Chapter 29: A Fool’s Love and a Friend’s Revelation

Upon hearing Totomia’s analysis, Celeste’s eyes widened in profound disbelief.

A vivid recollection surfaced of Yalin’s panicked flight the moment he had seen her.

If he truly harbored no dislike for her, then could it be, just as Totomia had posited, that his evasion was merely a desperate attempt to suppress the deep-seated emotions he harbored?

He had even resorted to such an extreme method, all to sever any connection between them.

“Yalin… that fool, how incredibly conceited he truly is!”

A wave of indignation washed over Celeste, her chest rising and falling with barely suppressed emotion.

Yet, simultaneously, a fragile spark of hope ignited within a heart that had long since abandoned any expectation.

It was an astonishing sensation, akin to rediscovering a cherished childhood toy tucked away in a forgotten corner of a room, after having believed it lost forever.

“I once harbored feelings for you, but that was merely a fleeting impulse, and I understood then that I was not worthy of you.”

Totomia sighed, a sudden lightness settling in his heart.

“But Yalin, he is different.”

“I am unsure if I possess the right to utter such words, but I genuinely believe he is a man worthy of your trust.”

Though Totomia had once harbored an intense hatred for Yalin, as his investigation deepened, he was compelled to concede that Yalin’s actions were truly beyond the capabilities of an ordinary person.

He honestly questioned himself: even if he were to encounter a girl he adored beyond measure, he knew he could never ‘lick’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term, ‘tiǎn,’ used to describe someone who fawns excessively or goes to extreme lengths to please another, often to a humiliating degree) as thoroughly as Yalin had.

“That man, despite possessing no magical talent whatsoever, relentlessly toiled day and night, solely to gain admission into the academy, all for the singular purpose of being by your side.”

“And during that period, a profound tragedy befell his family… not only did his parents perish in an unforeseen accident, but his entire clan also crumbled… I am aware his reputation is less than stellar, but truly, he cannot be faulted. Under such immense duress, anyone would…”

“Wait, what did you just say happened to his family?”

Celeste’s complexion paled abruptly, and she sharply interrupted him.

“His parents… passed away?”

“What? You were unaware?”

Totomia gazed at Celeste, a hint of bewilderment clouding his features.

“The Ravenster couple, while journeying in their carriage, tragically plunged off a cliff to their deaths… that incident occurred two years ago.”

The Ravenster family’s domain lay far to the east of the Sunshadow Mountains, a considerable distance from Ailanmia. Being minor nobility with scant renown, they were virtually unknown in this region.

Yet, this was no hidden secret; even a cursory investigation would have readily unveiled the truth.

But how could she, Yalin’s childhood friend, have remained utterly oblivious to such a significant event?

Celeste froze, as if struck by a lightning bolt, a deafening roar echoing in her ears.

Two years ago.

That period coincided precisely with her being scouted by a Royal Capital mage, prompting her journey to Ailanmia to prepare for her entrance examination.

Consumed by her aspirations for the future, she had paid no heed whatsoever to tidings from her homeland.

Even when she later encountered Yalin at the academy, he had never once alluded to any family matters.

Consequently, Celeste had remained under the impression that everything was as it had always been, utterly unchanged.

But who could have foreseen that in a mere two years, everything would have irrevocably changed?

“Why… why did he tell me nothing at all?”

Celeste’s eyes welled with crimson, and a few tears, beyond her control, traced paths down her cheeks.

If before she had only felt a dull ache, now it was as though countless steel needles were piercing her chest, rendering each breath a struggle.

“Because he is a man,” Totomia stated, his voice deepening, his respect for Yalin deepening further still.

“Such is the way of men; their innate pride will never permit them to readily display weakness before the women they cherish.”

‘He’s not a child; what meaning is there in clinging to such matters?’

Celeste clenched her jaw, her fingernails digging deep into the skin of her palms.

Had he only confided in her sooner, she would never have adopted such a frigid demeanor, nor would she have uttered those cruel words.

Totomia lifted his gaze, like a weathered philosopher, his profound eyes fixed upon the distant horizon.

