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I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 86: Start of Winter (1)

Chapter 86: Start of Winter (1)

『I‍​‍ saw it! It’s⁠ 100%!』

The‌‌ words weren’t fully‌​‍ conveyed because of‍⁠‍ the turbulent wave⁠‍ of emotions but⁠‍‌ the important part‌‌ had definitely gone‍ through.

Normally,‍‌⁠ Marie would have‍​‍ rebuked him saying,‍‍ ‘How can you⁠⁠⁠ say things like⁠‌ that about your​​ daddy?’ but now‌ wasn’t the time‌‍ for that.

“Doggo.”‌‌

『!!!!』‌⁠⁠

As‌‌​ expected of a beast, the 1-year-old‍⁠⁠ Mr. Doggo Kim‍⁠‌ instinctively sensed the‌ chill concealed behind​‌‌ her low voice‍‌⁠ and shrunk.

“Slowly.‍ Tell me. Everything.​‌⁠ From the start.”‌

It‌ was common for​ children to often​‍​ stand on the‍​​ side of their​​ mother in a quarrel, and in⁠​‍ Doggo’s case, that‌‍ applied even more‌⁠ and he had⁠​ not a single‌ integer of plan​‍ on siding with​ his father.

Excitedly,⁠​ Doggo babbled about​‍‍ everything he saw⁠ as Marie boiled‌⁠ the potatoes with‌‍⁠ a shiver.

“I,​⁠ I see. I seeee…”

It‌​‌ was a shocking‍​‌ account of the​⁠ father’s affair. Well,⁠‍ it was pretty‌​ much forced onto​ him, but he‌​ didn’t seem to‌⁠ hate it all​ that much… was‍ the impression Doggo‌ received.

Of‌ course, Marie Dunareff​‌​ was quite a rational person and⁠​ knew that she​ and Korin Lork‍ weren’t in an⁠‌ official relationship.

‘But!​⁠ But…!’

Although​⁠‌ they had never​‌​ decided to start⁠ an actual relationship,​⁠ they had already‌⁠‌ done some very‍‍ extreme things hadn’t‌⁠ they?

Even‍‍ though it was​⁠ just a slightly‍ erotic action of⁠⁠ having a meal…⁠‍ sucking blood meant​‍⁠ a lot to⁠ Marie.

She⁠ had never sucked⁠​​ the blood of​ another person apart⁠‍​ from Korin nor‌‌ did she ever‍‍ want to. He‌⁠ was the only⁠ one that didn’t‍​​ make her feel‌ physiologically repulsed when​⁠⁠ thinking about sucking‌​⁠ blood.

That‌⁠ was why she​​‍ naturally put a lot of meaning‌‍⁠ into this action⁠⁠‌ which regularly took‌‍ place.

“I​⁠‍ was too careless…!”‌

It‍‍ was a bitter‍ mistake. Just like​ how he was⁠ special to her,‌‌ she had been​‌​ arrogant, thinking that‌⁠​ she was also‌⁠‍ special to him.​‌⁠

There‌ had always been‌⁠‌ a lot of‌​‍ girls next to⁠ Korin, but she⁠​ had never considered‌‍ them her competitors.⁠‌ Alicia Arden was‌ obviously harboring goodwill‍‍‌ towards Korin but‌​‌ that was more‍​ in the realm​ of friendship, and​⁠ Hua Ran had‍ also been staying⁠‌ calm until now.⁠⁠

Korin⁠‌‍ Lork had a broad relationship, but⁠‍⁠ her superior position​‌‍ should have been⁠‌ firm there. Besides,‌​​ seeing how she‍‌⁠ was the one​ he relied on‌‌ the most, the‍‍ future should have​‌ been pretty much⁠ set in stone‌‍⁠ if everything went‍ the way they​ did and yet…‍⁠‌

‘To‍⁠⁠ think Hua Ran…​ Hua Ran would⁠⁠​ suddenly do something​ like that…!’

She‌ had been under‍​ the wrong impression‍ that a goalkeeper‌ could stop goals.​⁠⁠ But who could‍‌​ have expected her‌‌​ to suddenly gain​ a second personality…‌‍ and one that⁠‌ was so adamant​‌ and proactive at‍‌ approaching Korin at​⁠‌ that?

『Hello‌‍ oppa.』

It​ seemed that he⁠ had completely dropped‌ his guard from‍‌‍ that one sentence.‌⁠‌ There was an​ extreme comment from⁠‍ Doggo about how​‍ his disgusting grins‌ were a shocking‌​‍ sight.

