Chapter 95
It might come as a surprise, but the student who excelled in martial arts was none other than Yong Haerang.
So, it was a natural flow for the homeroom teacher to appoint him as the representative.
“Then, Haerang will be the class representative. I entrust you with this responsibility, Haerang.”
“Yes, understood! I will do my best as the class representative, as you believe in me, teacher!”
“Uh… y-yes… Take care.”
Yongga of the righteous medical clan cannot tolerate injustice and acts according to righteousness.
More emotional than the divine swordsmanship that follows justice and humanity, and the iron-willed Kwon Ga who upholds loyalty and righteousness.
That’s why he belongs to Yongga of the righteous medical clan.
Although he didn’t want it, Haerang, in order to adhere to his teacher’s righteousness, ignited a sense of responsibility as the class representative.
Burning fiercely.
“…Have I made a mistake?”
Just looking at it makes me feel hot, and I start sweating.
The homeroom teacher somehow felt like fire was burning around him.
He was engulfed in regrets that he might have made the wrong choice belatedly.
However, he couldn’t reverse his decision.
“If there is no one to apply for the class representative, I will take care of it. Let’s see… Nam Yoori? Sorry, but Yoori has been through a lot this semester…”
Meanwhile, Nam Yoori, who entered the alchemy department as one of the top students for the same reason, also received an offer to be the class representative.
However, she was not someone to blindly follow the instructions of the instructor.
“Why me?”
“What?”
“Are you ordering me right now?”
“…”
“By what authority are you doing this?”
“Yoori, I am your instructor…”
“Do you have the authority to force me?”
“…”
At the back of the classroom.
Nam Yoori, who was twisting her gray hair out of boredom during the dull orientation, raised objections.
With her purple eyes round and smiling, her innocent and curious question brought about an indescribable sense of unease.
The homeroom instructor instinctively hesitated at the newly enrolled Yoori.
“Y-Yoori, do you dislike it?”
“Yes, I’m fed up with annoying things.”
“I-I see…”
“…”
The authority of the instructors at Geumgang Academy is quite strong.
It is not wise to oppose those who can influence students’ grades.
However, those with enough influence to resist their authority were the members of the prestigious Ten Clans, especially those from the Minga.
If the relationship between the instructors and them remained harmonious, they could coexist comfortably. But if things went sour, it would be a headache.
Trying to disrespect them using the authority of the instructors would be troublesome.
The homeroom instructor was well aware of this through years of experience.
The nervous Yoori, overwhelmed by Nam Yoori’s momentum, muttered in a flustered tone.
The students quietly watched the conflict between the two.
“I shouldn’t have poked at her for no reason.”
If Nam Yoori of the Yeongseong Namga became the representative, the students would probably follow her without question and have a peaceful first semester.
However, she seemed like someone she couldn’t handle.
In a short time, the homeroom instructor made an evaluation of her.
She may appear small and cute with her long, curly gray hair, resembling a gentle lamb, but she was not a lamb.
She was a snake disguised as a lamb, no, a wolf.
A fierce and dangerous snake.
It’s best not to get involved with such a presence.
The homeroom instructor, reminiscent of a hamster, decided to approach her differently.
“If Yoori doesn’t want to do it, there’s no choice. Is there anyone willing to help me and take on the role of class representative?”
“…”
From this conflict onward.
Among the students, Nam Yoori became known as a difficult person to deal with.
Of course, she didn’t care.
On the other hand, there was a student who made the instructor take his hands off in a different sense from Nam Yuri.
The lazy genius of the Circulation Department.
It was Cha Eun Sol.
“Are there really no applicants? I see… Well, if there are none, don’t blame me for making the selection. Hm… Yes, there was a person from the Circulation Department in this class, right?”
“…”
“Cha Eun Sol. Where is Eun Sol?”
When there were no candidates for class representative, the criteria the instructor prioritized were the student’s entrance exam scores and background.
In that sense, even Cha Eun Sol, whose entrance exam scores were low, could catch the homeroom teacher’s eye.
The homeroom teacher wandered around the classroom looking for Eun Sol.
