I Need the True Ending to Graduate - Chapter 43

“So what I’m saying is, why’s a commoner coming to the library?”

“….”

“This place is only for nobles. Shouldn’t a commoner like you just go home and study quietly?”

A man taller than Lucia by a head loomed over her with a threatening tone. But despite his harsh words, his voice was laced with laughter.

It wasn’t a serious threat. He was just enjoying picking a fight with a commoner over nothing.

Trash like that was common in the academy. For no reason, or simply out of boredom, or to relieve stress, they would band together and beat up commoners.

They had no pride, no self-respect, and they only challenged those they could easily trample.

If a war ever broke out, they’d be the first to run. Their dangling balls were a complete waste.

The men standing on either side of him, who seemed to be his friends, were just as pathetic.

“Right. You’re good at studying anyway, aren’t you? What’s the point of studying in the library? Go rest in the dorms. Or better yet, go spread your legs for your advisor.”

Their words were full of mockery and insult, but Lucia, clutching a heavy armful of books, didn’t so much as flinch. She only blinked her large eyes and gave a short reply.

“…Move.”

The men chuckled at her tiny act of defiance as if they found it cute.

“Oh? This little thing wants to throw a punch?”

“Hey, wanna fight me? Honestly, I still can’t figure out how you got a perfect score in the practical exam with your skills. There’s a practice field right over there. Let’s go have a round, yeah?”

As they started poking her shoulder and laying their hands on her more openly, the atmosphere began to turn ugly.

That was exactly when Ruad sensed it was his cue to appear. He suddenly stepped in from behind and pulled Lucia against him, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

“….”

Lucia’s stiff body awkwardly leaned into him. She was the stiffest woman he’d ever held, like hugging a log.

‘Were these bastards really that scary? Why’s she so rigid?’

Usually, women relaxed and leaned into him when he pulled them close, but Lucia didn’t. He found it strange.

Even when he glanced at her expression, she didn’t seem the least bit relieved by his help.

In fact, her face barely showed any expression at all. It was dry, like a statue carved from plaster.

‘Looks like it won’t be easy to win her over right away.’

Still, women like this tended to give everything once they started to open up. The first wall was always the highest; the ones after were nothing in comparison.

‘I’ll just have to put in more effort than usual to win her over quickly.’

Thinking that, Ruad turned a bright smile on the men who were harassing her.

At the sight of his smile, their faces turned pale in an instant. Their pupils darted nervously left and right.

But Ruad ignored their panic and greeted them warmly.

“Hey, guys. What were you talking about so happily that you’re blocking the library entrance like this?”

“Ah, well….”

The men who had been threatening Lucia exchanged uneasy glances. Harassing a commoner had been part of their plan, but crossing paths with the infamous delinquent Ruad Rochef had never been.

When they stayed silent, Ruad asked again, his tone edged with anger.

“Hey, I’m asking you. What were you talking about? Are you deaf?”

“N-no…. Just, go ahead. We’re done talking.”

“Didn’t look done to me. What was it? Tell me. I just got here and don’t know how things work yet. Don’t I need to know what’s going on if I’m gonna adapt here?”

There was nothing for him to adapt to. He already ran rampant through the academy however he pleased.

But the reason he said that was simple. For some reason, he wanted to pressure and intimidate them.

They cursed their bad luck, wondering why they’d drawn Ruad Rochef’s attention and had to suffer his threats for nothing, but they still bowed their heads to smooth things over.

“We… we’re sorry.”

“Sorry for what? Did you do something you need to apologize to me for?”

“We just… made too much noise….”

Unable to resist the suffocating pressure of the situation, they scrambled for an excuse, mumbling so quietly it was hard to even hear.

Ruad picked at his ear with his pinky, speaking in a lazy, mocking tone.

“Can’t hear a word you’re saying. Speak louder. Didn’t you eat enough? Why are you swallowing your voice too?”

“Then what are you to this commoner? Don’t tell me you’re actually dating someone so low-born…!”

One of the men, provoked by Ruad’s sneer, tried to lash out at him but couldn’t finish his words.

