Episode 399. American Dream

• Irene: I want to talk again about what we discussed back then.

“…She really came.”

I adjusted my posture while looking at my smartwatch.

Because a message had arrived from Irene.

Since I was contemplating Irene anyway, the timing was good.

But the regret was unavoidable.

“I wish she had come just one day earlier.”

Then I could have met Irene and done something.

I’m flying out to America tomorrow, so if she contacts me tonight, there’s nothing I can do.

• Me: I’m sorry, but I’m flying out tomorrow. Let’s talk after I get back from America.

• Irene: What? Why?

• Me: I have to attend the Wizard Association conference in America. I’ll contact you when I return.

“This should be enough.”

I sent the message to Irene and put on a troubled expression.

Because I could feel how much Irene must have agonized before sending that message.

Since she was rejected, she must be feeling conflicted too.

‘Thinking about it like that makes me feel a bit sorry.’

I was hurting Irene because of my personal desires.

Of course, her feelings of love for her brother aren’t normal… but those feelings weren’t caused by her own fault.

Irene is just a victim.

“What is it, it feels like I keep doing bad things to Irene.”

I don’t regret the past.

To win Irene over, I had no choice but to hurt her.

Alice is a heroine from the original work.

Alice, a heroine from the original work and not a new one created when I entered this world, absolutely had to be conquered.

Therefore, there were two ways to deal with Irene.

Either our relationship would become twisted, or I’d make her completely my ally.

I chose the latter, and the process is just a bit rough.

‘Isn’t there a way I can spend the night with Alice.’

It seems like it would be best to see Alice and Irene having sex together.

‘A threesome request?’

That’s a bit much.

Given Alice’s personality, I might die.

‘Confess that your sister liked you?’

This is even weirder.

Because she’d have a physiological aversion to it.

‘So, I guess I have to be the trash.’

Although I’m already too much of trash, I need to preserve Irene’s image too.

Now that it’s come to this, I have to raise Irene’s favorability, and I can’t hide it from Alice forever.

“Right. I’ll just sacrifice myself.”

I’m used to being treated like trash.

I just have to be trash a couple more times.

I organized my thoughts about Irene and packed my bags.

I have to leave for America tomorrow.

I’ve finished saying my goodbyes to the heroines, so now I should focus on the Wizard Association conference.

*

Monday morning.

As I was heading to the airport, Liliana grabbed my arm and started whimpering.

“Sob sob…”

“Why are you acting like that?”

“Aren’t you happy when there’s a woman crying for you?”

“No, it hurts my heart, so please stop.”

“Okayyy.”

I patted the back of Liliana, who was pretending to cry, and turned away.

Knowing she’s pretending to cry but still acting like this makes me feel strangely sad.

Nam Daeun, Scarlet, and Rebecca were standing side-by-side, watching me.

We had dinner together and said goodbye last night, so why are you all standing here making me feel pressured?

“Everyone, please go inside quickly. Why are you all out here.”

“Because we want to see you off at the very least.”

“No, anyone would think I’m dying. I’ll be back in a week.”

“Daddy. I’ll contact you. I’ll share my progress in magic periodically too.”

“Yes. I’ll help even after going to America.”

I greeted each of them individually.

The last one was Nam Daeun.

Instead of a greeting, Nam Daeun approached me and tidied my clothes.

I was dressed up in a suit for the conference, and Nam Daeun quietly adjusted my clothes.

“Thanks.”

“Have a safe trip, Hoyeon.”

“Yeah. I’ll be back soon.”

Nam Daeun smiled with satisfaction.

I made eye contact with Nam Daeun for a moment before turning and heading for the front door.

If I stayed any longer, I wouldn’t be able to leave. I had to force myself to move.

“Alright, alright, I’ll be back after working, so everyone take care of the house.”

“Bye~! Bring back American burgers when you return!”

Liliana’s voice echoed from behind.

Hearing that, I quickly stepped outside.

‘…Something feels off.’

It’s hard to leave when there are people waiting for me.

Is this what it feels like to have a home?

If I had my way, I would have wanted to say goodbye for longer, but if I had lingered any more, we might have ended up having a farewell sex session together.

Even so, that would be a bit much.

I quickly made my way towards the airport.

*

“Surprisingly, this airport seems smaller.”

“Don’t get your hopes up too high. This is a place where people live too.”

Professor Im Sol and I walked side-by-side through the airport’s arrival gate.

It was my first time in America, and while the buildings seemed large, there wasn’t anything particularly unusual.

I followed the Professor and asked.

“Where are we going now?”

“We need to go to the accommodation. The conference provides a place every year.”

Professor Im Sol was dragging her suitcase and checking her smartwatch.

She mentioned there was accommodation provided by the conference, and I heard they rented out an entire 5-star hotel just for the Wizard Association.

It certainly showed the influence the Wizard Association held globally.

It was on a different level than just some local conference.

“Here it is.”

“Wow…”

How can a hotel be this big?

I blinked and followed the Professor inside.

When I presented the invitation to the conference at the lobby, the attendant smiled and handed me a card.

I guess you use that to enter the room.

“Let’s go.”

“…Yes. …Huh?”

Professor Im Sol headed straight for the elevator.

I quickly followed behind her, but my confusion remained.

‘There’s only one room?’

Could it be a shared room?

I naturally assumed we’d have separate rooms, but is an opportunity like this already presenting itself?

I carefully spoke to Professor Im Sol.

“Professor.”

“Yeah?”

“Um, the room is just one, is that okay?”

Still, it’s better to mention it now than have problems later.

Professor Im Sol’s lips curved upwards upon hearing my words.

