A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Chapter 201

"Hmm....."

Grace hadn't even closed her eyes and clung to me for ten minutes. She had completely fallen asleep.

Her breathing was steady, and her heartbeat had significantly slowed. It meant she had entered deep sleep.

It might seem strange to fall into deep sleep in just ten minutes, but it's possible if the tension is completely released.

It also meant that Grace had been extremely tense. Well, it would be her first time sharing a bed with a man, so it's understandable.

'Maybe it's because I patted her back; she's sleeping well.'

When Grace clung to me as if hanging on, I was a little flustered.

She pressed herself so close as if not wanting to separate even slightly. It made my head spin for a moment.

Having recently washed, she gave off a pleasant scent and clung to me in a way that evoked strange emotions.

The problem was that her body was not at all childlike. Her persistent clinginess made it quite troublesome.

'Grace does have a good figure, after all.'

I shook off these trivial thoughts and quietly slipped away.

Staying in bed indefinitely wasn't an option, and Grace had fully fallen into sleep.

"Mmm......"

Or so I thought. As I tried to leave, Grace pulled my arm tighter.

Even when I carefully tried to shake off her touch and move away, it was no use. By the time I fully got out, she would flail her arms about.

Her arms flailing through the air seemed so pitiful that I had no choice but to return. In the end, I used a pillow to replace me.

"Mnya...... Hehe."

Mistaking the pillow for me, Grace smiled bashfully. She seemed to be having a pleasant dream.

Normally, she always wore an elegant and confident expression. I'd never seen her look like this before.

The smile she wore felt as pure as the small fairy tale tucked in her heart.

'Such a wonderful person......'

If I hadn't helped her, Grace would have been lost forever.

Both personally and socially, she wouldn't have been able to recover. That's how it was even in the Soul World.

Perhaps that's why it still felt regretful that I hadn't dealt more severely with Delphoi. Though I had ensured he could never function as a man again, it wasn't enough.

I should've made it impossible for him to live as a human, not just as a man. Perhaps I should've severed his tongue like that ruffian.

'Well, there's no one disruptive around now.'

I stroked Grace's head as she smiled innocently and moved to another spot.

Anyway, I didn't need to sleep. I decided to head out to the balcony to get some fresh air.

Even though it was a mansion, it was still an Academy facility, so the balcony was fairly spacious. It was just as I stepped onto the balcony.

"Hm? You there."

"?"

A familiar voice came from beside me. I turned my head to look in that direction.

Dan Yerin was standing on the adjacent balcony. In one hand, she held a smoking pipe, and her signature updo was completely down.

The surroundings were shrouded in deep darkness, but a lantern was lit on her balcony. Thanks to that, I could see her face clearly.

"Are you here out of boredom? Or is there some reason?"

"Just to get some air."

"To get some air? Hmm."

Hearing my answer, Dan Yerin placed the pipe in her mouth. Come to think of it, she was a smoker.

While she was lost in thought, I took the opportunity to observe her in detail. Overall, her attire resembled a gown-like pajama.

It was Oriental Clothing with a neat combination of black and red. Even that couldn't hide the impressive curves of her body.

"Aren't you sleeping?"

I asked Dan Yerin, who was smoking her pipe. She shrugged her shoulders and replied calmly.

"I'm not the type to sleep well at night. Lying in bed makes me anxious."

"Anxious?"

"Yes. You never know when or where danger might strike. You would understand that feeling, having grown up in the forest?"

Of course. Back then, I had felt like I might die every time I slept.

Thankfully, thanks to my Wild Instinct, my consciousness stayed alert, ready to respond immediately to any situation.

Without it, I probably would've died halfway through. In fact, I overcame many life-threatening moments thanks to Wild Instinct.

"I know how that feels."

"If you know, then you can empathize. Hoo."

Dan Yerin deeply inhaled the smoke and exhaled it. A hazy mist of smoke rose up in swirls.