Forgetting⁠‍ to even comment‌ on Doggo’s violent‌ use of words,​⁠ Marie focused more⁠ on the words‍⁠‌ of their new⁠​⁠ housemate that was⁠ as sly as⁠⁠‌ a fox.

“Oppa…”‍‌

Yes.‌‌​ Korin did have​ the tendency of‍⁠ being obsessed with​‍ the word, ‘oppa’.‌ He seemed very⁠‍​ mature and that‍‍​ was a plus‌ in Marie’s eyes,‌ but in any​‌‍ case, he had‍⁠‌ been very far‍‍⁠ from hearing that‌⁠ long-aspired word because​​⁠ of his face‍⁠ and actions that​‌ seemed a lot⁠⁠‍ more mature than​‌‌ that of his‌​⁠ peers.

But​‌‍ to think he‌​‌ would be completely‌ mesmerized by that⁠ single word!

Her​⁠‌ shoulders trembled from⁠ the overwhelming sense⁠‍⁠ of betrayal.

After​‌ oppa was ‘hubby’,​‍⁠ and what? Two‍​‍ legal wives? Marie‍‍​ was baffled by​‍ that expression.

Marriage​​ wasn’t a 1+1⁠‍ promotion of a dollar store, was‌⁠‍ it? It wasn’t​⁠ supposed to be‍​‍ like that.

“I…‍ can give him‌‍​ a potato farm‍ and a diamond‍⁠ mine though…”

There‍⁠ were probably like⁠⁠ 3 diamond farms⁠ under her name⁠ or something. And⁠‍‌ this year, the⁠‍ best one out​ of them had‍ returned a profit⁠‍ of about 97⁠‌ times the gross⁠​‍ income of the​ hotel he ran‍‌‌ this time around.​⁠‌

From⁠‌ what Marie could‍​​ tell, he did‍ have some level⁠⁠‍ of interest in‌⁠⁠ money. If she‌‍‍ were to give‍‌ him this as‍​⁠ a present…

“No‌​‍ no no no.‍‍ That’s way too‍‌‌ much about money…!”⁠​

The​ relationship she wanted‍‌⁠ to forge with⁠‌⁠ Korin wasn’t something​ as calculative as‍ that. It was⁠⁠‌ more of a sweet romantic one‍‍ that palpitated her‍‌ heart.

She‍⁠ would have had​‍ it if not‌‌ for the sudden⁠​ competitor sprinting like​ a cheetah!

“This‌‌​ is not good.​ I need to‍‍ take some special…‌‌​ very special means…!”‌‍‍

Should​​ she be as⁠‍‌ proactive as Hua‍ Ran? That could⁠ be an option‍‍ but she had⁠​ been doing something⁠​ that was even‌​ more explicit than‌‌ that for a long time. Would‍​ being more proactive‍ be a good⁠⁠ choice?

She‌ needed help.

Marie‍ Dunareff.

For‌⁠⁠ the young maiden‍‌​ who had never‌‍​ even held onto​‌⁠ a boy’s hand‌‌‍ apart from her⁠ father and her‍ brothers, romance was​ a very difficult‌​ problem to tackle.‍⁠

‘…Should​ I ask?’

Fortunately,‌⁠ she had a lot of friends.​​ Even though she‌ recently started being​ especially nicer to‌ one specific person,​‍‍ by nature she​​ was a very‌‍ kind and generous⁠‌‌ girl that was​‍ loved by others.‍

Finding​​ a person to⁠​‌ consult with wouldn’t‍‌‍ be that difficult.⁠⁠

“No!‍‍ I don’t want​​‍ them to find‌ out though!”

However,⁠​ the sensitive feelings⁠ of a maiden‍ did not allow⁠ her to do​‌‍ that.

Actually,⁠⁠⁠ many of her‌⁠ close friends had‌ already noticed signs‌‍​ of her standing​​‌ on the battlefront‌ of romance, but‌⁠‌ Marie was still⁠⁠‌ caught up in‌‌‌ her groundless assumption‌‍​ that no one‍ had figured it⁠​⁠ out.

That​ was why she‌⁠ had to avoid​‍​ any leakage of‍‍ information.

Then‌ who was she⁠ supposed to consult​ with?

Now​​ that her friends‌​ weren’t an option,⁠ who was she‌‌‌ supposed to go​ to?

The​‌ first candidate she​⁠‌ thought of was⁠ Lady Josephine Clara,​⁠​ who was also‍⁠ the dorm master‍‍ of their current‌‌ dormitory. That beautiful‍ professor who was⁠ full of the‌ mature appeal of​ an adult might​ be able to‍⁠ give her some‌ perfect pieces of⁠​ advice, but…

‘Hmm…⁠‌‍ Probably not.’

