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Chapter 43
Kenneth Lindel.
A genius who nearly graduated at the top of the Capital Academy, but dropped out in his final year because studying didn’t suit him.
“So….”
Kenneth was exactly that insane person who had been a fourth-year student at a prestigious university and then dropped out in the last semester.
Everyone was so shocked because he had been on the verge of graduating at the top of his class. Even in the original story, there was a depiction of all the Academy professors rushing out to stop him.
“That just goes to show he really is a genius.”
One of the top strategists in the story, a man who provided the most decisive help in establishing the guild alongside the original protagonist.
“I absolutely need him.”
For me, trying to rebuild the family, he was indispensable.
As I sipped my teacup, seriously pondering how to recruit him,
“W-what is this? Where are you taking me?!”
A bit of commotion came from beyond the tightly shut glass door.
“Is it him?”
I put down my cup after taking the last sip.
At that moment, without anyone saying anything, the door suddenly swung open.
“?!”
Matthias strode in through the terrace, carrying a robust man in his arms. Staring blankly at the sight, I slowly parted my lips.
“Ma-Matthias.”
“Hmm.”
Seeing me, Matthias answered meekly like a gentle lamb. I glanced sideways at the man who was obediently held in his arms.
“I… I did tell you to bring him.”
But this wasn’t exactly what I meant by “bring him.”
I looked over the two of them with a slightly conflicted heart. The man being carried quietly then turned to me, his eyes widening like lanterns.
His mouth moved like a fish, clearly embarrassed. His face was gradually turning bright red with deep shame.
Feeling pity for the man who had been dragged into a princess-style hug, I turned my gaze back to Matthias.
“Please put him down now, Matthias…”
At this rate, he’s going to cry.
“…I’m sorry.”
I hadn’t imagined he would be brought in like that… no, I hadn’t imagined he’d be brought at all.
He must have felt quite embarrassed on the way up, so I quietly lowered my head.
Matthias also nodded slightly, conveying his apology.
After receiving our apologies, the man—Kenneth—gulped down the cold water a staff member had brought.
He slammed the empty cup down with a bang! and glared at Matthias with resentment.
“This is the most humiliating kidnapping I’ve ever experienced in my life.”
“……”
“I would have been less embarrassed if I had been treated like a mere bundle of goods!”
Even just recalling it left him incredulous. Kenneth, detailing how mortifying it was to come all the way to this terrace, sighed deeply.
He swept his blue hair back once and lifted his eyes slyly.
“Why did you want to meet me? Especially since this is our first time meeting. Did you… perhaps fall for me?”
“……”
As soon as he said that, Matthias’ face went cold. Fearing he might charge at him, I quickly restrained Matthias.
“I saw what happened earlier.”
“Huh? Ah—.”
Kenneth nodded, as if understanding what I meant.
“I said a few words when you tried to swindle me. You threw a tantrum and challenged me. You should’ve done business with some conscience.”
He crossed his long legs and sneered coldly. The crooked smirk on his lips looked extremely irritating to me.
“So, did you bring me here out of curiosity about who would make such a fuss?”
“……”
“People were already staring at us. If that’s the reason, it seems you didn’t have much else to do…”
Kenneth paused mid-sentence for a moment.
I, startled, looked to the side. In the blink of an eye, Matthias had reached for the other man—targeting the neck, where he could choke him instantly.
Kenneth, who had been talking freely, quickly rolled his eyes and shut his mouth.
I quickly grabbed Matthias’ outstretched arm.
“Matthi.”
His mocking attitude was irritating, yes, but it didn’t justify threatening someone like this.
Besides, I knew Kenneth’s personality: brash and outspoken. He always had to say what he thought, so this reaction was entirely predictable.
I understood Matthias’ intentions, but there was no need to turn him into an enemy right now.
“No, Matthias.”
“……But—”
“I said no.”
Only after I repeated it several times did Matthias’ hand return to its place, which had been poised to twist the neck. Kenneth, watching the threat recede, swallowed hard.
Still, it seemed the earlier incident had shocked him. For the first time, he checked my reaction and cleared his throat awkwardly to ease the tension.
‘I thought his aggressiveness had softened recently.’
I assumed he was adjusting to life in the mansion, but he hadn’t completely changed his old habits. Seeing him reach out like that confirmed it.
‘I need to make this very clear.’
From now on, he would live not in a vile, illegal slave camp, but under warm sunlight in the world above.
With a change in environment, there would be no need for extreme violence.
To stand on his own and maintain relationships with others, behavior correction was necessary.
‘I appreciate the intent to protect me, but…’
Threatening others like this was never right.
“I’m sorry for what happened earlier. I’m sure you were very embarrassed as well.”
“…Ahem. No, it’s fine.”
Kenneth replied with an awkward smile after clearing his throat. After calming the overheated atmosphere, I carefully began.
“The reason I suddenly brought you here… is that I want to make you a recruitment offer.”
“Recruitment?”
He looked surprised at my words, then nodded as if he understood.
“Is this for a private business? Or a guild?”
“For my family’s guild. To be precise, it’s still in the planning stage.”
Even hearing there was no concrete plan didn’t surprise Kenneth much.
“Well, I suspected as much. If it were an ongoing business, you’d have presented a contract or business plan right away. That’s what most people who came to see me did.”
I vaguely understood his point. The Capital Academy only admitted elites, and Kenneth had maintained top grades there. It was impossible he hadn’t received recruitment offers before.
“Since you came specifically for me, you must already know something about me.”
“Yes. At least your name, family, and school…”
I raised the corner of my mouth slightly in a faint smile.
“…and that you have an unpredictable personality.”
“So you already know everything, then.”
Kenneth calmly clasped his hands, remarking that it should make things easy.
“If you know all that, you can probably guess what my answer will be.”
“Exactly.”
He would certainly refuse.
