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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 66
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Kalli Ishtar.
Adelia was well aware of the accolades Kalli had earned on the Eastern Front.
Though they had served on different battlefields, a hero who distinguished themselves would naturally shine wherever they were.
And so, seeing Kalli again like this left a strong impression on Adelia.
'She doesn't seem as ill-tempered as the rumors suggest.'
The rumors circulating about Instructor Kalli were so harsh that Adelia had truly believed her to be a strict and cold instructor towards cadets.
But her actual demeanor when interacting with Cadet Han Cheon-seong didn't appear all that cold.
However, that was only for a moment.
…
"Cadet Han Cheon-seong. Did my words perhaps make you uncomfortable?"
Even though Adelia had already finished speaking, Instructor Kalli seemed to be pressing Cadet Han Cheon-seong for an answer, and Adelia's heart grew cold.
'What on earth is she doing?'
Adelia had clearly made a promise to Cadet Han Cheon-seong.
She had promised that there would be no repercussions. He was a commendable cadet, willing to look out for a friend he hadn't seen in a long time, his appearance was striking, and above all, his upright demeanor that day had left her with a favorable impression.
She knew that up until now, every man had shown interest in her body, giving subtly blatant looks.
But for Cadet Han Cheon-seong, who was only twenty, to suppress and endure those instincts to such an extent seemed both admirable and endearing.
That's why Adelia had intended to look out for him even more…
"Ah, no. It didn't sound uncomfortable."
Anyone could see that Cadet Han Cheon-seong's posture was stiff as he replied to Instructor Kalli's words.
It seemed he usually spoke with Instructor Kalli like this…
'What on earth is "fine" about this?'
Cadet Han Cheon-seong was clearly not fine at all.
Beyond that, Adelia's attitude toward Instructor Kalli shifted dramatically.
It wasn't like she was playing a prank on Adelia; Adelia couldn't fathom what she was trying to pull.
Adelia knew how great Kalli's reputation was. She was, after all, one of the figures referred to as a 'Pillar of the Empire.'
Even so, strictly speaking, Adelia was Kalli's senior in terms of academy graduation year, and she had spent more time on the battlefield.
Kalli Ishtar. She wasn't the only one who had graduated early and served on the front lines; Adelia's own military achievements were formidable as well.
"Instructor Kalli."
Adelia called her name in an utterly frigid tone.
"Yes, Instructor Adelia."
Instructor Kalli's faint smile as she looked at Adelia, despite Adelia's cold tone, was truly preposterous.
"Do you truly believe it's right to coerce an answer from Cadet Han Cheon-seong in this situation?"
"…Instructor Adelia. What do you mean, I coerced him?"
She looked at Adelia as if feigning innocence, and Adelia couldn't help but let out a hollow laugh.
There was a saying about even cold water having its proper order, and Adelia truly hadn't expected Kalli to treat her like this.
No matter how much Adelia tried to treat both instructors and cadets kindly, she couldn't view Instructor Kalli in a positive light right now.
"Haa…"
Adelia let out a deep sigh and swept her hair back once.
"Instructor Kalli. I know your achievements on the Eastern Front are truly remarkable. But the way you're treating me right now, as a senior instructor, no, as a senior officer… what exactly is the point of this attitude?"
"Instructor Adelia. I… I don't quite understand what you're saying. What attitude am I supposedly displaying?"
"Why are you clinging to something that was already settled with me? And you deflected my words to Cadet Han Cheon-seong for an answer, didn't you? That clearly looks like an attitude of disrespect towards me."
The air grew chillingly cold.
A heavy, somber atmosphere instantly enveloped the infirmary.
Despite that, Adelia found herself looking at Kalli even more coldly.
"…Instructor Adelia. That's a grave misunderstanding. How could I possibly disrespect Instructor Adelia? I, too, have heard much of your reputation."
Instructor Kalli paused at Adelia's words, yet still replied clearly, but Adelia disliked her attitude even more.
'She calls that a misunderstanding.'
