Episode 392. Preparing for the Mage Conference (2)

Im Sol’s laboratory.

Baek Ahyoung, who came to see her friend after a long time, started nagging upon seeing Im Sol’s laboratory, which was on the verge of chaos.

“You stayed up all night researching again, didn’t you? I told you not to overdo it. Eat your meals properly, and take the medicine I gave you.”

“Okay. Don’t worry. I know my body well.”

“No, you don’t. You really don’t know your own body…! It’s so frustrating.”

Baek Ahyoung felt like hitting her chest out of frustration.

How could she be researching so hard after just collapsing not long ago?

As expected, I can’t understand a single wizard, except for Yeobo (Master).

“I wasn’t researching all night, it was just a bit messy because I was talking about the conference with Hoyeon.”

“… Really?”

The name Lee Hoyeon coming from Im Sol’s lips.

Baek Ahyoung flinched for a moment, but didn’t react overtly.

Because now, she and Im Sol had decided to walk the same path.

She also thought that her friend Im Sol was better than the other women.

Their ages were similar, and she didn’t want to compete with the younger female cadets.

‘But did we do anything together after that?’

After Im Sol collapsed from a week of research.

They formed an alliance in the laboratory when she visited for treatment.

However, they hadn’t really taken any action since then.

Baek Ahyoung met Lee Hoyeon in her own way, and Im Sol met Lee Hoyeon in her own way.

‘If it’s like this, why did we even form an alliance…?’

Baek Ahyoung stared blankly at Im Sol, who was tidying up her research papers.

She didn’t like how Im Sol kept calling Yeobo (Master) over, using the conference as an excuse these days.

Of course, she herself had called Yeobo (Master) for strange reasons in the past… but that was before they formed the alliance, so it couldn’t be helped.

“… But didn’t we form this alliance because of our Hoyeon’s situation?”

“That’s right. We are one.”

“Then shouldn’t we do something together…?”

Baek Ahyoung carefully brought up the topic.

She was nervous because it was the first time discussing such a topic directly, but Im Sol accepted it surprisingly without resistance.

“Then you can come to the lab tomorrow too.”

“Is Hoyeon coming to the lab tomorrow?”

“Yeah. He’s coming over once because of the conference. We can just hang out together.”

“Hang out together, the three of us?”

“Is that not okay?”

“It’s not that it’s not okay…?”

Baek Ahyoung nodded.

Lately, since both of them were so busy, even when they met, it quickly led to sex after a brief conversation.

Of course, Baek Ahyoung preferred it that way….

‘I can’t have sex here.’

The thought of the three of them having sex was unimaginable.

Sometimes, conversation or a normal meal would be nice too.

Since the three of us had a meal together last time, it wouldn’t be awkward.

Baek Ahyoung suddenly became curious.

Was Sol perhaps having sex with Yeobo (Master) in the laboratory?

She looked around and around.

Baek Ahyoung looked around the surroundings, but couldn’t find a suitable spot nearby.

Because Im Sol’s magic supplies occupied every space.

Could it be that the two of them hadn’t progressed that far yet?

“… What do you two do when you meet?”

“Lately, we’ve been practicing compatibility.”

“…”

“For the record, I mean practicing magic, not sleeping together.”

“I-I know.”

“But why are you so surprised? Let’s eat together tomorrow, the three of us.”

“Mm-hmm, okay…”

Baek Ahyoung avoided Im Sol’s eyes and wet her lips with hot chocolate.

The sweet taste of sugar entering her mouth made her feel better.

‘Sol seems like she hasn’t yet.’

Her slightly flushed cheeks told the story.

She pretended it was nothing, but she wasn’t comfortable with this topic.

It was the reaction of a maiden.

‘As expected, I was the first…!’

Baek Ahyoung suppressed her rising smile and lowered her head, burying her face in the hot chocolate.

*

Vacation Day 1.

I lay blankly on the bed, checking my smartwatch.

• Victoria Academy raids Pandemic’s hideout. Interview with the Chairman. “We will take responsibility for citizens’ safety beyond our role as an educational institution.”

• If the Academy is handling everything from counter-terrorism to mine sweeps, what is the Hunter Association’s reason for existence?

