Episode 55. Conscience

“Haa….”

Fucking academy bastards.

Moon Surin muttered, sinking into the VIP seat.

It was good that they prepared a nice award for Lee Hoyeon. My conscience felt lighter, and it felt right to give a proper reward to my hardworking student as a teacher and an adult… but things got too big. The award ceremony had grown so large that Moon Surin, a professor at the academy, had to participate. And since it was an event where many important people gathered, annoying things started happening.

“It’s been a while. Professor Moon Surin.”

Some old geezer approached and started talking. I didn’t want to answer, but he was a benefactor sponsoring the academy, so I couldn’t be rude. After all, he was the one funding Moon Surin’s research.

“Yes. It has been a while.”

“It’s been since the last Magic Association presentation. That presentation was truly impressive. How is your research these days….”

Moon Surin disliked the bothersome conversation, but knowing it was necessary, she endured it and continued talking.

After exchanging meaningless pleasantries with several people and enduring the lecherous gazes of a few old men, fatigue began to set in.

“Ah, you crazy old bastards… there really isn’t much time left.”

The day to surprise those idiotic wizards who value seniority over actual achievements wasn’t far off. The new way of utilizing magic that Lee Hoyeon showed. Once the process of organizing it was complete, she would present the research findings at the Magic Association. When that time came… Moon Surin thought she would reach a level where she wouldn’t have to care about what other wizards thought.

Thump.

Just then, someone took the seat next to Moon Surin.

“Surin-ah~. Long time no see~?”

“Huh?”

At the familiar voice calling her, Moon Surin turned her head and saw a familiar face beside her. Min Yeji.

She looked delicate at first glance, but her slender, slanted eyes exuded a certain allure. I always felt it, but this woman was dangerous. We interacted often, yet she was also an overwhelming presence.

“Why didn’t you answer my calls? I sent you that business idea compilation.”

“You’re not seriously calling that garbage a business idea, are you?”

“Why? Just imagining you, Moon Surin, using magic while wearing a bikini would have huge advertising potential….”

“Shut up. I’ll kill you.”

This crazy energy. It’s why Min Yeji was so overwhelming.

“Hey, why are you like this with me? Are you really going to use such scary words?”

“Haa….”

Moon Surin, watching Min Yeji cheekily link arms with her while flashing a sly smile, began contemplating how to deal with this crazy woman.

[The ceremony is scheduled to begin shortly, please take your seats.]

Fortunately, Min Yeji quieted down once the ceremony started.

Phew. Moon Surin took a breather before participating in the ceremony. It started with awards for outstanding students. The real highlights were the commendations for Gate Suppression Hunters and Demon Extermination Cadets anyway. Most people knew that the outstanding students were just there to fill the gaps in the rather mediocre award ceremony.

“The students’ level isn’t bad. I’d believe the student council president was active duty.”

“Well, of course. It’s Moon Surin.”

Moon Surin had also heard a lot about Moon Surin’s talent. She just wasn’t particularly interested since their fields were different.

Hwaak-

Min Yeji’s eyes briefly flashed gold.

“Hmm, but there aren’t any kids who look like they’ll make money.”

“…You’re after money even with kids?”

“Nothing lasts in this world except money, Surin.”

Min Yeji’s face was smiling as she said that, but she exuded a sharp aura.

After the outstanding student awards concluded, and after enduring the pointless formalities, the main commendations ceremony began.

“Ahyoung is receiving an award….”

“Are you acquainted with the Saintess too?”

Unlike Moon Surin, Min Yeji, who was active in the field, had a wide network.

“Well, she often comes to our guild as a helper. She even came during the last raid.”

“Hmm. Makes sense, being from the Ironblood Guild.”

-Next, we will present the commendations to the Demon Extermination Cadets.

‘Here it comes.’

Moon Surin focused intently on the aisle where the awardees would appear. A moment later, Lee Hoyeon and Lucy hesitantly walked onto the stage. Overjoyed, a smile reflexively spread across Moon Surin’s face.

“Aha… so that’s the student you’ve been favoring lately?”

“W-What? How did you know?!”

“How else? You’re staring so intently, how could I not know?”

Min Yeji scoffed, looking at the surprised Moon Surin, and then turned her gaze to the podium.

• …… Hereby awarded. Cadet Lee Hoyeon.

“So his name is Hoyeon. Let’s see just how amazing the student our Surin likes is~?”

“Haa… You, stop doing weird things….”

Hwaak-

Before Moon Surin could finish speaking, Min Yeji’s eyes glowed gold. Then, Min Yeji’s usually grinning face turned serious.

“…That kid could be profitable.”

Min Yeji’s eyes turned predatory, and Moon Surin waved her hands, blocking Min Yeji’s view.

