Chapter 25

Ah! A wild Lerwon has appeared!

Ah, that’s not it.

After clearing my throat for no reason, I asked Lerwon.

“Lerwon senior, didn’t you live outside?”

Usually, students attending the Academy live in the dorms. There are social activities that only happen within the dorms, and you can receive various benefits.

But, Lerwon was different.

Social activities? The ones hosted by the Golden merchant guild would be much more constructive.

Other benefits were also nothing to be missed for Lerwon, but the dorms had restrictions like curfews and what not.

There was no reason to come in, but there were many restrictions, so it was only natural that Lerwon didn’t come into the dorms.

“Yeah, I decided to move in this time.”

‘This time’ would be referring to me. Perhaps… the purpose is to monitor me? At that thought, the back of my neck felt cold for some reason, and I needlessly fiddled with the back of my neck.

“Hahahaha.”

A dry laugh flowed from between my lips.

Wow, so this is how the butterfly effect happens again.

Leaving me behind, Lerwon strode forward and held out his hand to Lucian.

“I’m Lerwon Viden.”

“…Wasn’t it just ‘Lerwon’, senior?”

Perhaps because Zephyros had been singing by his side that ‘the master of Golden is dangerous, Lerwon is dangerous,’ Lucian showed a blatant wariness.

But, with such a lukewarm attitude, Lerwon couldn’t be driven away.

Rather, Lerwon smiled brightly and explained the situation affably.

“That’s the case publicly. But, there’s no need to hide it from a friend of Theo.”

The leisureliness that oozed from his soft voice was a little detestable.

The atmosphere is so damn awkward. After hesitating for a moment, I intervened between the two.

“Then shall we have breakfast together tomorrow?”

At my suggestion, Lucian quickly grabbed my wrist. It was an action that anyone could see as trying to stop me.

The gaze looking down at Lucian and me was rather blatant.

Perhaps finding it ridiculous, Lerwon chuckled.

“No, it’s fine. I have a lot of documents to sort out, so I’m busy tomorrow. Thanks for the offer.”

Leaving behind only an empty thank you note with not even 1g of sincerity, Lerwon left leisurely.

It’s not like he’s declaring that he’ll be monitoring me from now on, geez.

“No, really!”

How absurd. Iris, why is that woman working her child like that?

Was this what she meant by asking me to get along with him?

If so, was the reason he didn’t guide me all the way because he was preparing to move into the dorms?

For some reason, it feels like I was played by the master of Golden from beginning to end.

“Are you okay?”

For a moment, I was chewing on my thoughts in annoyance, but I came to my senses at Lucian’s worried voice.

Ugh, why am I doing this to a chick who knows nothing. Let’s not take out my frustration on him for no reason.

“There’s no reason not to be okay.”

Yes, I was really okay.

If I become friends with Lerwon, it’s actually good! It’s actually good, but….

Agh! Seriously!! Damn Iris Viden!! Why on earth did I make a deal with that woman!!

But, I couldn’t resist a Korean-style meal! So what can I do, even if it’s shitty, I just have to bear with it…!

* * *

Lerwon’s words that he was busy were not a bluff, as he didn’t show himself all day.

Thus, a golden Sunday passed, and Monday arrived.

“What is this?”

Why is Sunday being skipped so quickly?

Shouldn’t it be described in detail what happens every minute for about 4 chapters?

“Shitty Monday.”

I remembered a certain yellow sponge who used to sing that he loved Mondays.

Just how crazy do you have to be to find this cursed day enjoyable and happy?

When I came out of the room, Lerwon appeared.

“Theo, did you sleep well?”

“More or less.”

The dorm beds are good ones. It was truly a comfortable, unshakable comfort, the bed was science.

The legal slaves of the Academy, the TAs, would also be able to have a comfortable night without nightmares. If only they could use a bed, that is.

“Let’s have breakfast together.”

“…Your friend doesn’t seem too keen on it.”

At Lerwon’s question, I glanced at Lucian.

There’s no way our sweet potato chick hero would easily show his emotions… he does?

He frowned slightly, as if a little uncomfortable.

“Hey, what’s wrong with you?”

To be honest, I was flustered because I didn’t expect him to dislike it this much.

“It seems you’ve heard a lot of bad things about me.”

Lucian didn’t bother to deny Lerwon’s question.

“A hero who should be fair and just, should you be judging people based on rumors alone?”

“That’s….”

To be honest, it’s a sophism.

But, I didn’t want the two of them to clash forever, so I kept my mouth shut.

At my silence, Lerwon, as if this was his chance, put on a hurt expression.

“It’s because Zephi scared him too much.”

