First translation of 2024! It’s been over 8 years since I started this site, and I’ve been translating for even longer than that…time truly flies.
Translated by: TaffyGirl13
Chapter 1: Arguments with friends are just like underwear stains – shameful and embarrassing, but ultimately still need to be confronted and dealt with
The truth felt like when one bumped into an ex — more awkward and embarrassing than a pleasant surprise.
Especially upon discovering that the “reality” everyone had believed in for so long was a complete lie.
“So, what now?” Momiji sat on the arm of the couch in the common room, displeasure on her beautiful face.
“The ultimate weapon is in the hands of the enemy.” Brad sighed, “It’s not like we can directly slaughter our way into White Triangle’s headquarters and tell them to hand over the Requisciet Campana so that we can defeat them. The whole situation is putting the cart before the horse.”
“Oho, you actually used an idiom! Not bad,” Dan Juan nodded in praise.
Brad shot a resentful glare at the stupid and insensitive spider.
“Who cares about that.” Momiji yawned, not particularly interested in what Brad was talking about. “I was referring to Leon and Isaac.” She paused for a second before adding, “And Fu Xing…”
Everyone fell silent.
Ever since they left Sunset Forest, the atmosphere had been extremely stiff. No one had said a word the entire trip back to school.
Isaac had left very quickly, going ahead by himself and disappearing. Leon and Fu Xing had returned to their dorm room. Samukawa had returned to the main bailey to report to Sanbi, while Fram had directly gone home. The others had followed Momiji to their class common room for some reason. Perhaps it was because they did not want to go back to their rooms and be forced to face the restless anxiousness stirring in their hearts.
As it was a holiday, there was no one else in the common room, which gave them the perfect space to take a deep breath.
“That’s a dispute between darkbloods, it has nothing to do with me.” Brad clicked his tongue, “They really are a shameless race to pull such a sinister scheme.”
“What did you come here for then?” Momiji glared at Brad. “Just to show off your piss-licking muzzle?”
“Shut up, fox spirit. Did you toss your etiquette along with your chastity?” Brad growled back.
“Stop it,” Zhu Yue flatly chided like a spring shower pouring onto the fiery situation. “Brad is also worried about Leon and the others, he just isn’t good at expressing himself…” She quietly explained on Brad’s behalf, “If he really was unconcerned, he wouldn’t have come.”
Zhu Yue was clearly exhausted. It made her sad to see her friends quarrel amongst each other. The smile that was usually on her gentle face was covered by a layer of bitter pain.
Momiji shot Brad a look before letting out an irritated huff.
Brad glanced at Zhu Yue, his ears bright red. He was very grateful for Zhu Yue speaking up for him, especially since it meant Zhu Yue could understand his thoughts…which truly made his heart swell.
With a light cough, he lowered his head and shyly murmured, “Thanks.”
Zhu Yue smiled faintly. “It isn’t hard to understand tsunderes.”
Brad stared blankly at this, completely lost as to what that meant.
“Leon won’t make up with Isaac?” Taeharu asked worriedly.
“What the Sagveiss clan did to the Kirst clan is not a matter that can be resolved with just an apology.” Emerald heaved a long sigh, “Moreover, Isaac personally witnessed what Herman did to Countess Lee.”
“But…” Taeharu frowned. “Leon didn’t do anything.”
“It was his clan.”
“Men are such a pain.” Momiji snorted impatiently, “What is the damn point in keeping all the resentment inside? Go fight it out! So annoying.”
“That’s a good point.” Zhu Yue slowly nodded, a distant expression on her face. “While spilling sweat in the process, an appreciation for the adversary emerges and evolves into other sentiments, then—”
“Then?” Everyone followed up.
“Then, perhaps sweat will no longer be the only fluid that is spilled.” Zhu Yue sighed, “It’s a very moe development, but I’m not in the mood to enjoy it…” The excessive distress and heavy emotions she was under had caused her to casually say her inner thoughts aloud without her realising.
