episode_0021

The first thing that catches the eye in the full-length mirror is a pure white, smooth mask covering the upper half of the face.

Below it, there’s a conquering uniform with golden embroidery on a white background and a navy blue tie.

A badge symbolizing the first year is attached to the right lapel,

And the ensemble is completed with matching pants and neat black shoes.

“…”

For some reason, it feels like wearing ill-fitting clothes, each piece feels terribly awkward and unnatural.

Instead of the rough mask worn in the unit, a new outfit was arranged, but when combined with the conquering uniform, it looks rather intimidating.

If encountered at night, one would be mistaken for a black magician or a criminal without a word to say.

*Sigh…*

Despite the ridiculous appearance, a sigh escaped involuntarily, but now there’s no way around it.

Resigned, I checked the time and grabbed my bag before leaving the room.

Time passed quickly, and before I knew it, it was Monday. And today was the day when the news of the new recruits at the academy was being announced.

The hotel had arranged private transportation for me after receiving permission from the principal, so I left for the academy using it.

The car exited onto the western outskirts of the capital and drove for a while. Tall buildings disappeared from sight, and the scenery gradually turned green. Vast fields and the distant blue sea replaced the cityscape.

How much time had passed, the number of vehicles and pedestrians around the road had noticeably increased. In the distance, another wall-like structure began to rise slowly beyond the horizon.

At first, it seemed like a small town, but the giant sign in front that read ‘First Magician Specialized Academy’ indicated that the entire administrative area functioned as a single academy.

Surely, Yoram was the nickname, and the official name was that. I guess I know why they insist on using the nickname. The official name is too long and stiff to pronounce casually.

After sending off the car nearby, I headed towards the gate.

Security guards dressed in black uniforms were conducting strict inspections.

It seemed like they were all magicians, as particle arrays were attached to their wrists.

I, too, could only enter after presenting my ID and admission certificate to them. What was surprising was that the guards here didn’t pay much attention to my mask.

Perhaps, as the principal said, unusual students frequented here. I hope other students don’t pay much attention to it either.

As I passed through the gate, a vast landscape unfolded before me. The wide grass field, lake, and square in front caught my eye first.

Seeing students dressed like me gathered in groups chatting, it finally hit me that this was indeed Yoram.

Buildings of various heights and widths surrounded the grass field and square without any gaps.

Some buildings sparkled in the sunlight with glass windows, while others had no windows, making it hard to guess what was inside. Signboards were placed everywhere, indicating the name and purpose of each building.

Since outsiders were not allowed inside Yoram, it was common to see students bidding farewell to their families and relatives nearby.

Some patted their shoulders proudly, while others were so overwhelmed with joy that they burst into tears…

“…”

Standing alone in such a scene, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of melancholy.

In this place where everyone seemed happy, I was the only one floating in limbo.

If I had known it would be like this, I might have regretted not stopping the sisters who insisted on coming for the announcement.

Feeling like I would be consumed by melancholy if I stayed in this place any longer, I decided to leave first.

I heard that the entrance ceremony was taking place at a place called Hwayang Hall.

Although there was still plenty of time, it wouldn’t hurt to go there first.

I looked around and found a sign pointing towards Hwayang Hall. It was not easy to find amidst the many buildings that surrounded me.

“Excuse me…!”

Finally finding my way and about to move, I was caught off guard by a voice calling out to me from behind.

The voice sounded familiar. I felt like I had heard it somewhere before. But it wasn’t someone I knew. Where could I have heard this voice before?

“…?”

I turned around to confirm the identity of the voice. There stood a female student, breathing heavily behind me.

She was wearing a school uniform and a badge similar to mine, probably a new student.

“Phew… I’ve been calling out to you for a while now…”

The student, who had caught her breath, looked up at me.

Chestnut-colored hair, eyes of the same color.

Tiny features that seemed innocuous when put together.

Her eyes were slightly downturned, and freckles dotted her blushing cheeks like tiny seeds.

I soon realized who the female student was.

We had met last Friday.

“That mask…! I was wondering if it was you…! You…! The person who helped me last time…!”

“…”

“Oh my, it’s such a coincidence to meet again here…!”

The girl babbled as she looked at me. I was equally surprised. Who would have thought that a prospective student from a prestigious academy would be chased by thugs in an alley?

“Hehe, it’s really amazing. What a small world, right? Oh, I’m Yena. Ha Yena. Just call me Yena. What’s your name? Your major? Are you in the Discharge Department? Or the Circulation Department? You seem to be in the Circulation Department. Why do you wear a mask on your face? To leave a lasting impression?”

“…”

“Excuse me?”

“…”

“Ex…cuse…me~?”

The girl reached out her arm and waved her hand in front of my face. The strange gesture attracted the attention of the people around us. Their disdainful looks at my mask were an added bonus.

