Chapter 75

Chapter 75

The school trip ended safely without any particular incidents afterward.

There were no accidents or cases—everyone simply enjoyed a peaceful and ordinary rest.

‘I guess… I had a fairly normal time too.’

Through the game, I already knew there weren’t any major episodes I had to worry about in Intezer.

Though the curse of Intezer and Peregrie’s power had been new to me, we somehow managed to overcome them safely, leaving no more variables to deal with.

So I was able to spend the remaining time in Intezer comfortably, at ease.

Yes, I truly enjoyed myself.

Together with Lisa.

‘I was thinking of just resting at the lodging, but… it wasn’t a bad decision.’

Lisa and I visited every major tourist spot in Intezer together, ate our meals side by side, and ended up spending almost the entire trip alone with each other until the very end.

And we didn’t even try to hide it—walking openly together, showing our relationship to every student of Lysquare Academy.

‘I don’t even know anymore.’

Normally, I didn’t want to draw people’s attention, but we’d already gone too far for that.

Besides, Lisa didn’t care at all about what others thought, so there was nothing I could do.

After spending such a delightful time with Lisa—

Before I knew it, the next day had arrived.

“Departure complete up to Class 3 of Year 3. Students from the Student Affairs Department and the Disciplinary Committee, board your carriages and prepare for departure!”

By noon, after all preparations were complete, the students of Lysquare Academy departed from Intezer.

“Are we stopping by Skedum again this time?”

“Yes, but this time we’re literally just sleeping there. According to the schedule, we’ll arrive late in the evening, so unlike last time, there won’t be much time to look around.”

I nodded at Nia’s words.

If nothing unexpected happened, we’d probably return to the Academy by tomorrow afternoon.

“Still, I’m glad the school trip wrapped up without much trouble.”

“You’re right. A lot happened, but in the end, it all worked out fine.”

“Come to think of it, what about that incident in Skedum…?”

“The Hawkbat Family decided to handle it. There’s nothing we as students can do, so don’t worry about it.”

“Yes, understood.”

In my original world, the Hawkbat Family functioned like a forensics division.

They were the continent’s—no, the Empire’s—top-tier investigative force, so as Nia said, there was no need to be concerned.

If it had been anyone else, maybe I’d worry, but since it was the Hawkbat Family, I could trust them.

“Anyway, aside from that big incident in Skedum, the school trip itself went pretty well. And for you and Lisa… it seems to have been a very meaningful trip, wasn’t it?”

“Well, yes…”

“No, don’t even bother answering. I can already tell. You two are sitting like this right in front of me—how could I not know?!”

Nia spoke calmly at first but suddenly burst out.

I scratched my head awkwardly, while Nia gave a wry smile as she glanced between Lisa and me.

For reference, on the way back, I was sharing the same carriage with Nia and Lisa.

And, as always, Lisa sat beside me, while Nia took the seat facing us.

If things had just stayed like that, it might’ve been a quiet ride home, but…

“Hey, Lisa.”

“Why, sis?”

“Are you sitting like that because it’s comfortable, or are you just trying to tease me, the poor single one?”

“This is just comfortable.”

“Yeah, sure. Must be real comfy, huh, you brat.”

Nia looked at Lisa with a mix of disbelief and irritation.

For the record, I was sitting on Lisa’s lap at that very moment.

And Lisa was holding me tightly in her arms.

“Even if you don’t do this, everyone already knows Gideon is your man.”

Lisa shook her head with a blank expression.

“That’s not certain. Gideon’s handsome—some girls might try to flirt with him. I’m just making sure that doesn’t happen…”

“Hey, you literally went around bragging to everyone yesterday that you’re dating Gideon. What normal girl would go after the lover of a duke’s daughter?”

“There might be a girl who isn’t normal. Anyway, aside from that, I really am comfortable like this.”

Lisa hugged me even tighter.

I turned my head slightly to look at her, and our eyes met.

Then Lisa gave a faint smile and rested her head against my chest.

“When I feel Gideon’s warmth, both my body and heart relax.”