After an extremely brief moment of awkward silence, they pulled the conversation back on-topic.
“In any case,” Dan Juan coughed. “We should just leave this matter to the expert.”
“You?” Emerald raised a brow in disagreement. “If things are left to you, I feel like the two will go from being in a cold war to directly stabbing each other”
Zhu Yue’s eyes lit up as she grabbed onto certain keywords. “Stabbing each other…?” Though the glow in her eyes faded out like a shooting star. She shook her head and sighed helplessly before going quiet again.
Everyone else inwardly felt relieved; they were very worried Zhu Yue would subconsciously make more shocking statements.
“No. I know where my strengths lie; I’m not skilled with emotions and interpersonal relationships.” Dan Juan scoffed, “I’m very self-aware!”
“You’re also not skilled with being likable,” Emerald snickered.
“I’m more surprised that he’s bold enough to claim he’s self-aware,” Momiji muttered to Emerald.
“Hmph! Keep running your mouths, it just makes you seem more superficially shallow!”
In reality, it wasn’t just Dan Juan that struggled with handling interpersonal affairs. It was something that all special animate beings were weak with.
The ties between special animate beings were mostly established from bloodlines and related stakes. Each race carried their own mindset, so the only times different races banded together were for merriment and celebration. It was rare for them to go through trials and tribulations together, so naturally they never had to handle internal disputes like this. They came together when their aspirations aligned, and they separated when their aspirations differed. No one would ever try to “redeem” what had existed.
They believed that regret and redemption were displays of weakness.
However, He Fu Xing had changed them. Although he had made them “weak”, they did not blame him or feel upset about it.
“Hopefully they make up soon,” Zhu Yue voiced her heartfelt wish.
“Indeed.” Flora seriously added, “Those two may be eccentric, but it just doesn’t feel right without them.”
“You’re plenty eccentric yourself,” Emerald retorted. “But it would also feel weird without you. You’re the most outstanding one actually – you managed to blend in so seamlessly even though you’re in an entirely different class.”
“That’s because you guys just happened to be a good fit with me,” Flora chuckled in amusement. “The ones in my class are too boring.”
The reason she had first started joining Fu Xing was to get closer to Brad, but in the past two years, her objective had unknowingly shifted. Rather than focusing on Brad only, she enjoyed bickering with the whole group more.
“Thanksgiving has already passed. Next are Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter. Each of those holidays will have celebrations and banquets. I heard that there will be a macaron tower during dinnertime on Christmas day…” Rocort suddenly broke his silence to say, “I hope that everyone can happily eat and laugh together in the remaining seven months.”
This was everyone’s wish.
Upon exiting Sunset Forest, Fu Xing and Leo returned to their dorm room. Leon walked very quickly, forcing Fu Xing to practically run to catch up and nearly tripping a few times in the process.
“Leon—”
“Do not come in.”
“This is my room too.”
“This section is my territory.” Leon kept his back towards Fu Xing as he stopped in front of his desk and hissed, “Go away!”
The only response was the sound of approaching footsteps.
“Can you not understand my words?!” Leon blew up, his voice rising in volume.
“Two years ago, when you were lying on the floor covered in blood, you told me to ignore you and even threatened to kill me. Considering I didn’t even listen to you two years ago, there’s no way I’d do it now either.”
Leon was dumbfounded. “Why?”
“Because we’re friends!” Fu Xing felt his anger begin to rise as well. “I’m pretty sure you’ve asked that same question several times now!” Why do I need to repeat the same words over and over again? Are they that hard to understand?!
“Even when you know how despicable I am?”
“I didn’t have trouble getting close to you two years ago when my impression of you was even worse, so of course I’m not deterred by this point!”
Back when he had just entered Shalom, he had been extremely unfamiliar and fearful of his new identity and this new world. He had once thought Leon would attack girls or livestock at night to suck their blood.
