Chapter 6 – Clayo Asser’s Fleeting Life (2)

Inside their dorm was two beds across each other, separate by an aisle, to accommodate two persons. There was only one door in the quaint space.

The view of the school campus enclosed by a thick forest can be seen directly from the bedroom window. The living room and the bathroom are all located at the end of the hallway and towards the river.

Likewise, the opposite bed across Clayo belongs to the student “Nevo Yarbi.”

Since they asked him to check on me later, I guess this Nevo must be in charge of taking care of me.

Now, it should be a while that he hasn’t attended his class.

Since there were no other roommates around, he had ample time to use the bathroom for himself. Clayo felt buzzed after taking a warm soak in the bathtub.

At this point, he even appreciated and felt grateful to the author.

There is plenty of water here. And that’s a good thing. I can’t even imagine being in another novel with a medieval setting with no provision of a proper bed. Also, if I was the Lord, I might have to sleep with pigs and horses. How wretched would that be.

Feeling fresh after his warm bath, he roughly dried his damp, unkempt hair. But the comb couldn’t tame his locks despite his efforts, so he just left his hair as it is.

Jeongjin stared at the mirror; a strange face peered back at him.

His cheeks were sullen—as if he was lifeless, and even if he had taken a calming bath, his skin remained pale. His dull-colored, copper hair also added to the illusion of his weak appearance.

His bathrobe looked unusually big that it reached the tip of his hands.

My father is rich, yet I didn’t have the appetite to eat plenty.

As he frowned, his glance shifted from his copper hair to his light brown irises. His droopy eyes looked weary that he was surprised he wasn’t blind at this point.

Did kids his age bother him because of his appearance?

He had surmised from the conversation before that Clayo was quite the solemn kid. Indeed, such types would easily fall prey to bullying.

Well, let’s think about it later. Even this school life shall soon pass.

Wasn’t he given a week off? After all, students who behave well should play, eat, and rest if an opportunity is present.

Coming out from the bathroom, the magnificent Tempus River stretched wide from the open window of the dormitory’s living room. Jeongjin, who dislikes water, faltered in his steps, but the exotic landscape soon drew him near to the terrace.

The stunning appearance of granite stones littered across the river and various sandstones assembled on the shore looked straight out a splendid landscape from tourist postcards.

I’ve never traveled overseas before, but this place feels like one.

There were many as eight bridges established along the east and west sides of the Tempus River. The spacious roads could accompany even the rolling carriages on it.

The worldview of the story was closely akin to the late 19th century. It was a time where planes and hydrogen bombs ceased to exist. Although carriages and telegraphs existed, this was a world where kings and prime ministers co-existed side by side together with science and magic.

While Jeongjin was scrutinizing the scenery before him and remembering the novel, something moved against his legs. It felt like the soft fur of an animal. Goosebumps suddenly erupted from his spine.

“Ugh! That surprised me!”

Clinging to his feet was a giant cat that resembled a beast living in the mountains. It was a black cat with a silky coat that purred at him as if it wanted something.

“Why is this cat so large?”

The cat unexpectedly had white fur around its mouth, on its left foot and lower abdomen, which comically almost looked like it was from spilled milk. It didn’t seem to be in a good mood, as it stared at him with its glistening dark orbs. Yet Jeongjin found the white beard around its mouth inexplicably adorable.

“Meow! Meowww!”

The cat’s protest continued further. It was crying so loudly that Clayo then bent down to  make eye contact with it.

“Why are you so upset?”

“Meow!!”

“Can someone help me understand this cat, please?” He muttered with a light laugh.

The moment Clay’s words fell, the ‘Promise’ ring, which was perpetually stucked in his left hand, lighted again.

[The primary function of ‘Promise’ is now in effect.]

At the same time, the cat’s constant purring now sounded like human language in his ears.

“Rice.”

“!?”

“Give me some rice to eat. Why did you eat it alone? You should have left me my share.”

“What? We can even understand cats in this world?”

Upon hearing Clayo’s astonishing remark, the colossal cat struck him on his cheek with its front paw. Clayo, who had his head leveled with the cat, swiveled to the side.

This cat is strong!

Though he hasn’t sustained any scratches from the animal’s nails, Clayo sensed some strength from its soft and cream-colored paw that punched him.

“How pathetic! How could you treat this noble cat wrongly! Although there are plenty of us, none are as intelligent as me!”