In Ludger’s assessment, Aidan was an exceptionally talented mage.
Despite possessing physical abilities uncharacteristically outstanding for a magician, that did not mean his magical skill was lacking.
If anything, Aidan was first-rate even as a mage. His theory wasn’t bad, but above all, his real combat experience was exceptional.
On top of that, he had even mastered a branch of atypical magic—he was destined to succeed anywhere.
Truly, a chosen one.
As a mage, that was the kind of existence Aidan was.
Then what about Aidan as a person, not a magician?
A good person.
The word good was broad, but that was the most accurate term Ludger could think of.
Anyone else asked would likely give the same answer.
Aidan had a pleasant personality.
He didn’t pick fights with others, had no rough edges, and got along with everyone.
He treated nobles and commoners alike without discrimination.
Of course, such an attitude sometimes rubbed certain prideful nobles the wrong way—
But no one would ever accuse Aidan of being morally flawed because of it.
But he does have one major flaw.
Not the only one, but one so large it swallowed all the others.
A total lack of awareness.
He would casually walk up to someone as intimidating as Ludger and start asking personal questions without hesitation.
And when it came to matters involving women—Aidan possessed a curse-like inability to recognize anything.
At least, that was Ludger’s diagnosis.
Back when he was in my first-year class alone, there were several girls tangled up with him besides Taishy.
And that count didn’t include the ones Ludger merely hadn’t seen.
Even judging by what had happened in the beastkin capital just now, it was obvious.
A significant portion of the beastkin women here had their eyes on Aidan.
Ruina, who guided him around, was one.
The two girls who sparred with Taishy were too.
There might even be more in other districts of the capital.
That’s why I thought this kid’s awareness would never change even after three years.
Taishy didn’t lash out harshly at Aidan for that very reason—
There was no point getting angry at someone who wouldn’t understand why.
In fact, because Aidan wouldn’t understand, one would only end up feeling foolish for getting emotional at him.
Ludger had assumed this was just Aidan’s nature—an unintentional result of how he was.
But now—
After hearing Aidan’s bombshell statement, Ludger could no longer ignore the truth.
“You—you didn’t know all along, did you?”
“Huh? Know what?”
“That Taishy was angry.”
“Well... with that kind of intense aura, how could I not know?”
No—you didn’t know before.
Ludger nearly retorted sharply, but he stopped.
Three years. A considerable time had passed.
It would make perfect sense that Aidan, after spending so much more time with Taishy, had come to understand her better.
It was only natural that he might notice things now that he never did before.
The realization that this kid hadn’t wasted those three years brought Ludger a strange, reluctant sense of pride.
“Then if you knew she was angry, why didn’t you try calming her down?”
“Well... how should I put this? I think about doing that in my head, but when I actually act, I just default to how I always behave. Instead of trying to soothe her, pretending I didn’t notice feels easier and more natural. It’s like... trying a different approach is almost impossible now.”
Ludger’s mind spun.
So—he noticed she was angry, but intentionally leaned into his “cluelessness” strategy.
“Do you at least know why Taishy was angry?”
“Uh... well, that part I’m not too sure about...”
Aidan scratched his head awkwardly.
Ludger genuinely didn’t know whether to sigh with relief or despair.
So he did gain awareness that she was angry—but still had no idea why.
“Aidan. Let me ask you something. From what she said, it sounds like you’ve been very close to Taishy for a long time.”
“Well, yeah? Taishy, Leo, Iona, and I have always stayed in touch.”
“And you still stay close even after graduation.”
“Yes. Leo and Iona are busy, so I don’t see them much, but I meet Taishy often. We live close by.”
“Hm. Then one more question. What exactly is your relationship with Taishy Friad?”
Ludger expected a simple answer.
This carefree idiot would surely smile and say, We’re friends, of course.
“Obviously, we’re engaged.”
“Right, friends— ...What did you say?”
“Engaged.”
“.......”
For a moment, Ludger thought he’d misheard.
But after Aidan repeated it, the truth—no, the cruel reality—settled in.
“......Since when were you two dating?”
He assumed it must have happened during the years when he’d been gone.
Three years had passed, after all.
From their first year to graduation,
Taishy had undoubtedly stayed close to Aidan.
And although Seorn students were always busy, they still had breaks.
Plenty of young, talented men and women dated during those periods.
But Taishy, trying to pursue a romantic relationship with this utterly oblivious boy?
Honestly, he had never imagined it.
“Uh, well... we started dating during the second-year festival.”
“Explain in detail.”
So, during the festival in their second year—
At the final ball, while dancing—
Taishy confessed ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) to Aidan directly and explicitly.
Not as a friend, but clearly as someone she loved.
There were additional details:
A certain first-year girl that year had taken Aidan’s classes and fallen for him hard, launching a bold campaign of affection.
A third-year senior had become extremely close to Aidan and tried to recruit him into her club.
All of these girls, to Taishy’s irritation, happened to be beautiful, each with their own charm.
