I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City - Chapter 121



120 – A Respite of Peace (安心停)

Noah’s invitation to lunch had, it seemed, already been approved by Ichinose.

Lohan didn’t refuse.

He was, frankly, curious about what he intended to give him.

The morning classes began soon after Lohan agreed.

Perhaps because the exam had just ended, the classes were lighter than usual, mostly gentle theory lessons.

Even the lunch break was more generous than on most days.

“So, what are we thinking for lunch?”

Rohan stepped into the hallway, meeting Ichinose and Noah.

Before even hearing their destination, he was already heading out of the Academy.

“Considering our afternoon classes, we shouldn’t eat anything too heavy. How about a mushroom hot pot? There’s a good place.”

“Menu selection: goat-tier.”

“Goat?”

“Means it’s really good.”

Just hearing the words “hot pot” made his stomach rumble.

Rohan gave a positive response, solidifying the decision. The pace of the three leaving the Academy picked up ever so slightly.

“I’m adding ribs, duck, and scallion pancakes~ And what’s the seasonal dish right now…?”

Noah, as if already familiar with the restaurant, smacked his lips while counting off potential orders on his fingers.

Suddenly remembering something, he turned his head sharply towards Rohan.

“Oh, right! Let’s have Tigrova cuisine next time when Clara and your elf friend are around!”

“I’ll let him know.”

Shion would probably readily accept any invitation to eat with Noah.

But he wasn’t sure about Clara.

They hailed a taxi to get there.

Rohan took the front seat, leaving the two to sit in the back.

During the ride, his phone buzzed to life! Vibrating intensely.

[Lete: Senpai! Hope you have a delicious lunch!]

[Clara: Oppa! Lunchtime, right? Are you coming to my sister’s place now? ( ＞ ⤚ ＜)]

‘Hmm…’

He let them know that he’d be eating lunch with his Academy friends.

Even though they hadn’t made any plans, the word “sorry” instinctively found its way into his message.

‘They weren’t waiting, were they? I should really tell them as soon as plans are made from now on.’

Shion and Clara replied that it was fine, and to enjoy eating something delicious with his friends.

Only after promising to eat dinner together did Rohan feel a lightness in his step.

“Whoa…”

The place the three arrived at was called Ansimjeong – *Haven of Tranquility*.

Even when Rohan had taken their orders, the place seemed upscale. Now, seeing it in person, it resembled an elegant, traditional Korean restaurant.

Apparently, it was opened by a famous chef of Samhwa and was one of Ichinose’s favorite haunts.

“Let’s go in.”

The staff recognized Ichinose and Noah, opening the gate and leading them in with courteous gestures.

The restaurant consisted of numerous private rooms, and the interior of the chamber was clean and pleasant.

Unlike some places, the fact that it wasn’t a floor-sitting arrangement was a welcome surprise.

“Oh, Noah gets to sit next to me today? Hehe, it’s been ages.”

“Noah. Put aside any thoughts of mischief.”

As Rohan sat down, he thought of Sion and Clara.

His friends drew attention just as much as the two back at the residence, but the difference was in their unfamiliarity with the public eye.

If they were to eat out together, a place like this would be more comfortable.

*‘If it’s good, maybe I’ll bring them both next time. Is this place open to anyone?’*

It wasn’t the type to turn people away, hopefully.

“I ordered the hot pot on the way here. It’ll take a little while. Feel free to order anything else you’d like.”

Ichinose handed Rohan a square device resting on the table.

It was the menu and the order system all in one.

“So, you order using this.”

“That’s right. Makes it easy.”

“I already ordered, tee hee.”

Looking at the order list after Noah’s words, Rohan saw meat dishes piled high under the hot pot listing.

He returned to the menu and, after seeing the prices, nearly choked.

*‘It’s certainly expensive. Those rare mushrooms really are pricey…’*

What kind of mushrooms did they even put in the hot pot?

The mushroom hot pot Ichinose had mentioned was particularly expensive. At the price, he would never be able to afford it if he was still working at the Spider Lily Bookstore.

Rohan ordered a side of dumplings and returned the device to its place.

“Ahem…!”

Ichinose cleared his throat, drawing Rohan’s attention.

And before the food arrived, he got straight to the point.

“First, aside from the meal. I want to express my gratitude from last time.”

“I prepared something too! I’m not some beast, but a beastkin who knows how to repay kindness!”

The two of them produced small boxes.

The sort of petite shapes that might hold jewelry.

“Papa says there’s no better way to repay a man than with this.”

Noah, brimming with confidence, slid her box toward Rohan.

“Is it alright to open it here?”

“Of course.”

*Click!* Opening the box revealed a golden sphere nestled inside.

The scent that wafted out was reminiscent of herbal medicine, quite bitter.

