077 – A s*xtacular Gift

The Academy’s temporary vacation ended.

The professors had begun their lectures once again, so the students naturally started attending them.

However, the Academy wasn’t maintaining the same peaceful atmosphere as before.

The biggest reason being…

“I think I’ll just take a leave of absence… it’s hard to even attend classes when I’m so self-conscious now.”

“Cl-close your mouth…!”

The political battle between the Eloise and Client Ducal families.

“Why are *you* acting like this too?”

“Watch your words…! Look how many nobles there are under the Eloise family…!”

“Ah…!”

On the surface, everything seemed fine.

It wasn’t as if two ducal houses were locking horns, poised to obliterate a noble lineage.

‘What in the world is going on?’

The common folk, detached from the machinations of dukes, were largely unaware that a conflict was even brewing. The ripples they felt were merely the gradual decay of businesses under the Client Dukedom’s patronage, diminishing their access to certain goods.

However…

For the nobles orbiting the Eloise and Client Houses, the present situation was akin to navigating a minefield. A dance of observation and strained smiles. One wrong step, aligning oneself with the falling side, could mean utter ruin for their family, roots and all.

“…Anyways, I’m just thinking about taking a leave of absence for personal reasons.”

“You’ll be back after, though, right?”

“If my house is still standing…”

For reasons such as these, most students continued their studies with a guarded eye, acutely aware of their surroundings. Considering that a quarter of the entire magic kingdom’s nobility were affiliated with either the Eloise or Client Dukedom, it was only natural that the academy students would be wary of Miss Ella, a second-year student.

Moreover…

“Master Mihen!”

“Hm?”

The unpleasant atmosphere within the academy wasn’t solely attributed to the ducal conflict. There was another reason, lurking in the shadows.

“Ah, Miss Lillian.”

Namely, the presence of a loathsome lolicon within the hallowed halls of the academy.

“I managed to procure three more elixirs. Would… would today be possible?”

“Now he’s shaking people down for elixirs…”

“He really takes the cake.”

“Ugh… what gives him the right…? I just feel bad for Lillian Isolde.”

When the rumors of Mihen’s lolicon tendencies first surfaced, I had dismissed them. I believed they were baseless, and that if I, the subject of the gossip, paid no heed, the rumors would simply fade away.

However… a footless word travels a thousand *li*.

How hard that painful rumour must have been running through the academy.

Barely two days after the break ended…I was transformed into a man who preys on young girls.

“Well…”

“Please… I can even get you four elixirs if you need them…! Ah, I’m sorry… I haven’t acquired the elixirs for Master Mihen yet…”

“Ugh… what a scumbag.”

“Ugh…he truly is trash.”

Of course, from my perspective, as someone who didn’t give a damn about these ridiculous rumors, I was trying to focus on my life-

“He really does live up to his appearance.”

“Eavesdropping.”

Lives up to his appearance??

Just you wait.

Tonight, I’ll personally let you know that the kidnapper Mikhail has been reborn in the Magic Kingdom.

“…Master Mihen?”

“Ah, apologies. I was lost in thought for a moment there, not concentrating on our conversation.”

I looked down at Lilian, who was gazing up at me again with those wistful eyes.

This girl… currently wielding the power of a nation-state, carrying three aether cores within her body.

And here she is, wanting to create *another* aether core inside herself…

“Absolutely not.”

“Why…!”

The desire to become stronger wasn’t inherently wrong, but…

With no knowledge of the side effects of possessing four aether cores in one’s body,

I simply couldn’t recklessly create another aether core within the body of a fifteen-year-old girl.

I was about to explain the reasons, but the professor had already entered the lecture hall.

“Let’s head to class. I’ll explain later.”

When I told Lilian I’d explain the reasons later…

“I’ll come to your room after dinner!”

“Did you tell her to come to your room *again* tonight?”

“Shouldn’t someone say something?”

“Tread carefully, tread carefully… Can’t move carelessly right now. One wrong move and you’ll get caught up in these rumors, and the next thing you know, Lady Eloise, the future head of the house, will hear your name…”

“Ha… Still, how can you mess with a minor…”

Hm…

It dawned on me.

*This* is why the rumors of a Miheon Lolicon keep circulating.

*’She seemed somewhat aware of the rumors.’*

Much like my own nature to disregard what others say,

Lilian Aisold also seemed completely unconcerned about the opinions of those around her.

No matter what others said, Lilian’s actions to impress me, coupled with her young age of fifteen…

Were painting me as a villainous student.

*’I definitely need to give her a warning later.’*

Come to think of it, though.

As a genius who’s been meeting adults since a young age, it was inevitable that her social skills would be somewhat lacking.

She had always met people of higher rank than herself.

She had always met people older than her, always forced to be polite and respectful towards them. So, for Lilian Aisold, someone who playfully teases her must have been just myself, and this may be a new and exciting experience for her, causing her to act a bit unusual.

*’I feel like Lady Asher and her would get along well together.’*

Sometime, if the opportunity arises, I’ll introduce Asher and Lilian, who both could use friends.

Ignoring the stares of those around me, I began to listen to the professor’s lecture.

“Despite the various incidents, the academy has decided to continue with normal class schedules.”

