Chapter 25

Chapter 25

I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy.

Episode 25: Seo Ga-yeon (2)

Monday.

The day where you desired to go back home as soon as you arrived at school.

I yawned and settled into my seat.

The classroom was already densely filled with students engrossed in study.

Such diligent ones.

“Sleepy?”

“Yeah, I overdid it a bit yesterday.”

“Right, you and Seo Ga-yeon ran for a long time.”

I glanced at Kim Seo-hyun.

In the midst of it, Kim Seo-hyun had joined us, running with sandbags tied to him that weighed over 150kg.

Stimulated, perhaps.

I remembered Kim Seo-hyun’s origin.

Kim Seo-hyun was a kind of killing weapon, created to annihilate all the Mines in this world.

Swoosh.

I twirled my pen, lost in thought.

About Seo Ga-yeon.

To nurture her, the first step should be to awaken her magical powers.

Once she became accustomed to her magic and learned the discipline of magic, she would grow stronger at an unimaginable rate.

‘Though the process will be painful.’

Time was of the essence.

It would be toughest for Seo Ga-yeon, but it’s not easy for me either. There’s much to prepare.

How should I nurture her to become renowned? While pondering that, the front door opened.

Clunk.

Instructor Seo Woo-ju entered.

“Good morning, kids. Today, I have a few announcements to make.”

He began.

“Yesterday, Sunday. Did everyone hear about the Mine that went berserk in Gangnam, Seoul?”

“Yes!”

“Fortunately, our students were nearby and managed to stop the Mine, allowing the citizens to evacuate safely. Hong Yu-hwa, Ershil, Kim Seo-hyun, and Kim Ara. You all did well.”

Instructor Seo Woo-ju acknowledged the four of them.

“The Association has decided to award you generously for your efforts, prize money included. Is there anyone who doesn’t want it?”

“May I ask who is presenting the award?”

“Sword Master Baek Ji-yeon herself will be doing the honors.”

“…Sword Master?”

Kim Seo-hyun’s eyes widened, a clear sign of his surprise.

The class buzzed with excitement at Instructor Seo Woo-ju’s announcement.

“Sword Master, isn’t that the person who single-handedly dealt with the recent A-class disaster?”

“Resolved an A-class disaster alone? Is that even human?”

The students murmured.

Indeed, an A-class disaster could mean a crisis of national extinction in a developing country.

“Quiet, everyone. Anyway, I have one more message for you. These days, the Black Magic Alliance is becoming more active, so I’d like you to be cautious. Don’t act heroically out of a sense of heroism. Not to underestimate you, but compared to heroes, there’s still a lack.”

Instructor Seo Woo-ju spoke with a hint of sadness.

“Mines are cunning. They don’t hesitate to use any means to win – poison, hostages, crime. Don’t think of them as humans. They are enemies wearing human skin, no different from monsters.”

Seo Woo-ju looked at the students as he spoke.

“Well, let’s end the heavy talk here.”

Instructor Seo Woo-ju smiled wryly and concluded.

Then, our eyes met.

He looked at me with a peculiar gaze.

“And Lee Seo-ha, please come to the staff room after class.”

“Yes.”

I scratched my head.

I guess I was caught.

I had erased my presence from modern records. That much was certain.

Yet, it’s impossible to completely conceal your face or prevent word of mouth, so I had guessed they would roughly know.

“Let’s proceed with today’s class then. The first lesson will be a joint session. Everyone, please head outside.”

“It’s tough.”

Seo Ga-yeon silently agreed with the muttered comment.

It’s tough.

And overwhelming.

Seo Ga-yeon shifted her gaze elsewhere.

She saw Lee Seo-ha.

While others were covered in dust, he didn’t have a speck on him.

He even seemed bored, yawning.

“He’s really something else.”

“It’s not for no reason he’s the top. Kim Seo-hyun was the top recruit this time, but he instantly caught up.”

“What do you think being the top student entails?”

“I don’t know. That’s what makes it scarier. And Lee Seo-ha, do you think he has the same level of talent as us untouchables?”

A self-deprecating response made the surrounding students nod in agreement.

There were many students, but Lee Seo-ha stood out among them.

As if he were on a completely different level.

Buzz.

The cellphone rang. Seo Ga-yeon opened it and checked.

-Fighting today too, my Ga-yeon!^^

A text from her mom.

Seo Ga-yeon replied.

-Yes, Mom, you too, fighting!

After sending the text, Seo Ga-yeon sighed deeply.

She didn’t know.

Family gave her unconditional belief.

But she felt like she couldn’t live up to that belief.

To be honest, Seo Ga-yeon found her family’s belief in her burdensome.

And then,

“Hello.”

The person greeted her with a languid smile.

“Ah, hello!”

Seo Ga-yeon greeted back with a trembling voice.

Yet there was anticipation in it.

At the Korea Hero School, in their golden batch…

Among them, an exceptionally outstanding student looked at her with expectation.

What did he see in her to have such expectations?

Could there be some hidden talent within her?

The feeling of anticipation began to rise.

However, the result of expectation wasn’t always good.

Seo Ga-yeon tried to suppress her rising hope.

It could just be a misjudgment on his part.

“Is this seat taken?”

“No, it’s not.”

“Then, excuse me for a moment.”

Lee Seo-ha sat down next to Seo Ga-yeon with a friendly smile.

“Do you remember what I said yesterday?”

“Yes, I remember.”

She remembered.

Comparing herself to Hong Yu-hwa, saying she had more talent, and the praise that made her face flush.

It had been a while since she received such praise.

“Sorry, I think I spoke too hastily yesterday.”

To be honest, it was a bit emotional.

