NOVEL NEXT Chapter 63
Summer Break
It wasn’t a particularly long span of about ten days, but during this time, students either took a break or returned to their hometowns.
During this summer break, I ended up spending time with Iris and her group.
“Does it make sense for a couple that hasn’t been together for long to spend this break apart?”
“I don’t think being in a relationship means you have to be attached at the hip all the time.”
Inside the rattling carriage, Hania and I were engaged in conversation.
To encourage students during summer break, Jerion Academy opened up the southern blue sea, Aaron Hae. Some students were visiting Aaron Hae for relaxation during this time.
Iris had decided to visit Aaron Hae.
“That’s true. But the real reason is that you explained it yourself, didn’t you, Iris?”
Upon hearing those words, I fell silent. Then I turned my gaze towards Iris.
Iris, who had been looking out the window, slightly curled her lips when our eyes met. Recently, she had been smiling at me more often.
“For the time being, Hanon, it would be better for you too.”
As Iris said, the assassination case involving Nia Cynthia had surfaced.
Coincidentally, on that day, someone had testified to seeing me heading towards Magung. A knight who was swapping shifts reported that I was heading down a different path from Sharin towards Magung.
As a result, out of nowhere, my name was suddenly thrust into the spotlight.
I explained that I was visiting Magung to prepare the student council for the next Magung tournament.
However, given the circumstances, it quickly led to me being accused of being the murderer of Nia.
Sure enough, the 3rd Princess Faction began to make noise about my name. They were trying to pin the assassination of Nia Cynthia on me unilaterally.
‘That wouldn’t work, though.’
The 1st Prince Faction was already aware of my presence. If they framed me as acting independently, they would miss the chance to shake up the 3rd Princess Faction.
Thus, they gathered opinions from various places to defend me. Without me having to step in, they actively gathered evidence proving I wasn’t the culprit.
However, the 3rd Princess Faction was not sitting idle either.
They intended to sell me out to buy themselves some time. If the investigation got tangled because of me, it would be much easier for them to cut ties.
Consequently, I was on the brink of being captured and interrogated by the imperial royal family.
And Iris was the one who prevented that.
Iris was the one who initially hinted at saving Nia. So, she defended me and quickly took me under her wing.
“Don’t let my cousin get used like this.”
Even if it was the 3rd Princess Faction, there was nothing they could do if the 3rd Princess herself said this. In the end, they gave up on using me.
Their aim was primarily to buy time. I was not essential to that.
For them, it was a priority to avoid getting on the bad side of a potential empress, the 3rd Princess.
Now that they knew that the 3rd Princess and I had a good relationship, the 3rd Princess Faction wouldn’t touch me anymore.
Understanding this, Iris deliberately brought me along this summer vacation to stamp her mark clearly.
I was honestly thankful to Iris.
‘The issue is that my name has surfaced.’
Once it rises even once, eyes are bound to follow.
‘I feel like the 1st Prince Faction will start approaching soon.’
They must have figured out that I’m not the real Hanon. Thus, it was clear they would approach me to uncover my true objectives.
Going forward, how to navigate this entirely depends on me.
“And.”
At that moment, Iris tapped her knee.
Watching that, I received Hania’s judgmental gaze and stood up.
Then, as I sat in front of Iris, she hugged me tightly.
Iris was tall, owning an impressive height that far surpassed my own.
Consequently, I fit perfectly into her embrace.
I felt a gentle warmth from behind. The unique rose scent of Iris tickled my nose.
“Hanon’s warmth is helping me fall asleep.”
Right now, I had become Iris’s comforting doll.
The remaining heat in my body from possessing the flame of fire was helping Iris sleep soundly.
“Ugh, Iris is hugging me like that.”
Hania, full of jealousy, tore at her handkerchief. Being in love with Iris, she was deeply envious of me.
‘Really, I’m the one who’s having a hard time here.’
I honestly feared for the future. Iris’s behavior was out of belief that I was her cousin.
If she were to learn that I was actually Bickamon, whom she had expelled, then—
‘I might just die that day.’
Thanks to this, each time Iris acted this way, I felt like I was walking on eggshells.
Yet, I couldn’t refuse a princess’s command. If I did, it would have another meaning for my neck.
‘More than anything.’
I too wished for Iris to fall into peaceful slumber.
