Chapter 171

Chapter 171

No problem, but unfortunately, I’m neither aware of any specific tool called “The Extra’s Academy Survival GuideTranslator” for translating Korean novels, nor am I equipped to provide translations for entire novels as that would be against copyright regulations. However, I can offer assistance with understanding specific excerpts or queries related to Korean novels or the Korean language in general.

“Are you considering putting a personal workshop on the second floor as well?”

“Indeed, you’re quite perceptive.”

“While we’re at it, should I include my own room too?”

“...”

Lortelle let out a sly laugh when I didn’t respond, “You really don’t get jokes, do you? In any case, don’t worry about such trivial expenses. You can add it to the company’s accounts.”

“No, take the money.”

“What?”

After pondering for a moment, I eventually handed Lortelle a leather wallet filled with gold coins.

“Oh, I didn’t expect you to pay so generously. Weren’t you the type to be frugal and try to save wherever possible?”

“It feels like I owe you enough as it is, so I intend to at least do what I can.”

Lortelle looked taken aback, as if she hadn’t expected me to react like this, but she quickly regained her composure and chuckled, as if she understood what was on my mind.

“Favors can feel like rights if they’re not kept in check. It only takes a moment for people to become overbearing.”

“That might be true, but... I’m not sure.”

Then Lortelle smiled brightly, surprising me that she could still show such an expression.

“I’m not taking the money.”

“...?”

“Drawing such a business-like line between us feels wrong. Close friends don’t make a fuss over small debts and write IOUs for every little thing.”

“That coming from you...?”

Wasn’t she known to meticulously settle every last coin and chase down debts to the ends of the earth? I’ve heard that the recovery rate of Lortelle’s bonds scattered throughout the living quarters exceeds ninety percent, which means she recovers just about everything unless there’s an impossible situation or disaster.

“Take it.”

“No, really. Keep your small change.”

“Take it, I say.”

“No, I won’t.”

Thus, a silent battle of wills ensued for a brief moment. It felt like our positions had reversed; it was usually Lortelle who should be in the position of asking for money.

Hearing stories of her collecting every last coin from negotiations with the Sylvania Academy, it was indeed odd that she was so consistently refusing to take money now.

“Senior Ed... Money isn’t everything in the world...”

“That’s not for you to say.”

“What’s more beautiful than money is the heart. How can you equate a person’s kindness to money? It’s not good to put a price tag on everything in the world.”

Unfortunately, putting a price tag on everything was one of Lortelle’s talents.

“If I have to say it, I want to keep it as a debt of the heart towards Senior Ed.”

“And what does that mean?”

“If I behave so generously towards you, refusing money while opening my wallet freely... then in Senior Ed’s heart, it remains as a debt, don’t you think?”

I wondered how much complex scheming and plotting Lortelle must have done over the vacation period in Olduck. Her increasingly foxy disposition nearly made me click my tongue in annoyance.

“For people living by the trade, it’s a habit to invest in what holds more value. So, was there trouble in Olduck?”

“...”

Without turning around, I went straight for the heart of the matter. Even Lortelle, normally so adept at conversation, seemed lost for words for a moment.

After a while, she regained her usual composed smile.

“Senior Ed, that kind of ambush isn’t very nice.”

“Just asking.”

“But now, with the cabin construction underway, you don’t have a place to stay.”

Belle Mayar, having finished his duties at the Ophelius Hall, took care of Lortelle’s luggage and arranged it neatly inside the villa.

It was evident that Lortelle was accustomed to giving orders to servants, simply sitting quietly near the fire to warm herself.

The fresh autumn breeze played with the ruddy strands of Lortelle’s hair.

“That’s true. I’ll need to find a solution for that.”

“Why look far away? My villa is right next to you.”

“It’s not a joking matter. At this rate, I might end up sleeping on the street.”

“Oh my...”

Lortelle propped her chin, then suddenly smiled alluringly.

“I’m serious.”

While Lortelle’s villa might not be massive, it was certainly spacious enough for just her. But that didn’t mean I could just barge in and start living there.

“You still don’t seem fazed. Hmm...”

“What’s the reason behind your sharp comments?”

“I just wanted to see you flustered, senior. If I keep on pushing, you might stumble over your words at least once, right?”

“What if I actually decide to move in? What would you do then?”

Lortelle burst into laughter, shaking out the wrinkles in her clothes. But as I quietly observed, she suddenly shivered.

“...Eh...?”

“...”

“Are you... serious?”

There’s always a person who’s adept at drawing others in but thin-skinned when pushed away. The characteristic of those who can pull but falter when it comes to pushing back.

I had no such intentions, of course, but the odd sense of reality crept in as I imagined staying in Lortelle’s villa.

As I sighed deeply and bowed my head, Lortelle fanned her face aimlessly to regain her composure. She had made her assessment of the situation.

Lortelle sighed in disbelief and then took a moment to steady her breath.

And just as she began to speak...

― Thud

Lortelle and I were sitting across the bonfire from each other.

Next to us, a different girl came and plopped down.

The girl who had spent the whole day cooped up in a cabin-like cave, pounding on walls in vain, or hitting pillows.

Finally able to get herself together, she sluggishly made her way to sit by the fire.

“...”

After causing a major mishap that stretched over a day, her cheeks were still flushed with embarrassment. Despite the weight bearing down on her, perhaps she heard our conversation from inside the cabin and somehow managed to drag herself out, fidgeting with her fingers.

Was it a definitive sign of her determination not to leave Lortelle and me alone? Her actions seemed to express that intention clearly.

From my perspective, I was concerned about Yenika’s physical state after rolling around in bed all day, her hair a tangled mess, but her mental state was far more worrisome, her cheeks flush like a ticking time bomb.

So I found myself speechless, not knowing what to say first, and a slightly awkward silence lingered between us.

“....”

As Yenika sat fidgeting with her flushed cheeks and as I was still choosing my words, Lortelle, who had been watching from across the fire, finally spoke up.

“What’s this?”

Whether it was a mutter to herself or loud enough for us to hear, I couldn’t tell.

“The atmosphere... why is it like this...??”