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Chapter 52
Adrian’s forehead wrinkled deeply.
“That’s different from this.”
“What’s different?”
Only then did Lionel finally take his eyes off Jaeylin and look straight at Adrian, as if he truly didn’t understand.
“It was an official disciplinary committee. Lots of students were watching. It had nothing to do with you. Don’t tell me you’re unaware of your position and influence here at the academy.”
“What does that matter? I helped because I wanted to help, that’s all.”
“Ha, right. You’re always like this. Shoving things at people they never asked for, then convincing yourself it’s some kind of kindness. How do you even reason with someone like that?”
Giving up on the conversation, Adrian gave Lionel a hard shove on the shoulder as he passed by.
Stefan’s voice called after him, but Adrian never once looked back.
[Academy Network / Chat Threads]
[Pharmacy / Chundragora] Jaeylin? What’s with that kid from Magic Design? What’s his deal with Lionel?
[Sociology / LazyLife] Huh? What happened??
[Pharmacy / Chundragora] They held a disciplinary hearing today about the cheating during the monster simulation exam. I heard Lionel went all out protecting some kid named Jaeylin.
[Magic Design / SweetCottonCandy] Ughhh, that kid is soooo annoying! Drives me nuts. Why is Lord Lionel even defending trash like that? He must’ve pulled some trick, so why are the professors just letting it slide!!!
[Swordsmanship / Kwoooo] LOL isn’t Jaeylin a senior from your department? You said you were a first-year. How dare you call a fourth-year by name like that.
[Magic Design / SweetCottonCandy] What are you even talking about? Mind your own business, boomer. And I never said I was a first-year, idiot.
[Swordsmanship / Kwoooo] ;;;;;;
[Magic Design / GimmeManaStones] Senior, my ass. I heard he was supposed to enter as a first-year but transferred straight into fourth-year. He’s gotta have some serious backing, no? LOL
[Magic Design / SweetCottonCandy] What?? Then he’s actually a first-year?? That’s ridiculous, hahaha.
[Swordsmanship / Kwoooo] Talking about backing, LOL. If connections could get you in, why are all those noble brats out there failing over and over to even set foot here? Plenty fail three, four times and never make it.
[Magic Design / GimmeManaStones] Maybe his family’s so weak they can’t even use their backing properly.
[Public Administration / GoldenCastle] That’s just Lionel’s personality, lol. He’s basically kind to everyone. Even to nobodies like me—he greets me by name in the hallways.
[Magic Design / SweetCottonCandy] Pfft, that’s not the same. That’s just greetings. This time he stepped in and defended him directly! Ughhh I hate it, I can’t stand itttt.
[Public Administration / GoldenCastle] Maybe the guy begged him for help, who knows. Why are you yelling at me lol.
[Magic Design / SweetCottonCandy] I don’t knoooow. It’s just so annoying. Where did that kid pop out from, hovering around Lionel like that? Lionel’s mine~~ㅠㅜ
[Pharmacy / Chundragora] Since when was Lionel yours? Stop spouting nonsense…
[Diplomacy / OverTheHills] Yeah, no way^^;;
[Magic Design / SweetCottonCandy] Ugh, I just want that kid gone from the academy. Seriously, LOL. They should’ve expelled him at the hearing today.
[Public Administration / SickOfStudying] Uh, hello? Don’t you see Sasha? She spends even more time with Lionel. Doesn’t that bother you? LOL.
[Magic Design / SweetCottonCandy] Oh, Lady Sasha is fine.
[Pharmacy / Chundragora] Excuse me??? How is that different, lolol.
[History / HistoryRepeats] Honestly, Lionel and Sasha look perfect together. Pretty sure they’ll get engaged right after graduation.
[Public Administration / SickOfStudying] Wait, they’re engaged?
[History / HistoryRepeats] Not yet.
[Public Administration / SickOfStudying] LOL what the heck, make up your mind.
[History / HistoryRepeats] Come on, it’s obvious. A thousand percent chance they’ll be engaged after graduation.
[Public Administration / SickOfStudying] How would you even know that? Don’t tell me you’re involved??
[History / HistoryRepeats] LOL no, idiot. Just look at the situation—it’s obvious.
[Public Administration / SickOfStudying] Not obvious to me. You’re not even one of them, how can you be so sure?
[Magic Design / SweetCottonCandy] I don’t care if Lionel marries Sasha. In the end, Lionel will be mine.
[Public Administration / SickOfStudying] …Wow. You’re even crazier than I thought.
[Magic Design / SweetCottonCandy] That’s it. From today I’m sticking to Lionel 24/7.
[Pharmacy / Chundragora] OMG creepy LOL, that’s straight-up stalking.
