Chapter 58
) [Illustration]
“Listening to the story, it seems Gyunwoo was wrong. How can you suddenly ask a stranger, ‘Do you want to eat ramen in my room?’ Even kidnappers wouldn’t do that these days.”
“Sorry, was it too sudden? He’s not usually like this, but sometimes he acts out. I’ll apologize on his behalf.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m not bothered at all, so there’s no need for an apology. It’s okay. And please don’t get too angry with him. I think he was trying to help because I didn’t know how to make it…”
“Yes, I had pure intentions…”
“Gyun, Woo, Ya?”
“Gyunwoo was wrong!”
“….”
I thought it would be fine since Yeon Haneul would eat with us in the room, but…
Well, fine, I admit it.
My eagerness to create an opportunity to get closer to Lisa led me to rush things.
She must have felt surprised and burdened by my sudden proposal.
Nevertheless, things worked out well.
Thanks to Goeunbi.
“Wow, your hair color is really pretty. Did you dye it?”
“Oh, I inherited it from my grandmother.”
“Your grandmother?”
“Oh, that’s…”
Goeunbi skillfully adjusted the mood.
Not only did she stop there, but she also led the situation to what I desired.
“Since we’re just standing here and I’m hungry, how about we have a meal together while chatting? Did Gyunwoo suggest eating ramen in his room? I agree!”
“Oh, I…”
“Is there someone else you promised to eat with?”
“No, it’s not that… It seems like the three of you know each other well, so I’m afraid I might ruin the mood.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
“Haneul, what do you think?”
“I… Yeah, sure. Let’s eat together.”
“Great! So, what should we eat?”
“She mentioned earlier that she wants to have jjapaguri.”
“Oh, I’m fine with anything!”
“Jjapaguri? It was popular for a while, but hearing about it after a long time makes me crave it. Shall we go with that?”
“I have to include the tenderloin.”
“Oh, indeed, the young master from a wealthy family eats differently!”
“You must eat meat. I saw it earlier; it seems like the meat is over there. I should go and look for it.”
Younghae, who had been eyeing me all along, let out a sigh as if in resignation.
He seemed to have a lot to say to me, but with Goeunbi and Lisa present, he seemed to reluctantly let it go.
It was fortunate for me.
I breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.
‘I used to be terrified when he got angry…’
And the scariest moment is when you feel like you’ve done something wrong even though you don’t know what it is.
When you try to rectify the situation by admitting fault without knowing what it is, only to face a counterattack like, ‘What did you do wrong?’
It’s the beginning of a vicious cycle, a series.
“Goeun, thank you.”
I felt grateful to Goeunbi for helping me so that the link in the vicious cycle wouldn’t form.
So, after quickly grabbing some snacks for the night, I followed them without a word.
My shopping cart was filled to the brim with food.
And so, we gathered food.
“I think we’ve got everything to eat, so should we head to Gyoun’s room!? I was curious about what the sweet room looks like! Oh, should we introduce ourselves over a meal?”
After leaving the makeshift grocery warehouse, we headed to the elevator.
I voluntarily carried the luggage.
By then, Younghae, who seemed to be displeased with me, also seemed to have relaxed.
“Why are you carrying everything alone? You look heavy. Give me one too.”
“I can handle it, so it’s okay.”
“Give it when I ask, quickly.”
“Then give me the lightest one.”
Younghae, who got on the elevator, reached out her hand with a stern look.
Pretending not to be able to resist her coercion, I handed her one of the bags I was holding.
Then the two of us stepped out.
“Why, then we look like the bad ones. We should carry some too!”
“Yes, that’s right. It’s been tough with me taking care of everything since earlier, so I’m sorry. I’ll carry some too.”
“It’s not necessary…. But I won’t refuse. Well, Eunbi, you carry the heaviest one. Lisa… you carry this one.”
“Huh? Gyoun? Why am I the only one being treated like this? Isn’t this too much?”
“It’s just a joke. Carry this.”
The elevator stopped, and the door opened.
We entered my room.
“Wow! The room is really spacious! It’s incomparable to my room, right? It’s so nice!”
“Excuse me.”
“We can eat in the inner parlor. The ramen…”
“Give me the bags. I’ll cook.”
“You do cook well. Then I’ll ask for your help. If you need any help, call me.”
“Then just set the table.”
Go Eun-bi marveled at my room, while Lisa scrutinized the room somewhat nervously.
Yeona, who volunteered to cook ramen, rummaged through the cupboard to find the utensils.
Wearing a pink apron, she began cooking.
