The Curse of Being Hated Has Been Lifted

16 – Logan’s True Colors

“What story do you want to tell?”

Sirien led Logan to the student affairs office.

Although there was no locking device, the word “Student Affairs Office” written on the door itself could serve as a kind of lock, so it was safe to assume that no one would come in.

“First of all, I apologize for the unfair treatment the Asrian army has received so far…”

“You don’t need to apologize to me.”

Most of the discipline the Asrian had received was from the leadership and the academy itself.

The Student Affairs Office had never disciplined Asrian, and there were even times when they praised him.

Personally, the head of student affairs had defended Asrian many times, so Sirien could not apologize to him.

This was a different issue from not receiving Anna’s apology.

“I didn’t receive discipline from the Student Affairs Office.”

“… First of all, I submitted a petition to the academy. It’s about reducing the discipline on Asrian students.”

Since some of the crimes under Logan’s name had already passed a considerable amount of time, many of the facts could not be confirmed.

Sirien did not have enough time to investigate those things, so he submitted a petition to the academy focusing on the disciplines Logan was facing or had paid for.

‘I didn’t expect it to turn out like this…’

Considering Serene’s personality, she might have promised to ensure that I wouldn’t be disciplined without sufficient investigation in the future. I didn’t even think about revealing my disciplinary record from before.

“Thank you.”

Even if Logan had a bit of a skewed personality, he was someone who could express gratitude.

Slightly bowing her head, Serene responded to Logan’s words with a fundamental remark that she was only doing what was expected of her.

“Is there anything else I can help with?”

Was this person originally this kind?

“Something to help with…”

A name flashed through Logan’s mind.

“In fact, I’ve been harassed. To be precise, I should say I was harassed.”

It wasn’t anything remarkable.

In Logan’s case, being harassed by one person could be considered as being harassed by the whole world.

“Could you tell me more about it?”

It wasn’t Anna’s story.

Sometimes sprinkling water and needlessly picking a fight were just trivial acts that didn’t reach the level of harassment in Logan’s life.

“Even though I’ve returned them now, they always stole all of my textbooks. Thanks to that, I attended the academy last year without any textbooks.”

Serene’s brow slightly furrowed at Logan’s words.

Such despicable harassment was present at the academy?

“And money was stolen a few times too. In total, it would be over 50 silver.”

“Who did it?”

Sirene spoke in a cold voice.

Although a thorough investigation would be needed to confirm, Sirene had not considered the possibility that Logan was lying.

In a situation like this, lying to oneself would only be a detriment to Logan as well.

“I am Aria. I’m not sure about the name. You can just call me by my last name.”

“Are we in the same grade?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I think I know who you are.”

Sirene stiffened her expression.

“I haven’t told anyone until now. As you know… my image hasn’t been very favorable.”

When you’re marked by a curse, even if you shout that someone is harassing you, all you hear is dismissive remarks.

“I understand. She will face the appropriate consequences.”

Although Aria had a feminine tone, her family name had no relevance to her actual gender.

Since Logan didn’t mention Aria’s gender, Sirene had already figured out who Logan was talking about.

“Can you promise that she will be properly punished?”

Slightly intimidated by Logan’s cold gaze, Sirene opened her mouth.

“Of course.”

“The Academy and the leadership may try to avoid punishing Aria. Given my image so far, it might be considered reasonable for them to act that way, based on some illogical reasoning.”

While enduring the harassment of others might be considered normal to some extent, Aria was different.

“Can you truly ensure a proper punishment for Aria, breaking through the Academy and leadership?”

In the moment when Sirene was about to nod in response to Logan’s silent gaze, Logan spoke first.

“This isn’t just a matter for the student council president. In the end, the outcome will depend on my image.”

With those words, Logan rose from his seat.

“You don’t need to discipline Aria right away. When my image has improved enough and the time is right for a proper disciplinary action against Aria, then you can act.”

Logan immediately opened the door and left, uttering a word of gratitude to Siren.

“Thank you, Student Council President.”

****

The next day, Logan sold pastries outside the academy.

This time, he sold them for a whopping 10 silver, but he managed to sell all the pastries by a close margin.

“I can’t sell them anymore because I’ve run out of ingredients.”

“What?”

Ignoring the students who regretted not buying them today, thinking they didn’t know he would end the sale, Logan wrapped up his business.

“I won’t need these for a while.”

Selling a different type of food could be an option, but no matter how much he thought about it, the profitability didn’t seem promising.

Logan had a new capital of nearly 3 gold in his hands, so it was right to start a new business that matched that capital.

“Senior, you definitely have a good business sense. Would you like to manage our family’s assets?”

“I refuse.”

Honestly, it was tempting.

Being the asset manager of the Shohel family was indeed a strong background and would greatly assist Logan in his planned betrayal.

However, revenge was something he wanted to do on his own.

He didn’t want to seek revenge with the power of the Shohel family.

“If you provoke a war by meddling, who knows.”

“But where are you going now? Preparing for the next venture?”

“It’s not about that.”

The place Logan headed to was an orphanage tucked away on the island.

“Well, surely… you’re not thinking of using the kids for labor, are you?”

“Do I look like that kind of trash to you?”

Logan confidently walked towards the entrance of the orphanage.

“Welcome.”

Ever since Logan’s curse was lifted, most people treated Logan Asrian kindly if they didn’t recognize his appearance.

Logan thought, ‘Is my appearance that outstanding?’ But in reality, he received the same treatment as anyone else, rather than being recognized for his exceptional looks.

It was not at all natural for hatred to be displayed on faces just by making eye contact. When trying to engage in a conversation, he would be told to back off, and attempting to approach would not result in fists flying at him.

“What brings you here?”

“I came to make a donation.”

“Why a sudden donation?”

“It’s not sudden.”

“Have you ever made a donation to our orphanage before?”

“I have. Under the name Roa.”

“Oh! Mr. Roa? Thank you always. It’s the first time seeing you in person, and you look quite impressive.”

Shohel, the orphanage director, was struggling to find the right words under the praise.

“At least use this to buy some clothes for the kids.”

“Okay, understood.”

The orphanage director accepted the money from Logan and pulled out a thin book, recording the donated amount.

“Wow! Handsome brother!”

Having stood near the entrance of the orphanage for quite a while, Logan inevitably attracted the attention of the children, whether it was because of his appearance or not, the kids instantly clung to him.

“This is Lord Loa.”

“Really?”

Shohel couldn’t quite comprehend the situation unfolding right now.

“Last year during Thanksgiving, we were truly thankful!”

“Thank you for the gift!”

What’s going on?

What is happening?

Shohel couldn’t gather his thoughts until Logan left the orphanage after a prolonged exchange of gratitude.

“You’ve been donating to the orphanage all this time?”

“You could say that.”

It wasn’t for any grand reason.

After all, Logan had nowhere else to spend the money, and the orphanage, with all these kids living as pitifully as himself, unintentionally tugged at his heart.

Fearing that he might not receive money if he revealed his identity as Logan Astrian, he used the pseudonym Loa.

With a body entwined with a looming curse, he rarely visited the orphanage properly as the children found him too scary. However, since a substantial amount of money had come in this time, he decided to visit in person.

“How much have you donated until now?”

“I don’t really know about that,” he said and then roughly calculated before speaking again.

“It’ll be about 3 gold.”

It must be tough for him to make a living, yet he donates 3 gold to the orphanage.

“This needs to be spread widely.”

Shohelro couldn’t just leave this valuable information alone.