Chapter 26 (1/2)
<noscript> <iframe src=”syndicationexdynsrvcom/ads-iframe-displayphp?idzone=3634611&output=noscript&type=300x250” width=”300” height=”250” scrolling=”no” ht=”0” frameborder=”0”></iframe></noscript>noble Affairs
Lynn was in the library, in a private study roo before Yuven showed her face
Today too she talked about social standing, and in a roundabout, indirect way, she alluded to Lynn's slave origins, and the qualitative difference between her and him Just as Yuven was on the offense in this manner, Lynn played the part of the defender as he did his best to evade her roundabout attacks while at the sa to study
”I have a question for you What's important in order to enjoy life to the fullest… Do you knohat it is?”
”I guess I don't”
”What is i”
”Is that so?”
”You know, I' Tesla san That's to say that, even while you're sweating away in a factory, I'ant people”
”That sounds great, Yuven… Really”
”Do you have sos from you?”
”No, Yuven… We both know I don't have anyone like that”
”Mhm, such a sha ood prospects, Janull san says I have a knack for s quicker than the other students, and that there are high hopes for et it already You're loved by everyone and you're really popular”
Suddenly Yuven's face darkened and she looked down
What… Is she ok?
He must have taken her by surprise with his reet this kind of reaction from her
He had intended his comment to be half compliment, half sarcasm, but perhaps he had touched upon a sore subject
He tried reading her face He noticed she was biting the corner of her lip
When she spoke next, her voice was low and heavy
”Unless you get recognition, it doesn'tmuttered those words with bitterness, she then fell silent Lynn couldn't find the appropriate words, so he too remained silent
For a while they sat like that, neither uttering a word, and the aard silence dragged on
Completely exhausted, Lynn headed for the elevator that would take hiain, Yuven had followed him around the whole day
Lately she hadn't been satisfied with keeping a watch on him just while he was in the library and in class, so she had begun prying away at information on what he did outside of the academy
She would ask him how much he had studied in his dorm room
Moreover, she would ask hione over in his preparations, and ask meticulous questions, almost as a kind of cross examination
While he ith her, he felt like he was a suspected cri
In order to conceal part of his studying routine, he had to think carefully about what he told her
If there was even a slight contradiction in what he said, she would double down on the questioning and accuse hi
”Yuven, haven't you already understood that I'? Why do you have to keep such a close eye on me?”
”For fairness Fairness is the academy's motto How could I ever let you steal a march on the rest of us?”
”'For fairness', you say? Aren't you yourself an incarnation of inequality and head starts?”
”What!? So what if I ae your opinion based on your position The ones who o on to bully young kids when they themselves become old The politicians who accept bribes? If they lose their position they criticize corruption and everyone involved I know there are people who, seeing that kind of behaviour, say stuff like 'who are you to say anything!' But I won't allow that kind of sophis, I call them out for it and blame them If I'm subject to unfair treatment, I'll protest This is the de is the just, right execution of privilege I won't accept any objections”
Lynn was at a complete utter loss for words
He felt like he was on the brink of some kind of neurotic breakdown
Even when he was in his own room, every time he opened a book he would look around restlessly, half expecting Yuven to pop up and launch into one of her rants, or try to give hie, he would double check she wasn't lurking so for the perfect moment to strike Even when he couldn't hear her voice, instead of relief that too only ot back to the 'Rat's Nest', Theo was already hoht
”Hey,” he called out in a lazy draelcome home”
Lynn narrowed his eyes and shot him a look, as if to accuse hiot it good, being able to read whenever you want, in peace”
”Well unlike you, I don't have an angel of death [1] attached to ht”, Lynn admitted, then let himself collapse onto his bed
”Hey, Theo About Yuven…”