I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City - Chapter 88



87 – Girls at Risk of Being Abandoned for 5 Days -1-

Sulho asked Noah how he was doing in the academy city.

Sion recalled the time they’d faced each other. Honestly, he replied that they had just seemed healthy and happy.

From his parents perspective, that answer was perfect, and Emperor Seolho wore a satisfied expression. He answered some of the questions Sion had been curious about directly.

“I’ve put in the call, so your identity should be restored within 30 minutes.”

“Thank you.”

Guided by Yuho, Sion was led to the place where Testarossas legacy was said to be. Walking through a corridor built deep underground, they passed over a hundred doors. Yuho, who was guiding Sion, stopped in front of a door that was indistinguishable from all the others.

“Here it is.”

“…”

The doors lining the corridor had no numbers or distinguishing features. How did he find it? Does Yuho have this entire space memorized? As Sion held those questions inside, Yuho tapped the entrance with his fan! With just that, the tightly sealed door slid open as if it had been oiled.

“Shall we go in?”

“Yes.”

Sion followed Yuho, who confidently entered, and was met with a space piled high with an immense amount of wealth and goods. Yuho wagged his tail, pleased with the sight of the impressive collection again, and announced:

“With this much wealth, most foolish acts wouldn’t even register. You could live the rest of your life playing and eating without holding back? Its a dream most people have.”

Yoo-ho called it the dream of the majority, but for Sion, it was a future that didn’t pull him in.

There was even the fear that, if he just settled, Rohan and Clara would drift away, so far he couldnt reach them.

“Even so, I still have things I want to do, so I don’t think I’ll just sit still. I’m realizing I lack various experiences…”

“Indeed! That’s desirable. Then you can think you’ve found the privilege to undo a few failures.”

“Thank you for the kind words.”

Yoo-ho liked Sion.

Maybe it was because he had a good impression of Testarossa hed encountered in the past.

“If you have any questions or things you’d like explained, please tell me anytime.”

“Thank you.”

As soon as those words finished, Sion took a step and looked around.

More than the dazzling jewels and ornaments arranged in the antique chests, his eyes landed on other things first.

“…”

The portraits of his parents hung on the wall.

Paintings hed seen when he was young. It was certain these were the ones that used to hang in Testarossas palace.

The moment he faced them, his emotions surged, and tears welled up.

Below, neatly arranged and cared for, were books.

His mothers childcare diary and a photo album of Sions childhood. Things that, in the past, would have been filled to the brim, leaving no empty space.

Emotions welled, making his nose twitch, but Sion took a breath and calmly composed himself.

He had no intention of turning this place into a sea of tears.

‘The tears… I’ve shed enough tears.’

The treasures reclaimed in the name of inheritance are enough a driving force for growth, a pillar of spirit that endures hardship.

After a long time spent sorting through her emotions looking at the photos, Sion raised her head.

Yooho, maintaining a respectful demeanor towards Sion, a valued guest of Tigrova, informed her.

Theres no need to push yourself to take everything. This room can remain as it is. Or if you tell me your address, we can move it there.

Theres no need to sort through what to dispose of today either.

Yooho conveyed that there was no need to make hasty decisions, but Sion wasnt in a position to be so relaxed.

Still Id like to secure at least some living expenses. Ive received so much help from those around me.

Currently, Sion was so penniless that even coming to Tigrova had required Rohans assistance.

When she returned, shed need to find a place in the Academy City, and prepare supplies for any situation.

Having stated her situation, Sion continued to fret, looking at the jewels and ornaments about which she knew absolutely nothing.

Watching the girl, Yoohos lips twisted in a grimace of pity.

Those are such valuable jewels shed probably be happy to sell them off for a pittance.

She was a girl who caused worry, though for a different reason than Noah Frozenheart, the youngest daughter of Emperor Seolho.

The treasures here each had a long history and were exceptionally rare.

Such wonderful items having their worth demeaned by merchants with the tongues of snakes? It was an image that Yooho, a collector, abhorred to the point of feeling homicidal.

His Majesty must have assigned me to this task for that reason.

As a subject, he was bound to obey his kings will.

Yooho pulled out his smartphone from the loose sleeve of his clothes, and approached Sion.

Then, would you allow me, Yooho, to recommend some items that could be disposed of here?

Was it because Zion and Clara had slept together?

Lately, the bed’s been radiating an overwhelming, sweet scent.

Rohan lies there, talking to Zion on speakerphone.

Anyway, that’s how the missing person case was withdrawn. It was a weird feeling, being alive after being declared dead but at least my identity is sorted.

