The Academy’s Barbarian Chapter 171

(4)

8.

A hill where countless stars twinkle.

In a quiet place where the only thing that could be heard was the sound of the wind, Ulan stared blankly at the silver-haired girl in front of him.

Golden eyes tremble slightly.

The moment I saw a face that became increasingly red.

“… … !”

Suddenly, I came to my senses.

Afterwards, he realized what Delia had said. At the same time, I realized that she did not see me as her colleague, but as her opposite s*x.

Then I was speechless.

It had to be that way.

Because the Delia that Ulan remembers from his past life was not like this at all.

‘I didn’t have the slightest interest in men.’

It would be accurate to say that one is not interested in the opposite s*x.

That’s how much Delia distanced herself from the man and distanced herself from him. She was, as Ulan remembered.

‘however… … .’

To receive a confession from Delia like that.

I didn’t expect anything like this at all.

Also, this was the first time I had ever received such a sincere confession.

It was natural to be embarrassed.

Then.

I made eye contact with Delia again.

My face suddenly turned red.

Along with the tense expression, the eyes were moist with moisture.

Eyes that only stare at Ulan.

It seemed as if he was waiting for an answer, so Ulan instinctively pursed his lips.

“I am… … .”

But I couldn’t say it.

Just as my voice was escaping my lips, a small hand covered my mouth.

“… … are you okay.”

Delia is staggering, holding on to her tiptoes.

Then he shook his head.

“There’s no need to answer now.”

A slight tremor came from the palm of my hand.

Like a very nervous person.

After a while, Delia took a deep breath and tried to answer calmly.

“I just wanted to express my feelings.”

Of course, I also want to hear an answer.

But now is not the time.

You can tell just by looking at Ulan’s expression.

‘Embarrassed face.’

This is an unexpected reaction to a confession.

In other words, it means that your mind is not ready.

In this situation, I am not happy at all when I hear the answer. That’s why I mentioned the reason why you don’t have to hear the answer to the confession right away.

“There’s something more important right now.”

“If it’s important… … ?”

“abyss.”

The moment the short answer ended.

Ulan’s eyes flashed fiercely.

It’s just as Delia said. Because the two of them had a mission as warriors to stop the abyss.

“So, one day, when you stop the abyss and complete all missions, I want you to answer then.”

“Is it still okay?”

“Yes, I can wait.”

Rather, I like that.

Even Delia isn’t ready to hear the answer right now. Delia nodded her head willingly and muttered in a quiet voice.

“It’s more advantageous to do that again.”

“It’s advantageous?”

Ulan tilts his head as if wondering.

I got caught. She said with a faint smile on her lips and her hand on her chest.

“I am a mixture of human and fairy.”

By mentioning something you already know.

Delia pointed to her cheek.

Clean skin without any blemishes. He spoke with a face like white jade.

“My life span is hundreds of years, so I will never grow old as long as Ulan is alive.”

This is also true.

She is a long-lived species.

They are blessed beings who spend most of their lives maintaining a youthful face and body.

“And it’s growing rapidly.”

This was also correct.

Jangsaengjong achieves physical growth through mental growth and enlightenment.

“Even if you’re not satisfied right now, you’ll definitely grow up to be like other kids in the future.”

Both body and mind.

The pure white cheeks turned reddish.

After a while, she narrowed the gap to just in front of her nose and spoke with a red face.

“So remember it properly.”

So that I have a little bit of an advantage.

Delia smiled slightly.

He looked like he was trying hard to hold back his embarrassment.

When all the conversation was over and silence came again, Ulan, who had been quietly listening to the story, suddenly asked a question.

“Can I ask one question?”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“Why on earth do you like me?”

Ulan couldn’t understand.

No matter how much he recalled his memories of Delia from his past life, he couldn’t think of any reason why she liked him.

Then then.

Delia’s lips were soft.

“… … “At first it was the opposite.”

“Are you saying the opposite?”

“I thought Ulan liked me. Because that’s what she said during the entrance exam.”

We’ll be together in the future too.

