The Genius Tamer of the Academy

Chapter 180

We were just as dumbfounded as the kobolds that had been sitting there.

The situation was perplexing. Wild kobolds rushing in to dig someone out of the dirt was unheard of.

I’d never heard of a tamer who could make them do such a thing.

Adela tried to analyze this bizarre phenomenon with all the knowledge she had, and I helped.

“It’s not that I’ve awakened a new ability.”

The absence of a new message window confirmed that much.

I had given it my best, but the process was sloppy, and forcing an awakening in such a contrived situation was never going to be easy.

So, what was it?

Adela tilted her head, trying to make sense of the situation.

“It seems like the kobolds responded to your call… but did you actually call them?”

“I did yell something like ‘Come, kobolds!’”

Adela’s eyes widened in disbelief.

She shot out an urgent question.

“Seriously?”

Of course not.

Sure, I’d shouted “Go, Basilus!” plenty of times…

But I wasn’t crazy enough to summon kobolds while buried in the ground.

“I have no idea how it happened.”

The ability most similar to what just occurred would be [Tamer’s Touch].

A power that temporarily tames wild monsters.

But the way it functions is slightly different.

That ability forces affinity through a skill, requiring a significant amount of mana.

But this time…

Even though I was on the verge of passing out, I knew what had happened.

I hadn’t used a single point of mana.

Plus, I hadn’t even known there were kobolds nearby.

Which meant that the kobolds had run toward me of their own accord.

But why?

“Am I like… the king of kobolds now? Do I need to conquer the underground world?”

Adela laughed, clearly finding my joke ridiculous.

“Why? Doesn’t that sound cool?”

“It’s really lame.”

“That’s harsh, you know.”

“Being the king of dragons would be way cooler than kobolds.”

“Yeah, that ship sailed when Basilus stopped listening to me.”

“Pfft.”

I shrugged, and Adela turned her head, trying to stifle her laughter.

“I think we’ve done enough for now.”

Adela brushed the dirt off my clothes and took my hand.

“It’s cold. Let’s head inside.”

I nodded, looking up at the sky that had grown darker.

We’d need to look into the kobold situation a bit more, but…

We’d done enough, and there had been visible results.

“Let’s go.”

That was good enough.

* * *

One-person study room, Ardel Library.

Solia took a sip of her tea, a light red-colored Earl Grey, with a faint smile. The warmth and subtle aroma were soothing.

“For something so pricey, it’s actually pretty good.”

She had bought it in the plaza, and it was exactly to her taste.

The lingering aftertaste was exquisite. It was the kind of flavor you didn’t want to enjoy alone, and whenever she tasted something like that, a particular person would come to mind.

Thinking of him, Solia smiled.

[The Blooming and Variation of Abilities]

Solia propped her chin on her hand as she turned to the third chapter of the book she borrowed from Natalie.

Basilus’ polymorph training had yielded results, and Han Siha had gone off asking to be buried for a test.

What kind of craziness was that?

Solia was baffled, but she couldn’t help smiling.

He was the one she thought of whenever she drank Earl Grey tea.

Should she prepare him a warm cup when he gets back? Solia pondered as she stared out the window.

He’s probably still outside, right?

Is he doing okay?

Even if it’s for the sake of awakening abilities, the method seemed dangerous… would he be alright?

Her thoughts trailed off, one after another.

It didn’t seem like she’d be able to finish reading the book today.

“Tsk.”

She couldn’t focus at all.

Solia clicked her tongue and closed the book.

“When is he coming back?”

Since the engagement party ended, she hadn’t had a chance to talk to Han Siha about the incident.

No one was seriously hurt, but it seemed that Castica’s side had been busy dealing with the aftermath.

It was unlikely that a new engagement date would be set anytime soon.

However, as promised, the engagement would likely proceed eventually.

Solia didn’t mind the engagement.

In fact, she liked the idea.

And that’s why those words kept echoing in her mind.

‘We’re going to get engaged.’

She wanted to ask him about that sad look in his eyes when he said it once he returned.

Staring out the window where she couldn’t see Han Siha, Solia eventually picked up her book.

It was her magic crafting textbook.

Even though she couldn’t concentrate, it seemed the only way to clear her mind of stray thoughts.

Solia buried her head in the book.

That’s when it happened.

“Huh?”

Knock, knock, knock—

She looked up in surprise at the sudden knock.

“Ugh, my mouth still feels gritty.”

It was Han Siha.

He had said he would come straight here after finishing up, and now he stood there with dirt falling from his pants, as if he had just rolled in it.

Han Siha took a sip of water and made a face, and Solia couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the sight.

“Did you come straight here?”

“Yeah.”

Thud.

Han Siha looked down at the dirt falling off him and grimaced.

“Ugh, I thought I brushed it all off.”

“Looks like you missed a spot….”

“Crap. I’m going to get in trouble if I get caught.”

Han Siha motioned for Solia to follow him, saying they needed to get out of there quickly.

If they got caught making a mess in the library, who knew what the strict librarian would say.

Solia chuckled, leaving her cup of Earl Grey on the table as she followed Han Siha out.

