Episode 170
48. How we winter (1)
A year has passed.
The summer, when the green was in full bloom covered in the muggy air, passed.
Autumn, when the cool breeze and the joy of festivals were full, passed.
Finally, the cold wind and the fluttering snow of winter has arrived.
As time went by so quickly, how many things happened this year.
A colleague of Triston’s heir, Aidan Christopher, who is now one of the most famous people on Paradise Island.
Karin Ophilus sighed deeply and recalled the past.
Although I am only 17 years old, I think I have experienced a lot more in one year on Paradise Island than I have experienced in my life over the past years.
In addition to simply taking classes, taking exams, and practicing magic.
Crossing the line with Aidan.
A completely unexpected, unexpected incident that caused trouble.
And the memories of having fun adventures with other members of the club came to mind.
Isn’t it refreshing to see someone’s painful memories have passed?
At that time, I complained and sometimes burst into tears because of my broken heart.
Now that I come back and look back, each one of them were beautiful memories.
Of course, let’s pick the best of them all.
Also… … .
“Pooh.”
Karin burst into laughter involuntarily at the emotion that filled her with happiness just by thinking about it.
It really is a bad habit.
‘The best memories are, of course, the last of the festival.’
From that day on, a beautiful silver ring was worn on the ring finger of her left hand.
The end of the paradise festival where colorful fireworks lit the sky.
On the open terrace of the temple, Aidan and Karin met their gazes.
finally.
It was a moment when a girl’s love bore fruit.
If I recall the memories of being so beautiful, ashamed, and happy at the same time.
He couldn’t contain his laughter like this.
But if her lover, Aidan Christopher, is the second on Paradise Island, it’s a sad celebrity.
Karin Ophilus was also worried that people might be paying too much attention.
In fact, not only his friends, but also seniors and professors in the Ortana Faculty questioned the ring in question.
The story faded sooner than expected.
It’s not because time is medicine.
Neither Aidan nor Karin took any other action.
It was because a person appeared who received the attention and controversy that would be focused on the two of them.
Baek San-woo of Arthur’s Faculty.
One day, news broke that he had been seriously injured while taking Arthur’s year-end exams.
The opponent of the match was Tarkan Byron, a strong enough to hear his name in the Ortana Faculty.
The story of that time spread throughout Paradise Island through Arthur’s students who were watching the game.
Baek Sanwoo, who was known as the ‘Artel Fusion Restaurant’ in the triad and festival, became the center of all kinds of rumors.
It was said that he was a simple man who was hiding his ability to paint Byron.
There are unfounded rumors that the spirits who contracted with him actually disappeared into the spirit realm because they were scared when they saw the white mountain cows.
Among them, Baek San-woo’s relationship with women is too complicated.
There was also a bizarre story that a serious discussion took place in the club where he was the head of the Baeksanwoo in the end.
Well, it was true that Arthur’s training ground where the match was actually held was closed for a while.
It won’t just be a false rumor.
In fact, the culprit of all kinds of gossip woke up after 4 weeks had passed.
‘Because he’s really a suspicious man.’
In fact, the two of them have known each other for quite some time.
Karin Ophilus somehow didn’t like him.
Of course, there was also the fact that he didn’t like how his boyfriend Aidan was embarrassed by Baek San-woo.
The reason why Karin was grumpy about Baeksan-woo was because of something more essential than that.
She could feel the instruments and twists all over his body.
Karin’s family, the Ophilus family, could sense the energy called the ‘fourth wall’.
Good and evil, hope and despair.
and death and life.
The ability to notice concepts that no one can accurately explain or define.
It wasn’t the power of foresight or mind-reading that is often said.
Karin has been judging people and building relationships through the fourth wall every time.
The reason I had only a crush on Aidan was because he was always full of bright energy.
‘But not that person.’
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Most of the things Baeksanwoo did, and the intentions involved in them, were good.Character? behavior?
There was clearly an aspect of being smirk and wearing a mask.
Such a personality was enough to make others like him.
Of course, I could definitely feel it with Karin’s ability.
Because Baek San-woo truly helped Aidan and cared for his friends.
But.
At the same time, the Baeksanwoo also harbored an abyss that even the fourth wall could not comprehend.
It’s not just about being evil.
Hidden in his essence was the chaos that would surely destroy the world.
Not only that, but there were a lot of things that couldn’t be explained otherwise.
Things that only Karin can feel, and things like that.
Personally, I thought about twisting it, but… … .
As the lover of the hero Aidan, I thought it was a dishonest act, so I couldn’t put it into practice.
‘But, it seems that we haven’t seen each other often lately.’
A descendant of a forgotten hero who appeared after 300 years.
Karin knows how strong her boyfriend’s convictions are.
There is no way Baek Sanwoo will be hostile to Triston’s successor.
Even if they were hostile for some reason, I could be confident that Aidan would not be easily swayed.
“Karin! Have you been waiting long?”
Then a friendly voice came from behind.
“Aidan!”
It’s not even your usual uniform.
Karin immediately noticed that the clothes Aidan was wearing were plain clothes that she had bought with her a few days ago.
“Your new clothes look good on you.”
“okay? Hehe… … .”
Aidan smiles brightly at the compliment.
She still has a handsome face, but when she burst out laughing like that, Karin felt like her heart stopped.
“Karin is always pretty too.”
And then there’s that kind of sweetness.
It wasn’t for nothing that his friends died suddenly at Aidan’s words.
In the end, she was the victor.
“Where are you going today?”
“There is a restaurant that an acquaintance told me about it. Let’s go there.”
“great!”
As soon as I saw Aidan’s face, I felt a sense of fulfillment.
‘It’s always new, it’s always exciting.’