Feeling pressured, and bolstered by Leo and Iona’s encouragement, Taishy ultimately claimed victory.
Ludger had known none of this.
And he was much better off for it—
If he had known, he might have collapsed from shock.
“So after dating, you two ended up engaged.”
“Yes, pretty much. But why do you ask?”
“.......”
Ludger had to actively suppress the urge to grab his now-grown student by the head and shake him senseless.
So this boy—who had a fiancée—had let other women approach him without saying a thing?
Yet Ludger also understood that lecturing him would be pointless.
Aidan likely hadn’t been consciously aware of any of their advances.
He was someone who treated everyone equally, kindly, with no distinction.
It was natural for him to treat women the same as men.
Aidan stared at Ludger curiously as the latter sighed.
Ludger looked toward Taishy, walking ahead of them, his gaze tinged with pity.
She had worked so hard—reviving a fallen family was remarkable enough.
But securing the affection of someone this dangerously oblivious...
That was a miracle in itself.
“Aidan. Listen carefully.”
Ludger briefly explained why Taishy was angry, and what she must have been feeling.
“Huh? Taishy was... jealous?”
“Wouldn’t it be strange if she wasn’t?”
“Well, hmm. Maybe you’re right...”
Aidan stroked his chin and nodded.
Ludger felt a spark of hope.
This was far better than him saying, No way, that can’t be true!
“Aah. Now that you say it... I think I get why. She must’ve been worried.”
“...Hearing you say that puts me slightly at ease.”
“As expected of you, Professor! Your insight is amazing!”
No.
Any random child on the street could understand this.
Ludger did not bother pointing that out.
“In any case, when you get the chance, apologize to her privately.”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
Thankfully, Aidan was the type who apologized promptly when he realized he’d done something wrong.
They passed several districts filled with newly built structures and eventually reached a location that held a single, exceptionally large building.
“A massive tent.”
Compared to the brick buildings around it, this enormous structure maintained the traditional beastkin style—
A gigantic tent, large enough to dwarf several houses.
It felt more like a small mansion—or a fortress—made of animal hide.
Beastkin warriors stood guard at the entrance.
They raised their weapons upon noticing the group, but immediately relaxed when they saw Taishy at the front.
“It’s been a while. We may enter, right?”
“Yes. They’re waiting inside.”
“All right.”
“But, uh... who is that man there...?”
One guard glanced warily at Ludger.
As far as he knew, the expected guests were only Taishy and Aidan.
“He’s an additional guest.”
“No unauthorized individuals may enter.”
“You don’t need to worry. Iona will welcome him.”
The guard hesitated, unsure—
But knowing that these two would not bring someone dangerous, he prepared to let them pass.
Until someone interrupted.
“No matter the reason, you can’t just bring outsiders inside.”
A huge beastkin man with cropped red hair stepped forward.
The guards immediately straightened, and Taishy’s expression twisted visibly.
“Theor.”
The man called Theor swaggered toward them.
“No, no, no. You can’t seriously think I’d allow some no-name human to stand before our next chieftain, can you?”
“Surprising. I didn’t think you cared so much about Iona. Didn’t you dislike her?”
“Oh dear, what a harsh accusation. Me? Hold ill feelings toward the rightful successor of our tribe? Never.”
“You’re still as sly as a fox, despite that bear-like body of yours.”
Overhearing this exchange, Aidan whispered to Ludger:
“That’s Theor O’Vallie. One of the candidates for the next chieftain.”
In other words, he was also one of Iona’s half-siblings.
“After Tenaron stepped down, he was Iona’s strongest rival. He still thinks she stole his place and holds a grudge.”
This was possible because a large faction within the tribe still supported Theor.
He used that backing to obstruct Iona at every turn.
“There are rumors he funds nearby raiders too. No proof, though.”
By then, Theor’s gaze shifted to Ludger.
“We’re no longer the weak tribes of the past. We’ve become a proper nation now. Why should we let in some pedigree-less outsider? You may be close to the next chieftain, but don’t you think you’re crossing the line?”
Taishy bit her lip.
Of all people, they had run into the most troublesome one.
“Interesting.”
At that moment, Ludger stepped forward.
“What would I need to prove?”
“......Ha!”
Theor burst into laughter—perhaps amused by Ludger’s boldness.
“Well, look at you. Quite confident, aren’t you? You must really believe in yourself.”
“I wouldn’t have stepped forward otherwise.”
“Whew. Good, good. I like that. Everyone hear that? This man says he’ll prove himself—any objections?”
Neither Taishy nor Aidan said a word.
Taking that as permission, Theor grinned broadly.
“Well then, proof is simple. Even as we change, one thing never has: we do things the beastkin way.”
As though he’d been waiting for this moment, Theor proposed a method perfectly suited to himself.
Aidan let out a soft “Ah...” the moment he heard it.
Theor mistook that sound for discomfort or worry.
But that was not it.
Aidan was looking at Ludger.
His eyes asked:
You’ll go easy on him... right?
Ludger’s gaze responded:
We’ll see.