SRC 23

Swoosh.

While I was lost in deep thought, a piece of chalk flew toward my face and stopped precisely in front of my forehead.

“Why are you so openly staring outside during my class?”

Of all times, it had to be Saint-sensei’s Imperial History class.

The sharp gaze I encountered every day at the main gate was now directed at me.

I have to answer this well.

My instincts warned me that otherwise, I’d be in serious trouble.

“I was just… looking at the sky because the weather is nice.”

“Your gaze was directed downward.”

“The ground is… nice too.”

Sweating coldly, I answered while Saint-sensei stared at me.

Under that gaze, it felt like my heart would burst at any moment.

The teacher released the magic holding up the chalk.

The chalk snapped in half and fell to the floor.

Instead of responding to me, Saint-sensei walked to the window to check what was on the ground.

Most likely, the S-Class students training outside caught his eye.

“No matter how young you are, you must focus during class.”

“I’m sorry.”

To show sincerity, I stood up and bowed deeply.

But that method didn’t work on the strict Saint-sensei.

“It seems you wish to see the students outside so badly. I’ll let you look to your heart’s content. Go out right now and run ten laps around the field.”

“What? Right now?”

The field was right next to the swordsmanship training grounds.

Running ten laps now would mean showing my embarrassing 모습 to the S-Class students.

Naturally, Lucas would see me too.

The one who pitied him would become the object of pity instead.

“What’s the matter? You’ll be able to look at the S-Class student you want as much as you like.”

At the teacher’s words, the class began whispering.

Did they misunderstand, just like he did? Did they think I had special feelings for one of the S-Class students?

“I wasn’t looking at S-Class students. I was just feeling the energy of the earth. I was wondering how to use earth magic better.”

Despite my weak excuse, Saint-sensei only scoffed.

“Then go and feel the earth with your whole body.”

Firmly, he pointed toward the classroom door with the stick he always carried.

I don’t want to.

…If I said that, I’d immediately get demerit points.

If demerits piled up, I’d have to do volunteer work instead of classes at the academy.

That would be even more humiliating.

“…I’ll be back.”

In the end, I had no choice but to drag my heavy legs out of the classroom.

Siana gave me a curious look rather than a sympathetic one.

More than anyone, she looked eager to know which S-Class student I had been watching.

On the way to the field, I prayed that S-Class’s swordsmanship class would end early.

That suddenly a wall would appear between the training grounds and the field so they couldn’t see me.

Or should I hide my identity?

But I had already left the classroom empty-handed, without even a scrap of cloth to cover myself.

As I stepped onto the field, the S-Class students began throwing glances my way.

Their eyes seemed to say, Why is she boldly outside during class?

Of course, Lucas was among them.

Seeing someone I knew made the embarrassment even worse.

For a moment, I wondered if I could just run away if Saint-sensei was too focused on class to notice.

But when I looked up, not only the teacher but also my classmates were watching me from the window.

Aren’t you having an important lesson?

Don’t you all want to listen to your fun history class?

“Olivia?”

Of all people, Lucas’s puzzled voice drifted to my ears.

I awkwardly raised my hand in greeting.

“Haha, hi, Lucas. Unfortunately, I’m not that glad to see you.”

“Why are you out here?”

“Well… anyway, there’s a reason. I’m not skipping class, so don’t worry.”

Even the swordsmanship teacher who was instructing S-Class showed interest in me.

After glancing up at Saint-sensei watching from our classroom window, he seemed to understand the situation and didn’t say anything.

As I started trudging along gloomily, Saint-sensei mimed striking his hand with his stick.

Do I really have no choice but to run?

The field felt bigger than usual today.

Who made it this ridiculously huge?

It feels like the entire school could stand here.

Grinding my teeth, I clenched my fists.

Then I started running with all my strength.

Was it my imagination?

It felt like I could hear the S-Class students snickering.

Even in the brief moment our eyes met, Lucas’s gaze toward me was filled with sympathy.

This isn’t right…!

The situation had completely reversed from earlier.

“Run hard!”

“Be careful, Olivia!”

My classmates even whistled and cheered from the window.

By the last few laps, I was practically crawling, barely finishing all ten.

As I stood there catching my breath, applause began from among the S-Class students.

Were they praising me or mocking me?

Either way, I was too embarrassed to lift my head.

Doing my best not to look toward Lucas, I squeezed out the last of my strength and hurried back up to the classroom floor.

Let me get caught slacking in Saint-sensei’s class again next time.

I can’t promise I’ll never slack off, so I made a half-hearted vow as I reentered the classroom.

I prayed desperately that it wouldn’t come.

But Friday arrived without fail.

Since I had already made a promise, I couldn’t cancel now.

In the end, I forced my reluctant feet toward the club room.

While taking deep breaths and debating whether to open the door, a voice suddenly came from behind me.

“Hi.”

Startled, I awkwardly turned around.

“O-oh, hi.”

This time, Lucas hadn’t arrived earlier; he showed up after me.

I quickly scanned his face, but thankfully, there was no sign of mockery or teasing toward me.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going in?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, I am.”

When I opened the door, the room was empty, as expected for a Friday when the club was off.

While pulling desks together to prepare for studying, Lucas remained silent.

As I kept sneaking glances at him, he must have felt my gaze and spoke first.

“If you have something to say, you can say it.”

“I probably don’t…?”

“Probably? Then can we start studying?”

“Oh? Oh.”

I sat down, feeling slightly dazed.

Lucas didn’t even look at me. He opened his book and continued the lesson from last time.

Throughout the session, he didn’t bring up anything else.

I was worried for nothing?

I thought he would ask about the field incident or tease me today, but he didn’t at all.

Thanks to that, I was able to focus more and more on the lesson he was teaching.

Just like last time, I felt it again—Lucas might not be warm, but he was a kind teacher.

Especially in how he never gave up and kept explaining until I understood something I didn’t know.

The more he did that, the more his score rose inside my heart.

“Thanks to you, it was really easy to understand again today. Thank you, Lucas.”

“It’s nothing.”

At my praise, Lucas’s ears turned red again.

Finally, his gaze turned toward me.

“Were you okay?”

“Huh? About what?”

“You looked pretty exhausted.”

Ah, so it finally came up.

I forced a smile over my burning face and answered.

“Oh, that. I got caught slacking off in class and ended up being punished. Just forget about it.”

“Okay.”

“Please don’t tell anyone.”

Especially someone like Liam, who would definitely seize the chance to humiliate me properly.

“I haven’t told anyone.”

From his serious, even tone, it seemed true.

I was even grateful for the way he worried about me without teasing.

So much so that I wanted to repay him somehow.

“Oh right, when should we have that meal together?”

“A meal?”

“Did you forget? Since you’re tutoring me, my sister said she’d treat you to a meal as thanks.”

“Oh, Emma noona….”

Look at this honest boy.

The moment I mentioned Emma, he let slip a subtle smile I’d never seen directed at me.

Despite his usual demeanor, he was surprisingly obvious with his feelings.

“When would be good for you?”

“I’m fine anytime.”

He was clearly prepared.

I liked his proactive attitude even more.

“Then I’ll ask my sister about her schedule.”

“Okay. Let me know once it’s decided.”

Just wait, Lucas.

I may be like this, but I always repay my debts.

I’ll make sure you and my sister end up together!