episode_0022

Contrary to her innocent appearance, reminiscent of a naive countryside girl, Ye-na surprisingly knew a lot of random facts related to the cradle and other various facilities around her as we walked.

Ye-na whispered about the purposes of the buildings around us, the locations of the dormitories and training grounds, and even knew everything about the students’ affairs.

“Did you know? This semester, a lot of students from prestigious families have enrolled. There are even four heirs from the Madoi Seventeen Tribe. We really need to be careful not to get involved in any troublesome situations. It’s really worrying to hear that. Can I do well? Ah, but our class is said to be better than the seniors. Well, last year…”

Ye-na continued to chatter on for almost half an hour without getting tired. All I did was silently walk beside her and occasionally respond with short answers.

I was briefly puzzled by how she knew so much already, but my question was soon answered.

Contrary to what she had said earlier, Ye-na seemed to have already made quite a few friends. She greeted everyone we passed by with a smile.

After exchanging greetings for a while, Ye-na suddenly looked at me with a nervous expression.

“I… actually, I arrived a bit early… so I got to know some people while chatting… everything I told you earlier was from those friends… Oh, but I didn’t lie… I don’t have anyone close enough to hang out with… you’re my closest friend…”

Ye-na rambled on like a broken record, trying to explain herself. Despite her words, she seemed quite friendly with everyone she greeted.

I didn’t really think much of it. I was actually envious of her outgoing personality.

With her harmless demeanor and friendly nature, it was no wonder she could make friends so easily in such a short time. Just by looking at how she stuck by my side, I could tell.

Ye-na even volunteered information about her background without me asking. Thanks to her, I learned that she was from the Eastern Province, a remote area where electricity was only available for about 10 hours a day.

Ye-na bombarded me with questions about myself non-stop. Where I was from, why I wore a mask, and so on.

But unlike Ye-na, I couldn’t be completely honest about everything. I told her the location on my fake ID and vaguely explained the reason for wearing a mask.

My hometown had long been destroyed, and there were too many complicated reasons behind wearing the mask.

I wasn’t as curious as Ye-na, but there was one thing that intrigued me. Why was a talented magician like her, who was good enough to enter the cradle, being chased by thugs in the alley that day?

Even though there were three of them, my common sense told me that a magician would easily defeat regular people in a fight, even if it was ten against one.

But my doubts were quickly dispelled by Ye-na’s somewhat disheartening answer.

“I… I was too scared to even think about using magic… heh…”

It wasn’t unbelievable. Ye-na said she had never even seen a real spell in her life. It was understandable that someone like her would be overwhelmed in a crisis.

“I-I shouldn’t tell anyone about this, right…? It’s really a secret…? I told you because I trust you…”

Looking embarrassed, Ye-na blushed like a beetroot and whispered softly, bowing her head.

“…Don’t worry, there’s no one to tell anyway. But shouldn’t we be going now? It’s getting late…”

Originally, I had planned to go to Hwayang Hall first, but following Ye-na’s guidance, I found myself wandering around the campus, and before I knew it, the start of the enrollment ceremony was right before my eyes.

“Hey! Right…! You should go this way. Hurry up, Hye-na…!”

Upon hearing my words, Ye-na was visibly startled and checked the time. Then, with quick steps, she led me to Hwayang Hall.

Hwayang Hall was a very large banquet hall with the entire outer wall made of transparent glass. The ceiling was incredibly high, and luxurious chandeliers adorned with jewels hung throughout, emitting light.

By the time we arrived, the students were packed tightly, almost shoulder to shoulder. Ye-na and I found a relatively less crowded spot on the edge and stood there.

“Phew… I guess we’re not too late…? Thank goodness… Ha…”

Ye-na wiped her forehead with a handkerchief and smiled faintly. A few strands of hair stuck to her slightly flushed cheek, damp with sweat.

“Hye-na, look over there…! Those are the students I mentioned earlier. The Madoui Seventeen…”

Ye-na, who had been looking around, whispered softly after scanning the area in front of us. When I turned my gaze, I could see several male and female students grouped together.

They all had confident expressions, bordering on arrogance. There was a sense of ease and dignity in their demeanor.

Just by looking at them, you could tell they were born with good fortune.

Come to think of it, the headmaster had mentioned it. He said that when you enroll at Yoram, you might hear the young masters and ladies whispering. Maybe that’s why they’re like that…?

