The Duty Of An Academy Student Should Be To Study - Chapter 132

Episode 132

Jasper had already anticipated that the conservatives would have a regular gathering place. 

He had intended to approach them per the Emperor’s orders to extract more information. 

Unexpectedly, thanks to Caleb, he had discovered one of their hideouts.

‘Brittel, huh…’

The reason for them convening in a place about an hour away from the capital was quite obvious. They wouldn’t go to such lengths if the discussions and activities in that gathering were straightforward. It was evident that there were ongoing political movements.

Initially, it had been a mission primarily for gaining the Emperor’s trust. However, Jasper now had another motivation. 

The hardcore conservatives were at the center of this affair. While he wasn’t precisely sure of their ultimate goal, it was clear that what they desired wouldn’t bode well for Rose’s life.

They were bound to oppose any nobility law reforms, and if they gained power in the future, it would undoubtedly harm Rose.

‘Let’s deal with it decisively.’

Anything that could hinder Rose would be taken care of.

Ultimately, the reason Jasper was moved to action all boiled down to one thing: Rose Bell. 

She was Jasper’s values, beliefs, and motivation.

* * *

Theo nervously bit his lips. 

Lately, he hadn’t had a moment’s respite, and the dark circles under his eyes were a testament to it.

After finishing his assistant duties in the evening, Theo would take a train to the Dom Industries Research Lab in Brittel. 

There, he would work until late at night, grab a nap, and then return to Berkley as part of his daily routine.

Balancing these two jobs took a toll on him, not just physically but also mentally. The research lab in Brittel was bustling with activity. They had to produce results quickly by the end of the year to secure more funding.

As it turned out, the financial situation of Dom Industries wasn’t favorable. If they couldn’t secure more sponsors, they’d have to sell several of their factories in the next quarter.

Their goal at the Brittel research lab this year was to create samples that could attract sponsors, even if they couldn’t complete the research.

‘Damn it.’

Theo exhaled with both hands covering his face. Feeling the eyes of his fellow researchers on him, he stood up and stepped outside for a moment.

Wandering the early morning streets of Brittel, he tried to clear his mind. The tightness in his chest persisted despite the cool breeze. 

Lately, he always felt like he was being chased.

Theo’s research project was about creating a new explosive using mana. If a powerful weapon could be developed, it would have implications not only for the Empire but also for those from the Far East who sought to buy such technology.

While Dom Industries had appointed Theo as the head of this research, his mind seemed to become more blank as time went on. 

Experiment after experiment failed, and people around him began to doubt his abilities.

At the same time, the media still portrayed Theo Lixton as a genius of the century. Overcoming his social status, he was often mentioned as a symbol of this generation’s youth.

‘Suffocating…’

He wasn’t creating a new formula; he was merely modifying an existing one. Why did it keep failing? 

Theo had been trying to apply the formula Rose had prepared during her contest preparations to his research. Rose had designed a formula to minimize friction, which would increase the durability of brakes. 

Theo had attempted to reverse-engineer and apply this formula, but it wasn’t as easy as he had hoped. It was only natural because this was a new formula created by Rose, and Theo didn’t possess the ability to apply it.

‘If Rose were here instead of me… ‘

The research would probably progress without any hindrance.

Theo had begun regretting his decision, wondering if he had made the wrong choice due to a high salary. 

Commuting to Brittell, which didn’t offer much in terms of sights, was also a struggle. However, due to receiving several weeks’ worth of wages upfront, he couldn’t quit his job immediately. 

He had to endure the relentless pressure from his superiors for a while.

He needed a breakthrough. If he continued down this path, his reputation would crumble, and his unremarkable true self would be exposed to the world.

‘Did I desire too much?’

Theo stared into the empty air with unfocused eyes for a long while.

“I have to find a way… somehow.”

Theo’s vacant voice echoed through the empty streets.

* * *

On a Sunday morning with no classes, Rose found herself in a fancy clothing store.

“Now, Miss Rose, would you mind raising your arm just a bit?”

Feeling awkward, Rose obediently lifted her arm. Everything happening now felt unfamiliar and bewildering.

Jasper had insisted that she come here at the appointed time, saying he wanted to give her a dress for the graduation ball. 

Rose had initially planned to choose a suitable dress from the store, one that wouldn’t be too expensive but would still meet Jasper’s standards.

