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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Night]
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Chapter 230
“…Hello, are you a first year student?”
Leciel turned her head in the direction of the voice.
It was a gentle and polite voice.
“…Who are you?”
A middle-aged man with the appearance of a scholar and a sociable smile on his lips stood there.
With his slender figure, neatly groomed white shirt, and well-fitted beige trousers, he looked quite harmonious against the backdrop of the garden.
“Are you a parent of a student?”
As Leciel made a puzzled expression, the man chuckled softly.
“Haha, I’m also a parent of a new student. I arrived earlier than the event due to some circumstances. I was just exploring the academy.”
“Ah.”
Leciel’s guard softened as she replied.
The man looked around and asked again.
“By the way, do you happen to know where the dormitory for new students is?”
“Since the dormitory is quite large and there are several buildings, if anyone….”
“Oh, my son….”
But their conversation didn’t last until the end.
It was because of the loud voice that came from behind.
“Leciel!”
A voice that echoed, it was Evergreen.
She was also helping to prepare for the event.
“Huh?”
Evergreen, who belatedly noticed the middle-aged man in front of her, was startled and instinctively bowed her head.
Then she whispered softly to Leciel.
“W-who is that?”
“I was just about to hear that.”
“Ah, sorry….”
The middle-aged man gazed at the two girls with a warm expression, then opened his mouth again to introduce himself.
“I am…”
But he couldn’t finish his second introduction.
Someone who popped out from the side grabbed Evergreen and pulled her back abruptly.
Evergreen blinked in surprise.
A broad back was visible.
It was a familiar figure.
“…Luke?”
Luke’s deep voice resonated in everyone’s ears.
“Father.”
Ravias smiled brightly and waved his hand.
“Well, son. It’s been a few months. How have you been?”
“…Fine.”
“Are these your friends behind you? They kindly showed me the way.”
Ravias’s gaze passed Leciel and alternately looked at Luke and Evergreen behind him.
“….!”
Luke, startled, shook off Evergreen’s hand abruptly.
Evergreen looked up at him momentarily in confusion.
But Luke’s gaze was fixed on Ravias.
‘Hmm… Is he embarrassed because it’s in front of his father?’
Luke tended to be shy, so it made sense.
Evergreen glanced past Luke’s shoulder at Ravias.
Their eyes met, and Ravias smiled kindly.
‘Wow, he’s really impressive.’
It was quite different from what she had imagined.
Usually, when you think of a mercenary king, you imagine a rough image.
But the Ravias in front of her seemed refined and gentle like any nobleman.
Suddenly, a story she had heard in the lounge came to mind.
‘He rescued Luke, who was almost about to become a war orphan.’
Such a grateful person.
With a broad smile, Evergreen stepped forward to greet him formally.
If Luke hadn’t firmly grasped her wrist, she would have done so.
Evergreen also stopped, her face showing confusion.
Ravias took a step forward.
“Well, ladies. I’m sorry, but could I have a brief chat with my son whom I’ve met after a long time?”
Luke walked slowly forward.
His gaze still fixed on Ravias.
Leciel and Evergreen stood side by side, watching the two move away.
Leciel’s gaze turned to the clock tower in the garden.
“Let’s go quickly, time’s up.”
“…No.”
But Evergreen didn’t move.
With a strange expression, she looked at her wrist.
And after a short silence, she spoke.
“Let’s follow them.”
Leciel, taken aback by the unexpected words, opened her mouth.
‘Is she crazy?’
Is she planning to impress her father-in-law in a strange way?
However, Evergreen’s expression did not look like she was joking.
Leciel, sensing something strange about her, asked back.
“Why?”
“He was nervous.”
“Huh?”
Evergreen muttered as she pulled Leciel’s wrist in the direction where Luke and Ravias had disappeared.
“Luke’s hand was shaking.”
.
.
.
Ravias, who was strolling through the garden, stopped at a shaded bench.
He tapped the bench loudly.
“Sit down.”
“Yes.”
As they sat side by side, the peaceful scenery of Rosenstark unfolded before their eyes.
Today was a weekend without classes.
There were quite a few parents who had come early like Ravias, and the children were enjoying time with their families.
…Luke felt like a strange presence at the academy after a very long time.
It was then that Ravias spoke up.
“I’ve taken a look around.”
Even Ravias, who had traveled the continent all his life, had never been to Rosenstark before.
Of course, when he was a boy, he had enough skill to enter Rosenstark.
But at that time, Ravias was in the midst of raising his status as a mercenary.
Naturally, he had no intention of coming to the academy.
For Ravias, the battlefield was his classroom, and the enemies were his teachers.
Learning that didn’t bring in money had no value.
Luke was well aware of that background, so he cautiously asked,.
How was it?”
Surprisingly, Ravias nodded satisfactorily.
“It’s a good place. The training facilities and equipment are all top-notch.”
Luke responded with relief.
“Yes, Father, I’m working hard not to disappoint you.”
“Oh, really? It seemed to me like you were more interested in playing house.”
…Did he figure it out?
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Luke momentarily stiffened, then reflexively began to make excuses.
“We’re not that close. We just happened to attend classes together….”
“Luke, do you think of this old man as a fool?”
Ravias’s hand rested on Luke’s shoulder.
It was a rough hand that didn’t match his appearance.
Ravias pulled the boy towards him affectionately and murmured.
“Your gaze, your gestures, your anxiety. You showed everything in a short time and then spoke such nonsense.”