[Magic Design / SweetCottonCandy] What else can I do?? I hate when he’s nice to other peopleㅠㅜ
[Pharmacy / Chundragora] That’s some next-level obsession;;
[Swordsmanship / LionFromHell] Chill, LOL. You know Lionel hates being followed around, right?
[Magic Design / SweetCottonCandy] Nope, don’t care!!!
[Swordsmanship / LionFromHell] He had a bad experience once. Ever since then, he really can’t stand it.
[Swordsmanship / FlandelBlade] Ohhh, really?? Who was it?? Tell me, I’m dying to know!!!
[Swordsmanship / LionFromHell] Don’t wanna. If I say, you’ll just gossip, lol.
[Swordsmanship / FlandelBlade] Aww, come on!! Pleeease??
[Swordsmanship / FlandelBlade] Oh mighty and all-knowing LionFromHell, have mercy on us pitiful mortals and grant us enlightenment~~
[Pharmacy / Chundragora] LOL wow, look at that bootlicking. Not bad.
[Swordsmanship / LionFromHell] Tch, as if that would sway me. Words won’t cut it.
[Swordsmanship / FlandelBlade] I’m literally kneeling right now, tell me already.
[Swordsmanship / LionFromHell] Can’t see it.
[Swordsmanship / FlandelBlade] I’m kneeling in the middle of the first floor of the central hall. Come see me yourself.
[Economics / Sighhh] Ugh, fine. I’ll tell you. It was back when Lionel was a first-year. A third-year senior went way overboard—memorized his entire schedule, waited outside his classes, sat next to him at meals, even followed him to the bathroom.
[Swordsmanship / FlandelBlade] Whoa, like full-on stalking??
[Swordsmanship / LionFromHell] Yup. Totally blatant. Even took secret photos, LOL. Crazy freak.
[Swordsmanship / FlandelBlade] Freak? Freak??
[Aesthetics / GoldenRatio] Wait—was it a guy???
[Swordsmanship / LionFromHell] Yup, hahaha. Told you—followed him even into the bathroom.
[Swordsmanship / FlandelBlade] Yikes, that’s terrifying, LOL.
[Aesthetics / GoldenRatio] Lionel really is dangerously charming, huh. Being that good-looking must be exhausting.
[Swordsmanship / FlandelBlade] For real. Better to be moderately good-looking like me, haha. Don’t you get it?
[Pharmacy / Chundragora] ????? Snap out of it.
The first planning meeting for the end-of-term Monster Defense Simulation Exam began.
“This final exam is point-based. What matters is how many monsters you can defeat within the time limit. But that doesn’t mean killing the most monsters automatically gets you the highest score.”
“So tougher monsters are worth more points?”
“Correct, Iliana. Higher-difficulty monsters carry higher point values.”
At Lionel’s words, Nathan gave a low whistle.
“Then combat ability will be more important than anything this time.”
“Right. But I think it’s equally important to identify monsters we can defeat efficiently with the abilities we have.”
“That’s true. Like you said, the monsters that are advantageous to fight differ depending on the team’s strength. We should target ones that are easier for us to handle yet still worth a lot of points.”
Lionel nodded in agreement.
“Exactly. Before we begin, shall we choose the team leader first? Anyone want to volunteer?”
He looked around at the team members. No one raised a hand.
Since Lionel was already leading the discussion so skillfully, there was no reason for anyone else to step up.
When no one volunteered, Lionel spoke again.
“I have someone I’d like to recommend.”
That was unexpected. Most of them thought no one fit the leader role better than Lionel himself. Of course, they assumed he’d take the position. So why was he stepping back?
“Huh? Who? Were you going to recommend yourself?”
“No.”
Lionel shook his head at Nathan’s question. Nathan’s surprise was understandable—up until now, Lionel had always taken charge of group leadership.
Students who had worked with him before couldn’t understand why he would back down now.
Herenn, the healer who had been in Lionel’s team previously, asked half-heartedly, “So who is it then?”
“Adrian.”
At Lionel’s answer, everyone’s eyes turned toward Adrian.
Slouched in his chair, sweating buckets, he looked nothing like a reliable leader. He didn’t even seem interested in the meeting.
It was doubtful whether he was even following the discussion at all.
Iliana narrowed her eyes as she took in Adrian’s slouched posture.
“Are you serious, Lionel?”
But the reply didn’t come from Lionel. It came from Adrian.
“I don’t want it… I hate that kind of position.”
He picked up the sheet with the exam details, fanning himself weakly as he muttered. He looked even worse off than when Jaeylin had last seen him in the clubroom.
He seemed too drained even to throw a fit. Normally, he’d have exploded at being singled out by Lionel, but now his temper seemed dulled.
Still, the fact that he answered at all showed he was at least listening to the meeting.
