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Chapter 99

“Hello! You must be Yuri’s disciple! Nice to meet you!”

As soon as I entered the room, Albert jumped to his feet and bowed deeply. His overly polite greeting made Yeon-woo awkwardly bow his head too.

“What are you bowing for? If you don’t want to leave, just go back.”

“Umm… if you could reconsider just once….”

“I’ve reconsidered, and it means I’m not going. I’m busy.”

Despite that resolute rejection from none other than Yuri, Albert didn’t back down. Honestly, Yeon-woo envied his bravery.

“Can you please just consider it once more…!!”

As Albert desperately pleaded, nearly ready to drop to his knees, Yuri sighed. A clash of pride between two geniuses…!!

While I found this trivial confrontation amusing, Yuri’s gaze suddenly shifted to Yeon-woo.

‘Why are you looking at me all of a sudden?’

As Yeon-woo stood there dumbfounded, Yuri gave an enigmatic smile and let out a long sigh. It was a sigh that felt resigned.

“Since you asked so earnestly, I really do want to go, but….”

“Are you really coming!?”

“Listen to the end of my words. It’s true that I’m busy. I can’t spare much time, but if you need a training partner, wouldn’t there be a better choice than this old man?”

“Wh-who is it…!?”

Albert gulped nervously as Yuri gestured with his chin. Only then did Yeon-woo realize what was happening.

‘I let my guard down…!!’

“Don’t you have a disciple of mine? He should be adequate for you.”

At those words, Albert’s head snapped around to stare at Yeon-woo, a look of fear clear on his face.

“An impressive insight, Yuri-san…!”

“Of course, your disciple will have his own schedule, so make sure you two coordinate that well. If you’re satisfied with that, wait for me at the first-floor café. It seems Yeon-woo has something to discuss as well.”

“Understood! Thank you, Yuri-san!!”

With his head bowed deeply, Albert quickly dashed out of the room. There was hardly any chance for a refusal. While it was indeed a joyful occasion to have the opportunity to share swords with Albert Lionel, I had to remark…

“Who would sell out their disciple like that?”

“What should I do when they cling to me like a leech? Sacrificing my body for the master is part of a disciple’s duty.”

“You say that so well, but you do realize you’ve forcibly set my body on fire?”

“I never expected the interpretation would veer so off course. My heart aches.”

It became clear that engaging in verbal sparring wasn’t going to yield any results, so I decided to concede. After all, experiencing a duel with Albert would surely be a valuable asset for the future.

“So, why did you come?”

“I have some concerns, and I thought I’d greet you before taking my leave. Are you staying at the Academy?”

“I’m tied up with contracts, so I’ll have to remain here for a while. I have a lot to do.”

“Hmmm, I was thinking of asking if you wanted to come down with us if you had no plans. What a pity.”

“If I face Claire, I would want to cross swords with her, you rascal.”

That was undoubtedly tricky. The peaceful orphanage in the mountains would be turned to ash.

“It’s a bit silly to ask now, but why did you need the Heukdong Ogong’s internal pellets?”

“How strange of you to ask. It was nothing serious. There’s a sick kid among the people I know, and they said some herbs are required. Coincidentally, you brought that weird pamphlet with you.”

“Heh….”

That was a somewhat strange story. While it’s true that Yuri knows someone who is sick, there shouldn’t be a need for the Academy to purchase something for that. Yuri isn’t the type to embezzle either.

‘Something’s up?’

“I know what you’re thinking, but it’s unrelated to you right now, so don’t worry about it.”

“Fair enough.”

I wasn’t foolish enough to engage when he clearly told me not to.

“Still, I hope everything gets resolved. If Shar might find out something, don’t hesitate to let me know if you need help.”

“What a nosy one you are. Alright, I’ll consider it.”

After that, the two of us talked for several minutes about various topics. Matters of library autonomy, the state of the Dark Guild, and I pretended to be unaware of the latter, only to receive a scolding for acting as if I didn’t know anything. Hmph.

“Then, let’s go greet Shar and Tae-oh before heading back?”

[Dad, could you let me rest your arms?]

“Hmm? Like this?”