“…Um, well… you’re not mute, are you…? Come to think of it, you didn’t speak last time either…”

“I can speak.”

“Eek! Oh my goodness!!”

Upon hearing my voice, the girl jumped up and sat back down lightly. Her actions made her look like an innocent rabbit.

I missed the timing to respond, but when she kept getting closer to my face, I couldn’t take it anymore. Do girls like getting close to people’s faces? Even the principal did that last time…

“Hehe, sorry… I was surprised by your sudden speech. But your voice is really nice…!”

The girl brushed off her clothes and stood up with a sheepish smile.

“You know, what’s your name? If you don’t want to tell me, that’s okay…?”

“…Yujinhyun.”

“Ah, got it! Nice to meet you…! Can I call you Hyun…?”

“…Just call me Hyun.”

It had been two years since I got this new name, but it still felt uncomfortable and unfamiliar. Even the sisters in the military always called me Hyun. Since the word ‘Hyun’ was still in my new name, it didn’t seem like a big problem.

“Hehe, got it…! You can just call me whatever you’re comfortable with…! Did I tell you my name earlier?”

“…”

“Thank you so much for last time…! If it weren’t for you, I would have been in big trouble. My heart still races just thinking about it. And I’m sorry I couldn’t properly thank you. I was so shocked at that moment that I couldn’t even speak. By the time I came to my senses, you were already gone… But I never expected to meet you here like this!”

“Don’t worry about it. You don’t have to be so grateful.”

“Hehe, you’re really a kind person, aren’t you…? Honestly, I was a bit scared before talking to you… You really shouldn’t judge people just by their appearance.”

The female student said with a smile that seemed friendly. However, it seemed like her intention was not just to express gratitude. Her lips remained sealed as she twisted her hair with her fingers for a while before finally opening up.

“Um… you know… would you like to hang out together…? My family is far away, so I couldn’t bring everyone. I still don’t have any friends… What do you think…? We might need each other as companions…”

“…”

At the unexpected proposal from the female student, I found myself in an unexpected dilemma.

What should I do? I was originally planning to go to Hwayang Hall first.

“Um…?”

When I didn’t respond, the female student asked again. There was a hint of urgency in her voice.

But I hesitated to answer.

In fact, ever since I met the female student again, I had been feeling a strange sensation.

I felt a peculiar sense of familiarity with her. The only certainty was that it wasn’t a rational attraction. I knew this well because I had fallen deeply into such useless emotions before.

It felt like I had known the female student for decades, no, centuries, or even longer. It was as if we shared a common bond, or a strong mutual attraction arising from our similarities.

However, it was physically impossible for the female student and me to have known each other for such a long time. I was barely 20 years old, and we had only met for the first time in a back alley last Friday night.

Despite thinking it over repeatedly, I ultimately failed to define this strange feeling. In reality, was I just happy to talk to a girl my age after a long time? No, that didn’t seem to be the case at all…

“Sorry. I’m more comfortable on my own. We should go our separate ways now…”

After much deliberation, I decided to reject the female student’s offer. Regardless of the awkwardness, I had been warned to be cautious of girls who approached with overly friendly attitudes…

“Heh… heh…”

However, the female student showed a reaction that I had never expected. Tears welled up in her round eyes and soon rolled down her cheeks.

“I-I’m sorry… It was too much to ask, wasn’t it…?”

“…”

“I’m sorry… for bothering you… I just thought it would be nice to hang out together… heh…”

This is too awkward. Is the current situation making me feel so disappointed that I want to cry?

I had tried to avoid the female student because the strangely familiar and friendly feeling had turned into awkwardness and discomfort for me.

And the reason for that was my personal experience in the past.

But that was my own issue, completely unrelated to the female student in front of me.

And come to think of it, it was more like I approached her first rather than her approaching me…

…Maybe this time, I need to change my thinking.

“…Sorry. I misspoke. Let’s hang out together, as you suggested.”

“…No, it’s okay… You don’t have to force yourself…”

“I’m not reluctant. I just felt awkward. It’s been a while since I’ve had a conversation with someone my age…”

“Then, really…?”

“Really. Let’s hang out together.”

The female student wiped away the tears that had gathered in her eyes upon hearing my declaration. Then, as if nothing had happened, she brightly smiled and reached out her hand to me.

“Hehe… So, can I ask for your favor again…?”

“…Sure.”

With no room for choice now, I took her hand. A slight discomfort spread from her fingertips, but it was bearable.

…I need to fix this. Didn’t the makeover mention it? Actively engage in social activities to elevate your own and your family’s influence.

Perhaps this is the first step towards that…

“Um, hey. Can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“Are you by any chance… not a girl?”

“What?”

“Hehe, no…! Come this way instead…! I’ll show you the way…!”

Out of the blue, Ye-na, who had stopped crying, asked a strange question. I tried to question her about the nonsensical words, but Ye-na just giggled and led me towards the campus of the cradle.