Chapter 129: Summer Vacation (1)

The dormitory in Building A was a place where only the highest-ranking children of the three nations stayed. As I walked down the wide corridor of that very building, I glanced around. “What was his room number again?”

Of course, I wasn’t lost looking for Yurina’s room, the one where I had spent the past week. The room I was searching for belonged to another cadet.

This place was ridiculously big. I had to wander through the vast halls of the dormitory for a while before I finally found the room I had been looking for.

Hopefully, he didn’t head back home the moment vacation started, I thought.

I knocked lightly on the door. The sound that rang out from the polished wooden door was elegant. As expected, expensive dorms were different; even the doors sounded refined when knocked on. Mine, on the other hand, always creaked and groaned like it was dying. As that thought passed through my head, the door opened, and a blond, handsome young man appeared.

Jules looked surprised to see me standing there unannounced. “Oh, D-Dale? What brings you here?”

“I came to give you something,” I replied.

“Give me something?”

His eyes flicked down to the heavy leather bag in my hand.

“Mind if I give it to you inside?” I said.

“O-of course! Please, come in!”

My first impression of Jules’s room was that it was pretty. The living room was filled with charming little decorations, and on one side, neatly arranged flower pots bloomed with vibrant colors. Honestly, this looked more like a girl’s room than either Iris’s or Yurina’s.

I let out a small chuckle as the interior decoration was definitely Jules’s style.

“Would you like something to drink? Coffee? Or tea?” he asked.

“Coffee.”

“Alright. Just a moment.”

I sat on the sofa while Jules brought over a cute cat-patterned coffee cup.

“So, what is it you’re giving me?” he asked.

I handed him a heavy bag filled with gold. “Here.”

Despite being called gold, these coins weren’t actually gold coins. Five hundred years ago, they did use gold as currency, but after the monetary reform, the three nations had switched to using paper money, though the name “gold” remained.

“This is… Gold?” Jules said.

I explained, “Yeah. The one million gold I borrowed, plus two hundred thousand in interest. That makes it 1.2 million gold.”

“W-why are you giving this to me?”

“What do you mean, why? Don’t you remember lending me money?”

Jules let out a quiet sound, as if the memory had just come back to him. “Oh. You… you’re really paying it back?”

“I told you I would, didn’t I?”

Well, truth be told, when I borrowed it, I had zero intention of paying it back. But as I got to know Jules and watched him change little by little, I changed my mind.

Even as he looked down at the heavy bag stuffed with money, his expression didn’t brighten.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

His trembling eyes met mine. “N-nothing. It’s just that if I take this, it feels like I won’t have any reason to keep in touch with you anymore.”

Seriously, this guy. That’s what he’s worried about?

I thought.

I replied, “Friends don’t need debt to stay in touch. In fact, if money’s involved, it only makes things more awkward between friends.”

A faint smile tugged at Jules’s lips. “Friends… Yeah. You’re right.”

He finally accepted the heavy bag and brought up another topic. “Do you have any plans for this summer vacation, Dale?”

“Not sure yet. I’ve got a few ideas, but I’ll have to talk it over with the others first.”

I had something in mind, but I needed to confirm it with the group.

“If you come to the Republic, you have to let me know! If you need any help, I’ll make sure to be there!” Jules said confidently.

I nodded. “Got it.”

I stood up slowly.

“Y-you’re leaving already?” he asked.

“Yeah. I’ve got someone else to meet after this.”

He nodded, looking disappointed. “O-oh. Okay.”

“Then, I’ll see you later,” I said.

“Yeah! Have a great vacation, Dale!”

“You too.”

After saying my goodbyes to Jules, I headed off to my next appointment.

***

I entered the cafe inside the Hero Academy’s main building. Normally, it was bustling with cadets, but with exams over and summer break beginning, it was as quiet as the training grounds.

The peaceful cafe rang with a loud voice. “Ah, Dale! Over here!”

I followed the sound and spotted Iris, Camilla, Yurina, and Berald gathered around a table.

“Sorry, I’m a little late,” I said.

“No, it’s fine. We only just got here too,” Iris replied, patting the empty chair beside her, inviting me to sit.

When I took the seat, Camilla shot me a displeased look, clearly annoyed that I had chosen to sit next to Iris.

“Hmph. So, what did you call us here for?” Camilla asked.

“Do you guys have time this summer break?” I replied.

“Time?”

Iris tilted her head curiously. “Why? Are you planning something?”

“Yeah. You remember that ruin we explored before, right?” I said.

“Of course.”

“I was thinking we could line up our schedules and do another ruins exploration during the break,” I explained.

In my past life, I had explored dozens, hundreds of ruins. This summer, I planned to revisit one of them with my companions.

Iris’s eyes sparkled as she nodded without hesitation. “I’m in! Hehe

. I was worried I’d have to spend vacation apart from you, Dale, but this is much better.”

She slipped her hand under the table and gently clasped mine with a bright smile.

Watching her, Camilla let out a long, weary sigh. “Milady, shouldn’t you at least return to the Holy Empire during the break?”

“There’s no real reason for me to go back, is there?” Iris replied.

