episode_0056

Lately, I started the day feeling quite groggy due to various troubles and not being able to sleep properly because of Rachel’s sudden visit in the early morning.

When I opened my eyes, it was already well past morning and close to lunchtime.

After a light meditation and activating my heightened senses, I could see Claire still volunteering in the infirmary.

“Claire is really working hard.”

Although I recommended her to help after her mental care, she stayed beyond the designated hours every day without fail, which was commendable.

Tina even secretly asked me to take Claire away so she wouldn’t overwork herself.

Nevertheless, it wouldn’t hurt as it would likely help her become a scholarship student.

Given Claire’s diligent nature, her grades should be fine, and with the volunteer bonus points, it’s practically confirmed.

Of course, the scholarship benefits at Ardent Academy might be a bit insufficient, so she might have to juggle part-time work for a while.

I should start preparing for that soon too, but even with a bit of activity during the vacation, she should be able to earn enough for tuition.

From my perspective, I hope Claire can quit her part-time job and enjoy her academy life. If circumstances allow, I’ve tentatively planned to ask Rachel for financial support through sponsorship for tuition and living expenses.

The ideal situation would have been for Claire to accept Helena’s sponsorship before the entrance ceremony and comfortably start her academy life, but that ship has sailed.

“Still, it’s definitely strange. Even if I keep asking, Claire never opens up about this.”

Helena’s harassment of Claire began with setting conditions that Claire couldn’t accept and inducing rejection, leading to this situation.

At that point, why Helena had a reason to antagonize Claire, what the unacceptable conditions were, and the fact that Claire endured all the harassment knowing I could get hurt… I don’t really understand.

Still, though not 100%, after the attack, I feel like Helena won’t easily bother Claire.

Until one of them brings it up, I’ll hold back my curiosity.

Respecting them is the way to go.

Finally, as I stopped turning the Ora slowly on my body, I snapped out of reverie.

After a quick shower and putting on my uniform, I quickly headed towards Claire.

As I waited outside for Claire to finish her volunteer work and have lunch together, I could hear students whispering as they looked at me.

“Isn’t that Yukal? The guy who supposedly passionately kissed the woman who visited the dormitory this time.”

“That’s not all. I have a friend who works at a café, and according to him, they spent hours together in a room at a dessert café. It’s clear they were fooling around!”

“Oh my goodness… for hours. How beastly. We need to be careful not to get involved as much as possible.”

I wanted to restore my reputation that had plummeted since the incident where I injured an academy student last time, but although I succeeded in diverting attention, it seems like my image has worsened…

“All because of Syniria’s pointless actions.”

Honestly, it’s a bit unfair.

The situation changed as the scenario went awry, but it was not just Cineria’s spontaneous actions that prevented a mid-level demon from attacking Ardente Academy; if not for that, some improvement in image might have been achieved by now.

Sighing, I could see Claire coming out of the infirmary.

“Claire, over here. You’ve been through a lot, let’s go grab lunch.”

Finding solace in Claire’s wide smile, I quickly decided to move to the cafeteria.

“You’re not enough with that woman, reaching out to other female students too. Truly a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Ignoring the conversations that arose among the students after Claire appeared.

“Claire probably didn’t hear, right?”

Not a pleasant topic to listen to.

If trouble arises for Claire because of any association with me, I should intervene, but for now, it’s better to watch.

Even though I seem to be in the wrong, it seems like Claire is the one being played, so I feel somewhat relieved.

I brought a special meal from the cafeteria for her hard work, but Claire, who seemed preoccupied, couldn’t eat properly.

“Claire, are you okay? Isn’t it too much to volunteer at the infirmary?”

Thinking she might be unwell, I checked her forehead with the back of my hand, startling her as she recoiled.

“W-what’s wrong?! I’m really fine!”

“No fever, it seems.”

Even after a brief check using heightened senses, besides her heart beating rapidly, there didn’t seem to be anything unusual.

“Do you have something on your mind? Worried about not eating properly.”

Blushing, Claire hesitated slightly before speaking up.

“I, well, since I was in the infirmary, I could hear people talking about you kissing… someone.”

“If even Claire has heard the rumors, they must have spread quite widely.”

Given her reserved nature and reluctance to easily open up to others, if Claire knows, almost the entire student body must be aware of this news.

It seemed like it would take time for these rumors to die down, causing a headache.

“It wasn’t a kiss, just a peck on the lips.”

“Ah… As expected, Yuca likes older women? Considering the impression of the lady you mentioned, it seems like you’re talking about Lya sister who visited the dessert cafe last time.”

To prevent Claire from worrying unnecessarily about baseless rumors, I cut it off neatly.

“It was just a joke by my sister. Rumors need exaggeration and embellishment beyond what I said, so don’t worry about it.”

Her momentarily crestfallen expression quickly disappeared.

“And also, I’ve never really thought about an ideal type, but I feel closer to you than my sister, Claire.”

“No matter how pretty, Cineria is a bit intimidating. Inner beauty is more important.”

Claire’s diligent and kind nature, which doesn’t differ much inside and out, stimulates protective instincts, making her more appealing upon further consideration.

While there is a personal favorability system in Sung Yong-a, even if you raise it to the maximum, it only leads to sharing untold personal stories or being recruited as a colleague, not dating or such. I’ve never really thought about it.

To reassure Claire, I added more words, and upon hearing them, Claire bowed deeply and focused on eating.

Looking at Claire like that, the conversation naturally came to a halt, and I found myself lost in thought.

In preventing the recent Ardente Academy vampire attack, Claire’s enchantment was a great help.

“If Claire hadn’t cast an enchantment on me, I wouldn’t have been able to save Helena.”

Even if I managed to deal with the vampires with depleted magic and an injured body, the golden time to save Helena had long passed.

In front of the already cold corpse of Helena, I despaired as I poured elixirs, feeling my own helplessness.

Normally, Claire wouldn’t learn enchantment magic until the 2nd year, and if players had no interaction with Claire, it would be the 3rd year before they learned it.

Considering that even with early attention from Sungyong, Claire didn’t acquire enchantment until after the 2nd year, it’s clear she worked harder than ever.

She must have invested a lot of effort and time to master enchantment, but her level was not inferior to buffs or other spells.

In any case, it’s a good sign.

Just like I pondered yesterday, perhaps these changes will accumulate and become a crucial key to solving everything.

Looking at the clearly alive and breathing Claire in front of me, I once again vowed silently.

Now that it has become reality, I promised myself to do my best more than ever to save everyone and welcome a happy ending.

Watching Yukal unknowingly smile warmly while looking at Claire quietly eating, I couldn’t help but smile too.