After displaying such an attitude, what exactly was the misunderstanding? Was she claiming she didn't understand what it meant to seek an answer from the cadet regarding Adelia's words?
Adelia instantly turned her head to look at Cadet Han Cheon-seong.
"Cadet Han Cheon-seong."
"Yes, Instructor Adelia."
Seeing Cadet Han Cheon-seong hastily reply in the unexpectedly frigid atmosphere… Adelia felt a pang of unwarranted apology in her heart.
'It wasn't supposed to turn out like this.'
She didn't know why Cadet Han Cheon-seong had to suffer this way due to the conflict between her and Instructor Kalli.
He was just a cadet with a kind and upright disposition.
"…Please pack your things and go back."
"Instructor Adelia. But…"
"No 'buts,' it's truly fine. I'll properly check on Cadet David myself. And as for Instructor Kalli, we need to have a serious conversation. I'd appreciate it if you left us."
Adelia spoke decisively, yet her priority was to send Cadet Han Cheon-seong away.
Even if Cadet Han Cheon-seong said he was fine with their conversation now, it wouldn't be because he genuinely was.
That's why, when Instructor Kalli had first entered, Adelia had repeatedly asked Cadet Han Cheon-seong how he felt.
She had asked if Instructor Kalli made him uncomfortable or caused him difficulty, because given the many harsh rumors about Instructor Kalli, Adelia had assumed Cadet Han Cheon-seong would surely be uncomfortable.
But when Cadet Han Cheon-seong had replied calmly, Adelia had actually believed that Instructor Kalli was different from the rumors.
But then.
That wasn't the case at all.
This attitude of Instructor Kalli's, coercing an answer from Cadet Han Cheon-seong even after Adelia had spoken. Instructor Kalli was doing it so naturally, without realizing how cowardly such an action was for an instructor.
'Then she wouldn't properly consider the cadets at all.'
She must have always treated Cadet Han Cheon-seong this way.
Naturally, she would have tried to manipulate cadets, relying on her reputation.
"…"
Even with Adelia's words, Cadet Han Cheon-seong hesitated, seemingly glancing at Instructor Kalli, and Adelia now looked at Instructor Kalli, who remained silent.
"Instructor Kalli?"
"…Yes, Instructor Adelia."
"Do you have any objections to what I just said?"
Adelia asked, looking at her with utter coldness, not as instructor to instructor, but as a senior officer.
"No, I don't."
Seeing her reluctantly reply, Adelia gestured to Cadet Han Cheon-seong with her eyes.
At the same time, she softened her gaze so the cadet wouldn't be intimidated by her, but even Adelia herself found the situation awkward.
Truly…
'What on earth is this?'
To think that Adelia and Instructor Kalli were clashing over Cadet Han Cheon-seong. No, the very idea of them clashing was absurd.
There was absolutely no reason for it to be like this.
"Yes. Then… I'll be going now."
At Adelia's words, Cadet Han Cheon-seong awkwardly rose to his feet.
Thump. Thump.
And as he passed in front of her, Adelia carefully patted the cadet's shoulder.
"Cadet Han Cheon-seong. Thank you for being with me today. I'll see you again soon."
She spoke in a way that might ease Cadet Han Cheon-seong's discomfort, which must have been immense, and he replied,
"Yes. It was a very… enjoyable time for me too."
Cadet Han Cheon-seong, offering an awkward smile, then carefully left the infirmary.
Click.
As the door closed, only Adelia, Instructor Kalli, and Cadet David, who remained unconscious, were left in the infirmary.
A short exhale. Adelia lightly gestured to a seat.
"Instructor Kalli. Please sit down. We need to talk, don't we?"
"…Yes."
Adelia herself disliked the cold, heavy atmosphere that had settled.
She didn't want to pull rank or speak coercively to Instructor Kalli over something trivial…
Thinking this, she relaxed her stance.
"Then I'll brew some tea for a moment. While I do, let's both try to calm down. After all, there's no reason for either of us, you or me, to be so on edge, is there?"
