Little Tyrant Doesn't Want to Meet with a Bad End

Chapter 247: Not Exactly the Same Thing

On one of the canteen tables sat two particularly good-looking individuals. One of them was a dashing black-haired young man with a hint of confusion in his golden eyes, and opposite to him was a tall crimson-haired beauty with a mysterious gleam in her light-blue eyes.

The two of them looked to be at least ten years apart from one another, basically an ‘older sister x younger brother’ couple. With their good looks, they would surely have spurred many fan fantasies had they appeared in any drama series in Roel’s previous life. This rare pairing swiftly piqued the curiosity of many of the students as they shot discreet glances in their direction.

Roel held onto the amber pendant tightly as he contemplatively assessed the crimson-haired woman who had abruptly taken a seat before him.

What’s going on? I barely took out my pendant a moment ago, and someone has already come knocking? Could this woman be ‘Academic’?

No no, that doesn’t seem possible.

Roel assessed the beautiful woman before him intently before slowly shaking his head. It wasn’t about how old she looked since a transcendent’s appearance rarely tallied with his real age. Her being a woman wasn’t a problem either since ‘Academic’s’ gender was unknown. Rather, it was her attitude that gave Roel such an impression.

According to Isabella, ‘Academic’ was a very wary individual who had never revealed his identity to anyone despite having joined the Assembly for many years. It was uncharacteristic of a wary individual to suddenly come rushing over upon seeing a familiar token that had disappeared for centuries. On the contrary, it would make far more sense for ‘Academic’ to keep his distance for the time being so as to assess the situation.

Could she be another member of the Assembly, or perhaps, a descendant even?

Roel’s eyes lit up as he replied to her greeting with a smile.

“Yes, I am indeed Roel Ascart. May I know who you are?”

“I am Chris Wilde, a teacher here.”

“I see. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Chris. May I know if there’s anything I may help you with?”

“It’s nothing much. I simply realized that you’re related to someone whom I used to be close with, so I came over to have a chat with you.”

As the crimson-haired beauty said those words, she stabbed her fork into a piece of meat on her plate. Meanwhile, Roel felt a jolt in his heart.

I’m related to someone whom she was close to? Is she referring to ‘Academic’?

Wait a moment. If she approached me for a conversation after seeing the amber pendant, does it mean that she’s acquainted with Ancient Treant Kayde? Now that I think about it, Kayde mentioned that a woman had visited it at Karon Forest a month before I did.

Could that woman possibly be this teacher? Did I really meet with a descendant of a member from the Assembly?

Roel felt a rush of excitement upon hearing those words.

...

Chris Wilde was born in a scholar house in Brolne, and she was currently 36 years old. It had been eighteen years since she had graduated from the Saint Freya Academy, but she chose to work at her alma mater as a teacher. Her powerful transcendent abilities, extensive network of connections, and outstanding teaching results allowed her to achieve great success, becoming one of the few sage teachers in the academy despite only being in her thirties.

With her outstanding credentials, decent family background, and remarkable beauty, it should be no surprise that she had no lack of men courting her, but she still remained unmarried to date. There were rumors abound that she had remained single because she couldn’t let go of her feelings for a senior she met during her student years.

Alas, that senior was no other than Roel’s father, Carter Ascart! He was the person who had changed her life forever.

No one could have possibly imagined that the youngest sage teacher in history actually used to be a rebellious delinquent. Her desire to rebel against her strict family made her feel deeply averse toward the academy, but it all changed due to Carter.

In the Saint Freya Academy, it was normal for students under the same teacher to help one another. Outstanding senior students would become mentors to junior students whose academic results weren’t ideal, and it just so happened that Chris’ mentor was Carter.

What was different about Carter was that he didn’t just mentor Chris because he was told to do so. Rather, he took this mentorship extremely seriously, doing everything he could to persuade Chris to work hard in her studies and become someone respected in the world.

There was inevitably quite a bit of conflict during the process, and Chris’ feelings toward Carter gradually changed over time. Animosity grew into fondness, and before she knew it, she had already fallen deep into the river of love.

Chris was a highly talented individual in the first place, and her desire to win the approval of her beloved senior ignited the drive in her, causing her to work harder than ever. Her efforts translated into outstanding results, and she rocketed all the way to the top of her cohort.

It was just that her feelings would never be reciprocated.

Carter fell in love with Roel’s mother, and in order to avoid complications, he broke off relations with Chris, saying a ton of heartless words. Carter and Roel’s mother returned to the Theocracy after their graduation and got married to one another, and they had never returned to Leinster ever since then.

Chris had struggled greatly after Carter’s departure. She found herself unable to forget her feelings toward Carter no matter what she tried. The heartless words Carter had spoken to her when they broke things off kept replaying in her mind, and her love gradually warped into animosity. In order to mend the pain she felt from her lost love, she directed her focus into developing her transcendent abilities and nurturing students, which made her one of the youngest sage teachers.