Leon did not respond aside from a chuckle of self-derision.
Fu Xing…it’s ridiculous how innocent and pure of heart you are. So pure that it looks foolish, so pure that it’s hard to bear…It’s hard seeing you hurt, hard seeing you get caught up in a difficult conflict.
“Are you alright?” Fu Xing went over to Leon and automatically reached out to gently pat his shoulder.
Lin Lin had consoled him like this when he was sick or upset in the past. The simple action would soothe his discomfort like magic.
A subtle, almost undetectable, pained exhale slipped out from Leon’s mouth.
Clap! He forcefully slapped Fu Xing’s hand away.
“Do not touch me.” Leon’s chilling gaze of disaffection pierced through him. “Isaac spoke the truth. It was my grandfather that destroyed the Kirst clan, and I was aware of it.”
“Leon?”
“Using any means to remove everything that is not beneficial to them is the convention of the Sagveiss clan.” Leon grabbed his backpack and strode towards the closet to throw some items inside. “Even if it has not yet posed a threat, as long as there is the slightest potential to jeapordise their future, it will be eliminated.” He slung the bag onto his shoulder and glanced back at Fu Xing. “You must know this better than anyone.”
Fu Xing did not answer. He knew Leon was referring to when Sylvia attacked him during the school trip.
“But you didn’t…”
“The decisions are made by the Sagveiss clan, and I am part of them. My family attempted to kill you,” Leon cut him off. “Fu Xing, those are my comrades. Bloodlines are chains that can never be broken.”
He knew what the Sagviss clan wanted.
He knew what he had to do in order for the Sagveiss clan to lose interest in Fu Xing and the others.
Fu Xing stared at Leon, uncertain how to refute. He suddenly wished he was as skilled with his words as Emerald or Flora. He wished he could convince Leon of the truth that in their hearts, Leon was as important as family.
Emotional ties were stronger than blood ties, and harder to destroy.
“But…even if we’re not connected by blood, I care a lot about you. Your sorrow makes me sad as well…” Fu Xing murmured. “Plus, I believe in you. Leon Sagveiss would never be so cruel and sinister.”
Leon gritted his teeth and turned on his heel with his bag on his back.
“Where are you going?” Fu Xing followed closely behind.
Leon spun around to shove Fu Xing away. Fu Xing stumbled as he lost his balance and bumped into the wall before falling onto his knees.
“Ugh…” Fu Xing rubbed his bottom as he clumsily struggled to stand back up.
Leon stared at Fu Xing for a brief second, suppressing the emotions swelling up in his heart before coldly looking away and leaving.
“Wait!”
By the time Fu Xing reached the door, the corridor was empty without a figure in sight.
It was a gloomy morning. The hazy first rays of sunlight could be faintly seen through the dense darkness, gradually changing it into the colour of turbid cement.
It was nearing the end of the darkblood’s active hours, and it would soon be time for them to prepare to rest. A rough, unrestrained force made the front door of the Sagveiss manor open with a bang. The massive manor instantly went still. All sounds of conversation and work came to a sharp halt.
Lorenzo, the butler that had been serving the Sagveiss clan for centuries, immediately appeared in the main hall with calm. However, some astonishment formed on his solemn and respectful face when he saw who had arrived.
“Young Master Leon?” He astutely sensed that something was wrong. “Why have you…”
“This is my manor, my estate. Must the owner of the property report when they return to their own home?” Leon coldly asked in an extremely threatening tone. “I have several questions for you to answer.”
There was a smile on Leon’s face that made Lorenzo inwardly quake in fear, but this emotion immediately turned into delight.
This imposing manner, this majestic presence were identical to Herman’s. This was how the Sagveiss was supposed to be!
“I will answer you to the best of my ability,” Lorenzo subserviently replied.
“Let me think, where should I start?” Leon tilted his head to the side in feigned contemplation. “I’ll go in chronological order. Firstly, Herman killed Lee Kirst and distorted the historical events. Is that correct?”
