Episode 54

In Selcing, the customary age for enlistment hovers around 25.

However, those who volunteer may enlist immediately after their eighteenth birthday.

Though, typically, no one is that crazy...

"Do you truly believe that?"

"Absolutely. A lady’s smile is always worth the effort."

"What ladies! We’re no grand family, just humble farmers from the village—"

"Does that really matter between us?"

The individual Ute pointed to resembled a boy more than a man. He still bore the traces of youth.

Surrounded by female trainees, he stood a head taller than those around him.

"Lapis..."

"Do you know him?"

"Who doesn’t at this training camp?"

It wasn’t solely because he enlisted right after turning eighteen.

‘Though such cases are rare, they aren’t unheard of.’

The crucial point was...

"He’s the son of a Marquis."

"Indeed."

"Though there are many nobles, his family is renowned even in the capital. And just look at his behavior."

A yellow spring flower was wedged between the boy’s fingers.

He sported a friendly grin as he flirted with the other female trainees.

"Even in the kitchen, his name comes up three times a day."

Known as a womanizer.

With his striking looks, most people tolerated his advances.

His bright blonde hair gleamed even under the darkened sky. His eyes, matching in hue, had a rare, almost mystical glow.

"But why are you trying to seduce him?"

His gently curved eyes seemed quite endearing. Ute couldn’t tear his gaze away from Lapis’s mannerisms.

‘No way.’

My palms began to tingle. I clenched my fists tightly and swallowed hard.

"Are you interested in him?"

You said you weren’t into romance!

"You said you weren’t looking for a relationship! Is it because he’s your type? Are you fixated on appearances? Well, of course, you must care, but still!"

"What are you suddenly talking about?"

"You said you were trying to win him over! Do you have a thing for younger men? Even if you do, he just graduated from the academy... Even if you’re my friend, that seems a bit much, doesn’t it?"

Depending on his response, my own unrequited love might be at risk.

Ute's neatly trimmed eyebrows twitched slightly.

"Do I appear to be that kind of scoundrel?"

"You can’t judge by appearances alone. Even if you seem angelic—"

"He’s the female lead's younger brother."

Ute, who had inadvertently raised his voice, covered his mouth and added,

"In the romance we’re planning to finish next."

"How do you know that?"

"Sonnet, do you think such a face is common?"

"Well, there’s one right in front of me."

"Ah, well. Setting looks aside... The next project we’re aiming for, I vaguely recall. It’s definitely him."

"..."

"Statistically, the female lead's brother always plays a significant role."

"That’s true."

"If we recruit him, it’ll be a tremendous advantage. It will facilitate our involvement. Therefore, I’ll need a lot of help from you initially."

"Wouldn’t it be better if you approached him?"

I was awkward even with the dorm mates who had become the center of attention among the trainees like Ute.

It was clear who was more adept at winning people over.

"I’d be more comfortable with that, but..."

Ute scratched the back of his neck with an uneasy expression.

"You know. He’s very fond of women but harbors a strong aversion to men."

"Even you?"

"Huh?"

"Does gender matter with your face?"

It was Ute Velvet, after all.

I went on tiptoe and scrutinized his face shrouded in darkness.

Despite his exhaustion from training, his inherent radiance remained undiminished.

"I’ll make an effort, but it could be problematic if he develops feelings for me."

"..."

"Sonnet? It might seem unreliable, but I’m not just talking nonsense—"

"It makes sense."

"Huh? Oh? You understand?"

"Is there anything to understand? It’d be a problem if he fell for you while you were trying to recruit him."

Just like my own feelings.

I waved off his thanks.

"I need to figure out how to get closer to Lapis first."

Though he was kind to all women, he wasn’t close with everyone.

‘How to form connections with a stranger...’

Ah.

"There’s that."

A sudden realization struck me.

I possessed a small but potent authority.

---

There’s an old saying in the South:

Don’t antagonize the cook.

It means don’t offend those who prepare your food since it’s crucial for survival.

Especially in a training camp, those holding the tongs wielded considerable power.

‘Even if it’s just three times a day.’

I silently scanned the line in front of me.

"Just a little more, please..."

"Next. Move along."

Ten left.

"Please scoop from the bottom and fill it up. Please."

"Next."

Five left.

"Just fill it up to the side, please."

"..."

One left.

His honey-blonde hair shone even in the drab dining hall.

The eyes that had been sharp towards the person next to me softened as soon as they saw me.

"Thank you for your hard work."

"Eat plenty."

I scraped the bottom of the soup pot to ladle out the contents into his bowl.

His golden eyes widened at the sight of the broccoli and mushrooms.

‘I already knew your preferences.’

Remembering his tastes and adding extra was easy.

The challenge was that this alone wasn’t sufficient.

What’s the point of building goodwill and making an impression if there’s no opportunity to converse?

‘Since he’s a mana user, our schedules don’t overlap in the afternoon. The only time to approach him is in the morning.’

But even on days of one-on-one training, our levels were so different that we didn’t encounter each other.

While I was pondering, an unexpected opportunity arose.

"I will personally kill anyone who falls behind. Run!"

...If you can call this an opportunity.

Late at night, after all activities had ended.

The full moon above was remarkably beautiful.

And I was...

"With friendship!"

"With friendship!"

"No dating!"

"No dating!"

Running endlessly around the training ground.

With hundreds of other trainees.

The reason was simple.

Two trainees from the same training group had been caught in an inappropriate act by an instructor.

‘Why do it behind the dorm?’

At least show some creativity by hiding under the bed or inside the locker.

As a result, we were running all night as part of a group punishment.

‘I just finished cutting a hundred pumpkins, and now this.’

I gritted my teeth and focused on my legs.

Running mindlessly, I was nearly a full lap ahead of the last straggler.

I lightly pushed the swaying back that was struggling to breathe.

"Breathe."

"Hah..."

"Inhale, then exhale. Deep breaths."

His eyes, the color of the moon, blinked slowly.

The source of our night running and the person with poor stamina whom I needed to befriend.

"Inhale, exhale. Yes, like that."

Following my breathing, the man eventually spoke after a few minutes.

"Thank you. I’m okay now."

"Why did you do that at the training camp?"

"They said not to date, but they didn’t specify not to kiss."

His protruding lips made him appear childlike.

As I stared at him in silence, Lapis lowered his head on his own.

"...I’m sorry."

"We’re peers, no need for formality."

"I must always address a lady with respect and admiration."

"No need for respect, just don’t get us punished again."

"I apologize once more for not considering the unique nature of the military."

"Just make sure not to get caught next time."

"Do you know a good spot?"

"On a tree, under the bed, inside the locker."

"Haha, how would you manage that? You’re so mischievous. That’s a joke, right?"

"..."

"...It’s a joke, isn’t it?"

"Just focus on breathing properly. If you collapse, it’s the infirmary for you."

"Oh, if I go to the infirmary, there’ll be another charming lady—"

"The guard on duty tonight is extraordinarily handsome."

"...With your luck by my side, I won't need to go there."

Even while panting, his smooth talk was as effortless as butter on a hot pan.

"May I inquire about your name, which reminds me of lilacs?"

"Sonnet."

"I’m Lapis. Sonnet, are you not upset with me? Others seemed to have a word or two to say."

"Not particularly?"

It was just unfortunate that it was him. There were many indulging in inappropriate acts at the camp.

Getting angry each time would only wear me out.

"Keep your legs strong. Tighten your abs. Did you forget to breathe again?"

"Ah... Will I really be okay?"

"Just run properly."

"Yes! Understood!"

His gentle smile grew even warmer.

His eyes... why are sparkling?

---

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