episode_0020

It was a strange dream.

As I felt the mood light placed on the bed table gently tickling my vision, I was liberated from the strange dream that had been tying me up.

What did I do in my dream?

I think I was trying to push away someone’s gentle approach, as if I was trying to avoid the gentle waves of light that were kissing and caressing my eyes.

Who was it? I don’t remember.

After falling into this world, I was not very close to the being called a dream. Because when I closed my eyes, I could hear the cries of the city that I tried so hard to deny and stay away from.

The seasons have changed twice since then, but I still can’t forget those days.

I sighed and got up from the bed.

What time is it now?

I drank water from a tin kettle embossed with metaphysical patterns at my bedside. I didn’t even have time to use the cup, so I put my mouth to the kettle and took a gulp.

“Phew.”

As moisture enters the body, sweetness fills the dry tip of the tongue and blood flow begins to circulate in the head.

I looked at the clock and it was about 5:30. Thinking that it would be an odd time to fall asleep again, I opened the closed curtains.

As I was taking a quick shower in the shower room and drying myself with a towel, a faint but faint moonlight greeted me through the window.

It was the moonlight coming down from the dawn sky, a cloudy sky that gradually became brighter and gradually changed from black or navy blue to blue.

‘I’m feeling sentimental today. Is it worth it?’

Feeling like a teacher observing a class for the first time, I came out of the bedroom and sat down in my seat in the principal’s office.

As I sit down and drink a cup of coffee in the moonlight, the sky becomes brighter.

The sky was gradually brightening to daylight, and the light, somewhere between orange and crimson, was dispelling the darkness that had descended on the academy.

Light took the place of the darkness, and the streets began to become vibrant.

I poured the last sip down my throat, set the glass down on the table, and picked up the handouts scattered across the desk.

It’s a clear morning. Now is the time to move.

I walked out the door of the principal’s office with the yellow file album at my side.

*

─Ha… cold… .

─Ugh… This is my first time experiencing a cold new semester like this… .

After talking with the faculty, I was returning from the annex to the academy’s main building when I heard stories of students going to school.

A girl with brown hair and a female student with black hair and dark skin were trembling and entering the main hall of the academy.

It looked really cold as he had his arms tightly wrapped around his shoulders. A small amount of steam is coming out of the corner of the mouth.

It’s a cold new semester.

A burst of laughter broke out.

Since the new semester in March is nothing special for Koreans, they do not feel particularly awkward about starting the long-awaited first day of school with the cold weather.

However, if you look at the world, unexpectedly, the new semester in March is very rare.

They say Korea is unique in the world. In South American countries such as Argentina and Chile, the new semester begins in March, but since the seasons are opposite in the southern hemisphere, the situation is different from Korea in the northern hemisphere.

Looking beyond Korea to the world, the most common thing is the new semester in September.

It is said that most English-speaking countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as European countries such as China and Russia, are adopting a new semester system in September.

For Elada students who have experienced the start of a new semester with cool winds and falling leaves, is it awkward to start an exciting new semester with long padding?

With that thought in my head, I headed to the classroom.

“Hmm.”

As I entered the classroom, I stopped for a moment as all eyes were focused on me.

The special classroom created just for me was a fan-shaped structure with a triangular pyramid lying down.

The huge lecture hall, which can accommodate a total of 350 people, has students focusing their attention as if they are looking down at them.

It felt like a hearing room.

Perhaps because it was the first hour, the classroom was very quiet.

I put down the paper I had brought with me to the table and was killing time. When the clock showed 9 o’clock sharp, I picked up a piece of chalk and

My name was written in large letters on a huge blackboard that took up one wall.

Elm Northmund.

I opened my mouth and slammed the blackboard with my name written on it.

“There are probably no people who don’t know who I am, but I’ll introduce myself once again. It’s Elm Northmund. I am the principal of Elada and will lead you for the next three years.”

Then I took a quick look inside the classroom. Some children look at us with an expression of interest, while others look at us with a nervous expression.

There was also a guy who took out a notebook and prepared to write down what I said.

“You will take my lecture twice a week. At this time every Monday, there will be a class on demonology, and on Wednesday there will be a class on developing abilities. The rest of the time will be filled with lectures in the department you have chosen. You will have already received the timetable, so everyone will know this.”

“And you can come by on Wednesday afternoon to ask personal questions. Because of my position as dean, I cannot always be in the professor’s office, so even if you look for me, I will be absent more often than not. But I will always be there in the professor’s office on Wednesday afternoons.”

At the moment, I am the only one who can teach about supernatural abilities and monsters.