Lorenzo was shocked. He had no idea how his master had learned of a secret that had been concealed for centuries. It was a matter that only a few of the elders in the Sagveiss clan were aware of.
Leon raised a brow, the chilling smile still on his face as he continued, “Hiding and nurturing the Kirst descendents was not out of a sense of justice, but to keep them in close surveillance. Is that correct as well?” It was to make the Kirst family fall into gracious debt to the Sagveiss for them to later take advantage of. Despicable yet brilliant, true to his grandfather’s style.
“I do not understand—”
“You don’t remember? Very well. Acting ignorant to avoid taking the blame is something Herman taught you, after all. In that case, I will ask about something more recent.” Leon slowly walked up to Lorenzo with deliberate steps. “When we were in St. Petersburg in August, Sylvia went to assassinate He Fu Xing. This was your arrangement, wasn’t it?”
Lorenzo did not answer. It was neither confirmation nor denial.
“However, it failed. What a pity, I’m sure,” Leon sneered.
“If you wish to punish me for that, I will not resist.” Lorenzo indifferently replied, “I do not regret my own decisions. That youth’s existence is detrimental to you.”
“Detrimental to me? Hah, you mean, detrimental to the Sagveiss.” Leon scoffed, “You simply want a puppet with complete control over the Sagveiss to obtain more authority and benefits for the clan. A puppet just like Herman.”
“Master Herman was not a puppet! He was an amazing leader!”
“Because his twisted, sinister nature fit together perfectly with you all.”
“You should not speak of your grandfather that way.” Lorenzo looked Leon straight in the eye. “You are his bloodline. Besmirching him is equivalent to besmirching yourself.”
“Hmph, bloodline.” Indeed, an unerasable truth. He shared blood with that despicable and evil man, and had to bear the same burdens. It was because he knew this fact that he had returned to accept this corrupted responsibility.
Despite his extreme unwillingness, he had not returned simply to stand in shallow waters. His clansmen would never let matters rest that way. Moreover, he had fallen into the cage of bloody banality long ago.
He treasured his friends, and would protect them his way.
Two years had been very short, but enough. He would remember those two years of memories for the rest of his life, and it would be enough to help him through his future years of loneliness.
“Young Master Leon?” Lorenzo was confused. He had assumed Leon had returned to rebuke and discipline him. When the question about He Fu Xing had come up, he had even prepared to be killed.
“The Sagveiss clan will be managed by me starting from today. The elders can abdicate and wait for their deaths.”
“What?!” Lorenzo was torn between worry and joy at this turn of events.
“What, not satisfied?”
“The Sagveiss clan was originally yours to take, so you taking the lead is naturally what everyone would hope for.”
“Very well.” Leon smirked cruelly, “Since I will be taking over, we must take some actions so that everyone can witness the capabilities of the new Sagveiss leader.”
“What do you mean?”
“The World Sanctification Court’s forces have expanded to the point where it is a danger to our clan.” Leon frostily declared, “Notify the alliances and enlist every soldier to assemble as many troops as possible. We must retaliate and eradicate all of White Triangle!”
He would purge this world, purge the threat to special animate beings, purge the enemy that could harm his friends.
Lorenzo was dumbstruck. He had never imagined Leon would make such a decision. “Young Master Leon, that is too impetuous of a decision!”
Currently, the elders wanted to eliminate the Kirst clan’s gradually growing influence. Things like White Triangle were not their focus at all. In reality, White Triangle was just a means to stir up confrontation and incite awareness across the different races. It was a means to win over political power, and the Sagveiss had no intentions of directly clashing with them.
“You have always wished for me to return and take control of the clan, and it has now become a reality.” Leon coldly eyed Lorenzo, “You are a mere subordinate. You must execute your master’s orders to the best of your abilities.”
With that, he walked past Lorenzo and left, leaving the butler in the hall to face his vexations alone.