When I heard those words, my eyes naturally went to him.

At first it was curiosity.

However, as time passed, curiosity turned into interest, turned into interest, and eventually turned into a feeling of affection.

“Whenever I came to my senses, I was always looking at Ulan, I always thought of Ulan, and I wanted to be with him anytime, anywhere.”

Then suddenly I realized:

The identity of this emotion.

The feeling of liking someone. The moment she realized that she liked Ulan, Delia was overcome with happiness.

“That’s why I said it.”

After surviving an attack by an Abyss Cultist.

When admitted to the academy’s ward.

I will be by Ulan’s side. She had said she would continue to be with him forever.

“but… … .”

Happiness did not last long.

It was because I realized that this relationship started from an illusion. However, despite this, there was no change in the feelings toward Ulan.

“I realized it was an illusion, but this feeling has already grown too big to erase.”

So much so that I can’t keep it in my heart.

So I took my heart out.

He put this sincerity into his voice, expressed it in the form of a confession, and conveyed it to Ulan.

“It was like that.”

After Delia finished answering, she closed her mouth and Ulan lowered his head towards her.

“Thank you for your answer.”

Of course, I wasn’t completely convinced.

Above all, Ulan had never seen her as a woman.

However, it was clear to me that Delia’s confession was not impulsive, but was a sincerity that she had thought about and pondered over for a long time.

‘so that… … .’

I realized I couldn’t answer right away.

As much as she thought about it, it was right for Ulan to think about it and give an answer.

“Like you said, I will seriously think about it until I defeat Abyss.”

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

Delia nodded.

With a satisfied expression.

When we looked at each other like that,

Delia suddenly wiggled her fingers. As if there was something I wanted to say.

“… … Hey.”

“hmm?”

“Helena once told me that I have been particularly attached to her since I was young.”

“attachment?”

“Yes, whether it’s a person or an object, if I’m obsessed with one thing, I don’t even care about anything else.”

After listening to it, I think it was like that.

From what I’ve seen in her past life, Delia was fanatically focused on finding a medicine that could cure Ludine.

‘after that… … .’

After Ludine passed away, he clung to Ibella, who was his emotional support at the time, to the point of obsession.

When I was thinking back to that time.

Delia opened her mouth again.

“So let me tell you this.”

“… … ?”

“Even if Ulan rejects my confession in the future, I will never give up on Ulan.”

After giving a bold answer.

Delia suddenly made a face.

“I swear on Mana, never.”

Golden eyes that shine persistently.

It was a familiar sight to Ulan.

Because it was the same face I saw in my last life when I was looking for clues to a cure.

“This is all I wanted to say.”

After finishing what she had to say, she spread her palms towards Ulan with a much more relieved face.

However, I didn’t wait like before.

Like a hawk catching its prey, he quickly reached out and grabbed Ulan’s arm.

“Now let’s go back. “It’s almost time for the banquet to end, and everyone will be waiting.”

A smile appeared on her lips.

It was a smile full of sincerity.

The day the Duchy of Arpen’s banquet ended.

With Delia’s confession, their relationship, which started as an illusion, became entangled in a new relationship.

In a relationship called sincerity and obsession.

9.

The day after the banquet ended.

A large carriage arrived in front of the royal castle.

A carriage waiting as if waiting for someone.

After a while, the gate opened and three men and women appeared. Those who were returning to the academy by carriage were Ulan and his party.

“You didn’t forget anything, right?”

“does not exist.”

I didn’t have much luggage to begin with.

As I was fully preparing to leave, two women approached me from afar.

Helena and Ludine.

He probably came to see Delia off. Meanwhile, Ulan looked around as if looking for someone.

“Didn’t the King of Arpen come?”

“Well, it seems so.”

Ergent has not shown his face once since the banquet ended.

I could roughly guess the reason.

He probably judged that his duties as king were more important than seeing Delia off.

‘But it would be better that way.’

It’s better than showing up rashly and having a bad atmosphere for no reason. It was around this time that I was guessing the reason for Ergent’s absence.

