Chapter 86

“…I do not have any. I appreciated the gesture, but I had already obtained what I wanted here. I did not particularly want anything else.”

I briefly debated whether I should say I wanted to see the Isrinbloom Ducal Family’s basement.

But after a short moment of consideration, I judged that it was not yet time to go there.

At least, not today.

‘Saying I want to visit the basement out of nowhere right now is too abrupt. With Dilug’s personality, he would definitely grow suspicious of me.’

Honestly, even if it were me, if someone suddenly ignored all the other better things and said they wanted to see my house’s basement… of course I would be suspicious.

And if it came to that, Dilug would surely watch whatever I did in the basement.

‘I would never be able to investigate properly under surveillance. And if, by any chance, the existence of that ancient document gets exposed, I have no idea what could happen.’

It seemed far better to investigate the Isrinbloom Family’s basement when no one was watching.

Investigating it now would not be a good choice.

“If you say so, then I won’t force you. But it is still true that Isrinbloom owes you a debt, so if you ever want something in the future, tell me.”

“Understood.”

“Well then, let’s wrap up this discussion… What are your plans afterward?”

“I planned to return to Lysquare Academy tomorrow morning.”

“Have you secured a place to stay?”

“Yes, I rented a room at an inn located in the center of the city.”

At my answer, Dilug hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

“If you want, you could stay one night at my mansion. I guarantee the highest level of comfort. I can send someone to retrieve your luggage as well.”

“I sincerely appreciate your kindness. But I cannot impose on you any further, so I must decline your offer, Sir Dilug.”

If I stayed a night in Dilug’s mansion, my body would surely be comfortable.

But my mind would not be.

I felt as though Dilug would keep watching me the entire time.

So even if my body felt a bit uncomfortable, at least my mind would be at ease.

I wanted to rest quietly at the inn.

“Very well. Then go back and get plenty of rest, and return to the Academy safely tomorrow.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

“Good. Since there is nothing else to discuss, you may go now. Thank you for making time.”

“Not at all. I am the one who should thank you for granting me your valuable time, Sir Dilug.”

“…You truly have courtesy and respect ingrained in you. I wish my daughter could learn from that.”

“…….”

I momentarily panicked, unsure what kind of answer I should give him.

Seeing that reaction, Dilug let out a small laugh.

“Pretend you didn’t hear that.”

“Ah, yes. Understood.”

“You may go. If there is a chance, let us meet again next time.”

With those final words, Dilug returned his attention to the documents, and I bowed before leaving his office.

About 30 minutes after Gideon left Dilug’s office.

“My Lord. It is Oslo. May I enter?”

“Come in.”

Once Oslo entered the office, Dilug set aside the document he had been reading.

“Did Gideon, that student, leave safely?”

“Yes, he headed toward an inn located in the center of Muktaba. If you wish, I can send someone right now to keep watch over him……”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Dilug glanced outside the window.

A white-haired young man walking along the road could faintly be seen.

“There are some suspicious parts, but he didn’t seem like a bad student.”

“If you say so, My Lord… you must have taken quite a liking to him.”

“He was a student who had etiquette deeply ingrained in him. At least to my eyes, he didn’t look bad.”

Along with that answer, Dilug handed Oslo a sheet of paper.

“Take this.”

“What is it?”

“A report to the Imperial Family. Contact them and deliver the contents.”

“Understood. But the contents… completion of Bukar’s subjugation and… the Isrinbloom Ducal Family’s official gratitude toward Gideon Kyrgram… Excuse me, My Lord? You are officially announcing this?”

“If one is grateful, expressing that gratitude is the right thing to do, no?”

“Ah, yes, that is true, but…… this is an official announcement delivered through the Imperial Family. If you, My Lord, make such an announcement…….”

“He will become famous.”

Dilug spoke while gazing out the window.

“But Gideon is a student capable enough to defeat Bukar alone. Offering him at least this level of reputation should not be a problem, don’t you think?”

“…Is there perhaps another reason?”

“When a person gains fame, wealth, and power, their true nature reveals itself. I am very curious what kind of nature Gideon Kyrgram, that student from the fallen Baron family, holds within.”

***

“Woof! Woof-woof!”

“Is it good?”

“Woof!”

“Yeah, eat plenty. You worked hard today, so I bought this expensive meat specially for you.”

“Woof!”

Siri was fiercely chewing on the large hind leg of a pig I had bought at the market.

Since Siri had helped me tremendously today, giving her something big and expensive was only right.

“Aaah… I’m exhausted.”

The moment I arrived at the inn and collapsed onto the bed, a wave of intense drowsiness hit me.

Part of it was from pushing my body in the fight against Bukar, but also Peregrie’s power.

Using that power seemed to place considerable strain on my body.

‘I won’t be able to use it often. Or I need to learn how to control that power better so the strain on my body decreases.’

Honestly, I wanted to fall asleep right away.

But there were still things I had to do.

First, once Siri finished eating her meat, I needed to give her a bath……

‘And I need to engrave this into my body as soon as possible.’

I took out the blue gem, the Water Rune I had obtained from Bukar.