There’s no malice, but honestly, I’m a little curious about their appearance.

“And the students on the right are the 2nd years. The 3rd years are almost like regular soldiers, so they rarely come to Yoram. So those are our direct seniors…”

Ye-na whispered again in a low voice. It seemed that where we were in Hwayang Hall was for freshmen on the left and upperclassmen on the right.

Contrasting the lively and energetic freshmen, the right side of Hwayang Hall seemed somehow heavy and stern. Perhaps it was because of the events that happened last year. It must have been exhausting to fight all year long.

“Um, but it’s a bit scary… Why does everyone look so sharp…?”

Seemingly with the same impression as me, Ye-na wrapped her arms around herself, trembling slightly.

…?

As I surveyed the faces of the 2nd year seniors, I suddenly noticed a familiar-looking female student.

She was slightly withdrawn even among the 2nd years.

Her long hair was neatly combed. Her face was thin and elegant. Her eyes were large and clear, and her lips were tinged with a pale red. Her nose protruded at an artistic angle, and her skin was clear without a blemish.

At first glance, she had a captivating and haughty appearance that would catch people’s attention. The profile picture provided by the principal was far from enough to capture her completely.

But through her cold eyes, one could also feel her arrogance and aloofness.

Yeon Min-ha, the eldest daughter and heir of the Jeokhwa Yeon clan.

The target of the request made by Haewolhwa was right there.

***

Before the enrollment ceremony began, I decided to observe her for a moment. Hoping to find some clue or hint.

Throughout the ceremony, Yeon Min-ha seemed displeased. There was a hint of mischief in her slightly pursed lips.

Around her were several upperclassmen accompanying Yeonminha. Yeonminha’s small gestures made her seem more like a maid or servant rather than a friend.

However, after observing her for a few minutes, I noticed some strange things.

Yeonminha’s gaze seemed weightless, shifting back and forth. Her eyes seemed to be looking beyond, as if seeing something in the distance rather than in front of her.

Dark circles under her eyes were visible, not concealed by makeup. Her hand holding a glass trembled noticeably.

Overall, she appeared restless and anxious. Could last year’s events have been so stressful? Even from a young age, she didn’t seem well, and recently, the family’s mines were hit hard by a terrorist attack, causing a significant blow.

Having seen enough, I was about to end my observation. Suddenly, Yeonminha turned her head and our eyes met. Despite the considerable distance, her gaze pierced me accurately.

But she grimaced as if she couldn’t bear to see me. Then she quickly averted her gaze.

Perhaps her disguise made her stand out even from a distance. I didn’t have a good feeling from the start. It felt like a strong negative impression had been imprinted.

But I felt the same way about myself. Checking the real person rather than photos and text seemed to amplify their arrogance and repulsiveness, making me feel even more uncomfortable.

And I hate those two things the most in the world.

“Oh…? Looks like it’s starting…!”

Suddenly, darkness descended around us, and Yena muttered softly. The lace-adorned high curtains closed on their own, blocking the windows, leaving only the soft light from the chandelier to illuminate the hall.

“The 73rd Yoram Entrance Ceremony will begin shortly. Students, please rise from your seats.”

Soon, a voice echoed through the amplifier, filling the room as the entrance ceremony began. The history and founding principles of Yoram, the uninteresting speeches of the invited dignitaries, and the introduction of professors who would teach each subject for the next year followed for a while.

“Next, we will proceed with the oath of the new students. Representing the 73rd Yoram class, Ms. Jinyeo Seo will come forward.”

At the announcer’s call, a female student at the front of the new students stepped forward onto the stage.

She was the one who had been conversing in the crowd with Yena earlier. Her hair was tinted gold, and her eyes sparkled like emeralds. Her exotic and innocent appearance was quite impressive.

“…She’s the successor of the Jin clan, one of the five great families. Did you see her earlier…? She looks like a real fairy. They say her ancestors were descendants of the Western Realm…”

Yena whispered quietly to her neighbor.

The female student in front of the stage extended her right hand and raised it to her chest. Then she began to read the oath placed in front of her, word by word.

“Oath. I solemnly swear to use magic only for the prosperity and continuity of the 10th Republic of Korea, for the protection and rights of the people. I will always stand firm in justice, preserving order from chaos and darkness. I will wield magic with wisdom, without disrupting the balance, striving to achieve harmony with nature by respecting the flow of particles. I will fulfill the mission of magic as its source and compass, without abandoning honesty and trust. I swear all these words to be true in front of my heart and soul.”

