There’s Something Special About Her - Chapter 91

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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 91.
“Hanno, you were really amazing, weren’t you?!”
“Why did you hide such strength until now?”
“Damn it! Now even Hanno Becker’s going to climb above me!”
The transformation Hanno Becker displayed during Herta Winter’s physical training had set the entire Training Ground ablaze with rumors.
By the time evening meal arrived, trainees who’d picked up gossip from somewhere were dropping comments as they passed our table.
Some of them even asked him directly what kind of training he did normally.
All Hanno could offer in response was “The assignment Instructor Winter gave me…?” which left everyone walking away disappointed.
“Did I… say something wrong?”
When the same thing happened for the third time, Hanno Becker asked me with a remarkably serious expression.
He looked genuinely confused about why everyone seemed so let down when he was simply telling the truth.
It’s always the way with those who are naturally gifted—they can’t fathom the struggles of ordinary people.
Those trainees had probably come seeking the secret method behind Hanno Becker’s sudden rise to prominence among the martial trainees.
‘Though maybe “secret method” isn’t quite right—it’s more like a plausible explanation.’
In any case, talent really is a cruel thing.
“You’ve never actually done the assignment Instructor Winter gave you.”
“You… you all know that?!”
Hanno Becker’s face flushed crimson at being caught in his lie.
“The Training Ground’s not that big. Of course everyone knows. The real reason they’re all dumbfounded is because you’re brazenly lying about it.”
“That… that could be it! So what should I do?”
“What else? Just start working hard from today on.”
“Right! I’ll do the assignment before bed!”
He really is perfect for teasing.
I let out a soft laugh, told him to work hard, and stood up with my tray.
“Heading back to your room already?”
“Yeah. The physical training wore me out. See you.”
I gave Hanno Becker a casual wave and left the Dining Hall, heading straight for the Dormitory as I’d said.
I washed off the sweat from the grueling training, then caught some sleep.
Of course, I didn’t forget to charge my Necklace.
And the moment the bells marking midnight tolled in the distance, I slipped out of bed.
My destination was the Nest.
‘I need information on the Training Ground commander.’
Today I planned to investigate Padilla Bondeyez, not the instructors.
I really didn’t want to be the one to report an officer.
I was desperately hoping that something in the Nest’s Document Storage Room would completely rule her out as a Spy candidate.
Just as I was offering up that fervent prayer and opening the door to the administrative space of the Nest.
“Oh, Benessa?”
“…Rookie.”
Benessa Karsten, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, was organizing something.
Even past midnight, her chestnut hair was neatly pinned up without a single strand out of place.
“It’s my first time seeing you at this hour.”
“Couldn’t be helped. I have to report to someone terribly busy.”
Benessa Karsten answered with a voice that carried the faintest hint of a sigh.
‘Did she run into Dupon?’
If anyone was receiving her report, it could only be Dupon—the Nest’s de facto administrator.
“And what brings you here?”
“I can only move freely at times like this. During the day I’m too preoccupied with training.”
“Training? Ah, yes, you did enlist.”
Benessa Karsten nodded as the memory came back to her.
“How is trainee life treating you? Bearable?”
Absolutely miserable.
My only solace is pondering how to get revenge on Killian Nox for throwing me into this Training Ground, ha ha.
“It’s manageable so far.”
I buried my true feelings behind a convincing smile, and Benessa Karsten glanced at me sidelong before speaking.
“I heard you received the task of finding a remaining Spy in the Training Ground. That’s why you’ve been suspecting the instructors?”
“Not quite suspicion yet… but how did you know?”
“The instructor personnel files were in disarray.”
“Ah, I… I’m sorry. I didn’t get a chance to report it to the seniors…”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. Any member of the Raven has the authority to access materials stored in the document storage.”
She tapped the papers neatly into her bag, speaking matter-of-factly.
Though her next words came with a pointed edge.
“But if you keep leaving the drawers in such a mess, things could become very regrettable.”
“…I’ll be more careful.”
I thought I’d put everything back without anyone noticing.
How did she know?
I lowered my head, subtly gauging her reaction.
‘Should I mention Padilla Bondeyez now?’
She suspects not just the instructors, but the Training Ground commander as well?
Could she point out anything suspicious?
Maybe she’d even offer advice like which drawer in the storage to open.
‘…Never mind.’
It’s obvious how a new recruit who’s been with the Raven for barely a month would look if they went around suspecting an officer.
So the right time to reveal what I suspect about Padilla Bondeyez is after I’ve found some concrete evidence.
“Anything else on your mind?”
“No, nothing!”
“Then get to your work. Don’t stand there wasting time.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I bowed to Benessa Karsten and entered the Document Storage Room.
Since I’d already received permission from someone practically in charge, I could look through things with a clear conscience now.
If I found Padilla Bondeyez’s file, I could take it back to the Dormitory and read through it carefully.
Besides, I was exhausted from the physical training today.
***
But a few hours later, I returned to the Training Ground empty-handed.
No matter how thoroughly I searched the Document Storage Room, there was nothing about Padilla Bondeyez.
“So that’s what she meant by ‘nothing to apologize for’…”
I should’ve known something was odd about how easily she let me off.
“Any member of the Raven has the authority to access materials stored in the document storage.”
I’d thought she was acknowledging me as a member of the Raven!
But that’s not what Benessa Karsten meant at all.
There are security clearance levels even among Ravens, and truly important documents are stored elsewhere.
Of course, information about an officer like Padilla Bondeyez would be classified as ‘truly important material.’
In other words, I could only access her file once I filed an official report with proper justification that Padilla Bondeyez was suspicious.
The problem was that I needed to see her file first to develop that justification.
“Damn it.”
I’d fallen straight into the classic locked box dilemma.
To open a locked box, you need the key—but the key is inside the locked box, a circular contradiction.
Back in my room, I didn’t even have the strength to walk to bed.
So when I was about to collapse my exhausted body onto the sofa.
“Oh, that was close!”
I frantically rolled my body, landing on the floor instead.
I had to return everything to Deccan Gold in pristine condition!
I’d just barely avoided leaving marks on the snow-white, impossibly soft sofa.
“Sigh.”
My relief was short-lived.
Sprawled on the floor, I was hit with a wave of self-loathing.
I thought all this misery was supposed to end in Wickes!
“Ugh.”
I prayed fervently to the goddess for Killian Nox to go bald early.
As I clasped my hands together in supplication, my wits gradually began to return.
The cold of the floor soothed my overheated mind.
And I realized there was only one way forward.
“I’ll have to shake down the instructors first.”
There’s no way to open a box that’s locked with the key still inside.
So I’d have to open every other box instead.
And if that still didn’t give me answers, that’s when I’d open the problem box.
Lock and all.

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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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