She was a vessel for the Evil Zone’s possession. The more I could reduce the Evil Zone’s nightmares, the better I could prevent her possession.
‘Ending Iris’s nightmares is.’
In Act 6.
So until then, I had to ensure that Iris wasn’t completely consumed by her nightmares.
‘Another one of the bad endings, the nightmare ending.’
This is the bad ending that would be met if Iris got completely consumed by nightmares before Act 6. The world would fall completely into the Evil Zone’s nightmares and meet its end.
For that, Iris’s nightmares needed consistent management.
‘Originally, I could see the percentage of nightmares.’
But now, this place isn’t a game; it’s reality. Thus, I couldn’t visually confirm Iris’s nightmare percentage.
‘I could only make rough estimates.’
Iris’s nightmares were still ongoing. To that end, I had been continuously working to enhance her sleep quality.
‘But it’s just a temporary solution.’
In the end, it was all merely a stopgap measure. This way, I couldn’t completely stop Iris’s nightmares.
‘To solve this.’
There was only one person. I needed to summon that guy, who could replace the flame of will, to Jerion Academy.
‘It’s a tangled mess.’
But it’s something that needs to be done. I quietly ignited my resolve.
“Hanon has become warmer.”
For now, I felt like I needed to escape this situation.
* * *
The southern Aaron Hae. In the past, it was the unknown sea discovered during the Age of Discovery by Aaron.
As the flame butterflies carried mysteries and various bizarre creatures, exploring the sea was a great achievement that had been hailed as heroic throughout generations.
Now on the beach owned by Jerion Academy in Aaron Hae. Students who had come to play in the sea were enjoying a swim at Apirus Beach.
The sea is a place that holds the various dreams of students. Especially Apirus Beach was a spot where fresh teenage youths gathered.
The sea is a magical place that peels away people’s layers.
Women are filled with strange expectations, while men solidify their will to chase their dreams.
“Hey, hey! Want to play with us over here!”
“Ah, uhm, what should I do?”
Therefore, several students openly showcased their youthful innocence at the beach.
And among them, I was watching, serving as the baggage carrier.
“Why do I feel so annoyed for no reason?”
On the sandy beach, seeing students hunting and being hunted right in front of me, a pointless irritation surged.
So, as I frowned for no reason, I soon heard footsteps approaching.
“What’s with that grim face you have?”
Hearing a familiar voice, I turned my head to see peach-colored hair flowing in the breeze. Instantly, the gazes of surrounding students all turned toward me.
What caught my eyes next was stunning physical beauty, with all the right curves accentuated.
Clad in a swimsuit adorned with peach-colored cherry blossoms matching her hair, she was none other than Hania Repidia, the daughter of the imperial knight commander.
I barely suppressed an involuntary gasp.
I had seen Hania in a swimsuit in illustrations before, but the devastating impact of seeing her in real life was on a whole other level.
And it seemed others felt the same, as jealousy flared from behind me.
The heat of the men’s envy was hotter than the sun’s rays.
“This time, the stares are uncomfortable.”
“It’s beyond my control.”
“Besides, I’m not wearing this for you to see.”
“Since we’re a couple now, doesn’t it mean I wore it for you?”
“Shall we break up?”
“Fine. I’ll go hunt as well.”
I decided to leave my baggage behind and move.
“Where are you going?”
At that moment, I heard another voice near my ear.
The sultry voice naturally drew my attention.
Then my view went dark.
“What are you trying to look at?”
Hania covered my eyes with her hands.
“Hania, my eyes have the duty to see treasures.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll fill my eyes instead of you, Hanon.”
“You two seem quite close, huh?”
Iris’s light laughter reached my ears.
I felt Hania turning to giggle at Iris.
Taking that opportunity, I suddenly poked Hania in the side.
“Eek!”
Hania squeaked in surprise and pulled her hand away. I then faced Iris.
She revealed her long, slender legs beneath her black swimsuit. Over that, she wore a long coat and a straw hat.
My gaze slowly froze.
BAM!
“Are you crazy? Where are you poking?”
Then I took a hit from Hania and rolled around on the sandy beach.
I had faced my punishment.
“I’m weak against sunlight, you know.”
Iris’s skin was as white as snow. It was only natural that her skin would be weak against the sun.
‘Though I expected this, I wondered if today would be different given the many changes in reality.’
“Come on, Lady Iris. Let’s leave him behind and go have fun together.”