As if unable to stop himself, Ravias shook his head and muttered.
“I didn’t send you to this academy to create such a burden.”
“….”
“And if you’re going to fool around, at least do it with a decent girl.”
Ravias’s dark eyes glanced at a corner of the garden before returning to Luke.
Luke had been staring at the ground in silence until then.
With a sigh, Ravias stood up from his seat.
“I’ve learned enough.”
“…Yes?”
“A year ago. Do you remember when you suddenly said you wanted to come to Rosenstark to learn from the Hero?”
“Yes, I do.”
There was a faint twitch at the corner of Ravias’s eyes.
“I allowed it because I was surprised to see the always dignified boy assert his opinion. It was a momentary whim.”
“…I’m always grateful for that.”
“But now I regret it. Seeing you now, stumbling and hesitating, makes me regret it even more.”
Ravias stood facing Luke with the park behind him.
A long shadow was cast over the boy.
“I’ve learned enough to know that I’ve made a big mistake.”
“…What do you mean?”
“During the recent joint training, your father made a big contribution. He went into the Demonic Realm and killed all the monsters coming from the Great Mountain Range to prevent civilian casualties.”
Luke also knew that fact.
But what followed was completely unexpected for Luke.
“Aureum Mercenary Corps has decided to enter the second phase of the suppression. Thanks to Her Majesty recognizing our abilities and contributions.”
It was an opportunity to gain immense wealth and honor.
If the mercenary corps performed well, Ravias would not only be a mere mercenary king but would also be treated as a hero.
“Since the Second Age began, the most lucrative battlefield awaits. Are you going to play around like a child in a place like this?”
Ravias looked at Luke with burning eyes.
“It’s been a year… that’s enough. If you waste three more years here, all the sweet fruits will be taken away by others, and you’ll end up chasing after scraps.”
Ravias’s intentions became clear.
Luke’s head spun.
‘So, is he telling me to drop out of school and join the mercenary corps?’
For the first time, rebellion surged in Luke’s face.
It wasn’t the kind of willpower he could control.
Ravias, who didn’t miss that, would have reprimanded him if this weren’t a public place.
As the boy stiffened.
Ravias smiled again, almost showing his gums.
“Who pulled you out of the blood under your dead mother? Who brought you up from being submerged in blood?”
“….”
“From that moment on, your destiny as a mercenary was set. Your place is on the battlefield. By my side, as my son.”
Ravias’s finger pointed to the buildings of the academy behind them.
“Not in a toy-like place like this.”
Thud-
Leaving the stiffened Luke behind, Ravias walked forward.
His speech was mixed with hearty laughter.
“If you really want to get out of my shadow so badly, there is one way.”
“….!”
“You know very well what it is.”
With trembling eyes, Luke watched his retreating figure.
It was clear what Ravias was talking about.
‘Dellum.’
Dellum was a sacred duel among mercenaries, completely different from ordinary duels.
Once one side dies, it’s over.
And once a challenge is made and accepted, there is no backing out.
Those who withdraw from the duel face terrible dishonor among mercenaries and can never return to that world.
…In other words, it was a duel that demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice even one’s life to uphold one’s will.
It was also a long-standing tradition, akin to the first ‘rule’ among mercenaries.
Ravias glanced briefly at the shocked Luke.
‘…Tsk.’
Of course, Ravias never thought that Luke would actually apply for Dellum.
He just wanted to convey how determined he was.
Just as a fierce dog can never confront the owner who holds the leash from the time it’s a puppy, Luke could never rebel against him.
‘Hmm….’
The confident Ravias, moments ago, remembered Luke’s defiant look and furrowed his brow.
But if, by some chance, Luke were to forget all his “lessons”…
‘In that case, it’s up to the person who committed such ingratitude to decide.’
Ravias stopped and spoke.
“I’ll head back to the dormitory now. Let’s meet again before the event.”
“….”
“Until then, enjoy yourself.”
And so, Ravias headed towards the parent accommodation provided by the academy, while Luke watched his retreating figure and hung his head low.
…And by chance, a “fly on the wall” that had been listening to their conversation happened to fly towards the library, its original destination.
* * *
Confirming that there was no one around, the Hero returned to human form once again.
They were near the library of memories.
“…Ravias.”
The Hero had stumbled upon their conversation purely by accident, while on their way to the library without stopping by the faculty building.
He had heard every word from beginning to end.
‘I suspected that he wasn’t exactly a wonderful stepfather, but… he’s even more despicable than I thought.’
The Hero recalled Luke’s “delusions” during the beginning of the semester.
Luke, who had become the protagonist of the memorials and pictures installed at the gate.
The memories of wanting to become a symbol of belief, goodness, and honor.
‘He’s far from being a mercenary.’
A boy who didn’t want to become a mercenary, even though he had been under such a stepfather.
Now, the Hero felt like they understood the real story.
How many unpleasant sights had Luke seen under such a stepfather, who had once been a mercenary himself?
▼
Additional Comment from Luke Selsood:
– Dreamer
▲
Recalling the additional comment made at the time, the Hero’s heart sank even further.
‘What do I do about this….’
Several ideas on how to deal with Ravias raced through the Hero’s mind.
However, considering the external situation and Luke’s future, there was ultimately only one option.
The most difficult one… but the one that could yield the most satisfying results.
‘Yeah, I’ll have to do it his way.’
After finishing the consultation with Rosalyn, it seemed like it would be necessary to find Luke.
Whisk-
The Hero entered the library.
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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Night]
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