“Cha Eun Sol! Is there no Eun Sol? She was here when she introduced herself earlier…”
However, Eun Sol was nowhere to be found.
No matter how much the homeroom teacher searched for her and called her name, she didn’t show up.
Then, a female student pointed to the seat next to her with her finger.
“Instructor, Eun Sol is here.”
“Oh, there she was…”
The homeroom teacher couldn’t continue speaking.
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There was a pile of stuff on the seat the student had pointed to.
Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t stuff but a blanket.
The blanket was moving up and down inconspicuously.
It seemed like there was a sound of breathing coming from there.
Sigh… Sigh…
“…”
Eun Sol was lying face down on the desk with the blanket flipped over her, pretending to be asleep.
By skillfully disguising herself as luggage and hiding her presence as much as possible, she was unrecognizable.
The homeroom teacher was so dumbfounded that he clicked his tongue.
“Wake Eun Sol up.”
“Yes, Instructor. Hey, Eun Sol…?”
“Hmm…?”
“Instructor is telling you to wake up.”
The blanket wriggled.
From within it, Eun Sol emerged sneakily.
With sleep mask and earplugs still on.
There was even an arm pillow cushion.
“…”
The people in the classroom were speechless at the sight.
However, Eun Sol casually removed her earplugs and sleep mask.
She didn’t take them off completely.
“What’s the matter?”
Eun Sol squinted her eyes suddenly exposed to light, one side wrinkled.
She covered her mouth and even yawned.
The homeroom teacher did not even fake a sorry look for Cha Eun-sol, who behaved so confidently, and did not even force a fake smile.
“We were in the process of selecting the class representative, and Eun-sol, you as the class representative…”
“I don’t want to. I won’t do it.”
“…”
“I won’t do it.”
Before the homeroom teacher could finish speaking.
Cha Eun-sol, understanding the flow of the conversation, rejected the proposal with a sharp tone.
She shook her head from side to side.
“Well then, have a good night…”
The homeroom teacher did not insist again.
It was at the moment when Cha Eun-sol, fully prepared, went to sleep that the teacher lowered her expectations for her.
“Koo…”
* * *
In fact, if I had made up my mind, I could have rejected the offer to become the class deputy at that time.
Just by mentioning the name of Shin Geom Do, who was in the top class, it was possible to refuse.
No matter how powerful the authority of the teachers, they could not look down on me.
As a person of Shin Geom Do, I had the support of those connected to the prestigious swordsmanship family.
In other words, being associated with me meant being prepared to stand with the swordsmanship family.
That was the authority of Shin Geom Do.
All the prestigious families, including mine, had to follow the Ten Families’ rules after the Great Upheaval.
If you didn’t want to be rejected in the world of hunters.
Other Ten Families like Mado Min-ga, Uihyup Yong-ga, Sunhwan Cha-ga, and Yeonseong Nam-ga were the same.
Therefore, the teachers at the academy respected the students of the Ten Families.
Living in the world of hunters inevitably meant receiving support from the Ten Families or borrowing power.
You couldn’t go against the Ten Families.
They were no exception.
“To think I’m the class deputy…”
However, the reason I didn’t mention the name of Shin Geom Do to Hong Ye-na was that I didn’t want to confront her.
She must have named me as the class representative knowing I wouldn’t refuse.
She really is a frustrating person.
“But I can’t turn back now, so what can I do. Let’s think positively.”
I decided to change my mindset.
Being the class representative wasn’t all bad.
Even if there weren’t many tangible benefits, being the class representative certainly had its advantages.
Firstly, as a liaison between the class students and the teachers, the class representative naturally had the authority to control information and command students.
Of course, it’s a separate issue whether the students will respond diligently.
In the world of hunters, where strength-based elitism prevails, it wouldn’t be easy to move them if you lack strength.
But I have the background of being a Shin-Gum Do with sufficient skills.
The students had no choice but to obey.
“Moreover, I’m not the class president, but the vice president, right?”
The role of the class president? Duties? Hard work?
Everything was a burden that Min Arin had to bear entirely, not me.
As the vice president, my job was to assist her and take care of the authority.
