—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
A full moon hung in the night sky.
“Tia Erze, what did you want to talk about?”
“Honestly, I can’t figure you out.”
Tia turned, her white dress swirling around her as she smiled.
Ethan remained silent.
The Erze Trading Company had the resources to investigate anyone.
But Tia hadn’t looked into Ethan’s background yet.
She wanted to unravel him like an intriguing puzzle.
“You’re a fascinating person. Sylvia’s only disciple… and there’s more to you than meets the eye.”
Tia stepped closer to Ethan and reached for the sword at his waist.
Ethan watched her silently.
“I’ve seen this sword before.”
Tia’s eyes asked for permission to draw his sword. Ethan nodded.
Shing―
The black blade slid from its scabbard.
The Arken steel, as if absorbing the moonlight, gleamed darkly.
“This sword… It’s made of Arken steel, isn’t it?”
Ethan nodded.
Tia examined the blade under the moonlight,
Her movements practiced, as if she were a seasoned swordsmith.
“And it’s not just any Arken steel sword.”
Not just any Arken steel sword?
That was news to Ethan.
“It seems to contain Orihalcon.”
Orihalcon.
One of the three legendary magical ores, renowned for its ability to absorb magic.
It was said that a sword infused with Orihalcon could even deflect a mage’s spells.
“This isn’t a simple Arken steel blade. It’s been enhanced with refined Orihalcon. Most swords wouldn’t stand a chance against this one.”
Tia, her gaze lingering on the blade, sheathed the sword.
“It was a gift from the Logness family.”
“I assumed as much.”
Tia chuckled.
She stepped closer to Ethan, gently tugging on his tie as their eyes met.
They were so close that their breaths mingled.
Ethan didn’t avert his gaze.
“Is that why you called me out here?”
“My apologies, I was being too much of a noble. We tend to beat around the bush.”
Tia released his tie and smiled.
She took a step back.
“I might not know you well yet, and I might not understand your motives for forming a club…”
Tia leaned closer and whispered,
“But I’ll join your club.”
Ethan contemplated her words.
It was good news. With Tia, they now had five members: Arthur, Anya, Tesha, Ethan, and her.
Tia, seeing his lack of response, tilted her head.
“Do you not want me to join?”
“Of course not. I was hoping you’d join.”
Their eyes met.
“And…”
“What is it, Tia?”
“To be frank, Ethan.”
Tia leaned against the balcony railing, a subtle smile on her lips.
“I want to buy you. Your time, your swordsmanship, your insight…”
“……”
“What do you say? Tia Erze and the Erze Trading Company are making you an offer.”
A brief silence followed.
“You’re asking me to betray the Logness family?”
“Betray? Such a strong word… People might think I’m actually suggesting treason.”
Tia sighed dramatically. Her white dress fluttered in the breeze.
“In this case, it’s called a legitimate hiring. Or headhunting. How much are you being paid by the Logness family? I’ll double it if you work for Erze.”
“I need time to think about it.”
“Fufu, I understand.”
Ethan turned and left the balcony.
Tia remained there, watching him go.
The night view of Central Ward was beautiful.
He was favored by Sylvia Linchester.
And he was protecting the young lady of the Logness family.
It wasn’t unusual to encounter people from the east in the empire, but Tia found him intriguing.
‘You’re a fascinating person. I want to possess you.’
Tia felt the same urge to acquire him as she did when she saw a beautiful and expensive necklace or earrings at a jewelry store.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The weekend was peaceful.
Spring had arrived,
And flowers bloomed throughout the academy grounds.
Sepia repeatedly glanced at her communication crystal.
Ethan had said he was free for tea on the weekend.
But there was no message from him.
Saturday passed, and Sepia sat restlessly in her room.
The dormitory was quiet.
“My lady, perhaps you should contact him first?”
Vivian, unable to bear the silence any longer, asked hesitantly.
But Sepia shook her head.
Ethan had explicitly said he was available on the weekend.
He would contact her if he hadn’t forgotten.
On Friday, Sepia had been excited about the possibility of a picnic.
She had prepared sandwiches, cookies, tea, and even researched potential picnic spots.
But Saturday had passed without a word from Ethan.
The room darkened as evening approached.
“My lady, what would you like for dinner?”
Sepia snapped out of her thoughts.
Did he forget?
Did he say he was free and then forget about their tea date?
Shouldn’t he have contacted her to confirm?
“I’m… I’m fine. I’m not hungry.”
Sepia lay face down on her bed.
She felt drained.
“Vivian…”
Sepia mumbled into her pillow.
“Yes, my lady.”
