Since I’m a Time-Limited Princess Who Has No Tomorrow - Chapter 152

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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 152
“Your studies aren’t going well, it seems. But at least you keep coming without giving up—that’s far better than Young-jun.”
“Please don’t suddenly attack me like that.”
Sa Young-jun grumbled from beside me. The boy who had been radiant and cheerful in front of the military officers now sat at the desk with a face full of dark clouds.
“Young-jun, what’s your weakest subject? Not your major—among the general education courses.”
“I’m equally unconfident about all of them. Rather than clinging to books, I’d rather do a thousand downward strikes.”
“…Then try memorizing this first. I’ve organized the mathematical formulas for you.”
“Ugh… so many numbers and symbols… ugh, I’m getting dizzy….”
“I’ll test you in a bit, so stop fooling around and memorize. Class representative, can I start working on the medical arts minor problems?”
“Oh, yes! H-here! Should I t-time you too?”
“It’s fine, I’ll time myself. You need to study too, after all.”
“Th-then I sh-should organize today’s lecture notes… Once you finish, t-tell me and I’ll ch-check your answers.”
And so Sa Young-jun began memorizing formulas, Je-gal Pyo organized his notes, and I started solving problems.
‘So this is how exam questions are structured. They’re designed to check how much I remember and whether I truly understand what I’ve learned. Since I know all of this, it’s not as difficult as I expected.’
After solving the problems quickly and looking up, I noticed Yun Ra-sa had returned to her seat. She was resting her forehead on the desk and scribbling something, but judging by her expression, she looked ready to bolt outside again soon.
‘She seems to be struggling on her own. Should I suggest studying together? But I’m not sure if Je-gal Pyo would be comfortable with it. Yun Ra-sa spoke harshly to him before….’
“Y-you already finished?”
“Oh, yes! I think I’m starting to understand how the questions are structured. This time I’ll create some problems for you to solve. Which subject would you prefer?”
As I handed over the answer sheet and asked, Je-gal Pyo’s face brightened. He seemed delighted that I would create problems for him.
“Th-thank you! W-would you p-possibly be able to make m-mathematical problems too?”
“Sure, I think I can, but don’t expect too much. It’s my first time making problems, so I’ll be clumsy.”
“W-well, you s-seem really good at making mathematical problems. The mathematics instructor always g-gushes about you… Now that I think about it, the problem the instructor gave you last class was really difficult, but you solved it so clearly that I was genuinely amazed! I even took separate notes on your solution process and reviewed it later, and the more I looked at it, the cleaner it became—it was almost beautiful! Have you studied mathematics since before? Where did you learn it? Did you teach yourself? Would it be okay if I asked what books you used to study?”
Je-gal Pyo, who had grown excited while speaking, fired off a barrage of questions with sparkling eyes.
‘So when he gets excited or curious like this, he doesn’t stammer at all—he asks questions at a remarkably rapid pace.’
It really does seem like Je-gal Pyo stammers due to psychological issues rather than physical ones. I wish I could help him with something.
“Calm down, class representative. I’ll answer all your questions one by one.”
After answering Je-gal Pyo’s questions, I created two sets of mathematical problems. For Sa Young-jun, I made easy problems where he could directly apply the formulas he’d memorized, and for Je-gal Pyo, I made slightly more complex problems—the kind I used to create when I was bored and idling away time in the Heavenly Realm.
Meanwhile, Yun Ra-sa kept coming and going. By the time Sa Young-jun and Je-gal Pyo received the problem sheets I’d made, she had climbed out the window for the fourth time. Studying seemed to be really difficult for her, yet she stubbornly refused to give up.
‘I can’t just leave this alone. I’m too concerned.’
“Hey, class representative.”
“H-huh?”
“Would it be okay if I suggested studying together with Yun Ra-sa? She seems to be struggling with something. If it makes you uncomfortable….”
“Oh, n-not really uncomfortable! But b-before, when I offered to help if she was struggling, she s-said not to waste time and just l-left on her own….”
Je-gal Pyo scratched his head, looking troubled.
She said helping her would be a waste of time? Ah, I see—she probably meant that since she struggles and it takes a long time, she doesn’t want to selfishly take up someone else’s time.
‘She doesn’t seem like a bad person, but her way of speaking….’
Still, it’s surprising that Je-gal Pyo would offer to help Yun Ra-sa when he wouldn’t be wrong to dislike her after what happened during the March exams. Does that mean he harbors no lingering resentment?
While I was pondering this, Je-gal Pyo hesitantly added more to what he’d said.
“L-last exam, I only r-received help… but this t-time I can help instead… so this time I w-wanted to help Yun Ra-sa….”
A faint glimmer of confidence emerged from the timid boy.
‘Ah, so the class president wanted to show Yun Ra-sa that he’s good at something too.’