Having finished setting the table in the living room, we quietly waited for her.
Suddenly, Lisa spoke up.
“Come to think of it, there’s a portrait hanging in this room too.”
“Huh? A portrait? There was one in my room as well. But the one in Gyunwoo’s room looks scary. It might be unsettling to sleep with that in view, right?”
“Do you have them in your rooms too?”
“In my room, there was a portrait of a kindly-looking woman.”
“I had a deer in mine!”
Lisa booked the Premier Room.
Go Eun-bi booked the Deluxe Room.
It seemed like there were portraits across from the beds in both their rooms as well.
“There was one in my room too. It was of a somewhat scary-looking grandmother… So, I found it unsettling and just took it down altogether. Gyunwoo, you should do the same.”
Yeona, who was cooking ramen, also chimed in with a sly grin.
I got lost in my thoughts.
‘Is it not that the paintings differ by room grade, but rather by room?’
Something felt off.
But I had to stop thinking.
Because Yeona had finished cooking.
“Eat up. I even added beef.”
“Wow! The smell is amazing! It looks so appetizing just by looking at it, right? Yeona is really good at cooking.”
“It looks really delicious. But… this isn’t the ramen I know, is it? This is… Jjapaguri?”
“It’s not Jjajangmyeon, it’s Jjapagetti.”
“Oh, right. Jjapagetti.”
“Mixing Neoguri ramen with Jjapagetti makes it Jjapaguri.”
“Wow, it’s so tasty!”
“Here, Yeona.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Go Eun-bi was the first to reach out and dish out some Jjapaguri.
After that, I filled a plate with food and handed it to Yeona.
Her face lit up.
Meanwhile, Lisa was staring in amazement at the way we were dishing out the food.
Well, she probably hadn’t experienced eating like this before coming to the academy city.
I understood.
I also extended my hand to her.
“Give me your plate. I’ll serve you.”
“Ah… thank you.”
Lisa handed me the plate gratefully.
I served her food as well, taking care of my own portion.
“It tastes good. Han Yu is good at cooking.”
The way each person ate was different.
I took a mouthful and savored it.
“Mm! It’s delicious, so delicious….”
Goeunbi seemed to be expressing the taste through her body, reveling in delight.
“If it’s lacking, don’t hesitate to tell me. I can make more.”
Yeon Haneul calmly chewed as if savoring it.
“It’s my first time trying it, and it’s really delicious.”
Lastly, Lisa, who had tucked her hair behind her shoulders to avoid staining it, ate carefully.
While cutting the noodles, she covered her mouth with her hand.
“Come to think of it, we were so focused on eating that we forgot to introduce ourselves. Shall we do self-introductions now? I’ll go first. My name is Goeunbi. I live in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul….”
Under Goeunbi’s lead, self-introductions proceeded as they ate.
In order, it went Goeunbi, me, Yeon Haneul, and then Lisa.
Before they knew it, it was Lisa’s turn.
“I’m sorry for the late introduction. I’m Lisa Evangel, supporting the supporter lineage….”
“….”
Following Lisa’s self-introduction, several middle names followed her last name, Evangel, in a noble manner.
And when her name ended with ‘Grace’…
“If it’s Grace….”
“A noble….”
Goeunbi and Yeon Haneul were left speechless.
Realizing that the girl who had eaten Japaguri with them was the princess of the Grace Empire, they were visibly taken aback.
It was enough to change their demeanor.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t know you were a princess and acted so casually…. I apologize if we were impolite.”
The two hurriedly showed their respects.
Lisa gave a bitter smile.
She lowered her head.
“Please, don’t do that. Even though I am a princess, right now I am also a student like you preparing for the exams, right? This isn’t Grace here. So please, treat me as a friend, as an equal. I ask of you.”
“Right. What’s the use of formalities? We’ll be classmates once we enter the academy, and skill will be more important than status, right. Just be comfortable.”
“Geonyu… You don’t seem that bold….”
“Still, even if you’re a princess….”
“Then I’m from the Shin’Geom Do family, should I be formal with you?”
“Huh? That’s a different story.”
“…That’s right. Then let’s be comfortable. But still… is it okay?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Then me too! Princess, I mean, Lisa, feel free to speak comfortably!”
“I find it easier to speak this way… Is it okay if I continue like this?”
People who hold authority often have a sense of privilege and elitism.
Those born with authority, who naturally expect to be revered by others, especially tend to have such traits.
However, the character Lisa Grace was outside the usual category.
She did not care about social status, emphasized duty more than privilege, and was someone who loved the Grace Empire, her motherland.
