Codename Vestia

Chapter 32

“It’s just braided to look pretty.”

Tora spoke indifferently, then suddenly, his energy shifted, and he smiled faintly.

“Women used to like braiding my hair.”

When Tora smiled intentionally, his face carried a tidal wave of charm that could leave any woman breathless. Even the professor seemed momentarily overwhelmed, struggling to remember her professional composure.

“Then what does this tattoo mean?”

Tora glanced at his tattoo and replied.

“This one is Rato.”

“Rato?”

“My twin.”

“Then…”

As the professor tried to ask the next question, Tora suddenly spoke in a language that no one present could understand.

“Pardon?”

The professor asked back, confused. Tora smiled faintly again.

“Are you not curious about our language?”

“Oh, yes.”

At that, Tora said something else in Satadi language and then explained what he had just said.

“It means ‘hello.’”

“Could you say it again?”

When the professor tried to write it down, Tora gently pressed her hand down. Startled, the professor flinched, but Tora paid no mind, continuing to smile warmly.

“Language is learned through speaking, not writing. Repeat after me.”

“Ah…”

The professor’s face visibly turned red.

“Not ‘ah.’”

Tora pronounced it again. The professor shyly mimicked him.

Watching this from the sidelines, Jain was utterly dumbfounded. What on earth was this vampire doing? She had heard legends about vampires charming maidens, but she hadn’t expected something like this.

“Your eye color is beautiful. What color would you call this? Teal?”

Tora looked gently into the professor’s eyes as he asked.

“Yes. And your eyes are red, Tora.”

“They’re not my original color, but I quite like them as they are now.”

“They’re very pretty.”

At this point, it was hard to tell if this was an interview for research purposes or an awkward blind date.

“Just the eyes?”

Tora smiled a smile that seemed like it carried the scent of rich musk. It was the kind of smile that could make anyone’s emotions swirl in an inexplicable way.

The professor shook her head hastily.

“You have a strong bone structure… and a very unique…”

Tora merely stared at her, faintly smiling.

Whether she realized it or not, the professor seemed to lean forward slightly, as if trying to get a closer look at Tora. She continued leaning forward, and before anyone realized it, she was practically on top of the table…

And then, just as it seemed unbelievable, she lifted one knee onto the table while straightening her posture!

It felt like magic. All Tora had done was look into her eyes and say a few words, yet this renowned scholar, recognized for her expertise in the field and trusted enough to collaborate with the military, had completely discarded her dignified reasoning. She had turned into something akin to an animal crawling onto the table.

Jain was so flabbergasted that she couldn’t even think to intervene, staring in disbelief. Meanwhile, Tora, as if he had encountered such situations countless times, merely wore a faint smile.

“Um.”

A sergeant nearby cautiously spoke.

“Aren’t you going to… stop her?”

Jain sighed as she continued watching the scene unfolding before her. She walked over to the table and spoke.

“Professor, you really shouldn’t be doing this here.”

When Jain intervened, the professor suddenly came to her senses and looked at her. Then, realizing where she was, she let out something close to a scream.

In her haste to get off the table, the professor almost tumbled down. Jain quickly caught her and helped her climb down. As she did, Jain shot a glare at Tora.

But Tora merely shrugged, as if to say he had done nothing at all.

***

“Major.”

Hearing the Colonel call him, Doyeong turned around and answered.

“Yes.”

However, the Colonel’s expression wasn’t pleasant.

“There’s been a bit of an issue. Apparently, someone climbed onto the table.”

“Onto the table?”

Doyeong couldn’t make sense of what the Colonel was talking about. The Colonel nodded.

“She’s a young scholar, well-known in her field as an authority.”

Even then, Doyeong still didn’t quite grasp the situation, until suddenly, something dawned on him.

“Was the scholar interviewing Tora… a woman by any chance?”

The Colonel, as if admitting a mistake on his part, nodded again.

“Technically, he didn’t do anything specific that we can hold against him, but still…”

Doyeong rubbed his temple, already feeling a headache coming on, and replied.

“I’ll go and speak with him.”

“No need. We’ve decided to replace her with a male scholar.”

But as this conversation unfolded, Gamal, who had been silently listening, muttered blankly.

“That won’t work.”

Doyeong gave Gamal a puzzled look.

“What do you mean?”

And just then…

“Colonel.”

An officer walked over and whispered something into the Colonel’s ear. As the Colonel listened, his face grew grim. Doyeong felt a sinking sense of foreboding. Once the officer stepped back, the Colonel sighed deeply and spoke to Doyeong.

“Major, I think you’ll need to go handle this.”

***

“Tora.”

Doyeong, already weary, called out to him. But Tora was as obstinate as ever.

“I don’t like men.”

With his arms crossed and an expression as sulky as a stubborn child’s, he sat there pretending not to hear. This was after they’d specifically brought in a male scholar to conduct the interview.

To be safe, they had even gone out of their way to bring in an elderly male scholar. The man, standing awkwardly in the background, wore an uncomfortable expression.

“Two mad dogs…”

Doyeong couldn’t help but think to himself.

With one hand on his hip and the other rubbing his temple, Doyeong eventually let out a frustrated sigh and spoke.

“Do you think this is some kind of blind date?”

“Come on, they’ve stuck me here in a place full of nothing but grim-faced men. If they don’t give me something fun like this, how else am I supposed to endure all the endless questioning?”

Tora then turned to the male scholar and, in an unnecessarily polite tone, said,

“I don’t have anything personal against you, sir.”

“Oh, um… I see,” the scholar replied awkwardly, clearly unsure how to respond.

Doyeong placed one hand on the table in front of Tora, leaning in as he spoke in a low, firm tone.