Karin felt that way, and grabbed her lovely lover’s hand.
I was walking around Nakwon Island and enjoying a delicious meal.
It was time for the sun to go down.
‘Oh, I’m happy.’
The day started with Aidan, and the end was also with Aidan.
Karin stood in front of her dormitory, hugged her boyfriend who had brought her up to here, and said,
“I’m always thankful.”
“… … me too.”
However, Aidan’s attitude was a little strange. A voice as if hesitating something.
Sensing a faint change, Karin loosened her arms and made eye contact with Aidan.
“what? What’s going on?”
Aidan burst out a dismayed laugh at the question as if questioning.
“Karin really can’t be beaten.”
“Then, whose girlfriend is that?”
words spoken as a joke.
With those words, Aidan carefully grabbed her shoulder, as if he had made up his mind on something.
“Karin.”
“uh? uh… … .”
no way.
Were you hesitant to do it?
‘what should we do! I haven’t even prepared yet!?’
Beep beep.
In a completely unexpected situation, Karin’s head was filled with alarm sounds.
‘Fuck.’
As the distance with Aidan gradually narrowed, Karin trembled and closed her eyes.
But what she feared did not happen.
No, it was closer to the worst.
“I don’t think I’ll see Karin very often for a while.”
“Yes… … ?! Why all of a sudden!?”
In such a panic, Karin’s voice cracked.
“I decided to do hell training with Sanwoo-nim during winter break.”
“What?”
For a headache that you feel in an instant.
Karin couldn’t hide the anger that was boiling in her heart.
Because it was nothing more than a one-sided declaration of war by Baek San-woo.
* * *
Hyunmu Forest.
A small hut near Artel’s manor dormitory ‘Breath of the World Tree’.
“Everyone has gathered.”
I nodded my head as I looked at the seven people gathered inside.
Camilla, George, Taehoon and Soyoung.
Illyana and Lorna Aztel-senpai.
Finally, Byron.
Except for Lorna, who is a completely foreigner, everyone is promoted to executives in the Flex club.
In the case of Byron, I just joined, but… … .
Because it is impossible to roll the strongest current power like a normal member.
As the club’s manager, I was promoted to an executive level at a high speed.
When the parachute salute twists, they tell them to fight and win.
anyway.
“Before we begin, I would like to take a moment to thank Illyana for being a great help this time. Come on, applause!”
“Wow-!”
clap clap.
When everyone clapped her hands, she lowered her gaze out of embarrassment.
This place was originally used as Illyana’s external alchemy workshop.
A few days ago, I had properly converted it into a ‘secret meeting’ place for the Flex club.
“Sleep, stop now.”
I stopped the unstoppable applause and waved my hands.
“From now on, our ‘executive’ meetings will be held here.”
Of course, the expansion work has not been carried out yet, so it feels a bit cramped for eight people to gather.
“Even though it is narrow, we will do expansion work in the future. so be aware… … .”
It wasn’t the size of the hut that mattered right now.
The reason I called the personnel today.
It was to let me know in advance what I was going to do in the future.
“As everyone knows, it’s winter vacation starting tomorrow, right?”
“Yes, that’s right!”
Tae-hoon raises his hand and replies loudly.
“From then on, our ‘Illuminati’ will start working in earnest.”
Illuminati.
The name of the organization was decided by Camila’s naming sense, who showed the light this time as well.
In fact, from the standpoint of modern people, there was no way they could not have known that it was the name of the group that is the center of all conspiracy theories.
Like the Triad in the first place, it is an organization that does not exist in this world.
In retrospect, the concept itself was no different from my current purpose, so I simply adopted it.
Above all else, the name is the root, isn’t it?
Because it means ‘people who boast of their acquired intelligence’.
Besides, if you think it’s nicer for nothing, and give you names like the Dawning Society, the Order, or the Knights Templar—
It was driven by a real evil force, and it could end before I even tried anything.
Illuminati in that respect.
how neat
Since the word ‘Illu’, meaning light, was also included in the word, it was clear that it would not be too offensive to the Heretical Judgment Office or the eyes of Elijah.
“Then, Rona-senpai? Please share ‘them’.”
“yes.”
At my words, Lorna pulled out a small box from her arms.
The contents inside were ornaments with construction stones embedded in them.
“It will be useful in the future. It can also be used to distinguish us from each other when we have a car.”
It is a proof that you are a member of the Illuminati.
It was a necessary equipment to search for and fix bugs and missing pieces.
Now that I’m on a boat, it’s a disappointment if I get caught up in missing pieces or bugs at will.
“With this, you are safe from the warping of the world. It was proven by Camilla and George.”
“Wait a minute.”
Byron, who has the ornaments she received and hung around her neck, raises her hand and draws attention.
Over the past few days with him, I had already revealed my identity through continuous conversation.
At first, I was worried that I would be embarrassed.
On the contrary, Byron was delighted, saying that the number of rivals he recognized should be that much.
“So what are we supposed to do?”
A question that hits the ground.
I looked at the guy who was quickly absorbed by the Illuminati with satisfaction.
“I was just about to tell you.”
As I answered, I flipped the blackboard that had been turned over from start to finish.
There are photos of some of the key figures who will be central to the future events.
A large map of the entire island of Nakwon was attached.
A blackboard deliberately decorated like a secret society. At first glance, it is quite satisfying to feel like a police officer or a detective.
“Five… … .”
He didn’t know that the other members would prepare so thoroughly.
“Come on, pay attention.”
widely.
I took out the pointer stick I had purchased in advance and pointed to the picture of the most famous man on Nakwon Island.
“Our first goal is-!”
“This is to include and fully support Triston’s successor, Aidan Christopher.”