“Then go back safely, sister.”

“Yes, you too, don’t overdo it.”

The conversation between Delia and Rudine has ended.

She pushed the wheelchair back and spoke with a look on her face that suddenly reminded her of something she had forgotten.

“Oh, and wait until next year.”

“Yes? “You mean next year?”

“I will work hard to recover my health and enter Arsene Academy.”

It looks like what he said at the banquet yesterday wasn’t just something he said. A new goal emerged, and the energetic expression on his face was proof.

He looks as brave as before.

Delia smiled softly.

“Yes, I will support you.”

“huh!”

After saying goodbye.

The group got into the carriage.

Soon the carriage departed, and Delia waved until Ludine was out of sight.

Meanwhile, around that time.

Noah leaned against the soft backrest and sighed briefly.

‘Now with this… … .’

It’s like vacation is over.

After arriving at the academy over two days, the opening ceremony was scheduled for the next day. And after the course registration period, the second semester begins.

‘It was short, but a lot happened.’

A treasure needed when dealing with the abyss.

He completed Einer’s orb, stayed overnight with Ulan, and even helped Delia pass the warrior’s trials.

And the result.

Delia reached the level of great wizard faster than in the original work. This is an added force that will definitely be helpful in future abyss wars.

‘There are other things that have changed as well.’

Noah came out of his thoughts and looked at Delia, who was smiling brightly across from him.

She was currently clinging to Ulan. She even hugged her arms tightly. Then suddenly Ulan called her name.

“… … Delia.”

“why?”

“Isn’t it uncomfortable?”

“Yes, I’m comfortable this way.”

Delia laughed bitterly.

A smile full of sincerity. After seeing this, Noah quickly noticed a difference in Delia.

‘speech.’

Originally, she spoke in a halting manner due to trauma she experienced as a child.

A habit mentioned in the original work.

But for some reason, his tone of voice suddenly changed completely this morning.

‘No, exactly…’ … .’

They only say that to Ulan.

Because he used his original, halting tone of voice towards Noah, Helena, and even Ludine.

And one more thing.

There is a visible change.

The point is that right now, they are too close to Ulan. Noah, who noticed something different from usual, spoke naturally.

“Come to think of it, yesterday.”

“Yes?”

“Where have you two been?”

When I was called by Helena yesterday.

Noah, who was heading to where Ludine was, soon realized that Ulan and Delia had disappeared.

‘and… … .’

He returned at the end of the banquet.

It was after that that Delia’s attitude changed from usual. So I talked to him to find out what happened yesterday.

It was Delia who answered Noah’s question.

“To see the stars.”

“star?”

“Yesterday, there were no clouds at all. So, I went and came to look at the stars.”

Surprisingly, the reason is not that big of a deal.

Noah asked, tilting his head.

“Is that all?”

“Well, that’s… … .”

Ulan talks quietly.

Judging by the reaction, it seems like something happened. So I tried to ask a more detailed question.

But there was no need for that.

Because Delia’s response was much faster.

“I confessed to Ulan.”

“… … uh?”

“I like it.”

I haven’t heard back yet.

She explained in a quiet voice and continued with a bright smile on her face.

“Now, I’ve decided not to hide it.”

Honest feelings toward Ulan.

From the moment she revealed this, she made up her mind. Even if he turns Ibella and Laurea into enemies, Ulan cannot give up.

“I have no intention of being taken away by others.”

An answer filled with strong determination.

Delia hugged Ulan’s arm tightly.

As if he had no intention of letting go. Meanwhile, Noah understood the current situation through Delia’s answer.

And at the same time, I realized.

Delia’s penalty appeared.

‘… … Obsession.’

Obsession with an object or person.

Dilia Arpen’s only penalty.

Just by looking at his eyes, I could feel his obsession, so I guess I’ve said it all.

The moment I realized this fact.

‘what? suddenly… … .’

My heart felt tight.

As if I had been crushed by a large stone.

At the same time, I became impatient.

Because I felt like I was suddenly overtaken by Delia, who I thought was at the starting line with me.

