episode_0007

“First, I would like to congratulate all of you who have entered the cradle and give a brief speech.”

Expansion of spatial perception range. It was a sudden incident. The range that had been groaning with spatial perception for ten days had expanded.

However, it had only increased by a few centimeters at most, and there had never been a time when it had expanded as broadly as it did now.

Before contemplating this, the vice chancellor took action first.

Turning her head around, the vice chancellor, standing on the stage, glanced around once. Those who met her gaze stiffened their bodies nervously.

“About 200 years ago, it was a time of chaos. Dungeons and towers rose from all directions, and abandoned monsters formed groups and swept through the surroundings.”

Even though there was no microphone-like device, her chilly voice spread throughout every nook and cranny of the building.

I paused for a moment and listened carefully to the vice chancellor’s speech.

“At that time, people dying was not a big deal. It was a world where the person next to me became a cold corpse because they couldn’t get a piece of bread, where the lover who whispered love last night became a monster’s food, a world commonly seen around us.”

200 years ago.

Monsters that only appeared in legends tore through fiction and appeared, and the helplessness of an ordinary human crossed the boundaries of common sense.

Even after about 100 years, the chaos could not be quelled.

Monsters, dungeons, towers.

Innate abilities, magic, awakening.

As if responding to the threats that sprang up one after another in the world, humans were given the power of magic and innate abilities, but bringing peace was difficult.

A world full of chaos and despair needed a hero to calm it and open up peace.

“Cradle.”

The vice chancellor murmured softly, but for some reason, the word “cradle” deeply resonated in my ears.

“Neriel, who conquered the Tower of Growth and obtained the authority of the tower, established an educational institution on an artificial island centered around the tower.”

Tower of Space.

Tower of Harmony.

Tower of Observation.

Tower of Growth.

Representative towers that soared high into the sky without knowing any bounds.

Unlike other towers, they didn’t spew out monsters, but rather stood guard and accepted challengers, exuding a noble air.

Neriel is the first person to conquer one of the four towers that currently maintain the world.

Before conquering the tower, she traveled the world, saving countless people.

Even the rights gained by conquering the tower were used to foster heroes.

In an age of chaos and despair, she hoped for heroes to be born here.

The current headmaster is called a hero because she poured her strength into fostering heroes rather than using it for herself.

In response to her efforts to save people and spread the power of the tower around the world, people from all over the world became heroes and began to prevent threats from all over the world.

“Shiyolam (始搖籃). I hope that the trajectory of the legends drawn by the heroes will begin here, so this place is Shiyolam.”

About 40 years ago. That’s when Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek Ah-rin’s grandparents were probably active duty.

By clearing the last special dungeon left by the heroic activities pouring out of Shiyolam, the world declared an end to the chaos.

In short, it’s an explanation of the world view.

“……”

Glancing around with spatial perception, there seem to be many emotional people who seem to be deeply moved as if they are being supported by something in the north.

Some are shaking their shoulders and holding back tears…

Most of the people around me are immersed and moved, but I don’t really understand.

I’ve only been in this world for about ten days at most, and it’s because it’s a line I’ve heard a lot in games.

It’s also because of the strange position of being admitted through special admission.

Most of the people here must have worked hard to get here, but I just came in easily, so it’s a bit awkward.

“… Therefore, to those of you who have entered Shiyolam, we hope that you will become heroes who will brighten the future, and at the same time, we want to inform you that we will spare no support for them.”

The vice-headmaster, finishing his speech there, looked at the reaction of the emotional people and smiled wryly.

“It seems like there was a very serious conversation at the welcome gathering. Let’s cut the talk short with this notice. The proper academic schedule will begin in two days. So, enjoy today to your heart’s content, relieve your fatigue, and prepare for the upcoming training.”

The vice chancellor, who had been speaking, looked around for a moment.

Then, his head stopped at one place.

Although his eyes were closed, it was clear that he was looking in this direction.

“…Well then.”

As the vice chancellor clapped his hands together, she hid herself in the blink of an eye.

“Was that spatial movement? I can’t figure it out even if I stare at it.”

“There was no flow of magic power. How on earth did she cast it?”

“Well, if you don’t have a relevant innate ability related to space, you wouldn’t dare to touch it in the first place.”

The abilities of the spatial system are so difficult to use that they have a notorious reputation.

The lights came on in the previously darkened chandelier, illuminating the interior. The orchestra that had been waiting began to play.

Soft music flowed through the banquet hall.

Only then did those who had just sighed deeply start to chatter about what had just happened.

What appeared on the screen was indeed the method of movement shown twice by the vice chancellor when she appeared and disappeared.

‘Spatial movement.’

I know it from my knowledge in games. It’s the vice chancellor’s mascot skill, spatial movement.

By calculating the coordinates of the starting point and the destination, it connects the space and moves the target.

