Namgung Se-ga, the warrior, was reincarnated in Romance

For a long time, Calyps remained silent. His gaze never left me.

I had no way of knowing what he was thinking. He just silently scrutinized my face, then let go of the object he was holding as if throwing it down, pressing his fingers together in a tense, repetitive manner.

His fingers were long and thin. The unease and anxiety that had descended from his slender shoulders seemed to gather at his fingertips. He absentmindedly tried to pull at a nonexistent hangnail, and I called out, “Professor.”

Only then did Calyps stop tormenting his hand.

After a brief silence, Calyps spoke. His voice was muffled, laden with an unfamiliar, sticky emotion that made my ears itch.

“I have no intention of breaking up.”

“Then why did you say that?”

It seemed as though Calyps wanted me to leave. Seeing him bite his lip in frustration, I couldn’t help but sigh.

He fell into deep thought again without responding, so I turned my head and glanced at the clock. I hoped I wouldn’t be late for the next class on the art of potion-making.

Calyps stared at me for a while, then sank deeply into the chair he was sitting on.

“I understand what Walter said, but let’s clear up the misunderstanding first.”

He started by saying that he, not anyone else, knew best how much Walter Orglen liked him.

Was he suddenly bragging? Was he afraid I might steal the boy away? I was at a loss for words.

My expression must have looked strange, as he raised his voice.

“That’s not it…!”

“Yes, please go on.”

“If Walter Orglen makes a foolish decision because of love, then it will be entirely my fault. A person cannot fully take responsibility for someone else’s life. Eventually, if he and I part ways—”

His eyes were dry, his complexion pale, but his voice, despite his efforts, was heavy with emotion.

“…I hope he doesn’t regret even the time he spent with me. Walter is young and a talented knight. As long as I can have just a little of his time while he’s doing what he loves, that will be enough for me… At least, that way, I won’t be a source of his regrets.”

“You said you have no intention of breaking up.”

“Do you think I decide that?”

I closed my mouth. Calyps pressed his fingers hard against his temples and brows in an irritated manner. I checked the time again and asked,

“Professor Calyps, you’re not being forced into this, are you?”

“Yes. Of course, I don’t need any help from you, Ernhardt Youngsik.”

“Would you accept help from someone else?”

Calyps let out a short sigh and wiped his face with his hand. The exhaustion he hadn’t been able to hide was clear on his face.

I wondered if he was hesitant because he needed help but was reluctant due to my age. I looked him over carefully, but Calyps cut off my gaze with a firm answer.

“If I weren’t a professor, I wouldn’t have tried to make Youngsik understand my feelings.”

“…Hmm.”

“No one, including Ernhardt Youngsik, should interfere.”

Watching his guarded expression, I suddenly had a thought.

“I might graduate early if I do well.”

“…That’s possible.”

“If Walter leaves for the Uniquely Mountain Range first, it might be a good opportunity for me as well.”

“…What?”

“I’m young, and I have a good appearance.”

I laughed. I didn’t enjoy playing tricks by taking candy from a child, but I knew how to exploit the emotional turmoil that people kept hidden.

Just like my own parents had done in this life, I could see through the quiet anxiety these two were hiding inside.

I lowered my eyes, not bothering to suppress the smile that crept onto my face.

“I have another class now, so I’ll get up and leave.”

“…”

Calyps didn’t say another word. However, his stunned gaze never left me. I couldn’t help but laugh, still taken aback by the situation.

The next day, during advanced swordsmanship class, Walter Orglen hugged my neck.

“Junior!”

“Yes.”

“Junior, really, thank you. No, what did you say? What happened?”

“It’s something I need to say. What happened?”

“He said he was going to look for something else to do in the capital, not the investigator’s job. He said he’ll check out a good place.”

I struggled to hold back my laughter. I burst out laughing.

Walter, in his excitement, picked me up and spun me around, saying I was so cute he could die. I patted his shoulder to calm him down. Walter hugged me tightly for a moment before setting me down.

“We’ll talk about the details next time. Let’s make time for it. I’ll treat you to something really delicious.”

“Yes, let’s do that. But next time, don’t do anything weird like that.”

“Of course, of course. No problem.”

“Also, cut down on the swearing.”

“Ah… Of course, of course. Anyway, thank you, Mika.”

Walter’s face was still beaming with a big smile.

Ruber, who had been watching from a distance, walked over and lightly tapped my shoulder.

I still had a small smile on my face. He looked at me silently, so I asked,

“What’s wrong?”

“Well, Orglen… How did you get so close with Orglen?”

“It just happened.”

It wasn’t something I wanted to discuss openly. I turned my attention to Walter, who was joyfully hopping around.