The two stood facing each other in the hallway in front of the library.

“How did it go?”

Given the state of his clothes, it was the obvious question to ask.

Judging by the time he’d been outside, it seemed like he’d been rolling around in the dirt for quite a while. Solia’s curious eyes were fixed on Han Siha.

“Well… I think something did happen.”

Han Siha told Solia about the kobolds that had suddenly appeared while he was buried, and she found it just as hard to believe as he did.

“What? Really?”

Solia repeated, her expression shifting between amazement and confusion.

“Is that even possible?”

“I don’t know how it happened. I’ll have to look into it.”

“I’ve never heard of anything like this either….”

Maybe we should ask Natalie, the expert on books…

Han Siha trailed off, scratching his head.

Even though he hadn’t awakened a new ability, it was worth investigating if there was a possibility of something developing.

Of course, he didn’t want to repeat today’s insane stunt.

Being buried alive was still a bit too much.

Han Siha hesitated for a moment, then called out to Solia.

“Solia.”

“Hm?”

“How about passing out from light?”

“W-what?”

“Wouldn’t that be a bit more divine?”

Solia, worried about what strange request might come next, frantically waved her hands, horrified.

“Honestly, doesn’t passing out from light sound better than being buried…?”

“No way! If you’re going to do that, ask Basilus instead!”

“Basilus?”

Han Siha grimaced, picturing Basilus’ fiery breath.

“…That’s a bit much.”

The idea of becoming the tragic tamer who was burned to death by his own dragon wasn’t appealing at all…

Han Siha frowned and said.

“I heard somewhere that burning is the most painful way to die. I’d rather go with the light. Oh, you’ll do it, right?”

“Argh! Stop asking me to do weird stuff!”

“Why? Isn’t it a little cooler?”

“No way!”

“Hey, hey, where are you going? I’m not really asking!”

Solia, horrified, ran away, and Han Siha laughed, calling her back.

He hadn’t intended to ask her for such a crazy favor again anyway.

“I wasn’t really going to make you do it.”

“Fine, fine. Just wait! Stop right there.”

More than anything, he had something to give her.

‘Almost forgot.’

Han Siha gestured for Solia to stop and rummaged through his pocket.

“I have something to give you.”

Solia’s eyes widened at his words.

Han Siha smiled, pulling out an artifact from his pocket.

“What’s this?”

“A detoxification artifact.”

After a long time, it was finally completed.

Han Siha proudly held up the finished product.

“Here, take a look.”

The item in his hand was a small necklace about the size of a coin.

A gem with a shimmering purple hue, reminiscent of Solia’s eyes, sparkled brilliantly.

It was a visual that captivated anyone who looked at it.

Gazing at the glowing necklace, enhanced by the embedded magic circuits, Solia couldn’t help but exclaim.

“It’s beautiful….”

Solia smiled, complimenting the craftsmanship.

Even though she’d seen Han Siha struggle with developing the detoxification artifact alongside the smart artifacts, she hadn’t expected it to turn out this well.

The artifact was so stunning it could be mistaken for a simple piece of jewelry.

Solia looked at the necklace in awe before glancing back at Han Siha.

But then.

Han Siha placed the necklace into Solia’s hands.

“Huh? What’s this?”

“It’s yours.”

Did I make it too obvious that I wanted it?

Solia’s face flushed red, feeling guilty as if she’d pressured him into giving it to her.

She quickly tried to return the necklace, waving her hands.

“No, I’m fine. I don’t need a detoxification artifact.”

Solia’s inherent nature as someone attuned to purifying darkness made her naturally resistant to toxins.

Pretty as it was, and as much as she was tempted, she had no intention of taking an artifact that Han Siha had worked so hard to make for free.

Han Siha shook his head at her refusal.

“No, I made it for you from the start.”

“What…?”

Solia’s eyes widened in surprise.

This beautiful necklace, this one-of-a-kind detoxification artifact…

‘He’s giving this to me?’

She thought he might be joking, but Han Siha’s eyes were completely serious.

“It’s true. I wouldn’t have made it otherwise.”

Han Siha gently pressed the necklace back into Solia’s hands, urging her to accept it.

“R-really?”

It was the kind of gift that made her wonder if she was allowed to keep it. Solia grasped the gleaming necklace with trembling hands.

Han Siha smiled as he spoke.

“Even if it’s not your style, don’t forget to wear it. It was a real pain to make.”

She was grateful…

So grateful that she had to ask.

“Why… are you giving me this?”

“What?”

Han Siha paused, taken aback by her question.

The reason he had gone through the trouble of making a potentially dangerous detoxification artifact.

From the start, this was always meant for Solia.

But he struggled to explain the honest reason behind it.

Because you’ll be in danger someday.

Because you might end up helpless, poisoned and unable to fight back when you could have survived otherwise.

Because he wanted to prevent that tragedy.

Those were the reasons, but they were too difficult to explain in words.

“That’s… just.”

And so, Han Siha thought up another excuse.

“Because you’re my fiancée.”

With that calm admission, Solia’s cheeks flushed a deep red.