Chapter 2

“Iberia, you don’t look well. Are you alright?”

“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”

It was Cynthia. Iberia’s body relaxed with relief upon confirming her face. Iberia slumped back onto the desk and mumbled.

“Did you take notes on the Empire’s history?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Then could you show them to me? I’ll buy you something delicious.”

“Is something really wrong with you?”

Cynthia’s eyes were filled with curiosity. Iberia could only let out a deep sigh. That day ended with Iberia borrowing Cynthia’s notes to copy them.

Lacanel Academy was abuzz with stories about Young Master Nesferos. Rumors swirled—he had confronted a professor, donated a large sum, or openly humiliated someone. Today, too, whenever students gathered, they were talking about Young Master Nesferos.

Iberia moved toward the building where her lecture was held. Near the entrance, a few students were loudly chatting.

“So this semester, it’s the Young Master and Iberia Del…”

“Hey, hey. She’s walking by.”

She could hear them perfectly, but Iberia pretended not to. Reacting to every comment would never end. If they wanted to talk about Young Master Nesferos, they should just talk about him without involving her.

Well, to be honest, it was an entertaining dynamic. A commoner student who had consistently been the academy’s top student and a genius noble who had suddenly appeared. If it were someone else’s story, Iberia might have found it intriguing too.

“The problem is that it’s my story…”

She disliked being the subject of gossip and the person occupying a corner of her mind. Iberia sighed deeply. Nothing had pleased her recently.

When Iberia reached the lecture hall, she sat in her usual seat, arranging her pen and books in their familiar order.

“Hello, Iberia.”

“Hello, Young Master Nesferos.”

As Iberia awkwardly tried to stand, he gestured for her to sit. Iberia sat back down and looked at him.

“Are you sitting here?”

“Yes.”

“Alright. I’ll move.”

Iberia slowly began packing her belongings. Her face betrayed her emotions as she realized she’d have to give up her seat again, just like during the last Empire’s history class.

Young Master Nesferos casually tossed his book onto the seat next to hers. The loud thud startled Iberia, causing her to flinch.

“No, I can just sit next to you.”

“What? No, I’ll just move to the back.”

Iberia panicked. It was a timid resistance that would crumble within seconds if he pressed further. Young Master Nesferos tilted his head as he locked eyes with her.

“We made a promise last time, didn’t we? Or do you have a bad memory?”

Iberia clenched her jaw tightly.

Should I just drop out?

Meanwhile, his face showed genuine concern, making her head pound. Iberia didn’t respond. She simply stared at him with her bright blue eyes, unsure of what curse might escape her mouth if she spoke.

Regardless of her expression, Young Master Nesferos remained as innocent-looking as ever.

“Why aren’t you answering? Are you really not feeling well? Are your old memories intact?”

Iberia’s eyes widened. 

Did he know something? 

Her childhood memories were unclear. Iberia let out a hollow laugh and reorganized her seat.

The thought she had entertained was absurd. Young Master Nesferos was someone from a completely different world. There was no way he could be connected to her past.

He was still an enigma. He was, in many ways, a difficult person to understand.

Young Master Nesferos, who had been observing Iberia’s face, smiled warmly.

“Can I sit next to you?”

“Yes.”

Iberia answered briefly, turning her head to the other side and laying it down on the desk. Thankfully, he didn’t speak to her any further. By the time Iberia had somewhat sorted her thoughts, the professor entered the room.

“I mentioned that I’d explain the group project today, didn’t I?”

As expected, it was project season again. Among all types of assignments, group projects were the most exhausting for Iberia.

Iberia sighed softly and ran her fingers through her hair. Strangely, the nobles who had been in the same group as her so far seemed to lack knowledge about group projects. Even when she brought it up to the professor, they still managed to get good grades.

Pressing her fingers against her temples in frustration, she felt a gaze from the side. Meeting the inscrutable purple eyes, she felt a surge of unease.

“The groups have been decided as follows…”

“Professor.”

Young Master Nesferos interrupted the professor. The professor hesitated momentarily, adjusted his glasses, and gestured for him to speak.

“I don’t think the groups will be satisfactory. Can’t we just go with the current seating arrangement?”

