READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 126
Chapter 126
‘Who could be visiting me at this hour…?’
Before I could finish the thought, a voice called from outside my door.
“Are you in there, Kamon?”
The unfamiliar voice immediately put me on guard.
‘I’ve never heard this voice before.’
“Who is it?”
“Uh, I’m Edin Berzen, a second-year from the Academy.”
What? Edin Berzen? Wasn’t he the swordmaster who visited with Princess Francia last time? Why was he here suddenly?
“What’s this about?”
“The Pr-Princess is waiting downstairs. She’d like to see you if you have time.”
“Excuse me?”
I was dumbfounded by Edin Berzen’s unexpected request.
‘Why would Princess Francia want to see me now?’
“Sigh, no, I’m too tired today. Please tell her I’ll see her another time.”
“But…”
“I have nothing more to say. Please leave, Edin.”
“…”
My firm but polite refusal left Edin silent for a moment.
“Alright. I’ll relay your message to the Princess.”
“Thank you for understanding, Senior.”
“Good night then.”
I heard Edin’s footsteps retreating.
‘Why would he come looking for me? What could they want from me?’
Since the student council election, I hadn’t interacted with Princess Francia and hoped to keep it that way. But…
‘Something feels off…’
At that moment, I heard ominous footsteps outside my door, stopping right in front of it.
‘No way…’
Knock, knock, knock!
“Kamon, it’s me.”
Damn it, just my luck!
Recognizing the voice, I scowled and muttered to myself.
“What does she want from me?”
Knock, knock!
“Kamon, open the door. We need to talk.”
This was almost at stalker level. This was the third time she had shown up at my room unannounced!
Knock, knock, knock!
“Kamon Vade.”
“Alright, hold on!”
Frustrated by her persistent knocking, I finally opened the door roughly.
“What do you want now?”
My raised voice and annoyed tone made Princess Francia widen her eyes and put a finger to her lips.
“Shh!”
She glanced around and whispered urgently.
“Someone might hear. Let me in. We need to talk.”
“No. I already told Edin that I’m too tired tonight.”
“…”
My firm rejection made Princess Francia frown slightly.
“You’re still as rude as ever.”
“And isn’t it ruder to show up unannounced like this?”
“…”
She remained silent for a moment, then smiled slyly.
“Why are you being so cold? Are you really going to keep treating me this way?”
What was she talking about? We didn’t have any kind of relationship!
Her words gave me chills, making me shudder from head to toe.
“Don’t be like that. Let’s talk. Are you really going to leave a lady standing out here?”
Her poorly acted plea was too much to bear, making me shake my head.
‘Please never attempt acting again.’
I spoke more decisively than before.
“Enough with the bad acting, Princess. Please, just leave.”
I began to close the door, but then—
“Wait!”
Creak, thud!
Princess Francia wedged her foot in the door to stop it from closing, causing her foot to get pinched.
“Ah! That hurts…”
She winced, holding her foot in pain. I quickly responded.
“Why would you do that? You could seriously injure yourself. Are you trying to blame me for this?”
“No, I won’t. Just let me in, okay?”
Dropping her act, she spoke sharply, her usual demeanor returning.
‘Yeah, that suits you better.’
“Fine, come in.”
“Excuse me.”
The sound of her heels echoed as she walked in, moving so naturally it was hard to believe she had just hurt her foot. I closed my eyes and sighed deeply.
‘Was that acting too? This is exhausting.’
But why was she so insistent on talking to me?
‘She once threatened me, saying she’d kill me if I showed my face, and now she wants to talk?’
“Ahem.”
Looking around the room, Princess Francia dragged a chair over and sat down gracefully. I sat on my bed, facing her.
“So, Kamon, how are you feeling?”
“As you can see, I’m fine.”
“Yes, I can see that.”
She nodded and then went straight to the point.
“Sigh, so what is it? Why did you come to see me?”
“I need to ask you a favor.”
“I refuse.”
