6.4

As the month dragged on in this helpless state, Delia had half given up on her feelings.  

But today, upon hearing that Kartan had ranked fifth, her heart was once again in turmoil.  

It seemed she still needed a lot more time to sort out her feelings for him.  

It felt like waking up from a dream.  

As if all the things that had happened between them were illusions that didn’t truly exist.  

‘I should focus on organizing these materials. The sooner I finish, the sooner I can wrap this up by next week.’  

Forcing herself to refocus, Delia picked up her pace in organizing the research materials.  

She was deeply immersed in her work when…  

“Do you two have a moment?”  

Professor Idern approached Delia and Repel Roxen with an awkward expression.  

Delia recognized that look. She had seen it before.  

“Yes?”  

It was the same expression he wore when he had to adjust their schedules.  

Could it be that our assistant duties were being delayed again?  

To be honest, Delia was tired of it. She wanted to finish everything this time.  

‘Please, let it not be that.’  

As she silently wished, Professor Idern finally got to the point.  

“It’s about two days from now. I have a conference presentation that day, so I need you two to continue organizing the materials without me. Would that be alright?”  

His request was surprisingly simple.  

He wanted Delia and Repel to continue the work in his absence two days later.  

‘Thank goodness.’  

Relieved that it wasn’t the unpleasant scenario she had imagined, Delia felt at ease.  

By now, she was familiar enough with the work that she could manage a day without the professor’s oversight. The task itself wasn’t a problem.  

The only issue, if it could even be called that, was being alone in the office with Repel Roxen.  

‘But what could possibly happen?’  

Since the project was set to conclude next week, Delia decided to just push through and finish it.  

She was about to respond when…  

“Of course. It’s not a problem, Professor.”  

Repel answered faster than anyone else. For some reason, his quick response made Delia feel uneasy.  

“Oh! Thank you. I’d like to let you take a break for a day, but we’re so close to finishing.”  

Professor Idern smiled brightly at Repel’s positive answer.  

Delia was about to follow up with her own agreement when…  

“Delia, is that alright with you?”  

Repel Roxen beat her to it again.  

“What? Oh…”  

His insistence on getting her answer quickly annoyed her, but she couldn’t show her irritation.  

“…Yes, it’s fine with me too.”  

Delia suppressed her emotions as much as possible and replied.  

“Thank you both so much. I’ll treat you to a nice meal sometime as thanks.”  

Professor Idern expressed his gratitude, but the thought of having a meal with Repel made Delia shudder.  

‘Let’s just finish this quickly. It’ll be over soon.’  

Turning her attention back to the materials, Delia failed to notice the strange look in Repel’s eyes as he watched her.  

***

When Kartan returned to his room after class, his roommate Henry greeted him with a concerned voice.  

“Kartan, is something wrong?”  

“Why do you ask?”  

Kartan’s tone was calm. There was nothing unusual about his demeanor, and Henry seemed relieved, letting out a small sigh.  

“If nothing’s wrong, then that’s good.”  

“Why?”  

“Do you really not know?”  

Henry’s question puzzled Kartan.  

Was he saying that I looked like someone with a problem today?  

Seeing Kartan’s genuinely confused reaction, Henry cautiously explained.  

“Have you seen your midterm results?”  

“No, not yet.”  

Kartan had even forgotten that today was the day the results were announced.  

‘I’ll check tomorrow.’  

Naturally, his main purpose was to see Delia’s ranking. As long as she continued to be first, there would be no reason for them to interact.  

But then he wondered if he even needed to go. He could just ask who ranked first.  

“Who’s first?”  

“Delia Acremen.”  

Henry named the person Kartan had expected. It was exactly what he wanted.  

“Well, that makes sense. She’s been first place consistently lately. So why? There doesn’t seem to be any issue.”  

It had been quite some time since Kartan had stepped down from the top spot.  

By now, the academy no longer associated the first-place position exclusively with Kartan.  

So why was his roommate making such a fuss over him not being first?  

As Kartan absentmindedly changed his clothes, Henry spoke again from behind him.  

“You’re fifth.”  

“…Am I? I see.”  

Unlike Henry’s cautious tone, Kartan showed no reaction at all.  

Surprised by this unexpected response, Henry asked hesitantly.  

“Doesn’t it bother you?”  

“Of course not. I only ranked first in my first year by chance.”  

His tone was casual, as if discussing yesterday’s meal.  

To Henry, Kartan genuinely seemed unaffected. It didn’t even appear that his lower ranking was due to any particular reason.  

Lately, Kartan had been out and about more often instead of staying in the room, which had made Henry worry.  

“Well, if you say so, then fine.”  

Henry’s voice carried a hint of annoyance, as if he regretted worrying unnecessarily.  

“Thanks for your concern. I’m going to shower.”  

After briefly thanking his roommate, Kartan grabbed his clothes and headed to the bathroom.  

Whoosh-

The sound of water filled the room as a warm stream drenched Kartan’s body.  

‘Fifth place, huh. Makes sense.’ 

He hadn’t put much effort into his studies this time.  

Kartan reflected on his actions over the past few weeks.  

It was only natural that his midterm results were lackluster since he had barely prepared.  

During his first year, he had consistently ranked first because he had put in some effort.  

Even for someone like him, maintaining first place without any preparation was impossible.  

This time, however, he hadn’t just been negligent—he had done absolutely nothing.  

Of course, it was partially intentional.  

There were two reasons for this.  

The first was to ensure Delia’s position as first place.  

If he had taken first place this time, it was obvious what Delia would think.  

‘She’d misunderstand. Definitely.’  

She would mistakenly believe that he was trying to reclaim the top spot after ending their arrangement.  

He didn’t want to give her any reason to approach him again.  

It would only hinder him from sorting out his feelings. This time, he had to make sure there was no chance for them to get entangled again.  

The second reason was that rankings held little meaning for him.  

For Kartan, grades had always been a means of rebellion.  

They were merely a way to show his parents that he was better than his brother and to provoke them.  

Under the shower’s warm spray, Kartan smirked bitterly.  

‘There’s no need for that anymore.’  

After all, he had already punched his brother.  

Provoking and irritating his parents had lost its appeal.  

Even the emotional satisfaction he once gained from it now seemed tiresome.  

‘Graduation is coming soon. All I have to do is let time pass.’  

According to Imperial law, graduates of the academy were granted the right to adopt a new surname if they wished.  

It was a privilege unique to academy alumni.  

Graduates are given the opportunity to create their own family name.  

Most graduates don’t take advantage of this system, but Kartan had already decided that he would leave the Roxen Family upon graduating from the academy.  

He could already imagine his father’s enraged face, demanding to know who would assist his older brother if Kartan left the family.  

A faint smirk played on his lips. It was laughable.  

He had no intention of staying even a moment longer in such an unreasonable family.  

Graduation would mark the end of it all.  

The same went for his feelings toward Delia.  

After graduating from the academy, there would be no reason to see her again. Surely, as time passed, he would gradually forget her.  

The face that lingered in his mind every single day would inevitably fade over time.  

Kartan suppressed the feelings for Delia that kept creeping up on him.