Episode 320. The Patriot Lee Hoyeon

“Ughh…. My head hurts so much.”

“Is it that complicated? I asked, looking at Liliana, who was clutching her head.

“Nn. Rebecca is helping, but it’s tough.”

“Should I help a bit?” I asked. I don’t know if I’ll be much help, but it’s better than nothing.

“It’s okay. I have a secret weapon.”

“What is it?”

“It’s pulling an all-nighter and working really hard.”

“… That’s called the straightforward approach. Usually, you wouldn’t call it a secret weapon.”

“Is that so?”

Scarlet said she’d handle it, but then she immediately left the dorm. She said she’d solve it, so where did she go?

“The dad-to-be can rest. Liliana and I will handle it.”

“Aw. Still, I might be able to help.” Rebecca told me to rest, but I thought I could still be helpful. I can also read the magic of the Underworld.

“Liliana. First, let me see it too.”

“Hoyeon-nim.”

Just then, Scarlet’s voice was heard, the one who had disappeared so confidently.

“What the! Scarlet. You’re back already?”

“Yeah. Did you finish solving it?”

“The Guild Master-nim is summoning you.”

“The Guild Master-nim?” Isaac called me? … This guy didn’t say anything weird, did he?

“Did I do something wrong?”

“No, you didn’t. It’s probably good news.”

“… I can’t trust your smile.” I’ve been fooled by Scarlet’s smile more than once or twice. I watched Liliana and Rebecca’s research for a moment, and then went outside.

*

Outside, it was already dark. Feeling the surrounding mana that seemed to have grown stronger, I walked towards the main building. Since Isaac said he was waiting in the Guild Master’s office, I had to go meet him directly. If he had business, I thought it would be more appropriate for him to come himself, but… it’s better than coming here and seeing Liliana and Rebecca.

Most of the Iris Guild’s buildings had their lights turned off. I wondered if this was really an information guild, but they say the real one is underground, so oh well.

Knock knock-

“This is Lee Hoyeon. May I come in?”

The Guild Master’s office I had visited with Alice last time. As if responding to my knock, the door opened. Inside, Isaac was seen looking at documents. Is it characteristic of busy people to be looking at documents? Surin noona and Professor Im Sol were always working too.

“Guild Master-nim.”

“Mm. Just a moment, sit there and wait.” I sat on the sofa where I had sat with Alice and waited for Isaac.

After a moment, Isaac, seeming to have roughly tidied up his documents, sat down across from me.

“Sorry. I had something to take care of.”

“It’s fine. More importantly, you called me.”

“Ah, right. First, I’d like you to explain the situation. I didn’t get the details.” I reported to Isaac about the research. That tracking the Centaur’s location required analyzing mana, and that process took one to two days. But tomorrow was the Academy’s final exams, so I had to go. I explained it as politely and thoroughly as possible, but Isaac, after hearing me out, nodded and opened his mouth.

“Simply put, you need more time, right? Since taking it back to Korea to analyze would make it difficult to handle things together.”

“Uh… It doesn’t quite fit the schedule.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”

“…?” Is this even a solvable problem? It’s the Academy’s final exams.

“Go get some rest. It’ll be resolved by tomorrow.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes. You can go. Oh, and that guy who picked a fight with you back then was expelled from the guild that very day. I heard he protected Alice, so I’ll thank you again.”

“… You’re welcome.”

Isaac, as if he had finished speaking, brought the coffee on the table to his lips. Since I was effectively being asked to leave, I should have gone, but at that moment, a question came to mind.

“Ah… Guild Master-nim. There’s one last thing I wanted to ask.”

“What is it?” I asked about the curiosity that had been lingering in my mind for the past few days.

*

Sunday morning.

“Agh….” I forced my tired body out of bed. After helping Rebecca and Liliana with their research all night yesterday, my body was screaming. I pinched Liliana’s cheek, sleeping beside me, and then turned on my smartwatch. Since I didn’t know when the original events would occur, checking the news every day had become my daily morning routine.

However, I saw some strange articles.

[France’s Hero! Victoria Academy Cadet Lee Hoyeon.]

[The French Government Officially Requests Support from Victoria Academy. For just one cadet?!]

[The Genius Mage Lee Hoyeon. Who is he?]

[First time in Academy history, a special exam for the public good is planned]

[Interview with the Chairman. This is not preferential treatment. Cadet Lee Hoyeon will take the same exam.]

“What the fuck.” Seeing my name plastered on the portal site’s main page really woke me right up. I also went to Victoria Academy’s community site, EveryDay.

[Lee Hoyeon’s French Support Issue: A Complete Summary]

For those who woke up wondering what this is all about, I’ve put together a summary.

1. Lee Hoyeon went on a field trip to the Iris Guild and coincidentally ended up supporting counter-terrorism efforts over the weekend. During that time, he encountered the Centaur, a nuisance to France.

2. For those who don’t know about the Centaur, it’s a monster that appeared in France that uses an unknown type of mana, making it impossible to track even for all of France’s hunters.

