Na-Isekai Ako
Chapter 56: Adolfo the Uninvited Classmate

Chapter 56: Adolfo the Uninvited Classmate

Katherine stepped into the alchemy classroom, her eyes sweeping over the spacious room. Shelves lined the walls, packed with ingredients in glass bottles, powders in labeled pouches, and aged tomes that smelled faintly of herbs and old paper. The large wooden tables had various tools neatly arranged—mortars and pestles, burners, and glass flasks waiting to be used.

She took a deep breath. This was her first time attending an Alchemy class, and while she was eager to learn, her mind was still occupied with everything that had happened recently—Ruel’s teasing, Adolfo’s shocking revelation about her brother, and the letter from Aunt Yevon promising answers once she returned to Albania.

She sighed and took out her notebook, flipping it open to a blank page. At least this class would be a distraction.

Just as she was settling in, the classroom door slammed open.

"—I made it," a familiar voice panted.

Katherine turned to see Adolfo standing at the entrance, slightly out of breath. His silver hair was slightly ruffled, and his red eyes scanned the room quickly. When his gaze landed on her, his lips curved into a grin.

Katherine huffed and looked away, crossing her arms. She was still slightly annoyed with him for keeping his connection with her brother a secret.

Adolfo, of course, noticed. He sauntered over and slid into the empty seat beside her. "Still mad at me, Lady Katherine?" His voice was laced with amusement.

She shot him a sideways glance. "I’m not mad," she muttered, taking out her quill.

He leaned closer, resting his chin on one hand. "Ah, I see. You’re just not speaking to me properly."

She turned to glare at him, only to realize he was sitting much closer than necessary. "I don’t recall inviting you to sit here."

"You didn’t. I invited myself," he said smugly.

Katherine groaned. "Unbelievable."

Adolfo smirked. "You wound me, my lady. Here I thought you’d be happy to see me."

Katherine gave him a deadpan look. "Oh yes, of course. After you conveniently forgot to mention that you knew my brother all along? Absolutely delighted."

Adolfo chuckled, completely unfazed. "I told you, I thought you knew. It was hardly a secret."

Katherine narrowed her eyes. "And yet, you never mentioned it."

"I suppose I just wanted you to ask me first," he admitted playfully.

Katherine scoffed, ready to retort, when the door opened again, and the professor entered.

The chatter in the classroom died down as the professor, a kind-looking older man with streaks of gray in his dark hair, walked to the front of the class. His presence was warm yet firm, and he carried himself with the quiet confidence of someone truly knowledgeable in his craft.

Katherine straightened in her seat as Professor Sophanes clapped his hands together. "Welcome to Alchemy. I trust you all understand the importance of this field—not just in crafting potions but in understanding the fundamental principles of magic and science working together."

Katherine stole a glance at Adolfo, who now looked completely relaxed, as if this class was nothing to him. It struck her as odd. Shouldn’t he be paying more attention?

Professor Sophanes continued. "Alchemy is not simply mixing ingredients together. The essence of alchemy is transformation. We take what is raw and refine it, just as knowledge refines the mind."

The class listened attentively as he began demonstrating a basic transmutation, turning a dull-looking stone into a small, polished gemstone. Gasps of awe filled the room.

"Practical application will come later," the professor said, setting the gemstone aside. "For today, we will start with understanding the properties of the base elements."

The lesson progressed smoothly, though Katherine couldn’t help but notice Adolfo barely taking notes. He was clearly at ease, as if he already knew everything.

By the time class ended, Katherine felt both excited and overwhelmed. She had learned a lot, but her curiosity about her brother still burned at the back of her mind.

As the students began packing up, Katherine tapped her fingers against her desk, stealing a glance at Adolfo. He was still seated, resting his chin on his hand, watching her with that ever-present smirk.

"You know," she started, crossing her arms, "you don’t have to linger. Class is over."

Adolfo tilted his head slightly. "And yet, here you are, lingering as well. Interesting."

She rolled her eyes. "I’m staying for an actual reason."

"Of course," he said smoothly. "And what would that be?"

Katherine clicked her tongue. "I need to talk to Professor Sophanes."

Adolfo leaned back in his chair. "How convenient. I happen to have nothing urgent to do, so I suppose I can wait."

She shot him a look. "Wait? I didn’t ask you to wait."

His red eyes glinted mischievously. "And yet, here I am. Waiting."

Katherine huffed. "You’re just being annoying on purpose, aren’t you?"

He placed a hand on his chest as if offended. "Now, why would I ever do such a thing?"

