Book 1 Chapter 899

“So Harck decided to get a job at the Archi Kingdom?” Leo nodded at Kal's question. “Wow…” The image of Harck’s face, genuinely happy to finally be free of Leo on graduation day, flashed through his mind. Harck, who had personally shaken hands with each of the student council members and offered them blessings, saying he was finally liberated. Harck even looked at Kal with pity. To be caught by Leo again after only half a year. At that moment, the same emotion that had crossed Harck’s face appeared on Kal’s. ‘It’s not the time to pity Harck.’ Kal’s current school life wasn't smooth sailing enough to pity someone else. Besides, wasn’t the fate of the second semester of his third year on the line right now? ‘Focus.’ As Kal gathered himself, Leo asked, “By the way, Kal. Who are you going to the dance party with?” “Huh?” Kal’s eyes widened at Leo’s sudden question. He then scratched his head. “Hmm. I haven’t really thought about it.” “Didn’t you ask Eliza to go with you?” “Huh? Ah. I can’t go with Eliza. We’re dating in secret.” Seeing Kal scratch his head with an awkward smile, Leo said, “Still, you’d want to go together, wouldn’t you?” “I do want to go. But we can’t let any unfounded rumors spread, can we?” “Unfounded rumors… I thought you two were quite serious?” Leo said, recalling the future he saw through Silode’s illusion magic, and Kal nodded. “We are serious. But the future we saw is just a possibility, isn’t it?” “Hmm.” Leo let out a light sigh and nodded with a smirk. “It is a possibility.” “It’s a bit much to get carried away just because we saw such a future… haha.” “Kal.” “Yeah?” “You’re a great guy.” “……?” Kal, after a moment of bewildered expression, grinned triumphantly. “Hmph. I know. I’m a great guy.” “If you know that, then be more confident.” “Huh?” Leo patted Kal on the shoulder. “Don’t leave any regrets. This moment is unique in your entire life.” “Um…” “If you’re not careful, someone else might snatch them away first, you know?” With that, Leo left first. Watching his retreating back, Kal murmured blankly, “Wow, he’s really cool. I’ll never be able to pull off that kind of vibe, no matter how much I try?” “You’re stating the obvious.” “Ugh?!” Kal was startled by Chelsea’s voice from behind. “Give some warning! It’s bad for my heart!” “You’re just slow to react.” Kal sighed at Chelsea’s bright smile and asked, “Is it your turn already?” “Yes.” Since they couldn’t stick to Leo the whole time, Kal and Chelsea took turns guarding Leo. This was possible because Chelsea recognized Kal as an ally. “I’ll go check on Chloe’s whereabouts.” “Okay.” “Be wary of Sia.” “I know!” Chelsea nodded and chased after Leo. “Oppa Leo!” She addressed Leo with her usual unpretentious demeanor. Seeing her calm attitude, as if she wasn’t thinking about the dance party, Kal nodded. ‘Good, it’s going according to plan.’ Kal smiled meaningfully and moved to mark Chloe. Meanwhile. Leo, glancing at Kal, muttered with a smirk. “He’s going to have a hard time.” “Huh? What are you talking about?” “Just talking to myself.” Chelsea tilted her head at Leo’s words and looked at Kal, who had disappeared. Kal was walking down a deserted path, humming a tune. At that moment— *Fwiiing—!* A whistling sound was heard cutting through the air. Kal flinched and threw himself forward. *Thwack—!* Something embedded itself into the ground where Kal had been standing. Seeing it, Kal’s mouth moved. “Juen’s… magic bullet?” It was a non-lethal magic bullet that he had made for Juen. While it wouldn't be fatal, it was incredibly painful. ‘Did Juen shoot it? No, Juen wouldn’t do something like that.’ Kal, thinking of his junior in the magic department, quickly assessed the situation. Kal and Juen had a very good relationship. They were mentor and mentee, and Kal had been supporting Juen even recently. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t believe Juen would target him. ‘Did someone else steal Juen’s magic bullet? But why?’ Kal narrowed his brows, unable to grasp the situation, and flinched at another killing intent, deploying a barrier spell. *Thwack—!* An arrow lodged itself into the barrier spell. That arrow was also Kal’s work. A non-lethal arrow. It was something Millia, the top student in the first-year knight department, frequently bought. Kal felt a chill run down his spine. His own creations targeting him. And looking at the arrow, Kal understood the situation. ‘This… I don’t know why, but.’ Cold sweat trickled down his face. ‘It looks like Juen and Millia are targeting me…’ Thinking so, Kal quickly cast a speed-boosting auxiliary spell. Kal’s body accelerated for a moment. Of course, this wouldn’t be enough to escape the two’s sniping. So, Kal quickly downed an auxiliary potion from his pocket. *Fwub-fwub-fwub! Fwaba-fwaba-fwab!* Simultaneously, magic bullets and arrows began to rain down towards Kal. “Argh! What is going on! Why are you doing this to me! Juniors!” Kal’s desperate cry echoed. *** Chelsea, who was chatting with Leo, suddenly stopped as she felt someone’s gaze. Turning her head in the direction of the gaze, Chelsea became wary. ‘Illyana.’ Illyana, hidden behind a large tree planted in the grass, peeked out and stared intently at Leo and Chelsea. She looked like a wild animal stalking its prey. ‘What is it? Her pattern is a bit strange.’ Chelsea tilted her head. Illyana, who would normally rush forward aggressively, was observing the situation from a distance. ‘Is she perhaps planning something?’ Chelsea put on a serious expression. Even though Illyana was simple-minded, she must have realized she was being kept in check after being repeatedly prevented from approaching Leo. In that case, it wouldn’t be strange for her to have a plan. ‘How will she approach?’ Chelsea was trying to predict Illyana’s movements. “Illyana. What are you doing there?” Leo said after spotting Illyana. However, Illyana, like a wild animal, quickly hid behind the tree and ran away. “Why is she acting like that?” Chelsea tilted her head, and Leo said, “It’s probably because you guys have been bothering her.” “Ugh.” “Apologize to Illyana later.” “Uh, okay.” Chelsea tucked her chin and nodded. Illyana, observing Leo and Chelsea, sat on a nearby bench and crossed her arms. ‘Are Chelsea and Kal on the same side?’ She tilted her head, recalling their cooperative behavior. Illyana, who disliked complicated matters, was thinking more actively than ever before. In fact, her head felt like it was on fire, but she endured it. With the sole determination of preventing anyone from going to the dance party with Leo, her mind worked. ‘Elena-senpai seemed upset recently, didn’t she?’ When Elena is upset, Kal suffers the most. ‘It wouldn’t be strange if Kal was acting as Elena-senpai’s subordinate.’ Of course, this was just a process. “Sia. You’re there, aren’t you?” *Fwa-pat—!* As soon as she finished speaking, Chen Sia descended from the tree branch where Illyana was sitting. “How did you know?” “You weren’t seen all day today. I thought you were hiding somewhere and trying to check on me again.” “I’m sorry.” Chen Sia gave a slight wry smile. “But I really want to go to the dance party with Lord Leo.” Illyana looked at Chen Sia with a sullen expression. Chen Sia then looked apologetic. “Just tell me one thing. Are Kal and Elena-senpai in a cooperative relationship?” Illyana asked for confirmation. She judged that Chen Sia would have the information. “That’s right. How did you know?” “I thought about it.” Chen Sia looked at Illyana with a strange expression. ‘I see how Kal managed to coax Chelsea.’ Illyana organized her thoughts. She was surprised at how well her mind was working. ‘She probably lied to the class president, saying Chelsea is going with Abad.’ Then the situation would make sense. ‘In that case, the alliance between Kal and Chelsea will be easily resolved.’ If she told Chelsea, it would naturally break down. Meanwhile, Chen Sia looked at Illyana, who was quickly using her brain, with curiosity. ‘Was Illyana-yang always this good at deduction?’ Illyana suddenly stood up. “Where are you going?” “I’m not telling you.” Chen Sia gave a sorry smile at Illyana’s sullen reply. ‘She seems quite upset.’ She felt sorry. In her heart, Chen Sia resolved to definitely cheer Illyana up. ‘Still, Illyana-yang doesn’t seem like she’ll give up easily.’ Even Chen Sia couldn’t have imagined that Illyana was preparing a “drag-everyone-down-with-me” plan. Meanwhile. Illyana fell into a dilemma. ‘I vowed to break it if I couldn’t have it… but I can’t actually break the class president.’ Angrily, she decided that no one else would be Leo’s partner, but she couldn’t actually do that. She even thought about writing a letter, but shook her head. ‘Even if I ask him to go with a letter, knowing the class president’s personality… he’d tell me to say it directly if it’s important.’ Illyana pouted. Leo had a mature side since his first year. But as mature as he was, he was also very resolute when he needed to be. ‘That’s part of the class president’s charm, though.’ In any case, even if she gave him a letter, the probability of him accepting was low. She couldn’t complain about other people interfering. This was a competition. Even if she complained, they would only offer comfort, not make her a winner. Illyana knew that was Leo’s strictness. And because of that kindness and strictness, she had grown. She couldn’t rely on Leo now. Crucially… ‘It’s like admitting defeat.’ Illyana’s pride, which was clearly present, reared its head. ‘The plan to break it if I can’t have it would be best handled by entrusting the class president to a safe third party…’ Was there such a person? Illyana walked down the dormitory hallway, tilting her head, and stopped. From afar, she heard the voices of two familiar people. “Durand. Do you have some time?” “What is it, Nella?” “About this dance party. Won’t you go with me?” “…….” ‘Wow. Nella. Did you finally gather your courage?’ Illyana cheered for her friend in her mind. “Me? Thank you for asking.” Durand replied, looking a little flustered. But it was only for a moment. He returned to his usual calm voice. “But I’m sorry. I’ve already agreed to go with Celia Zerdinger.” “Ah…!” Nella’s surprised voice was heard. “Durand! Were you and Celia… something?” Illyana blurted out without thinking. Durand had a nonchalant expression. “Celia Zerdinger is just an opponent to be overcome.” “Ah, right. You and Celia. It’s more believable that Celia and Abad would be together.” Illyana nodded. “How did you end up going together?” Nella asked cautiously, and Durand said indifferently, “It just came up during a spar this morning. Since it wouldn’t be strange rumors if it were me and Celia Zerdinger.” That was true. The moment Celia and Durand denied it, it wouldn’t escalate into a scandal. Both of them knew that, so they chose each other as partners. Considering their families, they were a fitting match for each other. “I’m sorry, Nella.” Durand apologized sincerely once again. “If I had told you first, would it be the same?” “……There’s no reason to refuse.” “Yes. That’s enough.” Nella smiled brightly. “Thank you for your time.” “Yes.” Durand said goodbye and left. Nella let out a sigh of disappointment. Illyana, watching her intently, murmured, “Found it, a safe storage.” “What are you talking about, Illyana?” “Nella.” “Yes?” “Won’t you go to the dance party with the class president?”