“… … .”

A feeling of tightness in the chest.

Noah bowed his head silently.

Whether or not he knew what she was thinking, the carriage ran smoothly along the straight path.

The three people’s destination.

To Arsene Academy.

interlude. back to the academy

One.

Meanwhile, at that time.

Three days before the start of school, the academy took on a quiet atmosphere. And there were even more quiet spaces on campus.

Arsene, the fountain of magic.

Due to the disappearance of Diphlin Chernio, the Dean of the Faculty of Magic, it has become even less crowded recently.

However, today was a little different.

Because there was a guest who visited the Fountain of Magic.

Seeing the figure of a middle-aged man striding towards the entrance, the Arsene guard guarding the door immediately blocked his path.

“This is a restricted area.”

“Anyone who is not authorized… … .”

Can’t go in.

Just as I was about to say that.

“Is this okay?”

The other person blurted out something.

얼떨결에 이를 받아든 경비원들은 잠시 후, 두 눈을 휘둥그레 떴다.

“……!”

남자가 건넨 건 한 장의 서류.

바로 임명장이었다.

마력의 샘을 관리하는 권한을 부여하겠다는 내용의 임명장. 하단에는 제국 황실의 직인이 선명히 찍혀 있었다.

“저, 죄송하지만…….”

“신분증을 확인해도 되겠습니까?”

“물론일세.”

흔쾌히 신분증을 건네는 남성.

그것과 임명장에 적힌 내용을 비교하던 경비병들은 곧 부동자세로 경례했다.

“예! 확인했습니다.”

“데르모어 백작 각하.”

“마력의 샘에 오신 걸 환영합니다.”

그의 정체는 드뮈엘 론 데르모어.

루벤 제국의 황태자 샤르트랑에 의해 마력의 샘을 관리하도록 명령받은 마법사였다.

“이제 들어가도 되나?”

“예, 방문 목적만 말씀해주시면 됩니다.”

“앞으로 관리하게 될 곳이니, 한 번쯤 둘러봐야겠다고 생각해서 와봤네.”

“그렇군요. 알겠습니다.”

형식적인 절차는 금방 끝났다.

경비병들은 곧장 마력의 샘으로 통하는 입구를 개방했다. 그러고는 곧장 걸음을 옮기려는 백작을 향해 말을 걸었다.

“다만 당부하건대 제2구역 너머로는 진입하지 않는 걸 추천하고 싶습니다.”

“이유는 아시리라고 생각합니다.”

“그래, 명심하지.”

웃는 얼굴로 고개를 끄덕인 뒤.

백작은 마력의 샘으로 발을 들여놨다.

이윽고 제1구역의 경계에 도착한 그는 경비병들의 충고가 무색하게도, 제2구역 너머를 향해 성큼성큼 걸어갔다.

그렇게 얼마나 지났을까?

돌연 백작의 주머니에서 뭔가가 불쑥 튀어나왔다. 흙과 돌멩이로 만들어진 인형.

바로 소형 골렘이었다.

눈 깜박할 사이에 백작의 어깨로 올라탄 골렘은 곧 붉은색 안광을 번뜩였다.

“그리운 마력이 느껴지는군.”

뒤이어 흘러나온 인간의 언어.

다만 백작은 놀라지 않았다.

골렘의 정체가 무엇인지 알고 있기에.

“심연의 마력 말씀이십니까?”

“그래, 이곳은 심연과 가장 가까이 닿아 있는 곳이니 말이야.”

심연의 여섯 군주 중 하나.

울부짖는 눈, 라쿠스 클라만 두라투스.

이게 바로 소형 골렘의 정체였다.

정확히는 라쿠스의 사념이 골렘의 몸에 깃든 것에 불과하지만. 즉, 본체의 분신이라는 표현이 정확하리라.

“아, 그러고 보니 주인님.”

“……?”

“하나 보고드릴 게 있습니다.”

갑작스러운 전언.

라쿠스는 백작의 보고가 무엇인지 꿰뚫어 본 것처럼 붉은색 눈빛을 번쩍였다.

