Chapter 65
“Jason, are you staying here?”
“I think I should help my family.”
After some time passed, several people with green hair appeared inside the cave.
Judging by the color of their hair, the same as Jason’s, they all seemed to be members of the Hawkbat Family.
“Interrogating the rebel forces and taking them back to the estate will take some time.”
“When will you be back?”
“I’m not sure, but I’ll probably return to the Academy around the end of the school trip.”
“Then you won’t be joining us for this one, huh?”
“Right. So, just take my name off the school trip list.”
“Got it. Don’t push yourself too hard.”
“Understood, hyung… No. Understood, Instructor.”
Jason gave a faint smile, then walked toward the people who had just entered the cave.
Luke watched Jason for a moment before turning his gaze toward me and Lisa.
“Let’s head back.”
“There’s nothing more we can do, right?”
“Yeah, we’ve done all we could.”
In response to Lisa’s question, Luke nodded.
“We’ve already subdued the rebel forces by force. The Hawkbat Family will handle everything else.”
“Then shall we go?”
“Yeah, let’s move quickly.”
Luke led the way out of the cave.
Lisa followed him, and I quietly tried to follow after them as well.
But just as I took a step forward, Lisa suddenly approached and grabbed my hand.
“Lisa-nim?”
“Don’t walk alone.”
Lisa pointed at my leg, which was still wrapped in bandages.
“Your leg hasn’t fully healed yet. You could trip if you walk by yourself.”
“Ah, is that why?”
“Yeah. Hold my hand so you don’t fall.”
“Yes, understood.”
Her tone made it clear that refusing wasn’t an option.
So I could only nod in response.
It wasn’t the first time I’d held Lisa’s hand.
We had done so a few times during our Disciplinary Committee duties.
But for some reason, this time… it felt different.
How should I put it…? I felt more nervous than before.
‘Looks like something changed inside me.’
Maybe it was because Lisa had honestly shared her thoughts earlier. Something inside me had definitely shifted.
Until now, I’d only seen her as just another character from the game world, but now… she seemed different.
“Heh, youth really is a beautiful thing.”
“Instructor, what do you mean by that?”
“You know exactly what I mean. And by the way, you do realize your face is red, right?”
“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Lisa replied a beat too late.
But just as Luke said, her face was faintly flushed even as she kept her usual expressionless face.
“By the way, Instructor, will the school trip continue as planned?”
“Hmm, we’ll probably discuss it overnight with the other teachers… but chances are high it’ll proceed as scheduled. Things would’ve been different if Basher had died after being kidnapped, but luckily she didn’t.”
Just as Luke said, the school trip wouldn’t be canceled.
Even in the game, as long as the Rhaineus Organization was dealt with, the school trip continued.
“That’s a relief.”
“Why? Did you have something important planned for the trip?”
“I wanted to spend some time alone with Gideon.”
“What? Ahaha, that’s honest of you.”
Luke laughed and stepped out of the cave first, and I followed behind him, still holding Lisa’s hand.
“It’s late, so let’s head back quickly. You both worked really hard resolving this matter. I’ll make sure your accomplishments are properly reported to the Imperial Family.”
“Will the fact that I received Peregrie’s power also be reported?”
“Even if I don’t mention it, the Hawkbat Family will make sure it’s included.”
“Right, that makes sense.”
It was getting harder and harder to predict the future.
I had been trying to foresee things by following the scenario I knew, but as expected, things weren’t going as planned.
Unforeseen variables kept appearing, and because of that, the future was becoming more uncertain.
‘Still, I know this world’s setting well enough to manage somehow… but I can’t help feeling uneasy.’
Especially receiving Peregrie’s power—
that was something I hadn’t seen coming at all.
It wasn’t just any beast’s power—it was Peregrie’s. No wonder the Imperial Family might take interest in it.
‘Besides, Peregrie was said to be friends with an ancestor of the Kyrgram Family. I should look into that. Maybe I’ll uncover something about my lineage.’
Come to think of it, it was strange.
Peregrie, the beast that once protected the Empire.
I knew quite a bit about its lore.
But there were only a few humans Peregrie ever recognized as friends, and none of them bore the name Kyrgram.
‘I should check the list of Peregrie’s human companions when I get the chance. There might be a clue there.’
Anyway, I mulled over various thoughts while boarding the carriage with Luke and Lisa outside the cave.
We then rode back to Skedum.
Perhaps because the tension had finally lifted, I started dozing off without realizing it.
Seeing that, Lisa gently pulled me closer, letting my head rest on her shoulder.
“Lisa-nim?”
“It’s fine. Just rest.”
“But……”
“Lean on me. And if you’re tired, close your eyes for a bit.”
“Yes.”
I didn’t even have the strength to argue, so I just obeyed Lisa’s words.
At first, it felt a bit awkward, but soon my eyes grew heavy.
“You can sleep. You’ve built up a lot of fatigue.”
“Yes… that’s true.”
I’d been poisoned by Rhaineus’s toxin and even took an arrow to the leg.
Even though I drank Tantalr and got treated, no matter how sturdy my body was, after going through all that, it was natural to be exhausted.
“Get some sleep, Gideon.”
