Book 1 Chapter 971

971.

With the midterm exams over, Lumeria City was filled with students.

Though the Rumens were generally strict about going out and staying out, except for holidays with no classes, students were allowed to go out and stay out for the week after exams to relieve academic stress.

However, this did not mean indulgence was permitted, so wearing casual clothes was prohibited.

To enforce this, the student council's disciplinary committee and professors patrolled the area.

The sun began to set.

Karl, who had gone to the pier to see them off, bid farewell to his friends with a beaming smile.

"See you tomorrow then."

With those words, Karl left the Lumeria Lake pier.

"Class president. I believe I should cancel Karl's overnight stay with my authority as student council president."

"Why are you being so mean to Karl?"

"Unhealthy romantic relationships are a violation of school rules!"

"There's no proof that Karl is going to have an unhealthy romantic relationship."

"Didn't you just see Karl smirking lewdly! Plus, a date at night! It's not proper! He's clearly going to do something outrageous!"

"With Eliza?"

At Leo's question, Iliana clicked her tongue with her finger.

"Class president, are you still young?"

Chelsea, Nella, and Tate, who had been listening to the conversation, whispered amongst themselves.

"That idiot is spouting nonsense again."

"It's strange that the one who seems like the youngest child is saying such things…"

"I've felt this since freshman year, but he seems to be creative only when he says strange things."

Despite her friends' harsh words, Iliana didn't get angry.

They had known each other for too long to get upset by such remarks.

Iliana, without batting an eye, began to explain.

"Eliza has officially revealed her relationship with Karl."

"That's right."

Iliana crossed her arms with a serious expression.

"For a young lady from a prestigious family, every romantic experience is a huge scandal. Rumors spread like wildfire. Especially since Karl isn't just a regular Rumen student, but a hero whose name is in the Hero Records. I doubt there's anyone in the world right now who doesn't know about the two of them."

"Come to think of it, wasn't there an article in the world newspaper a while ago? About the couple of the century."

"Exactly. Among us, Karl is probably the most popular."

If you were to name one of the most popular heroes among commoners, it would undoubtedly be Karl.

Although Karl's family is an alchemist family, they are just ordinary alchemists, common anywhere.

He was admitted to Lumern solely on his own merit.

Of course, Leo became a hero first.

However, Leo's feats were so fantastical that they lacked realism, like something out of a legend.

Moreover, with the title of successor to the Hero of the Beginning, he was someone difficult to empathize with.

In contrast to Leo, Karl was familiar to the public.

Because of this, Karl's popularity continued to soar.

"Come to think of it, that's amazing, isn't it?"

"He's so funny all the time that he doesn't realize it at all."

Karl, who started from the bottom and rose to the position of a hero.

And Eliza, the successor of the Hergin family, the largest prestigious family in the north, who wielded immense influence, and also a hero.

With such high public interest in both of them, news of their relationship appearing in newspapers was instantaneous.

For gossip lovers, there couldn't be a better topic.

"Eliza couldn't have possibly not foreseen this kind of impact. The fact that she revealed it means she definitely doesn't see Karl as someone to casually date."

Iliana crossed her arms.

"Well, for the successor of the Hergin family, scandals aren't a major problem. Considering Eliza's personality, the moment she announced it herself, it was as good as declaring that she would take Karl as her partner. I doubt any woman who isn't incredibly bold would dare to flirt with Karl."

Chelsea, listening to Iliana's words, asked.

"But what does that have to do with unhealthy romantic relationships?"

"Eheyt! That's why children are like this!"

*Squeeze-*!

"Gah? I sur… I surrender! Surrender! Chelsea. No… *cough*! Chelsea unnie! Chelsea-nim! It was a slip of the tongue. *cough*! Please forgive me… *cough*."

Iliana, being choked by Chelsea, said urgently.

"So?"

At Leo's question, Chelsea let go of Iliana.

Catching her breath, Iliana continued.

"To get to the conclusion. They're going to get married anyway! They're going to see all sorts of things in the future, so what can't they do!"

"That's just your opinion. And even if Karl had wicked intentions, Eliza wouldn't even bat an eye."

Tate chimed in with Chelsea's remark.

"If anything, if Karl makes a move, she'd probably half-kill him."

"Considering Eliza's personality, she'd do that and more."

Iliana spoke in response to their conversation.

"Surprisingly, people like Eliza who are usually fierce tend to become very weak towards someone they've decided is 'theirs.' Actually, look at how Eliza treats the summoned beasts she contracted."

Although Eliza was always cold and cynical, she had shown warm eyes to her summoned beasts since freshman year.

"Those are summoned beasts."

Nella pointed out, and Iliana looked frustrated.

"It applies to people too! Don't you know how Eliza is treating Karl these days?"

"She's treating him the same as usual."

"Yesterday, she was dragged around with a whip wrapped around her neck."

"That's right! But I saw with my own two eyes that the same Eliza apologized to Karl later and applied ointment to his wounds herself!"

"That's because they're lovers."

"It's probably because she felt bad for treating him harshly."

Despite Iliana's assertion, her friends' reactions were indifferent.

"Her eyes were practically dripping honey then!"

"Yes. Yes. Iliana."

Nella coaxed Iliana with a sweet smile.

Seeing the reaction of the three, Iliana pouted and grabbed Leo, shaking him.

"Class president! They're not believing me! Karl and Eliza are definitely trying to have an unhealthy romantic relationship!"

"You shouldn't doubt and slander your friends."

"Hiiing."

"And if they had intended to, they would have met secretly."

"It's obviously a smoke screen to act all proud."

Nella sighed softly as she watched Iliana, who was still trying to interfere with Karl.