3. But Cadet Lee Hoyeon, who was on the field trip, analyzed the mana as soon as he saw it and is currently tracking it. However, since the Academy’s final exams start tomorrow, he said he would return to the Academy. So, the French government officially requested assistance from the Academy.

4. Therefore, the Chairman of Victoria Academy announced that if Lee Hoyeon returned, he would take a special exam. But this “special exam” isn’t special at all; it’s the same exam taken by first-year cadets. And they have to complete it all in one day, which is actually disadvantageous compared to other cadets. But apparently, Lee Hoyeon accepted even after hearing this…

Truly, Korea’s pride.

[Photo]

‘Lee Hoyeon’

If you’re proud, recommend.

Recommend: 4500 Not Recommend: 50

[Wow, the truly amazing ones really travel the world starting from their cadet days.]

[No way, does that even make sense? How could a cadet do what all of France’s hunters couldn’t? It sounds like a hoax.]

[N Then are you saying the French government fabricated Lee Hoyeon? Are you retarded? LOL]

[NN Seriously, lol. You’re just dismissing a whole country’s government like it’s nothing.]

[I dislike Lee Hoyeon every time I see his face, so I’m downvoting.]

[N This guy is on every Lee Hoyeon article. Isn’t he actually a fan?]

[Lee Hoyeon is the one to be proud of, so why are you getting the recommendation?]

“… Things have gotten crazy.” I only clicked on the top post, and it was already this much. Besides that, my name appeared damn often. For something of this magnitude, they should have told me beforehand. Why do the people around me not share information? And besides, what’s this about agreeing to a special exam? I never even heard about it.

“Wait a second. This isn’t the time for this.” I quickly sent messages to the heroines. The French government’s cooperation came in suddenly, making it impossible to meet the deadline for the final exams.

“Nnnngh, what’s going on?”

“… It’s nothing. You can go back to sleep.”

“Nnngh….” Liliana woke up at my voice, yawned sleepily, and lay back down. She must be tired after staying up all night researching yesterday.

Completely awake now, I got out of bed. Rebecca was sleeping on the living room sofa. She’s quite cute when she sleeps, too. The opposite of her tough appearance when she’s awake.

“Good morning. Hoyeon-nim.”

“Yeah. Scarlet. But you should have told me about something like this sooner.” Scarlet was sitting at the table, drinking her morning coffee. Across from her, a steaming cup of coffee sat, making it seem like an invitation for me to drink it, so I sat down there too.

“Still, you’ve become famous.”

“… I don’t need it.” I shook my head and brought the coffee to my lips. Since it’s already like this, what can I do? I guess I have to enjoy it. Public attention is something I’m already used to. This is the life of a celebrity.

Sip-.

‘Damn, this is bitter.’

Well, anyway, I’ve bought myself a few days. After helping with the research all night yesterday, the mana analysis has progressed a lot. I’ve done all I can to help, and now only Liliana and Rebecca’s part remains.

‘What should I do today?’ Right now, I have a lot of free time. Of course, I have magic practice and other things to do, but I worked too hard yesterday, so I want to rest a bit. I looked at Scarlet, sipping coffee in front of me, and spoke to her.

“Scarlet. Want to go out, just the two of us?”

“… Are you talking to me?”

“Yeah. You worked hard too, so I’ll treat you to a meal.”

“Hmm, I’m not the type of girl who’s easily swayed by just a meal.” I saw Scarlet’s playful smile and replied with a laugh.

“Then what do you want? Should I do something naughty for you?”

“Money and fame.”

“You’ve finally lost it too.” Scarlet rubbed her thumb and index finger together near her eye and grinned. Even though she looks like that, she’s the ace of the Iris Guild, so she must earn a high salary. What does she expect from me?

“Well, still, if you’re buying me lunch, I’ll eat with you.”

“Really? Then let’s go together. Do you know any good restaurants?”

“Of course. Even though I might not look like it, you have no idea how popular I was, Hoyeon-nim.”

“No matter what, could you have been more popular than me?”

“…… I just had a thought, is it okay if I say it?”

“Don’t.”

“Hoyeon-nim, if it weren’t for that face of yours, you would have been the enemy of women.”

“Scarlet. I told you not to say it.” Scarlet quietly walked ahead. I wonder if she’s already forgotten the contract we made. It was practically a slave contract.

“That is also part of your charm, though.”

“… What was that?”

“I’ll get ready and come out.”

Trot trot. Scarlet said what she needed to say and slipped back into the room.

… Geez. Is she trying to show off her charm or something? I looked at the closed door and recalled my conversation with the Guild Master last night.

– Guild Master-nim.

– Mm. Go ahead.

– What did Scarlet report to you about my relationship with her?

– … Did you know?

– I’m very perceptive, you know. But I don’t hold any grudges. I’m just genuinely curious.

– Hmm. I’ll just be honest. You already have mutual feelings for each other, and you’re just one step away from crossing the line. However, if you’re thinking of meeting Alice, I absolutely cannot let that happen.

– … Yes. Don’t worry.

I tried hard to suppress my rising laughter. Having mutual feelings and being just one step away from crossing the line. Maybe I should tease her during lunch today.