“Are you going alone again today?”
By the time Bellver reached the training grounds, he reluctantly let go of the hand he’d been holding.
Ever since the mid-term evaluation period began, Bellatrix hasn’t shown him her training process.
For Bellver, who enjoyed watching Bellatrix’s hardworking figure, this was disappointing.
Plus, it got lonely just taking solitary strolls all the time.
With those feelings welling up inside him, he pouted his lips and acted extra sulky.
But Bellatrix also knew their time together was precious. After winning their last sparring match, she realized she could become even stronger—and that she needed to.
Despite putting in what felt like half her magical effort, all she managed was to defeat an extra. If she had originally aspired to knighthood, she might have prepared more leisurely, but coming from a pure magic background, she had no margin for slacking.
“Yeah. I want to focus for a while.”
“But… didn’t you say you hated getting sweaty…?”
“Turns out it’s kinda fun. The more I do it, the more I can see myself improving. And who said such cute things anyway?”
Bellver quickly dodged Bellatrix’s hand reaching for his lips.
Normally he’d let her tease him, but not now—he was in full sulk mode.
With a sharp movement, he avoided her grasp and gave her a glare worthy of an annoyed cat, trying his best to look irritated.
To Bellatrix, though, he just looked adorable.
“I’m heading off now. See you later.”
“Okay! Don’t get hurt!”
“Of course not.”
Bellver’s sulk didn’t last long.
As Bellatrix left for training, he couldn’t maintain the grumpy face he’d been practicing.
His pout melted away, transforming into a bright smile like a flower blooming under spring sunshine.
Though he often acted moody lately, he always ended their meetings on a cheerful note.
“What should I do now?”
After seeing Bellatrix off, Bellver found himself at a loss for what to do next.
Like a baby kangaroo separated from its mother, he wandered aimlessly with a dejected expression.
His face practically said, “Hiiing… What should I dooo?”
Bellver decided to pass the time with a stroll through the gardens.
Yesterday he visited Winter Garden (Park 1), so today he planned to explore Spring Garden (Park 4), the closest option aside from Winter Garden.
As he slowly strolled, enjoying the scenery, he encountered bustling students rushing about with textbooks and gear.Some walked alone, others in cheerful groups, leaving Bellver feeling slightly isolated as he wandered solo.Since Bellatrix personally tutored him, he didn’t need to attend lectures—most subjects were either common knowledge or covered by his character’s lore anyway.
“Should I sit in on a lecture? Would she even allow it anymore?”
While walking through Spring Garden and breathing in the fragrant spring air, Bellver started craving some kind of lecture.
Being without Bellatrix felt unexpectedly dull.Any sort of entertainment would be welcome right now.
Perhaps he could delve into magic research?After all, this was a world where he could actually use the spells he’d only imagined before.He still needed to develop that spell to restore his original form…
“Guess I really don’t handle loneliness well…”
That’s when Bellver remembered something important.He was someone who struggled deeply with solitude.Even if he didn’t need constant companionship, being without someone close made him feel like wilting away.Having Bellatrix around all the time had simply made him forget this fact.
Sighing heavily, Bellver leaned against a bench, his energy visibly draining like a sunflower losing sight of the sun.The boredom was so overwhelming it felt like he might disappear entirely.At this point, he could probably endure three rounds of Bellatrix’s teasing without complaint.Little did he know, a red-clad assassin was sneaking up on him to solve his problem.
“Boo?”
“Eeek?!”
Bellver jumped in surprise at the sudden female voice behind him, his heart racing and emitting a chick-like squeak.This situation felt strangely familiar…
By the time he calmed down, Roho the red assassin had already taken a seat beside him.Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, observing him like some fascinating creature.Seeing Bellver alone presented what she considered a golden opportunity.
“What is it?”“You’re still as cute when startled. How’ve you been?”“How did you get here?”
Looking at Roho, Bellver suddenly recalled their previous encounter.She’d surprised him from behind during teatime too.Being caught off guard by the same person in the same way twice made him feel somewhat foolish.
