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Chapter 54: Contract Dating

While Barkov was reeling from the pain of heartbreak,

Hania suddenly pushed me aside.

Our faces ended up incredibly close.

If it had been Hania’s original face, it might’ve been fine.

But since Hania was currently wearing Hannon's appearance, I immediately pulled back.

I had no interest in getting that close to a man’s face.

“...So this is why Lady Iris suddenly called me. Her timing is impeccable as always.”

Hania sighed deeply, wearing a troubled expression.

It seemed Iris was the one who had sent Hania here.

I felt grateful to Iris.

I had nearly ended up as a corpse today.

“Hania, Barkov assistant professor was your stalker all this time, wasn’t he?”

When I asked, Hania glanced at me briefly.

“Yes, and he was quite persistent about it.”

With his title as assistant professor and the backing of a powerful family,

Barkov was a difficult opponent for Hania to deal with.

“I was waiting for him to give me an opening, but wow, his timing really sucks.”

Hania shook her head, looking utterly fed up.

“More importantly, now it’s come out that we’re supposedly dating. What do we do about that?”

This time, before the confession even happened, it seemed I was already in a relationship.

What a dynamic life I lead.

“...Barkov might look like that, but he’s annoyingly persistent.”

“So, you’re saying if he finds out we’re not actually dating, he’ll just revert to stalking you again.”

“Yes, that’s likely.”

Got it.

Having been the target of Barkov’s confession attack myself,

I could fully empathize with how awful it was to be stalked by someone like that.

“How long do you think it’ll take Barkov to understand and give up?”

“...Probably a few months.”

“Then just let him think we’re dating for a few months.”

Hania’s eyes widened.

“It’s already spilled milk anyway. Might as well make use of it.”

“...You don’t just want to date me, do you?”

I gave her a stern look.

“I was joking.”

It seemed she was genuinely trying to lighten the mood.

“Sorry for dragging you into this mess, though.”

Hania offered an unexpectedly straightforward apology.

It wasn’t that her personality was inherently bad;

she’d just been on edge because of recent group events with Iris.

“It’s fine. It’s not your fault, anyway.”

This was entirely Barkov’s fault, not something Hania needed to apologize for.

“Hannon Irey, you’re more decent than I thought. Could it be because you share a bit of blood with Lady Iris?”

“Your stock just dropped in my eyes after saying that.”

“I wonder how low it can go. But wouldn’t it be inconvenient for you too if rumors spread that we’re dating?”

“Do you think one more rumor would make any difference to me?”

Hania paused briefly and seemed to understand.

I’m the one they call “Lightning Bastard.”

If people heard I was dating Hania, it would only generate sympathy for her.

For me, there wouldn’t be much impact, either way.

“We’ve wasted enough time. Let’s return to our teams now.”

“Right.”

As Hania turned to leave, she spoke to me.

“Please take care of Lady Iris.”

The corners of my lips curled upward.

“Sure, leave it to me.”

“Ha, as if I’d entrust Lady Iris to someone like you.”

What was that supposed to mean?

Hania laughed lightly, as if joking, and walked off to her team.

It seemed I’d left a positive impression on her through this ordeal.

‘Getting along with the deputy of martial arts isn’t a bad thing.’

One enemy, Isabel, was enough for me.

Emerging from the forest, I saw people gathered around Iris.

She was standing with her arms crossed, and when our eyes met, she reacted.

“Hania.”

“I’m back.”

When I stood beside her, she glanced around and leaned closer.

“How did it go?”

“Hannon showed up and resolved everything smoothly.”

Iris let out a brief sigh of relief.

Her crimson eyes glimmered ominously as she spoke.

“...I’ll have to cut him off soon.”

She must mean cutting Barkov from his position as an assistant professor, right?

A chill ran down my spine.

“Hey, Hania.”

Just then, a familiar voice called out to me.

I turned toward the voice’s owner, already recognizing it.

Short-cropped brown hair and fingers adorned with rings.

Just looking at him made me sigh in exasperation.

Second-year deputy of magical studies.

Dorara Corazon.

He was one of Iris’s rear guards and was now standing there.

“I just saw Hannon coming out of the forest earlier. Were you with him?”

“Yes, and?”

When I responded, Dorara’s face twisted in anger.

His teeth ground together audibly.

“Hania, here’s some advice. Don’t associate with that guy. There’s nothing good about hanging around with him.”

Dorara still held a grudge after being humiliated by me recently.

“Haha! Judging by the rumors, he must’ve really gotten a proper beating!”

A large man behind Dorara burst into laughter.

His dark skin, thick lips, and hands gripping a Bible made him stand out.

Second-year rank of Divine Arts.

Joachim.

The thick muscles visible beneath his robes made him seem far removed from Divine Arts.