So, it wasn’t bad.
It would be easy for me to grasp what would happen at the academy in the future, and it was also a suitable excuse to intervene.
It was a chance to get close to Hong Ye-na and share the burden with Yoo Eulim.
And there was Min Arin.
If you looked at it positively, there were advantages.
Even so.
“Why does it have to be me?”
I needed to address this issue.
After the orientation was completely over.
Following Hong Ye-na, who said we should talk separately because she had something to say to the class presidents, I casually threw out the question.
She, who was heading towards the disciplinary officer before that, replied in a nonchalant tone.
“I already told you. Because you were admitted as the top student. And because you’re from the Shin-Gum Do.”
“Forget about those reasons. We’re on good terms, so you could have made an exception.”
“On good terms… Could you refrain from saying things that others might misunderstand? It seems like I received money from you. You and I are now student and instructor. Let’s maintain a distance between us.”
“So, what’s your real motive?”
“I find you annoying.”
“….”
“I’ve been through a lot because of you, and I can’t just let you have it easy. You won’t do that either, will you?”
“You said let’s keep a distance, but is it okay to include personal feelings?”
“Human affairs are hardly rational~.”
“Are you saying that a witch, who is supposed to be rational if she’s a magician, would say that?”
“What are you talking about? When did I say that? While rationality is important for a magician, one must also understand that magic, which is the origin of mana, is based on imagination and emotions. A magician is a being who combines emotions and rationality, reason and unreason. That’s why we are imperfect, with infinite potential for growth.”
“I have no intention of attending classes~.”
“…Are you really that annoying?”
“You’re annoying, witch.”
“Annoying? Do you know how much older I am compared to you?”
“Of course, I do. I’m turning 3 this year…”
“Don’t say it.”
“….”
“Could you please keep your mouth shut?”
“Because I’m a hunter, I’m on the younger side, you know?”
“Stop with the condescending remarks, okay?”
“Talking this way, talking that way….”
“Ugh, that annoying thing.”
Hong Yena suddenly stopped walking and turned around to look at me from behind.
Feeling her sharp gaze, I purposely raised the corners of my mouth.
She fiercely clicked her tongue just at that.
“Anyway, don’t create unnecessary trouble while I’m in charge.”
“I’ll try if I can.”
“…No, what on earth is that? It’s not about trying as much as you can….”
“I’ll try as much as that.”
“Why does it sound like I have no intention of trying in my ears?”
She sighed.
Hong Yena started walking again.
As we headed towards the faculty office, we chatted back and forth like that.
In the midst of it, Mina Rin, who was walking shoulder to shoulder with me, tapped my shoulder.
She leaned in and spoke near my ear.
“Hey.”
“What?”
“Are you close with the Seven-Colored Witch?”
If I were close, I could say so. I used to take magic lessons from the witch as private tutoring. But why are you asking?”
“She’s known for being difficult to get along with, so I’m curious how you managed to become friends. But you did receive private tutoring from the Seven-Colored Witch?”
“Oh.”
Yellow eyes stared at me.
Mina Rin blatantly scanned my body, revealing a faint interest.
I found it insignificant.
From what I’ve heard, the Seven-Colored Witch doesn’t give private lessons easily… Unless you have considerable talent…. A member of the Divine Inspection Department who also has talent in magic?”
“The witch seems ordinary to me.”
“What? Then how did you receive it? Did you use your family’s power…?”
“My childhood friend is the witch’s apprentice.”
“Oh.”
“So I piggybacked on my childhood friend.”
“That’s how…. Your childhood friend was her. Yeonhae.”
Initially suspicious of me, Mina Rin immediately understood and fell silent upon hearing Yeonhae’s name.
She followed quietly without saying a word thereafter.
She seemed to be in a low mood for some reason.
‘Why is she like that?’
Her face seemed dark, lost in thought.
I glanced at Mina Rin walking while looking down at the floor.
I thought about saying something, but it didn’t seem like she would show interest.
By then, we had arrived at the faculty office.
“This is my seat as the Discipline Officer and the Sunset Officer. You will be visiting often from now on, so remember our spot.”
