resurrect the Black Dragon and bring about the destruction of the world.

I couldn’t find a way back to my original world.

And I wasn’t sure what would happen if I died here.

“But do these stats continue to persist?”

Lust: 50 (Charisma 50)

A charm stat of 50 obtained thanks to the system activated in the situation with Chang-gwi.

I was still a bit skeptical.

I understand that it’s an ability to captivate someone….

“It seems like a stat that could be helpful in diplomacy.”

Could it be that Rose was attracted to me because of this stat?

If so, then Lust played a big part in clearing my debts.

“By the way….”

Finally, the promised day.

In 30 minutes, it would be time for my first meeting with the swordsmanship tutor that Rose had arranged.

I wonder who she hired as the tutor.

Suddenly, curiosity struck me.

“Since she’s a national swordmaster, she must have hired a real swordsman, not just some average person.”

A Sword Master?

Or maybe a Dark Sword Master?

Either way, I was looking forward to it.

Since I had been practicing swordsmanship alone ever since I was possessed.

If he was a teacher, the only wandering swordsmen I had encountered were adventurers who went on quests.

-Tap tap.

“Master, Lady Rose is calling for you.”

Has it already been 30 minutes?

“I’m going.”

Rudy got up from the bed.

Arriving at the mansion’s courtyard, Rudy saw Rose already outside, in conversation with a man who seemed to be the swordsmanship tutor.

But.

Rudy leaned against a corner of the mansion, trying to calm his pounding heart as he stalled for time.

“Why isn’t he here yet?”

As time passed and Rudy didn’t show up, Rose checked her watch, puzzled.

There was no choice.

“No, why is he here!”

Thump thump.

His startled heart wouldn’t calm down.

Was the person who was supposed to be the tutor actually him?

With his blue hair.

A cold, rough appearance.

And a magic stone embedded in the sword at his waist, assisting in ice magic.

“You’re late.”

“No, I heard from the maid that he would be here soon… Why isn’t he coming?”

The man who was invited as the tutor….

Gerard Claret.

One of the four heroines to whom Rudy had proposed.

The father of Charlotte Claret, and the head of the Dark Sword family, the Claret family.

“…I’m screwed.”