At Shar’s sudden request, mana gathered on Yeon-woo’s arm. Emerging from the swirling dark mana was the form of a crow, and from the golden mana, a small puppy took shape.

“Seems the kids are a bit tired.”

“It’s nice to at least show their faces. Alright, Tae-oh, Shar, take care while I’m gone.”

It seemed unsure whether to call it a voice of an animal as Shar panted while shaking its paws, while Tae-oh, whose original form wasn’t clearly defined, fluttered over and rubbed its face against Yuri.

“We’ll be back! Grandfather, health is the best…!!”

Sorry, but your grandfather is the healthiest person in the world.

Leaving the Department Head’s Office behind, Yeon-woo headed down to the Faculty Building. Honestly, it felt a bit bothersome, but I made my way to the café to meet Albert.

Upon entering the café, I found Albert sitting stiffly and sipping iced tea. What’s wrong, not used to it? But he’s been living here for four months.

Once he spotted me, he stood up straight as if to speak loudly, but I gestured for him to shush. He seemed to understand and sat back down.

After ordering drinks for myself and the kids, I took a seat across from Albert. Who would have thought I’d be facing someone I had just met in a café? If it were with a girl, I might joke about it being a date, but Albert, as I knew him, was wholly dedicated to the sword.

“Let’s quietly and quickly finish our discussion. Is that okay?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

Normally, it would be expected to introduce ourselves and make small talk, but feeling uncomfortable, I offered that proposal. Albert surprisingly accepted without hesitation.

‘Maybe sharing swords is quicker than introducing ourselves… it feels like we’re on the same wavelength.’

“From transportation fees to lodging, the Lionel Count House will cover everything, so you don’t need to worry about that. There’s also a modest reward awaiting you.”

“Why go to such lengths for me? But I appreciate it.”

If the money is only for inviting Yuri, then taking a little as a fee doesn’t trouble my conscience. To think it’s such an overwhelmingly favorable arrangement, the title of ‘Sword Saint’s disciple’ really is something.

“I’ll be staying at the Lionel Count House throughout the break, so you can come whenever you like. Just let me know roughly when you’ll be coming, and I’ll prepare then.”

Hearing that, Yeon-woo started sorting out his schedule in his mind. He figured he’d rest at the orphanage during the first and last weeks, and he needed to visit the Namgung family in the third week. Of course, it wouldn’t be a full week, but even then, the second week was clear.

“Then I’ll come in the second week. I’m not sure exactly when, though….”

“That’s fine. As long as you come, it’s not a problem. Then it’s settled.”

The agreement was done in a flash. They hardly even discussed drink prices, and everything serious was finished, allowing Albert to leave the café. I’d known this even before my regression, but he truly was a difficult person to pin down.

[Right? He’s quite unique. Another type of fool entirely different from Namgung Oppa….]

– He doesn’t seem like a bad person…!

“He’s a typical sword supremacist. He’s the type who believes you can understand everything by clashing swords with strangers.”

Of course, the quintessential representative of sword supremacists was Yuri. If we include Yuri, he’d actually discern everything, making it no joking matter.

The inside of the café had turned into quite an unusual sight. Shar and Tae-oh were drinking their beverages in the forms of a crow and a puppy, respectively. Shar was sipping on a shallow plate of chocolate drink, while Tae-oh was delightfully drinking a strawberry smoothie.

Perhaps because of that, the eyes of customers or passersby were naturally drawn to them.

“I wonder if people will criticize me for giving chocolate to a puppy.”

[I’m not a puppy!!]

– Right now, you certainly look like one! Hehe.

[What did you say!? You little rascal!]

Shar lunged at Tae-oh, rolling around on the table. Yeon-woo watched the adorable scene with a smile.

Unbeknownst to Yeon-woo, the kids were communicating telepathically, while he was the only one speaking aloud, which was also a reason for the attention.

Spending time sipping drinks slowly, the café door opened, and a familiar figure walked in.

Sporting a long white coat and a slightly petite frame with soft, wavy brown hair, she always declared herself to be part of the medical field. Her trademark smile was absent this time, revealing only weariness.

