The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 71

After finishing their meal, the two sat on the sofa and conversed. Luwen talked about things he couldn’t include in his letters, and Fei listened attentively throughout.

While earnestly answering the barrage of questions, Luwen turned the tables and asked a question of his own.

“Ah, speaking of winter, I just remembered. When I didn’t receive a letter in winter, were you really too sick to send one?”

“No, I definitely sent a letter. I have no idea where it went. But why don’t you believe me?”

“Because you often get sick in winter.”

“I still wrote the letter, though.”

Luwen’s eyebrows twitched. He had only half-believed the repeated assurances of good health, and it turned out he was right. Instead, he was more concerned that Fei had written replies even when sick. He felt that Fei had pushed himself too hard for his sake.

“…You always said you were healthy.”

“Well, I didn’t want you to worry. You hid things too. The monster thing.”

“…Because I didn’t want you to worry.”

“See? We’re the same.”

Fei burst out laughing. It was a clear laugh without a trace of worry. At that sight, Luwen also laughed warmly, feeling as if he had returned to his childhood for a moment.

* * *

If the two years since entering the academy had passed as quickly as now, wouldn’t he have graduated already? It was hard to believe a day had already gone by.

“Then, young master, I’ll come again next week.”

Even after bidding farewell with a regretful heart, his feet wouldn’t move. Every time he stopped and looked back, Fei was standing in front of the entrance, waving his hand.

“How many times are you going to look back? Hurry up and go.”

The voice tinged with laughter sounded pleasant. Luwen’s heart wavered at the peaceful scene he wanted to keep looking at forever. It was the same sight he had seen every time he trained at Fei’s training ground in his younger days.

‘I don’t want to go.’

He had endured steadfastly for two years. It was inexplicable why the mere week he had to be apart now felt so long.

‘I wonder if the young master doesn’t feel the same regret.’

Although he could stay until 10 PM, it was barely 8 PM when Fei subtly hinted, leaving Luwen no choice but to get up.

‘No, I should understand that the young master needs to rest too…’

In the past, Luwen would have felt disappointed when Fei urged him to leave after being by his side all day, but now he suppressed his emotions and trudged away slowly.

Just before passing through the main gate, he turned back one last time. Fei’s silver hair was glowing, tinged with the sunset light. It was so beautiful that Luwen was momentarily entranced. Feeling his ears getting hot for some reason, he rubbed them with his cold hands as he passed through the main gate.

Returning to the dormitory was quick. The original plan was to study tactics until bedtime, but feeling the urge to move his body, he grabbed his sword and headed to the outdoor training ground.

As if he had been in the middle of self-training, Drabis, a student from the Swordsmanship Department, spotted Luwen and came running over excitedly after sheathing his sword. He was the only person in the academy who treated Luwen casually. In fact, Luwen had half given up, as Drabis would stick to him no matter how much he ignored him.

“Luwen! Did you have a good outing?”

“Yeah.”

Luwen answered curtly and moved to find an empty spot.

“I struck out today. I was hoping to see the face of that beauty who entered the Medical Department, but they said she went out. Are you really not interested?”

“Not at all.”

No matter how beautiful they say someone is, no one could be prettier than Fei. These people are making such a fuss because they haven’t seen him. Feeling a strange sense of superiority, Luwen took his stance.

“I heard it’s a guy, but how pretty must he be for rumors to reach even our department? And apparently, it’s not just about being pretty.”

Even though Luwen had started swinging his sword, Drabis kept chattering away, hovering around him.

“They say the contrast between his black hair and white skin is super sexy! Stimulating, you could say. And since he’s a commoner, it seems a lot of people are targeting him, thinking he’d be easy to seduce.”

Annoyed by the continued uninteresting conversation, Luwen stopped abruptly.

“How long are you going to keep talking?”

“Come on, just listen a bit more.”

“It’s noisy.”

“Are you perhaps impotent? How can you not be interested in a beauty if you’re normal? Ha, no wonder you never even glanced at all those confessions you received!”

Swish-!

The training sword thrust forward quickly, touching Drabis’s tanned cheek. The fact that it didn’t draw blood was proof of how precisely it was controlled. However, seeing the sword flying towards his face with such a terrifying aura, Drabis froze and gulped.

When Luwen withdrew his sword, Drabis finally touched his cheek tremblingly and exclaimed in shock.

