Anything But Study - Chapter 15

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‘The camp… I really came.’

Melia looked around with a fascinated expression.

Dozens of tents were set up across the wide field. Considering there were just over 150 students to accommodate, that number made sense.

Melia still couldn’t believe she was actually here.

Even if she hadn’t withdrawn from the academy, she had thought she wouldn’t be able to come because she needed to care for her brother.

But for now, there was no need to worry about Ervan’s treatment, and the uncle who always tormented her wouldn’t be looking for her for a while.

Even if he still suspected something improper between her and Ervan.

He probably thought he could collect his debt in another way for the time being.

That alone was a relief.

She had bought herself time.

It meant that, at least for today, she could focus only on what she loved.

A happy smile lingered on Melia’s lips.

“Melia! Is something good happening?”

Rosha called to her brightly.

“Hm? Oh, nothing. I’m just glad to be here at the camp.”

“What? You’re probably the only one in the entire academy who’d say they’re glad to be here.”

Rosha shook her head, saying, As expected, the top student wasn’t like anyone else.

Her teasing tone made Melia let out a small laugh.

Then suddenly, the surroundings grew noisy.

“Whoa, it’s Hailon Alfred.”

Huh?

Melia’s head turned reflexively. Like everyone else, her gaze followed the direction of the commotion, toward Hailon.

She could hear the nearby students whispering about him.

“I thought he wouldn’t come.”

“What are you talking about? If he didn’t, he’d basically fail archaeology.”

Even though they were fellow nobles, the way they looked at him was almost reverent, as if they were looking at a member of the imperial family.

And technically, they weren’t wrong. Imperial blood did flow in his veins.

“Actually, Alfred doesn’t even need an academy diploma, right?”

“True. He’s an Alfred, after all.”

Hearing her classmates’ conversation, Melia suddenly realized something.

It felt like people called him “Alfred” more often than they called him by his first name, Hailon.

Everyone saw not the man himself, but the status and background behind him.

And honestly, Melia had been the same until recently.

But lately, she had started realizing that the person named Hailon was not at all what she had imagined.

Yet hearing them say things like, “It’s fine even if he fails, he’s an Alfred,” made her chest tighten.

‘You don’t even know anything.’

If that were true, he wouldn’t be able to graduate.

Hearing that made her feel upset for no reason.

Because she knew Hailon wanted to attend the academy more than anyone else.

He studied with her every day, burning with passion for learning.

Soon after, the professor arrived.

“Alright, everyone’s gathered, right?”

After checking the attendance, the professor frowned.

“What? Two people are missing.”

The absentees were Robin Easton and Valex Perdon.

Hearing their names, the professor clicked his tongue in disbelief.

They weren’t high-ranking students to begin with, so no one could understand why they would skip something like this.

Except for one person here.

Still, none of the students would ever come to know the reason.

Since two absences weren’t that important, the professor quickly moved on to explaining the camp details.

Melia listened carefully.

Just participating in the camp didn’t guarantee good grades.

During the camp, students would be given practical assignments, and their performance would be graded accordingly.

Melia wondered what kind of assignment they’d be given.

“For three days, you’ll research a single topic and write a report. The topic this time is relics.”

Relics? Melia’s face lit up. It was the area of archaeology she was most interested in.

The professor went on to explain that during the camp, there’d be no other subjects or activities, so students could focus entirely on archaeology.

“But if you research alone for three days straight, there’ll probably be parts you can’t solve.”

The professor looked around at the students.

“So, each of you will be paired with a partner for the three-day research project.”

Partner?

The surroundings instantly buzzed with chatter.

But the reactions weren’t bad. Most students actually looked relieved; doing all the work alone would’ve been daunting.

“Hey, we can pair up together!”

Rosha clapped her hands excitedly at Melia.

“Yeah, let’s.”

Melia agreed. If it was with Rosha, the three days of research would definitely be more enjoyable.

But then,

“Of course, you can’t choose your own partner.”

The professor’s unexpected words shattered everyone’s expectations.

“Wouldn’t that be boring?”

Smiling mischievously, the professor said it wouldn’t be much fun otherwise. It was still a camp, after all, so there had to be an element of excitement.

Ignoring the students’ displeased faces, the professor pointed to a large box placed behind him.

“You’ll each draw a ball, and the person with the same number will be your partner. Come up one by one.”

Everyone drew their numbers, hoping to be paired with someone friendly or at least helpful.

‘I hope I get Rosha.’

The number Melia drew was 59.

Rosha came up to her and asked curiously, “Melia, what number did you get?”

“Mine’s 59.”

“Got it! I’ll make sure to draw 59, then.”

Rosha marched up energetically, but when it was her turn, she ended up pulling number 33 instead.

“Meliaaa, I failed.”

Her disappointed face was so cute that Melia couldn’t help but laugh.

“To make it worse, number 33 is Katrin. I’m doomed.”

“Oh, really?”

Melia offered her sympathy to Rosha, who’d been paired with Katrin, known as the academy’s princess, and then waited to see who her own partner would be.

And then,

“Melia.”

A deep, pleasant voice called her name softly.

Her head turned, and of course, it was the person she expected.

Hailon Alfred.

“What number?”

Gulp.

Just hearing that short question made her throat tighten.

It was the same question Rosha had asked earlier, yet somehow it made her nervous.

“M-mine’s… 59.”

“59. Got it.”

She had no idea what he meant by that.

With unhurried steps, Hailon walked toward the box and drew his number.

After a few more students had their turns,

“Next, Hailon Alfred.”

The moment his name was called, the entire area fell silent.

Everyone’s attention turned to him. It was strange; he hadn’t even done anything.

All eyes were fixed on the ball in his hand.

No one said it aloud, but secretly, everyone wished to be paired with him.

He was Hailon Alfred, after all.

Countless students at the academy were desperate to have any kind of connection with him.

Clink—

The sound of a ball rolling into his hand echoed.

Slowly, Hailon lifted it, lowered his gaze, and checked the number written on it. Then, he smiled faintly.

‘What number is it?’

Melia couldn’t read the meaning behind that smile. The number he drew wasn’t visible from where she stood.

And before anyone could ask, Hailon casually slipped the ball into his pocket.

Everyone was curious about what number was written on it, but no one dared to speak first.

‘Huh? Why is he coming this way?’

Strangely, Hailon began walking straight toward Melia.

As if she were his destination.

He stopped right in front of her.

“Melia. I look forward to working with you.”

“H-huh?”

Melia’s pupils trembled. There was only one reason he’d say that.

“Don’t tell me… you got 59?”

“Yeah. That’s right.”

With a calm, confident look, he nodded.

Really?

Melia glanced down at the ball in her hand.

59.

It was the exact same number he had drawn.

That meant her partner was… Hailon.

Her face filled with shock.

First tutoring, and now partners too.

How could they end up linked like this again? It was unbelievable.

“Um, well, I….”

Just then, a short male student hesitated and spoke up.

‘Oh, that kid.’

Melia recognized his face.

He was the gray-haired student who had been coming to the library every day lately to borrow books.

Even though he always looked shy whenever he came to borrow them, he still came daily, so Melia had grown a bit kinder toward him without realizing it.

The boy hesitated, as if trying to say something to Melia and Hailon.

Then,

“Melia, could you go get the assignment guidelines from the professor?”

Hailon spoke to her as if he hadn’t noticed the boy at all. Since his back was turned halfway, maybe he really didn’t.