*’It’s been a while since I’ve seen the Tower Lord.’*

I haven’t had any contact with the Tower Lord, the one who pays all the academy tuition, lately.

I decided to meet with the Tower Lord soon and inform him that he no longer needed to worry about the doppelganger issue.

That was when, I was able to hear it:

“The duels, as per the established schedule, are to be held two days hence.”

‘?’

“For these duels, the Archmage himself will be in attendance, alongside various high-ranking officials.”

‘High-ranking officials?’

“Rumor has it that, in addition to the Archmage, the Margrave and even His Majesty may grace us with their presence.”

‘Familiar faces, all.’

So, on the day of the Academy’s practice duels, a throng of familiar people would be coming to observe us.

“I trust everyone will put forth their best effort during the duels. With the atmosphere within the Magic Kingdom as turbulent as it is these days, they are seeking talent and coming here directly to find it.”

True enough…

Recently, the Magic Kingdom had been beset by one incident after another.

The existence of doppelgangers hidden amongst humanity had been revealed.

The Midnight Auction, a human trafficking organization the Imperial Family had been hunting for ages, had been discovered.

Vampires had invaded, seeking to conquer humanity.

The Succubus Queen’s corpse had been resurrected, collapsing the Imperial Family and destroying a portion of the capital.

And, to top it all off, most of the criminals imprisoned in the Imperial dungeons had escaped.

‘They certainly need talent.’

Several military personnel had perished in the process…

The Magic Kingdom was indeed in dire need of manpower.

Hence, the Magic Kingdom’s high-ranking officials were directly observing the Academy’s duels, where the most promising prospects gathered, hoping to scout suitable candidates in advance.

‘Can I even do this?’

Frankly speaking, I felt a pang of worry.

For someone with almost no combat experience, could I truly perform well in a mock duel so close to the real thing?

And to think, this was all happening in a place where familiar faces would be watching. After everything I’ve shown, I certainly didn’t want to suffer a humiliating defeat.

‘To win without relying on Sleep and Silence…’

Not even being able to receive Isabella’s protection.

Officially, I still couldn’t use magic, so the existence of my skills had to remain hidden.

If I, with my lack of combat experience, were to overcome opponents who had experienced countless duels, what would be necessary…

“Well, this is a welcome opportunity.”

“Oh? Confident in your skills, are you?”

“No, I just mean there are some people who require a bit of… schooling. Like that one over there, living up to his appearance.”

“Ah~ If that’s the case, I’ll gladly lend a hand.”

‘We’ll see who comes out on top.’

Maybe I should just stage an accident the night before the duels and break their limbs in advance…

…

“I missed you!”

Ella declared, embracing me tightly. I gently returned her embrace.

“Hug me too!”

“Me too, Master!”

Myaong~

Ella, also granting Isabella’s request to be embraced.

“Forgive me for not having come to see you sooner, what with all the political skirmishing,” she began, her tone laced with apology.

“Fortunately, our dealings with the Kliant Dukedom will conclude soon.”

“You’ve reached an amenable agreement, I presume?”

“Indeed. We’ve arranged to absorb or dissolve a great many of the Kliant Dukedom’s affiliated nobles.”

“..Dissolve nobles, you say..?”

“Above all, we managed to secure the treasures the Kliant Dukedom possessed.”

Fortunately, the political strife with the Kliant Dukedom, which had seemed destined to drag on, appeared to be ending with a resounding victory for the Eloise family.

And rightly so.

Right now, Heist Kliant, the head of the Kliant Dukedom, had matters more pressing than the Eloise family to contend with.

“And I know.”

“Know what?”

“That you, Mi-Han, were of great assistance to us.”

“Ah, come now~ I did next to nothing. The Eloise family accomplished it all.”

“I am already aware of the kidnapper, Mikhail.”

When there was a Mikhail out there, who could strike him at any moment.

How could Heist, desperately clinging to his own life, possibly fight the Eloise family?

Of course, Ella knew it was I who planned this whole thing as she knew that Mikhail was me.

That’s why she was gazing at me with such grateful eyes.

“To think such a heinous criminal is involved in this affair. You must be careful.”

“I fully intend to be abducted by him tonight, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Seol will protect you, Ella. You need not worry.”

I teased Ella in such a manner.

Just as we were about to part ways before anyone else could spot us.

“Tonight… I will be showering at 11:30 PM.”

“Pardon?”

I could hear.

“At that time… if I were to be… abducted, I, I wouldn’t be able to… help it…!”

“..!”

The voice of a woman who had resolved to offer her first time to the man she loved.

“..Seol will be out tonight.”

“No way! I want to watch! I want to join!”

“The cat stays out.”

Myaong! Myaaaong!!

I had always been a little troubled, always receiving elixirs whenever I was thanked.

But to think she was planning to give me such a… unique gift.

I figured we would spend our first night together after Ella graduated from the Academy.

But it seems Ella’s heart has begun to lean towards me much more now that she has realized my hand in resolving the Kliant Dukedom.

“In… instead…”

“Yes?”

“I want to… go public… now…”

“What is it you’re saying?”

“I… I don’t want to hide the fact that Meehan and I are seeing each other!”