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Chapter 29
“What now, why can’t I?”
“…This is driving me crazy.”
The two of them faced each other, shaking their heads as if they simply couldn’t understand one another.
Watching Ellen sigh in frustration, Rune let out a dumbfounded laugh.
She recalled the day not long ago when she had bumped into him after coming out of his room’s bathroom.
“I told you to come out fully dressed!”
“Why so sensitive over a guy showing a bit of arms and legs?”
Even though she had been wearing clothes—just a sleeveless shirt and pants—he had practically trembled in shock.
Ever since then, whenever Ellen went to use the bathroom, he would slip out of the room altogether to avoid her.
Considering that mercenaries often stripped down without hesitation, his behavior was strangely unusual.
“I’m not even telling you to use the public washroom, so why make such a big deal? You must’ve been uncomfortable too, but this works out, doesn’t it?”
“Forget it. The semester has started—there’ll be more people coming and going in the washroom anyway.”
He was right. On training days like today, the public washrooms overflowed with students.
Rather than waiting their turn to share a private bathroom with their roommate, most cadets would rush to the public facilities to quickly wash the sweat off their bodies.
Rune also wanted to throw everything off and wash freely, but… oh well.
At least, there were ways around it—like using the facilities in the early morning or late at night to avoid people.
Besides, after a recent large-scale renovation, the Academy’s washrooms had been upgraded with proper facilities.
“It’s fine. All the senior students are out on missions, so no one will be around. I’ll just go wash when it quiets down.”
“Stop overthinking and just come to my room. Anyway, my roommate said he’ll be back late tonight.”
Ellen’s eyes suddenly shifted past Rune’s shoulder.
Clicking his tongue with annoyance—persistent as ever—he turned away.
“Go wait there first.”
“What? Where are you suddenly going!”
Without answering, he pulled something from his pocket and tossed it to her. Instinctively catching it, Rune realized it was his room key.
Before she could protest, Ellen disappeared from the training grounds at lightning speed.
Good grief… no wonder he had received a special-class evaluation at the entrance exam. Rune stood stunned at his agility.
“Huff, huff… Ah! Damn it, I lost him again.”
A familiar voice came from behind. Turning, she saw Ethan bent over, catching his breath.
Ah, so that’s why Ellen bolted.
“Sir Ethan. Wouldn’t it be faster to just visit the dormitory?”
Rune offered sympathetically, but Ethan grimaced and shook his head.
“Haah… I’d like to, but unfortunately, even as Lord Cailian’s aide, I can’t enter the dorms without permission.”
It had been the same for days. Every time Ethan came to the training grounds, Ellen would sense him and vanish.
‘He hates him that much, but it’s not like I can force him to meet… troublesome.’
Yes—the fourth thing Rune had learned about Ellen: he utterly despised his half-brother, Sir Ethan.
Caught between them, Rune couldn’t take sides, which left her in a very awkward position.
‘Even if they’re only half-brothers, to hate him this much…’
On the other hand, Ethan clearly cared deeply for his younger brother. Because of that, Rune’s sympathy leaned slightly toward him.
Ethan sighed heavily, worry on his face.
“Ugh… Is he doing alright at least? Still, with you by his side, I feel relieved.”
“No, if anything, I’m the one relying on Ellen more. I only feel guilty that the letter of recommendation put him in a difficult position.”
When Rune apologized awkwardly, Ethan waved it off with a smile.
“Ah, don’t worry about that. Anyway, for our family, the name of House Heraith will always follow us like a shadow.”
He added with a shrug, “If we couldn’t endure even that, we wouldn’t be Grimaldies.”
“Well, I was hoping to see him today since I’ll be in the Imperial City for a while… but I suppose it won’t be easy.”
“Will Lord Cailian also be going?”
“Yes, so you won’t see him for a while either.”
Come to think of it, Cailian—who sometimes visited the training grounds to watch—hadn’t been around lately.
Strangely, Rune felt disappointed by that thought and forced a faint smile.
“He must be very busy.”
“As you know, many seek him, both inside and outside the Academy.”
Ethan, looking tired, rubbed his temples before suddenly snapping his fingers.
“Ah, about that request you made earlier—the student named Jun Dinilo, right?”
Rune’s eyes widened.
“You’ve found news of him?”