It’s different from a gate terminal. A gate is nothing more than a force exerted through the tower of space, but the vice chancellor’s spatial movement is an ability cast by an individual.

Furthermore, while a gate fixes the destination and starting point and consumes high maintenance fees,

the vice chancellor’s spatial movement has the characteristic of being able to freely change the destination and starting point and can be cast at any time.

In the original work, there was no one other than the vice chancellor who could abuse spatial movement like that.

‘Hmm…’

Before long, the rhythm of the orchestra’s music reached my ears. It was the beginning of the actual welcome gathering.

But my attention was focused elsewhere.

When the vice chancellor first appeared, the range of spatial perception expanded arbitrarily and fluctuated like a stone thrown into still water.

A little while ago, when the vice chancellor disappeared.

The spatial perception was greatly agitated. If the previous agitation was like a missing pebble, this time it was like a giant rock missing.

Spatial movement and the perceived spatial perception.

Expansion of range. Strange excitement.

One corner of my head felt itchy. It’s a frustrating sensation that seems to realize something but can’t quite grasp, like an inspiration that may suddenly emerge.

Just a little more… if I observe a few more times, I’ll find something—

“Hello? Are you Yi Hayul? Would you like to hang out with us if you don’t have a companion?”

“?”

My train of thought was interrupted. I raised my head at the sound of the voice. Some upperclassmen had gathered around me while I was momentarily lost in thought.

‘Ah.’

A welcome party for new students.

It’s a cultural event that follows the intention to relax and relieve tension and fatigue before entering proper training and to foster camaraderie among fellow students.

In other words, I, who is currently a hot potato, receive both positive and negative attention.

The true self of a loner shed cold sweat.

At the same time, Hong Yeon-hwa’s invitation came to mind. “Would you stay with me?” If Hong Yeon-hwa had been with me, wouldn’t I have been able to approach them?

“…Should I have accepted?”

As always, regret comes too late.

* * *

The welcome party for new students proceeded as planned. The vice chancellor, who took the stage, wished for a year full of blessings and also hoped for the birth of heroes.

Then, an ordinary party followed.

Students dressed in various styles or in appropriate attire gathered with their friends and chatted.

There were also those who wandered around to build friendships.

Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek Ah-rin belonged to the former. They gathered with a few close friends, chatted casually, and occasionally had serious conversations over drinks…

“So, how are you connected to Yi Hayul?”

The conversation started with a word from Shin Seo-yul that stood out from the casual talk.

Shin Seo-yul, with her brown short hair fluttering, played the role of a mood maker along with Baek Ah-rin in this small group.

“…We just met in passing.”

“But your reaction was strange for just a passing encounter. It’s like handling a craft. Even our club president doesn’t handle artwork that delicately.”

“Or did you fall for him at first sight? He was definitely very handsome.”

“You crazy woman.”

Introduction related to special admission student Lee Hayul. The eyes of the friends around him sparkled.

“Honestly, he’s more cute than good-looking. He looks like a doll. After seeing those solid muscular guys, seeing someone like him makes my eyes widen.”

“That’s true. Just by looking at him, I feel like I need to protect him.”

The girls who had said that much turned their gaze this way.

They were bombarded with all sorts of malicious gossip for days, like starving lion cubs. Beside them, Hong Yeonhwa was refuting each one, while Baek Arin, quietly sipping her drink, tilted her head with a strange smile.

“So what happened?”

“Why are you talking nonsense since earlier?”

“Lee Hayul had dirt on his clothes just now.”

“Ugh…!”

“Oh, I saw it too. When I looked closely, there was some dirt.”

Hong Yeonhwa cringed.

That girl has unnecessarily good eyesight and saw that again. Even used magic to clean it up.

“What a snake-like girl.”

It’s annoying.

She raises her interest in me, who keeps hundreds of snakes inside.

If I wasn’t interested, I would have just ignored it.

Narrowing her eyes, Hong Yeonhwa shot a glance at Baek Arin.

“…You bumped into him. Why? Got a crush?”

“A crush? Why are you saying that? I just wondered if you did something rude~”

“Ugh…”

She did. She did something incredibly rude. Not only did she push a visually impaired person over, but she also picked a fight saying “Can’t you see?”…

“Even though Yeonhwa’s speech and behavior are rough, she’s not a bad kid, right? I just asked in case~”

“It doesn’t seem like it from your speech, does it? You find this really funny, don’t you? Huh?”

“Why would I say that? I’m just worried about my friend.”

Baek Arin smoothly brushed off the criticism with a smile, and the friends laughed heartily.

Inside, Hong Yeonhwa ground her teeth.

“So, what kind of person was he?”

“…What kind of person. How could you know that in such a short time?”

What kind of person. It’s obvious whom they’re referring to.

Lee Hayul. The first special admission student, the hot potato.

