I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City

33 – The Princess and the Academy City -3-

“Because you’re beautiful.”

“W-what…?”

“It means your appearance catches the eye.”

After giving his answer, Rohan strode forward to change the location.

The princess trailed behind him, following closely.

Rohan, who had taken the lead as the guide, continued his serious thoughts.

‘Is it a problem that the princess has always lived outside? She has no objectivity about her own face…’

From Rohan’s perspective, saying the princess is beautiful was neither lip service nor flattery, nor was it an attempt to gain her favor.

If that had been his purpose, he wouldn’t have used such a method.

In conclusion, since it wasn’t a statement to win her favor, he could speak directly.

It’s simple.

The elf race is a race of beauty and a symbol of elegance.

This is an unchanging fact even in Abyss City.

Who would find it strange to praise an elf’s beauty? Unless they have an exceptionally unique taste.

Moreover, the princess, born with an exceptionally superior lineage, was outstanding even among the elves, who were all beautiful without exception.

When she walked down the street, it was natural for her to catch the eye with her face alone, regardless of her attire.

“Hmm, where…”

Rohan stopped walking at an ambiguous spot just before entering the central area of District 2.

There are also a few cafes and restaurants scattered around here.

“How much time do you have?”

“I’ll tell you when the time comes. We still have some time.”

“Have you eaten?”

“Not really… I don’t feel like it.”

The princess answered indifferently.

But Rohan noticed the slight gulp in her throat.

“Still, let’s talk while we soothe our mouths.”

“Hmph, if you need a snack, do as you please.”

Rohan slowly moved his legs and looked around.

Then he stopped in front of a cafe that exuded a cozy atmosphere.

“Shall we go here?”

“You want to talk inside here?”

“Yes. The sandwiches look delicious.”

The princess blinked as she looked at the interior of the cafe, where people were seated here and there.

As soon as she regained her composure, she glared at Rohan with a determined look.

“…Don’t joke around. You should know the weight of the information.”

“I’m not joking. Who would think we’re discussing something so important here?”

Perhaps she finally understood.

The fierceness in the princess’s gaze gradually subsided.

“Is it like the saying, ‘It’s darkest under the lamp’ and ‘To hide a tree, hide it in a forest’?”

“Something like that. Honestly, there’s nowhere else to go.”

“How can someone who makes a living from information not have such a place? Are you saying I don’t meet the entry requirements?”

“.”

When we first met, I only asked for time to gather information.

It seems I’ve already been branded as something similar to an informant in the princess’s perception.

‘Even if I explain now, she won’t believe me because her guard is up.’

Even if I chatter here that it’s not like that, the princess would obviously judge that I’m hiding my identity.

“No matter how you look at it, this isn’t the place. There must be no eyes to see or ears to hear.”

“Is that an absolute condition?”

“I think it’s the most important priority when discussing serious matters.”

Based on caution, it’s not wrong, so Rohan folded his arms and began to ponder over the princess’s words.

Looking around the nearby shops, there were some candidates.

‘A karaoke room?’

If we pay to enter but consider the CCTV in the room as eyes watching us, that’s also ambiguous.

Rohan’s gaze rolled over to another building.

‘Or should we rent a room?’

A lodging facility for Orion Academy students and elf associations.

Somehow, this doesn’t seem like a good idea either.

‘In that case.’

After weighing his options, Rohan finally made a decision.

He suggested to the princess with a calm face.

“I do have a dormitory where I live.”

“You said you were infiltrating the academy. That would be good.”

She was already convinced of that.

Rohan chuckled and moved towards the destination.

“If you don’t mind staying in a space where a man lives alone, I’ll guide you.”

“Don’t worry. If you try to disgrace me, I’ll blow everything I have and take my own life.”

A sharp warning that didn’t match the context of “don’t worry.”

From Rohan’s perspective, her attitude was reassuring in a way.

After buying a hamburger to fill his stomach, Rohan used the stairs as always to reach his room.

He quickly put away his clothes and opened the window.

Creak!

The princess did not pass through the entrance of the academy dormitory.

Like a flying squirrel, she climbed the building and entered the room through the window Rohan had opened.

“Please take off your shoes first.”

“…Understood.”

The princess took off her military boots, which looked tough just by looking at them, and looked around Rohan’s room.

A short voice showed doubt.

“Hmm?”