“동부 밀림에 관한 내용인가?”

“예, 그렇습니다.”

사냥꾼, 스벤 아이작.

본래 백작은 심연 숭배자를 시켜 그를 제거하고자 했다. 하지만 생각했던 것과는 달리 쉽게 끝낼 수가 없었다.

“정보를 모으고 있긴 하나, 거점을 특정하는 게 상당히 어렵다고 하더군요.”

“그야 그렇겠지.”

라쿠스가 고개를 끄덕였다.

동의한다는 것처럼.

“놈은 일곱 개의 별 중에서도, 기척을 숨기는 능력이 가장 뛰어났으니.”

스벤 아이작은 묘인족 최고의 사냥꾼.

신출귀몰하고 기척을 남기지 않기로 유명한 존재다. 라쿠스 역시 이 문제를 인지했고, 이를 해결하고자 이곳에 왔다.

“그러나 걱정할 필요는 없다.”

붉은 눈이 안개 너머를 노려봤다.

제3구역 너머의 땅.

호수의 중심부가 있는 곳이다.

“어차피 짐의 권속들을 불러서 밀림으로 보낸다면, 모두 해결될 일이기에.”

“그리 일러두겠습니다.”

백작이 공손히 머리를 숙였다.

그러다가 문득 잊고 있던 게 떠올랐다는 듯 다시 라쿠스를 돌아보며 말했다.

“그리고 추가 보고가 있었습니다만.”

“무슨 내용이지?”

“동부 밀림에서 스벤 아이작의 정보를 따로 모으는 무리가 있다고 합니다.”

심연 숭배자들 이외에?

라쿠스의 눈이 빛났다.

“어떤 놈들이지?”

“엘로덴의 사제들이라고 하더군요.”

성국이 스벤 아이작을 찾는다.

새롭게 들려온 보고에 라쿠스는 눈살을 찌푸렸다. 이 짧은 보고만으로 돌아가는 상황이 대충 어떤지 파악한 것처럼.

“쯧, 이방인이 수작을 부린 모양이군.”

못마땅한 기색이 역력한 눈빛.

붉은 눈동자에는 불쾌감마저 묻어났다.

“뭐라고 전해둘까요?”

“전부 처리해라.”

“……예?”

지금 무슨 말을 들은 거지?

백작은 멍하니 되물었다.

“서, 성국의 사제들을 말입니까?”

“어차피 처리할 놈들이다. 나중에 처리하든 지금 없애든 결과는 변하지 않아.”

라쿠스의 대답은 변하지 않았다.

활활 타오르는 눈동자.

협상의 여지 따위는 없다는 듯 단호한 명령에, 백작은 굳은 얼굴을 끄덕였다.

그렇게 대화가 끝나던 무렵.

둘은 마침내 목적지에 도착했다.

마력의 샘, 제3구역.

과거 디플린 체르니오가 심연의 틈을 열던 바로 그 장소였다. 백작은 바닥에 거대한 마법진을 완성한 뒤, 입을 열었다.

“그럼 시작하겠습니다.”

“허락하마.”

라쿠스의 대답을 끝으로.

순수한 심연의 마력이 마법진으로 사라지듯이 스며들었다. 그러자 얼마 지나지 않아, 허공이 반으로 쩍 갈라졌다.

개학을 사흘 앞둔 아침.

제3구역에서 심연의 틈이 열렸다.

다만 애석하게도 이 사실을 아는 이들은 아무도 없었다.

딱 하나만 제외하고.

[그르르르!]

미무(迷霧)의 백랑.

짙은 안개 속에 숨어든 하얀 늑대는, 멀리서 펼쳐지는 모두 광경을 눈에 담았다.

이곳에 돌아올 그의 주인을 위해.

하나도 남김없이 전부.

2.

이제 막 동이 튼 아침.

데오르그 백작성의 주인, 이스탄 엘 데오르그의 훈련장에서 바람을 가르는 소리가 매섭게 들려왔다.

훙! 후우웅!