Adelia was the first to offer a gentle olive branch.
She didn't want to demand an apology or engage in a power struggle over something like this.
"…Yes, you're right. How could I possibly be on edge with Instructor Adelia? Especially when it's all… a misunderstanding."
"Exactly. It's all just a misunderstanding."
Instructor Kalli awkwardly nodded, and Adelia couldn't help but smile.
"Oh, do you have a preferred tea? I can prepare something special if you do."
"No, thank you. I'm fine with any kind of tea."
"Really? Then I'll prepare some black tea."
"Yes…"
Had Adelia's cold demeanor been so alien to her?
Adelia watched Instructor Kalli, who was still replying blankly, and then began to brew the tea.
***
Reason and emotion continued to clash.
And the disparity, the gap, between the two… or whatever it was, it didn't matter.
Kalli's heart was constantly wavering.
"…"
The fragrant scent of black tea tickled her nose.
Instructor Adelia, facing Kalli, immediately dropped her previous cold demeanor.
Kalli could feel Adelia's intention to resolve the situation amicably, and even her willingness to extend a hand first was truly, all of it, something to be grateful for.
Kalli had also belatedly realized that she was clearly in the wrong.
Her sudden attitude of trying to get an answer from Cadet Han Cheon-seong, looking back on it… it was clearly an act of disrespect towards Instructor Adelia.
Therefore, without a doubt, it was her fault.
"Instructor Kalli. Are you still feeling a bit off?"
"No. I'm perfectly fine."
"If you feel any resentment towards me, or if my demeanor just now seemed too cold, please don't dwell on it too much. My emotions just got the better of me for a moment."
Instructor Adelia, with a gentle smile… looked incredibly benevolent.
And how foolish it was for Kalli to harbor such confusing feelings towards her…
"No, it's I who should apologize… for realizing my mistake so late. To try to get an answer from a cadet regarding Instructor Adelia's words. That truly could have been coercive for Cadet Han Cheon-seong, and it was a mistake that could be seen as disrespecting Instructor Adelia."
"It's truly fine now. Anyone can make mistakes. And I tend to think highly of people who admit their mistakes right away, so I bear no ill will now."
At Instructor Adelia's gentle voice once more, Kalli nodded, her gaze vacant.
*Rustle.* As she carefully stroked the warm teacup.
She clearly understood with her reason.
This whole situation had been resolved well. The misunderstanding was cleared, and there was no reason to harbor any strange feelings, so it was over.
Yet, as if her emotions were rebelling, they were subtly coloring her heart.
—Cadet Han Cheon-seong. Thank you for being with me today. I'll see you again soon.
Instructor Adelia's gesture of gently patting Cadet Han Cheon-seong's shoulder, and the warm gaze in her eyes as she looked at him…
And even Cadet Han Cheon-seong's peculiar smile as he replied to her.
…Why.
Why did that keep bothering her?
Had something truly happened between the two of them during a time Kalli wasn't aware of? Such an absurd delusion popped into her mind without her realizing.
It couldn't be. Why did these strange thoughts keep occurring to her…
A rustle.
Kalli's gaze inadvertently drifted towards a stirring sound. She saw Cadet David opening his eyes blankly.
"Ah, Instructor Kalli. One moment."
Instructor Adelia immediately rose from her seat and approached Cadet David.
"Cadet David. How are you feeling? Are you alright now?"
She asked gently, as if checking the cadet's condition, and David opened his mouth with a rather dazed expression.
"Yes. I'm fine… Where is this?"
"This is the infirmary. You lost consciousness and collapsed, so I treated you. Do you feel anything unusual in your body, or any other strange sensations?"
"No. I'm really fine."
As Kalli took in the sight of Cadet David answering blankly…
That, too, felt strange.
'Why am I not bothered now?'
Unlike with Cadet Han Cheon-seong, even though Adelia was treating Cadet David so warmly… Kalli felt nothing at all this time.
Her heart… felt incredibly strange.