Rohan’s eyes widened in response.

“Could it be… an elixir?”

“That’s right. I had some when I was little, too. But it doesn’t instantly increase your magic, it improves the efficiency with which you cultivate it. The name is… the name is… Hwan… Hwan… what was it? Anyway, it’s really good!”

“I’m greedy, so I won’t refuse. Thank you.”

Rohan expressed his gratitude, accepting the box from Noah.

Just being here already felt like a step forward in his development.

“Ah! And Papa also said that if a man eats this, it’s supposed to be incredibly good for virility, too!”

“…”

Rohan was rendered completely speechless.

So that’s what she meant by ‘good for a man.’

A virility enhancer acknowledged by the Snow Fox Emperor himself… it brought to mind a certain incident he’d barely managed to smooth over recently.

“Cough! Cough!”

Ichinose, who was drinking water, choked and couldn’t stop coughing.

Noah, as if she’d expected it, laughed *Hahaha!*, and thumped Ichinose on the back. *Thump! Thump!*

“Noah… seriously!”

“Why? I have to properly explain the elixir’s effects, don’t I?”

Though tinged with playfulness, what she said wasn’t wrong.

Ichinose sighed, cleared his throat, and presented the box in front of him.

“Ahem…! I also prepared an elixir, with my father’s help.”

“Thank you. Is it alright to open this one, too?”

“Yes.”

This box held crimson flowers.

Only the dainty flower buds, without roots, nestled inside. Yet, a vibrant, verdant life still pulsed from them.

“The flower is called Yeonghwashim (Spirit Fire Core). It’s connected to both the body and mana, but this one is especially good for people who wield fire. The way to consume it is simple – eat it whole, petals and all.”

“Isn’t ingesting two elixirs at once not so good?”

“If possible, it’s best to give your body time to absorb and adapt. Eat the elixir Noah gave you first, and then, a week later, eat the one from me.”

“The Hwang… the one I gave you is fine to eat now! I ate it suddenly right before a meal too.”

At those words, Rohan promptly chewed and swallowed the elixir Noah had given him.

The elixir, dissolving softly the instant it was swallowed, moved through him, leaving a warm trail like potent liquor.

Instead of heading downward, the elixir’s energy spread throughout his entire body.

It permeated the mana that already enveloped him, weaving in with the faintest touch.

“Hoo, thank you for the meal.”

Rohan lowered his head while still seated, drawing soft chuckles from the two others.

“The actual meal hasn’t even arrived yet.”

Tap. Tap. Tap.

An employee knocked politely on the closed door.

Was it because there was a tiger in the room? As soon as they spoke of it, the food came.

The mushroom hot pot exceeded expectations. High-grade beef was included, too.

Noah suggested sharing the dish he had ordered, placing it in the center, and the portions were more than sufficient.

The three of them rehashed their experiences on the deserted island.

They speculated on the upcoming, sweeping reforms to the academy’s curriculum, filling their bellies as they spoke.

‘Fascinating.’

Amidst all of this, one thing caught Rohan’s attention.

Ichinose never opened his eyes during the meal.

Yet, his chopsticks never strayed, amazing even if he had the skill to compensate.

Noah, as if reading Rohan’s gaze, twitched his tail and brought up a past anecdote about Ichinose.

“Nose has an incredibly sensitive palate. I once made him a ssam (Korean lettuce wrap), and he knew everything that was inside!”

“That’s obvious. Noah gave it to me with raw garlic and chili peppers wrapped in perilla leaves.”

“Hehe… And Nose can tell you what kind of meat it is even if he eats a tiny piece! He could easily identify all the types of mushrooms here, too, probably.”

Noah, in an attempt to smooth over old mischief, happily shared these trivial stories.

It was clear that these were abilities born from Ichinose closing his eyes, striving to refine and evolve his unique skill, Mind’s Eye.

However, Rohan needed to maintain the stance of someone ignorant of Ichinose’s unique skill.

“Oh, something like that’s possible?”

“If you don’t believe it, try feeding him yourself. He’ll notice everything, I tell you!”

“No, Noah…!”

Rohan feeding him personally… even if it was just the three of them in the room, wasn’t that a bit too daring to do out in the open?

He didn’t know why Noah was being so mischievous today.

‘They get along well.’

Rohan was content just watching the two of them bicker.

Truthfully, his curiosity wasn’t about what Noah was implying. He already knew about Ichinose’s senses.

Simply.

He was just curious about what it felt like to Ichinose, with his eyes closed like that, to sense the things laid out on the table.

“Really… it’s just because Noah keeps asking me to show you… j-just one time…!”

“Huh?”

Rohan, emerging from his reverie, made a foolish sound and looked up.

Ichinose, his face still flushed.

Was slightly opening his mouth like a baby bird awaiting its feed.