The Genius Tamer of the Academy

Chapter 222

Main Plaza in front of Ardel Academy.

With the Lantern Festival about to start, the plaza, which had been quiet for a while, was now bustling with people.

“There are more people here than I expected.”

“Yeah, seriously.”

I nudged Won in the side as I spoke.

Even though this was an annual event, it wasn’t particularly significant, so I hadn’t expected such a large turnout.

The crowd continued to pour into the plaza, and among them were a number of young faces.

Won looked around and pointed to a corner with his finger.

“What’s with those little kids?”

“They look like they’re from the Imperial Kindergarten.”

They all wore shiny, luxurious clothes that exuded wealth from head to toe. Even just by glancing at their uniforms, it was clear they were from the Imperial Kindergarten.

Rich kids, huh? You can tell just by looking at their fancy outfits.

Honestly, I didn’t really care about that…

“But why do they keep staring this way?”

It felt like those kids had been staring at us for a while.

Was it just my imagination?

I shifted my position slightly.

Sure enough, the Imperial Kindergarten kids subtly followed my movements.

Wait a minute.

So it wasn’t my imagination?

“Wowww!”

I tried to escape again.

“Woooowww!”

But now, they were openly chasing after me.

What the heck? This is scary.

These kids keep following me.

“Where are you going?!”

I tried to get away quickly, but there was no escaping the sheer number of them.

The kids surrounded me in a circle.

In particular, one child standing in the center was especially enthusiastic, making me feel quite burdened.

“It’s Han Siha of Castica!”

“Look over here, please!”

“Wow! Wow!”

At first, I thought they were just following randomly, but…

Oh, they even know my name?

Their enthusiastic cheers, almost reminiscent of a fan club, weren’t exactly unpleasant.

I couldn’t just push away the kids who were chasing me, so I decided to just go along with it and play with them.

But it was at that moment.

Solia, who had spotted the scene belatedly, ran over with a startled expression.

“What’s going on here?”

Won answered on my behalf, sounding annoyed for no reason.

“I don’t know. He’s popular, apparently. Must have a face that kids like.”

I retorted to that comment.

“Do you think only kids would like this face?”

“…Can I punch you once?”

“I’ll win if you try.”

“Argh… seriously….”

Won clenched his fists, shaking as he grabbed the back of his neck.

Solia, however, was more focused on something else, casting a sideways glance at the Imperial Kindergarten kids.

Her gaze landed on the little girl in the front row.

The reason for Solia’s troubled expression soon became clear as she spoke.

“That… she’s the princess.”

“The princess?”

Is it that girl who was jumping up and down in the middle earlier?

She was practically acting like the fan club president.

Either way, I didn’t want to get involved with the imperial family.

Just dealing with the emperor and his brat of a son was exhausting enough.

Judging by the youngest daughter’s troublesome personality, it seemed like that trait ran in the family.

I clicked my tongue and shook my head.

“The empire’s future looks bleak….”

“Hey, keep it down.”

Meanwhile, the kids who had crossed the line and came all the way over to me were staring at me with sparkling eyes.

“How old are you?”

“Sixteen.”

“Wow, that’s old!”

Hey.

Actually, I’m twenty-nine.

Their innocent but stinging words made me want to run away, but the kids wouldn’t let go of me.

“What grade are you in?”

“I’m in my third year.”

“Wow, a third-year at sixteen… So you’re an old man?”

What did you just say, you little brat?

“Where is Castica?”

“…?”

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

“Are you good at studying?”

Enough! That’s enough!

They were cute in their innocence, but I wasn’t fond of chaotic little kids.

I nodded and answered some of their questions briefly before sending them back.

“I feel like I’m going to lose my mind.”

Thankfully, as the Lantern Festival officially started, the rowdy kids began to quiet down.

Thanks to that, I managed to escape and found a spot inside the designated area.

Lee Han, the student council president, took the microphone and began the proceedings, and one by one, the invited guests came up to say a few brief words before stepping down.

As I slowly scanned the VIP seats, I spotted Emperor Linia sitting gracefully.

Beside him were imperial knights and Han Taesu, both sitting with stiff expressions.

It was truly ironic.

Those who were most responsible for the recent riots were now attending this festival to honor those very victims.

As I thought about that, I let out a bitter smile.

“Han Siha.”

Huh?

Suddenly, Lee Han called my name.

While I was lost in thought, it seemed Lee Han had done something and was now gesturing at me to come forward.

“He’s asking you to say a few words as the student representative.”

Solia whispered from behind me.

Finally grasping the situation, I took the microphone from Lee Han.

“Ahem.”

As soon as I grabbed the microphone, the kids who had been whispering earlier all fell silent.

This feels like I’ve turned into the Pied Piper.

Not having much to say, I planned to keep my remarks brief.

“Thank you all for attending this year’s Lantern Festival at Ardel.”

At that moment, my eyes met Han Taesu’s.

His gaze was calm and unreadable, giving nothing away about his thoughts.

I glanced in his direction before continuing.

“The night sky seems unusually dark tonight.”

The inky sky was devoid of any stars.

“It feels like there are many people we need to remember, so let us light these lanterns while thinking of them. I hope you have a good time.”

I handed the microphone back to Lee Han and stepped down from the podium.

The main part of the Lantern Festival was just beginning.

