Chapter 128
“What’s… going on?”
Natalie stood before me, her golden hair shimmering, and her usually bright eyes were dimmed with concern.
Her eyelids trembled slightly, and even Lee Han, standing beside her, looked half-dazed.
Lee Han stammered, blinking in confusion.
“W-What… Did I just see?”
I felt just as bewildered as they were.
How long had they been there? How much had they seen?
“Wait, hold on, guys, it’s not what it looks like….”
“You were really struggling, weren’t you…?”
Natalie’s eyes filled with pity as she covered her mouth with her hand, looking at me like I was a poor, troubled soul.
Okay, I admit that playing with a rock at this age might look strange, even to me.
But seriously, could they just listen to me?
“No, I mean, let me explain what’s going on!”
“Are you really sick or something?”
This is a Cube! I’m taming a Cube!
It’s my job! What do you expect me to do?
I couldn’t even mention the Cube with Natalie around, and now Lee Han was looking at me with pure disdain.
Lee Han tried to piece together the situation, his face scrunching up as he spoke.
“You must’ve been really lonely.”
“That’s not it.”
Don’t jump to conclusions like that.
“I get that it might have been tough. Let’s just put the rock down first and talk. You really do seem kind of crazy.”
“I’m not!”
“Hugging a rock isn’t crazy? Then what is it?”
“I wasn’t hugging it! Don’t twist things!”
Damn it.
If rumors spread like this, I might as well bite my tongue and die.
My roommate, Won, is used to seeing my weird antics by now, so he doesn’t care, but I can’t let outsiders think I’m nuts!
Besides, he thinks Dongle is like a Ptera egg that’ll hatch later!
That’s why he’s been letting it slide.
Maybe I should just say it’s an egg?
But Lee Han’s sharp enough not to fall for that…
As I wracked my brain for a solution, Natalie tried to calm me down.
“It’s okay! I think it’s understandable!”
“No, Natalie, it’s not that….”
“I think I know what this is.”
“You understand my feelings?”
“No, I don’t think I could.”
“Do you know how unjust this feels?”
“No! I don’t know that either!”
Natalie drew a clear line and proceeded to diagnose me.
“I think I heard about this in a theology class during my first year….”
“Imaginary friend?”
“You know, when people talk to dolls and stuff. I mean, it’s a bit unusual for our age… no, I mean, it’s different, but everyone’s different! I think it’s totally possible….”
“I’ve never seen anyone talk to a rock before, but lately, pet rocks have been trending, so… I don’t think there’s any reason to be too embarrassed!”
Pet rocks, huh?
Natalie’s extreme acceptance of the situation.
At this point, it seemed like nothing I said would convince them otherwise.
Damn it.
Cube, shmoobe.
Maybe… maybe I should just drop out?
* * *
The next day, during lunch.
The shock of yesterday’s incident hadn’t worn off.
I’d been subtly avoiding Lee Han and Natalie all day.
So far, I’d been lucky enough not to run into them, but this cafeteria was the riskiest spot.
The dining hall, with its open layout, provided no good hiding places.
Sighing, I gnawed at the tough piece of Fire Boar meat on my plate.
Should I really just drop out?
“Hey, aren’t you guys going to the academic conference?”
Won nudged me in the ribs, oblivious to my inner turmoil.
Adela, sitting across from us, nodded in response.
“The Maze Cavern… that’s the one, right? I’m so jealous. I heard that getting into that adds a ton of bonus points when applying to the Magic Tower.”
“Yeah, that’s what I heard.”
“When am I ever going to get to go? You guys are so lucky.”
“They’re recruiting again next year. You should try then.”
“I guess I’ll have to. Are you guys all set for it?”
“Mostly. What about you?”
Adela turned to Yoon Haul, who had been focused on chewing the awful Fire Boar meat. He nodded a bit late in response.
“Mm.”
“But is there really much to prepare? I heard they serve gourmet meals and provide full accommodations. Where else are you going to find a conference with such good facilities?”
Won continued muttering to himself, still envious.
“Take me with you next time.”
“….”
“Oh wait, I guess I wouldn’t qualify. Anyway, tell me all about it when you get back. I’m really going to study hard next year and try to go.”
Won turned to look at me, sensing my lack of response, and nudged my shoulder again.
“Why do you look so down?”
“….”
“Hey, Han Siha. Say something.”
Sorry, I’m just not in the mood to talk right now.
My hand, which had been poised to tear at the tough meat, froze in place.
Why… Why are they coming this way?
With smiles on their faces, the two figures walked toward us: the ever-charming Lee Han and the universally admired Natalie.
Why are they heading over here…
I tried to duck out of sight, but it was too late.
“Han Siha?”
“Oh? Everyone’s here!”
Lee Han smiled widely and waved as he approached.
Please, please don’t come over here.
But Lee Han casually took a seat, right diagonally across from me.
“Today’s menu is really awful, isn’t it, Natalie?”
“Maybe the budget’s tight because it’s the break!”
“Oh, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you two. Are you guys staying on campus during the break?”
Won greeted them cheerfully, obviously glad to see them.