It’s true that Iris and Lerwon are scary people, but they’re not people who would be hostile to Lucian for no reason.

Moreover, with the emperor behind Lucian, it would be even more so.

Only when they are ready to face the empire and the hero will they finally reveal the sharp sword they have been honing and cut their throats in one breath.

“senior is just an ordinary person too, right?”

At my words, Lerwon gave a meaningful smile.

That smile was all the more strange because only I could see it.

What is this? I feel like I’m missing something important.

“That’s right. Actually, Zephi dislikes me a little. I sometimes had to visit the Duchy of Nevera with my adoptive mother, and he started to dislike me because I teased him every time we met.”

“Really?”

“You can ask Zephi directly for the truth.”

I feel like I’d be buried in the ground that day if I asked.

If Lerwon’s words are all true, that is.

Seeing Lerwon with a mischievous smile, I was even more convinced.

I must avoid the past of the two of them, even if it means I die.

“Still, we’ve known each other for a long time, so I’m a little disappointed.”

“Is that so?”

The soft, not-yet-roasted sweet potato protagonist was slowly starting to be won over.

He was being won over even more easily because Lerwon was an expert at handling people.

“That’s right. We’ve known each other since we were young.”

“I see…!”

As if he had ever been wary, the green eyes were now overflowing with goodwill.

…I hope he doesn’t buy an jade mattress later, saying it’s good for the body. I hope he doesn’t hand over the holy sword as payment.

“Zephi isn’t a bad guy either, so I’ll say good things about you, senior!”

What on earth is he thinking, Lucian clenched his fist and shouted cheerfully.

A kind-hearted fellow. As expected of Lapidemy’s official pushover… no, sweet potato.

Perhaps because he didn’t expect to hear such an answer, Lerwon covered his mouth with his palm as if flustered.

Are you serious? Lerwon seemed to be asking me with his eyes.

Look at those green eyes, do you see any lies? I answered with my eyes and said.

“Would you like to have breakfast together?”

“Ahem, if your friend allows it, I’d be happy to.”

“I don’t mind…!”

Lucian’s permission was granted.

Now, I’m curious about Zephyros’s reaction.

* * *

When we headed to the dorm dining hall, Zephyros had already saved a seat.

Though he looked appalled as soon as he saw Lerwon appear with us.

“Why is that human here…?!”

“It just happened?”

The explanation would be too long.

Lucian sat opposite Zephyros, and I sat in the seat next to him.

When we gave up on explaining, Zephyros’s question was directed at the person concerned, Lerwon.

“Why on earth are you eating with Theo and Cian?”

It was a question that revealed a blatant hostility.

It was incomparably sharper than the wariness Lucian had shown.

I guessed that Zephyros probably knew Lerwon’s situation in quite a bit of ‘detail’. Otherwise, Zephyros’s reaction couldn’t be explained.

Munching on the food I had brought, I quietly watched the conversation between the two.

“Is there something wrong with that?”

“You… will you be satisfied only after I mention ‘that incident’ in front of these two?”

As expected, it seemed he knew about ‘that incident’.

Lucian, who didn’t know the reason, was busy looking back and forth between Zephyros and Lerwon.

Even Lerwon, at Zephyros’s warning, looked at him with a displeased, deadpan expression.

“Hey, Zephi.”

This is a dining hall. It wasn’t something to be mentioned so easily in a place like this.

Moreover, look at Lucian. Don’t you know that the poor hero candidate is looking back and forth between you and Lerwon several times?

At my restraint, Zephyros looked at me in annoyance and then shot up from his seat.

Zephyros, standing tall, was looking down at Lerwon with contemptuous eyes.

“Are you done eating already?”

“I lost my appetite because of someone.”

Zephyros, who had emphasized each syllable, left the dining hall without looking back.

“I’ll be going too. I’m sorry for making the atmosphere strange, hubae-nims.”

He smiled with a gentle face, but even his aura could not be said to be entirely soft.

After Lerwon left, I said to Lucian, who had a crestfallen expression.

“If you’re curious, shall I tell you why?”

Of course, it would be difficult to say it out loud in a crowded dining hall like this.

“No, it’s fine.”

Lucian slowly shook his head.

“It would be unpleasant if someone… talked about my past without permission.”

Yes, Lucian was a person who valued respecting others more than satisfying his own curiosity. As expected of the protagonist effect…

“You’re a surprisingly cool guy.”

At my mumble, Lucian asked back.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing. I’m sure Zephi and Lerwon senior will get along better next time.”

One thing became certain.

Zephyros dislikes Lerwon to the point of loathing and despising him.

It was a deep and heavy emotion to hold for someone who had just teased him a few times when he was young.

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