철검이 허공을 내지르는 검격.

이른 아침부터 검을 휘두르는 이는 옅은 금발의 소녀, 이벨라 엘레아드였다.

그렇게 얼마나 지났을까?

숨이 턱 끝까지 차오를 무렵이 되자 그녀는 검을 휘두르는 걸 멈췄다.

다소 거칠어진 호흡.

철검을 회수한 이벨라는 숨을 고르며 북동쪽 하늘을 가만히 바라봤다. 아르센 아카데미가 있는 방향이었다.

“…….”

오늘은 아카데미로 돌아가는 날.

그래서일까? 평소보다 일찍 눈이 떠진 탓에 검을 휘두르고자 훈련장에 나왔다.

하지만 도통 집중이 되질 않았다.

이유는 하나뿐.

백작령을 찾겠다는 약속을 어기고, 돌연 아르펜 공국으로 향한 울란 때문이다.

‘대체 어째서…….’

새하얀 이빨이 입술을 살짝 깨물었다.

물론 이해가 안 되는 건 아니다.

평소 약속을 중시하는 울란이 이를 어기면서까지 아르펜 공국으로 갔다는 건, 그에 상응하는 용무가 있기 때문일 테니까.

‘하지만…….’

왠지 모르게 가슴이 아팠다.

자신이 아니라 딜리아를 선택한 것 같아서, 거절당한 기분이 들어서 괴로웠다. 그래서 며칠간 잠도 제대로 못 잤다.

또 답답한 마음을 억누르지 못해, 어머니인 이델린과 이야기해본 적도 있다.

「너도 똑같이 해보면 어때?」

자초지종을 전부 들은 뒤.

이델린은 이러한 조언을 건넸다.

「이제 곧 개학이잖니. 그러니 아카데미로 돌아가면 일부러 냉담하게 대하는 거지. 상대의 질투를 유발하는 게 핵심이란다.」

나름대로 일리가 있는 말이었다.

울란이 정말로 자신에게 마음이 있는지 확인해볼 기회이기도 했고. 다만 마음에 걸리는 점이 있었다.

‘만약 그랬다가 사이가 더 멀어지면?’

그땐 진짜로 돌이킬 수 없게 된다.

여기에 하나 더, 문제가 있다.

경쟁자가 딜리아뿐만이 아니라는 것.

‘……라우레아.’

엘로덴의 차기 성녀.

그녀가 존재하는 한, 섣불리 이델린의 조언을 따르기 힘들다. 괜히 라우레아에게 빌미만 주게 되는 셈일 테니까.

다시 원점으로 돌아온 상황.

무거운 한숨을 내뱉던 때, 훈련장의 입구에서 인기척이 느껴졌다.

“……아.”

뒤이어 훈련장을 찾은 이를 본 순간.

이벨라는 미간을 와락 구겼다.

이스탄 엘 데오르그.

이 성의 주인이자 이벨라의 친부다.

보는 것만으로도 껄끄러운 기분이 드는 상대였기에, 그녀는 이내 몸을 돌렸다. 이어 훈련장을 떠나려던 찰나.

“검술 실력이 늘어났군.”

돌연 그가 말을 걸어왔다.

빈말이 아니었다. 제법 놀란 표정이 증거였다. 그리고 실제로도 놀란 상태였고.

그럴 수밖에 없었다.

당장 검술 실력만 놓고 본다면 중급 기사의 경지였고, 마나를 다루는 실력은 상급 기사에 비견될 정도였기에.

‘마지막에 봤을 땐…….’

지금보다 두 단계는 낮았던 것 같은데.

고작 수개월 만에 이만한 성취를 거두다니. 검의 천재라 불린 히멜 데오르그도 이 정도로 뛰어나진 않았다.

‘분명 그 남자 덕분이겠지.’

야만족의 마스터, 울란 바토르.

그의 영향을 받은 게 분명하다. 이는 같은 마스터로서의 직감이었다.

한편 이스탄이 뭐라고 말하든 말든, 이벨라는 어떠한 대꾸도 하지 않았다. 그저 짐을 챙겨 훈련장을 떠나고자 할 뿐.

