Chapter 53: Done for the Day, Let’s Go Home!

The assessment test finally came to an end.

The final rankings were posted; on the enormous magic light screen, lines of names shimmered in the air.

First place, Leo, Overall Rating: Outstanding.

Second place, Christine de Raphael, Overall Rating: Excellent.

Third place, Irina, Overall Rating: Excellent.

Irina squeezed through the crowd, standing on tiptoe.

When she saw her name firmly in third place, she almost couldn’t help but jump for joy on the spot.

She did it!

System Task, complete!

She let out a long sigh of relief, feeling as if a heavy weight had finally been lifted from her heart.

It hadn’t been easy.

Excited, she wriggled out from the crowd and immediately spotted the man standing at the edge of the training ground, staring absentmindedly at a piece of Magic Parchment.

That parchment was, in fact, his Test Results.

“Leo!”

Like a swallow returning to its nest, Irina ran over happily.

Before anyone around could react, she flung her arms around Leo and gave him a solid hug.

“I got third place! The task is done!” she whispered in his ear, her voice full of irrepressible joy.

Leo was nearly knocked off balance by her, and he almost lost hold of his Test Results.

He looked at the girl in his arms—excited as a little hamster—with an expression of utter resignation, then glanced down at the Magic Parchment emblazoned with the characters “Outstanding” and felt a headache coming on.

“Congratulations, Miss Protagonist.”

He spoke in a listless tone.

“But,” he changed tack, holding the Test Results up in front of Irina, “just look at this. All thanks to you!”

Irina blinked at the two golden words, puzzled.

“Outstanding… Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Good thing, my ass!”

Leo couldn’t help but retort.

“It’s all your fault! You insisted I help you steal the spotlight, and look at me now—put on the spot! How am I supposed to slack off at the academy anymore?”

He could already see his future.

Sleeping in class, only to be singled out by the professor: “Leo, you’re an Outstanding Student. How can you not pay attention?”

Slacking off in practical lessons, surrounded by gawking classmates: “Look, that’s the big-shot Summoner slacking again. This must be some training we can’t understand!”

Even going to the cafeteria for a meal, people might whisper nearby: “See? Even the way he eats is special.”

Screwed!

He’d never have peace again!

Seeing Leo’s look of utter despair, Irina burst out laughing.

She let go, slipped her arm through his, and playfully stuck out her tongue.

“Oh, come on. With great ability comes great responsibility.”

She shook his arm, acting coquettish.

“At worst, I’ll cover for you at the academy next time!”

Leo shot her a sidelong glance, disbelief written all over his face.

“You’ll cover for me? Maybe focus on clearing your own lousy Protagonist System first.”

He knew all too well how troublesome Irina’s system was.

Who knew when it would throw another “Protagonist’s Trial” or “Ally of Justice” at her—she’d be running in circles herself.

“Hmph, you underestimate me.”

Irina pouted, clearly displeased.

As they bantered, a haughty female voice sounded behind them.

“Leo, right?”

They turned to see Christine de Raphael approaching with her two maid attendants.

Today, the Duke’s Daughter had swapped her elaborate Noblewoman’s Gown for the Magic Academy Robe, but the fabric and tailoring were clearly custom-made, retaining all the grandeur.

She held her chin high, golden eyes fixed on Leo with open curiosity and appraisal.

“I’m very interested in you,” she said bluntly, cutting straight to the point.

“Let’s talk.”

That familiar opening.

Leo’s eyelid twitched—wasn’t this the same routine she’d used to win over Irina before?

Miss, your approach is way too direct, isn’t it?

At least make some preamble!

Leo was pondering how to refuse in the most low-key way possible to avoid trouble.

Unexpectedly, before he could open his mouth, Irina stepped forward first.

With a perfect, businesslike smile—sweet but distant—Irina gave Christine a polite curtsy.

“Sorry, Christine.”

“My cousin, he…”

Irina’s eyes darted, and she improvised smoothly.

“He’s in a rush to go home and bring in the laundry. Next time!”

With that, she grabbed Leo’s wrist and dashed off, swift and decisive.