“But… what? How can you refuse without even hearing me out?”
“Because listening to it won’t change my answer. If you’re going to spout nonsense, please leave. I’m already dealing with a headache.”
I tried to put my “get lost” message as politely as possible, making Princess Francia press her lips together tightly.
“…”
Her eyes twitched slightly, as if she were barely holding back a surge of anger.
“Sigh, Kamon. Just hear me out first.”
“Why should I?”
“I’m serious, you won’t lose anything by listening…”
“You’re already wasting my time, Princess.”
My refusal was firm, my words intentionally provocative. Her face flushed with frustration, but she managed to keep her composure. I stood up from my bed and reached for the door, the only exit.
“Then please leave—”
“I’m talking about the Novice Challenge.”
“What?”
“I plan to participate in this year’s Novice Challenge, and I want you on my team.”
“…”
I was momentarily speechless. The Novice Challenge? I had heard of it somewhere before…
But regardless of my knowledge,
“No, I’m not interested.”
“That’s why I’m here, asking you in person. I’m requesting your participation.”
“Request?”
“Yes, Kamon.”
Princess Francia nodded slightly, then extended her hand confidently.
“Join me in the Novice Challenge. I’ve decided that you’re the one I need.”
“Princess.”
“Yes, go on.”
“No matter how you phrase it, this sounds more like an order than a request.”
“A- an order? No, this is a request, Kamon!”
Her slightly flustered tone was accompanied by a deep sigh as she continued.
“Sigh, if that’s how you felt, then I’m sorry. But please, I formally request you to join me in the Novice Challenge.”
“…”
“Kamon?”
“Then I’ll respond just as seriously, Princess.”
Her eyes sparkled as she nodded eagerly.
“Alright, Kamon. Then from now on—”
“I refuse.”
“Let’s work togeth— What?”
“I refuse. Completely and seriously. Do you need me to say it again? I reject your offer.”
“…”
Her cheeks twitched rapidly. She was clearly struggling to suppress her rising emotions.
‘She really can’t hide her feelings, can she?’
But it didn’t take long before her patience snapped. Her ears turned red as she shouted in a highly irritated tone.
“Are you trying to piss me off on purpose?!”
“Why would I? What would I gain from that?”
“But how could you—”
She trailed off, then lowered her voice, her anger subsiding a bit.
“Sigh. You know what the Novice Challenge means, right?”
Yes, I do.
Just remembered it, actually.
‘The Novice Challenge.’
An unofficial tradition at the Flance Imperial Academy, created to commemorate the hero party that sealed the Demon King. Only freshmen could participate, given a quest of immense difficulty.
It was based on the legendary tale of the first dean, who, along with the hero, succeeded in an impossible task.
‘It takes place during Demeter’s Birth Festival, right?’
Equivalent to our Christmas, this holiday in this world is known as Demeter’s Birth Festival.
‘But why should I participate and get entangled with the Princess?’
I decided to live quietly like a mouse, avoiding any unnecessary involvement with Princess Francia.
“Kamon, if you help me this time, I might be able to assist you in returning to your family.”
It seemed she had prepared this as her trump card, speaking with confidence. Her offer made me think quickly.
Returning to my family? I had no interest in that.
But if she’s offering this kind of reward…
“Princess Francia.”
“Yes, tell me, Kamon.”
Her tone grew serious as she responded.
“Can that be done right now?”
“What do you mean?”
“The family restoration you mentioned. Can it be achieved immediately?”
“No, you…”
“Your main goal is to succeed in the Novice Challenge, right? But what if we fail?”
“…”
Expecting rewards based on success was unreasonable. If she wanted my participation, she should provide sufficient compensation first.
‘That’s how a real deal works, right?’
“You know very well, Princess, that I can’t accept a reward based on success.”
She sighed heavily before speaking again.
“Alright, Kamon. What do you want, then?”
“Money.”
“What?”
“Money. Gold would be nice. Or even better, jewels that would make my jaw drop.”
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