Ch.50Red Yellow Red – 4

After two days of persuasion, my efforts finally paid off.

Despite my grandfather’s advice to rest more since he had already spoken with the dean, I successfully managed to return to the Academy.

‘It took two whole days. Two days just to return to the Arbiter’s side.’

I feel so sorry to my grandfather. I understand his concerns completely.

What if there’s another attack? Just rest a little longer.

I hesitated several times seeing my grandfather practically begging me.

But the place where I needed to be was by his side.

I want to show improvement while standing beside the person I admire most.

After all, every step forward I’ve taken is all thanks to the Arbiter.

“Miss, we’ve arrived.”

“Thank you. I’ll be going now.”

Leaving the security guards behind, I rushed inside.

Seojin Baek, the Arbiter, was just ahead.

What expression will he make when I suddenly appear, after saying I’d rest for a few more days?

Will he be surprised? He wouldn’t have expected me to come so early, so he probably will be.

But that would only be momentary—he’ll definitely be delighted to see me.

The Arbiter cherishes me deeply. That’s the kind of person he is.

“Arbiter!”

I considered sneaking up to surprise him.

But when I caught sight of him, I forgot everything else.

Trying to hold back the smile that kept creeping onto my lips, I called out to Seojin Baek…

“Oh, Soohyun!”

The Seojin Baek I saw wasn’t alone.

Senior Hana Kang was standing beside him.

“Why is Senior here…?”

Only that one question surfaced in my mind.

Why is she here? Like the other day, isn’t she visiting too often?

Senior Hana Kang isn’t Bronze, nor is she Silver rank.

She’s Platinum rank, completely unrelated to Seojin Baek.

So why do I keep seeing her by the Arbiter’s side?

I imagined the senior constantly sticking by the Arbiter’s side while I was away.

And I pictured the Arbiter treating her the same way he treats me.

‘No. No way. I hate this.’

I didn’t want to see the Arbiter and the senior talking anymore.

Because Senior Hana Kang is far more impressive than I am.

Because she has so many more strengths than someone like me could ever compare to.

So without realizing it, I ended up revealing information that could be considered confidential.

But I had no regrets. Thanks to that, the Arbiter turned his attention to me.

‘Please leave now, Senior. Hurry and get out of here…’

…No, I shouldn’t think like this. The Arbiter is a good person, but so is the senior.

Someone who has looked after me knowingly and unknowingly. Someone who’s like an older sister to me.

You shouldn’t be like this. That would be betraying the senior who has helped you all this time.

Right. She must have just stopped by briefly for some reason.

Yes, that must be it. She’s even the student council president!

She’ll leave soon. Then, only I will remain by the Arbiter’s side…

“I don’t have classes today?”

The senior said that and then focused back on her conversation with the Arbiter.

Just that alone made my mouth go dry.

And with her next words, my heart sank.

“Actually, there’s someone who wants to make you a clan recruitment offer.”

*

A clan recruitment offer I never expected. I never thought this day would come.

But right now, it’s not an attractive offer at all.

It’s not even worth considering for me; the answer is already decided.

“I appreciate the offer, student Hana Kang.”

Joining a clan would automatically mean stepping down from my position as an Arbiter.

From my perspective, it would mean giving up my most efficient source of growth.

The Silver Gatekeeper should stay where the Bronze students are, not go anywhere else.

But out of consideration for Hana Kang’s dignity,

I thought for about 30 seconds before shaking my head and expressing my refusal.

“I’m sorry. I have no intention of joining a clan.”

“Could you at least meet with the person making the offer and talk about it?”

“Whatever the offer is, my answer will be the same.”

Even on the surface, accepting this offer would create many problems.

I publicly declared in front of the students that I’m doing this more for ‘others’ than for ‘myself.’

If I suddenly join a clan, I’d be undermining the justification I’ve built up.

“If I join a clan—no, even just accepting the offer would greatly disappoint the students. I told them with my own mouth that I’m doing this restrictive Arbiter job because I want to help elevate those at the lower levels. What if that same person suddenly transfers to a top-tier clan just because they gained some reputation?”

“…The reaction wouldn’t be good, of course.”

“You understand perfectly. So, please convey my message well, student Hana Kang.”

At my words, Hana Kang stopped mentioning the offer.

Instead, she bowed her head, saying she felt she had been disrespectful.

“I’m sorry, Arbiter. I think I was too shallow in my thinking.”