However, contrary to her expectations, this store only offered custom-made dresses. The meticulous tailor took her measurements and asked what kind of concept she had in mind for the dress.

Rose had no idea about current dress styles. She regretted not asking Rebecca or Briley to accompany her, and she felt quite ignorant throughout the measurement process. 

To make matters worse, Jasper couldn’t come to the store with her because of some urgent household matters. He had apologized profusely, but Rose couldn’t help feeling like a clueless child.

The tailor presented various pieces of fabric in different colors for Rose to compare and choose from.

“Miss Rose, if you have something in mind, please let me know. That way, we can create a dress that you’ll truly love. Do you have any favorite materials or colors?”

“Um… Just give me a moment to think.”

Rose tried her best to hide her uneasiness, but her face seemed to redden with embarrassment. She found it hard to admit her ignorance, especially in such an elegant shop. 

As she glanced at other ladies who had briefly passed by the tailor, it was clear they were not as overwhelmed as she was. Still, she couldn’t help but feel discouraged, knowing that she had so much to consider aside from just choosing a dress.

Her face gradually contorted into a frown. Maybe she should come back later and ask Jasper for his opinion. 

No, on second thought, Jasper probably had no clue when it came to choosing a dress either. If she were to ask what he thought would be pretty, he would likely reply with “Anything is fine.”

‘As her partner, I shouldn’t be embarrassed.’

She wanted to make sure she looked presentable as Jasper’s partner. After all, this would be their first official appearance together as a couple. Rose didn’t want to mess it up. 

Finally, she chose to overcome her embarrassment and seek help honestly.

With some hesitation, Rose told the tailor.

“Um… Madame, to be honest, I don’t know much about fashion…”

The tailor’s eyes widened slightly, possibly thinking Rose wasn’t behaving in a ladylike manner. 

Rose was worried that she would be judged, but she quickly brushed those thoughts away. She had led a busy life that had not allowed her to focus on fashion.

Rose cleared her throat and continued.

“I’m not familiar with fashion, so… I need your help. Could you recommend something? I want to attend the ball in attire that suits my partner, and I need your expertise. I can’t do it alone, and I’m sure I’d mess up without your guidance. I’m asking for your help.”

The tailor’s surprised expression soon transformed into a warm and understanding one. She responded gently.

“Oh, I see. Don’t worry, Miss Rose. Let me help you. Would you like to take a look at our catalog? I can show you some ideas that would be perfect for you.”

Contrary to Rose’s concerns, the tailor accepted her request graciously and began showing her the latest fashion catalog. 

Rose paid close attention to every word the tailor said, almost feeling like she was in a classroom. She wished she could take notes.

In response to the tailor’s suggestions, Rose listened carefully. The tailor remarked.

“Actually, Miss Rose, your fair and delicate complexion will look good with any color dress.”

“Really?”

“Given your elegant presence, I think a classic design would suit you well. A bustle-style dress with a slightly puffed-out skirt to accentuate your petite figure would be a good choice. Oh, and your neck is beautifully slender. Expanding the décolletage would emphasize your strengths and make you look less constricted.”

“Yes, yes…”

Rose nodded in response to the tailor’s suggestions. The tailor gave her a sly glance and continued.

“The school uniform shirt may have been loose, but when I took your measurements, it seems that you can emphasize your bust as well.”

Rose couldn’t help but let out a surprised cough. 

“You think so?”

“Compared to your figure, your bust is on the fuller side.”

“Is it? Uh, yes…”

“Let’s go for a style that accentuates your upper body. Show off your ladylike charm!”

Rose took a sip of the tea the tailor had offered, feeling a dryness in her throat. 

The tailor, enthusiastic, continued.

“You mentioned that you don’t like anything too flashy, but it’s your only graduation ball! It’s okay to stand out. I would recommend a red dress—a color that isn’t overly bright—with a velvet fabric for a touch of elegance.”

The tailor went on to provide detailed recommendations for accessories to pair with the dress, discussing each element with great enthusiasm. 

Rose was taken aback by the tailor’s fervor.

“We’ll work on the intricate embellishments as we go.”

“Thank you for your care, Madame.”

The tailor spoke in a hushed tone. 

“No, I was actually quite excited when I got this job. It’s a chance to meet Miss Rose in person, someone I’ve only heard rumors about.”

“Oh… you mean me?”

“It’s a privilege to be making Miss Rose’s dress.”

Rose didn’t know how to react to the tailor’s unexpected attitude.