The Genius Tamer of the Academy

Chapter 221

Solia gently patted the back of Han Siha’s head, which was still warm from the impact, and apologized.

It wasn’t just a bump—they had crashed straight into the ground.

Without even being asked, Han Siha was the first to speak.

“It hurts.”

Hmm.

“That’s impossible.”

“I don’t care. It hurts like hell.”

Solia frowned as she looked at Han Siha.

She had poured an incredible amount of healing power into him—there was no way he should still be hurting. With that level of healing, even someone bleeding profusely would’ve been fine…!

“You’re exaggerating!”

“I’m not.”

Han Siha grumbled as he rubbed his head with his hand, then opened his eyes wide.

“…Ack!”

His panicked face and hurried voice blurted out the words.

“It’s still bleeding?!”

Solia was startled as well, following Han Siha’s reaction.

“Bleeding? Really? Where? How? Does it hurt?”

“…You actually believe this?”

“…”

Phew.

Solia let out a short sigh and glared at Han Siha with genuine annoyance.

The way he was grinning, pleased with himself for having successfully teased her, made it seem like he was in an unusually good mood today.

Solia muttered to herself in a grumpy tone.

“I can’t tell if your mental age is sixteen or six.”

“…!”

Han Siha tilted his head and replied.

“From my perspective… both are a bit… awkward.”

Whatever he meant by that, Solia ignored Han Siha’s words and rummaged through her pocket.

The truth was, there was another reason Solia had come all the way to the first-floor library where Han Siha was.

Since the incident with the spirits and the riot, Han Siha had been holed up in his room, barely coming out, as if he were being chased by something, focusing solely on his training and studies.

In the midst of all that, he had even gotten on the emperor’s bad side and almost ended up in a real prison….

Even from the perspective of someone who didn’t know him well, Han Siha’s exhausted appearance was painfully obvious, which made Solia feel uneasy.

Yoon Haul had bought him exercise equipment as a gift, thinking it might cheer him up, but Solia hadn’t been able to come up with anything that might lift his spirits, so she decided to try something else.

Back when she saved his life with the necklace artifact she had received, she had wanted to create something similar but didn’t have the ability. So, instead, she brought a simple jewelry necklace.

A diamond necklace, considered the most valuable gemstone even in the Arkenent region, which was full of mines.

“This… is a gift.”

Solia awkwardly smiled as she handed it over hesitantly.

It might be just an ordinary necklace, but the meaning behind it was what counted.

“It’s a gem that symbolizes immortality.”

Immortality… and love. She swallowed the latter half of her words.

“It just seems like you keep shortening your lifespan… so I just… thought I’d get you one….”

“Huh…?”

Han Siha’s eyes widened as he belatedly realized the identity of the necklace.

Solia mumbled as she shifted her gaze.

“Live long.”

Whether touched by her gesture or something else, Han Siha’s hands were trembling slightly.

No, they were trembling a lot.

“…?”

Han Siha carefully accepted the necklace with both hands.

“Hey, how much does this cost?”

“Huh?”

* * *

The next day, Ardel Academy was bustling with preparations for the Lantern Festival.

The festival was held to commemorate the students who had lost their lives during the spirit summoning and the riots.

Although it was an annual event, this year it was to be conducted in a more somber atmosphere.

Lee Han, the student council president, and most of the magic students were busy moving things around….

And among them was someone who really stood out.

Won frowned as he glanced at Han Siha.

“…So that’s why you’re all wrapped up like that?”

He had heard the story.

Solia had given him a necklace as a gift, and it was apparently really expensive.

Han Siha, who wasn’t one to wear necklaces, had wrapped it in cloth from somewhere and was carefully storing it.

Since Won himself was someone who loved money and wouldn’t be outdone by anyone when it came to valuing things, he probably would’ve made a fuss over it too….

But still.

“It looks kind of weird on you!”

Considering the land Han Siha owned, the minerals from there could make hundreds, even thousands of necklaces like this.

At Won’s remark, Han Siha shook his head and carefully cradled the necklace in his hands.

“It’s not the price; it’s the thought behind it that matters.”

“You sure love the thoughtful amount.”

“Guess I kind of do.”

Han Siha humored Won’s words with a casual agreement and headed toward the playground. Adela was waving enthusiastically at him from a distance.

“Han Siha!”

He wondered why there were so many people gathered, and as he pushed through the crowd, he saw a deflated lantern lying on the ground.

Adela came up to Han Siha and gestured toward the lantern with her eyes.

“Lee Han said that if you want to make a wish, you can write it on this.”

Apparently, it would be sent up into the sky later that night.

Adela, having already written her wish, handed Han Siha a pen.

“Here! You write yours too.”

That kind of stuff was the epitome of pseudo-science.

Han Siha shook his head, waving his hand dismissively.

“I don’t believe in things like that.”

“Haul said it works.”

“…Where exactly do I write?”

‘Actually, Yoon Haul didn’t say anything.’

Adela chuckled as she watched Han Siha hurry off with the pen in hand, quickly abandoning his skepticism.

