Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are So Hot! [BL]-Chapter 238: Unexpected Proposals

"Um... I’m sorry, Theo. I’ll have to rely on your support for this," Damien admitted, feeling a bit sheepish.

At this rate, his personal funds would almost certainly run out.

He had no choice but to ask for help.

"Of course," Theo said with a bright smile. "Please don’t hesitate to lean on me. Supporting a ward in situations like this is one of the duties of a guardian."

Damien smiled back, relieved.

He was beginning to understand that there was also a political dimension to nobles offering support—it strengthened relationships between families.

"Are there any other potential issues I should be aware of?" Damien asked.

"Well," Theo said, tilting his head thoughtfully, "if there are any, they’d likely arise from day-to-day life at the academy. It’s hard to predict until you’re actually there. That said, I’ve heard it’s common for students to have concerns about their social relationships or academic performance."

"Ah, I see," Damien said, nodding.

It sounded similar to schools in his previous world.

Student worries seemed universal—friendships, love, and, of course, exams.

"Got it. In that case—"

"Wait!"

Just as Damien was about to express his agreement, Leonide suddenly interjected.

"I have a few questions for Lord Dalehaven," Leonide said, standing up and fixing Theo with a sharp glare.

"Of course. Ask me anything you’d like," Theo replied with a calm nod, completely unperturbed by Leonide’s intense gaze.

The tension in the room thickened.

Damien glanced between the two, feeling like he was witnessing the beginning of a final showdown.

However, it didn’t start.

It seemed Damien had been imagining things in the tense atmosphere.

Even now, he could see Theo and Leonide standing on a metaphorical cliff edge, facing off against each other with an intensity that made him wonder: What on earth had Leonide so upset?

"Lord Dalehaven, I’ve heard that students are required to live in dormitories if they attend the academy. Why haven’t you mentioned this to Master Damien?!" Leonide demanded, his voice sharp.

Wait, what? Is that true?

"It is," Theo confirmed calmly.

Apparently, it was.

"But wait," Damien interjected, confused. "If that’s the case, why are you here at the estate every day, Theo?"

"In my case, I have duties as a theological priest," Theo explained. "Students who have external jobs are allowed to live outside the dormitories. For instance, I commute to work and, on days when I can, attend the academy from home. That’s been my routine."

Ah, right—Theo was a priest.

Lately, though, Theo had been so involved in Damien’s experiments and the embezzlement investigation that his priestly uniform had barely made an appearance.

Damien had almost forgotten his side job entirely.

Come to think of it, the experiments themselves were technically part of Theo’s work for the church, weren’t they?

So, exemptions were granted to students who had jobs that prevented them from staying in the dormitories.

That made sense.

"In that case, should I also enroll as a baron with work obligations to avoid staying in the dorms?" Damien asked.

"That’s certainly an option," Theo replied. "However, if you aim to graduate in two or three years, staying in the dormitory and attending as many classes as possible would be ideal."

Ah, that explained it.

Theo’s estimate of Damien graduating within two or three years factored in staying in the dorms and maximizing his time in class.

As someone eager to become independent as quickly as possible, Damien didn’t mind the idea of graduating sooner.

Still...

"If Damien moves into the dormitory, what are we supposed to do?" Leonide’s voice cracked slightly, and Damien noticed tears brimming in his eyes as he glared at Theo.

Oh no.

Leonide was clearly heartbroken by the idea.

It was true—if Damien moved into the dormitory, he wouldn’t be able to see them as often.

While it seemed possible to get permission to leave the dorms occasionally, regular classes would likely keep him too busy to return frequently.

The other three exchanged worried glances, clearly distressed.

Meanwhile, Zima looked utterly crestfallen.

Ithnan and the others quietly observed the exchange, but it was clear they intended to follow Damien no matter what.

This could only lead to trouble.

"Only Lord Dalehaven can attend the academy," Leonide declared, his voice tense. "Lord Dalehaven, are you planning to monopolize Damien’s time for yourself?"

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

That’s definitely overthinking it, Damien thought. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Theo, who had previously encouraged Damien to flirt openly despite his protests, wasn’t the type to suddenly grow possessive now.

The idea of monopolizing Damien was absurd.

That said, Leonide wasn’t entirely wrong.

If Damien started attending the academy, the only person he’d regularly see was Theo.

Should he give up on dorm life and graduate more slowly?

Or maybe reconsider attending the academy entirely?

"If I said the thought didn’t cross my mind, I’d be lying," Theo admitted.

Wait, what?! Damien was stunned.

Theo’s words, paired with a sheepish expression like a child caught in mischief, were completely unexpected.

Leonide’s teary eyes sharpened into an even fiercer glare.

"But," Theo continued with a smile, "Damien would feel lonely, and everyone would hate me, so I decided against it."

Theo’s grin widened as he scanned the room, meeting the gazes of everyone present.

"That’s why I have a suggestion: why don’t we all go to the academy together?"

Huh?

Damien blinked in confusion.

Go to the academy together?

What does that even mean?

A field trip?

Leonide, Zima, and the others all had puzzled expressions on their faces.

Elyon seemed to be getting bored.

Elyric had even fallen asleep on Damien’s lap.

"Lord Dalehaven, I don’t understand what you’re saying," Leonide said, he was unable to hide his confusion and looking to Theo for an explanation.

"Of course, I’ll explain it," Theo replied. "First, as for you all, it’s a great opportunity. Why don’t you all join Damien at the academy?"

Wait, is that even possible?

"But, we’re servants," Leonide protested. "It’s not like we can just go to the academy..."