Chapter 16: Wei’er

Volume Three

Title: Chapter 16: Wei’er

On a secluded street.

Beneath a silent eave.

Ewan watched the beautiful woman in front of him, adeptly picking the lock, seemingly without a care for anyone behind her.

His heart suddenly quickened its pace.

“This… this might not be appropriate.”

“Hmm?”

Celicia turned, looking at Ewan with a puzzled expression. “What isn’t appropriate?”

“Isn’t this a bit too fast?”

Ewan spoke hesitantly, fidgeting. “While I don’t particularly mind, I feel this is rather sudden. Perhaps we should get to know each other better first…”

“President, you’re back!”

Suddenly, a delicate voice interrupted Ewan. A small head peeked out from behind the open door, exclaiming, “You’re back so late! I was starting to worry… Oh? Is there someone else?”

As she spoke, the familiar head shifted its gaze toward Ewan.

The girl froze.

Ewan also froze.

‘Buy one, get one free?’

‘Are they really this open-minded?’

‘No, wait. This is Wei’er, the student council secretary, the little tag-along who’s always trailing after Celicia.’

Ewan quickly realized his mistake.

“Ewan Campbell!”

Wei’er quickly recognized Ewan as well. Thinking of something, her small face instantly flushed crimson, and with a sudden gush, two streams of nosebleed erupted.

“You—you perverted scumbag! What are you doing here? Are you stalking our president?”

“Huh?”

‘What in the world?’

‘He could accept being called a perverted scumbag, but what kind of new trick is this, cursing someone while having a nosebleed?’

“That’s enough. He’s a guest.”

Celicia casually flicked Wei’er’s forehead. “I told you to stop reading those strange books. Now, go prepare some hot water.”

“Oh.”

Wei’er wiped away her nosebleed, pouting with a hand over her forehead, and shot Ewan a resentful glare.

Just as she turned and stepped through the doorway, an open picture book slipped from her skirt.

Ewan instinctively glanced at it.

The beautifully illustrated book depicted two men entangled in an indescribable pose.

Aside from the bald, muscular man, the other figure was a handsome, fair-haired young nobleman, half-dressed and blushing. The more Ewan looked, the more familiar he seemed.

‘Damn it, wasn’t that himself?’

‘A fan-drawn picture book?’

‘And a BL one at that?’

“You…”

Ewan’s gaze toward Wei’er instantly filled with horror.

“That’s not me! You’re seeing things!”

Steam seemed to rise from Wei’er’s head as she snatched up the picture book and darted through the door.

****

After a long moment, Ewan silently turned to Celicia, his mouth twitching. “Your secretary… has rather dangerous hobbies.”

“…She’s only been like this recently. She used to read only proper novels.”

Celicia’s expression was also one of helplessness, clearly troubled by Wei’er’s peculiar new hobby, which she seemed to have picked up from who-knew-where.

But then, her eyes narrowed, and she glanced at Ewan. “Right, what was that about ‘too fast’ and ‘getting to know each other better’?”

Ewan’s face stiffened, and he gave a forced laugh. “I was saying your sword was too fast. I should get to know your strength better.”

“Good that you know.”

Leaving him with a cold stare, Celicia turned and entered the main door.

Ewan sighed as if in regret, then followed her inside.

****

Beyond the entrance lay a remarkably ordinary courtyard.

The interior layout was even simpler, bearing no resemblance to a princess’s residence.

Yet, Ewan could faintly sense the flow of magic in the air, suggesting that a formidable array had been established here.

Fortunately, despite its simplicity, all essential living items were available.

After showing Ewan his designated room, Wei’er led him to a bathroom.

While the entire courtyard was unassuming, this particular bathroom was exquisitely decorated. Expensive wood and polished stone paved a vast bath, resembling a small hot spring, with fragrant petals floating on the steaming hot water.

“Go on and wash.”

Wei’er said with a proud, aloof tilt of her head.

Ewan stared at her for a moment, then hesitated. “Miss Wei’er.”

“What is it?”

“You wouldn’t happen to be planning to peek at me while I bathe, would you?”

“Wh-what?”

Wei’er immediately flushed with shame and anger, stamping her foot. “Ewan Campbell, what do you mean by that? How could I possibly watch you bathe? You’ll get sties in your eyes from seeing your naked body!”

“Is that so…”

Ewan lowered his gaze.

As Wei’er stamped her foot, another picture book accidentally fell to the ground.

This time, the fair-haired, handsome, blushing youth was entangled with a burly, bear-like man.

‘Unbelievable. She doesn’t even have duplicates!’

“A-anyway, you’re the one who needs to be careful! If you do anything perverted, I won’t forgive you!”

Wei’er quickly stuffed the picture book into her embrace, her face red as she scurried away.

Once she was gone, Ewan closed the bathroom door. After cautiously ensuring there were no hidden peeking or photography spells or items, he finally relaxed, stripped off his clothes, and sank into the hot water.

“Ah… blissful.”

Ewan couldn’t help but let out a comfortable groan.

Looking back, it had been a long time since he had truly rested. The experiences of late, especially over the past two days—the confrontation with the evil god and the entanglement with the two little fairies—had utterly drained him.

Had his body not undergone unimaginable training and the blessing of the Withering King’s flame, he would likely have collapsed long ago.

Now, lying in the comfortable hot water, which clearly had some medicinal bath effects, all his weariness surged to the forefront of his mind.

Ewan leaned his head back, gradually drifting into a deep slumber.

****

In Celicia’s room, the lights remained brightly lit.

She was busy processing some documents.

Seemingly sensing the girl quietly entering the room, she didn’t lift her head, asking, “How is he?”

“He’s fine.”

Wei’er helped Celicia organize the documents, pouting. “He just looked very tired and fell asleep in the bath. I feel like it’s a bit wasteful for you to use such precious medicinal herbs for his bath, President.”

“Those herbs are meant for external use. Did you expect him to eat them?”

Celicia said casually.

“Besides, given what he’s done, he’s qualified to use those medicines… Wait.”

Celicia suddenly frowned, looking up at Wei’er. “He’s in the bathroom. How do you know he’s asleep?”

“Uh…”

Wei’er’s pretty face stiffened, her round cheeks instantly deflating.

“I… I guessed!”

“Is that so?”

“O-of course! How could I possibly use special methods to secretly peek at that perverted scumbag while he bathes? Impossible, absolutely impossible!”

“…Wei’er.”

“Yes.”

“Go throw away those inexplicable picture books of yours later.”

“Oh.”

Wei’er looked on the verge of tears, feeling as if the sky had fallen.

‘It’s all that damned Ewan Campbell’s fault. Nothing good ever happens when he’s around.’

Those picture books were precious gilded collector’s editions she’d spent a fortune on, circulating among small groups in the academy!

‘My heart aches, boohoohoo…’

But after a moment, Wei’er suddenly fiddled with her fingers and said, “President.”

“What is it?”

“If I throw them away… can I draw them myself?”

“…”