Before long, Han Siha returned with a broad grin on his face.

Judging by his satisfied expression, it seemed like he had written down everything he wanted.

Won, who was curious about what wish Han Siha had made, asked on behalf of everyone.

“What did you write?”

“Oh, nothing much. Just the usual stuff. You know, wealth, health, family, peace in this world… that kind of thing.”

“That’s all you wrote?”

“They said I have no luck in marriage, so I made sure to pray hard for that….”

“Weren’t you the one who said you don’t believe in superstitions?”

“Hey, this is an important matter.”

Han Siha grumbled at Won and glanced around.

He could feel Lee Han’s gaze on him from earlier, and it seemed like if he stayed any longer, he would get roped into helping.

Since he would have to stand all day during the Lantern Festival later, it seemed wise to conserve his energy.

“Shall we get going?”

Han Siha gestured to Adela, and the two of them left the area.

* * *

It wasn’t just the students of Ardel Academy who were participating in the Lantern Festival.

This year, in an unprecedented move, Emperor Linia himself planned to make an appearance at the academy.

Since it was an unofficial schedule, only Dean Ernest and a few professors were informed.

Some had criticized the emperor’s handling of the recent spirit summoning and riots as excessive, and to quell such factions, the emperor decided it would be wise to make a public appearance.

Han Taesu was also attending, accompanying the emperor.

“You’re not opposed to coming, are you?”

Emperor Linia looked back at his servant and asked.

He was a loyal subject who had once submitted his resignation, declaring he would no longer serve the royal family.

Emperor Linia hadn’t intended to force Han Taesu to attend this time, but surprisingly, Han Taesu had volunteered to come.

“He’s a person I’ll never fully understand.”

A festival to honor the children he had killed.

Though officially the festival was for riot victims, the majority of those lost were actually casualties from the spirit summoning, so it was unlikely that Han Taesu would want to attend such an event.

Even after severing ties with the royal family, he continued to lend them his strength; it was quite peculiar.

The emperor muttered these thoughts to himself as he finished preparing to leave the palace.

Just then, the door to his office burst open, and a small child ran in.

It was a young girl with her hair tied up neatly—Emperor Linia’s only daughter and the empire’s princess, Rubia.

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”

She called out with a slightly garbled pronunciation, clearly excited, her chubby cheeks flushed pink.

Emperor Linia smiled as he hugged Rubia tightly.

“What brings you here?”

“I want to go to the Lantern Festival!”

“…The Lantern Festival?”

Although Rubia was at an age where he usually indulged her every wish, her sudden desire to attend the festival made Emperor Linia raise an eyebrow.

Taking such an energetic child to the festival, where she wouldn’t sit still, was bound to spell trouble.

Feeling uneasy, Emperor Linia quickly spoke up.

“The festival is being held quite late this year. It’s probably around your bedtime.”

“…I don’t care.”

“Rubia?”

Rubia’s face turned a deeper shade of red.

Cute face, not-so-cute temper.

If there was anyone Emperor Linia couldn’t stand up to, it was his youngest daughter, Rubia.

Pouting, Rubia declared her intent.

“I’m going no matter what.”

When she was that insistent, there was no room for negotiation.

Emperor Linia quickly gave up trying to reason with her.

“Well… alright, let’s go.”

But why was she suddenly so keen on attending the Lantern Festival?

Rubia was still too young to fully understand what the festival was about, so she must have had a reason for clinging to the idea.

Emperor Linia crouched down to meet Rubia’s eye level and gently held her tiny hands.

“Tell me, why do you want to go to the Lantern Festival today?”

It was clear that she hadn’t just randomly latched onto the idea without some prompting.

As expected, Rubia’s eyes sparkled as she answered.

“This is something I heard from my classmates….”

She attended the imperial educational institution—a sort of kindergarten specifically for royal children. It seemed she had heard some rumors from the other royal kids.

“They said someone amazing is coming.”

“Someone amazing…?”

Emperor Linia furrowed his brow.

The Lantern Festival was meant to be a modest event this year; no bands or famous personalities had been invited.

Who could she be talking about?

With curiosity, Emperor Linia looked at Rubia, who answered with unreserved honesty.

“Well, you see….”

As Emperor Linia listened attentively to Rubia’s clear words, his eyes widened in surprise.

He never expected to hear that name here.

“Han Siha of Castica…?”

Rubia nodded enthusiastically, her hands clasped together tightly.

She then exclaimed in a bright, excited voice.

“They say he’s super handsome!”

“….”

“Really, really handsome!”

“So… that’s why you want to go?”

“Yes!”

Those sparkling eyes were a look she rarely showed, even to her own father.

What was with this energy?

“Huh….”

My daughter… is infatuated.

Emperor Linia looked visibly shocked, momentarily at a loss for words.

Unaware of her father’s reaction, Rubia bustled around the office, clearly already mentally at the festival.

“Hurry, let’s go, let’s go!”

Emperor Linia, unable to resist, let himself be dragged out by Rubia.