Since the entrance ceremony, searching for Jun had been her first priority. Not only because she wanted to see him, but also because she had to deliver news to Marlin.
What Rune hadn’t realized, however, was just how enormous the Academy was—much larger than the military academy she knew. Finding someone in the general division was no easy task.
Plus, with dormitories restricted, she couldn’t even go into Jun’s building. That made the search much slower. Fortunately, Ethan’s help seemed to have paid off.
He smiled and nodded.
“That student is currently in the Imperial City.”
“The Imperial City?”
“Yes, there’s a quarterly academic conference hosted by the Imperial family. He went along with his professors.”
“Ah… an Imperial conference? That’s impressive.”
Rune scratched her neck awkwardly, surprised. She’d heard Jun was always among the top students, but this news was far beyond her expectations.
“It’s not common for a general division student. But he has excellent grades and has been assisting professors with research.”
“I see…”
A warm smile tugged at her lips. Jun hadn’t even returned during breaks, devoting himself entirely to his studies. Rune felt proud of the effort and achievement he must have put in.
“The conference will end in about two weeks. If I happen to see him, I’ll let him know you’re looking for him.”
“Thank you. I know you must be busy.”
“Think nothing of it. Well then, I must be off. We’ll meet again soon.”
With a short farewell, Ethan hurried away.
Rune longed to share the news with Marlin quickly, but it seemed she would have to wait until Jun returned.
Back at the dormitory, Rune gathered her wash kit and headed to Ellen’s room across the hall. Better to wash before he freaked out again.
Just as she reached for the door handle and key—
Click.
The handle turned easily, though she thought it was locked.
‘Huh? Did he come back already?’
It was unusual—when Ellen disappeared, he rarely returned before dinner. From inside, she sensed movement.
“What’s this, Ellen? You’re back early to—”
Stepping in casually, she froze at the sight of a broad chest blocking her way.
“…Who are you?”
The man—hair tousled as though just woken—scratched his chest through a rolled-up tunic.
“Yaaawn—And who are you barging into someone else’s room, huh?”
His eyes widened in surprise. Then his face lit up with joy.
“No way! You—you’re Rune, aren’t you?!”
Without hesitation, he spread his muscular arms wide and yanked her into a hug.
“Come here, you brat! Let me hug you!”
“Wait—what the hell?!”
He lifted Rune off the ground, spinning her around with booming laughter.
“Wahaha! Our young master’s gotten even prettier since last time!”
Rune blinked, utterly lost. She had never seen this guy among her squadmates before.
“Hahaha! You been eating properly? You’re skinny like a paper doll!”
“Hey—put me down, argh!”
But crushed in his absurdly thick arms, her protests went unheard.
Clearly, he had no intention of letting go. She’d have to force her way out.
Pale with frustration, she tightened her core, swung her leg over his shoulder, and locked her thigh around him. His reddish-brown eyes widened in shock.
“Whoa—?”
Taking advantage of the opening, Rune grabbed his collar and snarled:
“Clench your teeth.”
Then, arching her back, she flipped him with brutal force.
The massive body soared through the air in a wide arc.
CRASH!
He slammed into the far corner of the room.
Tap.
Rune twisted midair and landed lightly on her feet. Straightening her disheveled clothes, she clicked her tongue.
“What a lunatic.”
“Uuugh…”
Crushed on the bed, the curly-haired giant groaned, clutching his face. Rune had expected him to pass out, but apparently his body was as tough as his size.
“Still conscious? Guess you can take a beating.”
Cracking her shoulders, she stepped toward him, making him jolt upright in panic.
“Wait, wait! It hurts! I’m hurt already!”
Clutching his swollen cheek, he began to whimper—ridiculously at odds with his muscular frame.
“Sniff… You! Damn it, who hits like that?!”
Rune, ready to hit him again, faltered at the unexpected reaction.
“What’s going on here?”
“Ellen?”
He had returned without her noticing. Standing at the door, Ellen sighed at the messy scene.
“The room’s a disaster again.”
Taking off his jacket, he stepped inside and cast a glance at the curly-haired man.
“So much for being close with Marquis Este’s family. Seems it was only one-sided… Daniel Tutor.”
“…Wait. Daniel?”
Rune frowned, doubting her ears, while the man shouted back indignantly through tears.
“Yeah! It’s me, Daniel, damn it!”
