Without having to think deeply about the question, Professor George continued.

“He and Walter were my pupils. What a tough relationship it was, I was in charge of the two for the entire senior year.”

“Really?”

Even so, I couldn’t believe Professor Walter was once a student of Professor George, even Arcandus.

Professor Walter shrugged, “Do you think I became a professor right away? Of course, there was a time when I was a student.”

“It doesn’t suit you.”

“Even if they didn’t listen to me. Actually, it’s not that different now.”

When Professor George brought up the past, Professor Walter cleared his throat for no reason.

“Ahem. Rather than that, I could hear the conversation even outside the door, but do you know Arcan…dus?”

“Yes. Arcandus was the one who taught me alchemy when I was young.”

“…Ho! You have met a good teacher.”

Professor George touched his chin and looked at me.

It was the burdensome look that appeared everytime I answered his questions during class.

“If you combine herbal medicine with alchemy, you can make endless things. That’s why I called him in to help with the research.”

That explains why Arcandus was in Professor George’s lab.

Professor Walter came here after hearing that Arcandus was in Professor George’s lab. But I don’t know what happened between the two of them.

How could I know what the other person doesn’t know? What surprised me a little was that the Arcandus I knew was a person who didn’t get angry for a long time.

I was lost in thought alone, and felt a strong gaze, and came to my senses. The source of gaze was Professor George.

“She has considerable knowledge of herbal medicine, and he learned alchemy under that child. I want it more.”

From that expression and tone of voice, I had a foreboding that something was wrong.

‘Crap! We just had a past. I should’ve just said that much.’

“So why did you call me, professor?”

Professor George smiled kindly at the silent pressure to put that gaze aside and bring out the main point.

Wait a minute…

…Recognition? Is Professor George a kind of person?

“I heard you didn’t go back home last summer vacation. Am I right?

Leen’s tone of voice automatically became timid as she felt a deep sense of anxiety rising.

“Yes, but…?”

“If you’re not going home during this vacation, study with me…”

I smiled brightly and replied before Professor George’s words were finished.

“I’m sorry. I decided to go back this vacation.”

It was at that moment that I had been contemplating for several weeks whether or not to go to the Countess.

ꕥ

“Sigh. That could’ve been a disaster.”

After leaving Professor George’s lab, I was relieved.

My promise not to go to the Countess was overturned in less than an hour, but I had no regrets.

It would be better to go to the Countess than to become the professor’s slave like this.

Even though I wanted to go somewhere else, I hadn’t come of age yet, so I had only two options: the Academy and the Countess.

It’s been a long time since I’ve wanted to see the Countess’ family, so if it went well, it would be good.

It was when I was walking around the corner of the hallway trying to think positively as much as possible.

Someone who was standing with their back against the wall grabbed my shoulder.

“Arcandus…?”

“Leen.”

An indescribable emotion appeared on Arcandus’ face.

Fear? Anxiety? Anger? Sorrow?

Everything was tangled and stained, so I couldn’t dare to predict what he was thinking.

“It bothered me too much to leave like this.”

“You’re leaving?”

Not only did he leave his seat, but he was also trying to leave the academy.

He hasn’t had a proper conversation with Professor George even though he hasn’t met him in a long time.

Just because he met Professor Walter? Arcandus’ lips trembled in panic.

Somehow, I felt his true feelings from that expression.

When I was a little girl, I fell while running and my legs bled. It’s the same face he made when he saw my blood.

Hemophobia, the fear of blood.

I discovered it a bit later, but when Arcandus saw more than a certain amount of blood, he could not do anything and fell into a panic.

Yes, just like now.

“When is your graduation, Leen?”

I answered calmly, even though I was embarrassed by his random question.

“Now that the senior year is over, there are three years left.”

“…3 years. Okay.”

As if thinking about something, he suddenly grabbed my shoulders again.

The force of his grip felt stronger than expected was disconcerting. I lowered my gaze to my shoulder and made eye contact with him again.

“Keep away from Professor Walter. Get as far away as possible. From this moment to graduation. No, especially since we won’t see each other after graduation.”

“What…”

“Leen. I’m begging you, I know what I’m saying sounds weird. But just this once, do as I say. it’s all for you, okay?”

I blinked slowly and rolled my eyes to figure out the condition.

His muscles were so stiff that he was putting strength on my shoulders. Not only that, but also his clearly visible short breathing and trembling lips.

It was not difficult to know that they were mentally concentrated.

At least, it means that such facial expressions and actions are not derived from acting, but the truth.

I slowly removed his hand holding my shoulder, not avoiding Arcandus’ gaze.

It was a conversation that had no meaning, he was talking about something I couldn’t understand.

It didn’t seem like he would tell me because I asked him what happened.

But he was not a man who would harm me.

That was the only thing that was certain.

“I’ll do as Arcandus says.”

At this time, I still did not know.

Carson was watching the conversation I had with Arcandus.