Chapter 77: An Unforgettable Patron

An inexplicable amusement stirred within Yalin, only to dissipate as the reality of his uncontrollable body resurfaced.

Still, he reasoned, he had at least evaded a beating and even managed to pull off a convincing act in the process. All in all, it wasn’t a terrible outcome.

His only wish was to avoid such unfortunate encounters in the future.

Just as Yalin prepared to depart, the issue now settled, Lumi’s hand unexpectedly caught his sleeve.

“Why did you save me?”

Lumi’s eyes widened ever so slightly—a significant display of surprise for a face typically devoid of expression.

‘Why?’

Yalin, too, yearned to understand the true reason behind his actions.

“A beautiful maiden was in trouble; how could I possibly abandon her?”

Yalin offered a smile, both gentle and utterly charming.

An ordinary girl would, by now, either be blushing furiously or casting him a look of utter disdain.

Lumi, however, fit neither description.

She merely tilted her head in confusion.

“It’s peculiar. Why do the words you utter deviate entirely from your true thoughts?”

“Hmm?”

Intrigued, Yalin found himself studying her for another moment.

Her observation was spot-on; neither his supposed heroism nor the seemingly shameful lines he’d uttered had originated from his own volition.

Yet, she was the very first person to discern such a discrepancy.

“Why do you think that?”

“I don’t know, I just have that feeling.”

Unfortunately, Lumi didn’t seem inclined to continue the conversation.

“What is your name?”

“Yalin Ravenster.”

“Oh.”

Lumi appeared lost in contemplation.

“Do you know me?”

“No.”

“Really?”

“Truly.”

What manner of dialogue was this, he wondered?

Yalin found himself increasingly convinced that the girl before him was extraordinarily peculiar.

His patience, by now, had worn thin. With the matter settled and his body’s control returned to him, he saw no reason to prolong their interaction.

“Well then, Miss Lumi, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading back.”

Yet, Lumi remained, her grip on his sleeve unwavering, with no sign of releasing him.

“Thank you for saving me. How can I repay you?”

Yalin was momentarily speechless.

‘Wait,’ he thought, ‘I only said those things because I had no choice. What exactly are you implying?’

How could she utter such lines, straight from the pages of a trite light novel, without so much as a flicker of emotion?

“Then just give me money,” Yalin said casually.

After all, money was his most pressing need, leaving him so destitute he often couldn’t even afford a single meal.

“Money…”

Lumi lifted her gaze, her eyes blinking with a hint of bewilderment.

“Ah, alright, I was just teasing you.”

With a helpless chuckle, Yalin gently withdrew the corner of his sleeve from her grasp.

“Judging by your appearance, you’re likely as penniless as I am. Be more cautious when you venture out in the future; avoid these deserted shortcuts. Should you find yourself cornered again, you’ll simply have to accept your misfortune.”

Just as he prepared to turn away, Lumi’s voice once more halted his departure.

“Wait, are you really short on money?”

“Why would I deceive you? Are you perhaps offering me money? If so, I certainly wouldn’t decline.”

“Okay,” Lumi nodded. “However, I’d like to ask you to do something for me.”

Emerging from the depths of his memories, Yalin instinctively rubbed his temples, a weary sigh escaping his lips.

Indeed, it was a past he scarcely wished to revisit.

He lifted his gaze to the silent maiden, who stood motionless beneath the moon’s soft glow.

Lumi’s expression remained as impassive as ever, betraying not the slightest fluctuation.

Now that he considered it, she was, in fact, his very first client.

Back then, Yalin practically lived in the library from dawn till dusk. Perhaps this dedication had drawn her attention, prompting her to request his assistance in enchanting a weapon.

The underlying principle of enchantment was, in truth, quite straightforward: one merely needed to construct a magical circuit within a specially prepared magic crystal, then fuse it with a weapon through the art of alchemy.

For Yalin, however, at that particular juncture, it presented a considerable challenge.

Although he possessed ample theoretical knowledge, he had never truly performed the operation himself.

Adding to the complexity, Lumi’s weapon was unusually distinctive, being significantly smaller than a conventional sword, which consequently amplified the difficulty of the enchantment process.

Nevertheless, after a week of diligent, painstaking effort, he ultimately brought the commission to a successful conclusion.

Lumi’s compensation proved exceptionally generous, totaling a substantial twenty thousand Riel, a sum that significantly eased Yalin’s financial strain at the time.

Subsequently, having joined Professor Wendy’s research laboratory and preoccupied with transfer procedures, the two of them gradually lost touch.

“Yalin, do you have time later?” Lumi suddenly asked.

Yalin’s initial impulse was to politely point out the late hour and request to return home for some much-needed rest.

However, considering Lumi was his former patron, a certain degree of deference was warranted, so he simply nodded.

“I do… Is something wrong?”

“I have something I want to tell you, but it’s too dark here.”

Lumi surveyed their surroundings before proposing, “Perhaps we could find a nearby restaurant to talk?”

“Uh…”

A look of discomfort crossed Yalin’s features.

While the academy boasted numerous dining establishments, restaurants and cafeterias were distinct entities altogether.

The cafeteria, a unified academy facility, opened only at midday and offered meals entirely free of charge.

Restaurants, conversely, were almost exclusively privately owned establishments, their prices astronomically steep. While young lords and ladies of noble lineage could indulge freely, such places were decidedly beyond the means of a pauper like Yalin.

“I just remembered, I still have uneaten food at home…”

“My treat.”

“Come to think of it, it is a bit dark here.”

Yalin’s demeanor shifted with lightning speed.

Ah, so the young lady was treating. In that case, all was well.

The prospect of a free meal and drink was, naturally, something Yalin would never decline.

As for any potential embarrassment from being treated to a meal by a girl, the answer was unequivocally—none whatsoever.

What a preposterous notion! He had, for the most part, survived through the kindness of women; at this point, how could he possibly concern himself with such trivialities?

Despite this, a persistent feeling nagged at him: his transmigration seemed to be spiraling into an ever-greater failure…

Beneath the cloak of night, the Witch’s Cafe cast a soft, inviting glow.

It stood as one of the many eateries within the academy, and despite its designation as a cafe, it also served a variety of indigenous Aelamia dishes.

Its decor, simple yet imbued with a distinct elegance, coupled with its unique culinary offerings, had garnered it immense popularity among the student body.

At this very hour, amidst the bustling dining period, the cafe teemed with students, their lively conversations filling the air.

They casually secured a window seat, and after placing their orders, Yalin set aside the menu and turned to Lumi, inquiring,

“So, Miss Lumi, to what do I owe the pleasure of your summons?”

Lumi offered no reply, remaining seated like a wooden mannequin, her stillness betraying whether she was deep in thought or merely lost in a reverie.

Perceiving her lack of response, Yalin reached for his cup, intending to take a restorative sip of water.

It was precisely at this moment, however, that Lumi unexpectedly broke her silence.

“Actually, I’ve always wanted to see you.”

This sudden, impactful declaration nearly caused Yalin to choke on his water.

While it was undeniable that a considerable time had passed since their last encounter, her words struck him as profoundly odd.

He mused, their acquaintance certainly hadn’t deepened to such an intimate degree, had it?

Such profound innocence, he realized, could truly be a terrifying force.