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Chapter 29
“Ugh! Huff!”
Even though the final exams were over, the fire in the training grounds hadn’t gone out.
Thud!
“What’s up, Kyle? What’s got you fired up again?”
Fabian plopped down onto the ground, letting his long spear rest beside him, and asked Kyle, who was swinging his sword with intensity.
Kyle paused for a moment, retrieving his sword, and glanced at Fabian, who was sitting on the floor.
“It’s not like I’m fired up or anything.”
“Come on, don’t be ridiculous. You’re swinging your sword this late, and you say you’re not fired up?”
Fabian asked again with an intrigued expression, but Kyle only gave a faint smile and resumed swinging his sword.
“Huff!”
“Kyle, talk to me. Why are you doing this?”
“Fabian, aren’t you training?”
“Are you doing this because of the Dungeon Studies exam?”
“…Nope.”
Kyle lowered his sword briefly in response to Fabian’s question, then shook his head.
“Then what is it?”
“Just… I felt I couldn’t stay still.”
“What?”
Fabian asked in confusion, but Kyle silently continued to swing his sword.
“….”
After watching Kyle silently for a moment, Fabian picked up his spear and began training alongside him.
Some time passed.
Thud!
Both of them finally dropped their weapons and collapsed onto the ground, panting.
Fabian, lying down, turned his head toward Kyle.
“Were you upset?”
“Huh?”
“About losing the top score? Honestly, I was really annoyed. I still can’t believe we lost.”
“I wasn’t that upset. I just…”
“Heh, so you’re not upset, yet you swing your sword like a maniac even though exams are over?”
Fabian muttered with a smirk.
“Honestly, I don’t like Kylem Baird.”
To Fabian, Kylem Baird was not a person he liked. Rumor had it he had a great background and incredible potential, but his arrogant and selfish personality clashed completely with Fabian.
If Kyle weren’t involved with him, Fabian would have been the first to confront him.
“Did Kylem do something to you?”
“No, not really. I just don’t like the way he acts.”
“What do you mean?”
Fabian trailed off, then continued.
“He’s annoying.”
“……?”
“Who would like someone from a good family, blessed with talent, running around like he owns the place?”
“Really?”
“Yeah. People like that are just… not my type.”
Shaking his head, Fabian added,
“Also, I’ve heard rumors that he cheated on the exam. Had all the strategy items for the dungeon bosses ready, apparently. Otherwise, how else could he have been faster than us?”
Kyle shook his head slightly.
“That probably isn’t true.”
“Huh? Really? Did you hear something, Kyle?”
“No, not exactly, but…”
Kyle trailed off, then stood up.
“Kylem was serious.”
“What?”
“Did you see his expression after the exam?”
“No, why would I?”
“I don’t know how the rumors started, but I think they’re nonsense. Ugh!”
Kyle got up, gripping his sword again.
“That’s why I need to get stronger.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Fabian chuckled and shook his head, looking at Kyle’s sword.
“So you are fired up, huh?”
He picked up his spear and stood.
“Then I’ll train with you. I’ll help.”
And so, the two of them trained late into the night, relentlessly honing their skills.
Back at the dorm, I opened the mini-fridge immediately.
Gulp gulp!
“Ah, that feels better.”
Drinking a glass of cold apple juice to the last drop, it felt like all the stress had washed away.
I felt the weight in my pockets and nodded slightly.
“Hmm, today’s earnings weren’t bad.”
Steak and lobster from the cafeteria, desserts like cookies and fancy-made Madeleine in luxurious wrapping.
“With this, I don’t have to worry for at least a week.”
I sorted the items in my pockets, glancing at the secret storage packed to the brim, and smiled contentedly.
“Yeah, this is life.”
Living isn’t just about achieving goals; it’s also about having some comfort and filling the gaps in life.
Thud!
I threw myself onto the bed.
“Home really is the best.”
There’s nothing better than relaxing comfortably in the place you made your own. Full stomach, comfortable body…
Could there be anything better?