“Hey. Don’t get any ideas. He’s my student?”

“Okay, okay. I’ll try my best.”

“No, don’t try, just don’t touch him!”

“Aww, Surin~! Why are you like this with me~?”

“Aaargh!”

*

[The Rune Clan’s Secret Manual]

“To think this would be here….”

‘The Rune Clan’

It was a clan that appeared in the original game. Their specialty was ‘Barriers’. They were a clan with a mana form specialized for barriers, receiving education solely for barrier magic from birth, fixing their mana form accordingly. Therefore, their barriers were the strongest, and the worst. They were ultimately a dangerous race, disappearing from history due to their perilous nature.

My reason for wanting to learn this barrier magic was simple. As the story progresses, I’ll encounter the Rune Clan’s barrier magic a hell of a lot. That’s because one of the main villains is a survivor of the Rune Clan. Last time, when dealing with Felix, it took about a minute to break the intermediate-level barrier he cast. If this were the game, that time might not have mattered. The game would proceed accordingly. But this is reality. A few minutes spent breaking a high-level barrier could cost the heroines their lives. Shortening that time, even slightly, would undoubtedly be meaningful.

Besides, I’m not saving just one person. If the academy terror incident happens according to the story, I might have to save all the heroines. Learning the Rune Clan’s barrier magic for faster barrier dismantling is crucial. Weapons or artifacts can be obtained anytime once I have the money. And another important point. Barriers have excellent soundproofing. It’s essential for maintaining smooth relationships (?) with the heroines.

Anyway, I left the treasure vault carrying the ‘Rune Clan’s Secret Manual’, which looked like tattered trash. Unfortunately, bringing back trash didn’t grant me another chance. The Dean simply asked why I brought it, and when I said it was for magic research, he just remarked, ‘Like teacher, like student.’ Too bad.

Soon, Lucy went in and came out about 10 minutes later. Lucy brought back a bead. I’m pretty sure it was something that helps with mana circulation. Although it was something I needed, I had a hunch that the ‘Rune Clan’s Secret Manual’ was obtainable only here, so I reluctantly gave up on the bead.

“I hope it was a good choice. I wish you luck in your academy life.”

“Thank you.”

Having received everything I could, I bowed and left the Dean’s office.

“Ah, I’m hungry. Should I grab something to eat before heading back? I’ll call Lumi too.”

It was already lunchtime. The ceremony took up the whole morning, but I had classes in the afternoon, so time was a bit tight.

“Lucy?”

Since there was no answer, I turned around and saw Lucy slumped over in her seat, head down.

“…Hoyeon-ah.”

“Yeah?”

What’s wrong with her? Her expression is so stiff.

“Take this.”

Lucy rummaged through her pocket and offered me the mana bead she got from the vault.

“Hey, what’s wrong? You should use this.”

“N-No. It’s fine. I didn’t really do anything anyway.”

“Still… you received it….”

It was then that I noticed. Lucy’s arm, as she handed me the bead, was trembling.

“L-Lucy? What’s wrong?”

I immediately grabbed Lucy’s body and checked her face. Tears welled up in Lucy’s eyes. The trembling that started in her arm spread throughout her body, and the mana bead slipped powerlessly from her grasp.

“H-Hoyeon-ah… I’m so exhausted. Thinking about Felix that day… it terrifies me… everything goes dark. Every time I see this bead, I’ll think of Felix. I… I don’t want to be involved in this anymore….”

Lucy glanced nervously at the mana bead on the floor, then covered her tear-streaked face with both hands and sank to the ground, sobbing.

“….”

I thought she was okay because she was quiet, but I didn’t realize she was suffering this much. Lucy’s condition wasn’t reflected in the Heroine Status window. Perhaps her guilt towards me outweighed her fear of Felix.

“It’s okay, Lucy. It’s okay. Felix is already dead. It’s okay….”

“Heeuhuk… W-Why did I have to go through that? Why me… Why, of all things…?”

“….”

I held Lucy’s tearful hand and looked up at the sky. Her build was too frail for an adult. She was small enough that I could almost wrap my arms around her shoulders with one hand. This woman wasn’t just a game heroine. She was a cadet who should have been living her academy life brightly.

I ruined that. I deeply regretted leaving an indelible trauma on such a pure woman’s life. I resented myself for making such a trashy judgment just to raise her affection points a little faster, to make her depend on me more, and I wished I could go back to the past. However, my [Clear Mind] advised me to say the best thing possible even in this situation. And I followed that advice.

“…It’s okay, Lucy. From now on, I’ll definitely protect you. I’ll protect you forever.”

Offering the cliché yet warm comfort, I held Lucy tighter. This was the best way to increase her affection points.