Today, Walter finally showed his full skills in the sparring session. It seemed like a declaration that he wouldn’t hide his abilities anymore. It wasn’t funny. I wondered if that made him happy. Some of the others who didn’t know he’d been hiding his skills were quite surprised.

Rather than someone like him, who was bouncing around like a mudfish, I thought it would be better if Ruber remained the quiet one. I patted Ruber’s back.

“I hope you continue to grow like this.”

“…Am I cuter?”

“Yes.”

Ruber wobbled his lips, then nodded and rubbed his chin and cheek against my shoulder.

When I ran my fingers through his soft hair, I felt a heavy, warm feeling in my chest.

Well, whether it’s a man or a woman, what does it matter? That’s how things are in this land, and watching them so tenderly yearn for each other like this was endearing.

I thought that, in the end, they would do well on their own, and it put my mind at ease.

***

Friday, third week of March.

Cedric’s drug manufacturing practical exam was replaced with a report.

I was now sufficiently familiar with the Imperial genealogy quiz, so it went smoothly without any problems.

The practical exam for actual combat potion-making was the same as last year, and Douglas and Boulder were still absorbed in their breath control exercises.

The only real exams were in three subjects.

The world geography exam was an essay, but Ruber had given me some practice questions, so I did well enough.

The basic first aid exam was easier than expected, and I received a good score.

I couldn’t help but feel excited as I thought about how the midterm exams would be over once I finished the Monsterology exam in the afternoon.

The other kids were no different, chatting about what they’d do and where they’d go to have fun after finishing their Friday exams.

I hadn’t forgotten the promise I made with Ruber to visit the botanical garden, so I brought it up first before he got disappointed.

“When will you have time, senior?”

“Once I’m done with the Monsterology exam, next week there are more classes canceled. …But, will you spend just one day with me?”

“Excuse me?”

“Today’s the day the night market opens, you know. If you’re free…”

“Wow, are you really going to the night market today?”

A voice suddenly cut in between Ruber’s words, speaking with an exaggerated effort. It was Bill Brown, of course. I couldn’t help but laugh at how familiar he was, always charging in first.

I didn’t know when exactly he became so accustomed to barging into my space like that. I patted his rough head and his broad shoulders in amusement.

“I was thinking about it. Why?”

“I’ve never been to the capital since entering the academy. Can I go with you?”

“Sure.”

He’d been quietly obedient and diligent in training for nearly a month now, and Bill had grown used to curling up in my arms, squeezing his large shoulders in. I answered without hesitation.

Recently, Ruber had been trying to be nice to Bill too, so it would be fun if we all went together.

I thought that’s how it would be, but Ruber didn’t respond right away, which made me wonder.

“Senior?”

“Ah… No, I… I think I left something in the training hall. I’ll be back soon.”

“Excuse me?”

I knew full well that the sword and shield used in the intermediate swordsmanship class were left behind after class, so what could he have left behind?

Once lunch was over, I had to focus on studying for the exam and head to take it. There wasn’t much time to spare, which left me feeling puzzled.

I wasn’t sure if he had really left something behind, so I hesitated and didn’t follow right away. Shea then draped his arm over Bill’s shoulder and motioned for me to go with a nod.

“Go ahead, Mika. Good luck with the exam.”

“…Ah. Thanks.”

After saying goodbye to the kids, I turned back toward the training hall. At first, I was confused, but then I remembered the look of panic on Ruber’s face earlier, which made me worried. I was sure I hadn’t done anything wrong, yet I still had this odd feeling that something was off.

Halfway back, I spotted Ruber sitting alone on a bench. I walked toward him without hesitation.

The kid, who surely knew I was coming, kept his head down, not lifting it. It made me feel strangely suffocated.

“You said you left something behind.”

“…I guess not.”

It was an obvious lie. I sat next to him and checked the time. There was still enough time before the next exam, so I didn’t need to hurry.

I gently placed my hand on his shoulder and patted him. Ruber quickly hid his face in his hands.

“…I feel so stupid.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Just… I feel like I’ve become so foolish.”

“I feel the same.”

“…Why, Ernhardt?”

“I just don’t understand why you’re so upset.”

“…”

The tips of his white ears turned bright red.

I suddenly had the urge to touch those soft, petal-like ears, but I knew I shouldn’t do that while he was upset. I held myself back and instead gently patted his back.

Seeing him quietly hold his breath, with his back to me, made me want to laugh.

“So, why did you run away?”

“…It wasn’t running away.”

“Senior.”

“…”

Watching him desperately try to hide his face, I couldn’t help but laugh again. I had a feeling I knew what was going on without him even saying a word.