I definitely didn’t want to go outside and deal with annoying people.
“…The outside is dangerous.”
Okay, even if it’s only for two weeks, I’m not leaving my bed during the remaining break.
That’s my reward, the payoff for all the effort I’ve put in.
Lost in these thoughts, I was resting when…
Knock knock!
A knock sounded at the closed door.
Who is it? Bren?
“…Bren?”
I approached the door and called his name, but a familiar voice replied.
“It’s me, Kylem.”
“…Huh?”
“The caretaker. Please open the door.”
Right. The person who came was the now-familiar maid caretaker.
But…
‘Why are they here all of a sudden? Something feels off.’
“I’m a bit tired today…”
“Open the door.”
“…Okay.”
With her firm insistence, I had no choice but to open the door.
Creak!
“Hello, Kylem.”
She greeted me with her usual bright smile. I awkwardly raised my hand.
“Ah, hello. But what is this about…?”
Before I could finish, she handed me something.
“This is a letter from Professor Zavir.”
“…Professor Zavir?”
It sounded familiar.
“Yes, the head professor of magic.”
“Why would they send me a letter?”
“I’m not sure. You’ll have to read it yourself. Well, I’ll be going…”
She bowed slightly and began to leave, then paused and looked back at me.
“Oh, right!”
“……?”
“Congratulations on avoiding expulsion from the academy, Kylem. That’s all from me.”
Caught off guard by her unexpected congratulations, I didn’t respond.
Thunk!
She closed the door after finishing her task, leaving me holding the letter. I quickly tore it open to see what it said:
Kylem Baird, there’s something we need to discuss. Come to my office by 10 a.m. tomorrow.
—Professor Fellon Zavir
“What? Suddenly?”
I froze, staring at the letter in disbelief.
I followed the instructions in the letter. Someone must be waiting for me in the office.
Yeah, I can understand being called, but…
‘Fellon Zavir.’
The name alone gave me a bad feeling, reminding me of someone from the original story.
He wasn’t a major character, just an honorable, prideful old man who tried to use Kyle for his reputation, only to be dishonored and forced into retirement.
‘Kind of similar to Kylem, in a way…’
Why is he suddenly calling me?
Phew.
I arrived at his office and took a deep breath before knocking.
Bang!
“Damn it! That bastard!”
I heard someone shouting angrily inside.
“……?”
Is someone fighting in there?
Bang!
The door swung open, revealing an old man with a flushed face and white beard.
He looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“Hmm? Kylem?”
“Oh, hello, Professor Fellon.”
The old man was none other than the head professor of magic, Fellon Zavir.
“Ah, yes, we were supposed to meet. Come inside!”
Following Professor Zavir, I entered his office. He asked,
“Tea? Coffee? Water? Anything you want?”
“…Just water, please.”
“Not a bad choice.”
Professor Zavir paced around the office, still visibly irritated.
‘Why is he so angry? And more importantly, why did he call me here?’
Thud!
“This is mineral water from Lake McGal. Quite expensive, so don’t spill it.”
“Oh, thank you.”
I drank the water, tasting a subtle sweetness.
‘Is this really that expensive?’
Then he spoke again:
“So, I think you have a rough idea why I called you here?”
“Uh…?”
Suddenly, I had no idea what he was talking about.
Professor Zavir stroked his white beard.
“There will be extraordinary guests at the Magic Academy Seminar. You must succeed.”
“……Huh?”
Wait, this is worrying. Magic Academy Seminar?
“Since you’re a prodigy, Kylem, you shouldn’t worry. But it’s rare for a new student to get this chance, so know that.”
Cough!
“Drink it slowly, don’t spill it.”
Magic demonstration?
So, he’s telling me I’ll be performing a magic demonstration at the academy seminar?
Suddenly?
“…Professor…”
“Hmm?”
“So you mean… I’m in charge of the magic demonstration at the upcoming seminar?”
“Yes, exactly. It’s a great honor for a student in the academy.”
Damn. Honor my foot.
And why am I suddenly being asked to do this?
