There’s Something Special About Her - Chapter 71

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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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Episode 71.
‘It worked!’
I clenched my fist behind my back where no one could see it.
Sending that letter to Declan Gold had been an enormous gamble.
For one hundred days, trainees live in complete isolation from the outside world.
Communication by letter was technically possible, but it was severely restricted.
Yet there was one exception—exactly one.
It was the Trainee’s Letter, used primarily to notify family that one had arrived safely at the Training Camp.
I had repurposed it as a kind of distress signal.
The recipient was Declan Gold.
I hadn’t discounted Dupont Clansher either.
He was, after all, my superior, and the man who had written the letter of recommendation that allowed me to enter the Training Camp in the first place.
Moreover, aside from Killian Nox, he was the only one here who knew exactly what I was doing.
But my instinct pulled toward Declan Gold.
‘Dupont would’ve just told me to keep using the quad room.’
There was logic to that.
To filter out the spy in a short window, maximizing contact time with the other trainees was crucial.
If I’d sent a letter asking him to donate funds so I could use a single room, he’d likely ignore it outright.
Accomplishing the mission mattered far more than the comfort of an infiltrated operative.
But Declan Gold was different.
Whether it was gratitude or pity, I wasn’t sure—but he was the kind of person who genuinely wanted to help me.
And judging by Padilla Bondeiz’s reaction right now, my gamble had paid off.
“Declan Gold?”
I played innocent and asked back, and she studied me as she spoke.
“Yeah. That’s who you sent the letter to.”
“That’s correct. Was that… not appropriate?”
“There’s nothing inappropriate about it. Nothing inappropriate at all.”
Padilla Bondeiz rose from her chair and walked toward me.
She didn’t seem angry like she’d been on the Training Ground.
It looked more like curiosity tinged with the faintest hint of suspicion.
“I just find it curious that there’s enough rapport between a senior officer of Nox and a junior member of the old action unit to use that one-time-only opportunity for a letter.”
Padilla Bondeiz was probing the edges of the matter without getting to the heart of it.
From my perspective, it wasn’t a good sign.
For someone as direct and fiery as her to circle around and verify like this meant she was beginning to harbor doubts about me.
But I couldn’t help it.
I had to secure that single room by any means necessary.
Finding the spy, maintaining smooth operations at the Training Camp—all of that came after.
“I think I was shortsighted, ma’am.”
I lowered my head slightly, as if embarrassed and flustered.
“I was worried that if I sent a letter to a senior member of the action unit, I might face ridicule later. But it felt wasteful not to use such a rare opportunity, so I wrote to Declan instead.”
“Declan?”
“Oh, I apologize! I’ve picked up the habit of using his first name in private settings. I’ll correct myself.”
Of course it wasn’t a mistake.
It was a deliberate signal that Declan Gold and I were that close.
“Declan Gold took a favorable view of me because of a matter involving the Green Trading Company. Despite the age difference, I’ve made it a point to visit and pay my respects occasionally since then.”
“Ah, that incident. Does Declan think he owes you a debt for that?”
“He may say so, but I only offered modest help. Since it’s my first time knowing someone from the action unit, I assumed he simply found it novel and amusing.”
“It doesn’t seem like he’s just finding it novel and amusing.”
Padilla Bondeiz chuckled and handed me a sheet of paper from her desk.
“What is this…?”
“Read it.”
The document was a kind of request form.
A formal petition from Declan Gold to Commander Padilla Bondeiz of the Training Camp.
It demanded that Runelk Eines, who had enrolled mid-program, receive benefits equal to those of the other trainees.
Of course, it included appropriate dormitory assignment in accordance with the donation.
‘Perfect! Thank you, Declan!’
I thought I’d have to bow deeply the next time I saw him, and I began reading through the request list more carefully.
Then I noticed something odd.
‘What’s this? Did I get too excited?’
The donation amount seemed impossibly large.
There were two more zeros than I’d anticipated.
I rubbed my eyes once, pulled the paper up to my nose to verify, and checked again—but the number remained the same.
There must have been an error.
Declan Gold wasn’t the type to make such a mistake, so the culprit had to be his adjutant.
I tried to inform Padilla Bondeiz of this fact.
“Um, Commander, I think there might be—”
“That amount is correct.”
She let out an incredulous snort.
“I’ve already confirmed with Declan. Took the opportunity to see his face after a long while and asked him directly. Want to know what he said?”
“Yes, please.”
“‘Since it will remain on official documentation, I couldn’t write down the full amount he wanted.'”
“I—”
That’s insane!
He’s actually donating that much?!
No matter how rich you are, that’s excessive!
“Pardon?”
“I… I didn’t realize Declan Gold cared for me this deeply.”
I’d nearly called a senior officer crazy right in front of another senior officer.
Fortunately, Padilla Bondeiz, who didn’t sweat the small stuff, nodded in agreement with what I said.
“Congratulations anyway, Trainee Runelk Eines. The largest donation in Training Camp history is now on record under a trainee’s name.”
“Oh, that… Thank you very much. Please tell Declan Gold how grateful I am.”
“I will. That Dupont—first he brings in a letter of recommendation, then his protégé turns out to be sponsored by Declan, and now a donation like this shows up.”
“Sponsor?”
“Only a trainee’s family or official guardian can provide a donation like that.”
Padilla Bondeiz tilted her head slightly and asked.
“Declan is your guardian, isn’t he?”
To me, that sounded like ‘Did you lie to me?’
I shook my head vigorously.
“That’s right! Declan Gold is my guardian!”
Even if he wasn’t before, he would be from this moment on.
A chill ran down my spine.
It was a symptom that had developed since watching her pummel Maximilian Degrave like laundry on the Training Ground.
Whenever the smile faded from Padilla Bondeiz’s face, I found myself picturing my own body getting beaten senseless like dust in the rain—a kind of trauma response.
“This is the key to your new quarters. Don’t lose it, and keep it safe.”
I extended both hands respectfully and quickly took the key.
Since the quad room was constantly occupied with people coming and going, I’d never even known the door had a lock.
A small nameplate reading “102” was attached to the key.
“The attendants should have finished cleaning, so you can move in right away. Oh, and you might find some unfamiliar items—don’t throw them away, just use them. They’re gifts from Declan.”
“Yes, understood! Have a peaceful night, Commander!”
I bowed respectfully and exited the Commander’s Office.
My quickening pace became a jog, and eventually turned into a run.
As I emerged from the Administrative Building heading toward the Dormitory Building, I felt the cold night air and threw both arms up in the air.
‘Finally, a private room!’
It felt as though my human dignity, mangled over the past few days, was being instantly healed.
I wouldn’t have to listen to Matthias and Zander tease me about constipation anymore!
I laughed with unbridled joy and bounded up the stairs in great leaps.

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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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