Hong Yeonhwa recalled the incident that occurred when she arrived here a while ago. Clearly, despite Baek Bo’s mistake, she bowed her head without hesitation and admitted her fault.

The day she was brought here by the sleeve.

The way she poured out words that had just wounded her heart, and then followed them straightforwardly.

The way she crouched down and came in.

The way she trembled when the hand approached her.

“……”

She narrowed her eyes.

It’s not the place of the person who started the argument to say anything, but it didn’t seem like a normal reaction either.

She had seen such behavior in herself when she was involved in external activities as a clan member at the secondary academy.

They were said to be a generation enjoying peace after declaring an end to the chaos decades ago, but they were not simply enjoying peace.

Where there is light, there is darkness. Where there is a peaceful place, there is also a place of confusion.

A space filled with confusion. Africa, which has become a monster’s paradise devoured by madness, is such a place.

Even in places that are not so vast, there were many people exposed to darkness in the surrounding society.

And those who are easily exposed to darkness are the powerless and the weak.

Like children.

“…I was wrong from my side. I’m just doing well.”

She felt uneasy. If she had controlled her hasty nature, this wouldn’t have happened.

Looking at Lee Hayul’s attitude, she wondered what to do if he was just pretending to be fine on the outside but was hurt inside.

As if her deeply embarrassed feelings were written all over her face, Baek Arin erased her smile and nodded.

“Indeed. There are still many impolite gazes.”

“Yeah. They act nonchalant, but most of them are about that.”

“There are also those who pretend not to, but their eyes are strange.”

Impolite gazes. Even now, there were people staring at Lee Hayul, who was sitting in the corner, spending time.

There were those who approached with simple interest and curiosity, but there were also those who sneered with a suspicious and gloomy mindset.

She suggested staying together just in case. Somehow, he firmly refused that.

“To be honest, I’m a little skeptical too.”

“What?”

“Wow. Look at his reaction. He looks like a boyfriend or something.”

When she turned her head to glare, Baek Arin raised both hands and took a step back.

“That’s because it’s the first time, it’s the first time. A special admission student personally selected by the owner of the cradle. Nothing like this has ever happened before, right?”

As emphasized by Baek Arin, the key point is the word ‘first time.’

“Although it may sound strange, you and I both have exceptional potential, right? And even before us, there were plenty of talented individuals.”

The current 121st class, including Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek Ah-rin, is known as the golden generation with an abundance of top-notch talents.

In the current 3rd year, there was also a successor from the Tae-san side in the 119th class.

Among the five heroes who calmed the chaos and ushered in an era of peace, all except one were born in the cradle.

Furthermore, among the active superhumans, how many are graduates of Shiyo-ram?

“There haven’t been many talented individuals for almost 100 years, right? No, there were a tremendous amount.”

The average number of freshmen is around 400 to 500.

Only the graduates of Shiyo-ram, which has existed for over 100 years, are nearly in the thousands.

All of them are superhumans who pride themselves on being geniuses.

Even such individuals caught the attention of the owner of Yoram, who had previously ignored them.

“Everyone is curious. Just how talented do they have to be to catch the principal’s attention? But when you actually see them… I still don’t know~ This is it.”

“We haven’t even started yet, what’s the rush?”

“Ahaha. That’s true. It’s foolish to make assumptions based on appearances alone. But I thought something would click when I saw their first impression.”

“That’s nonsense.”

Baek Ah-rin’s opinion was secretly agreed upon by Hong Yeon-hwa. They both wondered just how exceptional they must be to be admitted through special admission.

“…But it’s a bit strange.”

With a complicated state of mind, Hong Yeon-hwa looked towards Yi Ha-yul. If there was still someone acting arrogant, she would have given them a good beating, but they had all disappeared without a trace.

Yi Ha-yul sat in the corner, nodding off and trying to suppress his drowsiness.

It feels oddly pitiful to see him like that.

Hong Yeon-hwa also receives reports from the clan. As the next successor, she receives quite a bit of information.

Among them is information about Yi Ha-yul.

From an orphanage. His home and parents were lost in a fire, and he was admitted to the orphanage with visual impairment and frail health, according to the statement from the orphanage director at the time.

Although his physical condition wasn’t good, the orphanage couldn’t afford proper treatment, and it was difficult for him to attend basic educational institutions.

Moreover, it had been less than a month since her unique ability had awakened.

When she had just awakened a month ago, Hong Yeonhwa was busy trying to control her unique ability, rather than adjusting her magic power.

“Is it right to bring and leave someone who had been struggling to live with blinded eyes and a choked throat just because they awakened?”

To bring and leave them just because they awakened, without showing any real measures taken.

Is it the thought of just throwing them away and letting them grow on their own?

“I don’t like it.”

Unaware that her focus had shifted from talent or potential to worry, Hong Yeonhwa suddenly realized it.

And Baek Arin stared at her with a strange expression.