#37
After two incidents, Noah, nicknamed “One Hit Wonder” and “One Shot One Kill,” achieved the life he wanted. He couldn’t shake off Matthew and James, but the students who used to watch him with curious eyes and tried to talk to him had quieted down.
Only Matthew and James ignored the rumors that being near Noah might lead to unpredictable consequences.
At first, they would appear anywhere to find Noah, but as the semester progressed into its middle phase and coursework and assignments increased, they didn’t visit as frequently as before.
As his time alone grew longer, Noah found himself actually studying. Who knew studying without entrance exams and competition could be this fun? Plus, this new world had so many things he didn’t know.
When all his lectures ended, Noah headed straight to the library. The enormously large library, like those from fantasy movies or novels, seemed to have every book imaginable. He could have sat by a sunny window to read, but Noah took his borrowed books outside instead.
The autumn in Feyrn, the capital, was incredibly beautiful.
The garden, full of trees dressed in vibrant colors like Korean autumn, was bathed in sunset light. A soft tune naturally escaped Noah’s lips as he headed toward a bench under his favorite tree.
Sitting on the bench with his book open, Noah tilted his head back to look at the sky as a cool breeze passed through his hair.
When the wind blew, the leaves above him swayed, appearing to dance in the sunlight. The clear sound of water from the nearby fountain mixed with the ambient noise of students passing through the garden created a peaceful atmosphere for Noah.
As he grew accustomed to the students’ gazes and Matthew’s constant advances, as well as James hovering around him like a guardian, Noah began to enjoy life here more.
With his eyes closed, enjoying the sunlight and the breeze caressing him, Noah slowly opened his eyes at the faint sound of bells. He could read his book in the library or in his dormitory. He could also read here on the bench, but there was a hidden reason why he sat here enjoying nature.
“Time to go see Remona~”
He was diligently following through with what he had decided when first entering the academy. He visited Raymond’s office two or three times a week, thinking that daily visits might be too burdensome for Raymond.
Today, Raymond’s afternoon lecture ended early, so they would have more time together than usual. Noah gathered the book he had placed beside him and headed toward Raymond’s office with light, feathery steps.
After two knocks, the door opened without anyone saying “come in,” and Noah entered with a polite “Excuse me.”
The unlit office was filled with sunset light. One wall was completely covered with tall bookshelves packed with magic-related books, while a map of this world was drawn on another wall.
Raymond’s desk was positioned where sunlight streamed in best through a large window that nearly covered an entire wall.
And Noah’s favorite spot here wasn’t the sofa but the rocking chair next to it. From there, he had the best view of Raymond’s desk.
“How was your day?”
Noah entered the office and smiled brightly at Raymond, who was standing by the window holding a teapot.
“It was fun!”
The sunlight pouring in surrounded Raymond’s body, making him appear bathed in light. This is what they call a self-illuminating halo, right? No, not a halo—more like full-body illumination.
Embraced by Raymond, who opened his arms in response to Noah’s answer, Noah tilted his head back to look up at him.
“What did you learn that was so fun?”
After playfully hugging Noah tightly and then letting go, Raymond reached for a container with cocoa powder, and Noah quickly lowered his bag.
“Elisa packed some delicious snacks.”
Sitting across from Raymond with a table between them, Noah began sharing his day while they enjoyed the milk and cookies he had brought.
Noah wasn’t one to talk about every little detail, but since Raymond was curious, he naturally shared his daily activities. Once they finished their snacks, Raymond moved to his desk, which was piled high with work.
What exactly does a Tower Master do? Why dump so much work on our Raymond and then not show up? Unable to take up more of Raymond’s precious time, Noah also rose from his seat and headed to the rocking chair.
The only sounds in the quiet space were the scratching of Raymond’s fountain pen and the turning of Noah’s book pages.
They weren’t doing anything special. Raymond worked while Noah read books or did assignments. Occasionally, when his concentration wavered, Noah would find himself watching Raymond work.
“Raymond.”
Noah, who had been focused on reading a book required for his assignment, looked up at the unfamiliar voice. Weren’t only he and Raymond in the office? Soon, Noah could see a man emerging from Raymond’s research lab connected to the office.
“This document is missing an attachment. Please redo it.”
The moment Noah saw the silver-white long hair, his heart began to beat irregularly. His brow slightly furrowed at the tall stature and build of the man walking gradually into the lit area from the door.
His glimpse reminded Noah of a man who occupied an important space in his memory.
“What? Which material is missing?”
Noah absently watched as the man handed a file to Raymond and they began conversing. When the man looked at him, Noah instinctively raised his book to cover his face.
But wait, how did he come in? He didn’t enter through the office door behind Noah but came from the research lab. To get to Raymond’s research lab, one had to pass through this office.
Out of curiosity, Noah lowered his book slightly, only to make direct eye contact with the man who was looking at him.
“…”
Since their eyes met, Noah nodded slightly in greeting, then awkwardly shifted his gaze down to his book. When he peeked his head out shortly after, the man was again conversing with Raymond.
At first, Noah thought the man had golden eyes. But when the man turned his head and shadows fell across his face, Noah saw his eyes change to gray and closed his slightly parted lips.
Angel? The thought flashed through his mind, but the man before him was an elderly gentleman who looked even older than the Dean.
Though this well-built elderly man with long silver-white hair couldn’t possibly be the same person as Noah’s angel, Noah concluded that he must have been quite handsome in his youth and turned his attention back to his book.
“I think I’ve taught you everything by now.”
“No, there’s still much I need to learn.”
“You’re already managing the Tower’s affairs well without me.”
Though Noah wasn’t particularly listening to their conversation, at the mention of Tower business, he peeked his head out from behind his book again.
The Tower Master I’ve only heard about? If he really was the Tower Master, it made sense that he suddenly appeared from Raymond’s research lab. He must have used Warp. Anyway, what an impressive old man. Should I try to form a connection with the Tower Master too?
“Let’s see. You’re reading an interesting book,”
Noah, who had been lost in thought while turning pages, quickly looked up at the voice beside him.
“Pardon?”
“Do you like dragons?”
The book Noah was currently reading was about dragons that had influenced the empire’s history, though he couldn’t tell if it was legend or actual history.
“No.”
Noah shook his head without hesitation toward the man who had somehow lowered himself next to him, matching eye level and showing interest in the book he was reading.
“You’re the first student I’ve met who doesn’t like dragons. May I ask why?”
“Come on. Dragons don’t even exist.”
“Dragons do exist.”
“When was it? I learned it in class… Anyway, they say no one has seen a dragon since the ancient war between dragons and humans. And honestly, how do we even know if that ancient battle was real or not?”
“Hmm. You said you learned it in class. There was a deal between humans and dragons, that’s why. So you don’t like dragons because you don’t believe they actually exist.”
Noah blinked his large eyes at the unexpected question. A deal? I didn’t hear about that in class. Did I doze off then? Or maybe I’m still too young to learn about it in depth.
“Actually, grandfather, it’s not that I don’t like dragons—I dislike them.”
Noah looked at the man who appeared extremely surprised by his answer. Why? Is it not allowed to dislike dragons? Does the Tower Master know dragons personally or something?
“Then, do you like dragons, grandfather?”
“I do.”
“Why?”
“Because there is no being more perfect than dragons among all living creatures on earth.”
*Pfft*
The peculiar conversation between the old man and Noah was interrupted when Raymond, unable to contain his laughter, accidentally made a small sound after trying to suppress it.
This old man must be a dragon fan. Watching him state what sounded like something Noah’s peers who liked dragons would say, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, Noah scratched his cheek with his fingertip.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