Unless a graduate graduates later and becomes an assistant or professor at Elada to assist me, it was a job I had to do alone.

“First of all, since it is the first day, I will verbally call attendance, Li Jiyuan.”

“Yes!”

He answers by raising his hand in a loud voice.

“Mark Bellmoore.”

“Yes.”

“Alexander Ivanovich.”

“Yes.”

.

.

.

.

“Yun Sia.”

“Yes ah… Professor!”

‘hmm.’

This is the famous Yun Shia.

I continued to call out the names on the attendance list and looked at her in the front row.

Now that I think about it, was he the kid who ran towards me after the entrance ceremony was over?

In fact, it was a feeling I felt from the moment I entered this classroom.

Ever since I entered the classroom, this child had been looking in this direction to the point where it felt burdensome.

At first, I thought it was just because I was curious because I was from Northmund and wanted to make a good impression on the professor, so I ignored it, but when I keep staring at it like this, I feel a little strange.

‘You wanted to see me all along?’

A child who went in and out of the GDO Seoul branch and turned the branch upside down, saying “Please let me meet Northmund.”.

From the story described in the admissions form I received, I guess I saved her from a monster and that’s why she wants to see me. It was written:

But I feel sorry for her,

‘I don’t know who it is.’

I don’t know who she is.

Of course, since I know the original 『Kiss Siege Sense』, I know that she is a character in the story and the mother of the main character Han Si-woo.

Other problems. I can’t remember where I saw her.

I can’t remember how many people I’ve saved in the two years since I came to this world.

Plus, an unknown and unique ability.

Did you say that when this ability is used, red blood cells are abnormally deformed and their oxygen-carrying ability decreases, which actually has a negative effect on the body?

I wonder how on earth he was awakened.

If there comes a time in the future when we can get closer, it would be a good idea to ask.

‘what… Looking at my current situation, I think she will look for me first.’

This Wednesday afternoon. Perhaps she will come to me unconditionally. So then, let’s talk about it.

“Nguyen Thanh Trung.”

“Yes.”

As I was thinking about her and calling for attendance, the list was already finished.

“It’s over. For future attendance, simply tag your student ID on the sensor in front of the classroom. Now… .”

Just─

When I snapped my fingers, handouts started floating into the air from the file album I was carrying.

The floating papers flew to each person’s seat in the classroom and fell quietly like feathers, like a bird landing on a perch.

At that sight, gasps erupted from all over the classroom.

“I think everyone brought books. Then, I will begin the lecture.”

*

“Monsters are beings made of darkness that are born from the abyss and come to the material world. Although they are known as living beings, they are different from ordinary living beings and move through the magic power emitted from the magic stone inside.”

“… .”

“Basically, it has a digestive system, but as long as the internal magic stone is intact, permanent activity is possible without consuming food. Conversely, this is consistent with the story that a monster cannot survive if it loses only the magic stone inside.”

“… .”

“Therefore, you should not equate the existence of monsters with living creatures that exist in your common sense, and… .”

Jang A-hyeon turned the pen she was holding in her hand. It was something she had been doing out of habit since she was a child whenever she was bored.

Pingrrr.

The high-quality pen decorated with gold leaf spins vigorously and rests in her fingers again.

Jang A-hyeon turned her gaze to the side and looked at the other students. Since it’s your first class, is your concentration still there? Or is it just because it’s interesting content?

All students in the classroom are focused on the person standing in front of the table.

The being standing at the lectern now has the appearance of a human, but his true identity is a dragon. Although it looks closer to a lizard, it is still a dragon. It seems like the dragons of Grandis Continent originally looked like that.

Suddenly he floated into the air and began writing on a large blackboard.

I thought it was too large a blackboard to be used for human height, but it seemed to have been made with his magician’s use in mind.

‘Why can’t I concentrate?’

Did you become impatient after what you heard from your grandfather? Ever since the entrance ceremony, her mind has remained uneasy.

She turned her head and looked at a male student sitting across from her.

When our eyes accidentally meet, he is startled and looks away. Are you an introverted child?

‘I said it was Han Sejun.’

During the weekend after Elada’s entrance ceremony, Taesung Group searched for names that had been missing from the information network and brought them to her.

According to the information conveyed by Taesung Group’s secretary’s office, he:

‘Han Se-jun, 20 years old. A single family who lost his mother to illness when he was young. Because his father was a severe alcoholic, he worked part-time jobs to make a living. ‘I was additionally admitted about 3 weeks ago because my special ability was discovered.’

Due to the timing, it seemed like Taesung Group entered Elada as an additional admission right after obtaining the list of enrollees.