• Police Agency. Considering awarding a commendation medal to the Chairman of Victoria Academy….

On the internet, I could see the Chairman diligently making use of the hideout I handed over.

“This much makes it worth yielding.”

As expected, their ability to manipulate public opinion is no joke.

I yielded the credit without much thought, but they’re spinning it like this.

Basically, Victoria Academy is an educational institution, but most of it belongs to the Chairman.

As the Academy’s reputation grows, more cadets and notable newcomers will gather, and someday, they might control the Korean hunter society through the Academy’s network.

‘Then they’ll probably take good care of me, their son-in-law.’

I feel sorry for the Hunter Association, but it can’t be helped.

Anyway, I kept scrolling through the news.

I was checking in case there was any mention of Moon Sungmin in the news.

“As expected, nothing.”

Seeing how thoroughly it’s being hidden, it seems Surin noona intends to handle this herself.

Since her will seemed genuine, I shouldn’t have to worry.

‘…’

Thinking of Moon Surin reminded me of her house again.

The more I thought about it, the stranger it felt.

So many pictures of me.

It felt genuinely strange, rather than repulsive.

I searched my name on the internet, just in case.

“Wow….”

As soon as I searched my name, thousands upon tens of thousands of my photos appeared.

Photos taken by reporters, and photos I had no idea when they were taken.

Seeing many photos taken inside the Academy, it seems some cadets are taking pictures too.

It’s truly fascinating.

Tak-

I covered my smartwatch and went out into the living room.

Although being secretly photographed is a bit unpleasant, I can laugh off the fact that my pictures are circulating.

They aren’t nudes, so what’s the big deal.

This is the life of a celebrity.

When I came into the living room, I saw Liliana sitting on the sofa, staring at the hologram monitor.

The others seemed to be showering or in the kitchen.

I approached the sofa and sat next to Liliana.

“Hm? What’s up?”

“No, I just wanted to watch with you.”

“Aha.”

Liliana looked at me, shifted her hips to the side, and then lay down, using my thigh as a pillow.

I stared blankly at her before speaking.

“You’re just lying down suddenly?”

“Is that not allowed? If not, I’ll get up.”

“It’s not that…”

“Hehe.”

Liliana, finding something amusing, lay down and watched the monitor.

Actually, I had planned to have her sit on my lap, lean forward, and maybe touch her breasts, but the plan was ruined.

As a consolation, I placed my hand on Liliana’s chest while she was lying down.

“Uhhng. Master, already in the morning…?”

“It’s not like that, it’s just revenge.”

“What did I do wrong? Why are you getting revenge?”

“Revenge is supposed to be taken before you’re wronged.”

“Why is that?”

“Because then you never lose. It’s too late if you take revenge after being wronged.”

“That was nonsense again.”

“This is a time-honored human tradition.”

• Liliana-ssi, time for breakfast!

While I was playing with Liliana for a bit, Nam Daeun’s voice echoed from the kitchen.

Hearing about breakfast made me hungry again.

“Let’s go eat. Liliana. I’m hungry.”

“Okay. Then, following the human tradition, I must carry out a cruel revenge by stealing Scarlet’s sausage.”

“Don’t bother Scarlet, just eat mine.”

I almost caused trouble for Scarlet by spouting nonsense.

I nudged Liliana, who was shouting about revenge, towards the kitchen.

*

Around lunchtime.

I sent Professor Im Sol a message via my smartwatch.

• Professor. I’m coming now.

• Mm-hmm. I’ll be organizing my work. By the way, Ahyoung is also in the lab.

• What? Why is Ahyoung-ssi there? If now isn’t good, I can come a little later.

• Just come now.

• What were you two doing?

The Professor didn’t reply after that.

“What the?”

Is everything really okay? Still, the way she said it suggests Baek Ahyoung consented, right?

Professor Im Sol isn’t someone who would be that rude.

I got dressed and went out of the house.

‘I’ve been seeing the Professor a lot lately.’

Because of the upcoming Wizard Association Conference, I have more and more business with her.

If I were in America, would we end up living together?

‘Still, it seems difficult to share a room.’

Judging by the Professor’s actions, even if we shared a bed, she would never have sex with a man weaker than herself.

Let’s stop trying to seduce her at night.

