9.

The Münuit Academy was renowned as the continent’s best educational institution. Proof of that was that prominent figures from all over the world were proud to be from Münuit, and despite the huge tuition fees, the competition for admission got fiercer every year.

However, there was no guarantee that the academy students who entered through the tough competition were always eager to study. Since there was ample time before exams, the library is very quiet, rightly so.

Mark, wearing thick-rimmed glasses, looked around the quiet library for a moment and then turned to the right. A bookshelf full of books on special fields such as magic, alchemy, and elementals soon appeared.

Windsor advised him that it would be better to study something before meeting Shaft, the professor in charge of the potion-making club nicknamed ‘The Question Mark Killer’. It was very troublesome, but Mark, a Marquis’s second son, decided to follow the advice wondering if it might help in the future.

“Oh.”

“Hello.”

In that particular section in the library, Mark met an unexpected character. Elena Evoy. An odd fish caught by Windsor’s clumsy net and the same junior who caused a stir in the academy for a while by dethroning the top student.

“Do you work as a librarian? I’ve never seen you here before.”

“I was told to work in this section today.”

“I see.”

The short greeting and the conversation that followed were quite dry. Mark looked at her amethyst eyes that felt transparent for a moment and then moved on quickly.

Mark, who chose a moderately necessary book, went to read in a sunny spot. While reading the book in the quiet ambiance, he took off his glasses due to tiredness. Due to his poor eyesight, his thick lenses caused pain in his temples instead of showing him clearly.

A few students glanced at Mark, who just took off his glasses. The handsome stoic man had a charm that was hard to shake off once you glanced at him.

Recognizing their gazes, Mark wore his glasses again. The glasses, which reduced his eyes’ size by just a half, were suitable for hiding his beauty. The eyes that couldn’t stop looking at him, followed his movement and then soon disappeared.

‘I wouldn’t have bothered with this if it weren’t for Windsor.’

Even if he thought so, he always listened to him. Unlike his cold looks, Mark was not hard on the inside. This was especially true for Windsor who he had been close to since childhood. Mark, who had no interest in the club, accepted Windsor’s request without much thought, although he did grumble a little.

But what’s annoying is annoying. Mark, who had been pressing his throbbing temple often, suddenly looked at the nearest bookcase. To be exact, he looked at Elena organizing the books in front of him.

‘I didn’t know a student worked as a librarian.’

As far as Mark knew, there was a separate incharge of it. Maybe she likes books? It was the best answer Mark, whose father was Marquise Rivian, the Justice of the Supreme Court, could come up with.

‘That must be enough for Windsor to pass her.’

Usually, it’s rare for people to pass Windsor’s radar unless they are eccentric too. Even more for clubs, like the potion-making club, that don’t benefit aristocrats in any way. Of course, since her family name Evoy was very unfamiliar, it was hard to see Elena as a normal aristocrat.

“…….”

As he tried to soothe his throbbing temple while watching Elena do her work, Mark suddenly froze up. He met eyes with Elena who had just turned around. Elena dropped her extremely dry eyes and passed by without a care.

‘She’ll get along well with Windsor.’

Mark recalled a familiar figure in his eyes. When it came to uninteresting matters, the always-defunct Windsor Dotmiller was always interested in them. Two Dotmillers and another who resembles them all in the same club. Mark shook his head at the uninspiring combination.

A long time had passed since then. After learning a few things about potions, Mark stood up from his seat. He had to go to the club room.

“Heading to the club?”

“Yes.”

Mark, who had roughly arranged the books, encountered Elena once again while leaving the library. She seemed to be heading in the same direction, as well. Her short and curt answer was just like the Dotmillers.

“…….”

“Oh, what happened to Johann? Rita seemed to be looking forward to it.”

“I think he’ll join us soon.”

“Really? That’s surprising.”

“I know.”

What an unexpected success. Mark was genuinely awe-inspired. No one, not even Rita, expected this result.

“You guys are partners in Professor Harper’s class, right?”

“Yes.”

“Figures.”

Professor Harper is the only person who gives assignments to work with a partner for history class. After nodding his head a few times, Marc asked slyly, “I have a study guide from last year. Do you need it?”

“Yes, I really need it.”

“…Really? I’ll give it to you, then.”

“Thank you.”

Just a moment ago, her responses were so dry. The aloof girl who looked as if answering only because she had to, looked at Mark with sparkling eyes. How amusing. Mark laughed at the dramatic change in her attitude. Her expression returned to normal as if it never existed. Regardless, she’s much cuter than Windsor since she’s a junior.

