The Curse of Being Hated Has Been Lifted

17 – News of the Castle

On a typical Monday, after selling his machine at a reasonable price, Logan headed to the academy.

He had received a definite answer from the dormitory head, Sirien, that they would change his dorm, but Logan thought it was premature.

He couldn’t be sure if the students already living in the dorm would welcome him, and he himself didn’t particularly prefer living with other students in the dormitory. He only said that because, if he kept his place clean, the current residence wasn’t that bad. But for Sirien, it was quite a disheartening story.

In the end, it was almost like saying he wouldn’t come into the dorm because there was no one he could trust.

In the end, he still ended up living in the same old run-down dorm, but he found it more comfortable to go and do maintenance work on weekends and then live there.

“Logan, it’s Logan.”

“Aren’t you buying red bean bread anymore?”

The gazes from the academy looking at Logan had improved quite a bit.

Although he felt a vague sense of guilt whenever he saw those who had tormented him before, most students simply disliked him in their hearts, so there was nothing to worry about. The strange aura emanating from his body had disappeared, and since he didn’t seem to be causing any trouble, people now didn’t think much of him.

The reason for this change was that before Logan’s curse was lifted, it became somewhat known that he was innocent in the bet with Anna, so it was possible. Also, with the new facts about Logan from last weekend, there were even more friendly looks.

“Logan, I think I’ve misjudged you all this time. I’m really sorry.”

The first person to approach Logan was a male student who held the greatest influence in their grade.

They had never been in the same class, nor had they crossed paths frequently. In fact, Logan could have considered them practically strangers. So, when they suddenly came up, apologized, and sat down, Logan couldn’t help but feel awkward.

Even though it might be logically justifiable for someone like Anna or Aria to apologize to him, Logan couldn’t fathom any reason for this almost insignificant person to offer an apology.

“People make their own judgments, so I don’t understand why they apologize for that.”

“I heard rumors that while you were being persecuted at the academy for a long time, you supported children in the orphanage. Upon hearing that, I couldn’t bear the shame of having regarded you as trash all this time.”

“So, you’re apologizing to me to resolve your personal shame?”

Even with Logan’s twisted words, Ricky didn’t waver.

“If you take it that way, there’s nothing more to say, but I’m definitely not doing this to mock you.”

“To be honest, I don’t really understand why you’re apologizing to me. So, I have no intention of accepting your apology.”

Ricky was renowned among second-year students for his exceptional talent with a sword. Additionally, he was known for his upright and steadfast sincerity, so much so that some jokingly called him a hero, drawing parallels to an ancient hero whose personality he supposedly resembled.

“Was there a need to apologize in the first place? I’m also passing judgment on you recklessly.”

Logan passed by him, heading towards the main building, but he turned back to look at Ricky.

“But how did anyone find out that I’m donating to the orphanage?”

“Shohel told me.”

“I should have known.”

Given that people from the orphanage, who might not even know Logan’s true identity as an Asrian, had spread rumors about him to the academy, it was only natural that Shohel was behind it. As Logan entered the classroom, the atmosphere changed.

Since the curse had been lifted, evaluations of Logan had been improving steadily. However, the news that Logan had actually donated to the orphanage was something they couldn’t easily accept. Everyone looked at Logan with astonishment, as if they found it unbelievable.

“Should I just dismiss it as baseless gossip?”

I did not expect this kind of reaction and have been donating to the orphanage.

It could have been a great help to boost his evaluation if I had used it wisely, but I had no intention of using the work I did with my own good will for political gain.

“Logan, there’s a rumor that you donated to the orphanage. Is that true?”

Some brave individuals even approached Logan directly to ask.

“I don’t think I have any reason to answer you, do I?”

In essence, it was no different from admitting that he had donated.

If he had never donated, he would have simply said that he hadn’t.

“Logan donated?”

“Weren’t things different just a while ago? But he donated all year last year?”

The shock among the students, especially those who were in the same class as Logan last year, was even greater.

No matter how much they attributed it to a curse, they were well aware of the malicious energy that Logan had emitted last year.

Moreover, the rumors were not good at all, so it was unbelievable that he had been donating.

“It must be true. Logan doesn’t look like the type to do something stupid just because he’s in a bad mood.”

Logan was not foolish enough to lie about continuously donating to the orphanage for the sake of political figures.

He wouldn’t take unnecessary risks when he could be exposed in less than a day.

“Senior! You’re here early again?”

The moment Shohel appeared confidently in front of Logan, Logan swung his fist and hit Shohel’s head.

“Ouch!”

Of course, Shohel couldn’t possibly avoid seeing Logan’s fist, and he had no reason to pretend it didn’t hurt when he was hit. But because he had committed the sin of proceeding with work without consulting Logan, Shohel took Logan’s fist without trying to avoid it.

“Did you do something weird again?”

“Is this just a one-time thing?”

That was utter nonsense.

Ever since Logan’s curse had been lifted, Shoel had been spreading a lot of positive rumors about him. Everyone knew about the bet he had with Anna during the first week of school, and it was Shoel’s doing that almost every student knew. It was also Shoel who had slowly started the rumor last year that Logan hadn’t caused any major trouble.

It was truly appreciable and commendable, but as someone who hadn’t received anyone else’s kindness from ten years ago till now, Logan didn’t know how to handle it.

Should he just say thank you? Pretend not to notice? Should he give money or bow his head?

Logan didn’t know anything.

That’s why, for now, he chose to keep his mouth shut.

Like a child postponing homework.

Later, when his mentor returned, he planned to ask about these emotions, and then he would express his gratitude to Shoel.

“Don’t do unnecessary things.”

“It doesn’t seem that unnecessary, does it? If I want to have a proper academy life from now on, shouldn’t as many people as possible know these good facts?”

“You’re good at speaking for someone with a loose tongue.”

They weren’t having this conversation in their own secluded space, so everyone in the class could hear their conversation.

‘He’s had a tough life…’

Even the girl waiting outside the classroom to avoid crossing paths with Shoel could hear their conversation, and the more she heard, the more embarrassed she felt, unable to lift her head.

“But what business are you planning now?”

Logan, who until recently didn’t have a penny to his name, suddenly had quite a bit of money.

Even when he had no money, Logan used his wit to swiftly multiply his capital. Now, he was genuinely curious about what strategy he would employ to earn money.

“I can’t think of anything right now.”

Although it hadn’t been long since Showell had met Logan, he instinctively knew that this statement was a lie.

It wasn’t a guess based on the current situation, but rather a strange falsehood he felt in Logan’s tone.

“He’s an easier person to know than I thought.”

Always rigid and cold, Showell didn’t expect him to be easily readable. Yet, as they delved into conversation, Showell found no one easier.

“Hey… really nothing?”

“Nothing.”

At Logan’s firm words, Showell’s mischievous side took over.

“If there is, give me a good punch.”

– Ssyaek

As his finger flicked towards the empty air, a dangerous sound, as if a single hole might casually pierce someone’s head, echoed.

“Do as you wish.”

Logan spoke as if it were nothing, but Showell instinctively sensed that he was uneasy.

“Sorry to my senior, but…”

Even if the other person was unfamiliar with kindness and awkward in dealing with people, Showell believed it wasn’t right to treat them with caution.

Treating others the same, occasionally playing pranks and teasing, might help him figure out how to deal with people.

“Come to think of it, news about Geomseong-nim has been cut off abruptly lately.”

As Logan desperately changed the topic, Showell smiled cutely and answered his question.

“I heard there’s something like a gate at Stella’s mansion these days. People who went inside never came back, including Geomseong-nim.”