episode_0012

The time that was originally meant for orientation had somehow turned into a session to satisfy everyone’s curiosity about me.

Judging by how others were pretending not to listen while subtly straining their ears, they must’ve been pretty curious.

“So, do you have any special abilities?”

“I do… but I don’t think I can show you. It’s dangerous in many ways.”

“What kind of ability?”

“Well… I can manipulate the weather. I can even summon lightning.”

“Huh….”

“Whoa….”

The surroundings were engulfed in shock. Of course they would be. Among all the confirmed mutants so far, none had ever possessed such an extreme ability.

But why am I spilling all this so easily? I could’ve just brushed it off or stayed silent.

Yet, I could feel an inexplicable sense of satisfaction filling me.

Especially when I noticed the stunned gazes around me—that satisfaction was particularly strong.

Could this also be a species trait? A dragon’s innate pride, or something like that?

It wasn’t an unreasonable suspicion.

Most dragons—or at least the ones depicted in media, excluding rare exceptions—were arrogant and brimming with pride.

Wait, but if I keep this up, won’t I just look like an attention-seeker?

No wonder my fingers itch to answer every time someone asks…

“Ah, well, thanks for answering. I guess we couldn’t help but be curious about what it means to be a dragon.”

“No, it’s fine. It was bound to come out eventually anyway.”

After that, the professor deliberately steered the conversation elsewhere. He must’ve realized that if he indulged any further curiosity about dragons, it’d never end.

About five minutes later, the professor nodded and wrapped up the orientation.

After class, as I was packing up, a familiar face approached me.

It was Yoo Han-gyeol.

“You’re really Yoon Seo-hyun, right?”

“Yeah, it’s me. It’s not like there’s another Yoon Seo-hyun from the Korean Literature class of ‘14.”

“Damn, I heard you mutated, but I thought it was just some minor changes… I can’t believe that macho guy turned into this.”

“Trust me, I was shocked too.”

“What happened?”

“I don’t know the details either. I just finished up some group project work, stepped outside for some fresh air, and then—flash! I blacked out. When I woke up, bam, three months had passed.”

“Three months?!”

“Yeah. Apparently, my mutation took the longest out of all confirmed mutants worldwide.”

“What did your family say?”

“I thought they wouldn’t recognize me, but… turns out they watched the whole mutation process.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

“Right? Imagine if some random woman suddenly showed up claiming to be their son—how awkward would that be?”

“Seriously. So, was it you who took down that Minotaur-type mutant last time?”

“Yeah, that was me.”

“Seo-hyun sunbaenim saved me back then.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“The place where that Minotaur was rampaging was right in front of the boarding house I moved into. Near Korea University Station. My sister and I were on our way back from the department store when the disaster alert went off…”

“Wow, talk about a crazy coincidence. So you were together? I saw some unfamiliar girl with you guys and thought, ‘Ah, must be a new friend,’ but I had no idea it was you, Seo-hyun.”

“Hey, what about the others?”

“They haven’t even come to school yet. All their classes are in the afternoon.”

“Oh, really? Well… wanna grab lunch together?”

“I already promised to eat with them, but whatever. Let’s go. Shouldn’t you be wearing a hat, though? You’re just gonna go out like that?”

“I was actually gonna take it off. Whether I wear a hat or not, people stare anyway.”

“I mean… with a face like that, can’t blame them. Why’d your gender even change, though?”

“No idea. I’ve decided to just roll with it. My little sister kept dragging me to department stores during break—thought I was gonna die.”

“Pfft! Yeah, sounds about right.”

“She kept telling me to dress up like some game character creator, and I was like, ‘Stop talking nonsense.’ Anyway, let’s go. Underclassmen, since I never treated you to food in the first semester, lunch is on me today.”

“Oh, really?”

At my words, Su-yeon’s eyes sparkled. Free food always tastes better.

Then, Han-gyeol chimed in.

“Hey, what about me?”

“Figure it out yourself. You’re not even an underclassman…”

“That’s harsh, man.”

“Have you ever treated me to a meal?”

“Nope.”

“Damn bastard. Oh, hold on. Since I’m taking off the hat, might as well get rid of this too.”

“Get rid of what?”

“Colored contacts.”

“Why colored contacts?”

“My eyes turned gold. But now that I’m just gonna live openly, no point wearing them, right?”

As I said that, I pried my eyelids open with my fingers, removed the lenses, and stored them in a case. The hat went into my bag.

Since I’d already revealed myself as a mutant in front of so many people, I figured I might as well live openly from now on. As long as I don’t harm anyone, it shouldn’t be a problem.

“Whoa… the stares are no joke.”

“…Yeah.”

“Wouldn’t it have been better to cover up?”

“No. Once it’s out, rumors spread in an instant anyway. It’s better to just accept it naturally.”

And so, we arrived at the first-floor cafeteria.

