I Need the True Ending to Graduate - Chapter 25

【 Tea and Honey 】

“I’ve been living an ordinary life.”

“Ordinary, in what way?”

“…Reading books in the library, reviewing theses.”

When I gave what I thought was the most neutral answer, his response came.

Evan Bell stared at me seriously, without a trace of laughter or mockery.

His gaze was so straight and firm that my shoulders hunched without me realizing it.

“Are you happy?”

“Pardon?”

“I asked if you are happy living your life reading books and reviewing theses, surrounded by countless books in the Academy.”

“……”

“Are you happy?”

I didn’t know how to answer.

Earlier, Ruad had asked me if I was glad my advisor was dismissed, and now Evan Bell was asking me if a life of magical research was enjoyable.

Reading research texts and reviewing theses listed in Lucia’s research proposal wasn’t particularly enjoyable. It was simply what I had always done, or what I had to do.

‘And if I enjoyed research that much, I wouldn’t be struggling just to graduate. I’d be pursuing a doctorate, desperate to become a researcher or professor.’

But my only goal was, humbly, to graduate from graduate school.

And in this game world too, my goal was only graduation. Nothing else.

I studied Evan Bell’s expression as he sat across from me. Unlike Ruad, he didn’t seem to expect a particular answer from me.

After a moment of thought, I answered honestly, “It’s not really enjoyable. I’m just doing what I have to as a student of the Academy.”

“……”

“And as you know, Boss, I’m graduating this year. In order to graduate, I need to write a thesis, so I’m reading research texts and reviewing theses.”

“…So what you’re saying is, you’re forcing yourself to study just to graduate.”

“……”

I didn’t answer. But silence was more than enough of a reply.

And for some reason, Evan Bell looked slightly shocked as he asked me, “Then, if… after you graduate safely, what do you plan to do?”

Like Ruad, he too was asking about my future today.

It seemed today was the day for reflecting on life after graduation.

As I had answered Ruad, I gave Evan Bell the same reply.

“I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it.”

“……”

“I just… want to graduate peacefully and without incident.”

‘And then quickly raise your affection, see the true ending, and return to my original world. Then graduate safely there too.’

I swallowed the words that followed. I thought my answer was neutral enough, but unexpectedly, Evan Bell’s expression grew complicated.

It felt as though I had said something wrong.

‘But I didn’t say anything strange…’

It wasn’t a lie. It was the truth.

I couldn’t understand what the problem was.

As the atmosphere began to grow strange, I brought up something I had forgotten to mention—what I needed to return to Evan Bell.

“Ah, come to think of it, I forgot to give this back to you, Boss.”

I quickly pulled out the handkerchief I had kept in my bag and handed it to him.

“This is the handkerchief you lent me last time.”

Once stained with love juice.

I quietly swallowed the detail I didn’t need to emphasize and continued speaking.

“You said I didn’t have to return it, but I thought it was best to give it back.”

“……”

“Thank you for lending it to me.”

Evan Bell listened to my thanks silently, then fixed his gaze on the handkerchief lying on the table.

His piercing blue eyes blinked slowly.

“……”

He stared at the clean, neatly folded handkerchief, then reached out quietly and slipped it into his pocket.

And then he said briefly, “…You really never listen, do you?”

Such reproach, after reclaiming the handkerchief, didn’t affect me in the slightest. Rather, it felt almost refreshing, as if the cold Evan Bell I knew had returned.

“That’s true. I wonder who I take after for that.”

“……”

“So, what are you going to have me do today? Is it going to be like last time, checking the account books?”

I smiled as I picked up his words and casually tested the waters. It was too awkward to ask outright what humiliating play he intended for me today.

Pretending to refer to the task he had given me weeks ago, when in truth he had made me sit on a chair with a dildo attached, was no different than indirectly asking.

Either way, Evan Bell had called me here to humiliate me and watch me fall apart in pleasure.

But contrary to my expectations, Evan Bell avoided my gaze slightly, as though making excuses.

“Today will probably be different. For now, let’s talk over tea.”

And almost immediately after his words fell, the servant returned with the tea that had been requested.

Evan Bell ushered the servant in at once.

The servant bowed to us sitting on the sofa, then skillfully arranged the tea on the table. With another bow, the servant silently left.

Before us, steaming cups of tea were placed. From them rose a fragrant floral scent, strangely familiar.

“This is tea imported from the East. It is said to be quite popular for its fragrance. It has received good reviews even within the shop.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”

Following Evan Bell, I carefully took a sip from the expensive-looking teacup.

“Ah, this…”

It tasted similar to the tea I had been served when I visited Jeran Ennessy’s office.

I hadn’t realized when I only smelled it, but now that I tasted it, I was certain.

‘Come to think of it, Jeran Ennessy also said he bought his tea during a trip to the East. And this tea was also imported from the East.’

It seemed likely they had both obtained it from the same place.

As I marveled mid-sip, Evan Bell’s sharp gaze fell on me.

“Why? Does the tea taste strange?”

“No, it’s not that. It just tastes similar to a tea I had before.”

“…Similar?”

“Yes. A professor once served me tea, and it tastes almost the same. He also said he bought it during a trip to the East. It must have come from the same region.”

“I see. …But it doesn’t taste bad, does it?”

“Not at all. I don’t know much about tea, but both the taste and fragrance are excellent. But…”

I paused briefly and took another sip. As I savored the flavor, memories of the tea I had drunk in the professor’s office returned.

“This one tastes a little sweeter than what I had before. Maybe it’s just my imagination.”

“It’s probably because honey was added. You like sweet things.”

“Ah…”

I let out a small sigh and lowered my gaze. My reflection wavered in the soft orange hue of the tea.

That made it all the more certain.

Evan Bell clearly knew Lucia. Just like with the shrimp tomato pasta, the way he knew the details of a person’s preferences meant he couldn’t be a stranger to her.

‘But then why would he so casually pay money to propose sleeping together?’

I wondered if perhaps they were mortal enemies, but for that, his demeanor toward me was too gentlemanly.

If I had bought the chance to sleep with my mortal enemy, it wouldn’t have ended with just this.

Moreover, Evan Bell had paid money for me because I resembled the woman he hated most, and he wanted someone to torment in her place.

The idea that there existed both a woman he hated most and another woman he despised second to that felt oddly inconsistent.

In life, one couldn’t truly have two mortal enemies.

‘Wait a second…’

Just as my thoughts were becoming tangled, a sudden sense of wrongness crossed my mind.

‘I never saw the servant add honey to my tea.’

The servant had only poured the tea into my cup and left. They hadn’t brought honey or sugar, nor had they added any.

And of course, I hadn’t added any myself.

‘Then what exactly was put in my tea?’

“……”

The moment the thought hit me, a chill swept down my spine and cold sweat trickled down my back. It felt as if my insides had been slashed by a blade of ice.

I swallowed the saliva pooling in my mouth, forcing myself to stay calm, then slowly raised my head to face Evan Bell.

“But it didn’t seem like the servant added honey or sugar to my cup.”

“That’s correct. I gave the servant separate instructions.”

“……”

“I told them to mix in a drug with the honey that would make your body more honest.”