Chapter 40

As evening fell and darkness arrived, Zephyros, having received a letter, crumpled it up and tossed it into the trash can.

With the help of the wind, the letter settled in the trash can, its surface bearing the name ‘Boreas Nevera’.

As he too was involved in this incident, he had already heard much from Professor Lisitoel.

That they had decided to cover up this incident. Therefore, there should have been no reprimand from within the family, as if it truly never happened, but─

“Damn bastard.”

Boreas Nevera had sent him a letter of reprimand.

The letter was filled with nonsense about how Zephyros should have helped Iris, considering the relationship between the Duchy and Golden.

“Heh.”

If he had truly acted out of consideration for the family’s relations, that in itself would have been made an issue.

Because Boreas Nevera was a man itching to find fault with Zephyros.

Their relationship must have been more proper when he was younger. At what point did it become distorted?

Well, what does it matter. Nothing would change anyway.

“X-bal.”

Still, he couldn’t help but be pissed off.

Zephyros summoned the wind to retrieve the letter from the trash can.

《Are you alright, child?》

《You look gloomy.》

《Are you okay?》

At the worried whispers of the wind, Zephyros was finally able to smile.

“Yeah, I’m okay.”

Because Zephyros was no longer alone.

In the past, that would have been nothing more than self-consolation for survival, but─

“Hey, Zephi. I’ve been discharged.”

Now, he was truly not alone.

So it didn’t matter.

Zephyros, who had crumpled the letter and shoved it into a drawer, turned his head.

Lucian and Theo were peeking their heads through the crack of the door.

“What are you two doing?”

“Preparing to run away at any moment?”

“I’m the one holding Theo back.”

“You disloyal bastard!”

At Lucian’s words, Theo shouted in protest.

At that sight, Lucian chuckled, keuk-keuk, and pressed Theo down, half-shoving him into the room.

“You’re getting good at controlling your strength now?”

“I guess I’m growing too.”

Theo glared at Lucian’s relaxed response.

It was good, yet seeing his vaguely displeased attitude, Lucian could finally smile without a worry.

“You’re already out of the infirmary?”

“My recovery rate is the best, you know.”

Theo said boastfully.

“What’s the use of having a good recovery rate when your durability is pathetic?”

At Zephyros’s innocent question, Theo’s eyes widened as if he had been hit where it hurts.

“So, what brings you here?”

“We came to apologize.”

“Apologize? For what?”

“For not trusting your words, and overestimating Iris.”

Theo, having said that, scratched his head awkwardly.

“I’m really sorry for getting you guys involved too.”

Theo bowed his head deeply.

Zephyros let out a short, hollow laugh, heo, at his momentum, which seemed as if he would kneel if he wasn’t forgiven.

“It’s fine.”

“But….”

“We’re all safe anyway.”

He wanted to argue, but in the end, everyone was safe, so it was fine.

“Generous Lord Zephyros, thank you for your forgiveness.”

At Theo’s exaggerated words, Zephyros slightly regretted having forgiven him.

* * *

“You know, Theo.”

“What?”

Zephyros, who seemed to be contemplating something seriously, spoke cautiously.

Is something wrong? By any chance?

“You’re not thinking of doing something petty like revoking your forgiveness, are you?”

“Haa, I’m sometimes very curious about what you’re thinking.”

“I tend to go with the flow of consciousness.”

I proudly gave a thumbs-up.

“You crazy bastard.”

“Cian, Zephi’s being mean.”

“You shouldn’t do that, Zephi.”

“Whose side are you on, Lucian?”

“The side of my friends.”

“Taking sides is bad, Zephi.”

“Who started it in the first place!”

As Zephyros acted menacingly, as if he would lunge at any moment, I quickly hid behind Lucian.

I felt not a speck of shame in hiding behind a strong person. I’m in a state where even a graze is a critical hit.

“Can’t you explain the situation to us in more detail?”

“Huh?”

Zephyros looked at me with his top-grade amethyst-like eyes. His attitude was so serious that I could no longer divert the conversation with jokes.

“You have to explain it properly so we can prepare properly, don’t you think?”

“Didn’t the professors cover it up as if nothing happened anyway?”

At my question, Lucian seemed a little surprised.

But there was a reason I tried to gloss it over like this.

“It’s a very personal story. I have to get permission from Lerwon-sunbae first.”

“How do you know that personal story?”

“This is all a trade secret, you see.”

At my answer, Zephyros’s face soured.

Lerwon-sunbae’s advice, or rather, non-advice, about using the excuse of a trade secret in moderation came to mind.

“Hey.”

“It’s not like it’s the first or second time I’ve been secretive.”

“I’m glad you know.”

“I’ll tell you once I get permission from Lerwon-sunbae.”

“As far as I know.”

Because I don’t know the detailed story either.

All I know is a summary of Lerwon’s life that takes about a minute to read.

Since a person’s life can’t be summarized so briefly, there must be much more to his life that I don’t know.

“Then, let’s go get permission.”

“How do you know where sunbae is?”

When Lucian asked, Zephyros smiled confidently.

“Cian, do you know who you’re talking to?”

He is a Wind Master of Nevera who commands the wind.