Lorenzo gritted his teeth, his hands clenched tightly into fists.
He knew what his master’s plan was. On the surface, Leon was taking over the clan and leading his people to face the enemy. But in reality, he wanted to use this borderline suicidal method to take down the enemy in a way that ended in mutual destruction. He wanted to passively destroy the Sagveiss clan!
Lorenzo’s vexations turned into resentment at others.
If we had known this would happen, we wouldn’t have spared the Kirst descendents and allowed any trace of them to remain. It’s all because of those cursed soft-hearted emotions and sense of guilt!
A ferocity lit up in Lorenzo’s gaze.
Mistakes must be removed. Fortunately, I still have opportunities to make amendments…
The weather that had previously carried remnants of warmth changed to a frigid winter overnight, as gloom and cold enshrouded Shalom. The weather was not the only thing that changed though; the entire campus had fallen into a sombre atmosphere.
Sanbi’s expression turned more solemn after hearing Samukawa’s report and he said with a bitter smile, “Who would have thought Lancelot’s terrible idea would have some value. You really did find useful information.”
“Indeed.” Samukwa respectfully replied, “I did not share some matters with Lancelot, since I believe it would encroach on clan secrets. However, the true events of history are not what we all know it as.”
“Your action was correct. While the events of Lee Kirst is a tragedy, it is a matter that belongs to the darkbloods and they must be the ones to handle it.”
“I just worry that things will get worse as they’re handled.” Samukawa furrowed his brows. “Leon Sagveiss returned to his home in Stuttgart without permission the day after we returned and officially took the position of leading the Sagveiss clan. He gathered all the resources from the northern alliance to wage war against White Triangle!” Samukawa had wanted to report to Sanbi the night of their return, but Sanbi had left that night and only just now returned, five days later.
“I believe Leon Sagveiss knows what he is doing.” Sanbi let out a soft sigh.
“The entire academy is anxious and ill at ease. Everyone is waiting to see if Shalom will follow the Sagveiss clan’s footsteps and declare war against the World Sanctification Court. There’s a bunch of conceited brats in the school that foolishly and rashly want to ‘accomplish achievements’ outside in their clan’s name! But those ridiculous ‘heroes’ can’t even pass their English Literature and Basic Spells classes! They can’t even properly write their wills, yet they’re itching to send themselves to their deaths!”
Samukawa vented all his displeasure before continuing to grumble, “You should have stayed in the school grounds to pacify everyone. Where did you go during such a critical moment?”
“I went to visit an old friend.” Sanbi heaved another long sigh as he wryly smiled, “The situation appears to be getting worse and worse.”
“I can’t believe you can still smile…” Samukawa muttered under his breath.
He knew that Sanbi travelled all around the world to try his best to explain his philosophy, to proclaim his safeguarding of his perceived peace. This was for the sake of keeping Shalom running and bringing together various races despite their different mindsets.
He had always believed that Sanbi was the most important and busiest figure in Shalom. He was also the most stubborn and good-hearted in the world of special animate beings.
At the same time, Samukawa was reminded of He Fu Xing. Someone that stood firm to their own ideals, single-mindedly and unconditionally investing everything they had for that purpose.
Like an idiot, foolish to the point where it was hard to not become attached.
Sanbi smiled thinly. “Not everything has gotten worse.”
“If the situation is as we believe it is, there is still a way to remediate it, albeit with great difficulty.” Samukawa took a deep breath before voicing his concern, “I believe there is something wrong. Actually, there are many things that seem suspicious. Everything seems to be a coincidence, yet they continue to materialise one after another. It’s as though these events are drawing the entire bigger picture towards becoming unknown chaos of immense proportion.”
Sanbi quietly listened without any sign of surprise.
“Zephon created the Requiscet Campana three centuries ago, only to become White Triangle’s Patriarch at the time. And his appearance was extremely similar to that of the sealed eudemon.” Samukawa swallowed hard, “Is the sealed beast of axioms still in its prison?”