이에 이스탄은 재차 말을 걸었다.

“검에 고민이 묻어있던데.”

“…….”

“무슨 고민이라도 있나?”

예리한 통찰력.

과연 마스터는 마스터인 모양이다. 단지 검을 휘두르는 것만으로도 자신이 고민하고 있다는 걸 알아챌 줄이야.

다만 대답하고 싶진 않았다.

그래서 매몰찬 얼굴로 대답했다.

“당신이랑은 상관없는 일…….”

“울란에 관한 고민인가?”

하지만 도로 입을 닫았다.

정곡을 제대로 찔렸기에. 그런 이벨라의 반응에 이스탄은 거듭 말을 이어나갔다.

“남녀 관계에 관한 문제라면, 내가 도움을 줄 수 있을 것 같다만.”

“……진짜로요?”

반신반의하듯 되묻는 이벨라.

솔직한 마음으로는 도움을 받고 싶지 않지만, 그래도 지푸라기라도 붙잡는 심정으로 이스탄을 바라봤다.

일말의 기대감이 깃든 눈과 함께.

그러나 이는 곧 실망으로 변했다.

“다음에 편지를 보낼 때, 호텔 숙박권을 몇 장 더 넣어주마.”

“…….”

와락 구겨진 얼굴.

전혀 도움이 되지 않잖아.

이벨라는 매서운 눈으로 그를 노려봤다. 그러고는 한숨을 푹 내쉬었다. 이런 사내한테 기대한 내가 잘못이라고 생각하면서.

그런데 그때.

대뜸 그가 질문을 던졌다.

“한 가지만 물어봐도 될까?”

난데없는 질문. 그는 이벨라가 뭐라고 대답하기도 전에, 곧장 용무를 꺼냈다.

“혹시 아르센의 신입생 중에, ‘시르피 루드릭’이란 이름의 학생을 알고 있나?”

모르는 이름이다.

이벨라는 고개를 흔들었다.

“몰라요. 관심도 없고.”

“그럼 실피 루드히나는?”

이벨라에겐 몇 없는 친구의 이름.

실피의 이름이 흘러나오자, 그녀는 의문이 가득한 눈으로 이스탄을 응시했다.

“당신이 어떻게 그 이름을…….”

“이걸 그 아이에게 전해다오.”

그녀의 말이 채 끝나기도 전에, 그는 품속에서 뭔가를 꺼내 건넸다. 데오르그의 인장이 찍힌 편지 봉투였다.

갑작스러운 부탁.

이벨라가 황당한 표정을 짓던 때, 이스탄은 방금 내뱉었던 말을 다소 정정했다.

“정확히는 그쪽 가문에 전하는 편지다.”

매섭게 번뜩이는 눈동자.

사냥감을 노리는 사냥꾼의 눈빛과 함께, 이스탄의 입가에 옅은 미소가 맺혔다.

“루드히나 가문과는 사막에 있을 때부터 제법 인연이 깊은 편이라서 말이야.”

응? 사막이라니?

실피의 가문이 그쪽에 있었나?

이벨라는 고개를 갸웃거렸다. 하지만 이스탄은 더 대답할 생각이 없어 보였다.

“그러니 부탁하마.”

그저 고개만 살짝 숙여 보일 뿐.

이벨라가 찜찜한 표정을 짓던 때, 연무장을 찾아온 또 다른 손님이 있었다. 데오르그 백작성의 집사장이었다.

“백작님, 식사 준비가 완료됐습니다.”

“알겠다. 곧 가지.”

이스탄은 즉시 몸을 돌렸다.

마음 같아서는 이벨라와 함께 가고 싶었지만, 그럴 수 있을 리가 없다.

그녀가 자신을 여전히 탐탁지 않게 생각한다는 건 충분히 알고 있으니까. 그래서 먼저 식당으로 이동하려던 찰나.

“기다려요.”

발을 붙잡는 목소리가 들렸다.