The entire way there, I had no choice but to endure countless stares.

Seriously, have you never seen a mutant before?

I could hear all the murmurs.

—It’s a mutant. Wow… what kind of mutant is that? —No idea. —What’s with the horns? —They’re not gonna go berserk, right…? —Damn, they’re crazy pretty, though. —Kinda scary…

And so on. “Go berserk”? Really?

Isn’t that a bit much?

Even though public perception of mutants had improved, the wariness among people was something I couldn’t do anything about.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’ll just have to get used to it. But… it’s not as bad as I thought.”

“What’s not bad?”

“I expected one or two people to come up and spout nonsense at me.”

“Dude, there’s more than one or two people who’ve gotten wrecked for messing with mutants.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. That Minotaur you took down? It folded some guy’s spine for picking a fight and left him half-paralyzed.”

“…Oh? Maybe I should’ve hit it harder when I subdued it.”

“But Seo-hyun, how strong are you physically? Most mutants have insane physical abilities and can’t control their strength well… but you don’t seem to have any trouble in daily life.”

“Me? Uh… hold on. Check this out.”

Coincidentally, I found a couple of 100-won coins in my pocket. Oh, perfect.

“Why the sudden coin?”

In response to Han-gyeol’s question, I lightly pressed the coin between my fingers. And just like that, it cleanly folded in half—like it’d been pressed in a machine.

“…….”

“Ta-da! The magic of folding coins in half.”

“Holy… yeah, I should never piss you off. How’s your control?”

“Good. After waking up, it took me about a day to adjust. The mutant hospital had all kinds of stuff. First time I’ve ever seen alloy-reinforced walls in a basement. Felt like a movie scene.”

“Wow, really? Did you try punching those walls?”

Just then, Si-hyeon asked me. The topic of mutants seemed to have piqued her interest.

“Yeah. They made me hit it during some medical check. I barely used any force, and it still dented.”

“…….”

“Anyway, I’ve never gone all out, so I don’t know my limit. I heard Minotaur-types are supposed to be crazy strong, right? But when I subdued that one last time, I caught its full-powered punch with one hand and threw it down.”

“Uh, yeah. Not to sound weird, but… I’ll behave from now on.”

“Hey, would I ever use my strength on you guys?”

“I know you wouldn’t, but some people’s personalities change after mutating.”

“If anything, I’ve become more positive. Emotionally, I’m way more stable now. Han-gyeol, you know how I used to be a glass cannon, right?”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Normally, mutants panic when they first mutate and wreck everything around them, but I just sat there quietly, listening to the doctor like, ‘Yes, yes.’ They said I’m an unusually safe mutant.”

“That’s good. Ugh, the cafeteria udon is disgusting. Seriously, Yoon Seo-hyun, treating them to cafeteria food? Really?”

“Uh… is it that bad?”

“It’s my first time eating cafeteria food as a treat from a sunbaenim.”

“Mine too.”

Su-yeon and Si-hyeon teased me playfully.

I scratched my head awkwardly.

A part of me felt relieved by their reactions.

The fact that they could joke around like this even after hearing how monstrous my abilities were meant they’d grown somewhat comfortable with me.

“Well, if there’s anything else you wanna eat later, just say the word. I’ll treat you again.”

“Wow! Really?”

“Then I’ll pay for my own meal today.”

“Aw, come on. Cafeteria food’s cheap anyway.”

“No, it’s fine. Getting treated twice in a row is a bit much.”

“Yeah.”

“Alright, then. Just call me whenever you’re free. Even on weekends.”

“Hey, Seo-hyun, where you headed after lunch?”

“Dunno. My schedule’s got a gap.”

“Wanna hit up the department lounge? The others should be trickling in around now.”

“Sure. Better to talk to everyone at once than meet them separately later.”

“Cool. You guys coming too?”

“Our schedules are pretty open too… let’s go together!”

“I’d love to!”

“Great. Hold on, let me message the others. Ah, got it. They’re all at the lounge. How’s it feel? Kinda like a debut, right?”

“What am I, an idol? Debut, my ass…”

“Honestly, if you debuted as an idol right now, I’d stan you so hard. With looks like that, agencies would be lining up.”

“Shut up. Idols need talent. I’m just a normal person who needs prep time just to speak in front of others.”

“Kinda wasted, though. With that face, you’d make it big as an actor.”

“An actor? Acting’s not something just anyone can do. I’ve never even done a school play.”

“Eh, you never know. You might have a hidden talent.”

“What about modeling?”

“What’s with you guys? Do I look like I wanna be in the spotlight?”

“Well… might not be a bad idea? I wouldn’t mind having a celebrity friend.”

“Right! Wow, a sunbaenim who’s a celebrity? I’d totally brag about that!”

“Alright, enough nonsense. Let’s just go to the lounge.”

What’s with all this idol talk? I’m the type who finds dealing with people annoying. Get real.