Discipline Office, 1st Year Office.
Sitting in her seat, Hong Yena spoke.
Then she took a folder out of the file holder and handed it to Mina Rin.
“This is kept by the President and Vice President. It’s data that includes the contact information and addresses of the students in the class. I’ll say this once; it contains the personal information of the students, so you must not misuse it. Make sure not to lose it and keep it safe. There are also business cards of the officers and my business card in there. Don’t forget to save the numbers. Got it?”
“Yes, I saved it back in the classroom.”
“Me too. Well, since the business is done, we can leave now, right?”
“Right. Whatever happens, let’s all have a good first semester.”
I quickly skimmed through the data in the folder.
After returning to the dormitory, I needed to save the numbers of the students written in the data.
After finishing our tasks, Mina Rin and I were about to leave our seats.
At that moment, Yuno, who was sitting next to Hong Yena, called us.
“Before you go, Gyungu, Arin. Take a candy each. It’s delicious.”
“Yes. Thank you, Officer.”
“…Thank you.”
Yuno turned her chair towards us and handed us candies.
Sure enough, they were chestnut-flavored.
‘Whenever I visited Yuno in the game, she always gave me chestnut-flavored candies.’
Memories flood back.
Or should I say, it feels real?
I decided to let go of my lingering attachment to my past self who used to wonder what flavor the candies the game characters ate were.
After saying goodbye to Yuno, I forgot about the candy.
“…Familiar taste.”
It was a taste I had experienced in my past life.
It was savory like chestnuts, plain, and sweet.
I could sense a Korean vibe.
I put the candy in my mouth and enjoyed the taste.
On the other hand, Mina Rin seemed puzzled.
“Is that tasty?”
“It’s decent, I guess?”
“You’re supposed to eat chestnuts and candy separately, why eat them together?”
“Well… maybe because you can have a meal and snacks together.”
“So, if you eat that, then you might as well eat rice with candy?”
“That’s the idea.”
“That’s like saying you’ll diet with candy, which doesn’t make sense.”
Mina Rin didn’t seem particularly interested in chestnut-flavored candies.
She was about to put the candy in her pink skirt pocket.
I reached out my hand to her.
“If you’re not going to eat that, give it to me.”
“…Your taste is unique. Here, take it.”
As if things were going well.
Minarin handed me a piece of rice cake-flavored candy.
I tucked the candy she gave me into my pocket.
“I’ll give it to the sky later.”
Does Yeonha like it?
As soon as I parted ways with Minarin, I decided to contact her.
By now, she would have finished orientation.
That was the moment.
“Ah.”
“Yeah? What’s up? Why the face?”
As I was leaving the office.
I spotted a man and a woman standing in front of a faculty member’s desk.
The female student was Lisa, and the male student was a character from the game.
The explanation bug Guardian, Dr. Park.
The male student looked strikingly similar to the illustration from the game.
“Come to think of it, if it follows the flow of the game, Lisa and Dr. Park would have become representatives.”
The resourceful Dr. Park would have become the class representative, and Lisa, for her good grades and being a princess, would have become the vice-representative.
I decided to approach them to say hello.
“Aren’t you coming? Why there?”
“Just going to meet some acquaintances.”
Minarin called me from behind.
I gave her a vague answer and then headed towards Lisa.
Soon, she noticed me, and her face lit up.
“Oh, Gyunwoo. Did you by any chance become the class representative?”
“I didn’t become the class representative, but I became the vice-representative. Looks like you became the representative too?”
“Oh, the vice-representative. I’m also a vice-representative. This person is the class representative. Sakun, this is my friend Gyunwoo…”
Lisa gently gestured towards the male student, Dr. Park, standing next to her.
She seemed to feel the need for introductions and tried to mediate between me and him.
Then, he looked at me with joy and spoke.
“Hello, I’m Dr. Park. Nice to meet you. I’ve heard about you before, so I’m familiar with your story.”
Adjusting his glasses.
Dr. Park extended his hand for a handshake.
Naturally, I shook hands with him.
“Well, there’s no need for introductions then. Nice to meet you too. Let’s get along well.”