episode_0036

“So, Chancellor-nim, are you saying that a certain faction might infiltrate the academy during the Cheongsong Festival? And with hostile intentions?”

“You could say that. Of course, there’s nothing certain yet, and I can’t tell you much, Hyunjin.”

“…”

“Just one thing… Yes. The reason I’m specifically giving you a heads-up, not Soyul or first-year Seeun, is simple.”

“Is it because, unlike the other two, I’m not related by blood to a Grand Mage?”

“To be precise, it’s more about the presence or absence of a family relationship, even a ceremonial one… Well, there’s no benefit in the information leaking out prematurely.”

“That’s not pleasant to hear. In the end, aren’t you telling me to suspect the other two Grand Mages, and even my own Master-nim?”

“…”

“Even if I’m not related by blood, what will you do if I report this to my Master-nim?”

“I trust you won’t do that, Hyunjin.”

“Do you have any basis for this sudden trust?”

“Well, your public-spirited nature?”

“…”

“You just thought that was a very weak basis, didn’t you?”

“Hard to deny.”

“Haha, still as honest as ever. Anyway, you might think the academy seems quite unprepared, but…”

“Are you saying it’s not?”

“Well, just hear me out. What you showed us last semester was very impressive to the academy. You remember, don’t you? The ‘Moonlight Cult Terror Incident’.”

“That’s not a memory I’d like to recall.”

“In any case, the situation now is no different from then. We’re not asking much of you. We’re not even asking you to actively search for traitors within the academy, as you did back then.”

“…You mean?”

“Just keep what I told you in mind. So you can quickly recall it in case of an unforeseen situation. …So remember this, Hyunjin.”

“…”

“An attack will absolutely occur during the Cheongsong Festival. And the presence of a Grand Mage to assist their actions is also inevitable.”

“I trust you know that sounds very far-fetched to me.”

“Of course. From your perspective, this might sound vague, but for now, let’s just say the basis is a certain ‘item.’ I can’t tell you more than that, as it’s academy secret, haha.”

*****

The Cheongsong Festival. Simply put, it was just a student event for a single educational institution… a normal festival. But if that single educational institution was Cheongsong Academy, then the story changed.

The current era could truly be called the Age of Awakened, as it revolved around them.

And Cheongsong Academy was a cradle of talent, where the most outstanding, promising, and so-called ‘genius’ sprouts gathered in Korea.

Naturally, a festival at such a school couldn’t even be compared to most university festivals.

The Cheongsong Festival was held once each in April and November. However, in terms of scale, the April one was far more overwhelming, and naturally, more people gathered for it.

…And an event involving the infiltration of hostile forces was planned for that very Cheongsong Festival.

‘Hard to believe, indeed.’

I furrowed my brow and tapped the desk. *Tap tap*, a clear, rhythmic sound echoed, piercing my ears.

Actually, yes. From my perspective, knowing that the essence of this world was an ‘academy setting,’ it wasn’t even that strange.

Even if not all of them, isn’t there a general perception that academy settings are the eye of a storm where all sorts of incidents and accidents break out? Based on over a decade of experience, this world wasn’t much different.

For instance, even our 9th batch suffered several life-threatening terror attacks in our first year…

To give another example, I once heard that Cheongsong Academy was truly perilous several years ago, during the time of the so-called ‘Death 4th Batch.’

I heard that if some students and Yang Chan-ho hadn’t acted then, it could have escalated into a global threat.

Carefully inferring, I also wonder if those frequently mentioned ‘4th Batch’ students were perhaps the original protagonists of this world.

Of course, that’s not something I can know. Regrettably, I haven’t even read a few chapters of that work, except for the prologue.

Furthermore, what was important right now wasn’t contemplating whether the original protagonist of this world was from the 4th, 9th, or even 10th batch.

The part I needed to focus all my attention on was none other than Yang Chan-ho’s words.

He said something would happen at the academy during the Cheongsong Festival, which lasted for nearly a month. He didn’t tell me the details, just to ‘beware of the Grand Mages.’

And the ‘item’ he put forward as his basis…

Judging by his tone and nuance at the time, I suspected it might be some kind of future-sight artifact.

Or perhaps he’d recruited that famous gold-bar prophet from far-off England? Probably not.

Anyway, yes, if he said that because he could definitively glimpse the future, I could somewhat understand. The reason he specifically warned only me also made sense.

