15 Leo gifts his hair. (1/3)

TL/n: I recommend re-reading the previous chapters, IF it’s been a long time since you last read the Novel. Be advised.

(O-O) – If you guys see a yellow line⇒ (—) then it’ll connect with another yellow line, and the blue lines⇒ (—) will connect with another blue line.

(O3O)/ – This one is properly edited!!!

(-.-) – I think it’s better than before.

(OwO) – I agree, enjoy the edited chapter∼♥

 

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After spending a whole day in bed, while resting – because of the incident with Oscar – Leo, who did a full recovery, decided to attend today’s morning classes.

Until recently, Leo was slacking off in some of the hard classes – such as magic classes. But their importance to him changed completely after Leena’s visit.

The magic classes that provided the necessary knowledge and information – for free – became extremely valuable assets to Leo, and inevitably, he was learning more seriously than anyone else in the class.

Apparently, Leena’s body has excellent specs. So, the more he learned, the more his knowledge accumulated, and the more he trained, the more his magic power increased. Leo was dedicated to his studies.

However, Leo didn’t know how much magic power was needed for the “Body Swap” magic to work.

“Hello, Leonora. You’ve been working really hard in my classes lately.”

It happened when Leo took first place in a magic test – actually, it was the third time, in a roll, that Leo managed to achieve such a result – Harlet, the magic teacher, decided to introduce himself to the new rising “Star” of the magic course.

“Harlet-sensei….“

“Oh, you remembered my name…! It’s an honor to be known by such an amazing student.”

“Of course, I would, remember. There is no, teacher’s name, that I have, forgotten….“

Before, Leo had no interest in Harlet or his class, but now it’s different.

To Leo, Harlet is an important teacher. Not only because he gives knowledge for free, but because he has information on the distribution of bread.

After his talk with Leena, Leo occasionally leaked some information about the distribution of bread, via “Spy Crystal.”

If you program the crystal to gather information on the “Date of distribution,” the crystal will only record the specified part of the conversation. Leo didn’t want to violate the other party’s privacy, so he programmed the crystal with these considerations in mind.

“Un, that’s a good thing. But I hope you’re not pushing yourself too hard.” – Said Harlet, while smiling gently towards Leo.

It is said that, if someone manages to reach the rank of Head Priest, even a thug would repent in front of such a kind and gentle smile.

But Leo could see through that smile, he had seen it before.

(Hiiih! T-the church is…!)

In fact, Leo used to have a bright and angelic voice when he was younger. But because of that, a High Priest – from a church near the orphanage – was attracted to his voice. So Leo was invited by the said High Priest, to participate on the “Boys Only” choir, with promises of a high wage.

And because of the words “High wage,” Leo became attached to the High Priest… leading to his important men parts, almost, being cut off.

If Bruno, Leo’s best friend, didn’t rush to the operation table, where Leo was tied to, what would be of him right now?

(Ugh! Just remembering that gives me the chills…)

After the incident, Leo cried on Hannah’s lap, non stop, for hours.

Hannah, at the time, was unusually angry with the church and the High Priest.

The demoted Priest was hanged, and the incident became an old joke between the kids of the orphanage. Because of the apology fee the church had to pay, Leo easily forgot about the incident, but Harlet’s smile made that memory resurface.

“What’s wrong?”

“I-it’s… nothing….“

In his mind, Leo was repeatedly telling himself: “Harlet-sensei is a good guy, so it’s gonna be okay.” And Harlet, who is usually kind and collected, became a bit anxious. After all, Leonora was shaking and making an awfully scared face while looking at him.

“Well… it’s fine if it’s nothing–”

Harlet then leaned slightly forward and gently narrowed his eyes.

“–But I actually came to invite you to the advanced magic classes. You can attend the class tomorrow, if you want.”

“…Advanced, classes?”

“Yes… the school offers special magic classes for students with large amounts of magic power. But the students aren’t separated by status, so even the royal siblings attend the class.”

Special advanced classes.

You can get closer to the royal family.

Those were proposals that anyone would accept… except for Leo, who wanted to keep his distance from the prince.

“No… it’s fine….“

“Ohh… Why? Aren’t you interested in magic?”

“No, well, that….“

Leo IS interested in magic.

He just didn’t want put his life at risk by needlessly approaching Albert.

(Maybe Leonora is worried that, the other students won’t accept her, just because she was raised as a commoner…?)

Harlet then took a step forward and placed his right hand on Leo’s left shoulder.

His expression wasn’t kind, but it wasn’t completely serious either.

“Leonora von Harkenberg, this school is meritocratic. Your past doesn’t matter to the teachers, and even the royal family can’t stop you from attending to my classes.”

“…Un….“

Leo had no choice but to nod and agree with Harlet… it was truly a troublesome situation.

Harlet kept staring at the silent – and beautiful – young girl, before saying–

“Sometimes, I think you don’t know your own value. Not only Prince Albert, but even Princess Bianca, their cousin Natalia and Oscar Bernstein, all of them are keeping tabs on you.”

“………Huh?”

