Chapter 13

Iberia came to a clear conclusion. Compared to all the worries and stress she had endured, it was a very simple resolution.  

To keep working hard as she had been doing, but not to limit her efforts solely to studying—she would extend her focus to her overall academy life.  

It wasn’t much different from what she had been doing so far, which made her like the answer even more. She even felt relieved at the fact that there was something more she could do.  

As a student of the academy, there were many things Iberia could do given her status and situation.  

The intense period she had lived through had created many opportunities for her, but until now, she hadn’t taken advantage of them—simply because she didn’t want to draw attention to herself. After all, the small number of people who talked about Iberia would continue to do so no matter how she lived or what results she achieved.  

This was a sign of the changes to come.  

***

That afternoon, after waking up, Iberia immediately returned to the dormitory. It was possible because Cynthia was not at the academy.  

Perhaps thanks to the power of fainting, her efficiency was high. If only this kind of guarantee existed every time, she thought it might not be so bad to collapse occasionally.  

Iberia practically lived in the library, as if to make up for the time she had lost.  

The sunlit corner seat, tucked away in the back, was practically her reserved spot. The familiar smell of books calmed her mind.  

After the exams, there would immediately be a festival. Up until now, she hadn’t participated, thinking there was no point, but this time, she decided she would.  

Iberia twirled her pen and then put her glasses back on, which she had set aside. A refreshed smile spread across her face.  

“Hmm…”

Young Master Nesferos rested his chin on one hand as he watched Iberia studying diligently, his lips slightly pursed.  

If Iberia had turned her head just a little to the side, she would have seen the silver-haired head of Young Master Nesferos, but she was terrifyingly focused.  

The few students sitting near Iberia had already left, unable to withstand his presence.  

There was some distance between Young Master Nesferos and Iberia, but this meant there was nothing in between them. He checked the time once and then walked toward Iberia.  

Even when he was standing right behind her, Iberia didn’t notice.  

Her black hair was neatly tied back into a single ponytail. She mostly maintained a straight posture, but occasionally, she would let out a small sigh and half-lay on the desk. This was Iberia’s habit when she couldn’t solve a problem or couldn’t concentrate.  

When he lightly touched her shoulder, her body jolted in surprise. He briefly smirked before putting on a neutral expression.  

Iberia turned her head to look at the man standing behind her. Her wide-open eyes trembled slightly, revealing her surprise.  

Young Master Nesferos parted his lips as if to say something, but instead, he sat down next to her. Taking the pen Iberia had just been using, he neatly wrote something in the corner of her notebook.  

[Let’s go have lunch.]  

Iberia quickly checked the time. Noon. It was indeed lunchtime, but did she really have to eat with this person? More than anything, she wasn’t hungry and had been planning to skip lunch.  

After a brief moment of contemplation, Iberia took out a spare pen she carried and wrote beneath his words.  

[Go ahead without me.]  

[If you don’t eat, I won’t either.]  

What was this man trying to do? 

Iberia looked at Young Master Nesferos with a dumbfounded expression. He tilted his head and smiled.  

[I’ll buy you something delicious.]  

[I have money too. I’m fine.]  

The fact that he mentioned buying something delicious meant he was suggesting they go outside the academy. Of course, today was Sunday, a day when students were free to go out, but eating outside would waste too much time.  

Young Master Nesferos glanced at Iberia, then slowly stood up. He gestured toward the door and motioned for her to follow. When he acted like this, there was no choice but to comply. Iberia wasn’t bold enough to refuse outright.  

Despite having a face full of things she wanted to say, Iberia obediently followed him.  

Only after the library door was completely closed did Iberia look at Young Master Nesferos’ face.  

“Do we really have to go out to eat?”  

“Hm?”  

He widened his eyes, then spoke in a tone that sounded as if he was doing her a favor.  

“Then should we eat at the academy cafeteria?”  

“Yes.”  

The two walked in silence. The conversation had long since died.  

Since the incident where Young Master Nesferos and Iberia got involved, and the Crown Prince had stepped in to smooth things over, there hadn’t been any strange rumors about the two being together.  

At most, there were whispers that Young Master Nesferos was annoyed by the commoner girl who was the academy’s top student, or that Iberia had fallen out of favor with Young Master Nesferos. That was actually more comforting.  

Even without conversation, it wasn’t particularly awkward. Iberia buried her head in her notebook and walked beside Young Master Nesferos.  

“Iberia.”  

She didn’t have the courage to pretend she hadn’t heard him. Iberia turned her head toward Young Master Nesferos.  

His expression was serious, yet he hadn’t lost his smile.  