During the Moonlight Cult Terror Incident a year ago, which was mentioned in our conversation, my revealing the identity of one of the faculty members held hostage and turning the situation around probably proved effective.

The subtle pressure he exerted at the same time seemed to be a request to put personal feelings aside…

But that was easier said than done. I sighed and rubbed my face.

…Isn’t the situation, the circumstances, a bit different from then? The faculty member whom other students desperately trusted, and my Master-nim who guided me onto the path of magic, are on different levels.

Even if she has a slightly harsh tongue and a very self-centered disposition, the Ice Empress Seol Hayeon is still as close to me as my parents, and as precious an individual as Cheon Soyul.

‘Suspicion, huh…’

To be honest, it wasn’t that difficult to be wary of her for a moment and observe her words and actions carefully. No, I could certainly manage that. I could apologize later.

The core issue lay in whether I could truly completely exclude personal feelings during the process of suspecting her, just as the Chancellor had warned.

After all, didn’t her mind work even better than mine, who was called a rookie mage?

If, by any chance, I were to be caught by her, something really bad could happen.

I hugged my uncomfortable feelings and frowned slightly. How did I end up in a position where I had to suspect Grand Mages?

As he said, the academy probably wouldn’t ask too much of me anyway.

I sighed, for what must have been the nth time today. Silently, of course, as it was during class.

And I calmly began to recall the personal information of the Grand Mages.

First, Manroe Cheon Sehee.

She was Cheon Soyul’s mother and was regarded as a highly respected elder in the current Awakened society.

And second was Black Heaven Ryu Jinseong.

He was Ryu Seeun’s adoptive father, and if I had to suspect someone, he was the most likely candidate. From the few things I’d heard about him, he wasn’t a normal person, to say the least.

…And finally, the Ice Empress Seol Hayeon.

What more could be said? She was my Master-nim.

‘Forgive this unworthy disciple’s rudeness, Master-nim. I think I need to harbor some suspicion for a while.’

I closed my eyes tightly and bowed deeply towards Seol Hayeon (25). But does doing it in my imagination count as a formal bow?

Anyway.

It wouldn’t be easy to handle just one of those three, yet I might have to keep an eye on all three monsters simultaneously. I’d been given such a grave responsibility.

In other words, that old man, the Hero and Chancellor, might have lost his mind.

What on earth was he thinking, revealing such information to a mere student? I muttered inwardly about Yang Chan-ho, calming my uneasy feelings.

“…Yul.”

From the start, there wasn’t much I could do. Of course, I’d usually be moving around with my Master-nim during the Cheongsong Festival, but…

“…Soyul…”

Even considering that, didn’t they say it was an infiltration by an entire faction? Wasn’t this beyond my ability to handle? What did the Chancellor expect from me? What…

“CHEON SOYUL!!!”

“Yes, Yes-sir!”

“Huh?!”

*Clunk!* With the sudden sound of a chair scraping back, distinct voices filled with different emotions echoed from three directions.

First, Teacher-nim Kim Kyunghun, the lifelong homeroom teacher (?) of 2nd-year Class A and a special A-rank Awakened. His distinctive, scratchy voice called out to Cheon Soyul.

Next were myself and Cheon Soyul, respectively. I, who had been daydreaming, reflexively shot up, and Cheon Soyul, who had been dozing off with her head bowed, also jolted upright in sync with me.

…All eyes in the classroom began to turn towards the two of us.

Teacher-nim Kim Kyunghun turned to look at me with an indifferent expression. The only emotion in his eyes was, needless to say, ‘absurdity.’

He called me in a chilling voice.

“Lee Hyunjin.”

“…Yes.”

“Since when were you Cheon Soyul?”

“I apologize. I was momentarily mistaken.”

“I didn’t know. When did you change your name? Even changing your family name. Anyone would think you’d become an adopted son-in-law of the Cheon family.”

*Double flinch!* Cheon Soyul and I stiffened awkwardly at Teacher-nim Kim Kyunghun’s last words.

Teacher-nim Kim Kyunghun raised an eyebrow slightly at their unusual reactions.

“You’re confessing that you were daydreaming during my class. That’s a very good attitude. I’m satisfied, Lee Hyunjin.”

“…”

“Or are you tired? I’ll help you wake up. Go stand at the back.”

“Yes, sir.”

He commanded me, and I obediently followed his instruction. Next to me, Cheon Soyul brightened and tried to discreetly sit down.

“You go out too, Cheon Soyul.”