The tutorial wasn’t as difficult as he had imagined, but it was still challenging.

Lee Seo-ha thought this and spoke slowly.

“Yeah, I knew it. I don’t have any talent, do I?”

“No, you do.”

Lee Seo-ha firmly responded to Seo Ga-yeon’s lack of self-esteem.

“……”

That was a very firm belief.

So firm that Seo Ga-yeon opened her mouth and just looked at him.

“Do you have time on Sunday?”

“Time? Ye, yes. My club activities are on Saturday.”

“That’s good. Mine are on Saturday too.”

He had intentionally chosen Saturday.

Lee Seo-ha bit back his words.

“Ga-yeon, you have incredible talent, but it’s really difficult to start learning magic right away.”

“Ye, yes.”

She nodded at his overwhelming praise.

Because Lee Seo-ha was looking at her, believing in her talent.

Such belief from someone outside her family was a first for her.

“It’s also a bit late to start. Magic is a discipline where the basics are extremely important.”

One of the reasons Seo Ga-yeon was worried.

Magic seemed too difficult.

And above all, it was too late for her.

There wasn’t enough time to change majors right now.

Lee Seo-ha fell silent and looked at Seo Ga-yeon.

He had been contemplating during the class.

How could he boost Seo Ga-yeon’s self-esteem?

“Do you want to go somewhere with me this Sunday?”

“Where?”

“Someplace fun.”

“Someplace fun?”

Lee Seo-ha deliberately avoided saying ‘dungeon’.

Because then Seo Ga-yeon would have run away.

“Yes. And that’s why I said you have talent.”

“Talent…”

Seo Ga-yeon repeated the unfamiliar word.

She wasn’t devoid of talent.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been admitted to this school.

It was just that the students around her seemed too formidable.

She had been the top of her class at a local school, but each time she tried to keep up with this school’s curriculum, she felt overwhelmed.

“Se, Seo-ha.”

“Yes?”

“Is the talent you mentioned about awakening an attribute?”

Attribute.

It was a kind of power where magical energy had an attribute. This power was so special that in the 1st year, known as the golden batch, fewer than five possessed it.

Lee Seo-ha was briefly surprised by Seo Ga-yeon’s question, then he nodded.

“Yes.”

“So that’s why you said that to me.”

Finally, Seo Ga-yeon could somewhat understand Lee Seo-ha’s intentions.

She had pondered over it all night.

What talent Lee Seo-ha saw in her remained a mystery. The more she pondered it, the more perplexing it seemed.

Because she believed she possessed nothing.

Then, she recalled the awakening of her attribute.

“Th, then can you tell what my, my attribute is?”

“Of course.”

Lee Seo-ha began to speak.

“Your attribute is…”

Seo Ga-yeon cocked her head at Lee Seo-ha’s words.

It was an attribute she had never encountered before.

“It might be unfamiliar. It’s somewhat of a secret attribute.”

“…I see.”

“But there’s a method to awaken this attribute quickly. It’s hard and challenging, but can you handle it?”

“It’s okay.”

Seo Ga-yeon looked at Lee Seo-ha and said,

Her voice was firm.

It reflected her strong resolve.

That was the essence of Seo Ga-yeon’s character.

Externally, she appeared unremarkable.

Yet, her spirit glowed brightly, like a beacon.

Seo Ga-yeon saw it differently.

The mana of the attribute.

It could be her final hope.

Her dedication had always gone unrewarded.

But Seo Ga-yeon knew that if she didn’t even make an attempt, she would amount to nothing.

“So, do we have an agreement for Sunday? Ah, it might be rigorous, so dress in comfortable workout clothes.”

“Ye, yes. O, okay.”

Lee Seo-ha departed from the area.

Seo Ga-yeon observed him until he was out of sight.

Nevertheless, she continued to be baffled by the attribute of her mana that Lee Seo-ha had mentioned.

The attribute of the star.

A force she had never before encountered.

I was en route to the staff room.

Instructor Seo Woo-ju summoned me after class had ended.

‘I should request confidentiality.’

Instructor Seo Woo-ju would likely honor the request.

He was among the few genuine educators at this institution.

Upon my arrival at the staff room, I found Instructor Seo Woo-ju waiting outside.

“Follow me.”

“Yes.”

I trailed behind Instructor Seo Woo-ju. Yet, the route seemed familiar.

There was no mistaking it.

It led to the same location where I had recently encountered Seo Ye-bin.

Before a door too opulent and elaborate to belong to a mere principal’s office.

Creak.

As I approached, the door began to open automatically.

A woman with luxurious blonde hair swept back behind her ears and violet eyes turned towards me.

“Come in.”

“That student is…?”

I noticed a woman dressed in a formal suit.

Her eyes were strong.

She had black hair tied back in a ponytail.

A white-sheathed sword hung at her waist.

She was Sword Master Baek Ji-yeon.

“This student?”

“He’s someone I’ve been keeping an eye on. And… he’s the student you’ve been searching for.”

“This student, you say?”

Her purple eyes curved into crescents, amused.

“I said I would watch over him, but I didn’t expect to meet him so soon.”

Seo Ye-bin gave a meaningful smile.

“I made an effort because I wanted to meet the principal.”

“Really? You faced a Mine alone?”

I merely shrugged instead of answering.

Seo Ye-bin seemed to appreciate the gesture, giving a slight smile.

“You make things difficult for me. Now I’m wondering what to give as a reward.”

“Then, may I choose it?”

“Go ahead.”

Seo Ye-bin looked at me with the fondness of a grandmother watching a mischievous grandchild.

Well, considering Seo Ye-bin’s age, that analogy might be quite apt.

“In that case, I would like…”

I began to speak.