Thats a relief.

Separately I want to at least show some basic courtesy to Yuho-nim, who helped me for so long. He offered to buy me a meal first, and it really wouldnt be right to refuse.

Do it. It’s a good opportunity.

Rohan knows who Yuho is too.

Hed briefly appeared in the Abyss City world-building video.

As a celebrity in Tigrova, a phone search would bring a deluge of information.

So you’re staying another day, then?

No, I’ll head back as soon as the meal’s over. It won’t be past midnight.

So just a few hours difference, I guess. If the timing works, Clara and I will head to the station.

If you have time to spare, I won’t turn down a ride.

Rohan smiled naturally.

He was glad to see Zion being more talkative than usual, seeming to be doing well in Tigrova.

He knew for sure he’d worked for this, to see Zion like this.

Then, an comfortable silence.

A brief pause hung in the call.

And Zion let out a faint chuckle.

Heh heh…

“You got something good going on?”

I’ll show you when I get back. You can look forward to it.

I could hear the excitement in Sion’s voice.

Theres definitely something.

After that, we chatted for a bit.

Rohan realized he had some news he hadn’t shared yet. Something hed just finished preparing to tell Clara tomorrow at the bookstore.

“Oh, and just in case, I made as much food as I could, okay?”

Huh?

“The academy’s practical exam schedule changed. I’m going to be on a deserted island from Monday to Friday.”

…

Before he could even say that there should be enough and for her and Clara to take good care of themselves, Sion declared in a voice that suddenly turned flat.

Im going back to the academy city right now.

…?

If I say I have an urgent matter, Yuho-nim will understand.

“What the hell are you talking about all of a sudden?”

It wasn’t a joke. His voice was serious.

Rohan shot up straight in bed.

“It’s not like we’re never going to see each other. It’s not like I’m going away for years or anything.”

But still…!

“Do what you gotta do, and do it right. Even a proper greeting’s something you need to take care of, right?”

Alright.

Do as he’s told, without any fuss. That was the reply, a voice tinged with a subtle pout.

Rohan had to fight back a laugh.

“Sion.”

Yeah…

“I’ve got something to show you when I get back too, so look forward to it.”

!

Rohans gaze flickered to the shopping bag on the table.

Inside were two plushies, meticulously selected with advice and recommendations from Ichinose, the self-proclaimed expert on Waterdrop Friends.

A pink dragon with a tearful face and a shark that looked just a little derpy.

They were apparently the classic versions of the characters, Wulwul and Blueby.

Of course, Rohan knew Sion had a sneaky fondness for these characters. It had been glaringly obvious in the notes hed left behind when they first met.

And separately,

For Clara, he’d prepared a hair clip, not a plushie.

Originally, he had considered a surprise gift of clothing or shoes. But the biggest problem was that he didn’t know her size.

He could include a receipt to exchange for a better size, but even that might be a hurdle for Clara.

‘Not like I just grabbed the first thing I saw anyway.’

The hair clip was more expensive than the plushies, almost like someone had dusted it with gold powder.

But there was no skimping on things like this, not really.

The black sheen of the hairpin seemed to harmonize with Clara’s violet hair, my hand moving almost on its own.

‘Now *this* is a reasonable expenditure.’

Thinking back to Abyss City, which hadn’t even released character skins, the answer was clear.

This was an irresistible desire for Rohan.

I’ll look forward to it.

“Don’t get your hopes too high, try to keep your expectations moderate.”

The faint sulk that had lingered seemed to evaporate.

The small talk flowed smoothly, the topics of conversation shifting quickly.

Rohan. I have a question.

“What is it?”

Tell me the name of the perfume you use.

“Perfume? What perfume?”

The one you usually wear.

“I don’t use perfume?”

I’d been pinching pennies until recently, how could I possibly use a luxury item like perfume.

Even if my finances improved, it’s not something I’d give much thought to.

Ive always believed the natural scent each person has is the best.

You don’t wear perfume?

“Nope. Never have. Don’t even own any.”

That cant be possible?

A rustling sound came from the other end of the phone.

Even though he didn’t know what she was doing, it felt like Sion’s attention had drifted away from the call, so Rohan spoke up.

“Sion.”

Ah!

“Call Clara too and tell her what’s happening. She’ll be waiting.”

Uh, yeah Okay.

Sion, flustered, stammered and hung up.

Rohan, scratching his head at the bizarre reaction, started preparing for tomorrow.

Because the uninhabited island life was truly just around the corner.