episode_0049

-Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.

In the dimly lit room, only the sound of pencils echoed crisply.

From her gaze and expression, a hint of madness could be sensed.

While the class president was always diligent,

she had never been so engrossed to the point of obsession before.

But at this moment, she was undeniably pushing herself too hard.

Of course, it was all because of Yujin.

-Snap!

Finally, the burden became too much for the pencil, snapping in half.

As a signal, the president’s hand abruptly halted.

She sighed as she gazed at the broken pencil tip.

“What am I doing…?”

The class president was focused on improving her knowledge and skills.

However, this was not merely about healthy self-improvement.

It was more akin to an obsession with a certain man.

Specifically, her feelings towards Kim Yujin made her this way.

“But if I don’t do this, Yujin won’t pay attention to me again.”

For a while, she assisted Yujin in his training.

As a result, Yujin underwent significant growth.

Or so she thought.

In reality, Yujin had no feelings for her whatsoever.

There were plenty of others who could replace her.

Yet, she deluded herself into thinking that he would need her.

“I never intended…to think like this…”

Unconsciously, she bit her lip.

Suddenly, dark emotions surged from deep within her chest.

Guilt, jealousy, envy, doubt, obsession, regret.

A mix of emotions complicated the president’s mind.

Unable to bear it any longer, she buried her face in the desk.

Even then, a certain face came to mind.

Of course, it was Kim Yujin.

Despite the circumstances, just thinking of his face made her heart flutter uncontrollably.

Now, even her own emotions seemed despicable to her.

“Ugh…”

She had undoubtedly chosen Kim Yujin.

Betraying a close friend and going to him instead.

“I don’t even have the right to feel sorry.”

She still remembered Chulsoo’s expression when he heard her words.

Memories shared with Chulsoo and Yeonghee still lingered in her heart.

She had witnessed everything they did to Yujin.

Despite knowing all this, she chose Kim Yujin.

Vowing not to regret, even if burdened by guilt.

“I never thought Yujin would refuse to train.”

Trembling with her own foolishness and cowardice.

How dare she think Yujin would want her back?

The power she felt from Yujin was truly immense.

Perhaps her help was just her own wishful thinking.

From Yujin’s perspective, it might have been a waste of time.

“Did I abandon a friend who needed me, to choose a man I didn’t need?”

As vague thoughts formed into sentences,

a sharp dagger pierced her heart.

She struggled to halt her thoughts.

If she continued like this, that dagger would surely tear her heart apart.

“Yes, that’s not it. Yujin said he found someone to replace me. My help must have been valuable.”

Kim Yujin wasn’t one to twist words or lie.

Though his words were cryptic and hard to grasp.

If Yujin said it, it was likely true.

Meaning there was indeed someone capable of replacing her.

“But who could it be?”

It might sound arrogant, but her abilities were quite rare.

A unique training method involving reading the flow of magic.

Combined with personal research knowledge and experience.

Even a skilled mage would struggle to replicate her techniques easily.

Within the academy, she could pride herself on being unparalleled.

Finding a replacement so quickly was undoubtedly abnormal.

“Could there have been someone in Heukcheon with similar abilities?”

It wasn’t entirely impossible.

Heukcheon was one of Korea’s largest guilds.

The place was notorious, so it was home to many formidable individuals.

Among them, there were undoubtedly wizards far superior to oneself.

After hearing Eugene’s explanation, one might have thought of similar things.

Moreover, could Eugene be the successor of Heukcheon?

For the sake of the successor’s growth, he must have spared no investment.

“……Annoying.”

However, whoever it was, the fact that someone took Eugene away from him remains unchanged.

He had sacrificed everything for Eugene.

Betrayed a precious friend.

Abandoned the ideals he held dear as a hero.

And yet, to have it all taken away in an instant.

There is no way he can forgive that.

“I will get it back…..”

Someone to replace me?

Then I must become someone so remarkable that they cannot.

After all, he now has nothing else left for himself.

Having given up everything for Eugene.

If he loses even that, his heart cannot bear it.

He will succumb to his own self-pity and guilt.

“Now I have no choice but that method.”

It doesn’t matter how great Heukcheon is.

He just needs to prove his worth to Eugene.

Then, for whatever reason, he will choose him.