However,‍‌​ the lady, Josephine‍​ Clara, who had‍‍ been living healthily​‍‌ until she was​​⁠ 17 years older‌‍ than the age⁠​ limit of 100‌‍​ that was predestined‌⁠⁠ by the heavens,⁠ was a great‌‍‍ figure that even‌​ came out in‍⁠‌ history books but⁠ the students of‍⁠ the Academy called⁠‍‍ her using a different title behind​ her back.

Old‌ Maiden.

The‌⁠ legendary gold lady‍‌‍ who never even⁠ touched a man’s‌‍ hand in her‌‍‍ life.

She‌‌​ was definitely not⁠ someone she would‍‍‍ consult with for​ matters regarding romance.‍

“Ugh…”‍

Then‍ who was she‍⁠‍ supposed to ask?⁠​ Her parents? No;‌‍⁠ absolutely not, because‌‍‌ there was already⁠‍ a precedent during⁠⁠‌ the summer holiday.‍​​

Her‍⁠ father had wreaked‌‍ havoc while her​​‌ mother only told‌‌⁠ her that laying​ him down on⁠⁠ the bed would‍​‍ solve all problems.‍​⁠

Those‌ two polar opinions‌‌‌ weren’t very helpful.​

“Someone…‌​‌ with a lot​ of experience… that‌‌ knows how boys​ think…”

Suddenly,‍‍⁠ an incredible candidate‍‌ appeared in her⁠⁠‍ mind, but she‌ shook her head‍⁠ and decided against‌⁠⁠ it.

No,‌‌⁠ that’s… not going‍⁠‍ to work, right?⁠‍​

“No​‍ but, this… this‌​⁠ is a bit…”⁠

Anyone⁠​ listening to her​ grumble would wonder‌⁠ just how shocking‍‌ of a candidate‍⁠ she was thinking‌‍‌ of.

It⁠‌ was one whom⁠⁠ she had to​​‍ lower all kinds⁠​ of pride and‍ dignity against, but‍ at the same⁠‌‍ time, he was​ the player of⁠‍‍ the century with‌‌ a lot of‌​​ experiences that would⁠​ never lead to‍‍ any leakage of⁠ information.

“Woof?”‌‌

Mr.‍‌ Doggo Kim, aged​⁠ 1.

He⁠‍⁠ was leading such‍ a debaucherous and​‌ youthful life with⁠​‍ the dogs of⁠⁠ the inner streets‌‌‍ of the Academy‌ that people were‌ complaining about all​⁠⁠ the sounds.

Marie‌ turned to her​ biological child, who​‍ had taken after⁠​ the bad side‍​ of his father⁠​‍ to live a disordered life.

“Umm…‍‍ Doggo?”

“Woof?”​

“D,⁠​ do you know​ what males like?”‌‌

『Segg—』‌⁠‍

“Not​ that! Something morally​ healthy! Something more‍⁠ normal!”

『…』‍‌‌

Hearing​⁠⁠ that, Doggo pondered‌​ a little before‍⁠‍ going, ‘Ah!’ and‌⁠ immediately sharing the​‌​ thing that he⁠‍⁠ came up with.‌​

『Bones』‍

It⁠‍⁠ wasn’t long until⁠⁠⁠ Marie could find​​ an opportunity to​‌ make use of​‍ that advice.

****​​‍

The​ eventful festival came‍‍​ to an end‌⁠ and the Academy⁠ returned to its‍ everyday life.

“Huu…”⁠​‍

On​⁠ a certain weekend​​‍ morning, I was‌ eating with three⁠ of my housemates⁠ in the dining⁠ room.

Lady⁠‍ Josephine Clara,

Marie‍​⁠ Dunareff,

And⁠ Hua Ran.

The‍ reason I started​⁠‌ living in this​‍ special dormitory that‍⁠ was made separately‌ for the Unique‍ Grade demi-human, Hua‌‍‌ Ran, was because⁠ I was supposed​‍​ to help look​​ after Marie.

These​‍ days, I also‌‌ had to look⁠​ after Hua Ran​‍‌ and I became⁠‌‍ like a semi-deputy⁠‌​ dorm master in‌ this dormitory of‌ 4 people.

“Should​‍ I clean the‌‍⁠ backyard today?”

Since‍ I was getting‍ 5 extra gold​ coins per month,‌⁠‍ I decided to​⁠ display my diligence.⁠​

“Clean​‍ the backyard…?”

