Book 1 Chapter 978

978.

Due to the illustrious family meeting, Lumerne would be closed for ten days.

Of course, only classes were suspended; assignments, homework, and supplementary lessons proceeded normally.

No matter what, humans feel most free when they are suddenly liberated from their duties.

Some students could be seen shouting "Freedom!" with excitement.

Of course…

"What?! You want to go to Lumeria City on a weekday? These rascals are asking to die! I said it was a school closure! When did I say it was a vacation?!"

Bang-!

"Hee-hee-hee!"

"S-S-Sorry!"

Some students crossed the line due to excessive excitement.

A few students who arbitrarily interpreted the school closure as a holiday went to get an outing pass, only to be beaten and chased away by Professor Artian, the disciplinary professor.

Thus, students being chased by Artian in the Tower of Heroes was a common sight.

"How pathetic."

Eliza, who was reading a book while drinking coffee at a cafe on Hero's Tower Street, clicked her tongue at the sight.

Students passing by on the street looked at Eliza with exclamations of admiration or blushed.

"Senior Eliza, don't you think she's gotten prettier lately?"

"Yeah."

The juniors whispered softly as they passed by.

Eliza, as always, enjoyed her alone time, not caring about the gazes around her.

"Eliza. Are you alone?"

Then a familiar voice was heard.

Eliza looked up briefly, taking her eyes off her book.

Then she inserted a bookmark, straightened her crossed legs, and sat up properly.

"May I join you?"

"Yes."

Elena and Lil sat opposite Eliza.

Lil placed a cup of milk tea in front of Elena.

And in front of herself, she set down a small slice of cake and a cup of milk.

"Is Eliza-yang's coffee tasty?"

"Yes."

"You don't seem to put sugar in it, isn't it bitter?"

"Yes."

"You're like an adult."

Elena said as Lil expressed admiration.

"Hey, Lil. Is that what you say to a junior?"

"But I can't eat anything bitter."

"Yet you drink alcohol just fine."

Elena chuckled and picked up the only fork.

"Ah, Senior Elena. You said you weren't going to eat it."

"I suddenly felt like eating it."

"Then why don't you order your own instead of taking mine…"

"Because it tastes better when I steal it."

Lil looked resentfully at Elena, who was plundering her cake, with a tearful expression.

Meanwhile, Elena, with the fork in her mouth, rested her chin on her hand and looked at Eliza.

"By the way, you're reading a book, which is unusual for you."

"Senior, that's rude to Eliza-yang. Eliza-yang. She looks like a literary girl."

"Pfft! A literary girl!"

At Lil's words, Elena burst out laughing openly.

Of course, Eliza didn't particularly feel offended by that.

On the contrary, Lil's considerate compliment made her feel a bit embarrassed.

"I know it's not suitable for me, so Lil-senior doesn't have to force yourself."

"Hmm… Hmm…!"

Elena said, looking at the flustered and helpless Lil.

"Lil. Do you know it's more rude to be flustered like that than to laugh openly like me?"

"Uh-huh!"

Lil, at a loss, carefully said,

"As an apology, I'll buy you a cake."

"It's okay. You don't have to worry about it."

"Lil. You should buy your own, not Eliza's."

Elena, who had already finished all of Lil's slice of cake, shrugged her shoulders and said.

Lil then sent a resentful look at Elena.

"I bought it for you anyway. Put it under my name."

Hearing that, Lil went to order a cake.

"By the way, what book are you reading?"

"It's a newly released novel. It's by an Elf author, a brand new release."

"That's interesting. An Elf publishing a new novel in human society."

Considering the arrogant nature of Elves, it was unimaginable until recently.

Usually, Elf novels would enter bookstores of other races much later.

This was because books going out and coming in were subject to censorship.

Of course, such things have disappeared recently as they actively embrace the cultures of other races, especially humans.

"Is it interesting?"

"Yes. It's only the beginning, but it's very interesting. For an Elf author, the content is very dynamic."

Elf novels usually tend to be static and quiet, but this novel was the complete opposite.

Elena tilted her head at the mention of an adventure novel.

"Is it a famous author?"

"It's a pseudonym I've never seen before."

Just then, Lil, who had bought the cake, sat down.

"Oh, that novel…?"

Lil's eyes widened when she saw the cover of the book.

"Lil, do you know that novel too?"

"Yes. I've read it all. It's an adventure novel, but…"

"……?"

"The content level was quite high towards the end."

"Huh?"

"It's very suggestive."

At that, Elena laughed playfully.

"So the heir of the Hergin family enjoys reading erotic novels, huh?"