“Even so…”

“And honestly, I think there are more people there who don’t want me to return.”

Iris’s bitter expression cut Camilla short, leaving her lips pressed tightly together.

After a moment, Camilla replied, “Very well. I’ll report to the Holy Empire that you’ll be staying at the academy for this summer break.”

“Thanks. I’m counting on you.”

Their exchange carried a weight that hinted at a far more complicated story than I knew.

Once it ended, I turned to Yurina. “What about you?”

“I’m fine with it. Normally, I’d go home every break, but this time, there’s no need.” She smiled faintly, holding back the words “Thanks to you, Dale.”

Great!

With everyone on board, it looked like we really could explore that ruin this summer. It wouldn’t be easy, but with this party, we could clear the ruin without much trouble. As always, I had no intention of throwing myself into the fight too much.

Sure, my growth was important, but guiding the others was just as necessary. After all, I had already achieved the growth I had been aiming for when I mastered Blazing Fire. It was more than I had expected, honestly, enough that I still couldn’t fully control it. Now, it was time to focus on leading my companions instead.

At that moment, Berald spoke up with a troubled look on his face. “Ah, sorry, Brother. This summer break, I think I’ll have to head home.”

Yurina tilted her head, asking what I wanted to, “Something going on with your family?”

Berald nodded, a wry smile on his lips. “My father’s been in poor health. I should return home and look after him during the break.”

A soft sigh escaped Yurina’s lips. “Oh! Yeah, if that’s the case, then it can’t be helped. Guess it’ll just be the four of us, without Berald.”

I shook my head and looked toward Berald. “No, that won’t be necessary. The ruin I was planning to explore this time happens to be in the Republic anyway.”

“A ruin in the Republic?”

The Republic was well-known for not having many ruins.

Berald looked at me, eyes wide. “Wait, Brother, did you purposely choose a ruin in the Republic?”

I nodded. “I told you before, didn’t I? That during the break, I’d come to your home and look for a way to treat your father.”

The memory seemed to resurface for him, and Berald let out a soft gasp. “Ah! You mean, you’re really coming?”

“Of course, idiot. Did you think I said that just for show?”

Berald sniffled loudly, tears welling up in his eyes. Suddenly, he jumped to his feet. “Brotheeeeer!”

He threw himself at me, hugging me tightly, his tear and snot-streaked face rubbing against my cheek.

I struggled desperately to peel him off. “Gah! L-let go of me, you bastard!”

When he did let me go, I grabbed some tissues from the table to wipe the disgusting mess off my face. Then I said, “Look, to be honest, I can’t say for sure whether I’ll be able to heal him or not.”

Berald grinned, brushing it off. “Heh. Just the fact that you’re willing to come is more than enough.”

“So then, when do we set out?” Iris asked.

I replied, “Tomorrow. Let’s leave right away. Is everyone okay with that?”

Iris and Yurina nodded.

“Yes, no problem.”

“I’m fine too.”

Just like that, our first destination for summer break was decided. We would be going to Berald’s home.

***

The city lay under the cover of night. Countless lights glimmered like stars, filling the heart of the metropolis with a dazzling glow.

High above, a lone woman sat precariously on the edge of a skyscraper. Her violet hair swayed gently in the breeze as she kicked her legs lazily, stretching her arms and yawning. “So boring. When are they going to show up?”

At that moment, the rooftop door slammed open, and a squad of heroes in black suits rushed out, quickly surrounding her.

The violet-haired woman grinned wickedly as she glanced around at her would-be captors. “Oh, finally here?”

One of them raised his sword, his face taut with nerves. “Laxasia! You’re completely surrounded— Ugh!”

Before he could finish, elongated claws pierced through his throat.

The woman slowly rose to her feet and walked toward him with graceful, deliberate steps. “Surrounded? Don’t you get it? I’m the one who lured you all here.”

Then, she ripped his head clean off. Holding the lifeless trophy in her hand, she turned back to the others and winked playfully.

The male heroes’ eyes glazed over, their expressions melting into vacant awe. They stared at her slack-jawed, as though spellbound.

“Ah!”

“She’s… too beautiful!”

Their female comrades shook them urgently.

“What are you all doing?”

“Snap out of it!”

However, the men remained entranced, unable to break free. The women drew their weapons in desperation.

“Tch! Kill her!”

“Haaah!”

But before they could strike the target, violet thorns burst from the ground, impaling them where they stood.

“Sorry, ladies. I’m not interested in you. It’s best you keep quiet.” The woman strolled among the remaining men. “Hmm, this one’s eyes aren’t very appealing. That one’s nose doesn’t suit me. And ugh, this guy’s just plain ugly.”

With each step, heads rolled, tumbling across the rooftop. By the time she had made a full circle, not a single hero was left alive.

She turned her gaze toward the city lights below, her expression one of disappointment. “Haah! I really need to find the Legacy of the Iron Fist and get out of here. Honestly, it’s impossible to find a decent-looking man in this Republic.”

Her tongue slid across her lips as her eyes glimmered with greedy anticipation. “Isn’t there at least one perfect blond pretty-boy out there for me?”

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