Lady‌‍‍ Josephine seemed puzzled‍⁠​ so I returned⁠‍ a reply.

“There‌ are a lot‍⁠ of leaves on‍ the ground. We‍​ can get rid⁠‌ of them and‌‍⁠ while we’re at⁠⁠ it, maybe we‌​⁠ can cook some‌ sweet potatoes using‍⁠ those leaves.”

“Yes!⁠‍ Potatoes taste amazing⁠ when you cook‌ them using dry​ leaves!”

“I‍ said sweet potatoes,​⁠‌ Senior.”

“Potatoes⁠‍ are delicious as⁠ well!”

“…”⁠⁠‍

Lady⁠ Josephine pondered a little, and she‍ seemed to be‌ wondering whether she‌⁠ should make students‍‍⁠ do something as⁠⁠​ tedious as removing‌⁠​ leaves or not.‌ Ever since this‍⁠ place was built,‌‍ Lady Josephine appeared‌‍​ to have been⁠⁠​ the one taking‍ care of everything‌‌ before I came‌‍⁠ in.

There​ were a lot‍⁠ of things that‍ had to be​ hidden in this⁠ special dormitory. Because‌​ it was essentially‍⁠ a dormitory built‌ for a Unique⁠⁠‌ Grade demi-human, it​‍‍ didn’t allow strangers‍ to enter.

There⁠‍​ were a few​‍ old ladies that‍ occasionally came in‌⁠ to clean the‍ rooms but making‍‌ them clean dry‌ leaves was a different problem altogether.⁠‍

“…I‍ have a staff⁠‌​ meeting now and⁠‌‌ can’t help you.‍⁠‍ How about we​ do it next‌ weekend?”

“Making⁠⁠ them pile up​⁠ even more over​​ the week is‍ not going to⁠‌ be that good.​⁠ I can just‌​​ do it.”

“I​​ can help!”

“…Me‍ too.”

“Hua​⁠‌ Ran, you cannot.​‍‍ After my staff‌‍⁠ meeting, you need⁠ to come with‍⁠ me to meet‌ the spiritualist guest.​‍​ We need to⁠ strengthen your talismans.”‌

“…”⁠​‌

“Wow,‍⁠ it can’t be‍ helped then. It⁠⁠ will be just‍⁠ the two of​⁠‌ us, Korin and⁠ me!”

“You⁠​ don’t have to⁠ do it with​ me, Senior Marie.”‌

“No‌ no no. I can’t do it!⁠‌⁠ I would feel‌‌​ bad making you⁠ do all the​‌ work by yourself!​​ And Doggo can‍ help us out‍⁠‌ as well!”

Doggo‍‌ alone would be‍‌ fine but… well,‍ having more manpower⁠ was never a bad option anyway.⁠‌​

………⁠‌

……⁠

– Shiik, shiik.

The⁠ straw broomstick raked‍‌‌ across the leaves​ of the ground.⁠​⁠

Those​ leaves, the symbols‍‍⁠ of autumn that⁠ used to show‍​​ off their crimson⁠​ colors, were now‍‌‌ filling the ground‌⁠⁠ like desert sand.⁠​ I couldn’t get​‍​ rid of them‍⁠​ no matter how​ many times I raked the ground.‍​

However,​ that didn’t mean‍‍ we could afford‌​ not to do‌​ this. It was‌​⁠ already November; it⁠ was starting to‍‍‌ get cold and​‌​ winter was just‍⁠‍ around the corner.‌‍​

If⁠‍‌ we hit winter,​ we would have‌​ to rely on​ mittens to do​⁠‌ any level of‍‍ work outside, and‌ it was questionable‌‍ if it would‌⁠⁠ even be possible​ to rake the⁠‌ ground and remove‍‍ the dry leaves​​‌ while wearing mittens.​‍

“Huu~”‌‌

At⁠ least it was​⁠‍ great that I had someone working‍‌ with me. Despite​‌ having tiny hands,​‌‌ Marie was gathering‌​ the dry leaves⁠⁠ and collecting them‍​​ with skill.

For⁠​ about 2 hours‍ starting from 10‌‍⁠ am, Marie and‌ I had been‍ diligently on task.‍​​

“Doggo!​ You can’t eat⁠​‌ the carps in‌ the pond! Don’t⁠​‍ make me get⁠ angry at you!!”‍‌

One‍‌​ unprincipled member of​ our group was⁠‍ trying to eat⁠​​ the carp in⁠​ the pond that‍ would freeze in⁠​ winter instead of‌‌ saving it, so⁠ we had to‌‍⁠ stop him from​‍​ doing so.

