Chapter 16 – Scammers and Deceitful Students (3)
Unlike teachers and students who were encouraged to utter in a benevolent tone, this boy, however, spoke otherwise. His tone was vulgar.
“How could a struggling first-year student afford to buy a drink? Just please give me some leftovers.”
“I already told you bastard, and there’s nothing left today! The young master took it all with him when he came late for lunch.”
Jeongjin sneaked a careful look at who was inside the kitchen.
Outside the backdoor of the restaurant’s cooking room, he saw a boy with a messy hair being beaten by the server holding a tray.
“Aunt, please, I already got you an amulet and went to the black market. It’s already a lot!”
“I told you there’s nothing left! But I can’t say the same for your mouth! So, how many bottles did you drink today?!”
“Definitely less than how much the school costs. It won’t also ruin the establishment if I get drunk.”
“I guess your mouth needs more beating then!”
“Ah, aunt, no!”
‘I think this guy better stop annoying her lest he wants more hits,’ Jeongjin thought to himself as he saw the stubborn boy. ‘Is he an errand boy?’
The aggregated number of students in all four grades at the Royal College of Capital Defense was only 160, exclusive of additional employees who hired to serve some students.
Due to the sheer number of tasks, it was not unusual to see children assigned to do some light errands for full-time employees.
‘But isn’t this too much?’
Usually, most students rarely drink in the morning. The drink he had must have been the price for this boy’s errand.
Clayo’s life portrayed in the novel was something akin to a student fed with a ‘golden spoon’ compared to this unfortunate boy. Yet, he felt a little concerned because he had lived the same way in his original life before. He was also quite guilty – the boy must have been expecting some good wine.
When the commotion ceased, Jeongjin returned his tray with the dishes to the lady and picked up the bottle containing the remaining wine.
“Madam.”
“Oh, did you finished eating?”
The woman, who had just lambasted the dirty boy, quickly fixed herself.
“Yes, it was delicious, thank you. I think I ordered too much of the wine. Can I give it back?” Jeongjin asked because he wanted to give it to the boy.
“No… I guess you’ve heard what this jerk had said. It’s all right. Take it. It’s for the students.”
Despite having been scolded, the messy boy quipped, “Aunt, he’s telling me it’s fine… Hey, you’re giving me that drink, right?”
“Uh… yeah.”
“Thanks!”
“Don’t you ever come here again with that dirty mudded feet! Get out of here!” exclaimed the woman.
The boy rushed inside with his muddy boots at lightning speed and snatched two empty cups. Jeongjin was astounded, having just witnessed a boy holds two glasses in one hand and a bottle of liquor on the other hand. Jeongjin knew nothing about the boy, only that he was tall and he had big hands.
The boy then turned to him and said with a grin, “It looks like you know how to drink.”
“What? Do you know me?”
“No, I don’t know you, but let’s drink the rest together. What do you say?”
Jeongjin agonized for a moment, for he never intended to share a drink with a boy whom he doesn’t know anything of…
‘Ah, fine.’
Ultimately, it was the lingering aroma of the wine and the greed for one more glass that drove him to agree.
“Do you know a place to drink? Preferably where no one’s around?”
The dirty boy replied, “There’s plenty of that in this school.”
“…Okay.”
Although expulsion was his goal… could instances of bullying, fraudulent students, and a suicidal student becoming a drunkard at the age of seventeen too extreme?
***
The boy led Jeongjin to a forest. As they went further, the foliage became thicker, and the tall, ancient-looking trees cast shadows over them.
As they went further in the middle of the forest, they saw a vacant lot with four old stones positioned in four directions. One to the east, the other to the west, and so on with rest. Amid the four stones were the remains of a wrecked building.
“I didn’t know there were ruins in the middle of the school,” Jeongjin said to the boy.
“Are you a student at this school? It’s the door of the Menemosine. It has rumored that this is the way that connects to another world.”
“No, that is…?”
The Gate of the Menemosine resembled a door with a piece of wrecked wall, including its columns and door frames. Its door frame, which compromised of limestone, had fallen out of its style, its surface stained with green moss. As such, it was considered a remnant for more than a thousand years of age.
“I didn’t know it looked so shabby,” muttered an ignorant Jeongjin.
The messy boy clarified. “In the ancient days, they say the devil came from out there. That’s why people don’t come here. Perfect for a drink, right?”
The boy gently bent down and sat comfortably in the grass. While in a little distance, Clayo likewise rested his back against the stone. The two didn’t require an ample dialogue.
The boy started to pour out some wine into the glass. After a couple of rounds, only a half bottle of wine remained. They enjoyed the sensation in their tongues until they became tipsy, feeling like they were about to fly away.
Finally, the ragged boy introduced himself with a smile on his face.
“I’m Leo. What about you?”
“Me?”
‘He doesn’t have any idea who I am? Well, he won’t know if he’s not a student.’ Jeongjin asserted.
Then Jeongjin became interested and began to observe the boy more carefully.
‘He’s not too bad looking behind that grime.’
The boy sported dirty, blonde hair, and specks of dust clung to his beard. He couldn’t even see his jawline. His eyes curled when he smiles, and the color of his pupils was dark.
“Well, I’m Ray,” Jeongjin bluffed, hiding his identity.
“Oh, it’s like my name.” The boy replied smartly. “So, you like drinking?”
“Stop talking nonsense. Let’s drink the rest of it.”
The boy merely laughed, and just like that, they continued to burn the hours away drinking.