“Hey…! If this wasn’t the academy, you’d be dead. Don’t forget I’m a noble, okay? Ah, my heart’s pounding.”

“Then act with noble elegance.”

That noble talk again. All students are equal here. Things might be different outside the academy, but within these walls, there’s no distinction of status.

Nevertheless, there are those who, just because they’re nobles, find it irksome that a commoner ranks first, and who try to provoke him out of jealousy for receiving personal guidance from the Honorary Duke. All talk and no action.

Luwen ignored them, deeming them not worth his time, but with each such experience, he couldn’t help but realize anew how good an environment he had grown up in. How much affection Fei had shown in raising him, what a miracle that was.

‘…How long has it been since we parted? I miss him already.’

It was a natural emotion that arose when thinking of Fei. Perhaps it had become a habit from longing for so long.

The thought that he would get used to living alone proved to be a vain hope with each passing day, and the more he realized this, the more fiercely Luwen focused on training. If two years were this hard, he felt he couldn’t bear it if an eternal separation were to come.

In reality, if one thought calmly, there was no chance of anything dangerous happening to Fei. Irene, who had now become a Duke, would preciously protect her only sibling, and what danger could befall his daily routine of going between the Duke’s mansion and the clinic?

Yet Luwen was anxious. The anxiety he felt when he saw Fei collapse on that snowy day would pop up without warning. Especially the nightmare he had last time was the worst. The blood from the fallen Fei had dyed the pure white snow red.

‘Enough. Stop thinking about it.’

Luwen’s hand gripping the sword tightened. He needed to become stronger. Strong enough to protect him with these two hands no matter what happened.

‘I have no choice but to prove myself until you trust me.’

Only then could he keep Fei in a safe place and protect him.

For that, he couldn’t waste time. Just as he was about to shake off his distracting thoughts and focus on training, Fei’s image kept flickering in his mind.

He kept worrying about how the already thin person had become even thinner. The thought suddenly struck him that the claims of sleeping well and eating well might have been lies told out of consideration for him. Like the letters saying there was nothing wrong.

‘Is he really okay alone?’

Moreover, all the servants in the mansion were unfamiliar faces. They seemed to be newly hired there, which meant it would take time for them to understand Fei’s tastes and habits.

‘I’m worried because the young master won’t eat if it doesn’t suit his taste.’

Once the floodgates opened, his thoughts kept expanding. At this rate, he wouldn’t be able to concentrate on training. If only he could recommend a restaurant that suited Fei’s taste. Unfortunately, Luwen didn’t know any, as he had never left the academy for personal reasons.

‘…Come to think of it, didn’t this guy often go out?’

Luwen called out to Drabis, who was muttering with his lips pursed.

“Drabis.”

“What now?”

“Do you know any good restaurants that serve light dishes?”

“Restaurant? What’s this all about? Oh? Don’t tell me! It wasn’t just a simple outing? I knew it, you’ve been smiling suspiciously lately! You said you weren’t dating anyone! I’m hurt, I’m your only friend, how could you keep it a secret even from me?”

He started interrogating Luwen, spinning some kind of imaginary tale without even getting an answer. Seeing signs of it getting noisy again, Luwen sighed.

“Forget it if you don’t know.”

“No! What do you take me for! You know I’ve got this whole area around the academy mapped out. Just trust me. It’s for a date, right? You rascal. Wait, this big bro will draw up a list for you.”

Drabis puffed out his chest proudly. Normally, Luwen would have scoffed and ignored him, but he was in a position to ask for help now. He didn’t miss the opportunity.

“A place that’s better at salads or vegetable dishes than meat. It would be even better if they’re good with salmon. The ingredients must be top quality, and the restaurant needs to be clean and quiet.”

As he continued speaking, Drabis’s mouth fell open. His playful expression turned serious.

“This is the first time I’ve heard you talk this much… You’re serious, aren’t you? Alright. I’ll definitely find a restaurant that fits perfectly.”

“Thanks. In return, if you find a restaurant that meets the conditions, I’ll grant you a wish.”

“Even a duel?”

“Sure.”

“Wow, crazy. Alright. Just you wait!”

Drabis quickly moved away. It seemed he was going to ask the group he usually hangs out with.

‘I hope the young master likes it.’

And hopefully, he would enjoy the food.

It must all be unfamiliar, having not been here long. This time he went to the mansion because he hadn’t recovered from travel fatigue, but next time it might be nice to walk around town together.

‘I wish the weekend would come quickly…’