Ever since then, she had been waiting for Roel to enroll into the academy.

...

“Do you know who I’m referring to?” asked Chris with a smile on her lips, intending to keep the suspense so as to prepare a ‘surprise’ for him.

Unexpectedly, Roel carefully scanned his surroundings before nodding in response.

Huh? He knows?

Chris stared at the composed Roel blankly, not comprehending how the latter could have known about her relationship with his father. She pondered for a moment before asking hesitantly.

“Did he... talk about me?”

“Of course!”

Roel thought about what Kayde had spoken about back at the Karon Forest and nodded his head affirmatively. Little did he know just how great of an impact his words had dealt to Chris’ heart.

He mentioned me to his son? W-why? Does this mean that senior also...

N-no, I have to calm down! It has already been so many years, so what’s the use even if he occasionally raises my name? Besides, Roel is his child, so it’s only normal for him to familiarize him with some of the staff members in advance. That’s right, I mustn’t be fooled by that bastard!

Chris gritted her teeth in determination as she persisted in her hatred for that heartless senior who abandoned her back then. She forcefully pushed down the overflowing feelings in her heart to look at Roel once more and asked.

“What did he talk about?”

“Hmm? How should I put this...”

Kayde didn’t even see your face, so what could he possibly talk about? That’s such a weird question!, Roel retorted in his mind. However, he soon thought of something.

Wait a moment, it seems like Kayde really did say something.

“Ah, he said that you left too hurriedly back then...”

Krk!

The fork in Chris’ hand suddenly pierced through the porcelain plate, leaving Roel deeply disturbed. However, she wasn’t in the mood to pay any heed to Roel at the moment. Her body trembled ever so slightly as her eyes began to turn moist. All of the grievances that had welled up in her heart began flurrying once more.

You’re saying that I left too hurriedly? You’re the one who left me back then! Do you know how I lived the last twenty years?! If you hadn’t said such overboard words back then, how could I possibly...

Chris felt overwhelming bitterness in her heart.

In truth, when she learned that Roel’s mother had passed away more than a decade ago, she considered rekindling her relationship with her senior, but her pride simply wouldn’t allow her to take the initiative here. Before she knew it, things had already gotten dragged out till now.

Now that she thought about it, Carter hadn’t remarried despite having lost his wife more than a decade ago, which was abnormally long for a nobleman with natural biological needs. If he was just holding himself back for his child, there was no need for him to do so anymore since Roel had already matured into an adult and was currently in a stable position.

In other words, this is a good opportunity to strike! Given how sharp-witted senior is, he must have figured that Roel would relay these words into my ears... Is this his attempt at reconciliation?

Before Chris knew it, her heart was already thumping in excitement. The gaze she directed toward Roel also became much warmer and gentler.

“I heard that... he has recently traveled around a lot?”

Chris secretly fiddled with her sleeves out of nervousness as she tried her best to maintain a solemn face.

On the other hand, Roel was shocked to hear that his secret migration plan had been discovered. On second thought, he remembered that Chris did manage to find Kayde on her own in the huge forest, so she might have some sort of incredibly powerful tracking magic tool. If so, it wouldn’t be too surprising for her to know about the migration.

“Indeed. I didn’t expect you to know so much.”

“N-no, I mean, I wasn’t paying that much attention to him...”

Chris hurriedly denied Roel’s claims, but after a moment of contemplation, she bucked up her courage and said.

“Is he still at the Ascart Fiefdom at the moment? C-can I contact him?” asked Chris nervously.

Her body had turned stiff as she looked at Roel with eyes filled with apprehension. She was worried that he would be opposed to her rekindling her bond with Carter.

From her point of view, it looked like Carter had already talked it out with Roel beforehand, but that didn’t necessarily mean that Roel approved of their relationship. If Roel really wanted to sabotage things between them, there were many things he could do as the successor of the Ascart House, be it intercepting her letters or openly expressing his disapproval of her.

If so, she would have already lost half of the battle even before doing anything.

To her surprise, however, Roel revealed a smile after hearing her words.

“Of course. I have no intention of interfering in his private life, and I’ve already given my promise on that. If you wish to contact him, you can feel free to deliver your letter to the Ascart Fiefdom. My little sister, Alicia, will relay your letter to him.”

“I-I understand. Thank you, Roel.”

Chris was so moved by how friendly and understanding Roel was that she felt like she was about to tear up. She knew that the greatest obstacle to getting together with Carter would be obtaining Roel’s acceptance since she was attempting to take his mother’s place, so it would be understandable if he objected to it... Yet, she was actually given a free pass here!

What a kind child he is!

Having received Roel’s permission, Chris could hardly hold back her excitement anymore. She wanted to rush out right away to write a letter and have it sent over, but looking at the young man before her, she decided to remain seated for the time being and offer some words of advice.

“Roel, there have been some weird pulsations coming from the dungeon recently. You must make sure to be careful tonight.”