It was the look of someone who had just seen an adorable kitten.

“You haven’t stayed in a suite before?”

“A suite?”

What’s that? A sweet room?

Are they giving out macarons or something?

It wasn’t until we rode the elevator up and entered the room that I understood what she meant.

I had only ever stayed in motels with just one room my entire life, so I realized luxury hotels have separate living rooms and bedrooms.

There were even two bedrooms.

That’s why the Professor didn’t say much.

Feeling embarrassed, I started unpacking.

“…Still, it’s better than staying in completely separate rooms.”

Let’s think positively.

It’s much more comfortable than staying in completely separate rooms.

Just then, the Professor, having finished unpacking first, entered my room.

“Still have a lot left?”

“No. I’m almost done.”

“In that case, do you want to come meet someone with me?”

“Who?”

“The Chairman of the Wizard Association.”

“…The Chairman? Are you talking about Arthur Kennedy?”

Arthur Kennedy.

He’s the Chairman of the Wizard Association.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he’s the most famous among wizards.

He possessed not only strength but also character, was kind to everyone, and had achieved tremendous results in the field of magic research.

He was a living legend, now retired from active duty and serving as the Chairman of the Wizard Association.

But why would someone like that know Professor Im Sol?

“You know Arthur Kennedy?”

“Is that not allowed?”

“No, it’s not like that. But you said you disliked everyone from the conference, didn’t you?”

Professor Im Sol didn’t seem to like the Wizard Association much.

Im Sol’s method was to prove herself and put them in their place.

But it seemed strange that she knew the Chairman, their representative, personally.

“I don’t dislike everyone. And besides, the old man and I have known each other for a long time. Anyway, do you want to come meet him too?”

“Me?”

“Yeah. He said he really wanted to meet you.”

“Uh…”

I hesitated for a moment, but the deliberation wasn’t long.

There was no harm in meeting him, so I should see him once.

If the Professor speaks so highly of him, he can’t be a bad person.

Besides, I need to make sure there isn’t some shady character hanging around my future girlfriend, Professor Im Sol.

“Then let’s go.”

“Okay. Finish packing and follow me.”

We packed our bags and went down to the hotel lobby.

We headed to the cafe attached to the lobby.

Upon entering the cafe, a middle-aged man was sitting in a corner booth.

“Is that him?”

“Yes.”

He was quite a handsome middle-aged man.

He recognized us, waved, and flashed a smile.

“Sol-ah. It’s been a while.”

“Uncle. I told you not to call me that in front of others.”

Everyone close to Professor Im Sol calls her Sol.

Is it like a pet name?

Honestly, it’s cute.

Sol… I want to call her that too.

“Don’t say such disappointing things… Ah, you must be Lee Hoyeon, the second great genius mage, right?”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Bowing

I bowed my head politely and greeted the Chairman.

I didn’t know what the ‘second great genius mage’ meant, but this man had no ill reputation.

If I play nice, maybe I’ll get some scraps.

“Wow. It feels so refreshing to see a proper prospect after so long.”

“Stop using expressions like ‘old man,’ just get to the point.”

“Sit down first. There’s no rush, is there?”

The Professor and I sat down and waited for Arthur to continue.

Arthur looked at me and nodded.

“I wondered what happened for you to take on a disciple, but seeing you, I can understand.”

“Is that why you asked to see my disciple?”

“If it were a girl, I wouldn’t have said anything. I was just wondering if you’d been charmed by some handsome man.”

“I can handle it myself.”

I quietly observed their conversation.

I thought they were just acquaintances, but it seems their relationship is deeper than that.

It was somewhat like a father-daughter relationship.

‘I don’t know much about the Professor’s parents.’

It’s certain Arthur isn’t a parent, but perhaps they’ve known each other since she was young.

I should ask her about it later.

“Hmm, so I can call you student Lee Hoyeon, right?”

“You can call me whatever is comfortable.”

“Great. Student Lee Hoyeon, have you considered learning magic from me?”

“…Magic?”

Arthur continued with a benevolent smile.

“Yes. I heard you were Sol’s disciple, so I was willing to help if you were decent, but you’re good enough that I’d like to ask you instead. Won’t you learn magic from me?”

“Uh…”

This requires some thought.

The magical energy I felt from the Chairman was certainly strong, but weaker than Professor Im Sol’s.

It was natural, as his prime was long past.

He had already retired from active duty and taken the position of Chairman.

‘Will he really be helpful?’

I glanced subtly at Professor Im Sol.

It was a plea for help.

Then, the Professor looked at me and nodded.

“It wouldn’t be bad. My disciple could grow even further.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. He was the one who taught me magic too. He’s good at identifying people’s weaknesses, so it might help you a bit too?

I was inwardly surprised.

Arthur taught Professor Im Sol magic?

Isn’t he an incredible person then?

“In that case… Please take care of me.”

“Hmm, I’ll give you some guidance a few times while you’re in America.”

“Thank you.”

I thanked him and bowed my head.

If the Professor vouches for him, I can trust him.

This might even be a pretty good opportunity.

“Did you call me here today because of your disciple?”

“Of course not. There’s something I need Sol’s help with.”

Arthur looked at me and smiled.

Does this mean I should step out for a moment?

“Should I head back up first?”

“Yeah. Go back and finish unpacking or something.”

“I’ll contact you later through Sol. Student Lee Hoyeon.”

I bowed my head once more and left the cafe first.

I was curious about what they were discussing, but seeing the Professor act like this, it must be something very important.

‘Arthur…’

Teaching magic… I’m kind of looking forward to it.

Maybe it could be a hint on how to defeat Professor Im Sol.

I’m looking forward to our next meeting.