“Woof…!”⁠

Seemingly‌‍‌ discontent by the‍‍​ fact that he​‍⁠ couldn’t bite into​‍⁠ the fresh, hopping‍‌⁠ carp, Doggo howled​‌​ out loud.

“I‌⁠ will buy you‍⁠ tuna later.”

My‌⁠ miraculous negotiation skills‌‍ let the carps​⁠​ survive yet another⁠ day. After putting⁠ them into a pre-prepared water tank,⁠ I came back‌ and found Marie‌‍​ standing in front‌‌​ of the pond.‍

“Are‌​⁠ you going to⁠⁠‌ clean the pond‍ as well?”

“Un.​​ I thought, ‘Why​‍​ not?’”

“It’s‍‌ not going to⁠‌⁠ be easy though…”‍⁠‌

“Not⁠‍ really!”

Without​​‍ even using a staff, Marie used‍​​ magic with a simple uplift of⁠‌‌ her hand and‍‌‌ made all the‌ water inside the⁠‌​ pond surge into​ the air. The​⁠ pond that had‍‌​ been filled with‍⁠ water until just‍⁠‌ then was now‌ empty with not‌‌‌ a hint of​‌ water inside. ❰Water​‌‌ Manipulation❱, was it?‌‍⁠

“I⁠‍ used to help​ with connecting the‍⁠ reservoirs to our‌‌‍ farms. Did you‌⁠​ know? When you​⁠ lift all the‌‌​ water of a reservoir, you actually⁠⁠⁠ find that there⁠‍‌ are all sorts‌ of fish inside!”​‍

The​ girl shared her‍‌ experience, talking about⁠ how the nearby​ towns would have⁠ a feast of⁠‌ fish on such​ days.

“Huu~.‍ Are we done​‍ now?”

It​‍ took about 3 hours. Thanks to‌⁠‍ the reliable help‍​ from Doggo, we⁠‌ were done cleaning‌‍ the pond as​​​ well as the‌⁠ garden.

“Well‌‌ then…”

“Un.‍‍‍ They’re ready.”

Next​⁠ to us was‍ a basket full‍ of potatoes and​ sweet potatoes. As‌⁠ if we had‍‍ decided on it⁠‌​ beforehand, we quickly‍​⁠ got prepared; I gathered leaves while‍ Marie lit them‍ up on fire.‍‍‍

“Hehe.​‌‌ They’re going to​‌‌ be delicious.”

“Woof!”​‍⁠

Crouching‌‍​ around the campfire​‌‍ made with dry⁠​​ leaves, we enjoyed‌‍ the warmth of‍​‌ the flame.

“Should‍‌ we call Alicia,​‍⁠ Lark, and the‍ others?”

“Uun…⁠​ I think they’ll‍ be in the‌​ middle of a meal already though.”​

“I‍ guess so, considering‌‍‌ the time. Oh‌‍ yeah, potatoes are⁠ nice and all,‍‌‌ but should we⁠ have a proper⁠ meal as well?”​⁠

One⁠‍⁠ might say that​‌‌ we were eating​​ too much, but‌‌ we were superhumans‌⁠‌ with metabolism rates⁠⁠‌ that were on​​‍ a whole different‍ scale from normal​ humans.

Even‌​ a slender lady​ like Marie ate​‍ twice as much‌‍‍ as a normal‍⁠ person. Her appetite​‌​ grew even more‌ after becoming a vampire.

“And⁠ as for Doggo…”‌​

“I​ will give some​​​ lamb neck bones‍ to Doggo later.​⁠‍ He loves them.‌ Anyway, let me⁠‍⁠ go cook a meal right now!”‍

Marie‌⁠‌ sprinted off with‌‌‍ a hop. Watching‍‌⁠ that, I placed‌​ a few potatoes‌ and sweet potatoes‍ in the fire.⁠‍‍

“Woof…!”​⁠

Doggo‍‌⁠ and I blankly⁠ watched the dry⁠ leaves burning with⁠‌‍ a crackle.

“You‍‍ want some salt?”⁠‌​

“Woof!!”⁠​​

It⁠‍‌ seemed that he⁠⁠ wanted sugar instead‌‍‌ of salt. Even‌⁠ though I didn’t‍⁠ have a magic‍‍⁠ connection with him​⁠ like Marie, for⁠ some reason I could still understand​⁠ what he was⁠ saying.

