Chapter 65: The Study Group
It was a place where… not even light could escape — a true black hole!
Just imagining it was enough to scare Eikou.
He could practically see his future: the second half of his life crushed under Morgan, never allowed to leave the bed, surrounded by people his age in this "new family" calling him "Father-sama" — just the thought made his face burn with embarrassment.
"…Can we change the location of the study group?" he asked cautiously.
"We could," Gawain replied, "but do you have a better place in mind? The library and classrooms are probably packed by now. The dorm's okay, but Gareth can't exactly enter the boys' dormitory."
"Then let's just go to the girls' dorm!"
Eikou declared righteously, "Are you telling me girls are allowed in the girls' dorm, but guys aren't?!"
"Are we really allowed to go in though?"
Tristan leaned over and asked.
"Of course not,"
Gawain replied seriously:
"Sir Eikou, do you have something against my house? Don't tell me... you're scared of my Mother?"
"...To be honest, yes."
"Haha, I didn't expect you to be the type who 'gets shy greeting your friend's parents'! That's really surprising."
Gawain laughed heartily.
That was the case, but maybe not quite in the way your imagined.
Eikou sighed inwardly: Just wait till I step into your house and somehow end up becoming your "stepdad," then you'll understand how serious this is...
"Don't worry, even though my mother is strict and scary, she's very polite to guests. She won't eat you."
"But she'll eat me... in another way..." Eikou muttered gloomily.
"Besides, my mother is extremely busy, she's rarely ever home. You probably won't even see her."
"Is that so..."
"Of course." Gawain said firmly. "If you really don't want to come, then forget it. We won't do the study group. I'll find another time to tutor Gareth on my own."
"Eh, isn't that a bit too much? That sounds like ditching your friends for a solo mission!"
"Then we'll go ahead with the group study session, and you go do your own thing?"
"Goddamn it, how is that any different from just leaving me behind?!"
"Then Sir Eikou, what exactly do you want us to do?"
Eikou scratched his head in frustration, hesitating for a while — in the end, he gave in.
"Ugh… fine… take me with you. Being alone is boring anyway."
Let's just hope Morgan isn't home today, otherwise it'll be a huge pain...
But if Morgan really is there… then bring it on!
Mochizuki Eikou is no beta male!
If she wants to attack, then go ahead and try! There's no way this "Tower of Babylon" will fall so easily!
"Sir Eikou, I didn't expect this from you…"
Tristan let out a soft sigh and said quietly:
"You're… actually scared of being lonely, huh."
...
[You have accepted Gawain's invitation to join the study group.]
[The group heads together to Gawain's home.]
[Gawain's home is located in a villa at the city center. The exterior and interior are heavily Celtic in style — just one glance is enough to sense Queen Morgan's former life.]
[Although it's clearly a mansion in a wealthy neighborhood, it's quite different from what you imagined. You had thought Morgan's home would be a luxurious royal palace, magnificent and extravagant, but it turns out to be surprisingly simple and reserved — by the standards of a Lostbelt's King, this is indeed a humble house.]
[Gawain once explained something his mother had said: "If it's a royal palace, the more luxurious the better. But if it's a family home, the smaller, the cozier. I don't want to be far away from my children."]
[You suddenly feel that perhaps Morgan cherishes these children more than you thought.]
Though she said "the smaller, the cozier," that was, of course, relative.
Morgan's house could hardly be called "small."
The interior space was vast, the furnishings were so high-end Eikou didn't even know how to use them, the classic-style decor overwhelmed him even if he didn't understand it, and the expensive location in the heart of the city — all of it clearly showed just how powerful this family's foundation was.
Eikou thought to himself: The building maintenance fees here for just one day are probably equal to someone else's entire monthly mortgage.
It was no wonder why Gawain wanted to host the study session at his house — great lighting, spacious rooms, and absolute silence; it was indeed an ideal place for studying.
"Goddamn it, Gawain… just what kind of rich boy are you? Normally you only buy discounted items at the convenience store like me, and you're always so careful with your phone data, but you live in a luxurious place like this? That's so annoying!"
"If Sir Eikou likes it, you're welcome to come over often."
"I'll pass…"
Eikou shrugged — either don't come at all, or become a member of this household.
Thinking of that, he unconsciously glanced around.
Good news: Morgan didn't seem to be home. Maybe she had gone out for work?
"Gareth, is your mother not at home?" he asked cautiously.
"This morning, Mother-sama seemed to have gone out to handle business for the corporation,"
Gawain's little sister, Gareth, obediently answered.
"Even though Mother-sama acts strict every day, her mood seemed particularly bad today…"
"…"
She was probably still angry about last night — the two-day-one-night date plan was canceled because of the monthly exams.
If Morgan was still mad, it would be best not to provoke her.
But if she had gone out to deal with matters for the Orkney Group, then she likely wouldn't be home anytime soon.
Better take advantage of Morgan not being around to finish studying quickly and sneak out!
[You have joined the study session with Gawain and the other members.]
[You studied seriously, and whenever you encountered something unclear, you immediately asked Gawain. In this focused study environment, your academic ability has shown clear improvement.]
[You feel that you've broken past your limits and stepped into a new realm.]
[Your Mana has increased from E to D.]
Once Eikou got involved in these kinds of group activities, he would immediately feel like time flew by.
The scene of the study session passed before his eyes like a fast-forwarded film.
Time flew in a flash from morning to afternoon.
The Round Table Knights exchanged academic knowledge seriously, barely taking any breaks, and even at noon only had a simple meal before returning straight to studying.
When these Round Table Knights got serious, they really looked the part.
Because of that, Eikou didn't want to disturb them, and ended up reviewing all day with them.
As time went on, he became more and more uneasy, with the constant feeling that Morgan could appear at any moment.
"Gawain, could you take a look at this question for me…"
Just as he was about to show Gawain his solution in the workbook, the front door of the mansion suddenly opened.
Eikou's heart skipped a beat.
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Note: Um... guys, it's 60+ chapters already, can you guys please help me give this fic a review? There are only 3 reviews right now (one of which is mine).
I want to get 10 reviews so that webnovel can show the rating.