“Yes. Shalom’s hidden wards all operate on the spiritual power drawn from it. The academy’s stability signifies the seal’s integrity.” Sanbi confidently stated, “Besides, you should know very well that if it really did escape the seal, it would not stand on the side of humans.”
Samukawa looked at Sanbi. After a moment of hesitation, he asked, “Although it’s a bit late to be asking this, I’ve always wondered: How was the space-time rift that imprisons the beast of axioms and houses Shalom made?”
“Through a very important old friend.” Sanbi chuckled, “The one I visited in the past few days.”
“And even now, you can’t divulge their identity?”
Sanbi shook his head. “She has been living in hiding for a very long time and currently still does not wish to be disturbed by others.” She remained in eternal slumber, isolated from the world.
He was somewhat envious. He also wanted to be able to toss aside all his worries, not get involved with any matters of the world and sleep indefinitely instead. However, his character would never allow him to do so.
Samukawa became slightly aggravated by this. “Sanbi, the situation now is very disastrous, as terrible as Lancelot’s personality. Everything is completely falling apart!”
In contrast, Sanbi remained relaxed as he asked, “So do you believe we should also send troops out to confront White Triangle?”
Samukawa furiously messed up his hair in vexation. “I’m against allowing students to go out to war. However, we could perhaps ask for some staff and prominent alumni to—”
Sanbi cut off Samukawa. “Do you believe Shalom to its core is good or evil?”
“Good of course!” They had sealed the eudemon and prevented humanity from being wiped out.
“White Triangle also believes they are just.” Sanbi chuckled, “This means that one of us must be wrong.”
“So?”
“All we know is that our actions and knowledge have their limits. Those with limitations are unable to make fair judgements. Only an omnipotent god can judge others.” Sanbi solemnly added in a low voice, “We can only continue struggling with everything we have. Whether we succeed or fail is not something we can decide.”
“You want us to sit around and resign to our fate?”
“Not necessarily. Before the circumstances are clear and evident, we should focus on matters within our responsibility. There are many other things Shalom must deal with, and a multitude of people that need to be watched carefully. There is no need for slaughter, the less the better. We already sinned too much during the school trip.”
Hunting down White Triangle had been Lancelot’s suggestion. Although Sanbi had been strongly opposed, Lancelot’s influence was too great and embedded in Shalom. As a result, Sanbi could only allow the cruel activity at Shalom.
If the situation was truly as catastrophic as Samukawa was saying, it could just continue falling into chaos. Before the Great Reformation, destruction was an inevitability. There were two sides to everything—new life would alway rise from the ruin.
Sanbi smiled faintly at the dejected expression on Samukawa’s face. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil [Psalm 23:4].”
“Hah, because God is with us? I am not a believer.” Samukawa looked out the window as he muttered to himself, “If there really was a god, which side would he stand on…”
Were they on the good side? Or were they the Egyptians that oppressed the Israelites?
On the fifth day since Leon left.
The rumours of the war between White Triangle and special animate beings exacerbating had reached Shalom. However, school continued as usual. The students went to classes and did their own things, happily chatting and eating together. It was as though everyone was oblivious or feigned ignorance to pretend everything was fine.
At Advanced Western Talismans class that night, the large tiered classroom sported only a few scattered students. There were abstruse arrays and calculations drawn across the blackboard. The instructor, a pale monster without a trace of hair on its shiny skin, explained the complex theory in a monotone voice.
Fu Xing was absentmindedly taking notes when he stopped writing to glance at the empty seat next to him.
This was where Leon usually sat.
He let out a long sigh.
Brad arrived late and quietly walked up the steps to sit next to Fu Xing. When he saw the latter’s expression, he said, “That guy hasn’t come back yet?”
“Mn.”
“Does anyone know where he went?” Momiji asked out of curiosity.