It might be better to spend that time practicing magic.

Walking through the quiet Academy on the first day of vacation, I arrived at the magic tower.

Passing through the familiar lobby and going up to the second floor, I saw the usual laboratory.

Baek Ahyoung was indeed sitting inside.

Baek Ahyoung’s eyes widened when she saw me, then she quickly smiled and greeted me.

“Hi. Yeo… Hoyeon.”

“Hello. Saintess-nim.”

“Saintess-nim?”

“You’ve returned to being the Saintess now, haven’t you? I don’t think I called you that last time we met.”

“Yeo… cough. Hoyeon, you can just call me comfortably.”

I suppressed a laugh watching Baek Ahyoung tightly shut her mouth, afraid of making a mistake every time she spoke, and sat down.

Professor Im Sol was organizing papers; seeing the cover, they looked like papers for the conference.

“Professor, I’m here.”

“Mm-hmm. It’s been a while.”

“If you’re busy, can I help you a bit?”

“No. It’s better if I do it alone.”

Since I hadn’t seen her in a few days, it was indeed a while.

I sat on the sofa and accepted the hot chocolate Baek Ahyoung poured for me.

When I gave her a subtle glance, Baek Ahyoung blinked and then smiled.

It’s been a while since the three of us met here too.

“This hot chocolate is delicious.”

“Mm-hmm. Sol uses the best ingredients, after all.”

Baek Ahyoung continued the conversation somewhat awkwardly.

She probably felt extremely frustrated because she couldn’t call Yeobo (Master) due to Professor Im Sol being there.

‘Right. I should ask the Professor about the conference.’

I need to ask if the Professor knows the information Rebecca told me.

I asked the Professor, who was organizing the papers, a question.

“Professor. Speaking of which, you mentioned my name would be on the paper, right?”

“Mm-hmm. I included you as a co-author, not an assistant, so don’t worry.”

“That’s not it. You said going to the Wizard Association Conference for the first time is called a wizard’s debut. Am I debuting this time?”

“According to the standards of other wizards, you could say so. Besides, you’re not the type to care about that, are you?”

“That’s true… But what did you do, Professor?”

Hearing words like ‘first time’ and ‘debut’ again makes me inexplicably concerned.

First impressions are the most important, aren’t they? Shouldn’t I do something amazing as a genius wizard?

“I solved all five major challenges that were widespread in the academic community.”

“… In your first presentation?”

“That’s right. It became annoying though, with wizards coming to ask me to teach them magic.”

“I don’t really want to go that far.”

Hearing the Professor’s words dampened my motivation a bit.

I’m not capable of putting in that much effort.

“If you really must, then write a paper. For you, creating a decent paper would be quick.”

“Hmm… I don’t know.”

My magic is more intuitive than theoretical, making it difficult to write down in a paper.

Of course, even if it’s difficult by my standards, it would be easier than for other wizards who lack intuition.

But what can I do if I don’t even want to do that?

I already have so much to do, why would I write a paper?

I decided to stop worrying about my debut and ask about something else.

“What were you two doing together?”

“Ahyoung often comes over to hang out. It’s quiet here.”

“Today, she said she wanted to hang out with Hoyeon, the three of us, so I was waiting.”

“Aha. I’ll treat you both to a meal. Something good happened recently.”

We should go eat together, the three of us.

I wanted to do something better, but… the Professor’s defenses are still too strong.

“Hoo… Done. Are you ready?”

“Ready for what?”

I had generously offered to pay for the meal, but Professor Im Sol said something strange as if she hadn’t heard me at all.

The Professor neatly placed the papers on the table, stretched, and approached the sofa.

“We need to spar. You weren’t thinking of skipping it, were you?”

“But Ahyoung-ssi is here?”

“With an emergency medic present, it’s perfect. Today, I want to try something closer to a real battle.”

“… Sol. Did you bring me here for that purpose?”

“It’s just killing two birds with one stone. Let’s go.”

The Professor led the way out of the laboratory, and Baek Ahyoung and I exchanged glances before chuckling.

“If I had known this would happen, I should have just hung out with Yeobo (Master) separately.”

“You know the Professor can be quite headstrong. Let’s just go.”

We slowly followed the Professor.