episode_0042

“As Yukal has shown consideration for me, I also have an obligation to protect him from the woman he does not want.”

“I understand your feelings. Just don’t regret it.”

After rejecting Helena Yeong-ae’s proposal before entering school, some time had passed without any special incidents, so I was relieved.

I was worried that there might be retaliation, but since the entrance ceremony, it seemed like she didn’t have much interest in me or Yukal.

I thought that I could forget about those memories and happily spend my academy life with Yukal.

Such sponsorship-like things could surely be easily resolved by working hard, receiving scholarships, and doing simple part-time jobs.

Seeing me worry because I didn’t know many people besides Yukal, he suggested forming a team together first, which made me happy. But everything changed from that moment on.

Just as misfortune strikes unexpectedly, all events suddenly unfolded.

Wanting to help him a little, I used my unique ability ‘Blessing’ to give him a buff, but instead of being grateful, Yukal seemed confused, which caught my eye.

Seeing Yukal look slightly annoyed, I tried to back off, but he reassured me that it was fine and even pampered me instead.

The problem was that after receiving my buff, it felt like a considerable amount of magic emanating from Yukal had disappeared, as if his powers had diminished along with his physical abilities.

Following the suggestion to wait here until the buff wore off, I sat down to rest, feeling someone approaching through the only passage.

Although nervous, I could breathe a sigh of relief upon seeing the two revealed individuals.

It was Lady Rachel and Helena Yeong-ae. Helena Yeong-ae seemed a bit awkward since the rejection back then, but she appeared unconcerned, while Lady Rachel was rumored to value fairness and care for other students.

Moreover, considering that it was a difficult time to properly catch even one monster shortly after the exams started, I didn’t think they would attack.

Just as I was about to exhale in relief, I locked eyes with Helena Yeong-ae, and ominous magical incantations rang in my ears.

“Ice Arrow.”

Three sharp ice arrows were conjured in the air and shot towards me.

Lady Rachel aimed one, while Yukal hurriedly protected me from another in front of me, but he couldn’t avoid the remaining arrow piercing his left thigh.

Hastily examining Yukal’s wound, I saw a hole so deep that his bone was exposed, and blood was flowing profusely.

Although I realized it was an attack on both Yukal and me, we made eye contact with the attackers.

Confirming the eye contact with both Yukal and me, they cast their spells.

Fortunately, Lady Rachel stepped in to temporarily treat Yukal’s wounds, and the situation was brought under control.

Reluctantly deciding to move on after seeing Yukal seemingly recovered after my buff wore off, I noticed Yukal engaging in lively competition with Lady Rachel, enthusiastically defeating monsters.

At that moment, Helena Yeong-ae, who had never interacted with me before, approached and spoke. It seemed like she wanted to have a private conversation with just the two of us, as if her words were meant only for our ears.

“Claire. This is the first time we’ve talked since the restaurant in the capital, right? Do you still remember the proposal I made to you there? Are you not considering the sponsorship? This is your last chance.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think my response will change from back then. I will decline the sponsorship offer. It became clearer this time. Even after confirming that you and Yukal were allies, Helena Yeongae attacked and cast a spell to hurt Yukal. I can’t leave someone as dangerous as you by Yukal’s side.

I thought she would show a displeased expression like last time in response to my answer, but instead, Helena Yeongae was smiling towards me.

“I’m glad you rejected my proposal. If Claire had accepted it easily, it would have put me in a difficult position.”

What does that mean? As I tried to ask in confusion, Helena Yeongae interrupted me as if to prevent me from asking further.

“Regardless of gratitude, once today’s mock dungeon test is over, go back immediately. Otherwise, if you help the two vanguards with ‘accidentally’ more magic, who knows, they might get hit more?”

Not wanting to harm Yukal any further due to her threat, I had no choice but to accept it.

He always treated me kindly, pushing away his consideration, and I even rejected that.

After that, harassment against me began, mainly by noble students.

When I mentioned their unfair treatment and said I would inform the professors—

“Then maybe we should find someone else instead of you? In that case, what about your precious Yukal? If you don’t endure everything, we can do the same to Yukal, or even worse.”

I couldn’t resist anymore against their mocking words.

Knowing that I would weaken and get hurt to protect myself, I still saw Yukal stepping forward.

‘I promised to protect this time.’

Not wanting to burden Yukal anymore, I decided to endure everything.

After that, I had no choice but to act according to their instructions.

To protect Yukal, I endured all the harassment, pushing away his kindness.

While laundry is typically done by academy staff, those noble students who harassed us ordered us to wash their clothes ourselves.

‘I can endure everything.’

Just quietly wash their clothes.

Carrying textbooks or other supplies for them, or delivering meals to their rooms because they are too lazy to go to the dining hall, I can do it all.

It’s okay if my textbooks or other belongings are stolen, or if I am caught by the professors or deducted points.

‘I can endure.’

Looking at myself in the mirror, I could feel that I had lost weight and become more haggard.

I started to feel like I wanted to give up little by little.

Perhaps worried about my appearance, Yukal approached me, but I coldly pushed him away to protect him…

“If that’s truly what you want, I won’t do it.”

“Instead, if something happens and you feel like you’re falling apart, I hope you’ll lean on me. I want to be your strength. Even if it means going against the empire.”

Since then, Yukal never approached me as he promised.

And the harassment worsened because I talked to him at the dessert cafe and in front of the dormitory.

Yukal told me he couldn’t attend the academy for a while due to personal reasons, and in front of everyone, he poured milk over a female student’s head, causing me to close my eyes.

Otherwise, I felt like I wouldn’t be able to hold back tears.

Filled with thoughts of wanting to give up everything, Yukal appeared in front of me.

Even though it was clear that causing a scene here would lead to punishment, to protect myself, I condemned three female students in the cafeteria and warned other students.”

Taking off his coat and covering himself, he felt embarrassed when he was taken to the girls’ dormitory.

“Now I must look really pitiful.”

Telling him to rest, she had no choice but to unconsciously grab him as he turned away without hesitation.

Sending Yucal like this would surely harm many students. And she felt sorry for treating Yucal coldly all this time, feeling pathetic about herself.

“If that’s not your true feelings, I’ll be satisfied with it. I just want you to be happy, that’s why I do this.”

Leaving those words behind, Yucal quickly left.

Later news came that 11 students were seriously injured, and an additional one was threatened and locked up in the academy’s underground prison.

She applied for a visit to the prison to meet him, but all requests were rejected…

Although anxious that Yucal might receive punishment, the matter ended with just a light disciplinary action of a week of probation.

Since that incident, there was no one who treated her disrespectfully.

Thinking about his actions where he vowed to protect her beyond the academy, even challenging the entire empire, because of her, she couldn’t help but mutter those words.

“How could I not like you, Yucal?”

That was Claire, blushing as she spat out words that Yucal wouldn’t hear.

Not knowing if he was eating during probation, she carefully prepared a lunchbox in case he was hungry.

To reassure him and alleviate any worries he might have about her, she also wrote a note.

At the end of the note, she wanted to write ‘from Claire who loves you,’ but she was too embarrassed and just wrote her name.

She wanted to deliver it personally if possible, but since it was the boys’ dormitory, she ended up asking Mr. Victor instead.

To avoid becoming a burden always relying on Yucal for help, Claire dedicated herself once again to studying and practicing magic, even dividing her sleep time.