Je-gal Pyo didn’t seem to lack confidence entirely. After all, he’d always ranked first on exams—he couldn’t possibly be unaware of his own academic prowess.
‘Come to think of it, he was the only one who raised his hand to answer the director’s question during the entrance ceremony. So it’s just practical combat where he lacks confidence because he can’t accumulate spiritual energy.’
I’d have to find a moment when we were alone to ask him why he couldn’t gather spiritual energy in the first place.
I rose from my seat and opened my mouth.
“While you two work on the problems, I’ll have a word with Yun Ra-sa.”
“O-okay!”
“…Couldn’t I just fail instead…?”
“No, you can’t.”
I shook my head firmly at Sa Young-jun, whose face had fallen, then added to Je-gal Pyo as I moved away.
“By the way, class president, in the March exam, we managed to stop that attack because of your plan and talismans. Our entire group performed well together and received praise. No one in our group merely received help.”
“…!”
Je-gal Pyo turned to look at me, his face flushed red as he hung his head low.
I headed toward the window, but lacking Yun Ra-sa’s confidence to climb over it, I made for the side door nearby instead. The moment I opened it, a wind carrying the scent of pine needles rushed in, caressing my entire body as it passed.
‘I really love this place. Songrim Library suits it perfectly. I should come here often.’
With a refreshed spirit, I set off to find Yun Ra-sa.
‘She went over the window, so she must have gone into the forest. Since she always came back quickly, she couldn’t have gone far.’
Indeed, after just a few steps, I spotted the silhouette of a black-haired girl. Unexpectedly, she wasn’t alone.
‘Director Sung Jeong-sim?’
Between the pine trees, Yun Ra-sa and Director Sung Jeong-sim stood facing each other.
“…I’m rejecting that request. I’ve told you countless times—Yun Ra-sa is not yet at the stage to join Jagyogapsa.”
“Director Sung!”
“I’ve also told you several times—I’m the director now, not the Grand Master.”
“What exactly am I lacking? You know my abilities well, and you know what experiences I’ve accumulated! I simply cannot understand why I have to stay at Seongsul Academy with children instead of becoming a member of Jagyogapsa!”
The atmosphere felt serious. It didn’t seem right to eavesdrop like this, and I tried to step back, but my eyes met Director Sung Jeong-sim’s directly over Yun Ra-sa’s head.
‘…!’
The director, having noticed me, shook her head very slightly—as if telling me not to leave. As I stopped among the dense pines, Director Sung Jeong-sim continued speaking in a slightly louder voice, as if wanting me to hear.
“Yun Ra-sa, if you truly wish to join Jagyogapsa so urgently, then complete the assignment I gave you.”
“…That is…”
“Can’t you do it? Then you’re not yet ready to graduate from Seongsul Academy.”
“I don’t even understand that assignment! What does making friends have to do with graduation? Friends are completely useless in combat―”
“Whether it’s useful or not is not for you to judge—it’s for the director of Seongsul Academy to decide. Are you now defying my judgment, Yun Ra-sa?”
“…No. I apologize.”
“I’ll say it once more. Bring me three or more students you can introduce as your friends. Complete this assignment, and I will send you to Jagyogapsa.”
“…Please give me a different assignment instead, Director. How am I supposed to do that? Friends, you say—I…”
“There is no other assignment. If you can’t do it, give up and attend Seongsul Academy quietly.”
Director Sung Jeong-sim spoke decisively, and Yun Ra-sa’s shoulders sagged helplessly. Over the girl’s bowed head, the director’s gaze turned to me once more, and she offered a respectful bow.
‘It feels like… she’s asking for my help.’
I think I understand what she means.
I’m beginning to understand why Yun Ra-sa, already experienced in actual combat, was sent to Seongsul Academy by the Baekui Division, and why Director Sung Jeong-sim gave her such an assignment.
After the director turned and left, Yun Ra-sa remained motionless, her head hanging low. I approached the girl carefully.
Sensing my presence, Yun Ra-sa turned to look at me with sharp eyes.
“What, you!”
“Yun Ra-sa.”
“How long have you been there? Did you hear everything?”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
“Pretend you didn’t hear anything! If you go spreading this around, I won’t let you off easy! I don’t care if you’re the Crown Princess or whatever!”
The girl’s eyes glistened as she spoke harshly. She was on the verge of tears.
I didn’t fully understand why this twelve-year-old was so desperate to join the Jagyogapsa, what circumstances had driven her, or why she carried such sorrow. But I knew what I needed to do now.
“Yun Ra-sa.”
“Don’t talk to me. Just go away.”
I spoke to the girl as she turned away, rubbing her eyes with her clenched fists.
“Would you like me to help with your assignment?”
“…What?”
“You need a friend to introduce to the director, right? I’ll be your first friend.”

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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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