Although⁠‍ I was calling⁠‌ myself his dad‌​ as a joke,‌ I actually did⁠⁠​ feel some level⁠​​ of connection with​‌⁠ him, which was⁠​ probably because most​⁠​ of the blood‌ forming his body‍⁠ was from me.‍‍‌

“Oh​‍ right, Doggo. How‍ come you’ve been​ wearing clothes these‌‍‌ days?”

Even​‌⁠ now, he was⁠​⁠ wearing an oddly‌ cute piece of​‌‍ clothing with the​​ words, 『I LOVE‍ POTATO』 written on‍​ it that was​‍‌ from Montijo…

“Wait,‌‍ Montijo?!”

They…⁠ were a luxury‍ brand like Gucci⁠⁠⁠ back on Earth.⁠ Why was he​‌ wearing one from⁠‍ Montijo?!

“D,‌⁠​ Doggo…? Where did⁠‌​ you get that‌⁠ from?”

“Woof?”‍​

There​⁠ was no way​ they would be⁠ selling dog clothes​‌ that were big‍ enough for Doggo​ to wear. In⁠ other words, they​‌‌ had to be‌‌‌ order-made but… w,⁠‌‌ was that even‍⁠ possible?

It⁠⁠ was the same‌⁠⁠ as going to‌ Gucci and telling‌ them, ‘Hey. Make‌​‍ me one that‌ says, I love⁠​⁠ Potato’…

How‌ expensive would it⁠⁠⁠ have been…? That​ was the initial‌‍‍ thought in mind‍⁠ but after remembering‍​​ the richness of​ Marie’s family, I realized that it​‌ would have been‌⁠ like a few‌ pennies to them.⁠

– Tadak! Tadak!

The‌ potatoes and sweet⁠ potatoes were slowly⁠​‍ being baked when​​⁠ a familiar voice​‍ echoed from behind⁠‍‍ the fences.

“Hey~!⁠‌ Are you there?”​

It​ seemed that Lark‌​ had dropped by​⁠‌ to say hi.‌

“Yo.‍ Come in! I can give you‌​ a few baked⁠ potatoes and sweet‌‌‍ potatoes!”

After‌‌ a few seconds,‌‌‍ I saw a boy with disheveled‌ hair walking in​‌‌ through the main⁠‍ entrance.

“Did‌​‍ you clean? Looks‍​‍ a lot better.‍ And did you‍​ say sweet potatoes?”‍​

“There‌‌‍ are potatoes as⁠ well.”

Lark⁠ nonchalantly walked up​ to the campfire⁠​ and greeted Doggo,‌​‌ but Doggo curtly‌ flicked his head⁠ away. As if​ he was worried⁠​ about getting his‌‌ bum dirty, Lark​​​ gathered a few​ leaves and placed⁠⁠ his robe on​​​ top to sit⁠‌⁠ on it like‍⁠‍ a cushion.

“Did‌ you have lunch?”‍

“Yeah.‍ I ate with⁠⁠​ Jaeger.”

“Oh⁠​‌ okay. What’s happening‍ with Jaeger these‍ days?”

“Apparently⁠​ he’s close to​‍ dating someone.”

“Really?​ Who?”

“Miss‌ Meia. Well, I think he’s the⁠​ only one thinking‍​‌ that though.”

“How‍ young.”

It‍ seemed that Jaeger⁠‍​ was at least​⁠‌ trying to date​​‌ someone, but Lark​ didn’t look too‌⁠​ keen.

“Anything‌ going on for‍‌​ you?”

“I’m⁠ busy studying.”

He​ was a nerd​‍​ after all. Even​ though Lark did​‌ tend to go⁠ around with the‌‍‍ proactive knights, he​ still spent most‌​ of his time⁠ reading and studying.⁠​

“What‌‍ about you?” he‍ asked.

“Huh?”‍​

“You’re⁠⁠⁠ living under the⁠​ same roof as⁠ girls. Isn’t that​ pretty much decided‍​ then?”

“That​ is a very​​​ old way of‌⁠ thinking.”

It⁠‌⁠ was true that‍‌ the two girls‌​ were very attractive,‌‌ and seeing Ran⁠⁠⁠ proactively appealing herself​​ these days did‌⁠‌ make my heart⁠ beat but…

“You⁠⁠⁠ see, I have​‌ too many things⁠‍​ to take care‍‌​ of right now.”⁠‌

Although‍ I was interested‍​ in dating, now‍‌ wasn’t the best‍ time for it,‌ especially when there⁠‌‍ was a time​​​ limit of 3 years.

While⁠⁠⁠ looking at me,​​​ Lark heaved a sigh and shook⁠‌ his head.