“He went home.” Flora lowered her voice as she said, “He returned to Stuttgart the night we came back and officially took over the Sagveiss clan. In the past five days, Leon gathered a ton of people and resources to mobilise them against White Triangle in a direct battle to the death.”
“How fierce and determined.” Dan Juan wholeheartedly confessed,” You have to admit, he really is just like his grandfather Herman.”
Fu Xing furrowed his brows, the depression in his heart growing heavier.
“I don’t think Leon is that bad…” Fu Xing murmured.
“I didn’t say he was.” Dan Juan crossed his arms. “That was praise. Herman’s established feats far surpass what a typical person can achieve.”
“Perhaps his character is not as shady as his grandfather’s.” Brad huffed in exasperation, “He just has a rotten temper and an eternal scowl on his face.”
Rocort, who was secretly eating some pudding on the side, looked up in confusion. “Sounds like you’re describing yourself, Brado.”
“Shut up!”
“But why did Leon hide the truth?” Zhu Yue was doubtful. “Although we could not interfere with the progress of history, if he had told us everything earlier, we could at least have been somewhat mentally prepared…” She paused for a second before adding, “And we could properly accept the tragic conclusion.”
“Perhaps he just couldn’t.” Momiji rested her head on her fist as she looked at Taeharu. “Some facts are not so easy to voice.” Just as she still wished the truth of Taeharu being a variant had stayed a secret forever.
“Isaac must be struggling the most. He had always believed the Sagveiss to be his benefactors and regarded Leon as a friend,” Brad scoffed. He eyed the bag of snacks in front of Rocort and casually swiped a macaron to toss into his mouth. “For Leon to have known the entire truth and continue interacting with him like friends as though nothing was wrong…” His blood ran cold at the thought of the hidden reality.
No one spoke, their expressions filled with regret and melancholy.
Fu Xing frowned. He did not blame Brad for thinking this way, because that was how the truth had been presented. However, he did not believe Leon would truly have such intentions. Yet he could not think of any words to defend his friend at this moment either.
Damn it all. Why am I so stupid! If only I had even the tiniest bit of Flora’s skill with words.
“Um,” Rocort suddenly interrupted. “Pardon me, I have a question.”
“What?”
“You’re not Leon, how are you so certain he knew everything?”
“He admitted it himself,” Brad replied.
“He admitted he knew. But by the end, didn’t we all know how everything transpired?” Rocort tilted his head in thought as he held the spoon in his mouth while trying to organise his thoughts. “I mean, everyone knew what happened, so what was the point of Leon specifically admitting to it? Wasn’t he with us? Ahem, I mean…Ah! There’s no caramel on the bottom!”
“What are you going on about? Who has caramel on their bottom?” Dan Juan’s face scrunched in confusion.
Zhu Yue smirked off to the side.
The feeling of suspicion and doubt in Fu Xing’s heart grew.
Rocort’s mindless words had reminded him of something.
Leon had said he knew of the fact. But the most important question was, when had he found out?
“If Leon only realised the truth after we went back in time as well, it could hardly count as hiding it at all.” Everything they had done together in the past, and the care Leon had shown towards Isaac, would have been genuine.
Leon had simply admitted his knowledge of the matter, not when he had learned of it. It was possible that Leon had found some intel slightly earlier than the rest of them during their trip to the past, but had only known of a small portion and not everything.
Besides, strictly speaking, Leon had not been obligated to willingly reveal how much he knew to everyone.
Especially when it was such an awkward truth to admit.
“But he didn’t mention that either,” Brad objected. He huffed in annoyance, “If he wanted to say something, he should’ve just said it straight out! Not constantly dodging around like a sissy.”
“In that case, oh manly Brado,” Momiji raised a brow as she shot Brad a cold glare. “You should go ahead and say whatever is on your mind. Go confess and tell that person you love them so much that you’re getting patchy hair.”
“Yeah, Brado,” Dan Juan sniggered.