“Find out what Ethan is doing.”
“Yes, of course.”
Vivian retreated, as if she had been dismissed.
The door closed, and Sepia was alone.
She couldn’t sleep.
She fidgeted with her communication crystal.
There were no messages or calls from Ethan.
‘What am I doing, wasting my precious weekend like this…?’
Sepia stared at the ceiling.
She didn’t understand her own feelings.
She felt an urge to interfere whenever she saw Ethan being friendly with anyone else.
It annoyed her.
Especially when it came to Ethan and Tesha.
She hadn’t liked seeing them together.
It was the reason she had suddenly sent Ethan on a cookie errand.
She had wanted to separate them.
But Tesha had clung to Ethan,
Saying she was also going to the snack bar.
They had probably chatted happily on their way there.
It irritated her.
And she envied Tesha.
If only they hadn’t met as master and servant…
‘And that Ethan, knowing I was watching, walked to the snack bar with Tesha…’
His defiance had angered her, and she had made an unreasonable request,
Asking him to exchange the cookies for cake.
She had planned to apologize during their tea date.
To tell him she was sorry.
To admit that she was possessive.
Sepia pulled out a sandwich from her picnic basket.
She examined it, then set it down.
Her sandwich was the ugliest one in the basket.
Even she could tell the difference between her homemade sandwich and the ones sold at the bakery. She had planned to subtly feed him her sandwich and ask for his opinion.
Crunch.
It wasn’t pretty, but it was edible.
‘If he had said it was bad, I would have blamed Vivian…’
Sepia set the sandwich aside and lay down on her bed.
Night fell.
Sunday morning.
Sepia received news about Ethan from Vivian.
He had left for Central Ward on Saturday.
And Sepia knew.
There was a social gathering in Central Ward.
“Ethan went to a social event while I was waiting for him?”
“Lady Sepia…”
There was more.
Unless specifically summoned, servants of the Logness family were allowed to rest on weekends.
Sepia understood that.
“Who did he attend the social event with?”
“Sylvia von Linchester.”
“Sylvia? Professor Sylvia?”
“Yes, the Silver Knight Sylvia.”
Sepia knew of the Linchester family.
The Logness family was known for their demon-fighting mages, while the Linchesters were renowned for their demon-fighting knights.
Sylvia’s father was the current head of the Linchester family.
This made it even more incomprehensible.
Why had Sylvia gone to the ball with Ethan?
“Why would Professor Sylvia be with Ethan?”
“My investigations revealed that Ethan is rumored to be Sylvia’s disciple.”
Sepia thought back to Ethan fighting the demon.
Was that the Linchester family’s swordsmanship style?
“So while I was waiting for him, he was dancing with Professor Sylvia at a social event?”
“My lady…”
There was no confirmation that they had made a definite appointment.
Vivian couldn’t bring herself to say it.
“A servant of the Logness family enjoyed a social event with the daughter of the Linchester family without his master’s permission?”
Sepia’s hands trembled.
“And he left his master waiting all day?!”
Disbelief turned to anger.
Anger transformed into a sense of betrayal.
Her lips tightened, her hands trembling.
“Tell him to go work for the Linchester family, then.”
“My lady… I understand you’re disappointed and angry…”
“Vivian.”
“Yes?”
“Go and get Ethan.”
Her hands were still shaking.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The social gathering continued throughout the night.
Come to think of it, I hadn’t had a single sip of alcohol since I arrived in this world.
Not because I disliked alcohol, but because I wanted to stay alert.
“Did you have a good conversation with Tia Erze?”
“Yes, we had a good chat.”
“Have a drink.”
I tried to pace myself.
Until Tia challenged me.
“Oh my, Ethan, are you avoiding alcohol?”
“No, but… Master, you’re here…”
“Surely you wouldn’t refuse a drink offered by a lady?”
Tia’s eyes were already slightly unfocused. She had been drinking.
“Tia, you seem to have had a bit too much to drink already…”
“Why is your tongue so sharp today, Ethan?”
Crack.
I’m going to survive this social gathering and then never see you again.
Tonight’s drunkard was Tia Erze.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Yeah, try and fire him you damn brat. Ethan has several options open for him
Ethan’s goal has always been about freedom, so now, he has a chance…
I can already see where this sepia character is going I hope they’ll conclude it quickly they seem rather boring.. those sorry self blame regret chapters are going to flood in soon
Ungrateful MC should have been left as a toilet cleaner, he should just show a little respect for everything she did for him he would never be in the gym if it weren’t for her I don’t like her personality but it doesn’t change the fact that he owes a lot to her