117 - I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City

**Chapter 117: Rohan's Day in Academy City** "Ugh..." Rohan reluctantly rose from his bed and instinctively began a light stretch. His eyes, still half-closed from just waking up, yet his body moved on its own. A seamless and satisfying start to the day. After seeing Shion and Clara off last night, he had spent the rest of the night struggling to master the third sword technique. No noticeable progress was made, and he barely managed to hold the stance. But he expected this result. There was no disappointment in not achieving something overnight. 'Should I head to the training room?' His foggy mind went through the motions automatically. Even at daybreak, it was the same. His daily routine began with training to toughen his life, like a robust tendon. Despite the repetitive nature of his days, there was no sense of ennui. There existed only excitement for taking a step forward. 'I’ll play the restricted video after exercise.' The optimal time would be when he had some personal downtime. He gulped down a nutrient-rich drink as he checked his phone. [Rete: I caught the midnight train back to the Sepia Islands with some friends!] [Rete: Just taking a quick nap before starting to train! Good luck, senior!] [Rete: Oh! Have you ever had a tarot reading, senior?] These lively messages brought a vibrant energy to him. What an amusing girl. It’s the first time he's encountered someone who so openly and deliberately acts like a 'junior' as if it’s emblazoned on her forehead. He sent a reply and scrolled through the messages. [Shion: Clara's current home needs tidying up, so I’ll head to the office as it opens. Afterwards, I'll arrange the furniture and contact you.] [Clara: Excited (,,• ֊ •,,)♡ Brother! Call me when you wake up!] A smile naturally spread across his face from the morning messages. Rohan moved his fingers swiftly. He had to remind them to call immediately if any issues arose. And the final message. [Juyeon: I spoke with them and heard the story. Well done. Let’s talk later when there’s time.] Them being Ichinose and Noa, perhaps. Rohan placed the now empty glass bottle on the table and grabbed his bag. 'But calling at this hour is a bit much.' They must have been very busy yesterday. Besides, the academy was still showing signs of confusion following the incidents on the deserted island. It would be more suitable to call at a more relaxed time on the way back. Rohan donned his sneakers and exited the dormitory. Something about this action felt long overdue. Both his mood and condition were in a good state. Upon entering the academy training room, his eyes wandered. Among several students, he spotted Ichinose stretching in front of a large mirror. ‘I thought I’d be the first to arrive.’ Truly diligent, indeed. What time did she even get here? Carelessly tossing his bag aside, Rohan began stretching and naturally approached Ichinose. “Here early, huh?” “Oh... I just got here too. You’re early as well, Rohan.” “Hmm?” “What’s the matter?” Rohan’s head tilted as he observed Ichinose through the glass in front. He began to directly observe Ichinose in his line of sight, noticing differences from what he usually saw at the training room. Though barely noticeable, She seemed slightly worn, perhaps from lack of sleep. Her usually lustrous hair also seemed somewhat disheveled. “Ichinose, you seem tired?” “D-Do I? I’m fine.” “Still tired from the deserted island events?” “...No way.” Despite her denial, she closed her eyes and chewed her lip. He wanted to dub her 'Sleepy Nosie' for her adorably tired demeanor, but Rohan held back, noticing the classmates training around them. “Now that exams are over, take it easy with studies. Though, you should still train hard.” “I was planning to rest in the dorms after training anyway.” “Good thinking.” “Noa might come by, so not sure if I'll get any peace.” Hearing this, Rohan couldn't help but chuckle, already picturing the scene. After their warm-up, they moved for a run. While moving their legs on the machinery, Ichinose, who had been quiet, finally spoke up. “How about you, Rohan?” “About what? My body? My body’s fine.” “Your body, yes, but... um, you had an interesting encounter at the mall...?” “Ah! Rete?” Rohan nonchalantly mentioned a name that struck hard in Ichinose's mind. So, that’s her name. “She seems keen to enroll in Orion Academy next year. If she gets in, I’ll have a good junior.” “Can you really accept it that easily... Doesn’t Rete seem to have different intentions?” Their conversation continued unusually long amidst their workout. Thinking this wasn’t so bad, Rohan chatted as they ran. “Giving a number is just an initial step, a hopeful thought for a good connection.” “Hmmm.” “If the communication