It is common for a person who has lived a life similar to that of a child-headed householder to have a strong and firm mindset, but what was unique was that he had a severe introverted personality.

‘This ability is also very special. They said it could strengthen the body or the substances it touches. I’ll have to check if that applies to this ability as well.’

Jang A-hyeon turned her gaze forward this time.

Yoon Sia.

A female student who stole Northmund’s tie at the entrance ceremony and ran away. Like Han Se-jun, she was also a student who entered through additional admission.

However, according to research about her, she was an unknown woman.

‘A talent close to incompetence.’

I knew there must be something to it since I was additionally admitted under Northmund’s instructions, but it was an ability I couldn’t figure out.

‘Is there some potential that hasn’t been revealed yet?’

The fact that the red dragon gave direct instructions must mean that there was a reason. I’ll have to stay with her a little longer and investigate.

And now… .

“You there.”

“?”

“What is your name?”

A deep voice calling for someone resonates in the classroom, and the surrounding attention is focused in this direction.

who? Is he really calling himself?

I look around as if denying reality, but gradually the object becomes clear. Because all eyes in the classroom were pointing at only one person.

“… Now, Jang… This is Hyun.”

“Tell me what I just explained. What are the five characteristics of a low-level monster slasher?”

“Ah… .”

An expression of embarrassment appears on her face as more than a hundred gazes focus on her. I urgently tried to find the answer by looking at the handout he had distributed, but… .

“Congratulations. You guys were the first to start. It’s a shame that you dozed off less than half an hour after starting.”

“Jo… I wasn’t sleepy… .”

“Ahyeon Jang, 10 points will be deducted. Additionally, an additional 10 points are deducted to commemorate the first attempt. Since you are the first point deduction in Ellada history, you can consider it a souvenir.”

I think we should at least erect a monument in front of the academy. At Northmund’s next words, all the students in the classroom burst into laughter.

Students laughing, politely covering their mouths and laughing at her. Everyone in this space laughs at her.

Jang Ah-hyeon lowered her head in response to the ridicule directed at her. The hands clutching my knees were shaking.

She has never missed the best since she was young.

Not just academics such as elementary, middle, and high school, but also competitions. She has always maintained top rankings in piano competitions, math Olympiads, and essay contests.

It was a kind of test that he must follow as heir to Taeseong’s blood. Those who cannot follow it are left behind and abandoned.

But today, for the first time, she suffered the greatest humiliation.

The only gazes that followed her were envy, awe, envy, and jealousy. Those feelings alone proved that she was superior to them.

But the emotions that poured out of her today were things she had never experienced before.

Tears streamed down her face from the rush of unfamiliar emotions.

After all, being the first has great meaning in itself. The first is remembered and will never be forgotten.

He became the first of the academy founded by the world’s hero, Elm Northmund. It will be remembered forever as a humiliating first time more than anything else.

There is no way this story won’t reach my grandfather’s ears. He will be very angry, and then he will be… .

“Black… .”

She tightly covered her mouth to stop herself from crying.

Otherwise, he would likely hear the leaked sound. So please… .

“Ahyeon Jang.”

But her wish did not come true.

A cold voice called her once again.

“It’s noisy. After receiving penalty points, have you given up now? Have you made up your mind to interrupt the lecture because you’re angry?”

“Ah… iced coffee… .”

I raised my head and looked straight ahead. Sharp eyes that stare at you like you’re a distant beggar.

Her vision was already blurred by overflowing tears, but his gaze was clearly focused on her eyes.

“Do you think I’m bothering you about something you don’t have? Was he unfairly penalized even though he was innocent?”

“Ah… No.”

“An additional deduction of 10 points. Pack your bags and get out of my lecture. Your actions are still taking up my time.”

It’s over… .

Her face was colored with despair.

“… Okay.”

Jang A-hyeon gets up from her desk in the classroom without any energy. Her face was dark as she headed toward the back door of the classroom, clutching the major books she had brought with her.

There is a sound of the door opening, followed by the sound of it closing.

After she left, there was only darkness in the classroom. Chilly air filled the space, as if the temperature in the air had dropped by 10 degrees.

After Jang A-hyeon’s treatment, the students in the classroom were embarrassed and just looked at the person who gave the punishment, as if they didn’t know how to react.

Oh, maybe one person is excluded? A female student in the front seat seemed to have no emotions about what had just happened, and just stared at someone burdenedly.

The man at the teacher’s table looked at her for a moment and then opened his mouth.

“Then, I will continue the lecture. What are the five characteristics of a slasher? .”