Chapter 23 (Continued)

 

It was pointless to speculate. Her noncommittal answer suggested she didn’t want to explain. Given her tone, it was probably the former.

 

I felt a bit deflated.

 

Maybe I should just ask directly.

 

“…Baek-seo.”

 

“Yes, Leader?”

 

“I usually understand basic concepts by reading multiple times, then summarize key points in my notes. If there’s too much to summarize, I focus on the confusing parts to save time.”

 

“Okay.”

 

“That’s how I study. How about you?”

 

I employed the ‘ask casually’ strategy.

 

I listened intently for the top student’s study method.

 

“…I just read.”

 

?

 

“That’s all.”

 

“……”

 

I felt my shoulders slump.

 

My head naturally turned back to my book.

 

“Really…”

 

A sense of disillusionment washed over me.

 

‘So, it’s like that…’

 

There’s no royal road to studying. If there were, it would just be an ordinary method done consistently.

 

As long as you progress well in your studies, it doesn’t really matter.

 

I felt a bit foolish for expecting some special study method.

 

“Sigh…”

 

My mind cleared up.

 

It was like opening a treasure chest with high hopes only to find a note saying, “The treasure is within you.”

 

Yes, it was anticlimactic.

 

I refocused on my studies without much thought.

 

Time passed once again.

 

‘Oh.’

 

What should you do for a girl when it’s ‘that time’ of the month?

 

No, my concentration wasn’t broken.

 

I was the only one who could look out for Baek-seo. Who else would notice it was ‘that time’ for her today?

 

“Baek-seo, I’m going to the restroom.”

 

“Alright.”

 

Pretending to go to the restroom, I went to the convenience store instead, and checked the internet on my smartphone.

 

‘…They crave sweets, huh.’

 

When it’s ‘that time,’ women’s blood sugar and serotonin levels drop significantly, increasing stress and anxiety. As a result, they crave sweets. Thank you, Speed Knowledge!

 

‘She must’ve already taken any necessary medication.’

 

She could easily get it at school.

 

And since it’s a sensitive topic, we’re not close enough for her to share that detail.

 

So I didn’t want to go to the extent of bringing her medication. That would be too intrusive.

 

‘I’ll just get these.’

 

I bought some snacks and returned to the training room.

 

Before sitting down, I placed chocolate, banana milk, and a straw on Baek-seo’s desk.

 

“Hmm? What’s this?”

 

Baek-seo looked at the items with a puzzled expression.

 

“I got them on the way.”

 

I also placed some snacks on my desk, so it wouldn’t be awkward if she was the only one eating.

 

“We need to replenish our sugar. It’s exam time.”

 

I gave an alternative reason as I sat down. It was my way of being considerate.

 

Baek-seo seemed to contemplate my intention for a moment, then smiled.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Don’t mention it. Of course, it’s right for me to take care of you.

 

I just nodded, not wanting to make a big deal out of bringing some snacks.

 

“These are ‘Kindi’ chocolates?”

 

Baek-seo remarked as she looked at the chocolate.

 

Was it last April?

 

The chocolate I bought was something she had eaten during an all-night duty, sharing it with me as one of her favorite snacks. It was branded ‘Kindi’ chocolate.

 

I remembered her sharing it with me, saying it was her favorite.

 

“You like those, right?”

 

I had remembered it, even though it was just once.

 

I had always assumed that if I became the leader, Baek-seo would be my closest vice leader.

 

I had judged that based on my game knowledge.

 

So I had tried to remember as much about her as possible while treating her comfortably.

 

“Yeah…”

 

Baek-seo unwrapped the chocolate and took a bite.

 

I peeked over the partition at her.

 

She was looking at her book, blushing and smiling quietly. She seemed quite pleased. It must taste good.

 

I felt a sense of satisfaction.

 

Time passed once again.

 

“Oh.”

 

Just as I was about to switch to another subject, I realized I had made a mistake.

 

‘I didn’t bring the textbook for the other subject…!’

 

How could I make such a critical error…!

 

“Leader?”

 

Baek-seo called out, seemingly curious about my constant rummaging through my bag.

 

“I forgot to bring the textbook for the next subject. I left it at home.”

 

I admitted it honestly, even though it wasn’t impressive. There was no point in hiding it. It wouldn’t affect my image much.

 

“Don’t you have it in your locker?”

 

“I left it at home.”

 

“Hmm… Then how about this?”

 

Baek-seo suggested something.

 

We stood face to face in the middle of the training room.

 

“If it’s Practical Magic and Combat, we can definitely practice together.”

 

If I didn’t have the books for other subjects, I could study something else.

 

Since we were in the training room, she suggested we practice the practical subjects.

 

Even though I was confident in the practical subjects, I couldn’t take the exams without any practice. So, I decided to master the exam subjects with Baek-seo today.

 

“Your magical control should be fine, Leader…. Shall we do martial arts?”

 

“Sounds good.”

 

Martial arts.

 

One of the practical subjects.

 

Baek-seo took off her school jacket and hung it on a chair.

 

Her school skirt… seemed fine. It hung above her knees and fluttered, not hindering movement much.

 

“Here.”

 

Baek-seo handed me a training dagger from the rack. It had a blunt, flexible plastic blade, making it safe.

 

She spun the dagger around her fingers as if she were twirling a pen.

 

It looked quite impressive. It made me want to learn it.

 

“Do you want to take the attacking role first?”

 

Baek-seo held the blade of the dagger and handed me the handle. I took it.

 

“I won’t hold back.”

 

“Come at me.”

 

I swung the dagger.