"Iliana. Be honest. Aren't you actually jealous of Karl?"

"Yes. I'm jealous of them dating, and it's a sore sight."

With that said, Iliana turned to Leo.

"Class president! Will you go on a date with me tomorrow night?"

"Don't try to subtly flirt."

Chelsea protested, and Iliana clicked her tongue.

A moment later, a boat heading for Lumelia arrived at the pier.

As he boarded the boat, Leo glanced back at Lumelia City.

'Well, Karl will probably handle it himself.'

Karl walked through the night streets, humming a tune.

He felt depressed remembering the make-up class with Halind next week, but the depression lifted when he remembered the letter in his pocket.

Karl took out the letter from his inner school uniform pocket and swallowed hard.

The sender of the letter was none other than Eliza.

[See you at your house in Lumelia City at 8 PM tonight. From Eliza.]

It was a short letter, but his heart pounded.

'A date alone at home at night!'

For Karl, who was at a vigorous age, the mere imagination of being with his girlfriend in a private space was highly stimulating.

Of course, he had no intention of doing anything lewd, but as a young man, it was inevitable to have all sorts of fantasies.

"Phew. Calm down, Karl Thomas. Don't get ahead of yourself, my heart."

Karl calmed his racing heart.

Taking a deep breath, Karl checked the time.

Seeing that there was still time left, Karl headed to the night market.

"Oh~ it's Karl!"

"Look at this item! It's on sale cheap!"

The merchants who had set up stalls in the night market recognized Karl and greeted him warmly…

Having become famous, Karl had also built friendly relationships with the merchants of Lumelia City.

"Haha. I'm just here to look today."

Karl returned the greetings of the merchants.

Normally, Karl would have browsed the night market for good items, but today, the items in the night market didn't catch his eye.

Instead, Karl bought a bouquet of flowers and a brooch for Eliza.

After finishing his simple shopping, Karl headed to his house in Lumelia City as the appointment time approached.

'Wow, why am I so nervous?'

His heart pounded as much as when he confessed to Eliza. Karl arrived in front of his house.

And then he stopped short when he saw the person waiting in front of his house.

"Huh? Perena?"

The person in front of Karl's house was none other than Perena.

Tate, who had returned to the summoning department dormitory, was greeted by his classmates who were playing card games in the lounge.

"Tate. You're here?"

"Did you buy what I asked for?"

Tate handed over the miscellaneous goods he bought in Lumelia City to the eagerly greeting third-year students of the summoning department.

Then, he noticed Warden playing chess with someone in a corner of the lounge.

"Huh? Eliza?"

The person sitting opposite Warden was none other than Eliza.

Eliza's eyes, glaring at the chessboard with a terrifying gaze, were burning with competitive spirit.

"What? Eliza, why are you here?"

Tate asked with a bewildered expression, and Eliza, who had picked up a chess piece, turned her head.

"Is it that strange for me, Eliza Hergin, to be in the summoning department dormitory lounge?"

"Stop stalling and play quickly, Eliza Hergin."

At Warden's words, Eliza narrowed her eyes and nervously moved the chess piece.

The current game situation seemed to be at a disadvantage for Eliza.

Of course, the outcome wasn't completely decided, and a comeback seemed possible.

"Don't distract me."

Eliza tore her gaze away from Tate and concentrated on the chessboard.

*Clack-*

As Warden's turn ended and Eliza picked up her piece again.

"Don't you have a date with Karl?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Karl is staying out tonight in Lumelia City and I heard he has a date?"

*Crack-*!

"What did you say?!"

A fierce glint appeared in Eliza's eyes for a moment.

The chess piece in her hand was mercilessly shattered.

Warden, watching the scene, said.

"Eliza Hergin, you broke a piece, so you lose."

'No. That's not what's important right now.'

Tate muttered to himself as Eliza stood up and looked at Tate.

"Say that again? Who is staying out and who is going on a date?"

Tate involuntarily took a step back.

Not only Tate, but the students in the lounge, intimidated by the menacing aura, subtly moved away from Eliza.

"Eliza Hergin, admit your defeat quickly."

Meanwhile, Warden persistently urged her to admit defeat.

At that moment.

"Why is the atmosphere like this? Eliza, is something wrong?"

Lil happened to enter the lounge.

The students of the summoning department looked bright at Lil's appearance, which seemed to resolve the situation.

One of the summoning department students explained the situation.

Upon hearing the story, Lil's eyes widened, making the situation even more serious.

"Huh? Is that… is Karl cheating?"

Tate muttered to himself.

'Should I call Leo?'

***

"Perena, why are you here?"

Karl asked with a bewildered expression, and Perena said.

"Because I'm the one who wrote the letter."

"The handwriting on the letter was definitely Eliza's."

"Mimicking my sister's handwriting is no problem for me."

"Hmm… Why did you ask me to meet you using Eliza's name?"

Karl asked, feeling awkward.

Perena shrugged.

"You'll know when you go inside."

At those words, Karl entered the house feeling confused.

Perena followed behind Karl.

As they entered the house, a man was sitting in the living room.

Upon seeing the man's face, Karl smiled sheepishly.

"I'm sorry. I remembered an urgent matter…"

"Karl Thomas."

The middle-aged man with silver hair called Karl in a cold voice.

"Come here and sit."

At those words, Karl, with a dejected expression, knelt in front of the man.

"…"

At that sight, the middle-aged man let out a small sigh.

"Sit on the chair."

Karl awkwardly sat on the chair, bowed his head, and slyly glanced at the man.

He was none other than the head of the Hergin family.

Eliza's father, Elkan Hergin.