“Do you think this is a joke? The faster you cooperate, the sooner we can start searching for your twin.”
Tora paused for a moment. Doyeong, sensing the situation was finally under control, pressed on.

“Don’t you think so?”

At that, Tora sighed, uncrossed his arms, and spoke.

“Fine, Tawa.”

“Tawa, you say…”

Jain muttered from behind. Doyeong pulled Tora close and whispered softly.

“I told you not to call him that.”

“It’s become a habit.”

Doyeong turned and spoke to the others.

“Well, then, I’ll leave it to you.”

As he was heading out, he said to Jain.

“Thanks for your hard work.”

Jain replied with a nonchalant expression, answering without holding back.

“Seems like it.”

Tora looked over at them and asked.

“Are you two talking bad about me?”

Doyeong glanced at Tora before walking out.

“Honestly, whether human or vampire, they always hear when people talk about them, don’t they?”

Jain watched Tora conversing with the male scholar.

It was hard to believe this was the same person who had interacted with the female scholar earlier. He was being polite and maintaining a respectful distance, so much so that it almost seemed like he didn’t care about the conversation.

But somehow, Jain could tell. If that vampire wanted to, he’d treat the male scholar the same way he had treated the female scholar earlier.

Jain felt like she might need some aspirin.

‘What on earth have they asked me to handle?’

***

Evening arrived, and Doyeong stepped outside. Gamal and Tora were sitting side by side on the edge by the door, while Jain stood a few steps away.

Gamal quickly jumped to her feet when she saw Doyeong.

“Is it over?”

A sergeant who had come with them suddenly clapped his hands.

“Just as expected from our Major. Never brings in a normal pet. A vampire, no less.”

Doyeong furrowed his brow and looked at the sergeant.

“Stop saying strange things.”

The sergeant, unfazed, gave a playful salute and walked off.

“Well, then, I’ll be off.”

Doyeong shook his head and looked at Gamal.

“Has the interview ended?”

“Yep. I was waiting for you, Doyeong.”

Recently, scholars had been coming and going so frequently that it felt as though the doorframe was worn out.

Since Gamal’s discovery was still classified, the number of scholars visiting was limited. However, despite the secrecy, they all seemed eager to hear even one more word from her, their faces filled with the same fascination that young boys had when talking about dinosaurs or insects. It made Doyeong wonder if, just as there were types of soldiers, there were also certain “types” when it came to scholars.

“What about dinner?”

When he asked, Gamal shook her head.

“Not yet.”

“Let’s go.”

“Okay!”

As Doyeong turned to leave, Gamal followed, then Tora, and lastly Jain trailed behind them.

The four entered the dining hall. Fortunately, since it was a little after meal time, there were very few people around. It was actually a relief, as Gamal and Tora stood out so much.

Some people began to take notice of the Luas, who seemed not to have enlisted yet, but frequently appeared around Doyeong ever since his miraculous return. However, given that most activities at this base were classified, it didn’t lead to unnecessary interest.

The fact that people working here even noticed it meant they were already in the know, and so they refrained from poking their noses further.

“What do you want to eat, Marti?”

Tora asked Gamal.

“That one.”

Gamal grabbed Tora’s arm and pointed at the menu board. Doyeong glanced at them briefly but said nothing, quietly placing their order.

Once the food was ready, they all sat down at a table.

“Here, Marti.”

Tora handed Gamal her food. Doyeong, once again, noticed the interaction but refrained from commenting, instead focusing on his own meal.

“This is delicious!”

Gamal said, clearly delighted.

However, Jain was staring at Gamal intently.

“What?”

Tora asked, noticing. Jain quickly looked away and muttered.

“Nothing…”

“You’re wondering how someone like Marti has lived so long, aren’t you?”

Tora asked, as if he had read her mind. Jain hesitated, then nodded.

“Yes. I don’t mean to be rude, but if she told me she was her apparent age, I’d believe her.”

Frankly, if someone told her Gamal’s mental age was even younger than her appearance suggested, she might believe that too—but saying so felt too impolite, so she kept it to herself.

Tora looked at Gamal with affection in his eyes as he spoke.

“Marti’s best trait is that time hasn’t been able to touch her.”

Jain couldn’t help but wonder if such a thing could truly be considered just a “trait” and left at that.

“Marti avoided people as much as possible.”

Tora added suddenly, his tone thoughtful. Jain decided to pry, though she pretended to be simply curious.

“Why is that?”

“To make sure no one got hurt. Marti is kind. Sometimes, that kindness itself becomes a problem, though.”

“A problem?”

Gamal asked with a slightly sad expression. Tora propped his chin on his hand and looked at her with a loving gaze.

“It’s okay. The world is a better place because of people like you, Marti.”

“Gross. What are you two doing, mother and son?”

Doyeong finally broke his silence. Tora smirked shamelessly.

“Because we’re mother and son, it’s beautiful. Where else could you find a pair as close as us?”

Doyeong’s face twisted with displeasure, but suddenly, Gamal grabbed Tora’s arm. Everyone turned to look at her. With a serious expression, Gamal spoke.

“Don’t worry, Tora. Rato will be fine.”

Tora shut his mouth as if caught off guard.

Gamal knew that Tora was more anxious than he was letting on. He’d never been apart from Rato for this long. If he could, he would have rushed off to find him immediately.

“Yeah. Rato will be fine.”

Tora spoke as if he wanted to believe those words.

“I’m Rato’s Sigi. I can feel it.”

Gamal embraced Tora, and he hugged her in return.

Because Gamal looked so much younger, it was strange to Jain, seeing a grown man hugging someone he called his mother. Yet, oddly enough, they both looked entirely at ease in the moment.