The previously quiet plaza quickly became noisy again, even louder than before.

The reason was the appearance of the lanterns covered in the students’ wishes, which had been brought out from the side.

The crowd, eager to watch the lanterns being released, pushed and jostled, shattering any romantic notions of a serene Lantern Festival, but there was at least one person who seemed to be enjoying the excited atmosphere.

When did she get here?

“Han Siha!”

Adela clasped her hands together and smiled brightly.

“I enjoy other events too, but the Lantern Festival is just so beautiful.”

“Is that so?”

A lot more lanterns had been prepared earlier.

People who were ready to release the lanterns lit them up and signaled loudly.

“Let’s release them…!”

This was the main event of the Lantern Festival.

The giant lanterns began to float gently into the air.

Each lantern carried someone’s wishes or honored the memory of someone.

One by one, the lanterns slowly ascended, illuminating the dark night sky with a warm glow.

The sky, which had been pitch black just moments ago, was now tinged with a reddish hue.

It was midnight, but it felt like a sunset was unfolding above us.

The sky looked so red.

As I took in the sight, my gaze landed on Adela, who was watching the sky with a joyful smile.

Her face was filled with wonder, reminiscent of someone seeing fireworks for the first time.

I decided to comment casually.

“It really is.”

“Hm? What is?”

“The Lantern Festival. It’s as beautiful as you said.”

Maybe it was because the sky looked like a sunset.

Or maybe it was the cool breeze lightly brushing my nose, putting me in a good mood.

Or perhaps it was simply because I liked this atmosphere.

“It feels a bit more romantic than fireworks.”

For the first time in a long while, I felt like my heart was wide open.

I smiled softly, following Adela’s lead.

“Oh!”

Adela pointed toward one of the now-tiny dots in the sky and exclaimed.

“There it is! That’s the lantern I wrote my wish on!”

“You can see that?”

“Just a gut feeling, you know.”

You’re not Yoon Haul.

I chuckled at Adela’s absurd statement.

“So, my wish must be on the lantern next to yours.”

“Yes, probably.”

Come to think of it, that wish…

I remember her writing it diligently earlier; now, I was suddenly curious.

“What wish did you make?”

“Huh?”

Adela blinked, lost in thought.

I had asked casually, but was it such a serious wish?

Just as I was starting to feel puzzled, Adela raised her index finger to her lips.

“That’s a secret.”

Really? How important could it be?

I couldn’t help but respond in a mockingly sulky voice.

“Then mine’s a secret too.”

“You wished to get married, didn’t you?”

Ah, she caught on right away.

Adela observed my embarrassed expression and clicked her tongue lightly.

“You don’t have to worry too much about that.”

“Why?”

“You can just marry me.”

Oh, right… that’s…

Wait a second.

“You’re coming at me like that?”

“Don’t like it?”

“….”

“You do, don’t you?”

How does that even make sense?!

“You like it, right?”

“No.”

“Really?”

“It’s hot, so step back a bit.”

I thought the weather was cool, but now it felt warm and humid.

“It’s too hot.”

“What an excuse….”

I gently pushed Adela’s intense gaze away and looked up at the night sky.

The sky continued to glow softly above us.

* * *

Late Night, After the Lantern Festival.

Returning to the dormitory, Won and Han Siha collapsed immediately, falling fast asleep.

They had been wandering around for hours during the festival, and their bodies were completely worn out.

After everyone went home, Ardel Academy returned to its usual quietness.

Inside the dorm, only the sound of breathing could be heard.

Han Siha, who had been lying face-down on his pillow, suddenly woke up.

“…Huh?”

What was that?

It sounded like the wind.

The enhanced senses granted by the Cube of Perception had awakened Han Siha.

Something felt ominous.

Han Siha groped around the dark room to find the light switch on his desk.

Found it.

Click—.

Just as his hand reached out and turned on the lamp—

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sound of someone pounding on the door echoed loudly.

Han Siha froze in place.

“Ugh… What’s going on?”

Won, awakened by the commotion, groaned groggily and frowned.

In the meantime, the knocking resumed, more urgent than before.

Bang! Bang!

“Please come out! It’s urgent!”

A deep voice boomed from beyond the door.

Whoever it was, they didn’t sound like a student.

Han Siha cautiously grabbed his staff. Silently, he crept towards the door, muffling his footsteps.

What kind of disaster is this in the middle of the night?

Unsure who was on the other side, Han Siha had no choice but to stay alert.

He gripped the doorknob tightly, ready to attack if necessary.

And then—

He swung the door open wide.

“…!”

A rugged man with a bushy beard and a fierce expression stood before him, dressed in knight’s armor.

He bowed his head and shouted loudly.

“I am Berne, a knight of the Imperial Guard!”

His body was covered in dust, and he looked utterly exhausted, as if he had rushed here in great haste.

He was in a sorry state.

“An Imperial knight…?”

Won eyed the man warily, but Han Siha recognized him immediately.

It was a face he had seen at the Lantern Festival. The man did appear to be an Imperial knight.

Han Siha asked cautiously.

“What’s going on?”

“The prince requests your presence.”

“…Pardon?”

The prince, at this hour?

Was he supposed to believe that?

This was absolutely absurd.

Just as he was about to dismiss it as nonsense, Berne added with desperation.

“It’s urgent! You must come immediately.”

It didn’t seem like a lie.