Lisa pressed my head lightly against her shoulder.
“Don’t worry about anything.”
“Yes, understood. Thank you.”
With those words, I closed my eyes.
I didn’t think I’d fall asleep right away, but contrary to my expectations, the moment I closed my eyes, I drifted off instantly.
About an hour later, the carriage carrying the three of us arrived in Skedum.
“We’ll have to discuss it first, but we’ll probably depart again around lunchtime tomorrow.”
Luke said as he got off the carriage.
“Until then, get some proper rest.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Is Gideon asleep?”
“Yes.”
Lisa stepped down from the carriage, holding Gideon carefully in her arms.
Even as he was being carried, Gideon remained fast asleep.
“You two really went through a lot. So, don’t do any Disciplinary Committee work tomorrow—just rest. I’ll let the Student Council know you’ll both be taking the day off.”
“There’s no need. I’m fine, so I’ll help tomorrow. Of course, I’d like for Gideon to rest… but knowing his personality, he’ll probably insist on helping anyway.”
“Yeah, that sounds like him.”
Luke chuckled softly and glanced at Gideon, who was still asleep in Lisa’s arms.
“Should I take him? You must be tired too.”
“It’s fine. I know where Gideon’s room is, so I’ll take him there myself.”
“All right. Then get some rest, and I’ll see you in a few hours. Once again, great work today.”
Luke headed toward the staff dormitory first, while Lisa carried Gideon to the first-year dorms.
She entered Gideon’s room and gently laid him down on his bed.
“……”
Lisa stared at him in silence for a while.
Then, she lay down beside him.
“…It’s cold.”
She pulled the blanket up to cover both him and herself.
Then she turned onto her side to face Gideon, who was sleeping deeply.
“…Still cold.”
Lisa murmured softly and pulled him into her arms, wrapping her arms around his torso and pressing closer.
“…Warm.”
Only then did she smile contentedly.
Then her gaze fell on Gideon’s neck.
There was a mark—
a clear imprint of her teeth.
“……”
Lisa stared quietly at the mark before lowering her lips to it.
Then, she hugged Gideon even tighter.
“Looks like… there’s no turning back for me either.”
Members of the House Balmuth always choose carefully whose blood they drink first.
Because once they drink someone’s blood, they become obsessed with that person and can never part from them.
‘I thought maybe I could be an exception… but I guess not.’
Lisa looked up at Gideon’s sleeping face.
The more she saw this white-haired boy, the more she found herself drawn to him.
“Ugh…”
As sunlight touched my eyelids, I slowly opened my eyes.
‘What…?’
My last memory was falling asleep in the carriage last night.
Everything after that was blank.
‘This is…’
I looked around.
A familiar dorm room, and my luggage nearby.
Somehow, I had woken up in my own room.
‘How did I get here?’
I didn’t have sleepwalking tendencies, so Luke probably carried me here while I was asleep.
Then again… Lisa could’ve easily done the same.
“Ugh… mm…”
“Hm?”
I sensed movement beside me.
Curious, I turned my head—
and saw an unexpected face.
“Lisa-nim?”
“Mmm… Gideon… hmm…”
Lisa rubbed her eyes sleepily and slowly opened them.
When our eyes met, she smiled faintly and hugged my waist while still lying down.
“Lisa-nim? Are you all right?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired.”
Lisa nodded off again while holding me.
It was clear she hadn’t fully woken up yet.
So, I decided to wait until she came to her senses.
‘Wait… why is Lisa sleeping in the same bed as me?’
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t remember anything from last night.
At least we were both fully clothed, so it didn’t seem like anything inappropriate had happened.
Still, if someone saw us leaving the same room in the morning, it would definitely cause misunderstandings…
“Gideon? Are you in there?”
“…Layla-nim?”
“Oh, you are! I’m coming in!”
“L–Layla-nim, wait—!”
I shouted in panic, but our energetic Princess didn’t care in the slightest and flung the door open.
“Gideon! You suddenly disappeared last night, so I was worried! I just heard from Instructor Luke that you were with Lisa, and— huh? Lisa? Why are you here?”
“Mmm… Your Highness, good morning.”
Still half-asleep, Lisa greeted the Princess while tightening her hold around my waist.
This situation was looking worse by the second, so I figured I’d better think fast—
“Gideon Kyrgram.”
“Ah.”
“You’d better explain what’s going on right now.”
Sara, who had entered the room behind Layla, narrowed her eyes sharply.
“I don’t know what you and Lisa-unni were up to last night, but if it’s what I’m imagining…”
“Gideon, come here.”
Interrupting Sara, Lisa suddenly sat up a little and pulled me close from behind.
Then she brought her lips near my neck.
“I’m thirsty. I want to drink.”
She whispered softly, nibbling lightly at my neck.
Not that I minded Lisa’s behavior, but…
“Kyrgram, looks like today’s the day you and I settle this.”
Upon seeing that, Sara immediately drew her sword.
Layla quickly panicked and tried to stop her, while Lisa continued to lightly nibble on my neck.
I couldn’t help but sigh at the utter chaos unfolding first thing in the morning.
‘One problem after another…’
Just when I thought the school trip episode was finally over, things were already turning into a mess again.