‘No way… But what if my sister did actually cheat?’
Mellin thought Len believed in her sister recklessly—almost to the point of being foolish.
As the entertaining scene faded, the surrounding students who had gathered out of curiosity dispersed as well.
Only then did Mellin realize how strange it was for Len to be there at that time and asked,
“Len, what are you doing here? Did you come to see me?”
Len nodded and asked in return,
“Yeah. Did you get a letter, by any chance?”
He didn’t specify who it was from, but Mellin immediately understood and shook her head.
“No, my sister hasn’t gotten any letter.”
She noticed a subtle expression of relief on Len’s face and asked slyly,
“You didn’t get one either… did you?”
He nodded silently.
Mellin glared at him, puffing out her cheeks.
“What, were you hoping I didn’t get one either just because you didn’t?”
“…No. If you had, I was going to ask what it said.”
Len replied, uncharacteristically hesitating for a beat.
Mellin laughed dryly, clearly seeing through the lie.
“You’re so bad at lying when it comes to my sister. And your face shows everything!”
Len’s brow twitched.
“You’re no different.”
“…You saw?”
“Yeah.”
He hadn’t missed it—her subtle look of relief when she found out that he didn’t get a letter from Clemence, either.
Embarrassed that Len had so easily seen through her, Mellin cleared her throat and changed the subject.
“Ahem! Well, I’m family, so it’s okay for me to care about my sister. But you—what exactly are you to her?”
Mellin’s question was only natural.
That’s why Len didn’t answer immediately, instead pressing his lips together.
‘What am I to Clemence?’
Objectively, Clemence Jacqueline and Len had no defined relationship.
With his lips pursed tightly, unable to say a word, Len stayed silent—and for once, Mellin felt victorious in a verbal exchange, puffing up proudly.
“Then I guess we can say you’re just, like… her super enthusiastic fan?”
But when she added that, Len’s expression hardened.
“You kinda seem like a stalker, actually.”
“A stalker?”
Mellin nodded innocently, with the same clueless look that drove people crazy.
“Yeah! What else would you call it?”
She was the only person who knew Len had been sending letters to Clemence under the alias Aquila.
‘Stalker…’
Len slowly repeated the word in shock.
It wasn’t exactly wrong—but something about it rubbed him the wrong way. Still, there was something more important to deal with than arguing over labels.
“…Then what if…”
For once, Len hesitated—his usual calm, expressionless self cracking.
“What if Clemence-senpai finds out… about this?”
“Hmm, probably…”
His green eyes stared straight through Mellin, as if this was a life-or-death moment.
“…She’d be surprised?”
“…And?”
He’d already expected a surprised reaction. Len stared, urging her to continue.
Mellin hesitated thoughtfully before slowly opening her mouth.
“She’d avoid you.”
Len fell silent, his expression dimming slightly. What she said made sense. Mellin was her younger sister, so asking about her sister’s personal life wasn’t weird.
But him? He had no real connection to Clemence. If she found out he’d been prying into her life, she might just think he was a crazy stalker.
“Cheer up, Len.”
Mellin felt sorry for him—how he could never hide his feelings when it came to her sister—so she patted his shoulder.
“Someday, you’ll get your chance too.”
“…You say that like there are lots of people waiting for a chance.”
“Hehe, you didn’t know? My sister’s super popular!”
Mellin beamed with pride.
Len’s face immediately froze.
He had guessed that Clemence might be popular—it would’ve been strange if she weren’t.
Still, hearing it out loud hit harder than expected.
And the fact that it bothered him so much… felt unfamiliar and confusing.
“Callisto-oppa graduated early last year and still keeps in touch with her! Who knows, maybe the rumors about the two of them are true…”
Mellin rambled excitedly, then immediately deflated with a pout.
“Ugh, my sister’s supposed to be mine…”
Watching her mixed emotions, Len murmured,
“…Didn’t seem like they were in that kind of relationship.”
“Pfft! What do we know about relationships?”
Mellin was only twelve, after all.
And honestly, Len wasn’t much more knowledgeable than she was—so he ended up falling for her words anyway.
“…”
Len fell silent, burning with the desire to graduate early.
‘Five more years is way too long.’
The full academy course was eight years.
Most students graduated at eighteen, but since Len had entered late, he’d graduate at twenty if he followed the regular pace.
“So if you do get a letter, you’ll show it to me, okay?”
“Only if you do too.”
Mellin and Len.
They weren’t quite friends, but more like collaborators—both tied together by Clemence.
“Well, I’ve gotta go register for the graduation exam.”
Len turned to leave without hesitation.
Watching him go, Mellin muttered,
“Even though he’s already failed two years in a row…”
In truth, Len had always ranked first in his year. But when it came to the graduation exam, he failed every time.
His scores had improved year by year, but they still fell short of the minimum requirement for graduation.
“Hmm… He’s probably going to fail again this year.”
A proud smile tugged at Mellin’s lips—as if her sister’s greatness had once again been proven.
A few days later.
Just as I expected, the news that my succession had been denied spread like wildfire.
People were saying it was because of cheating on the Esplan Academy graduation exam.
‘Yes, yes, let the rumors spread even more.’
I sipped fragrant tea as I imagined the gossipmongers running their mouths.
The heat in the cauldron where the rat was hiding was building nicely.
‘The water’s just the right temperature now. Time to visit the Academy.’
The timing was perfect.
And after thinking it over for a few days, I realized… this situation wasn’t all that bad.
People had always been suspicious about how I, a seemingly ordinary student, graduated early.
‘I’m about to launch a lot of businesses. No need to carry a scammer reputation as baggage.’
This was a golden opportunity to crush that narrative.
But then, I frowned at the overly cheerful person in front of me.
“Why are you tagging along, again?”
“I can’t miss a chance to see my Mell again after so long!”
Mion, now in human form, snorted arrogantly with a smug grin.
‘Whatever. Do what you want.’
Who gave him the right to call her “my Mell”? I gave up arguing a long time ago.
As I passed through the Academy gates, familiar sights greeted me. Huge buildings with ivory bricks and navy roofs. And in front, the central plaza with its giant golden clock tower.
‘It’s really been a while.’
Three years, maybe?
It was still as grand as ever—worthy of being the Empire’s largest educational institution.
As I headed toward the principal’s office, someone called out to me.
“It’s been a while, Clen!”
At the sound of the familiar voice calling my name, I shuddered.
A sudden chill…
I turned around and saw a middle-aged man with short, curly, salt-and-pepper hair.
He had such a warm, bear-like appearance that students often called him “Bear Professor.”
But I knew the truth.
Behind that gentle, fatherly appearance… so many research assistants had been worked to the bone.
“Dean Dellerno, have you been well?”
“I sent so many letters, and yet you never once visited the lab. Ho ho ho.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve just been incredibly busy.”
“I heard about everything. How hardworking and sincere you are! That someone would make such absurd accusations—unbelievable! I’ll help you however I can!”
Honestly, I expected him to scold me for ‘running away’ via early graduation.
‘He’s too nice. That’s suspicious.’
Something felt off.
And my instincts were right.
With a warm smile, Dean Dellerno said,
“Since you’re here, why don’t you stop by my lab for some tea?”