Before she could argue further, Professor Sophanes, who had been sorting through some alchemy tools, let out a chuckle. "You two have quite the dynamic. Should I step out and let you settle your differences properly?"

Katherine flushed. "No need! Adolfo was just about to—"

Adolfo interrupted smoothly, "—stay right here, as instructed."

Katherine inhaled sharply. "You’re impossible."

"And yet, you keep talking to me," he mused.

She ignored him, turning to Sophanes. "Professor, I had something to ask you."

Sophanes, still amused, gestured for her to go ahead. "Of course, Lady Katherine. What’s on your mind?"

She gave Adolfo one last pointed look before stepping closer to the professor, leaving Adolfo behind—though she could practically feel his smug presence from across the room.

"So, what did you want to talk about, Lady Katherine?" Sophanes asked, setting down a vial and giving her a curious look.

She hesitated for a moment before shrugging. "Nothing too serious. I just wanted an excuse to stay behind and talk."

Sophanes chuckled. "Ah, I see. Using your charm to avoid dealing with Lord Adolfo?"

Katherine wrinkled her nose. "More like preserving my sanity. He’s insufferable."

"You seem to tolerate him well enough," he mused, giving her a knowing look.

She scoffed. "Tolerate is a strong word."

Sophanes let out a good-natured laugh before leaning against his desk. "Well then, since you have me here, is there anything on your mind? Academy matters? Alchemy? Or perhaps... something else?"

"Professor, I’d like to ask about my brother. Something I forgot to ask you last time."

"Hmm?"

She took a breath. "Did my brother say anything to you before he left to North?"

The professor’s expression turned more serious. "Hmm. Not really. Only that there was something he needed to see for himself."

That answer didn’t sit well with her, but she had expected it.

Sophanes smiled again. "But I can tell you this—he was always thinking ahead, always planning. If he left, it wasn’t on a whim. He had a reason."

Katherine nodded, feeling both reassured and even more curious.

"Thank you, Professor," she said sincerely.

"Anytime, my dear," he replied. "Now, before you go, have you considered applying your own creativity to alchemy? Your energy drink at the Symposium was quite impressive."

Katherine blinked. "Oh?"

Sophanes chuckled. "Oh, you are quite innovative like your brother."

She smiled, shaking her head before turning back toward Adolfo, who was still waiting, twirling a quill between his fingers.

Sophanes gave her a knowing look before shaking his head. "You do realize, don’t you?"

"Realize what?" Katherine crossed her arms.

Sophanes leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice. "That it’s rather unusual—the young count spending time around you."

She frowned. "That guy... did not tell me he is related to my brother."

The professor chuckled and gestured vaguely, oblivious to Katherine’s growing frustration. "I was under the impression you were aware. Adolfo was rather close to your brother."

Katherine frowned. "He never told me."

Sophanes gave Adolfo a knowing look. "Well, that explains why he’s been hovering around you."

"H-Hovering?" Katherine sputtered.

The professor nodded. "That boy already completed this course long ago. He doesn’t need to be here."

Katherine turned back to Adolfo, who simply smiled at her in that infuriatingly charming way.

Professor Sophanes chuckled. "I imagine he’s just looking out for you. He was quite fond of his mentor, after all."

Katherine folded her arms. "Looking out for me, huh?"

Adolfo leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand again. "Is that so hard to believe, my lady?"

She groaned, rubbing her temples. "You’re insufferable."

"And yet, you’re still talking to me," he teased.

Professor Sophanes chuckled at their exchange. "Well, whatever dispute you two have, don’t be too hard on him. He may not show it, but he does care." He patted Katherine’s shoulder before turning his attention this desk again.

Katherine stared at Adolfo, who still looked smug. "You really don’t need to be in this class?"

He shrugged. "Not at all."

"Then why are you here?"

He tilted his head, considering. Then, with an easy smile, he said, "Because you are."

She let out an exaggerated sigh. "You seriously didn’t leave?"

Adolfo smiled. "I was told to wait. And as you know, I always follow instructions."

Katherine sighed.

Sophanes glanced between them, amusement in his eyes. "Well then, I’ll leave you two to it. then. Lady Katherine, if you’re truly interested in alchemical discoveries, I can lend you some books on the topic. Especially the one your brother was so fond of studying."

She blinked, dragging her mind back to the present. "Oh! Really? That would be great, Professor."

"I’ll have them ready by next class," he promised.

Katherine turned back to Adolfo. "Alright, let’s go. But if you annoy me even once, I’m walking in the opposite direction."

Adolfo’s lips twitched with amusement. "I’ll take my chances."

With one last nod to Sophanes, Katherine left the classroom, her mind still buzzing.