“No. If anything, I should be the one apologizing. I know very well that Matap isn’t just any place that would reach out first. I’ve rejected what would be an incredible opportunity that others might never get.”

The Matap Clan is truly an extraordinary place. It’s a dream workplace for ability users.

Aside from the one led by Jiyoon Han, it could be considered the number one clan in South Korea.

And I had just rejected an offer from such a place on the spot.

“Please convey my apologies to the person who made the offer.”

“Don’t worry. When my father hears your intentions, he’ll fully understand how deeply you care about our Academy students.”

“Ah… your father made the offer? It seems your father is a key executive in the Matap Clan.”

Well, that explains how he could provide such full support to Hyunwoo Lee.

It would be impossible for a mere low-level executive…

“Eh? Oh, didn’t you know? I thought you already knew?”

Know what? What suddenly?

Soohyun Kim, who was standing beside me, answered my question.

“Arbiter, Senior Hana Kang’s father is the master of the Matap Clan.”

Wait, hold on. What? Not just an executive but the clan master?

The master of Matap personally wanted to meet me?

I make a mental note never to tell anyone else about this.

If I thoughtlessly told the truth, I’d only invite criticism.

Ding-ding!

“Ah, I’m sorry. Seems something’s come up again. I’ll be going now! See you next time!”

Hana Kang checks her loudly ringing watch and rushes toward the main building where the student council is located.

“She’s leaving.”

A smile finally returns to Soohyun Kim’s face as she mutters this.

Soohyun, why do you keep looking so scary? Let’s please not do that.

“I knew you would do that, Arbiter.”

“Do what?”

“Reject the senior’s offer outright. I knew you would stay here.”

That was just the conclusion I reached after calculating my own gains and losses.

But of course, I didn’t voice that answer.

“Of course. The students’ levels haven’t improved yet, and there’s Hyunwoo, Soohyun, and you. There are so many students I have expectations for. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Right? I knew it. Yes, of course, Arbiter.”

Soohyun Kim smiles brightly and leans slightly against me.

Really, looking at her like this, how could she have become The Crimson Witch?

*

‘Another day done!’

Hana Kang, leaving the Academy, headed not toward home but in a different direction.

The central district for South Korean ability users, where several clan headquarters are gathered.

Her destination was the largest of them all—the clan “Matap.”

As she entered, several people greeted her.

“Oh, welcome, young miss.”

“Really! I told you not to call me that!”

“But what can I do? It’s become a habit! Haha!”

Despite Hana Kang’s complaints, the clan members she encountered wouldn’t give up the title.

It was both a sign of affection for the clan master’s daughter and a testament to their trust in the clan master.

Because of this, Hana Kang gave up trying to stop them and headed to the top floor of the clan headquarters.

Knock knock—

“Father, it’s me.”

“Come in.”

Opening the door, she was greeted warmly by a middle-aged man.

Matap Clan Master, A-grade ability user, Master of Flame Magic, Inbeom Kang.

“You’re here? Did you have a good day?”

“Yes. Oh, Soohyun came to school today.”

“Already? I didn’t expect him to send her back so quickly.”

Shrugging her shoulders once, Hana Kang got straight to the point.

“The Arbiter rejected the offer.”

“Even though this dad asked to meet him?”

“I didn’t mention that specifically. I just said there was someone who wanted to meet him. I didn’t want to burden him or make him feel pressured. Did I do something wrong?”

“No, no. You did very well. He’s our benefactor, and we shouldn’t show any disrespect.”

Though not from the same family, Inbeom Kang respects Minseong Kang more than anyone.

It’s only natural for Inbeom to be cautious with Seojin Baek, who saved Minseong’s granddaughter.

“He’s truly a wonderful person. When he explained his reasons for refusing, I felt so sorry.”

Hana Kang continued, explaining Seojin Baek’s reasons for declining the offer.

After hearing the details from his daughter, Inbeom Kang let out an “Ah” in admiration.

To think he had thoughtlessly made a recruitment offer to such an admirable young man!

Could he not be considered one of the few true ability users left in this era?

“I hope this hasn’t created a negative impression of Matap.”

“I’m worried about that too. So I had an idea. What if Matap helps the Arbiter if he ever faces difficulties? I think that might be better.”

“I wonder what kind of difficulties our benefactor might face… but your idea isn’t bad.”

Seojin Baek had unknowingly accrued a debt to the Matap Clan.