Go Eun-bi and Yeon Ha-neul could sense her character and felt reassured.
“I’m going to eat a snack, anyone want some!?”
“Didn’t we just eat?”
“Oh! Rice and snacks are different!”
“That’s true. I’ll go get it.”
“Ah, Gyun-woo, I…”
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“I’ll also bring strawberry milk. What would you two like to drink?”
“Yeah, thank you.”
After that, we continued the conversation comfortably as Lisa desired.
It was during this that the incident occurred.
“Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”
Lisa, enjoying a conversation while eating snacks, got up to go to the restroom.
And when she returned.
“Um… What’s this on the sink?”
“….”
It seems she forgot to put it away after playing with it.
Lisa was holding something that looked like a vitamin C pill with the wrapper peeled off.
It swayed in the air.
We were enveloped in silence.
“That… Is that it? I’ve never seen it before. So it looks like that….”
“….”
“What did you do with that? Curious? Tell me, Gyun-woo! Come on!”
“What’s going on with that?”
“Gyun, woo, ya?”
Go Eun-bi chuckled.
Lisa smirked.
Yeon Ha-neul was smiling.
I avoided eye contact and answered.
“…It’s a water balloon.”
Really.
Not lying.
“Oh, really? It was a water balloon. It reminds me of the time when I made water balloons as a child and got scolded by my nanny for secretly throwing them at people. I miss those days….”
Only Lisa believed me.
We, who had been chatting for a while, each went back to our rooms to take a rest.
There was still some time left before the banquet began.
After bidding farewell to Yeonha, Goeun, and Lisa, I decided to close my eyes for a moment.
How much time had passed since then?
“Gyunwoo, wake up.”
“Mmm….”
“It’s time to go to the banquet.”
When I opened my eyes, Yeonha was there.
She had come up onto the bed to wake me.
I rubbed my eyes and got up.
“What time is it now?”
“It’s 6:30. Hurry up and get ready.”
“Just 10 more minutes….”
“Are you planning to keep sleeping?”
“What do I need to get ready? I can just go as I am.”
“Not even going to wash your face?”
“I can handle it with a cleanliness spell.”
I used the cleanliness spell.
Being able to wash your body with just one spell, it might be one of the most indispensable spells invented by humanity throughout history.
It didn’t consume much mana.
“Oh, wait.”
Suddenly, a thought occurred to me.
The cleanliness spell removed dust, grease, bacteria, and other things on the skin.
So, if one used this spell well.
“Could it remove anything?”
I brought up the thought.
“You’re relying on the cleanliness spell too much…. If you keep doing that, you’ll become lazy. And you don’t even feel like you’ve washed with magic. Your hair is still messy.”
“Haneul.”
“Yeah? What is it?”
“If we could strengthen the cleanliness spell, could we use it for combat purposes? Like removing monsters or something….”
“The idea doesn’t seem bad, but it might be challenging, don’t you think?”
“Why do you think so?”
“Basically, the cleanliness spell is meant to be used on oneself. Beings with mana all inherently resist mana, have mana resistance. They don’t resist their own magic. So, if you use the cleanliness spell on others, its effectiveness decreases.”
“If we use the cleanliness spell on monsters, they’ll resist it.”
“Yeah, wouldn’t they? Plus, if it’s a cleanliness spell modified for lethality, they would resist it even more. Resistance grows stronger the more power there is.”
“So, if we modify a spell with higher mana resistance than the monsters….”
“I don’t know…. Wouldn’t the efficiency be low?”
“Why? It consumes less mana, doesn’t it?”
“The target of Cleansing Magic is the impurities on the surface of the skin, so it consumes little mana. It’s nothing like erasing existence.”
“Is that so.”
“In that case, I think it’s better to develop magic with low mana consumption and strong killing power. Still, the idea isn’t bad. Putting that aside, we’re running late. Let’s tidy up quickly.”
“It’s bothersome…”
“Sigh… Just sit still there. I’ll sort it out for you.”
“Thanks if you do.”
I thought it was a groundbreaking idea, but it’s a shame.
Feeling somewhat regretful, I entrusted my head to Yeonhae.
She touched my head and tidied it up with magic.
“Alright, done. Let’s go, quickly.”
“Okay, okay.”
It’s almost time for the banquet to begin.
Having finished dressing up, I left the room with Yeonhae.
The banquet hall was bustling with the examinees who arrived earlier.
“Examinees, please take one of these.”
“Help yourselves to the beverages.”
An assistant standing at the entrance distributed cards and pens to us.