이벨라였다. 편지 봉투를 품에 넣은 그녀는 이스탄을 빤히 바라보며 말을 이었다.

“저도 부탁할 게 있어요.”

“말해라. 뭐든 들어주마.”

이스탄은 주저 없이 대답했다.

한 번도 부탁이란 말을 입에 올린 적이 없는 그녀였기에 더더욱. 그러자 이벨라는 돌연 고개를 푹 숙였다.

그로부터 얼마 후.

모기만큼 작은 목소리가 들렸다.

“……줘요.”

“뭐?”

“숙박권! 몇 장만 달라고요.”

혹시 쓸 일이 있을지도 모르니까.

상기된 얼굴로 손을 뻗은 그녀.

생각지도 못한 말 때문이었을까? 이스탄은 풀썩 웃음을 터뜨렸다.

“뭐, 뭔데요? 왜 웃는…….”

“원한다면 호텔을 사줄 수도 있다.”

“그건 됐어요.”

이벨라가 고개를 흔들었다.

어차피 농담으로 한 말일 테니까. 반면 이스탄은 농담하는 얼굴이 아니었다.

“난 진심으로 한 말이다.”

“아니, 괜찮으니까 숙박권이나…….”

“그래, 역시 호텔을 사는 게 좋겠군.”

“아, 됐다고요!”

도무지 말이 안 통하는 작자다.

이벨라는 황당한 얼굴로 소리를 질렀고, 이스탄은 뭐가 기쁜지 웃음만 터뜨렸다.

얼마 후, 아침 식사가 끝난 뒤.

한 대의 마차가 데오르그 백작성을 떠났다. 아르센 아카데미로 향하는 마차였다.

3.

그로부터 이틀 뒤.

해가 중천에 뜬 정오.

검은색 마차 한 대가 아르센 아카데미의 정문 부근에 도착했다. 뒤이어 마차를 호위하던 군인들이 말에서 내렸다.

공국의 특수기동대, 루베스.

요인 호위를 주 임무로 하는 그들은, 마차의 문을 두드리며 정중하게 말했다.

“딜리아 왕녀님.”

“목적지에 도착했습니다.”

그들의 말이 끝나고 얼마 후.

The door burst open. Afterwards, three men and women came out. They were Ulan, Noah, and Dilia.

Is it because I rode the carriage for a long time?

Noah stretched with a frown on his face. Then I immediately looked around.

“Now it feels like vacation is over.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Delia nodded.

As if he agreed with what she said.

As they said, the area near the academy’s main gate was filled with numerous carriages and crowds. The students returned to school just before the opening ceremony.

“Then we will excuse ourselves.”

“I hope you stay healthy. Loyalty!”

Rubes’ soldiers saluted politely.

Delia nodded, and they immediately disappeared with the carriage the same way they came.

The three of them were left alone with their luggage.

Noah said, pointing to the front door.

“Then shall we go too?”

There was no need to answer.

The group, led by Noah, walked towards the main gate, swept away by the large crowd of people.

Some time after that.

The moment I stepped onto the campus.

“… … Ulan Bator.”

A stiff voice was heard.

A voice as cold as ice.

When I looked towards the place where I heard the sound, I saw a group of men wearing familiar clothes gathered together.

It was Arsene’s guard.

“Do you have any excuse for breaking the re-exam schedule and not returning without permission?”

“If there is a reason, I will listen.”

“Oh, that’s… … .”

It was Noah who tried to answer their words.

Then, Delia also came forward to defend Ulan. But he couldn’t.

This was because Ulan blocked the two.

“I am OK.”

“what? but… … .”

“I am prepared to be punished.”

Whatever the reason, it was true that he did not return without permission. So, if it was a punishment, he was willing to accept it.

So I spoke confidently.

“No.”

“Hmph, it’s nice that the answer is refreshing.”

“Arrest him!”

“Not with a rope! Bring me the chains!”

A body bound in the blink of an eye.

Afterwards, Ulan was taken to the student leadership.

Just like it always was.

Chapter 41. transfer student

fantasy,