“Ah, it’s Yang-ho sensei.”

“…Oh my, Yeon-woo? You haven’t left yet?”

Her voice was always gentle, but fatigue seeped through. Had she not slept well? There were shadows under her eyes that no amount of makeup could conceal.

Bringing in sweet coffee, Na Yang-ho looked even worse up close. Her skin was rough, and dark circles under her eyes showed through despite her best efforts to hide them with makeup.

“Are you feeling alright? You look really worn out.”

“Various things… it seems like many people get sick during the break and come to the infirmary….”

“Wow….”

I could somewhat understand the desire to be seen by the saint before heading down, but no matter how saintly, everyone still needs time to rest.

“You’ve been working hard. Want to hold Shar for a bit?”

“Is that alright!?”

Na Yang-ho exclaimed with surprise as she swiftly snatched Shar, who had just finished her drink and let out a cute little burp. What…!?

“Thanks, Yeon-woo. I can finally catch my breath.”

“…Ah, no problem.”

Sweating in cold droplets from missing the movement of a hunter who specializes in support rather than combat, Yeon-woo awkwardly began to stroke Tae-oh, who was methodically drinking his drink.

“So, are you staying at the Academy during the break, too?”

“Huh? No? I have to return to the lectern. I have to show my face during the break, or I won’t have the heart to face Solaris.”

After taking a sip of warm coffee and briefly petting Shar nestled in her arms, Na Yang-ho finally let out a comfortable sigh.

“You’re able to comfortably call upon the deity?”

“Oh, Solaris? I’ve been calling him that since I was a child. It feels awkward to refer to him as Solaris now that I’m older.”

“I recall you made a contract when you were young.”

Contracts with certain beings often come with conditions. For instance, when forming a contract with a spirit like Tae-oh, affinity for the attributes is a condition. For dragons like Shar or Nea, gaining their favor from the beginning could be the initial condition.

Among these, contracts with gods take on a slightly unique nature.

There are no conditions, but there are preferential terms.

It’s just as it sounds. There’s no conditions. A god grants grace, and if the contract maker agrees to accept it, the contract ends there. Proving that one’s faith alone is enough to declare oneself a believer, that’s how the contract concludes.

However, it’s exceedingly rare for someone to be born with divine qualities.

Or in rare cases, one could receive divine qualities through the love of a god.

The former case was the ‘Stigmata’ in the shape of a sunflower etched on Na Yang-ho’s neck.

“Do you know much about acquired stigmata?”

“Of course. I know of a junior saint who received it later on. It wasn’t from Solaris, though.”

Indeed, such cases exist. Someone who enjoys a god’s favor but chooses not to join their faction in favor of another. Either the patron god must have gravely offended them, or they genuinely love another and chose to freely let themselves go.

Of course, in such cases, the stigmata still functions as a focal point for channeling the god’s power. All gods, above all else, are divine.

As Yeon-woo processed those thoughts, Na Yang-ho fixed him with a playful smile.

“Why do you suddenly ask? Do you want one?”

“…I wouldn’t say I’m completely devoid of desire.”

“It’s going to be tough~? It’s not something you can get just by trying hard. It’s not like gods are watching everyone across the world, nor do they show signs that they’re keeping an eye on you like in a novel, right?”

“You seem to know quite a bit.”

“I’ve seen many struggling to receive stigmata. Just because someone desires to earn favor with others doesn’t mean they can. Why would it be different with gods?”

Na Yang-ho spoke in a tired voice, but all her words were spot-on. No matter how hard one tried, there was no guarantee of getting a return, and it’s a bothersome task requiring effort from the beginning.

“Still, it’s possible to try.”

“Having a lot of ambition, huh? Contracting both a spirit and a dragon, and now you want another?”

Despite that, Na Yang-ho appreciated that very point about the boy before her. She felt like he wouldn’t foolishly perish even if he were thrown onto a deserted island. It seemed unlikely he would suddenly be found as a corpse.

“Do your best.”

With her usual kindness, Na Yang-ho said that while ruffling Yeon-woo’s hair.

(To be continued in the next episode)

 

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