CICN 93

Chapter 93

“Vacation!”

“Hooray!”

As the bell rang to officially announce the end of the first semester at the Academy for Gifted Students, shouts of joy echoed all around.

The place where Ibi was sitting was no exception.

“It’s finally over!”

Ruska jumped up onto his chair, spreading his arms wide like a prisoner who had just escaped confinement.

Ibi clapped for him, while Irene, Arcel, and Professor Malles simply gave him the look of ‘There he goes again…’.

“Locked in the prison of school as punishment for the crime of being a student—ugh! Professor!”

Professor Malles had quietly walked over and tugged Ruska down by his ear.

“What? Prison? Punishment? You fool, studying is the duty of a student! How is that a punishment?”

“Ahhh, it hurts! You’re serious, Professor!”

Ruska howled dramatically, clutching at his ear. Irene covered hers in annoyance, as if thinking, This idiot is being stupid again today.

“Well, anyway, I guess that’s the end of the first semester.”

Releasing Ruska’s ear, Professor Malles spoke with a touch of regret. His gaze lingered proudly on the four children sitting before him.

At first, he had never planned to really teach anyone. His dream had always been a quiet professorship in name only—drawing a comfortable salary, focusing on his personal research, and retiring to live on a pension.

But things had changed.

And it was all thanks to Ibi.

When only one student had signed up for his class, he thought, If I send this kid packing quickly, I’ll have a quiet year.

He gave Ibi impossible assignments, waiting for him to give up.

But then… a blessing rolled right into my lap.

Everything he taught, Ibi grasped tenfold. Every single question the boy asked was so sharp that Malles couldn’t help but teach him with all his heart.

And Ibi hadn’t come alone—he had brought Irene, then Arcel, and even Ruska.

Teaching the four of them for a semester had awakened old memories. Memories of when he had first become a professor, when a few bright-eyed students had shone brightly among the complaints of others.

Around that time, a letter arrived from Lucie—a former student who still sent him greetings without fail.

For the first time in ages, Malles wrote back. And when Lucie came running to see him, she met Ibi and happily invited him to their alumni gathering. She even told Malles, “Everyone’s waiting for you too—please come.”

Hearing that, his heart stirred unexpectedly.

Am I getting old? He regretted how much he had distanced himself from precious things, simply because he disliked factional squabbles and pompous people.

Still, it’s not too late. Thank goodness.

When the second semester began and autumn arrived, there would be many gatherings.

I should take Ibi to meet my former students.

The thought of reuniting with his disciples—and introducing Ibi to them—filled him with anticipation.

If I bring him to smaller gatherings before the autumn ball, he won’t be overwhelmed.

Thinking about the autumn ball, however, gave Malles a headache.

The Autumn Ball was one of the grand seasonal festivals, marking the beginning of the autumn celebrations. Every notable noble family and institution would host banquets during that time.

The Academy was no exception—it hosted an exceptionally splendid ball.

Even the students, usually confined to uniforms, were allowed to wear formal attire that day, turning the ballroom into a dazzling spectacle.

I should have been able to escort my dear boy by the hand!

As chief professor, and with Ibi as his protégé, Malles had hoped to become his official patron. If Professor Sian Roshen turned out to be incompetent, Malles planned to take over immediately.

Then he could personally guide Ibi and accompany him to the Autumn Ball.

A child raised without privilege would surely be overwhelmed attending a royal banquet for the first time.

After all, the Academy’s Autumn Ball was really a stage for patrons. A place where they subtly competed, boasting of their protégés, while also forming powerful connections.

Important figures would be everywhere—it was a crucial networking event.

Compared to Sian, who never even showed his face, wouldn’t it be far better if he attended as Ibi’s patron?

That’s what he had thought, but…

“Professor! So what’s our vacation homework?”

Ruska’s loud voice suddenly jolted Malles from his thoughts.

Suppressing a sigh, he looked at the boy, who was clearly itching to run out the door already.

“Ruska, you’re to finish the entire Advanced Mathematics, Volume 1. Irene, just do the thirty problems I selected for you. Ibi and Arcel don’t need to do anything.”

“Whaaat?! Why only me!”