“…Yes…”

Of course, such a clumsy, sly trick wouldn’t work in front of Teacher-nim Kim Kyunghun.

At his low utterance, Cheon Soyul, disheartened, trudged after me.

Cheon Soyul and I ended up standing with our backs against the wall, attending class together. After a moment of silence, I turned my head and greeted her.

“Hey, you shouldn’t doze off in class.”

“Shut up.”

And a sharp curse, like a cat hissing, came back as her answer.

How rude.

To be honest, I was just as guilty of daydreaming, even if I wasn’t actually sleeping, so I wasn’t really in a position to tell her off.

But it was a bit strange. For Cheon Soyul, whose life motto could very well be the ‘exemplary, diligent, honest’ trio, to be dozing off in class?

I turned to look at Cheon Soyul, who was blinking next to me, with a puzzled expression.

‘Aha.’

I quickly realized the reason.

Her legs were trembling.

Coincidentally, I also noticed a partially wiped stain on the hem of her skirt. Its identity was, needless to say, from lunchtime…

‘…Hm.’

I felt an unneeded sense of apology welling up. Even if not having lunch was due to the Chancellor, wasn’t it my fault that we had some rather vigorous (?) exercise afterward?

Perhaps it was because we had engaged in ‘activities not allowed in school’ by social convention, or perhaps I couldn’t control my excitement and tormented her a bit too much.

My hands had definitely been a bit too playful.

“Sorry.”

I whispered softly, just enough for Cheon Soyul to hear, and at the same time, leaned in and slipped my hand inside her top.

As I lightly scratched her slender lower back with my fingernails…

“…Ngh, hf.”

Cheon Soyul shivered, as if she didn’t entirely dislike the cool sensation.

At her small gasp, a male student in the very back row briefly turned his gaze.

Of course, his angle wasn’t one where he could see anything, so he quickly tilted his head and returned his gaze to the front.

Cheon Soyul, who had been momentarily lost in thought until the male student turned his head, soon glared at me with her eyes wide open like a demon. Hmm. It felt as if killing intent was swirling around her, like a soft, menacing hiss.

Although she didn’t stop her subtle shivers, it wasn’t very threatening. She didn’t even slap my hand away directly.

Just then, Teacher-nim Kim Kyunghun called vice-president Kanzaki Rie instead of class president Cheon Soyul, giving her instructions and writing something on the blackboard.

The pristine white chalk moved *clack clack*, beginning to write something on the green blackboard.

I squinted, examining each phrase he wrote.

‘…Cheongsong Festival, Class Booth, Theme Vote.’

Aha. It seemed it was time to decide that.

Booths commonly seen in academy stories.

For instance, haunted houses, shooting ranges, or specialty restaurants, or in some cases, choosing things like maid cafes…

As a side note, last year, 1st-year Class A had a maid cafe. Wow.

A photo of Cheon Soyul wearing a maid uniform at the time was saved in my gallery, and I remember how much I pleaded to get her permission for that.

Since Cheon Soyul, along with Kanzaki Rie from Japan, boasted unrivaled visuals in Class A, my desire to collect such photos grew strongly.

Anyway, that was then… I hoped that this Cheongsong Festival would also remain a fun memory, if possible.

The tournament of the top 8 students (valedictorians & salutatorians) from all grades, the Chancellor’s ominous warning, the class booths, even my Master-nim’s or Jiwoo Noona’s visit.

I wished for everything to proceed without a hitch, as much as possible.

I wished for that while slightly pulling down Cheon Soyul’s skirt.

“…I can’t allow anything more than that…”

“…”

Cheon Soyul, panting with hot breaths, quickly restrained me.

If I moved my hand down any further, she seemed ready to roast me alive.

What a shame…

*****

Gyeongju.

Cheon Family Main Residence, 4th Floor.

Cheon Sehee’s Office.

*Ding!*

In the room briefly vacated by its owner, a smartphone vibrated. Not just once, but continuously, *whirring*, *whiiiiirring*.

The smartphone screen quickly lit up, revealing the nature of the notification.

[Arrogant Ice Brat: Ajumma]

[Arrogant Ice Brat: Heard my disciple and your daughter are having a match next month]

[Arrogant Ice Brat: How about we make a bet on whose disciple is superior?]

[Arrogant Ice Brat: The loser has to kneel naked in front of the winner]

[Arrogant Ice Brat: How about it? Deal?]