“If I’m being presumptuous, will you forgive me?”  

“Pardon?”  

“I was just overly concerned, so don’t pay attention to my words.”  

A part of her chest stirred uneasily. 

What kind of person says things like this?  

“Still, please take care of your health.”  

Not knowing what kind of expression to make, Iberia turned her head away from him.  

She was confused about what thoughts this unreadable man might have to act like this now. Just yesterday, he had spoken sharply to her, saying, “You can’t beat me.” Why was he like this the very next day?  

One thing was clear. Every word Young Master Nesferos said had a significant impact on Iberia.  

The moment she realized this, Iberia felt her breath catch. His eyes, watching her face, curved slightly at the corners.  

“Won’t you give me an answer?”  

“…I’m fine, so please don’t worry about me.”  

Iberia looked around nervously before burying her head in her notebook.  

***

Young Master Nesferos approached Iberia, holding something in his hand.  

“Hello, Iberia. Are you feeling better?”  

“Yes, thanks to you.”  

Iberia buried her head back into her book.  

The exams were starting next Wednesday. Young Master Nesferos placed a small pouch on the book Iberia was reading. It smelled sweet.  

“You told me not to worry, but I couldn’t help it.”  

“Oh.”  

“Would you like some?”  

It was a treat from a famous confectionery. She liked it, but she didn’t feel like eating anything at the moment. Iberia stared at the pouch for a moment before raising her gaze to Young Master Nesferos.  

“No, I’m fine.”  

“Alright, then. I’ll eat it.”  

Young Master Nesferos withdrew the pouch without hesitation. His retreat was so clean it felt almost cold.  

Iberia followed his hand with her eyes, then tucked her hair behind her ear and refocused on her studies.  

He pulled out the chair in front of her and sat down. Then, resting his head on both hands, he said,  

“I came because I wanted to see you.”  

“Yes. Look all you want.”  

Iberia nodded absentmindedly, her response automatic. Her face was visibly tired. It hadn’t been long since she had collapsed and woken up, yet she was already in this state.  

She probably didn’t even realize what she was hearing or saying. Young Master Nesferos smiled unyieldingly, like an immovable tree.  

“Exams start next week, right?”  

Amid the muffled sounds of everything else, that question rang clear. 

Was it possible he didn’t even know the exam schedule? Surely not.  

“Yes.”  

Realizing that lingering any longer would only disturb her, Young Master Nesferos stood up after tidying his chair.  

“Then study hard. Take care of yourself.”  

“Yes.”  

As he walked away, there wasn’t a trace of a smile left on his face.  

***

Once again, the academy’s exams lived up to their reputation.  

Finding obscure details from the books was just the beginning. Sometimes, the questions required students to think and write based on content briefly mentioned in passing during lectures—things that weren’t even in the books.  

“These cruel people…”  

Iberia leaned her head against the wall and muttered in despair. The start had been far from ideal.  

It was true that the second semester of the second year was particularly difficult, but it also seemed that the professors were more mindful of their questions because of Young Master Nesferos’ presence. Their determination to prevent anyone from getting a perfect score was clear.  

‘This is Lacanel Academy. Do you think we can allow perfect scores?’  

‘If you think carefully and solve the problems step by step, you can do it. A perfect score might be tough, though.’  

Recalling the professors’ words, Iberia clenched her teeth. Next to her, Cynthia was doodling aimlessly in her book, her eyes devoid of life.  

Cynthia muttered softly.  

“If I’d known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have studied at all…”  

“Ha ha… Ha…”  

A hollow laugh escaped from Iberia’s lips, sounding more like a sigh. Cynthia turned her head toward Iberia.  

“Did you manage to solve everything?”  

“I wrote answers for everything… Whether they’re correct is the problem…”  

Iberia pulled her knees up and buried her face between them. All she could do now was hope that the professors would be generous when grading her answers.  

Fortunately, exams would end next week, but whether she’d be able to enjoy the end of them was uncertain.  

Iberia climbed down from her bed and sat at her desk, opening a book. Cynthia stretched her back and groaned.  

“Ah, once this is over, we’ll have to prepare for the festival again.”  

“Yeah.”  

If Cynthia’s memory was correct, Iberia hadn’t participated in last year’s festival. When Cynthia had asked why she wasn’t joining, Iberia had replied that even studying left her with too little time.  

So Cynthia tilted her head in curiosity and looked at Iberia’s face.  

“You didn’t participate in the festival last year, right?”  

“This time, I’m planning to.”  

At Iberia’s response, Cynthia’s face lit up. Even without looking, Iberia could feel Cynthia’s sparkling gaze, prompting her to turn her head toward her.