“Ugh, I should’ve just taken a different carriage. I’m the only one suffering here, stuck between a couple.”

“Jealous, sis?”

“Hey! You are teasing me, aren’t you?! You think I can’t tell just because you say it with that blank face?!”

“Mm, so you are jealous.”

Lisa nodded expressionlessly, and Nia looked utterly dumbfounded.

“Wow, this girl. I gave you advice, helped you get closer to Gideon—and this is how you repay me?!”

“Mm… Then, if you ever find someone you like, I’ll help you as much as I can.”

“Haah, fine. Don’t know if that’ll ever happen, but if it does, I’ll count on you.”

“Okay.”

After Lisa’s flat reply, Nia let out a short laugh and soon lost interest in us.

When Nia turned her gaze toward the window, Lisa lifted her face to look up at me.

“Gideon.”

“Yes, Lady Lisa.”

“I’m thirsty.”

“Would you like to drink now?”

“Yes, but I don’t think I’ll need much. Just a little.”

Lisa reached her hand toward the bandage wrapped around my neck.

But I caught her hand and shook my head.

“Not the neck. You’ve bitten it too much lately—it needs time to heal.”

“Sorry, I was being selfish. Is your neck okay?”

“It’ll be fine after a couple of days. So instead of my neck, perhaps another spot…”

“Would your finger be all right?”

“Will my finger be enough for you?”

“Right now, just a little is enough.”

As she said that, Lisa guided my right hand toward her lips.

Then she gently bit my index finger.

When her fangs pierced my skin, blood began to flow down my finger.

“Mmm… hm.”

Lisa drank that blood.

Without letting a single drop fall, she licked my finger clean with her tongue.

“……”

I watched her for a moment before turning my head away.

Because seeing Lisa so focused on my finger… stirred up some strange thoughts.

So I turned my gaze aside.

“……”

“…Ahem.”

Pretending to look out the window, my eyes met Nia’s, who had been sneaking glances at us.

At that, Nia gave an awkward cough and quickly turned her head away again.

‘…I’ll have to help Nia out later somehow.’

A single person watching a couple flirt right in front of her.

Honestly, I did feel a little bad for Nia.

Still, if my memory was right, someone who suited her well would appear for her later on.

When that time came, I should probably lend a hand so she could date comfortably.

But that was something for the future. For now……

“Mm, huuuh……”

“Have you finished your meal?”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

Lisa looked up at me with a meaningful gaze and hugged me even tighter.

In response, I smiled back at her.

It had been quite a while since I’d been in a woman’s embrace, and… it didn’t feel bad at all.

After leaving Intezer, we returned peacefully to Lysquare Academy without any incidents.

There had been a small(?) episode in Skedum where Lisa shamelessly tried to sleep in the same room as me and was suppressed by Nia, but aside from that, nothing noteworthy happened.

After spending two days returning from Intezer to Lysquare Academy, the next day arrived.

“Gideon, did you check this document?”

“Are you referring to the one about inspecting students’ belongings?”

“Yeah. The Student Council requested it, saying some students might’ve bought illegal goods in Skedum.”

“Then I’ll set up a schedule for that and……”

It was lunchtime. As usual, Lisa and I were handling Disciplinary Committee work.

However, things were a little different today.

Normally, we’d be working in the underground committee room with no ventilation whatsoever.

But for some reason, Lisa had suggested we work somewhere else today.

As a result, we were processing documents in the garden near the Academy’s back gate—the ‘Garden of Beginnings,’ where a massive tree stood.

“Yeah. Let’s do that. And Gideon, it just came to mind, but… sorry for calling you out on the weekend. You must be tired after the school trip.”

“It’s fine. I don’t mind.”

As Lisa said, it was the weekend—specifically, Saturday.

Even though we were working right after the school trip, I wasn’t tired at all.

Maybe it was because we were in my favorite garden, with the cool breeze and warm sunlight.

And besides……

“I’m actually glad you called me out.”

“Really?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? I get to spend time alone with you, Lisa. There’s no way I’d dislike that.”

I smiled as I said it, and Lisa averted her eyes slightly, nodding her head.

“You’re not lying, huh.”