keeps up, it could turn into a meaningful relationship. But if we clash at a critical moment, we might become worse than strangers.” “...So, you’re considering it positively?” “It’s too soon to conclude, but asking for a number is a brave move by itself, right? I admired that. It’d be unreasonable to view that gratitude negatively.” “...” Ichinose fell silent, her expression stern. Ready to push herself further, she began to increase her speed. Rohan similarly accelerated, his legs moving more swiftly. Whether due to transcendence, the elixir from Monolith, or sheer training efforts, he displayed his significantly improved endurance as he continued running. ... After using the shower facilities in the training room, Rohan wrapped up his session. As for 'Sleepy Nosie,' she returned to the dormitory to wash, as was her habit. The reason wasn’t anything grand. She simply preferred not having the eyes of others around. "Phew..." Ichinose leisurely basked under the cascade of warm water. Today allowed for such leisure. She revisited the brief spar she had with Rohan using wooden swords. 'What kind of thrust was that, exactly?' While practicing a new technique, Rohan had asked for some constructive criticism, showcasing the swordsmanship he'd been working on. The feeling of parrying it was intriguing. However, Rohan's current skill level was insufficient to fully appreciate its complexity. This allowed Ichinose to finally grasp the idea behind Rohan's frequent remark about the chaotic system of the sword technique. Such scenarios required relentless practice until the body naturally adapted. There was no other way. Rohan understood this well. 'On the surface, it's a simple thrust. Yet in terms of mana control, it might rival some techniques from the Dream Illusory Sword Style.' What exactly kind of sword technique could it be? And what would it look like when perfected? A heightened sense of anticipation arose. Rohan was becoming stronger, almost as if he was ready to leap mountains. 'At this rate, simply winning duels with him will soon hit a limit. His ability to wield a sword with precision even when his stance falters is intimidating.' It likely stems from his powerful core and lower body, not from mana. Moreover, he possessed the muscle strength to cut cleanly through bone with one hand. Even if she managed to win today's sparring session, facing Rohan in a real fight would make the outcome uncertain. The flow and rules of the duel restricted Rohan like shackles. Rohan was the type whose true skills would surface only when wielding a real sword with the intent to kill. Reviewing the practice ended. Only then did ‘Sleepy Nosie’ conclude her shower. "Phew..." Using a towel she had prepared, she dried her hair and wiped the water clinging to her soft skin. Simultaneously, she mulled over a second point. 'I wanted to ask about how the house was...' Just asking about the girl named Rete had already overstepped Ichinose's self-imposed boundaries. Meanwhile, ‘Sleepy Nosie’ opened her eyes and looked into the mirror. By succumbing to her emotions, she finally noticed a significant detail. '...Why am I?' Why is she so curious about Rohan’s personal affairs? When had Ichinose Yui, heir of the Heavenly Expanse, ever been so concerned with someone else's personal life? It was a fresh source of wonder. Could it be that she was harboring certain feelings for Rohan? For someone like herself, who was captivated by swords and had resolved to live as a martial artist? For a man she’d only known for a few months tops? “That doesn’t make... sense!” The inner voice meant to remain internal escaped externally. Startled by her unintentional outburst, Ichinose covered her mouth and continued drying herself. “...” Admittedly, Rohan could easily satisfy her discerning palate with his cooking. He owned a perfect pillow and possessed the self-sacrificing spirit one reads about in fairy tales, having saved her several times. He had humility that kept him from boasting about his good deeds and potential without arrogance. She gradually realized his kindness and respect. But still…! ‘Sleepy Nosie’ shook her cheeks, marshmallow-like, to wake herself up. She realized that delving deeper into those thoughts might not end well. It could mean another night of disrupted sleep. ‘All this talk about being 'Sleepy Nosie'…!’ Something about Rohan’s gentle teasing, a kind of jest she’d never faced before, had completely scrambled her thoughts. ***** Returning from a call with Juyeon, Rohan made his way back to the dormitory. Upon reaching his room, he lay on his bed. 'Shion and Clara are at the government office.' The timing was perfect. Rohan adjusted his pillow, lay comfortably, and closed his eyes. [Playing Restricted Video #3 for authorized personnel only.]