“Shut up!” Brad hissed to stop his friends from snitching, shooting an anxious look at Zhu Yue.
Zhu Yue was puzzled and curious. “Brad has someone he likes?”
“Ahem…” Brad could not respond as he looked down at the floor.
“The other party is truly fortunate to be liked by Brad.” Zhu Yue sincerely voiced her blessings. “They will surely be happy.”
“I will try my best to give everything I can to the person I love.” Brad looked up and bravely charged forward with an earnest tone, “So—”
Everyone held their breaths as they silently watched Brad about to confess, wondering if the response would be a dream come true or a delusion being shattered.
“So…” Before Brad could finish, Zhu Yue carefully asked with anticipation in her tone, “Do you like Leon?”
Brad nearly choked on his own breath.
“No way!” He loudly rejected. The students around them turned to look at him, and the instructor at the front of the classroom paused for a moment to shoot Brad a faintly reproving look.
How did you reach that kind of conclusion, damn it!
“We were discussing Leon when Momiji suddenly told you to confess, so I thought the subject of the conversation would be the same…” Zhu Yue smiled in embarrassment.
Brad glared at Momiji with fierce resentment in his eyes.
You rotten fox! He cursed under his breath. This had clearly been out of spite.
The opportune moment to confess had been ruined by the female lead, resulting in a dismal conclusion.
Ignoring his friends’ ruckus, Fu Xing came to a decision. “I’m going to find Leon.”
“What?” The others were taken aback. Where had the resolution suddenly come from?
“Leon always hides his thoughts and feelings, then silently endures them alone,” Fu Xing murmured as he sadly glanced at the macaron bag in front of Rocort. “Just like the hamster I had as a kid. Its balls got inflamed and swelled to the size of macarons, yet it never cried out in pain and just silently endured it until it died from the pain.”
Leon was just like that hamster, quietly accepting the pain until it was unbearable.
Brad had just been about to eat a second macaron when his hand froze in midair, his expression stiff. Although he wanted to yell at Fu Xing for using the terrible analogy, he could only swallow his dissatisfaction when he saw the sorrow on Fu Xing’s face and he secretly tossed the brown macaron back into the bag.
“Why not explain when you’re being misunderstood?” Momiji snorted, “What’s the point in putting yourself in a tragic situation?”
“He believes he has to take responsibility. After all, it was his grandfather. Perhaps he felt guilty towards Isaac, so…”
“Chuunibyo,” Flora coldly added the pertinent comment.
Zhu Yue nodded in agreement.
“In any case,” Fu Xing earnestly declared. “Leon is our friend. I believe in him, and I want to find out the real truth from him!”
It felt like the sun’s rays had finally broken through the dark clouds covering him, as his mood that had been submerged in gloom for days now was finally rising up from the mire of conflicts.
Everyone else’s tension was alleviated at the sight of Fu Xing cheering up, their lips subconsciously forming smiles on their faces.
“Do you want us to come with you?” Brad yawned, “Holing up here on the campus is pretty boring.”
“I still have Lancelot’s card.” Emerald evilly smirked, “Maybe we can go to Germany together and enjoy a great weekend trip.”
“You’ve already finished the midterm report due next week?” Dan Juan flatly reminded, “With a ten-page overview of healing spells and calculations of the special ability energy flow.”
It seemed that their schoolwork had been significantly increased to keep the students grounded despite the situation outside.
“I finished it ages ago,” Emerald smugly grinned.
“I wasn’t talking about your own part.” Dan Juan clearly found joy in other people’s suffering as he reminded, “I recall you bragging to me this morning about how profitable ‘doing homework’ was as a business, and how you instantly received ten orders.”
Emerald let out a curse, his expression twisting as though he had dropped a rock on his own foot.
“I’m fine, thank you guys!” Fu Xing gratefully looked at his friends. “I think there’s a more appropriate person that will want to talk with Leon alone.”
~Taffy Translations~ 