I Thought Your Friend's Sibling Wasn't a Girl? - Chapter 43

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 43
A man with gray hair and gray eyes. Ujin’s aide approached them with a look of complete exasperation on his face.
Aiden, too, seemed to concede ground when faced with this man—he finally attempted conversation with something other than “get lost.”
“Is it you? We’re training right now. Tell him I’ll come by later.”
“He’s asking you to come at once.”
“But why, exactly?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
The aide wasn’t particularly tall or broad-shouldered, yet he carried a firmness that didn’t yield to Aiden. He tilted his head lightly and addressed the interns as well.
“He’s asked all of you to come along.”
“Why!”
“I’ve told you—I don’t know either.”
With a steadfastness that suggested he wouldn’t bleed if pricked with a needle, he delivered the message and turned on his heel without waiting for Aiden’s response, disappearing down the corridor as if to say his duty was done.
Whoosh!
Aiden spun around hard enough to make the air whistle, fixing his gaze on the three of them.
“Eek.”
“What are you so frightened of? We haven’t done anything.”
Well, there’s accumulated experience to draw from.
Of course, Olivia was far too sensible to voice such a thought aloud. Aiden’s blue eyes gleamed with intensity.
But even someone as wild as Aiden had limits to what he could overrule. Eventually, he raked his fingers through his hair and surrendered.
“That’s enough, all of you. End training for today and come with me.”
“Like this?”
“The Commander isn’t the sort to reprimand his subordinates for coming straight from training.”
What she really meant was that she’d prefer to maintain some composure before meeting the Commander.
But saying as much to Aiden would only earn her a torrent of curses, so the three exchanged glances of resignation and accepted reality.
At any rate, thanks to this interruption, their hellish training had ended a little early.
That alone was enough to make their fondness for Ujin and the aide surge like a flood. A faint smile played across all three of their lips—so subtle they could barely suppress it.
“What, smiling?”
“You’re like a ghost…….”
“Did you think training ended here? Fat chance. We’re adding two more hours of afternoon training.”
“……What about the work?”
“Work? What’s that?”
“That’s what we’re supposed to be doing during this time. So you’re extending the deadline until tomorrow?”
At those words, Aiden opened his eyes wide as if he’d heard something impossible in this world, tilting his head.
“What are you talking about? Training is training, deadlines are deadlines.”
“But…….”
“You can overcome anything through effort. Just finish your work faster, can’t you?”
“…….”
“Am I wrong?”
The real problem was that he’d just spouted complete nonsense from start to finish, and now he was genuinely asking, “Am I wrong?”
This psycho bastard.
Olivia muttered the vulgar epithet—now completely second nature to her—under her breath while raising the corners of her mouth.
“I’m right, aren’t I?”
“Yes…….”
“Good, good. Now let’s get going.”
Working in society really was no easy task…….
* * *
Aiden had grand ambitions: to take these three green recruits and mold them—no, to train them rigorously until they resembled actual soldiers.
Of course, no one in the order seemed to understand his vision…….
‘How could the mediocre ever comprehend the genius’s intent?’
In any case, Aiden reinforced his resolve with such self-hypnosis.
His mind was already filled with a detailed list of training regimens to implement after this meeting concluded.
This wasn’t selfish. It was purely a decision made for the growth of Olivia and the other two students!
But……. What did he just hear?
“I beg your pardon?”
“What, is your hearing already failing you?”
“I must have misheard. Right? Commander? Please tell me I did. Quickly.”
Bang! A loud crash erupted from the desk he’d struck in the Commander’s office.
Ujin, accustomed to Aiden’s outbursts, calmly gathered the scattered papers and reorganized them neatly.
“Commander!”
“I’ll say it again: you lack patience.”
“That’s absurd! A Mission? For these chicks?”
The Commander had lost his mind. That’s what Aiden thought.
But Ujin seemed to think differently.
“Yes. It’s been nearly three weeks since they were assigned here, and they’ve handled various simple tasks while adapting to the order. Haven’t they?”
“Yes, they have!”
“Then what?”
Though Aiden shot a menacing glare at Bennett, the boy’s courage seemed to have swelled to several times its normal size. He’d found something to lean on.
“What are your thoughts, Olivia? Panya Rentau?”
“If you entrust us with it, we’ll do our best.”
“I—I will too! It sounds like a wonderful opportunity!”
“You see?”
But I can’t accept that! Aiden’s mind rebelled.
Those children whimper over training that’s not even that difficult, complaining they can’t do it. They’re nothing but sniveling brats.
The duties of Lux Knights Order members were far harsher and more brutal. There’s no way they could endure it.
“The three of you may return now. I’ll assign your missions this afternoon, so wait at your posts.”
“Commander!”
“Go.”
Since Ujin held the highest authority in the room, the three dashed out without sparing Aiden a glance.
“We’ll do our absolute best!”
“Thank you for believing in us.”
“Commander’s the best! Sob-sob.”
Ujin smiled warmly and saw them off. Watching that, Aiden’s frustration boiled over.
Seething with irritation, his neck tensed. Aiden staggered and collapsed into the nearest chair.
“Why don’t you do something about that temperament of yours.”
“And why don’t you do something about that irritating way you talk, Commander…….”
“Now that’s insubordination of the highest order.”
Did I say anything wrong? Aiden’s eyes narrowed sharply.
Not that he didn’t mean what he’d said. He knew the age gap between himself and Ujin wasn’t particularly large, yet Ujin consistently maintained that aged, formal manner of speaking.
But Ujin was masterful at ignoring Aiden’s resistance. He settled into the opposite chair with a peaceful expression and spoke.
“You know it’s enough already, don’t you?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“The training. No one in this order has ever been trained as intensely as they are—and you know that very well.”
His violet eyes regarded Aiden steadily.
Aiden always hated these moments. It felt as though his every thought was being read.
It was the same now. Ujin pointed out without hesitation what Aiden already knew but was pretending not to understand.
Of course, that didn’t mean he fully agreed with Ujin.
“It’s still insufficient.”
It was still insufficient. That much was genuine. He believed their abilities needed to improve far more than they had.
“Why? Because you can’t feel at ease?”
“…….”
“You’re still trapped in that practical exam, aren’t you.”
“Commander!”
“I’ll apologize if my guess is wrong. But I doubt it is.”
He had no retort. Ujin was right.
Aiden still dreamed of that day. In the dream, Olivia and Bennett still stood before the Demon Beast, and it devoured them greedily, blocking his path.
In the dream, he continued losing his comrades—those he held dear.
“Aiden. I know what you’re worried about.”
“No, Commander. You don’t.”
“Perhaps. Just as I don’t know all of you, you don’t know all of me.”
It was a light remark, but the meaning beneath it wasn’t light at all. Aiden submitted an apology. He’d overstepped.
“……I’m sorry. But, Commander, surely you understand that it’s better to prepare thoroughly late than to lose something through lack of preparation.”
Even as he spoke, he knew how contradictory that sounded. And he certainly knew that Ujin wouldn’t miss it.
Ujin smiled and replied.
“You also know that a perfect moment never truly comes.”
Perhaps that was true.
Aiden admitted it. His rampage now was due to his own personal trauma.
The fear of nearly losing those he cared for again was effectively triggering his old wound.
“You can’t sever that on your own right now.”
“Commander.”
“So I’ll help you.”
With those words, Ujin straightened. Aiden also stiffened his spine, pulling his composure taut.
“This is an order from your Commander: for the time being, you’ll support the students’ missions rather than lead their training.”
The order had been given. With no grounds left to refuse, Aiden bowed his head and accepted it.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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