Hania shoved Iris and moved toward the beach.
Watching that, I also gathered my belongings and followed.
‘I wonder who will show up in this side story.’
The beach event is an extra episode in Act 3.
The visitors to the beach change depending on the influence Lucas has on the heroines, so I couldn’t guess who would show up this time.
After all, the main character, Lucas, had died.
“Honestly, you’ve worked hard this time, so you can relax a bit today!”
“B-but I have to train a little to—”
“That’s training addiction. You’re a junkie!”
As I followed Hania and Iris, another familiar voice rang out.
Just as I was lifting my head, startled, there was the owner of honey-blonde hair being pushed by her friend.
The moment I saw her, my eyes nearly popped out.
At that moment, she also turned to look at me with wide eyes.
“T-You?”
Isabel Luna.
She was there wearing a swimsuit that resembled her hair color.
Meeting her gaze, I involuntarily took in the sight of her in a swimsuit.
Perhaps due to her recent rigorous training, she had a well-toned body that looked better than the illustrations, and her short skirt slightly covered her thighs.
She was crouched down shyly like a little creature, but her chest could not hide its hidden strength.
Isabel poignantly demonstrated what it means to be the ‘main heroine.’
“T-You.”
Naturally, she hadn’t expected to run into me, so her face was filled with bewilderment.
“Gyaah!”
Then she hastily covered herself with her hands.
Though doing so wouldn’t hide her body, one thing was for sure, that action would provoke more reactions from men.
“What are you staring for?”
At that moment, stepping in front of Isabel was one of her close friends.
Mina from the martial arts school.
“Our Bell is very pretty, but…”
“M-Mina!”
Isabel protested from behind, but Mina confidently flicked her nose, undeterred.
As I glanced at Mina for a moment, I locked gazes with Isabel again.
She flinched and shyly hid behind Mina.
“I-I didn’t come here to skip training! Mina insisted and urged me to come!”
Isabel mumbled her excuses, but I remained indifferent, raising an unimpressed eyebrow.
“Alright, have fun.”
Everyone deserves a break once in a while.
If that could uplift Isabel’s mood, I was all for it.
“Ah.”
But oddly, Isabel’s expression seemed to crumble.
What’s this? I told her to go have fun, but why the downcast look?
My confusion quickly turned to curiosity as I saw Isabel dropping her head.
Tap tap—
Just as I was about to speak to her, someone knocked on my back.
Turning my head, I felt a cold touch against my cheek.
There stood Sharin, poking my cheek with her ice cream-covered finger.
So she was here too.
Wearing a blue swimsuit, her overall slender physique was on full display. Yet, her lower body was hidden under a long skirt.
“Hello, Hanon.”
“Why are you poking my cheek with your ice cream-covered finger?”
“It’s fun, isn’t it?”
“Only you think that.”
“Is that so?”
Sharin then took her finger, previously poking my cheek, and popped it into her mouth, licking the ice cream off.
I had no idea what to make of that.
“You’ve made my cheek sticky, you know.”
“Should I clean it for you?”
Sharin slightly parted her lips revealing her tongue.
“Thanks, but no.”
If I asked, it’d likely end in disaster.
“There’s still ice cream left, you know.”
Then you shouldn’t have poked me, right?
As I wiped my cheek, Mina and Isabel gave me odd looks.
“…Wow, you really are quite close with Sharin, huh?”
Mina gazed at me with an expression of disbelief.
I had left nothing but a bad impression on Mina up till now.
From her perspective, I must be a character she isn’t fond of.
So, it was only natural that she found it strange that I was friendly with Sharin, who’s Isabel’s close friend.
“Sharin, I’ve never seen a guy interact with you like that before.”
Mina looked at Sharin, who was lazily licking the ice cream.
Sharin’s expression remained unreadable.
While Mina tilted her head, Isabel spoke up.
“Hanon, what are you doing?”
Interrupting Isabel was Hania.
When she appeared, everyone froze momentarily.
This was due to the fact that all three here knew that Hania was my girlfriend.
“Come on, Iris is waiting for us, you know?”
Hania casually grabbed my hand.
That action briefly made me feel like I really was Hania’s boyfriend, but her eyes rapidly scanned the three individuals.
It was a deliberate move to reinforce the fact.
A strategist, indeed.
However, at that moment, for some reason, amidst the summer heat, an inexplicable chill washed over me.