Chapter 35: I came out wanting a drink (1)

Chapter 35: I came out wanting a drink (1)

TL/Editor: Raei

Schedule: N/A

Illustrations: Posted in discord.

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After observing Eugene's swordsmanship, Celine was so focused that an hour passed before she finally stopped swinging her sword.

"Haah... Haah..."

Her breath came out in heavy pants.

Sweat droplets fell from her drenched clothes, as if she had just emerged from water.

'When was the last time I was so focused while wielding a sword?'

A smile crept onto her face, proud of her intense practice after such a long time.

Although her tired body felt like it might collapse at any moment, she had managed to commit Eugene's sword techniques to muscle memory.

It would take several more weeks of continuous practice to fully master it, but...

'I've received a tremendous amount of help.'

She had received such significant help that it was hard to believe it was just a repayment for helping him with the written exam.

She needed to express her gratitude to him.

And if possible, she wanted to hear his thoughts on her replication of the techniques he displayed.

"Eugene!"

She looked around with a bright expression, searching for Eugene.

'...He's gone...?'

However, Eugene had left his spot about an hour ago.

'He left, huh.'

A pang of disappointment hit Celine.

It wasn't strange for Eugene to have left.

After all, she had asked him to show her the sword only briefly.

But still, she didn't expect him to leave so soon...

For some reason, she felt disappointed.

Was it because she wanted to hear his feedback on her replication of his sword techniques?

Or perhaps even some words of praise?

'It's not like I'm a child craving affirmation.'

She found her own desires amusing.

'...Still, I would've liked to ask him...'

She wanted to know if the sword techniques she displayed were up to his standards and if she had copied them correctly.

That's why asking him directly would've been the best.

Lost in her thoughts and disappointment, a memory from the past suddenly resurfaced.

'I've liked you for a long time. Please, date me, Celine!'

It was the memory of the day Eugene had confessed to her.

The straightforward young man she knew now was incomparable to that image of the past a naive boy who clung to her without any care for appearances.

'Why did this memory pop up now?'

She couldn't understand it.

Even if she went back in time with her current memories, her decision to reject his confession would remain unchanged.

She did feel a great interest in Eugene's talent, and she wanted to continue interacting with him if possible.

But pretending to be his lover just to gain something would be nothing more than deceiving him.

Sure, if she were to feign a relationship, she could receive ongoing guidance on swordsmanship, but she had no intention of doing such a thing.

'...I do regret it, though...'

The day she rejected his confession.

She wished she had let him down more gently.

Perhaps their relationship would've been better if she had.

'Ugh... I don't know...'

The unexpected memory had clouded her mind.

Shaking her head to rid herself of these thoughts, Celine once again grasped her sword.

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Raei Translations

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Time moved on, unchanged.

With only two weeks left until the end of the second semester, classes took on a more relaxed atmosphere and often concluded early.

Both teachers and students were eagerly anticipating their break, their minds already drifting towards their upcoming holidays.

The exception might have been Eugene.

With his situation, he didn't have the same excitement about returning home, and he found joy nearly equal to leisure in honing his swordsmanship.

He spent most of his days immersed in rigorous training, constantly striving to better himself.

His proficiency with the Lightning Sword technique had advanced to a level where it could be used in actual combat.

Naturally, he even developed a few new techniques.

Since training with the Lightning Sword was more challenging and strenuous than training with a regular sword, his overall swordsmanship skills also improved steadily.

Before he knew it, the end-of-term ceremony day arrived.

Winter had fully arrived in the Royal Academy of Lucia, and even its flower-filled gardens weren't spared.

The red flowers withered, replaced by the beautiful bloom of the winter blossoms, their petals scattering all over the academy.

"At last, I'm heading back home!"

"This is when I return home, like gold!"

"What are you blabbing about? You havent achieved anything!"

"My very existence is gold!"

Students, with winter petals caught in their hair, left the Royal Academy of Lucia in high spirits.

Eugene was also on his way back to the dormitory.

The next three months promised complete freedom.

Until the start of the spring semester, he could spend every moment as he wished.

The savory aroma wafted throughout.

Eugene's eyes widened in awe, taking in the delicious-looking dish before him.

"What is this?"

"This is our restaurant's pride and joy: the Manja Stew! It's high-quality pork slow-cooked with Manja seasoning. It's absolutely fantastic!"

As Eugene listened to the server, he noticed that other tables also had the same dish.

Eugene swallowed audibly, his mouth watering.

"Please, enjoy your meal!"

After the server left, Eugene took a bite of the Manja Stew.

It was sweet, yet subtly spicy.

The combination spread throughout his mouth, delivering a splendid flavor.

'Is this what heaven tastes like?'

The melt-in-the-mouth pork felt heavenly.

'Coming here today was a brilliant decision!'

Eugene grinned, raising his hand.

"I'll have a bottle of alcohol!"

"What kind would you like?"

"Just bring your best seller!"

"Just a moment!"

The server brought over a bottle of alcohol.

Eugene poured a glass and took a deep sip.

"Ah."

This was heaven.

True heaven.

There was nothing better than having a good drink with a delicious side dish.

Having trained intensely, Eugene was already hungry.

He reveled in the flavors of the Manja Stew, losing track of time.

But then, a strange commotion caught his attention.

"Old man. Just give us one shiny gold coin."

"We don't want to do this either, but times are tough for us."

'What's going on?'

Mid-bite, Eugene turned his attention to the source of the disturbance.

Two brutes sat on either side of an elderly man, clearly up to no good.

"Why are you doing this..."

"We're not enjoying this either, but we need that shiny gold coin. Right?"

Despite the elderly man's polite resistance, the brutes continued to threaten him.

Whispers spread throughout the dining area.

"We should call the guards."

"The server's already gone to fetch them."

"We need them here quickly before things escalate."

"I'm worried about the old man..."

"Shut it, all of you!"

With a loud thud, one of the brutes slammed his hand on a table.

The other diners lowered their gaze, clearly intimidated.

Given the size and menacing looks of the brutes, the ordinary diners felt powerless against them.

Thud!

"Hey, old man! Didn't you hear? Hand over the money!"

The brute once again slammed the table, glaring at the elderly man menacingly.

Things seemed to be escalating to a dangerous point.

'Typical of my luck.'

Eugene had come out for a simple drink, but these brutish thugs were ruining the ambiance.

Before eating or drinking further, he realized he needed to deal with them first.

'No choice then.'

Using his mana, Eugene gauged the strengths of the brutes.

'Just some ordinary thugs.'

Though they were strong, they posed no threat to him.

'Wait, what's this?'

However, he sensed a peculiar flow.

It wasn't coming from the brutes.

"What's this?"

Eugene's eyes followed a peculiar flow of magic.

This strange flow emanated from the old man's 'face.'

'What on earth is this flow?'

It didn't feel like a powerful magic.

It was a very delicate and minor force, but it gave the impression of distorting reality.

Eugene focused intently on the old man's face.

And then, behind the features of an ordinary old man, he saw another face.

"No way!"

Upon seeing that face, Eugene almost stumbled backward in surprise.

And for a good reason...

That face belonged to the Prime Minister of the Lucia Empire.

'Why would someone of the Prime Minister's stature be here, drinking? And changing his appearance with magic, no less?'

Eugene looked at the old man with a mix of astonishment and disbelief.

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