Worst of all, he was embarrassed by the adorable chick-like sound he’d made.This prevented him from meeting her gaze directly.
Where had she come from anyway?
Watching Bellver’s wandering eyes, Roho chuckled softly.Just four months ago, encountering such a Bellatrix would have been impossible.Now having her right here was both novel and endearing.
So tiny, so bashful, every gesture so refined—it was impossible not to adore everything about her.
“I just happened to see you and thought I’d say hi. I’ve been busy preparing for exams, how about Bellatrix?”“She’s doing fine.”“That’s it? Nothing else? Maybe she’s pregnant? Or planning a wedding venue? Any good news?”“What?! No way!”
Bellver exclaimed in shock, his face clearly showing his surprise.How on earth could they possibly have a child already?They weren’t even dating!
He glared at Roho with disdain, wondering what nonsense she was spouting now.
Roho welcomed this familiar look of contempt.After all, most people only ever gave her looks of hatred and disgust.
This situation was different from before though.Previously, their dislike had been baseless, whereas now Roho had given them proper reasons.Still, she had no regrets—the reactions were simply too entertaining.
“Why are you alone? Did you and Bellber have a fight?”“No. Bell…Ber is focusing on practical exam preparation.”
Speaking about himself in third person felt strange to Bellver.Being new to this, his usual blank expression shifted to awkwardness, causing him to trail off slightly.However, Roho didn’t comment.Instead, she assumed his shyness stemmed from affection.
To her, Bellatrix appeared to be a girl who had completely transformed herself after falling head over heels for an ordinary man.
Hearing this explanation, Roho understood why Bellver was alone.Given Bellatrix’s circumstances, it made perfect sense to anyone except the two directly involved.
“Ah, you’re in the Knights’ Department, right? And you added Magic Studies as a minor?”“Yeah.”“That makes sense. Considering your partner is Bellatrix.”“What does that mean?”
Bellver hadn’t anticipated this.He knew she’d pass easily thanks to the protagonist’s body.Unconsciously tilting his head and resting his cheek on his hand, he pondered the reason.His understanding of this world’s norms was still lacking.
To someone well-versed in this world’s standards like Roho, it seemed Bellatrix was trying to keep up with her superior partner.Spending time together distracted her, so she was maintaining distance to focus.Thus, the genius found herself lonely.
However, Roho didn’t bother explaining.Such things were meant to be figured out independently, as per romance novel conventions.
“Bellatrix is so cute. Can I bite her cheek?”“Go away.”“Oh my, so cold! Just like Bellatrix indeed.”
Bellver now understood why Bellatrix disliked Roho.It wasn’t just her superiority—it was her insistence on maintaining an equal friendship despite being clearly better.Bellatrix, being quite arrogant, likely preferred either total dominance or submission rather than this parity.
She was simply incompatible with Bellatrix.
“I’ve always been myself.”
Ironically, this consistency scored points with Bellver.Being prone to loneliness, he appreciated her steady presence.Though he detected a mischievous streak similar to Bellatrix’s, Roho hadn’t crossed any lines yet.
‘Or has she…’
Upon reflection, that earlier question about pregnancy definitely counted as teasing.Too late for a lecture now though, and since it wasn’t Bellatrix, he decided to let it slide.Minimum acting required.Even that awkward exclamation earlier was part of the performance.
“Well, I should go now. Sorry I couldn’t stay longer—I have class.”“Okay, see you.”“Gasp! Did you just bid me farewell? So touching!”“Get lost!”“Alright~ See you tomorrow here. Definitely come!”
Roho departed, scheduling another meeting without consent.Leaving Bellver drained from their brief encounter.He collapsed onto the bench, exhausted.
Unlike Bellatrix’s direct approach, Roho subtly lured him into her traps.Balancing resistance with acting drained him completely.
“Maybe I’ll come back tomorrow.”
A small, gentle smile bloomed on Bellver’s face like a spring flower.