“Is there a problem?”

“The room is quite decent for the work you do.”

Did he expect a picture of computers lined up to find information?

Rohan didn’t give a particular answer and pointed to the chair at the desk.

“Please sit. Unfortunately, it’s a dormitory where I live alone, so there’s only one chair.”

“No need. I can stand.”

The princess claimed the spot by the window, leaning against the wall, saying there was no need to sit.

Rohan, not intending to insist twice, took the empty chair and began to unpack something to chew on at the desk.

Amidst the rustling sounds, the princess spoke first.

“There is a matter that needs to be decided first. It’s also the answer I didn’t hear last time.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“What do you want in exchange for the information? Is it money?”

“Hmm…”

He never intended to ask for money in the first place.

Rohan knew. Even if the elders were wealthy, the princess’s pockets were poorer than his.

‘This is troublesome from the start.’

He pondered while chewing on a potato chip in his hand.

Would you believe me if I said I was an ally trying to help?

No. I don’t believe in such convenient stories.

If you think back to the conversations we had in the ruins, you wouldn’t believe in clumsy words.

Rather, having a purpose seems to lower vigilance and earn trust.

There will be days in the future when I will do dangerous things.

Hmm.

If the information I obtained is worth it, then please lend me a hand. You must help me at least once by listening.

…

The princess fell into deep thought.

Even if she needed the information, it was commendable not to bite hastily.

I don’t do anything shady like massacring innocent civilians. Just help me catch monsters or criminals.

…Are you trying to collect bounties on criminals or sell monster parts?

Yes. Clean money that doesn’t need laundering is the best.

Rohan nodded in agreement with the princess’s naive reasoning.

It didn’t seem good to continue explaining further.

Alright. If it meets the conditions mentioned earlier, I promise.

Then let’s talk.

What about the procedure for making a separate contract?

There isn’t one. I’ll trust your conscience.

As Rohan took out a hamburger and continued, the princess voiced her doubts.

“Are you not planning to do business?”

“That’s why I can’t escape the deficit. But please think of it as me having some faith in my own way and being bold.”

“…Well, there must be something.”

Rohan’s lips trembled as he watched the princess nod in agreement.

‘What do you mean, there’s something.’

In reality, there’s nothing to even mimic a contract.

All he has is information about Abyss City.

“Enough with the small talk. Let’s get to the point.”

The princess’s sharp gaze clashed with Rohan’s.

*

A shabby one-room apartment with no hot water.

Clara, who had finished her cold shower, grabbed her smartphone without even drying off the wetness.

She turned on the game while covering herself with a towel.

Company Wave!

“1, 2, 2… stun with Glass, then shield the front row with Order…”

The girl kept muttering to herself, trying not to forget the build that came to her during the shower.

She imagined a virtual lineup, recalling the character pool Rohan had.

‘This setup is stable. All the synergies are in place.’

1 minute 2 seconds.

With no dead characters, if she could just shave off 2 seconds, she could get the best rewards.

Uuuh…

What should I tweak here to melt the weekly boss faster?

Continuously hitting the crits might reduce the time by 2 seconds, but

Forcing newbies to repeat the process could diminish the game’s flavor.

I need to research a bit more.

Clara pondered as she moved her hand.

Drrrr.

The girl’s hand opened the drawer attached under the bed.

A pitch-black silencer shaped like a kimbap and various forms of daggers.

She reached in between them and pulled out a fluffy piece of cloth.

Black underwear with a pink ribbon the size of a fingernail.

Just wearing it lifts her spirits and boosts her concentration, Clara’s cherished item.

Tak!

The pitch-black cloth clung tightly to her fair skin.

No need for a towel anymore.

Ah! If I go with that?

Before drying her still damp hair,

Clara hugged the pillow and lay face down on the bed, challenging herself to reduce the time with a new setup.

The more she refined the build, the more she looked forward to tomorrow.

Waang!

How many times had she changed the arrangement? Success in 57 seconds.

Feeling accomplished, she almost texted Rohan but her fingers stopped.

He must be studying by now. Academy cadets are extremely busy…

The fear of being considered a nuisance was overwhelming.

Just the thought of Rohan thinking that made her body tremble.

…

Thanks to that, reason lightly triumphed over instinct.

The girl pursed her lips, showing her disappointment.

All she could think was how she wished tomorrow would come quickly.