The atmosphere in the lecture hall shifted instantly.

Most students were now watching him with great interest. Sitting in the front row made them the center of attention. Iberia regretted not choosing a seat in the farthest corner.

From start to finish, everything about him was maddening. His interruption, his tone—which was barely polite—and his relaxed posture exuded confidence.

Iberia closed her eyes tightly and rubbed her forehead. If they went with his suggestion, she’d have to be in the same group as him. Her head throbbed at the thought.

***

“Should I drop out? I’ll transfer to another academy.”

“Suddenly? What happened?”

“Yes. I’ll do that. I’ll go to Horetin. Where’s the withdrawal form? Oh, I need to pack first.”

“Wait, wait. Iberia.”

As Iberia jumped up, Cynthia, who had set down her notes and books, hurriedly clung to her waist.

Iberia’s eyes were half-crazed.

“Now that I think about it, there’s no reason I have to graduate from here. Wow, I’ve been so stupid.”

“Get a grip, Iberia! Iberia!”

Breaking free from Cynthia’s grasp, Iberia opened her bag and began stuffing it with anything she could grab. Then, as if coming to her senses, she slumped to the floor.

“…I hate this. It’s so annoying. I’m scared. I wish he’d disappear from this world.”

“Who? Don’t tell me it’s me?”

“Why did he come to Lacanel… Why…”

“Ah…”

Cynthia had a hunch. Something must have happened between Young Master Nesferos and Iberia.

Even Cynthia had overheard a group talking today. They said Young Master Nesferos had confronted a professor. It seemed the rumors about him were true.

In the academy, gossip didn’t spread as widely as one might think. Or rather, there weren’t many events worth gossiping about.

But ever since Young Master Nesferos arrived, stories about him were always circulating, making it clear he was a unique figure.

It was evident that Iberia was somehow involved in a situation centered around him. Cynthia sighed deeply.

“What happened? Is Young Master Nesferos bothering you?”

“I have to do a project with him.”

Iberia shut her eyes tightly, as if denying reality. Cynthia’s jaw dropped.

“I might die from stress. Or I might snap and get executed.”

“Well… Is there any chance he’s not as crazy as he seems… Oh, never mind. Got it.”

Iberia responded with a sorrowful look, hugging her knees and burying her face. The earlier scene was still vivid in her mind. Iberia took a small, deep breath.

***

In the end, everything went according to Young Master Nesferos’s wishes. Even the seemingly steadfast professor caved easily to his illogical logic and authority.

After rearranging the groups as per his suggestion, Young Master Nesferos approached Iberia with an inscrutable smile.

“Iberia, since we’re in the same group, when should we meet?”

“Please let me know a time that’s convenient for you, and I’ll adjust accordingly.”

“How about tonight?”

Iberia was genuinely impressed. Young Master Nesferos even made scheduling an unusual experience.

As his gaze pressured her for an answer, Iberia quickly recalled her schedule. Soon, her expression turned troubled.

“Ah… I’m sorry, but I have a presentation tomorrow, so it might be difficult. Could we meet another day?”

“Then how about tomorrow?”

Tomorrow, she had afternoon classes and a lab session. While her schedule wasn’t too late, the cleanup afterward could take an unpredictable amount of time.

She had promised to adjust to his schedule but was now on the verge of refusing him twice in a row.

It seemed better to excuse herself from cleanup. She might earn some glares from other students, but it was better than risking her life. Iberia hesitated, gauging his expression, and spoke cautiously.

“Um, I have classes and a lab tomorrow. But…”

“Are you telling me not to go home this weekend?”

“What?”

Young Master Nesferos’s eyes sparkled. It was the look of a madman Iberia dreaded.

Unconsciously, she took a few steps back. Her trembling voice filled the space.

“No, I was going to say I could make time after dinner. Shall we meet then?”

“I like things to be certain.”

“Then I’ll confirm my schedule and get back to you.”

His face brightened. Seeing that, Iberia couldn’t hide her relief. Young Master Nesferos cheerfully bid her farewell.

“Alright. See you later.”

In that brief moment, it felt as though all her energy had been drained. Iberia bowed her head with a weary expression and turned away.