Potion Making Club

“Let’s go in.”

“Yes.”

“When do you need the notes?”

“I’d appreciate it any time, but the sooner the better.”

“Alright, then.”

Seems doable. Mark nodded and opened the door.

***

“Oh my gosh, Johann Pertan! I didn’t expect you to actually join!”

“Please feel free to just call me Johann.”

“You’re so friendly! Windsor, don’t you think the club room is especially bright today?”

“I don’t know, but you certainly seem to feel that way.”

Unusually excited Rita was busy welcoming Johann with her hands clasped together. Windsor gave a bit of an unwelcoming look to him at Rita’s most cordial hospitality, but only briefly.

“I didn’t expect you to join our club. It must have been a difficult decision.”

“Not really. I’ve always been interested in this field.”

“If so, I’m glad. With this, our club won’t be disbanded.”

“What are you talking about? The kids will be flooding in soon.”

“

“We can’t accept all of them. Let’s take things in moderation without overwhelming ourselves.”

Unlike Rita, who stared at Johann with sparkling eyes, Windsor remained calm. After making eye contact with Rita with a smile, Johann looked around quietly.

‘The club doesn’t seem odd. The Dotmillers are affiliated with the Magic Association, so I should get along with them. The Karts are recently rising in status, so I should befriend Rita, too. But since they lack honor, I won’t be bumping much with her in high society… Anyway, why isn’t she coming?’

There should be six members to prevent the disbandment of the club, but four people are sitting here, and the other two are absent. One of them is Elena. She should’ve finished her work by now. Johann sneakily peeked at the door.

“Mark, you’re here? Johann’s in! Oh, Elena’s here too!”

“I know.”

“Are you guys friends already? Great!”

“Hello.”

Why are these two coming together? Johann barely controlled this contorting face. But of all people, Mark? I didn’t expect a big shot like him in this small club.

Mark Pierce Rivian. He was the second son of the Marquis Rivian, who served as the Justice of the Supreme Court and was to become a Count in the future. There was a high possibility that he would follow in the footsteps of his father and older brother.

He has a worthy background to make connections with but the catch was that he’s Marquis Rivian’s son. Johann’s father, Duke Pertan, the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Knights, had a bad relationship with Marquis Rivian.

The Justice of the Supreme Court, Marquis Rivian, was at odds with the Commander-in-Chief, Duke of Pertan, over some of his decisions concerning national security.

Furthermore, even though the Duke of Pertan holds greater power, a unique situation caused unrest in the imperial bureaucracy, since he held a lower position than Marquis Rivian. It happened because Duke Pertan was a member of the Imperial family. Since he had the right to succeed, he could not rise to higher office. As a result, the two families were cold towards each other.

“Johann, right? Nice to meet you, though our meeting was later than I thought.”

“We never had a chance to, Mark¹.”

“Let’s put our family matters aside. I don’t care about all that.”

He considered family affairs as trivial matters, but he meant nothing bad by it. Nevertheless, Johann twisted his words a little. Is he saying I do?

“I appreciate it.”

Yet, his smiling face said otherwise. Johann looked at Elena, who sat quietly on her seat. Why does she coming with Mark upset me…

‘You came.’

The sharp and rising dissatisfaction quickly subsided as her lips moved slightly. Johann read Elena’s lips precisely and nodded quietly. I told you I would.

‘Anyway, how are these two close? It’s only been a day since she joined the club and they’ve never met before. Does she like men with glasses?’

I’ve heard that Marquis Rivian’s eldest son is pretty handsome, but I’ve never heard of his second son. It’s rare for our families to gather in one place so this is my first time seeing him. I shouldn’t be wary of him with regards to his appearance. Of course, I can’t be sure because of those monstrous glasses, but he doesn’t seem any better than me.

‘I think I’m better… So what if I am?’

Besides, why would I be wary of him?

Dudun-! Johann finally realized that his thoughts were heading in a very strange direction. While the cause of those thoughts, Elena Evoy, is sitting across without a care in the world.

‘I’ve lost it.’

Johann bit his tongue. When he realized that, all the confusion that he had ignored for a while instantly flooded in. The noisy confusion in his head was trying to remind Johann of one thing over and over again.

No! I can’t.

Johann kept repeating the same words to silence the quiet clamor in his head. No! No way!!!