After Jin Ye-seo finished her oath, small applause erupted from various places. The new students, their eyes sparkling as if moved by the content of the oath, were also visible. Even Ye-na, who was sitting next to me, seemed to be in a similar state.

However, perhaps due to the stories I had heard, it didn’t resonate with me as much. No matter how good the words were, they had to be kept to have value.

Maybe even those new students who had just sparkled with their eyes would eventually have dull, murky eyes like rotten fish after a year…

As I was thinking about this, a very familiar figure’s shadow appeared. A delicate and gentle-looking woman in her early thirties appeared on the platform.

“Oh my, it’s the principal…! I’ve never seen her in person before… How dignified…”

Ye-na muttered as she looked at the principal, seemingly entranced. It wasn’t hard to find others around her showing similar reactions.

It seems Haewolhwa is quite popular. But why did the older students have a falling out with the principal?

There was a brief commotion, but when the principal raised her hand slightly, it soon calmed down. Haewolhwa smiled gently as she looked around at the students, then opened her mouth to begin her speech.

“Welcome, new students.”

Her clear and gentle voice resonated throughout the auditorium via the amplification system.

“First of all, congratulations on becoming part of the Yoram family. Yoram is the best place that can wholeheartedly help you as you begin your journey as a wizard. Let me be clear. You will have no regrets. Well, Yoram is much better than places like Masada Municipal Academy or Yookhwa, isn’t it?”

At Haewolhwa’s joke, laughter erupted from various parts of the audience. Seeing this reaction, the principal nodded slightly and continued her speech.

“Over the course of three years here, you will refine yourselves and gradually become distinguished wizards. In this process, you will collaborate with those around you. Sometimes you may cooperate, and sometimes there may be friction and disputes. Either way, it’s a natural occurrence. And Yoram is a place that can accept you just as you are.”

After finishing her speech, Haewolhwa looked around at the students for a moment.

“However, if you repeat unproductive divisions instead of friendly competition, only a dark future awaits us. Rather than being blinded by short-sighted gains, we must understand and embrace each other.

Also, please remember that the most important thing here is your abilities, not your background. If you are truly wise wizards, I believe you can understand and practice what I just said. Congratulations once again on your enrollment.”

As the speech ended, thunderous applause erupted. Ye-na also enthusiastically clapped her hands with a flushed face.

“Wow… she’s really cool…”

The principal briefly waved to the students and then walked down the stairs. It felt like the speech ended quite quickly. She really seems to have a personality that dislikes bothersome things.

As Haewolhwa was coming down from the platform, our eyes met. She gave me a slight smile before heading towards the staff members.

It’s definitely noticeable, but today, I seem to be making eye contact with a lot of people…

“…With the conclusion of the 2nd-year representative’s visit, we will now conclude the enrollment announcement.”

The emcee’s voice echoed through the amplification system once again. I turned my gaze back to where Yeon Min-ha had been sitting.

Sure enough, Yeon Min-ha’s beautiful face was filled with raw anger. The sound of her grinding teeth was almost audible. Despite the distance, her anger was palpable.

According to what I heard from Yena earlier, the student conducting the survey is said to be the student who ranked first in last year’s overall ranking.

So, that must be Byak’s Yeongae, who has always had a rivalry with Yeonmin. Coming in second place, it’s natural for her to be so angry…

“Then, representing the second year, Baek Seo-yeon, please come to the stage.”

It was the moment when a name was uttered from the announcer’s mouth.

As if a bitter cold was seeping in, a sudden chill was felt all over my body.

Thump, thump…

Only the sound of footsteps moving towards the stage echoed quietly.

Before long, the figure of a girl with long black hair appeared among the crowd.

The girl standing in front of the stage soon turned towards our direction.

…

Suddenly, a strong shock hit me as if I couldn’t breathe.

My mind went blank as if it was being suffocated.

Once she was my everything, but now she’s the source of painful dreams that haunt me every night.

The person who ripped out my heart and left only a gaping hole in its place.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I could immediately identify the source of the anxiety and chill that had just struck me.

“Welcome, new students. I am Baek Seo-yeon, representing the second year.”