“Because you’re always scheming how to avoid studying, that’s why! Irene just needs a little extra practice, and Ibi and Arcel don’t need more right now.”

“It’s unfair!”

“Then complain to your laziness!”

Their bickering filled the classroom until finally, Malles clapped his hands.

“Now, off you go! I’ll probably be around the Academy often even during break, so if you’ve got questions—or if you’re bored—drop by.”

“Yes, sir!”

Ibi answered brightly, making Malles smile and wave warmly.

He gave Ruska a good whack on the head, though, when the boy muttered on his way out, “Who studies during vacation anyway?”

Malles waved until the four disappeared from sight.

Irene said Ibi will be staying at her house.

Watching Ibi laughing as he held Irene’s hand, the professor felt reassured that the boy wouldn’t be lonely during break.

* * *

Leaving the classroom, the four headed for the dorms, faces beaming.

Ruska shoved his homework into his bag with a grimace, muttering, Whatever, then turned to Ibi.

“Ibi, don’t forget! You’re definitely coming over to my house!”

“Of course! Definitely!”

Ibi answered with vigor. At that, Arcel cut in.

“Remember, you’re coming to my house first.”

“Of course!”

Hearing that, Ruska’s face fell again.

“Damn that draw…”

A few days earlier, the three of them had argued over whose house Ibi should visit first during break.

“I promised him first!”

“Where’s the proof? Maybe Ibi’s just too nice to say no to you!”

“What did you say?! You—!”

While Irene and Ruska bickered, Arcel calmly suggested, “Why don’t we settle it fairly by drawing lots?”

Irene resisted, insisting she’d already claimed him, but when Ruska refused to accept anything else, she reluctantly agreed.

The result: Irene first, Arcel second, Ruska third.

“This is rigged!”

“Justice prevails!”

As Ruska despaired and Irene celebrated, Arcel quietly muttered, As long as I’m not last…

Now, arriving at the square, Arcel and Ruska waved goodbye and headed to the boys’ dorms.

“See you later! I’ll write to Irene’s house!”

“See you, Ibi, Irene.”

With more waves, they parted, leaving Ibi and Irene to hurry toward the girls’ dormitory.

By the time they returned, the dorm was bustling with children rushing to leave for home.

“Let’s get ready too!”

“Yes!”

At Irene’s prompting, Ibi dashed into her room to change. She put on the same outfit she had worn when she first came to the Academy—and during the festival when she had gone out with Clois. It was the best outfit she owned.

She packed her belongings neatly into the large bag provided by the Academy, staggered under its weight, and came out.

“All ready?”

Outside, Irene was already waiting, also changed into a beautiful dress—just as elegant as the first day Ibi had seen her in the dorms.

“Irene, you look like a princess!”

Ibi clapped in awe. Irene twirled gracefully, flicking her hair as if to say, Admire me all you like.

Even in the Academy’s uniform, Irene’s beauty stood out. But in fine clothes, she was simply dazzling.

“Do you like this kind of outfit?”

“Yes! It’s beautiful! Especially on you, Irene!”

“Oh my, how can you always say exactly what I want to hear? Good thing you’re not a boy—otherwise I’d be proposing to you right now.”

Irene rubbed Ibi’s cheeks fondly with both hands.

“Well, since you said you like it…”

Her sly smile made Ibi uneasy.

Strange… Irene’s definitely planning something.

“Anyway, let’s go. I’ll carry your bag. Goodness, why is it so heavy?”

She effortlessly lifted the bag from Ibi’s shoulders and clicked her tongue.

“It’s heavy! Let me carry it!”

“Nonsense. How could you carry this?”

The two argued playfully all the way downstairs.

Outside, family carriages waited to pick up students.

Finding the Terins family carriage required no effort—it was impossible to miss. Parked right in front of the dormitory was a massive, ornate carriage, drawing everyone’s envious stares.

The Terins family coachman took Ibi’s luggage and respectfully opened the door.

“Wow… I’ve never ridden anything like this before.”

Ibi sat inside, glancing around nervously.

“Better not be surprised yet,” Irene said.

“Eh? Why not?”

Her smile turned mischievous.

“Because today, there’ll be plenty more things for you to be amazed at.”