Another assistant carrying trays of drinks passed by us, offering cups.
“What’s this?”
Taken aback, I checked both sides of the card.
The back was painted with a background reminiscent of a trump card.
On the front, there was a symbol drawn.
What are we supposed to do with this card?
I decided to look around while waiting for the evaluators’ instructions.
The banquet hall was adorned with appetizing foods and small tables scattered around for people to sit and eat.
Seeing examinees nibbling on food here and there, it seemed permissible to eat freely.
“…”
However, most weren’t trying to fill their stomachs but observing the trend like me, sipping on the drinks in their cups.
“Tastes good.”
“Yeah, it’s sweet with a little fizz. But this isn’t alcohol, right?”
“It’s probably non-alcoholic.”
Yeonhae and I also sipped the drinks.
It was a champagne-like beverage.
The sip was smooth, the taste delightful, and before we knew it, our cups were empty.
“Would you like another?”
“…Thank you.”
Every time that happened, the assistant holding the tray refilled our cups.
Standing still felt awkward, so we received new cups.
“Oh! Dogyeonwoo! And… Yeonhaneul!”
“…So, even they were in this exam room.”
It was then that Yonghaerang struck up a conversation.
Approaching us cheerfully, as if he had just woken up, he greeted us.
Yeonhaneul quickly hid behind me.
“We meet again. Did you get a good room?”
“I got a suite. How about you?”
“I got a suite too! The room is quite spacious! I was practicing there and almost overslept! I almost ran late, right? Hey, Yeonhaneul back there, you got a suite too, right?”
“I said I’m in a standard room.”
“Haneul’s in a suite.”
“Oh, Gyunwoo, you…”
“As expected! I thought you’d be in a suite too! Are you looking forward to starting at the academy?”
Yonghaerang laughed energetically.
His eyes revealed a competitive spirit.
He seemed restless, as if eager to compete with me and Yeonhaneul.
“Anyway, when the time comes, we could spar in my room… or yours, or just a friendly match…”
He subtly suggested a match.
Naturally, I pretended not to understand and declined.
“Oh, I have to clean my weapons later. I didn’t maintain my sword after sparring with the ghost rabbits during the day.”
“Then how about with Haneul…”
“I, I also have to clean my weapons…”
“He says he’s quite tired. Haneul, right?”
“Yeah…”
“That’s how it is. Can’t be helped. Haneul, take care of yourself. As a man, you should take care of your health! Health! Or should I share some herbal medicine I brought from my hometown? It’s good for enhancing vigor and recovering vitality…”
“I’ll just take your good intentions.”
“Haneul will graciously accept. I’ll take it on his behalf later.”
“When did I agree to that!”
Yeonhaneul protested in a low voice and hit my back.
But in the medical school of the Yong clan, there were plenty of good tonics and medicinal herbs.
Since Yonghaerang offered willingly, it was better to accept.
‘Maybe it’s good for building muscle…’
Of course, I wasn’t selfish or bad enough to monopolize it.
I also planned to share with Yeonhaneul.
At that moment, the evaluators took the stage.
“We sincerely congratulate those who passed the 3rd practical exam. This banquet is prepared for the examinees who worked hard yesterday and today, taking the exams. So, please set aside your worries about the exam and enjoy the banquet with peace of mind.”
“…”
An evaluator with a friendly face spoke kindly.
“Enjoy the banquet comfortably….”
It was hard to believe those words at face value.
Even Yeonha or Yonghaerang, along with other examinees, seemed to share similar sentiments.
In such circumstances…
“The 4th practical exam is nothing out of the ordinary. You just need to enjoy this banquet, spending a day at the hotel. In fact, the 4th practical exam can be seen as a way to relieve mental fatigue in preparation for the 5th practical exam. Just enjoy it.”
The evaluators were spouting nonsensical words.
The examinees in the banquet hall couldn’t help but feel restless.
“However, even if we tell you to enjoy the banquet comfortably after competing until now, it might be hard to enjoy it when feeling awkward around each other. Therefore, although it won’t affect your grades, we have prepared a simple ice-breaking game for you to bond with each other.”
“….”
“As you entered the banquet hall, you must have received these cards from the assistants. From now on, each examinee should walk around the banquet hall until the end of the banquet, having a brief introduction with 10 examinees!”
The evaluators played lively music.
Thump thump, thump thump.
Suddenly, the atmosphere turned tense.
I started to wonder if I came for an exam or a training camp.
“Are we going to end up having a campfire by the end? Forcing fake tears while telling our parents at home that we love them….?”
I sipped on my drink.