I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 8
I studied how to transform Keleb into a ball until I memorized the method, and then headed home after the sun had set.
Fortunately, I didn’t encounter Edwin since I left after sunset.
“I heard the Crown Prince has transferred?”
“Mother?”
There’s not a single servant left in the Thierry Baron’s residence now.
My mother, Baroness Thierry, was serving as a lady-in-waiting to a Duchess, and my father was an aide to the Duke, so they lived there.
That’s why seeing them after such a long time felt awkward.
Perhaps it was because I had grown up without my parents in my previous life.
“Is it true that the Crown Prince has transferred?”
“Yes, it is.”
“What about your scholarship then?”
I had expected this visit might be about that, but it still caught me off guard when the topic was brought up so directly.
“What do you mean?”
“What happens to your scholarship if you don’t secure the top spot? What about the tuition fees if you lose first place?”
Even with the blessing of manifested abilities, attending Belaine Academy wasn’t free.
“Well…”
“What if you come in second? I’ve heard the Crown Prince is exceptionally talented. What if you end up second? There are only two semesters left, right? Isn’t the scholarship halved for second place?”
The student council president at Belaine Academy isn’t elected.
Since no one actually wants to take on the role, a professor makes the selection.
Typically, scholarship students are chosen for the student council, either for the honor or for the benefit of their families.
However, it’s mostly a title in name, as the council president ends up handling all the bothersome tasks, a job no one really wants to do. Except for those like me who need the additional work-study scholarship.
“You don’t have to worry too much. Even if I come in second, I’ll still receive half the scholarship, and I also get a work-study grant thanks to the student council.”
“Are you sure? Or are you just saying that? The Duchess said! The Crown Prince is considered the strongest in the empire based on his abilities alone! And of all people, you have to compete with him…!”
“…”
“Coming this year of all times! If he had to come, why not next year after you’ve graduated! They say he mastered all the academy’s theories by the age of ten!”
As I hesitated to respond, my mother continued to express her concerns.
“Ha. Really. What if you do end up second?”
“I won’t.”
“Can you be sure? We can’t afford your tuition. As you know, our family is…”
“Yes, I know. I’ll manage without being a burden.”
Trying to smile, my mother seemed to hold back further complaints.
“Can I really trust you?”
“Yes. You’re worried, which is why you came, right? Thank you. I’m glad to see you, Mother.”
After calming my mother down, I had to study until dawn again.
Once I graduate and become an imperial civil servant, all of this will be over.
The endless studying and the stifling family of Baron Thierry. Just endure and study desperately until then.
Comforting myself, I dove back into my studies as usual.
As dawn broke and with a foggy head from lack of sleep, I headed to Belaine Academy.
Walking there, I consolidated my thoughts.
The original story doesn’t change easily. However, there have been significant changes.
For example, the situation with Edwin falling for me at first sight, as per the original story, is different now.
Perhaps it’s because of how I’ve treated him differently.
I should compare my current situation to the original story as a control group.
The control group remains untouched. My situation has undergone various experiments.
So, what then? My attitude should continue to be sunny. Just the intentions to change the situation might not work after all.
Time flew by and morning classes ended.
“Where are you going?”
Damon asked, and I replied.
“To the rooftop.”
“Why not come to the cafeteria with me instead?”
The cafeteria at Belaine Academy was excellent.
Excellently expensive, that was the problem.
“I’ll see you later.”
I politely declined Damon’s suggestion and headed to the rooftop.
As I mentioned, being student council president, I had access to many things.
One of them was the rooftop key.
The door to the rooftop was almost always locked.
Only the student council president, chosen by the professors and guaranteed not to engage in misconduct, even for a scholarship, could have the keys for management reasons.
I secretly ate my lunch here, alone.
While most students headed down to the cafeteria, my allowance was too tight for meals there.
Securing first place exempted me from tuition fees, and the yearly scholarship I received as the student council president was spent on reference books and school supplies.
Packing my own lunch allowed me to save more than tenfold.
In my past life, I had worked part-time at a restaurant during high school.
Not in serving, but in the kitchen. I held certifications in Korean, Chinese, and Japanese cuisine.
Click. The door to the rooftop wasn’t locked, and the handle turned easily.
Just like in the original story, upon reaching the rooftop, I found Edwin lying in the shade.