Unlike regular cigarettes, pipe tobacco like the smoking pipe she used could be smoked for longer durations. It's usually smoked for mental relaxation.

"So, how is it?"

"What?"

"Living with someone of the opposite sex. How does it feel?"

"Hmm......"

Hearing that question, I turned around. Grace was rubbing her face against the pillow.

Had I still been there, it could've been troublesome in many ways. I was glad I got out quickly.

"It's nice."

"In what sense?"

"It's not lonely."

Still, separate from that, Grace's presence had been quite a big help.

After that illness—though not exactly a disease—I realized how lonely it was to live alone.

While living in the forest, I was used to being alone. But over time, as I met people, I became aware of loneliness.

Grace needed me, but I also found a sense of stability through her. This was an undeniable fact.

"Not lonely, huh...... That strikes a chord."

"You also live with someone, don't you?"

"Are you talking about Yeohye? Haha."

At the mention of Yeohye, Dan Yerin let out a dry chuckle, as if it was absurd.

Then she glanced behind her and gave a faint smile. It was a forlorn smile.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"How much do you trust people?"

It was quite a meaningful question. Also, it reflected the environment that Dan Yerin had experienced.

Asking how much one trusts people. Such a question implied she had been betrayed by not a few people.

Although I could distinguish between people I should trust and those I shouldn't, others were different.

Especially since Dan Yerin had political ambitions, stress must've been a constant in her life.

"Only the people I trust."

"Only the people you trust?"

"Yes. I only trust those I trust."

"What if that person deceives you?"

"Then I'll be deceived."

"... ..."

At my straightforwardly simple answer, Dan Yerin blinked. Her face was utterly dumbfounded.

Then she let out a faint laugh, as though in disbelief. She seemed quite amused.

"That's an amusing answer. What's the reason?"

"It's bothersome."

"Bothersome?"

"Yes."

The moment you start scrutinizing human relationships, it becomes exhausting. Otherwise, I wouldn't have become close to Kara.

When I first met Kara, she was being scorned for being a Barbarian. I was aware of that as well.

But I didn't mind and became close to her. As a result, I received similar looks, but it didn't matter.

Fundamentally, Kara is kind. Also, she's absolutely not the type to betray someone. Any fault would be on this side, not hers.

"Is it because you're unattached that you think that way? That's a carefree mindset."

Saying this, Dan Yerin continued smoking her pipe. Her voice carried a hint of envy.

"That's why I'm even more envious. Being unattached means you can trust anyone."

"That's not it."

"It's not?"

"I don't trust people who can't be trusted."

I absolutely don't trust just anyone. I only trust people who can be trusted.

Among the students in my class, there are people who approach me. Sometimes they even suggest hanging out.

Of course, I refused them outright every time. I instinctively perceived that they had ulterior motives.

"How do you know that? It wouldn't be an easy thing to discern."

"Instinct?"

"Instinct... One more question then."

Tap-

Dan Yerin spoke as she flicked her smoking pipe. Then, glancing behind her, she spoke in a more cautious voice than before.

"What do you think of my bodyguard knight?"

"Bodyguard knight?"

"I mean Yeohye. Is she a trustworthy person?"

I answered decisively to that question.

"No."

That's what I said. Dan Yerin's expression noticeably hardened at that.

She's probably contemplating this right now. Whether Yeohye, who was assigned to her, is really trustworthy.

However, she is absolutely not a trustworthy person. If the story progresses as it should, Yeohye will someday threaten Dan Yerin's life.

It would happen fairly soon, too. To put it simply, she's a spy planted by those from above.

"...It hasn't even been a week since I arrived at the academy. And yet, you're saying Yeohye isn't trustworthy?"

"Yes."

"What's your basis for that?"

"I have none."

I don't have any basis. I just know the future.

That's why I can say it openly. Whether she believes it or not is up to Dan Yerin.

Although it's undoubtedly an ironic situation, Dan Yerin must be feeling quite conflicted.