Natalie responded as if nothing unusual had happened.
“Yes! I’m taking a few extra classes I wanted to attend.”
“I’m just hanging around, you know. Adela, didn’t you sign up to assist the investigators?”
“Yeah, that’s how it turned out.”
I had heard rumors that Adela was working as an assistant to Han Si-hyuk.
I wasn’t sure why he had come to Ardel Academy as an investigator, but Adela seemed to be aware of the awkward relationship between me and Han Si-hyuk, so she didn’t elaborate.
But… the truly awkward relationship here is on this side.
“You don’t look so good today.”
Lee Han asked with a smile, checking on me.
Why wouldn’t I look bad? I felt like I was sitting on pins and needles right now.
I had run into the worst possible people at the worst possible time.
Instead of responding to Lee Han, I tore into my food, though Yoon Haul seemed more surprised by Lee Han’s observation.
“Han Siha, are you sick?”
“It’s nothing.”
Please, let’s just drop this.
Thankfully, Won switched the topic.
“Oh, I’ve been meaning to ask, how do you get into the academic conference? It’s not just based on grades, right? It seems complicated.”
Lee Han and Won weren’t as close in the original story, but since they’ve been taking classes together, they’ve gotten pretty friendly lately.
Lee Han answered openly.
“I got a recommendation letter too. From Professor Grint.”
“What? Professor Grint? He actually writes recommendation letters?”
“I was surprised too, but when I asked, he wrote one for me.”
Given Professor Grint’s habit of writing recommendation letters based on grades, it wouldn’t have been difficult for Lee Han to get one.
Won, whose grades were more on the borderline, groaned and rubbed his temples.
“Ugh, I can’t think of any professor who’d write one for me. Should I join a research lab?”
“Han Siha got in that way too, right?”
Lee Han glanced at me as he spoke.
“You got in with a recommendation from Professor Ernst, didn’t you? These days, it’s tough to get into the academic conference without bonus points. If you want to join a lab, you should ask Han Siha.”
“Should I? Hey, Han Siha, do you think Professor Ernst would take in a talented student like me?”
“Well…”
He probably would be happy to have someone new join.
Before I could answer, Lee Han cut in.
“Professor Ernst likes students who are devoted.”
What’s he talking about?
“He’s someone who really cares about whatever he takes on.
There’s a reason he chose to take on a tamer. Han Siha’s good at that, right?”
As I rolled my eyes at Lee Han’s sudden praise, he slyly shifted the conversation.
“Oh, by the way, how’s your pet rock doing these days?”
Suddenly, the whole room went silent.
“Pet rock?”
Adela was the one who broke the silence by asking, and immediately, Yoon Haul and Won’s interest piqued.
“What’s that?”
“You have a pet rock?”
Damn it.
Damn it.
That evil protagonist.
So all the praise was just a buildup to this?
“Oh yeah, he does.”
Lee Han smirked as he picked up his food.
I could feel my face heating up.
That jerk, he’s clearly enjoying my reaction.
This isn’t the first time Lee Han’s taken advantage of my weaknesses… but he’s never targeted an ally before!
“What was the rock’s name again? Dongle? Dongley?”
Lee Han dragged out his words, pretending not to remember, while Yoon Haul’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“Wow, that’s a cute name. Let me see it.”
Yoon Haul’s innocent interest.
And Adela, who seemed to be processing the information like a slow buffer.
“You’re raising a rock? A rock… what? I don’t remember seeing anything like that?”
Won hesitated for a moment before clapping his hands and nodding vigorously.
“Oh yeah, it’s not a pet rock; it’s an egg, right?”
“An egg?”
“No, why would you raise a rock? Is it really a rock?”
“No, that’s… you need to keep that a secret!”
Natalie suddenly jumped up, trying to stop Lee Han.
Sorry, Natalie.
But you’re just making it more obvious!
“Was it really a rock?”
“Why would someone raise a rock?”
“Well, I guess you could! That’s so interesting!”
Yoon Haul’s cheerful words hit me right in the gut.
“Hahaha… It really is a pet rock, right?”
Lee Han leaned back in his chair, laughing wickedly.
Damn it.
Is he really the protagonist, or has he been the mastermind all along?
“A pet rock that can’t even be called a rock… and a tamer who can’t even be called a tamer…”
“D-Don’t say things like that!”
“You’re really devoted to that rock. I think it’s sweet. Professor Ernst must be impressed too.”
Lee Han was clearly enjoying himself.
I didn’t realize before, but having this guy as an enemy is incredibly exhausting.
“It’s pretty cool, actually. Adela, do you want to come see the pet rock?”
“Han Siha even dressed it up…”
That’s it, I can’t take this anymore.
“Basilus.”
“koo…”
Bang.
I stood up abruptly, the chair scraping the floor loudly. Lee Han’s eyes widened as he sensed the shift in the atmosphere.
“Are you… mad?”
“….”
“I’m sorry. It’s just… your reaction is so… fun….”
I don’t care about that.
Just…
“Bite him.”
And at that moment.
Lee Han’s scream echoed through the cafeteria.
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