“Why would I ever lie to you, Lisa?”

“That’s true. You’ve always been honest with me. But are you really okay working outside? I just thought it’d be a nice change of pace.”

“I think it’s fine. Just as you said, it does feel refreshing.”

“That’s good to hear. Maybe we shouldn’t always work in the committee room from now on—let’s try different spots sometimes.”

I nodded.

“I don’t mind. Honestly, it doesn’t matter where we work. As long as I’m with you, Lisa, anywhere’s fine.”

“…You sure know how to talk. Bet you’ve charmed plenty of girls with that mouth.”

“Oh, come on, that’s not true at all.”

I chuckled and turned my head back to the documents.

I was about to check through them again when Lisa suddenly came closer.

“Lisa?”

“Don’t mind me. Just keep working.”

Lisa rested her head on my shoulder and snuggled up beside me.

She told me not to mind her, but with her that close, how could I not?

Still, she didn’t seem to have any intention of moving away.

In fact, she subtly tried to wrap her arm around my waist when—

“Oh, so the rumors were true.”

“…Jason?”

A voice came from nearby.

Before I knew it, Jason was sitting right beside me.

“When did you get here?”

“Just now. I was looking around for you and Lisa noona, and I found you faster than I thought.”

“I see. That’s fortunate. Did you finish the investigation in Skedum properly?”

“Pretty much. At least, I did everything I had to. My dad told me I could come back to the Academy since there’s nothing left for me to do.”

“When did you arrive at the Academy?”

“About thirty minutes ago? I unpacked my stuff and started looking for you two. Anyway, Lisa noona.”

Jason grinned mischievously as he looked at Lisa.

“I didn’t interrupt a good moment, did I?”

“You did.”

Lisa gave him a mild glare and hugged me tighter.

Jason smirked.

“My bad, then. Guess I intruded without noticing. I just got curious after hearing you two were openly acting like a couple now. Oh, but noona—are you ready? That person’s supposed to come today.”

“Ready? And that person?”

“You didn’t hear? Ah, right—you just got back from the trip yesterday.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh, that’s… Lady Kafka is coming to the Academy today.”

“…Mother’s coming?”

Lisa shot up from her seat, visibly surprised.

It wasn’t often I saw her that startled.

“Why is she coming?”

“Well, between what happened in Skedum and that monster escape incident recently—you and Gideon both played big roles, right? The Imperial Palace recognized your contributions and decided to send an award.”

“Hmm, I see. It makes sense the palace would take an interest. But what does that have to do with Mother coming here personally?”

“They were originally going to send officials from the palace, but… uh, Lady Kafka apparently forced them all to take vacation and decided to come herself.”

“…Haaah. She’s really something, even if she’s my own mother.”

Lisa let out a hollow laugh, sounding both exasperated and resigned.

“But did His Majesty really allow her to come to the Academy?”

“You know her personality best, don’t you?”

“…So, she’s on her way here right now?”

“Probably arriving any minute—”

Before Jason could finish, another voice called out from afar.

“Lisa! There you are!”

“…Ah.”

At the sound of that voice, Lisa froze on the spot.

With a mix of complex emotions across her face, she slowly turned toward the source.

“I heard you pulled off quite the stunt on the school trip! Come on, tell me all about it—I’m dying to know!”

Bright red hair, just like Lisa’s.

A confident stride and a voice brimming with energy.

And on her back—a massive greatsword.

It was none other than Kafka Balmuth, the Head of House Balmuth.

“Mother, could you please lower your voice a little?”

“Hm? Why? We’re outside, and it’s just us here, isn’t it?”

“Still…”

“Oh, don’t be so stiff. Relax a little. Anyway, I heard a lot happened on that trip?”

“Yes, a lot… happened.”

“Right. I heard you even saved kidnapped students—and managed to snatch up that boy you liked, too?”

Lisa looked away, her cheeks flushed red.

“Let’s talk about that later…”

“So this is the one, huh.”

Lisa’s mother, Kafka Balmuth, looked at me with a knowing smile.

Under her gaze, I slowly rose to my feet.