She came to the academy to rest, but she can't find peace. Yet giving up her ambitions must be difficult.

"You're saying that without any evidence... That's contradictory. But it does bother me, considering the people around you."

"... ..."

"This is a good chance to test your instincts. Let's see if they're really reliable."

Dan Yerin gave a bitter smile. There must be plenty of things she's concerned about.

She has to diligently gather information about the Hwan Empire and endure assassination threats. It's an environment where she can't sleep soundly.

"Then, lastly... Sivar."

"Yes."

"Do you think I'm a trustworthy person?"

"Yes."

Dan Yerin is a trustworthy person. Although her environment has instilled a basic level of distrust, she's similar to Kara.

She's fundamentally good-natured and absolutely doesn't betray others. However, depending on the story, her disposition may turn to malice.

'If I gain her trust but betray her first.'

In that case, Dan Yerin would transform into a typical tyrant. This would be especially evident when she ascends as the emperor.

Not only would she purge all her siblings, but she would also completely replace her subordinates.

Needless to say, she would unleash all her hatred on the player, to the point of pouring out all the world's loathing.

No, more than hatred, she would find them repulsive.

"What makes you say that? How much do you even know about me?"

"Alcohol."

"Hmm?"

"We drank together, didn't we?"

At my response, Dan Yerin looked stunned again. She appeared completely blindsided.

Of course, this isn't a sufficient answer. It was more of a random reply because I couldn't think of anything else.

Still, we drank together, so isn't that enough? Besides, I got to hear Dan Yerin's refreshing curses.

"...Haha."

Dan Yerin, who had been wearing a dazed expression, let out a laugh.

"Hahaha!"

It was a very hearty laugh, so much so that she lowered her head from laughing too hard.

After laughing for a while, Dan Yerin raised her head and looked at me. Her face was filled with joy.

Wiping away the tears in her eyes, it seemed she had truly laughed her heart out.

"Haha, this is amusing. Really amusing. You completely defied all my expectations... I can't predict you at all."

"I hear that a lot."

"It's been a long time since I've had this much fun. I think I understand why people are drawn to you."

Well, Rod might say he needs to carry stomach medicine because of me causing trouble.

In fact, Rod mentioned before that while his addiction symptoms had improved, his stomach was starting to hurt.

Even Danuiwon, the demon faction's spy, provided legitimate herbs, which says a lot.

"I think I can sleep well tonight. Oh, do you remember what I mentioned before?"

"What was it?"

"The promise to drink together. I need alcohol to sleep. Can we start tomorrow since today's tough?"

"If Grace goes to bed."

Drinking while Grace is awake would be problematic. That's the feeling I got.

Hearing my response, Dan Yerin gave a subtle smile and said something ambiguous.

"Drinking with another woman while one woman is present... It feels like cheating. Oh, do you know what cheating means?"

"I know."

"Really? Just to make sure, this isn't cheating. Just think of it as socializing. Got it?"

If that's the case. I nodded to her insistence, which wasn't really an insistence.

Satisfied, Dan Yerin extinguished her smoking pipe's flame. It looked like she was about to go to bed.

"This was an enjoyable conversation. It's been a while since I've laughed so freely. In many ways, my heavy heart feels lighter."

"You're going to sleep?"

"Yes. It's late at night, so I should. You should head inside, too."

"Hmm..."

At her words, I looked ahead. More precisely, down at the darkness beneath the mansion.

It was too dark to see anything, but I sensed something down there.

"You go on ahead."

"What about you?"

"I'll stay here for a bit and then head in."

"Alright. Have a good night."

With that, Dan Yerin bid me farewell and went inside. After confirming she was inside, I looked downward.

The presence that had been quietly waiting below began to move away as Dan Yerin entered. I had a rough idea of who it was.

'Let's wait a little longer.'

They only came to confirm something, so there's no need to leave first.

'Ah, come to think of it, isn't smoking prohibited here?'

I'm not sure. I'll ask about it tomorrow.