“Huk… Hihuk. Hoyeon-aaaa… Sob….”

Lucy buried her face in my chest, shedding tears like a clucking hen. Her tears soaked through my cadet uniform, making my chest feel damp.

“….”

I felt disgusted, yet the blue sky was clear without a single cloud today. How long had I held Lucy? Soon, she stopped crying and pulled away from me, her eyes red.

“Ah, ah. Sorry. I just got sad all of a sudden. Yeah. I’m fine, so don’t worry. I’ll get going first today.”

Lucy fanned herself frantically with her hand, forcing a smile.

“Lucy, wait a moment.”

“Don’t come any closer.”

I had no choice but to stop the hand I was extending towards Lucy.

“Don’t come… Tomorrow, let’s meet tomorrow like nothing happened. Okay? Alright?”

“…Okay. See you tomorrow.”

At her pleading tone, I quietly nodded.

*

I wasn’t in the mood for lunch, so I headed to a private room at the training center. Today’s afternoon class was Magic Analysis. A lesson on magic reversal and barrier dismantling. Although it was questionable whether Lucy, who wanted to prove herself, would attend class… I still wanted to master the ‘Rune Clan’s Secret Manual’ before the lesson.

“Haa, okay. First, the mana form that makes up the barrier is a structure of connected hexagons… Ah, fuck.”

I can’t fucking concentrate. Even though [Clear Mind] prevents me from having emotional fluctuations over trivial matters, this time it was particularly severe.

“Again, connect the hexagonal mana and distribute the force evenly… Okay.”

Saying it like this is mostly for the mood; I’ve already grasped the structure. The magic circle and mana operation methods were all written down anyway, so there was no way I couldn’t do it with my talent.

“Still, I chose well. Something practical, hmm.”

In my left hand, I also held the mana operation bead.

────[ Mermaid’s Tears ]────

▶ Grade: Upper Middle (A)

▶ An artifact created by adding a large amount of Mermaid’s Tears to a mana stone and performing magical treatment.

▶ Increases mana operation speed and accelerates mana circulation.

-────────────

“Mermaid’s Tears….”

The name ‘Tears’ felt somehow unpleasant.

Tiring-

Just then, a notification arrived on my smartwatch.

“What is it? It doesn’t sound like a message notification?”

[A private message has arrived from Everyday.]

[YejiYomi: Hello, Cadet Lee Hoyeon. I’m contacting you because I’d like to offer personal sponsorship. Could you please provide a contact number where I can reach you comfortably?]

“…What is this?”

Honestly, I needed money at this time, but now that I have a reliable money-printing machine, it’s okay… Still, just in case, maybe I should reply? I’ll reply later after class, after careful consideration.

Having finished my training for the moment, I left the training center and headed back to the classroom building. There was still over 30 minutes until class, so there weren’t many people in the lecture hall.

“Hoyeon-ssi?”

“Lumi. You’re early?”

As expected of an honor student, Lumi seemed to have been waiting for 30 minutes.

“Yes. Speaking of which, Lucy suddenly felt unwell and won’t be able to attend class. Hiiing.”

“…I see. I hope she’s alright? I should contact her later.”

“Yes, yes. Okay.”

I looked at Lumi’s face as she sat opposite me, making eye contact. She looked incredibly similar to Lucy. No, practically identical. You could only tell them apart by hair color, clothing style, or expression. Their fundamental features were the same. It was all part of the ‘setting’.

“Is there something on my face?”

Hmmph.

Lumi stroked her face with her hand as she looked at me.

Gulp.

Suddenly, lust surged within me. I wanted to take Lumi, who looked just like Lucy, and defile her, mess her up however I pleased. I wanted to pour this pent-up desire into her delicate body.

“Lumi….”

“Yes?”

Since it was 30 minutes before class, Lumi didn’t seem to be thinking anything lewd.

“Follow me.”

“Y-Yes? Wh-What?”

I grabbed Lumi’s hand without warning and pulled her out of the lecture hall.

“H-Hoyeon-ssi? Why are you suddenly doing this? You don’t look well… Hoyeon-ssi?”

Tak-tak-tak.

Ignoring Lumi’s words, I quickly dragged her to the outermost restroom in the first-year classroom building. I pulled Lumi into the last stall of the men’s restroom and cast a Rune barrier.

A quiet, small, colorless barrier unfolded. Completed in an instant, the perfect, solid barrier would not let our sounds escape.

If I’ve learned it, I should use it. Right?

“H-Hoyeon-ssi? Wait a moment. D-Don’t tell me, now?”

“Lumi. We’re secret friends, right?”

“Yes. We are, but, right now… Eup!”

I thrust my tongue into Lumi’s mouth, silencing her.