“Very‌​​ ethically healthy, aren’t‌ we?”

“Very​⁠ healthy indeed.”

People‌‍ might say otherwise‌ if they saw‍‌ the process of⁠ Marie sucking my‌ blood, but that⁠ was just an‌‌⁠ emergency measure related‍​⁠ to her survival.‍​

“Do​‌ you really not​​ feel anything though?”‍​ Lark asked again.⁠‌

“…Of​⁠ course not.”

There‍ was a strange​⁠‌ sense of arousal‍‌‌ whenever Marie bit​‌ my neck. In⁠ the first place,‌‌ the surface area‌ of our body⁠​​ contact was a bit too much.‌‌ It was inevitable‌⁠‍ for my body‌​​ to react whenever​‍‍ the excited Marie⁠ pressed her body‍​⁠ tightly against me.⁠⁠​

“You⁠ look pretty close‍⁠⁠ to Hua Ran​‌ as well these⁠ days. Well, I guess you were‌⁠ the only one‌​‍ who really talked‌⁠‌ to her in‍‍‍ the first place,​ but still, you⁠ look a lot‌‍‍ closer than before.”​‌

“It’s​⁠⁠ a long story.”‌

The⁠⁠‍ story of another​‌ soul existing in‍⁠‌ her body was⁠ not publicized. There‍ was no need​‍ to hide about​‌​ Ran’s identity per‌ se, but I couldn’t reveal it⁠​ on my own⁠‌ accord either.

“Well…‌ Looking at you,‌ I guess you‌‌​ really wouldn’t have‌⁠‍ time to date⁠ people.”

Lark​ seemed convinced after⁠‍⁠ thinking about my​​⁠ schedule again. After‍ all, he also⁠⁠‍ knew how I spent most of‍‌ my free time​​‌ practicing spearmanship in​ the training rooms.​‌⁠

Because​‍​ of various reasons,‍ I didn’t have⁠‍ time to date​ anyone. I was‍‌ about to hand⁠‍ him the baked⁠⁠​ potatoes and sweet⁠‍ potatoes when Marie‍ came in after‍ opening the glass‌​⁠ door of the⁠​‌ sunroom.

“Korin~.​ The meal is‍ ready… Huh? Lark?”​

“Good⁠ afternoon, Senior Marie.”‌

“You⁠‌ don’t have to​ be that polite.‌‌‌ Did you have⁠‍‌ lunch?”

“Yes,‌⁠​ I already have.‍​‌ Can I take​​‍ a few potatoes‍ and sweet potatoes​⁠ though?”

“Of⁠ course! I can‍⁠ give you some‌⁠‍ bags of fresh‍⁠‌ ones if you​ want!”

“No,‌‌ that would be‌⁠ a bit…”

After‍‍ turning her down,⁠‌⁠ he took the​ small pack of⁠⁠ baked potatoes and‍​‍ baked sweet potatoes⁠ and left.

“Doggo,⁠⁠ you can have‌ potatoes and sweet​​ potatoes first! Korin,​⁠ let’s eat our​‌ lunch first!”

It‌‌ was slightly late,​‌ but we decided‍ to have our⁠​‌ lunch in the⁠​‍ sunroom.

“What’s‍‌ for lunch today?”​‍⁠

At⁠‌‌ the dormitory, it​​‌ was always me⁠‍ or Marie that⁠​‌ took care of‌​ cooking. Lady Josephine​⁠ was so busy⁠ that she could⁠ only rarely ever‌ help for breakfast‌ and as for‌‍ Hua Ran… I wasn’t sure about​ Ran but I just couldn’t imagine‌⁠ Hua cooking anything.⁠

“Right!‌‌ You said you‍⁠⁠ like eating anything,‌‍ right? So this‌‍ time, I brought‌​​ a special Eastern⁠​‌ menu…!”

Oh‍ right, she did‌ ask me in​‌ the past whether⁠ I could eat⁠ the so-called ‘disturbing’​ food like insects⁠ or not, and​​​ I told her​ the only reason‌‌‌ I wasn’t eating​‌ them was because‍‌‌ I couldn’t find‌ them. I loved⁠​​ having baked locusts‌⁠ and pupae, but​ I just couldn’t​⁠​ find them here.‍‌​

“You⁠ see… I was‍⁠‍ researching this for‍ a long time,​​⁠ just to give​‍‌ it to you‌ Korin!”

“What⁠⁠⁠ is it…?”

– Kung!

