Guiding the Male Lead out of His Trauma

Even though I had undone it of my own will, my wrist felt strange without the bracelet.

Before the semester started, before I recalled the original story…

‘I never even expected it would be possible to remove it without cutting off my wrist.’

It felt strange and unreal to have nothing on a wrist that still bore the scar. And it felt… hollow.

‘I can’t walk around like this.’

Now that I’d successfully removed it, I would need to deceive the professors and other students for a while.

As I re-fastened the bracelet to my now-empty wrist, a sense of regret settled in.

Though the control stone had already been damaged by a strong surge of mana, to the naked eye, it looked no different from any other standard issue.

With this, no matter what happens after my deployment… I should be able to protect myself at the very least.

‘And even if something happens to Acteon, I should be able to stabilize him.’

War never plays out according to theory. It’s always full of variables.

But now, at least my greatest ability is fully within my control.

Only after fiddling with the bracelet over and over, unable to believe it was real, was I finally able to fall asleep.

And then, as if it had been waiting for my liberation…

The conscription order came the next day.

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* * *

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The dean summoned Acteon and me to deliver a command that had come directly from the Crown Prince.

Because the order was given individually and classified as confidential, it hadn’t reached Hyacine’s ears.

“As long as Hyacine doesn’t find out, it’ll be fine.”

I didn’t want to leave without saying anything to the only family I had.

But what could I do? If he found out, he’d go ballistic and try to tear me apart.

‘Knowing him, he’d definitely volunteer to go in my place. But he’s only had his first awakening. Where does he think he’s going?’

Still, having to lie to him for several days wasn’t exactly a pleasant thought.

‘The real problem comes after I return…’

Will he even want to see me again?

Would he cut ties with me, claiming I stabbed him in the back and left?

Groaning softly, I slumped down on a bench, and Acteon’s hand cast a shadow over me.

“The sun’s a little strong today.”

“It doesn’t feel that bad, though…”

“Is it Hyacine that’s troubling you?”

“If you can call it that, then yeah…”

As I murmured blankly, repeating myself, Acteon sat beside me.

Having already met with the dean and attended class, he looked like he had no other plans for the day.

Good. It’s better to rest when you can.

‘My time as a cadet is basically over anyway. I might as well slack off for the rest of the term.’

With my rank being what it was, I doubted anyone would impose sanctions.

As long as I didn’t skip the essential classes, I could make this remaining time much more bearable… at least by avoiding professors who spent every lecture glorifying the Awakened Management Law.

Lost in meaningless thoughts, I continued to avoid the greatest dilemma of my life:

Should I tell Hyacine or not? Either way, there was no clear answer.

After skimming through the official order and attached documents from the dean, Acteon quietly spoke.

“You’ve probably already told my brother.”

“Yeah, I did.”

“Then wouldn’t it be best to tell Hyacine too? You seem like you’re afraid of the consequences.”

“Hmm.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say yes, but he wasn’t wrong.

Sure, the idea of breaking the news to Hyacine was scary. But imagining his reaction after I left without saying a word? That was just as terrifying.

He’d once told me he didn’t care how much trouble I got into if it was for my own sake. But if this is the consequence of that…

He’d definitely take back those words and raise hell over it.

‘…What if he ends up hating me?’

It had been similar when I enrolled, leaving him behind at Count Lorraine’s estate.

When I managed to find a short break during the semester to visit, he completely ignored me with a cold shoulder.

‘He must’ve resented me even more because of everything that happened at the count’s house.’

I should’ve dealt with the count back then.

‘…Now’s not the time to be thinking about that.’

My distracted mind kept bouncing from thought to thought. Eventually, I came to a conclusion.

“Even if it’s difficult, wouldn’t it be better to tell him?”

“No. I’ll tell him after I get back.”

“You’re just going to spend all your time in Lomdina worrying about this, though.”

“I’d rather he be mad that I left without telling him. If he finds out ahead of time, Hyacine will definitely go to the dean himself. Probably even try to take my place.”

“That doesn’t sound like a good plan.”

“It’s an order meant for us. He won’t be able to take our place, but I just don’t want the Crown Prince or the higher-ups focusing their attention on him.”

I pushed back with the mindset of a protective guardian, but Acteon wasn’t convinced.

Pausing his reading of the documents, he looked up and asked calmly,

“Won’t it backfire instead?”

“Backfire how?”

“He could… run away before graduation.”

Ah…