It was because Ruad’s bloodshot eyes flared as he stared him down.

Though his mouth was smiling, his gaze was sharp and cold as if he’d unsheathed a blade. The murderous intent in those red eyes glared at the man like he could kill him right there.

The man instantly went pale, swallowed by fear, and shut his mouth.

Ruad tightened his arm around Lucia’s shoulder on purpose and spoke in a voice as cold as his eyes.

“Why? If I’m dating her, what the hell’s it to you?”

“….”

“If I said I am, are you gonna kill me? Then, how about we have a duel right here? With her on the line?”

“N-no… I misspoke just now…. I’m sorry.”

The man immediately bowed his head to him.

Ruad Rochef’s skill as a wizard was already top-class, and he was regarded as one of the most promising talents in the Calypse Empire.

If they clashed, even as a joke, it wouldn’t end with just a few injuries.

Seeing him bow and apologize, Ruad withdrew his killing intent, his sly smile returning.

“Good. Now, I’d like to go into the library. Mind moving aside? It’s been a while since I wanted to study.”

“O-of course. We’re done here anyway, so we’ll be going.”

The moment their conversation ended, they scrambled away, fleeing from Ruad.

Peace returned to the library, to Lucia, and to Ruad.

And Ruad got the chance he’d been waiting for: to finally talk to Lucia.

Once he confirmed the three men were gone, he casually lowered the arm he’d had around her shoulder. Putting on his most polite face, he spoke to her.

“Sorry for suddenly putting my arm around you. I couldn’t just walk past, so I pretended to be close to you on the spot. If that bothered you, I apologize.”

“….”

He thought she’d at least say thank you for helping her, but Lucia didn’t answer at all. She only stared into his eyes in silence.

Her gaze was cold and rational, as if weighing him. He’d never felt such a dry, lifeless stare before, and it made even him shrink a little.

Lucia slowly blinked her large, dull brown eyes, then spoke. Her voice was quiet, but all the clearer for it.

“It didn’t bother me.”

“….”

“And thank you for helping me.”

That was the end of it. She didn’t bow her head, didn’t offer polite gratitude.

Her attitude was indifferent, as if everything that should’ve happened had simply happened and ended. Nothing more.

Ruad had half expected it from the way she’d stiffened when he put his arm around her, but actually experiencing it left a sour taste.

Never in his life had anyone treated him so coldly, and it stung even more for that.

‘Shit. Should I have let her take a few more hits before stepping in?’

Maybe then he would’ve gotten a more dramatic reaction. The thought flashed through his mind, but he quickly pushed it aside.

He had a goal: to break Lucia Even’s pride. And he was the kind of man who could put aside his ego for the sake of a goal.

So he kept on smiling brightly, acting the part of a kind, friendly man.

“No need for thanks. By the way, what’s your name? I’m Ruad Rochef. Just call me Ruad.”

“…Lucia Even.”

“That’s a pretty name.”

He flashed her a charming smile.

Ruad knew very well how others saw his looks.

Even if he caused trouble, spat harsh words, and insulted people, he only had to pout a little, act pitiful, or feign interest, and they’d forgive him.

This time, he hadn’t even caused trouble or cursed at her. He’d saved her from three ugly bastards. Now he was smiling at her with his handsome face. Surely she’d feel at least some affection.

But once again, Lucia Even’s reaction shattered his expectations.

“….”

She looked at him like she couldn’t understand a word he was saying. Then she gave a short reply.

“…Sure.”

“….”

“Sorry, but can I go into the library now? I need to study.”

‘This isn’t just a wall. It’s a fortress.’

Winning over a princess in a fairy tale would’ve been easier than this.

Yet he didn’t feel like giving up. If anything, he grew more determined.

Not only had she beaten him in grades, but she was arrogant enough not to acknowledge her savior. Ruad Rochef swore he would crush and break her completely.

Hiding his boiling thirst for revenge, he kept smiling.

“I was heading to the library too. Mind if I sit with you? I’m new here, so I don’t really have friends yet.”

“…I don’t care. Do as you like.”

With her half-hearted permission, Ruad walked into the library alongside Lucia.