Leo turned pale.

He didn’t know that Albert’s connections were so widely spread. Or maybe, Albert just asked for his sister and cousin to keep an eye on him… after all, they were Leo’s friends.

And then, to the surprised Leonora, Harlet decided to give her a bit of an advice.

“Well, even if you don’t want to attend the advanced classes right now, you can always change your mind. I’m usually in the church… except when I’m teaching my students. So, if you want, you can go there anytime and pay me a visit….”

But Leo didn’t want to attend the advanced classes, since Albert would probably be there.

“Uuuuuh…….“

Leo was petrified from the fear, he couldn’t move from there… until his loyal servant, Kai, came to escort him back to his room.

 

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In the afternoon of the following day–

“Hmm? Maybe it’s, here…?”

–After carefully thinking about yesterday’s conversation with Harlet, Leo came to a sudden conclusion and decided to look for him.

But because Leo didn’t know the location of the church, he had to ask for directions and it took him an extraordinary amount of time just to find the place.

After all, Leo was afraid of churches. But today was different, he had to go in there and search for Harlet.

Once inside, Leo almost had a heart attack, nearly everything was adorned in gold…… even the spirit cloth covering the altar was expensive!

(Nonono. It’s not time to be thinking about money. I need to find Harlet-sensei and negotiate things with him…)

Yeah… after spending an entire night, thinking about what Harlet had told him, Leo finally decided it was time to leave the academy.

Since he had already met the requirements of his contract with Leena, Leo had no more reasons to stay there.

But Leo wasn’t leaving with empty hands.

Everyday, Leo drank good tea and ate expensive sweets that Bianca gave him… he even managed to save some money.

And above all else, the knowledge that Leo obtained in the academy, would help him find a descent job in the future.

However, after discovering that Albert was secretly keeping tabs on him, Leo became really scared. He needed to escape as soon as possible.

But to escape, Leo would need a detailed map that, connected both the academy and Richard. Leo didn’t know were he could obtain a map, but maybe the kind Harlet would be able to help him.

The plan needed to be perfect, because it’d be either execution or imprisonment, if Albert caught him trying to escape.

(I need to get out of this place… and I’m sure that Harlet-sensei knows where I can find a secret passage…)

After all, Harlet is kind, calm and gentle.

“……-do this, please……… -please!….”

“…-but……-I can’t…….”

Leo suddenly heard some voices coming from the confession room, which was located near the altar, and made of a hard and thick wood.

(Haaah, and I even came after school, because no one–…!!!!!!…–wait! I know those voices… one of them is Harlet-sensei… but who is the other person…)

By the voice tone, Leo understood two things, the other person was a man, and he was having a heated argument with Harlet.

“…-Please, help me…… -my precious…… -what!?”

(It’s a… familiar voice…?)

But when Leo realized who was the other person, he became really surprised.

(No way! Oscar-senpai……!?)

It was the voice of Oscar Bernstein, the senpai that gave him all of those expensive foods… his voice was full of irritation and frustration.

Leo was a bit interested in their conversation, so he quietly placed his ear on the door.

“Why……-my wish… -as much gold, as I…… -have to pay!”

“…-I can’t… -scar… -I guide people… -there is a limit to spirit power to be able to… -it’s a different story….”

While listening to the conversation, Leo noticed that Oscar was being refused over, and over again.

But what caught his attention the most, were the words: “As much gold, as I have to pay!” Leo was so shocked by that statement, that he almost let out a cute squeal. But he managed to remain calm and continued listening to their conversation.

“That kid… -always…… -or what… -sensei…… -why is it?”

(…Huh?)

Some parts of what Oscar said were too inaudible, so Leo couldn’t hear what he said.

“Please save my…… kami-….” (TL/n: (髪) Kami: Usually means Hair, or God)

(His hair?!)

‘Who would’ve thought, the handsome Oscar is going bald.’ – Leo thought, while his shoulders were trembling.

For a moment there, Leo even forgot about his long and annoying black hair.

“……-scar. You don’t need to hide it……… -you can be open about it…….”

“……-I can’t… -kami… -is my life…!”

Apparently, Oscar is a closet bald and he seriously cares about his remaining hair.

“Haaah… -if at least… -someone… -could give… -some hair….”

Leo was shocked by Harlet’s statement.

(There is a way to transplant hair to a bald person!?)

His imagination was going wild. Leo imagined a pine tree being planted on a dead mountain, but the mountain has Oscar’s face.

“They don’t even care… -so why would a teacher…?”

“Oscar….“

Harlet sighed after hearing that monologue filled with despair.

“…don’t lose your hope….”

The kindness in Harlet’s voice surprised Leo… he never thought that, a Head Priest of the church, would be able to say those kind words.

But when Leo finally noticed was happening, Harlet had already left through the back door of the confession room.

“Ah…….”

The other door of the confession room opened and Oscar came out.

But the first thing that he saw wasn’t the church’s altar, it was…… a little girl.

Leo was so immersed on the conversation, that he didn’t even had time to hide.

 

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