Anything But Study - Chapter 7

“How much is it?”

“No, that’s a little…”

It was far too large a sum to grab at right away. No matter how desperate she was, the answer didn’t come out immediately.

“Why?”

“Because it’s too much money…”

As Melia hesitated, Hailon pressed her for an answer.

“You’re not telling me to go look for someone else, are you?”

She caught the meaning hidden in those words.

The trouble of finding someone else himself—that was worth more in his eyes.

No matter how much Melia said it would be.

“Th-that’s…”

Yes. He was an Alfred. Someone who could well afford such a large sum.

If he truly would give it?

With that money, she wouldn’t have to quit the academy right away.

On top of that, she could treat Ervan.

Melia couldn’t throw away this chance. Pride had to be set aside in the face of money.

“Two million… Erin.”

“Two million Erin per month.”

“What?”

Melia’s eyes widened.

“As tutoring fees. Is that enough?”

She was dumbfounded. Would he really give it?

That kind of fortune, so easily?

Even two million every month.

It felt different from the two million Erin that came out of her own mouth.

Melia couldn’t refuse. She only hesitated over whether it was right to accept such a proposal. For ordinary tutoring, it was far too much money.

But Hailon cut off her hesitation as if to block it.

“Let’s set the period for three months. With the next exam as the goal. If my grades go up, one million Erin added for every thirty ranks. How about it?”

Instinctively, the calculator in her mind started to work.

Three months meant six million Erin.

And with bonuses added, if Hailon’s grades happened to rise by nearly 120 places…

‘I could even pay off my uncle’s debt.’

It was an enticing offer. No, it was shocking.

“Then it’s settled, right? Let’s start tomorrow.”

Melia looked into the eyes of Hailon Alfred, who concluded everything without even waiting for her answer.

Eyes that could make her breath catch in an instant.

She suddenly recalled that moment a few days ago when their eyes had met for the first time.

A man who lived in a world different from hers.

To face him daily and teach him… could she handle it?

But her hesitation didn’t last long.

No, it was just luxury.

Anything was better than being sold off as the new wife of some old count.

Melia’s lips moved.

“…Alright, I’ll do it.”

***

Two days earlier, walking down the corridor of the academy, Hailon recalled the voice of his father, the Duke of Alfred.

“If you’re going to show yourself at the bottom like this, then just quit.”

‘What a nuisance.’

Just remembering that moment made Hailon scowl as if annoyed.

‘I guess I’ll have to raise them a bit on the next exam.’

Just that much.

Just enough so he wouldn’t hear nagging about withdrawing.

He didn’t want more than that. He didn’t want to get good grades and please his father.

He had been putting in effort to keep his grades at rock bottom, if only to give his father a scratch.

Maybe he had been mocked a few times by other nobles at gatherings because of his grades.

That was exactly what Hailon had intended.

But to be told to withdraw from the academy.

That was impossible.

Hailon had to attend the academy.

For the Duke’s honor?

Because he needed a diploma?

No.

It was because of someone who attended this academy.

As he tried to picture her face, the chatter of male students drifted to his ears.

Lifting his gaze, he saw two male students standing in the path ahead.

“Did you hear about this camp? It’s archaeology.”

“Ugh, of all things. Our year really has no luck.”

The annual camp was an event most students hated to attend.

Because the theme subject of the camp heavily affected their grades, ironically, it always drew plenty of attention.

There was practically no option not to participate.

So sometimes, students would dig up information in advance and share it among themselves.

Hailon could have found out too if he had wanted. But why bother?

What difference would it make to know a day or two earlier?

That was the conclusion he came to.

The male students, unaware of Hailon walking toward them, continued their chatter.

“I heard they’re going to deal with relics or something?”

“How do you even know that?”

“Well, there’s always a way to find out.”

Even without seeing his face, the student was surely smirking.

Not even the slightest trace of contempt appeared on Hailon’s face. As though it wasn’t worth even reacting to such people.

In every society, there are always people like that.

Those who think knowing even a little more than others, even a few hours earlier, is power.

Those who boast of it and flaunt it, wanting to stand above others.

For Hailon not to understand them was perhaps only natural.

He was someone who had no need to assert superiority in such ways.

“Anyway, I heard among the relics at camp, there are some that can heat up the body.”

“What? Wouldn’t that be useful if you used it right? Ah, I want to sleep with Katrin. Should I pretend to make a mistake and touch a relic on purpose?”

The chuckling laughter about rolling around with Katrin even at the cost of grades was grating.

Disgusting.

With that short thought, Hailon passed them by about three more steps.

“Katrin? Then I should go and try laying someone down too.”

“Who?”

“Dunno. Ah, how about her. The top student.”

Stop.

Hailon’s footsteps froze for an instant.

His eyes turned cold. He stood still and listened to the boys’ conversation.

“The top student?”

“Yeah. Melia, right? Isn’t she fine?”

“Well, she is pretty.”

“And you can tell her tits are big. Man, I bet they’d feel amazing to grab. And someone like her, even if you touch her, there won’t be any trouble.”

Yeah, the other boy agreed, with a little laugh mixed into his voice.

“She wouldn’t even resist if you fucked her once, right? She’s poor.”

“Wouldn’t she just scream and go crazy from liking it since it’s her first time?”

They spewed filth. Saying she must still be a virgin no one had touched. Saying if they shoved their cock in, she’d tremble and cry.

‘Fuck. This is bullshit.’

Hailon realized he was already turning back and walking toward them.

He stopped.

The boys, faces flushed from their filthy talk, suddenly found Hailon standing before them. He opened his mouth in a low voice.

“I want to hear more about those relics.”

“Huh?”

“H-Hailon Alfred?”

Panic spread across their faces. Of course it did. This was the man who ruled the very top of the food chain at the academy.

Even though they were men, he stood a whole head taller, and both naturally had to look up at him.

“You were having fun talking. So, what were you saying? Let me join in.”

At the chill in his voice, the two boys swallowed nervously, their throats bobbing.

“Y-You’re interested too?”

“You were saying something about shoving your cock in.”

At the same time, the corner of Hailon’s mouth lifted.

The student mistook the meaning of that smile as interest. Greed gleamed in his eyes. If this was a chance to get close to Alfred, wouldn’t it be worth it? The calculation was obvious.

“You know Melia, right? That ass of hers is insane. I heard among the relics we’ll be observing at camp, there are ones with special effects. Maybe the three of us together…”

What filthy trash.

That name, from their dirty mouths.

Hailon couldn’t bear to hear more.

“What’s your name?”

The student, again mistaking the question as interest, gave a stupid grin and answered, “Robin! Robin Easton.”

“I-I’m Valex Perdon.”

The one who had said he’d fuck Katrin quickly added his name too, afraid of being left out.

“Ah, Easton.”

Hailon looked as if he recognized the family name. Robin Easton’s face brightened.

But the very next words froze his expression stiff.

“I heard the Count of Easton has bastards born from fucking all over the place.”

“W-What?”

Robin stammered, unable to answer properly, his face turning crimson as if it might explode.

Because even if his name was on the family tree of the Easton count house, he wasn’t the son of the legal wife either.