# WebtoonLib — How to Refuse the Route #12

## Series
- title: How to Refuse the Route
- slug: how-to-refuse-the-route-032515

## Chapter
- number: 12
- release_date: 2025-03-12

### Summary
A significant time skip propels the narrative forward, generating excitement for the characters' older designs while also causing some readers to lament the loss of their "cute" and "innocent" childhood forms. The focus shifts heavily to Fourth Prince Ilya, who has "grown up well" and is now proficient with a sword, an act readers believe was done solely to impress Jerry. Fan theories speculate that Ilya may have even feigned the failure of a sword aura test—passing it off as an illusion—to avoid being placed in a senior class and separated from Jerry, fueling speculation that he may be a possessive or "yandere" type. This stands in stark contrast to protagonist Jerry's comical naivete, as he openly wonders who Ilya is trying to impress with a "girlfriend." Readers overwhelmingly point out the irony, with a flood of comments clarifying that Jerry himself is the intended "boyfriend" and the object of affection, highlighting his continued obliviousness to his role within the dating game. While Ilya is the clear fan favorite, Crown Prince Karyan still has supporters. Amidst the romantic developments, the story is noted for its realistic portrayal of Jerry's lasting trauma from the previous drowning incident.
- summary_source: graph_aggregator
- summary_verification: unverified

### Key events
- A multi-year time skip occurs, showing the characters as teenagers entering the Academy.

## Spoiler
- level: auto

### Safe teaser
A significant time skip propels the narrative forward, generating excitement for the characters' older designs while also causing some readers to lament the loss of their "cute" and "innocent" childhood forms.

### Spoiler summary
A significant time skip propels the narrative forward, generating excitement for the characters' older designs while also causing some readers to lament the loss of their "cute" and "innocent" childhood forms. The focus shifts heavily to Fourth Prince Ilya, who has "grown up well" and is now proficient with a sword, an act readers believe was done solely to impress Jerry. Fan theories speculate that Ilya may have even feigned the failure of a sword aura test—passing it off as an illusion—to avoid being placed in a senior class and separated from Jerry, fueling speculation that he may be a possessive or "yandere" type. This stands in stark contrast to protagonist Jerry's comical naivete, as he openly wonders who Ilya is trying to impress with a "girlfriend." Readers overwhelmingly point out the irony, with a flood of comments clarifying that Jerry himself is the intended "boyfriend" and the object of affection, highlighting his continued obliviousness to his role within the dating game. While Ilya is the clear fan favorite, Crown Prince Karyan still has supporters. Amidst the romantic developments, the story is noted for its realistic portrayal of Jerry's lasting trauma from the previous drowning incident.

## Status
- data_status: complete
- summary_status: generated
- transcript: Hardsub chapter — image-only

## See also
- [WebtoonLib — How to Refuse the Route #12](/series/how-to-refuse-the-route-032515/chapter-12)
- for_series_detail: /llms-series/how-to-refuse-the-route-032515

## Usage
AI grounding / search / summarization. Cite WebtoonLib for any included content.