“My mind, you see, has never been particularly keen.”

“But this one truth, I grasp with absolute clarity.”

“A man, so-called, does not necessarily grow wiser with age.”

“A fool remains a fool. No matter how much they mature, in the presence of the woman they adore, they will inevitably become clumsy, tongue-tied, and utterly akin to a foolish little child.”

‘If only he had a cigarette, this moment would have been truly devastating.’

Alas, he had none.

Totomia, his hands tucked into his pockets, let out a soft sigh.

“Very well, I am but an outsider, and shall refrain from further meddling.”

“Nevertheless, Miss Celeste, know that I shall always champion the two of you.”

Having delivered his pronouncement, he brushed past Celeste, leaving in his wake a silhouette he undoubtedly considered quite dashing.

The ringing of the class bell echoed through the halls.

Yalin’s eyes fluttered open once more.

Ms. Fulin’s lullaby proved so remarkably effective that it had lulled him back to sleep.

Glancing around, he failed to spot that distinctively pointy head.

It appeared Totomia and Celeste had been so engrossed in their conversation that they had completely forgotten about class.

‘Well done, Bruce,’ he mused. ‘I knew you had it in you.’

Yalin had successfully eluded the clutches of the ‘Arrogant Protagonist’ (TL Note: A common trope in Chinese web novels, referring to an overpowered, often arrogant, male lead), while Totomia, to his delight, had once again managed to converse with his goddess.

‘This is clearly a win-win situation!’

While he remained unsure if he had somehow provoked Celeste, he reasoned that his apology had been sufficiently earnest, and thus, she ought not to seek him out for further trouble, right?

“Home, home,” he mumbled, “why have I been so utterly exhausted these past few days…”

Yalin slung his bag over his shoulder, yet no sooner had he stepped out of the classroom door than he spotted Totomia striding swiftly towards him from the opposite end of the corridor.

Totomia’s face was grim, his sharp gaze fixed intently upon Yalin, never wavering for an instant.

‘No, what in the world is happening?’

‘I’ve retreated to this extreme; is he actually coming to pick a fight?’

To be frank, Yalin currently possessed no viable strategy to contend with this muscular brute.

He would much rather endure a few punches than resort to utilizing those precious catalysts once more.

Totomia drew nearer and nearer, until he stood directly before Yalin.

Suddenly, he firmly grasped Yalin’s shoulders, his eyes brimming with unshed tears.

“Brother, do not surrender hope; you still possess an opportunity!”

Yalin: ???

‘No, what just transpired?’

‘A mere conversation with Celeste, and your mind has shattered?’

Disregarding Yalin’s utterly bewildered expression, Totomia continued, his voice thick with emotion.

“Brother, pay no mind to those who ridicule you; I alone comprehend your plight!”

“Remember, you are far more formidable than you imagine! Therefore, fear not, and simply love with courage!”

‘Love what, a bull demon? (TL Note: A humorous, exasperated rhetorical question; the phrase  (niú mó), or ‘bull demon,’ is used here to create a dismissive wordplay, akin to saying ‘love nothing’ or ‘what the hell are you talking about love?’)’

Yalin could now ascertain with absolute certainty that the Cat-boy’s (TL Note: A nickname for Totomia, who is a cat-person) mind had indeed snapped.

“While I remain unclear about what you are discussing, you missed this class, and Ms. Fulin is quite displeased. If you wish to avoid failing, I suggest you seek her out promptly.”

“Oh my heavens, that’s right! I had completely forgotten!”

Totomia’s tail instantly shot erect, and he swiftly removed his hands from Yalin, hastily retreating.

Midway, a sudden thought struck him, and he pivoted, offering Yalin a resolute thumbs-up.

“In any case, rest assured, I support you both!”

‘No, what on earth did you two discuss?’

Yalin’s mind swirled with unanswered questions, yet he found himself utterly disinclined to ponder such convoluted matters.

‘Never mind,’ he decided. ‘Since he isn’t here to cause trouble, it is of no consequence.’

Otherwise, Yalin would genuinely have to contemplate quietly ‘taking care of’ him in some secluded locale.