For a moment, the scene was steeped in awkward silence.

The Duke’s Daughter had clearly prepared for this conversation, anticipating every possible reaction from Leo: surprise, feigned modesty, even shameless bargaining.

She’d even readied a whole set of proper, impressive lines to handle any situation.

She could never have guessed that what she’d get was… such a preposterous reason that left no room for rebuttal.

Going home to bring in the laundry?

What kind of excuse was that?!

It was so down-to-earth, it made all of Christine’s careful preparations feel like punches thrown into cotton, instantly stifled.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something to keep them.

She could say, “I can send someone to help you,” or “I can gift you a whole new wardrobe.”

But in the face of the mundane excuse “going home to bring in the laundry,” all her words sounded pale and even a little foolish.

In the end, Christine could only stand awkwardly in place, watching as Irina dragged Leo away like two rabbits escaping, vanishing at the exit of the training ground.

The two maids exchanged baffled glances.

Is that even allowed?

Leo, still being pulled along by Irina far from the field, could only replay that genius line in his head.

“Going home to bring in the laundry…”

He couldn’t help but give Irina a mental thumbs-up.

Well done, Miss Protagonist!

That excuse was a stroke of genius!

It rejected the other party without sounding too blunt, and carried an air of “I’m busy, don’t bother me.”

Very down-to-earth, very spirited!

The two of them ran all the way to a secluded grove outside the academy before stopping, panting for breath.

“Phew… That scared me.”

Irina patted her chest, still shaken.

“That Christine is like sticky candy—impossible to shake off.”

Leo looked at her, unable to keep from laughing.

He raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

Snap.

A familiar magic array unfolded, and the gray-feathered gryphon appeared before them, rubbing its head affectionately against Leo’s shoulder and letting out a low cry.

“Let’s go home.”

“Mm!”

Irina’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the majestic gryphon.

She nimbly climbed onto its broad back, and once seated, unhesitatingly wrapped her arms tightly around Leo’s waist from behind.

The familiar warmth and firmness instantly soothed her.

She pressed her cheek gently to Leo’s back, feeling his faint scent and strong heartbeat, her lips unconsciously curling upward.

“Hold on tight.”

Leo gave a soft command.

The gryphon spread its wings with a powerful flap, kicking up a whirlwind as it shot skyward.

The wind howled in their ears; the bustling Royal Capital rapidly shrank beneath their feet.

Riding the wind, Irina shouted ahead to Leo, “So, does this mean… we’ve officially started a cross-city commute?”

What a novel feeling!

By day, they were the prodigious students admired at the Magic Academy.

By night, they became the Lord and Town Lady (Reserve) of the border town.

This dual-identity switch gave her an unprecedented sense of excitement and anticipation.

Leo, feeling the gentle embrace at his waist, was in a wonderful mood.

He smiled and replied, “That’s right, welcome aboard ‘Gryphon Airlines,’ VIP Client. There’s no meal service on this flight, but complimentary hugs are provided, so please hold tight.”

“Stop it!”

Irina laughed and scolded him, but her arms only tightened.

The gryphon soared smoothly through the clouds.

The two chatted in the air, planning their new routine.

By day, classes at the academy—learning magic, fending off curious classmates and scheming nobles.

By night, they’d fly back to Blackwood Town: Leo to oversee his territory’s development, Irina to help with paperwork or hunt monsters in the forest to level up.

Far from the intrigue of the Royal Capital, returning to a world all their own.

It felt almost too good to be true.

As time passed, the sunset painted the sky a brilliant orange-red.

When the ever-growing outline of Blackwood Town appeared on the horizon, Irina’s eyes sparkled.

It was no longer the ruined little village it once was.

Sturdy stone walls now enclosed a wide area, neatly planned houses lit up with dots of light, and smoke curled from chimneys—full of life.

This was their home.

Irina rested her head against Leo’s back, taking a deep, satisfied breath and murmuring softly.

“We’re home.”

Leo heard the voice from behind, felt the warmth in his arms, and broke into a heartfelt smile.

Yes.

They were home.