No, he must make it so.

His choice was not wrong.

No, it must not be wrong.

“Whoever it is, I will definitely find Eugene. He will never be taken away.”

One-sided emotions had turned into an obsession after long deliberation.

Unaware that his emotions were becoming deeper and darker.

The leader moved his pen again, thinking only of Kim Eugene.

-Square square square square square square square square.

In the room of a girl in love, only the sound of a pencil echoed softly.

****

The next day at the academy.

Eugene gritted his teeth at the situation before him.

“Ugh, damn it.”

Honestly, he knew this day would come sooner or later.

It was something he had anticipated since he first came to this academy.

But it’s happening much faster than expected.

Even if he was being complacent, it’s okay.

Recently, there had been no signs of such an event.

He didn’t even have time to prepare himself mentally.

“Well, then I will now announce the groups for the survival task that will take place on the island.”

Eugene inwardly cursed at the homeroom teacher’s words.

Group project!

An event at school where friends you only know by name and awkward greetings come together to accomplish something!

As nerve-wracking as the days when you don’t know what to do when told, “Today, gather with your close friends to form a team.”

To Eugene, who was an outsider, it was a story that made his stomach churn just by hearing about it.

“Oh, I really hate this….”

Of course, he understands the purpose of the lesson.

Each team goes to the island, survives for a few days, and even tries to defeat monsters in a survival-style test.

It’s essential for kids who aspire to become heroes.

Most kids even like it, saying they can develop practical skills.

But for Eugene, who is far removed from such noble thoughts, it was not good news.

Of course, it’s not that it’s too difficult.

In fact, if you only consider Kim Eugene’s ‘abilities,’ it was the perfect event.

“Honestly, if it’s survival, I’ve been with seniors, so it’s fine.”

The days spent with Kim Taejin were survival in itself.

In the forest where every necessity was resolved in nature.

From making fire to primitive food procurement.

If you failed in gathering or hunting that day, you had to skip lunch.

Well, with basic physical abilities, he managed to catch something most of the time.

Anyway, for Eugene, survival itself was nothing special.

“Even capturing monsters… Well, I hate it, but I can manage somehow.”

Of course, monsters are still scary.

But his mindset is different from before.

Perhaps akin to an adult man feeling disgusted at the sight of cockroaches or mice.

He already had a sense of his own strength.

That conviction solidified after he saved the class president last time.

Even the class president, who always excelled academically, couldn’t defeat the monster.

But he took care of it in one go.

“The problem is having to stick around with those clueless kids for days!”

Just attending classes together at school was exhausting enough.

Being together 24/7? Isn’t that too much?

It’s impossible for a loser like me! Unthinkable!

I should report this to the school’s human rights committee!

“But if I ask to be excluded, they’ll treat me like a lunatic.”

Anyway, it wouldn’t change anything.

If there’s something I can do, it’s praying to be teamed up with at least some friends, right?

Currently, the only people Yu Jin can call friends are Yeong Hee, the class president, and Cheol Soo.

Excluding Su Hyeon because they’re in different classes.

In reality, there were only three of them.

“Yeong Hee always starts conversations first, and the class president and I got closer since the incident. Cheol Soo… awkward, but still better than the others.”

It was much better than being stuck with classmates you can’t even talk to.

Of course, Yu Jin wasn’t hoping for a miracle where the four of them would be on the same team.

All three of them excelled academically.

It wouldn’t make sense for all four of them to be put together.

At least, she hoped one of them would end up on the same team!

“Please! At least these three are already close, so please don’t leave me out alone, making things awkward!”

How could she endure this for days?

She might die from the tension and pressure!

Yu Jin prayed earnestly as she checked the team assignments.

And the results were –

– Kim Yu Jin

– Kim Cheol Soo

– Lee Yeong Hee

– Seo Yu Ra (Class President)

Yu Jin checked the list again, wondering if she had misread it.

But nothing had changed.

Her name was at the top.

Below her were Cheol Soo, Yeong Hee, and the class president.

A true miracle had occurred!

“Woo-hoo!”

– Huh?! What, what’s this?

Lime, who was sleeping in her soul, was startled.

Internally, Yu Jin shouted in joy.

Without knowing what outcome this assignment would bring.