Even now, if he set his mind to it, he could find out where everyone in the Academy was.

For a moment, it felt like the wind was blowing in the room.

However, in an instant, Zephyros’s expression soured.

“Zephi?”

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

Is there a problem?

His sudden change made me anxious.

“That is, I mean.”

Zephyros stood up and flung the door open.

In front of the door stood Lerwon.

“Sunbae?”

I was flustered by the appearance of an unexpected person.

“What brings you here?”

And Professor Artemia is with him, too.

Did something happen without our knowledge? Should I have just followed Lerwon from the start…?

“That is─”

Professor Artemia hesitated as if she were in a difficult position, then finally spoke.

“Lerwon has chosen Zephyros Nevera as his guard.”

“What…?”

“That’s how it is.”

As I saw Lerwon say that with a bright smile, I thought.

I’m screwed─.

* * *

The fact that Zephyros became Lerwon’s guard was partly Lerwon’s choice, but there were other reasons as well.

First, as he commands the power of the wind, it was convenient for surveillance.

Above all, he was involved in this incident, and the fact that he was using a two-person dormitory room by himself also became a reason of its own.

“Besides me, there’s Lucian and Theo.”

“You’d trust me to them?”

When Lerwon asked back with an amused smile, Zephyros shut his mouth.

Lucian would be completely won over after just five words with Lerwon, and Theo also had a naive side to him, so there was no telling how he would be swayed.

In contrast, Zephyros was wary of Lerwon, so he was certainly the right person for the job.

Although it was a mystery why Lerwon chose him, knowing all that.

“What about the professors?”

“They’re busy.”

If you were to pick the busiest people in the Empire, first would be the Emperor, and second would be the Academy’s faculty.

Zephyros’s expression soured as if he was really reluctant.

“Of course, the faculty has no intention of forcing you.”

“What will happen to Lerwon-sunbae if I refuse?”

“He will be placed under strict surveillance by Evan’s side.”

“Wouldn’t Professor Evan be better than me?”

“Instead, a normal Academy life will be gone forever.”

“I don’t mind that, though.”

At Lerwon’s monotonous reply, Theo shot up.

“Hey, Zephi. Isn’t that too harsh?”

“Why are you defending Lerwon-sunbae.”

“Because I’m Lerwon-sunbae’s junior!”

“No, I think you have another motive.”

As if pricked, Theo quickly averted Zephyros’s gaze.

Well, it’s not like it’s the first or second time Theo has done something crazy with an incomprehensible thought.

“What happens to sunbae’s lectures? Do I have to attend them too?”

No matter how much he had received the Duchy’s education, there was no way he could attend a third-year’s lectures.

A transfer student attending a third-year’s lectures? Well, that’s a pitiful case.

“You don’t have to worry about that. The professors will personally watch over the lectures.

You just attend your lectures, meet at a pre-designated place, and then move as you please.”

“I just have to follow you wherever you go.”

“I cannot do such a thing… without any benefit.”

He too was not a body that could move freely.

Zephyros recalled the crumpled letters that filled the drawer.

“Is there something you want?”

“I heard there is a book written by a previous Wind Master in the Academy archives. I want that book.”

“It will take time to find it. It might not even be there.”

“As long as I can find it, I don’t mind how much time it takes.”

“As you wish.”

At Artemia’s permission, Zephyros finally nodded his head.

“Understood. I… will take on the role of Zephyros-sunbae’s guard.”

“Thank you so much, Zephi.”

“That’s a relief, sunbae.”

“Thank you, Zephi.”

Theo, Lucian, and Lerwon said in order.

Zephyros, surrounded by the three of them, wiped his dry face with his palm as if annoyed.

Ah, I feel like I made a pointless choice.

Seeing those three faces gathered together made my insides burn even more.

Should I really take it back now? As a serious conflict churned within him, Artemia quickly handed Zephyros a pocket watch.

“This is a watch that can track Lerwon’s location in real time.”

“I can just use the power of the wind.”

“We can’t rely solely on a student’s power.”

Artemia explained the usage of the watch in detail, left a sincere request to take good care of him, and then departed.

Lerwon’s location on the watch was displayed as the dormitory.

Confirming that it was working properly, Zephyros put the watch in his pocket.

“Now then. Lerwon-sunbae.”

“You’re calling me sunbae?”

“Don’t try to change the subject. How many times have I been fooled by your tricks?”

“Zephi, your tone is back to normal.”

At Lucian’s point, Zephyros made a sound, ah-ah, and then sighed deeply.

“Will you swear to answer honestly if I ask?”

“Can you even trust my oath?”

“I can at least figure out whether you’re lying or not. If you lie even after making an oath, then that’s the kind of person you are.”

At Zephyros’s attitude, which had softened a notch from complete hostility, a hollow laugh escaped Lerwon.

What on earth is this again? Who could have changed this child’s mind?

The answer to the question was already right in front of him.

You must have done something again. It was Lerwon’s part to eat that sweet fruit.

“I swear. There will be no falsehood in my answers.”

“Sunbae… do you regret killing your own parents?”

At Zephyros’s question, Lerwon answered without hesitation.