Guiding the Male Lead out of His Trauma - Chapter 8.3
Despite Hyacine’s curt words, his expression instantly darkened. It was because he understood why I’d said what I did.
Naturally, once cadets graduate, they’re sent to the battlefield as soldiers.
For me, living as a Guide was my only means of survival.
But I didn’t want my younger brother to get caught up in such dangerous, life-or-death matters as well.
‘I was hoping you’d lose interest in the military academy for that very reason…’
That’s why I cut off all letters and contact.
Awkwardly running a hand through my hair, I made an excuse.
“It’s just that I can’t ignore your situation forever, so I came. Now that things have turned out this way, I thought it’d be better for us to be together.”
Since you already showed anomalous reactions, and remembering that every Transcendent in the original also awakened after those reactions appeared…
Hyacine would surely awaken as a Transcendent before long.
Even as I spoke, I felt a bit bitter.
“If you awaken within the registration period this year, you’ll be a cadet too. Even though there are only three months left.”
If he doesn’t get officially recognized as an Awakened within three months, he’ll have to be left behind in the capital, all alone, again.
Hyacine’s face clouded over.
Still, he seemed less angry than before.
I spoke to the somewhat calmer Hyacine in a serious tone.
“Hyacine, it doesn’t matter to me if I’m treated as an outcast here, but you should be careful, too.”
“About what?”
“You probably figured out what kind of person the Duke is. He cares a lot about rank and achievements. People like that tend to chase after visible results, and in doing so, they often destroy those around them.”
That’s why I kept emphasizing the importance of keeping one’s distance.
If Hyacine were to live as an ordinary person, it’d be different, but now that he’s shown signs of anomalous reaction, if he stands out in this sponsor family, he’ll constantly be under royal scrutiny.
In that case, it’s better for him to go to school with me, where I can help him.
For that, we’d need to use this family’s power to awaken him quickly.
“Accept the sponsor family’s help in awakening as a beneficiary, but don’t go digging for unnecessary secrets or backstories. It’s all just part of state policy anyway. And don’t think you owe Brondearn anything.”
Did Prince Isadore really connect us with Brondearn purely out of goodwill?
‘No way.’
You have to assume there’s always an agenda.
It was advice, a warning, and a caution all at once.
“I don’t want you to end up dead because of the Duke’s greed like a certain someone did.”
As if that person never existed, Cassiel’s twin was never mentioned.
An authoritarian lord.
A silent duchess.
Cassiel, who sharply guarded against outsiders,
And Acteon, who watched us impassively, betraying no emotion.
Especially in Acteon’s case…
I was about to subtly pass on what I knew to Hyacine, when—
“So you’re the type who casually talks about other people’s family matters for the sake of your own peculiar sibling bond, I see.”
A cold voice interrupted.
From the corridor behind us, I heard the same voice from earlier in the day.
‘Ah, seriously.’
Why did he come out so soon?
Sharp, disciplined footsteps reminiscent of a well-trained soldier steadily approached.
“‘Like a certain someone’, you say. Seems you know this place quite well.”
He’d been watching us ever since we arrived.
It was probably because I hadn’t even bothered to hide my discomfort.
But what mattered more now was that he’d overheard what I’d said.
There’s no way Acteon wouldn’t know whom I’d been talking about.
I gently nudged Hyacine’s back so he wouldn’t get dragged into it.
“Hyacine, go on ahead.”
“What?”
“I’ll just talk for a bit. Don’t worry.”
Hyacine hesitated, but reluctantly nodded at my determined gaze.
He lingered, but eventually disappeared up the stairs.
Now, with just the two of us…
“My family could end up the same way. Can’t you at least try to be careful?”
I turned and faced Acteon.
At the same time, an almost suffocating pressure emanated from him.
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