There were some letters carved into the gem, but they were characters I had never seen before, so I couldn’t tell what they meant.

But that didn’t really matter.

I knew very well what function this Water Rune held.

‘It granted the Blessing of Water.’

If I engraved this rune into my body and grew, it would be nearly impossible for me to die from ordinary injuries.

Of course, that was if I engraved it.

‘But how do I engrave it?’

In the game, I simply put it in the equipment slot, but now this was reality.

There was no such thing as an inventory or equipment window.

‘Let me think. What did the descriptions for rune-type items say…….’

I slowly retraced my memory.

According to the setting, runes were engraved onto the heart, and from that heart they granted power.

“The heart… the heart, huh.”

Runes were engraved onto the heart.

With that thought, I brought the Water Rune near my heart.

“…Hm.”

I lightly expected something, but nothing happened.

However, I did feel something.

The moment the rune touched the area over my heart, it was as if the rune and my heart resonated… Anyway, it was a feeling that was difficult to explain in words.

‘It seems right to bring it near the heart… but what is this?’

Still lying on the bed, I stared at the blue rune and thought for a moment.

Then a good idea came to mind, so I took off my shirt.

And I brought the Water Rune to my heart once again.

“…Oh.”

The resonance between my heart and the rune felt even stronger.

And unlike before, the rune shone with a vivid blue light.

Then, the Water Rune seeped into my chest.

At the same time, it felt as though I had gained a new sense.

“Hm.”

I focused my mind.

It truly felt like I had gained a new sense, so it was awkward at first… but I instinctively understood how to use it.

“…So this is how it works.”

After concentrating for a while, a barrier made of water appeared around me.

Since it was transparent water, it might have looked weak, but I knew well that this barrier was quite sturdy.

“Woof?”

Startled by the sudden appearance of the water barrier, Siri tilted her head and looked at me.

With a faint smile, I dispelled the barrier.

“Don’t mind it. Keep eating.”

“Woof!”

Siri cheerfully replied and returned her full focus to devouring the meat.

I watched her and stroked her head, then lay back down on the bed.

“With this, I’ve achieved the goal of this trip.”

Now that I had obtained the Water Rune, my next goal was to strengthen my sword, Mistcatcher.

At the very least, my goal was to strengthen it to the point I could use weapon skills.

‘But for now, let’s get some rest.’

At least until tomorrow morning, before I returned to the Academy, I wanted some peaceful rest.

“Ugh, I’m exhausted to death.”

After arriving safely at Daigon Village, I dragged my tired body toward Lysquare Academy.

“I really shouldn’t take long-distance trips lightly.”

Yesterday—Friday morning—I had departed from Muktaba, and now it was Saturday morning.

I had just arrived at Daigon Village moments ago.

“Spending the whole day in a carriage is no easy task.”

I murmured while stretching my stiffened body.

I did sleep in the carriage, but there was no way I could get proper rest in such a shaking ride.

So I was considering collapsing onto my bed the moment I returned to the dormitory.

“Woof!”

“How are you always so energetic?”

“Woof-woof!”

“I’ll give you food later. Stay inside my shadow again until we enter the dormitory. We’ll be at the Academy soon.”

“Woof!”

Siri immediately slipped into my shadow.

And so, alone against the cold morning breeze, I headed toward the Academy’s main gate.

Since it was early morning, I expected only the guards to be there, but unexpectedly, someone was waiting for me.

“Gideon, did you return safely from your trip to Muktaba?”

“Sir Jason? Why are you here at this hour……?”

“Well… because I was waiting for you. I heard you left Muktaba yesterday morning, so I figured you’d arrive at the Academy around now.”

“I… see. Then why were you waiting for me? And coming out at such an early hour?”

“There are quite a few things I want to ask you.”

Jason spoke with a meaningfully amused smile.

“You might’ve heard already, but yesterday Duke Isrinbloom announced something through the Imperial Family.”

“What announcement?”

“The Isrinbloom Family officially expressed gratitude to you. Saying you defeated a monster—Bukar, or whatever its name was.”

“…He announced that through the Imperial Family?”

“Yeah. You know what that means, right?”

Announcing it through the Imperial Family was practically declaring their gratitude for me to the entire Empire.

And not just from any noble—it was one of the three ducal families. My name would surely spread across every corner of the Empire.

“Why would he even……”

“I don’t know. My father doesn’t know either. That’s why he told me to find out exactly what you did. In as much detail as possible. So? Do you have some time?”

“…Have you had breakfast yet?”

“Not yet. Should we go eat?”

“Yes, we can talk slowly over a meal.”

The sudden news startled me, but I decided to accompany Jason.

Talking with Jason might reveal something new.

We were about to head to the cafeteria together when……

“…Uh, Gideon? Isn’t that Lisa-noona over there?”

“Uh… yes. I think so.”

A red-haired girl in the distance was walking briskly toward us.

“Lady Lisa.”

I approached Lisa and greeted her.

“Have you been— huh?”

“Follow me. Quickly. I’m in a hurry.”

Lisa grabbed my hand in one swift motion and tried to pull me away.

And as her words suggested, she truly looked extremely urgent.

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