Of course, he was a battle priest.

‘And this guy’s supposedly a year younger than me? Seriously?’

Joachim’s face resembled that of a seasoned mercenary.

Even professors unconsciously bowed slightly when they saw him.

He exuded a naturally commanding presence.

“Ugh, ugh, speaking ill of others is bad, you know.”

Then, from behind Joachim, a small figure peeked out.

Unlike the massive Joachim, this person was diminutive.

With a robe pulled over her head and her gray bangs covering her eyes,

her fragile appearance would’ve fooled anyone who didn’t know the truth.

She was the top student in Special Arts.

A curse master.

Valencia Kaise.

This was Iris' team.

‘Even now, it’s impressive how she gathered only the best.’

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If I hadn’t brought out someone like Saint or Sharin, it would’ve been the perfect team Iris could assemble.

At the center of all these members was none other than Iris herself.

“You guys don’t get it! If you knew just how crazy that guy is, you’d take back what you just said!”

Dorara seemed to be struggling just imagining that time, nearly having a fit.

His face looked like he’d foam at the mouth any moment.

“Not long ago, you couldn’t leave Sharin alone, and now it’s Hannon. Truly, Dorara, your consistency is remarkable.”

“That guy’s way worse than Sharin, that woman!”

For the first time, I was rated above Sharin.

Maybe I could feel a bit smug about that.

“Ahem, ahem.”

Meanwhile, Iris subtly turned her head and covered her mouth.

It seemed hard for her to keep her expression in check, seeing Dorara cursing me in front of me without knowing who I was.

“Iris, this isn’t the time to be laughing.”

I nudged Iris’ arm.

She briefly lifted the corner of her mouth apologetically.

It was a smile so enchanting it could bewitch anyone.

“Tsk, if I’d taken him on properly, he’d have been the one beaten to a pulp. I just underestimated him at first.”

Dorara started grumbling.

He seemed to have conveniently forgotten that he was the one knocked out cold.

‘Well then.’

I’ll have to remind him the next time I get a chance.

Silently, I clenched my fist.

“Team Iris.”

At last, Iris’ team was called, the moment all the third-years had gone in.

Though they placed second in the team competition, Iris’ team was ahead of everyone else in the overall rankings.

As Iris stepped forward at the call, even the grumbling Dorara and the other two fell silent.

Instead, they walked confidently by her side, as if supporting her.

As Iris walked forward, admiration filled the eyes of the onlooking students.

Walking beside her, I felt the weight of their stares for the first time.

Admiration, jealousy, longing, resignation.

A mix of emotions spilled from the students’ gazes.

Only now did I understand why Iris’ team always walked with such confidence.

They had to become strong, if only to shake off these stares.

And that was directly tied to their confidence.

An unshakable confidence that they could accomplish anything.

‘This is the strongest team alive, Iris.’

The aura radiating from Iris, at the front, was something no one could dare approach.

“Team Iris.”

Professor Vega, looking utterly exhausted, scanned everyone.

“Return safely.”

No long speeches. W

hat the strongest team needed was trust, not advice.

Shortly after, Iris’ team entered the Dungeon.

The peculiar, unpleasant sensation of the Dungeon brushed past my body.

A moment later, I slowly lifted my gaze.

“Looks like it’s the Iron Dust Desert today.”

Dungeon, first floor.

The Iron Dust Desert.

A barren iron wasteland stretched before me.

As I licked my lips, a faint metallic taste lingered in my mouth.

That meant iron dust was mixed into the air.

At that moment, the wind rose around us.

The iron dust that had been clinging to our clothes and throats was blown away entirely by the wind.

“The Gray Forest, and now the Iron Dust Desert. I wish the seniors had cleaned up a bit on their way down.”

It was Dorara’s magic, wielded through the staff in her hand.

“Well, the seniors hurry down to descend as many floors as they can.”

Valencia, the curse practitioner, spoke while brushing her bangs aside.

And her words were true.

Boom!

From beneath the Iron Dust Desert, a colossal tremor began to stir.

Boom!

A massive snake with blades of steel embedded across its body burst through the iron dust.

Even at a glance, it was a dangerous foe.

A beast controlled by an apostle.

One who failed to become a dragon.

Clang!

Iris had already drawn her sword.

The seniors seemed to have decided that dealing with a failed dragon wasn’t worth the time and chose to avoid it.

But for the strongest royalty, such concerns were meaningless.

“Team Iris.”

At Iris’ call, crimson aura emanated from her sword.

The rose-like aura was breathtakingly beautiful, captivating all eyes.

Walking through the iron dust, Iris’ steps were bold and commanding, as if each stride was a giant’s.

“Hunt the great beast.”

The leader had spoken.

“Yes.”

And so, we followed.

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