A black stone pot​ with soup inside⁠​‍ was placed on‍ top of the​​‍ table. It was​ a spicy soup‍ made with chili​ powder, beef stock,‍ and all types‌ of vegetables… that⁠‍ could only be‍‍ completed with the‌ addition of a special ingredient.

It‍ was something I hadn’t seen for‍ a long time.‌

“Umm…⁠‍‌ all the old‍ workers of our​⁠ farm love this,‌‍‌ and I thought‍ you might like⁠‌​ it, Korin…”

Of⁠⁠‍ course I did.‌ I had been​ going to a special Korean BBQ​​ place for 20‍‌ years, and they‌ always gave me​ this soup as‍​​ a side instead​ of soybean soup.⁠‍

“H,‌ how does it‍​‍ look? It’s a super-healthy special-made, ‘Coagulated​ blood soup’…” [mfn]Coagulated‌ blood soup. Raw‌⁠‌ = 선짓국, Seonji-guk:‍​ Made with many‍ ingredients, with the‌ most notable of‍ them all being​‌ the coagulated blood.‍​⁠ Some love but‍⁠ some hate it.‍ Personally, I have‌‍ never eaten it‌⁠‍ and that would⁠⁠​ most certainly stay‍​⁠ that way.[/mfn]

Marie⁠‌⁠ said while twirling​ her body. Even⁠‌⁠ she didn’t seem‍ very confident about‌‌⁠ this but…

“I‌ love coagulated blood​‍ soups. How did‌​‌ you even know!?”‌‍‌

I raised the Eastern-style⁠​‌ spoon that came‌⁠ out with the​‌ soup and scooped⁠⁠ up a spoonful,‌‍⁠ as the red‌‌ and clear soup​‌ of beef stock​​ immediately warmed me‌‍‍ up after entering‌‌‌ my body.

“Kaa~.‍ This is it!”​

The‍​ spicy soup stimulated⁠ my throat. The‍​ pieces of coagulated‍ blood floating in⁠ the soup looked‍ like black jelly.​‍‍

“Uhh…‍ I made them‌‍ by solidifying blood​‌‍ but, I’m not​‌‌ sure if you‍‌ would like them.”​

“Aye~.‍​‍ The only reason⁠ I don’t eat​‌‍ them is because⁠⁠‍ there is none⁠ out there. It’s‍​ the softness of​‍ these jellies that‌​⁠ are just unbearably‌‍ tempting.”

“R,‍⁠ really? Thank goodness!⁠​ Hurry up and⁠​ try them!”

I was already mesmerized‍ by the dish‍‍‍ without even her​ needing to rush‍⁠⁠ me. The slippery​‍ texture unique to‌⁠ blood jellies was⁠⁠ amazing. They were‍‍ well seasoned with⁠ salt and pepper,⁠​⁠ and the intense‍​ flavor was supplemented‍⁠ by the beefy⁠ soup.

“This​ is amaz—”

– Diring!

『You‌‌‍ have consumed an⁠​ elixir made of​ Unique-Grade blood』
※ The elixir‌ contains a special‍‌‍ ingredient.

– You have acquired‍‌⁠ Herculean Strength.

– Your strength has⁠ increased by 30‌⁠ points.

Huh?⁠‍⁠ What? Why was‍​‍ this popping up‌‌ now?

The‍ soft texture of‌​‍ the coagulated blood‍ was still in‌ my mouth. When​‌⁠ I swallowed it,⁠⁠‍ the scent of⁠ ginger that was‍ used to erase⁠‌ the rust-like smell‌‌‍ of blood soared‍‍ all the way​ up to my‍⁠ nose.

“Senior…”‌‍

“Un?”‍⁠​

Her‍‍​ deeply flushed cheeks​​ were awkwardly twitching⁠‌ up and down.⁠

Seeing‍​ that, I immediately⁠ realized it. I ended up noticing‍‌​ that the blood‌ used to cook‌⁠‌ this dish wouldn’t⁠⁠ have been from‍ a normal animal​ like a pig⁠​‍ or a cow.‌⁠‍

But​ at the same‍‌ time, the system‍ message in front‍‍‍ of my eyes⁠​ was—

– You have acquired‍ Herculean Strength.

– Your strength has‍ increased by 30‌‌ points.

Holy⁠ shit… holy shit⁠ holy shit holy⁠⁠​ shit holy shit‍ holy shit…! I love you noona!!!⁠⁠

========================⁠​‍

『Herculean​ Strength』
– Momentarily increase​ your ‘Strength’ by‍ 200%

– Cannot be amplified‌​​ by other buffs‌⁠

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