"No, I don't."

Eliza sighed and put the book in her bag.

"Oh? Now that you have a fiancé, you're interested in such things…"

"No!"

The usually calm Eliza flushed and retorted.

Lil seriously said, looking at Eliza.

"Eliza-yang. You shouldn't react like that when Senior Elena teases you. This wicked witch will tease you even more maliciously."

"Lil, you've really grown up, haven't you?"

"I've been taller since freshman year."

"I've raised a tiger cub."

Elena smiled sweetly, looking at Lil who wasn't intimidated by her at all.

Eliza pressed her temples, watching the two of them.

"By the way, the illustrious family meeting is right around the corner, and you're so relaxed?"

As the heir to the Hergin family, Eliza would originally have had many things to prepare.

Eliza answered calmly to Elena's words.

"After all, Karl is the representative of the Hergin family this time. My father and Karl are busy. I'm just playing the role of a figurehead."

"But the more I think about it, the more extraordinary it is. A fiancé as the family representative. Lord Hergin must really like Karl."

"……"

"It's a shame. I taught him well, but Hergin just snatched Karl away."

"Senior. Frankly speaking, didn't you just force work on Karl rather than teach him work?"

"Is it this mouth that keeps contradicting Senior?"

Elena smiled and gently pinched Lil's lips.

Eliza, who had been sighing at the sight, suddenly spotted Karl walking in the distance.

And she paused when she saw a girl walking beside him.

It was none other than Jueun walking beside Karl.

Elena followed Eliza's gaze, saw the scene, and smiled subtly.

"Karl is surprisingly popular, isn't he?"

"Yes. He's the person who will be my husband, so he has to be at least that good."

Elena smiled subtly as Eliza said calmly.

"Don't you need to follow him?"

"It hasn't been long since Karl and I became lovers, but I've seen him since freshman year, and we even lived together in the same dormitory in sophomore year. So I can confidently say I know Karl well. Even more than Leo Flobe, who stuck with Karl for all three years."

"Hmm?"

Elena made an amused expression.

"Karl is not someone who would betray the trust of a precious person."

"His trust is so strong it's boring."

"Senior. Just say you're jealous."

Thwack-!

"Ugh!"

Lil said something from the side and got hit in the ribs by Elena.

***

"Thank you, Jueun. For explaining the relationship between the illustrious families of the Southern Continent and the Hergin family so well."

"I'm glad I could help."

Jueun smiled brightly.

Karl scratched his head awkwardly, looking at Jueun.

Karl wasn't foolish either.

He had already noticed what feelings Jueun had for him.

However, his heart was already filled with someone else to accept those feelings.

Because of that, dealing with Jueun had recently become awkward.

It was Jueun who first brought up the topic of providing information about the Southern illustrious families.

Jueun, who had been staring at Karl, said,

"Senior Karl."

"Hm?"

"The best thing I did after entering Lumerne was choosing Senior Karl as my mentor."

"……"

"Thanks to you, I've grown one step as a mage… No, two steps."

"Even if it wasn't me, you surely would have…"

"No. That's not true."

Jueun shook her head.

And looking straight at Karl, she said,

"Senior Karl. I like you. I really wanted to tell you that."

"Jueun… That…"

"You don't have to answer. I already know the answer."

A teenage girl's heart was complex.

It was intense and impulsive.

She wanted to cry and throw a tantrum, wishing she could treat him better.

She wanted to cling to him, asking what if she even had an affair, even if it made her ugly.

That's how sincere Jueun's feelings were.

But because they were sincere, she knew.

That Karl was not someone who would betray trust.

Jueun smiled subtly.

"Please remain my mentor forever. There's still so much I need to learn from you."

"Okay."

Karl nodded.

"Then I'll get going."

Leaving those words, Jueun turned and walked away.

Karl, watching her back, glanced to the side.

Step-

Leo was standing beside him.

"Did you hear?"

"Sorry. It just happened."

Leo made an apologetic expression.

Karl said, looking at Leo.

"Leo."

"Why?"

"Can you make it rain? Please."

"……"

At that, Leo summoned Undine, the great spirit of water, and made it rain.

Drip-drop- Swish-

As the rain began to fall, Leo took out an umbrella from his subspace.

"Leo, what should I do in times like this?"

"……Well. There's no right answer, but probably."

"Probably?"

"Time will heal it."

"……That sounds like something an adult would say."

Karl let out a hollow laugh.

When Leo offered him an umbrella, Karl shook his head.

"I'll just let it rain on me."

At that, Leo nodded and turned his body.