Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: New Student (4)
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Thud—
"...Hoo."
Returning to her dormitory, Ryu Se-eun let out a deep sigh and collapsed right there in the entryway.
Her expression, leaning against the door, looked utterly exhausted. It was no small fatigue.
In that moment, with the lights off and the dark hallway stretching before her, only one face came to mind.
The upperclassman—a second-place student one year ahead—who she'd just had dinner with that evening.
His name was Lee Hyun-jin, the same age as her. Still, she called him "senior." You couldn't ignore hierarchy just because you were the same age.
"Mm."
Anyway, replaying that disastrous first meal choice with him—a street food joint—Ryu Se-eun slowly gathered the strands of hair that had fallen over her shoulders.
Honestly, it was the worst. Important enough to say twice. How could you take a junior girl asking you to buy her a meal to a street food place?
'...It wasn't as bad as I thought.'
But the feeling that surfaced now was something entirely different from her grumbling. Ironic, really.
Of course, she wasn't talking about the menu choice. No, the food had been delicious, sure.
She was the one who'd maneuvered him into that awkward spot first, anyway. That level of payback was well within bounds. Safe.
Ryu Se-eun did have a conscience, after all.
So, she had no intention of complaining further about the menu being tteokbokki and fish cake soup... whatever.
Naturally, her thoughts shifted to her overall impression.
Lee Hyun-jin, that guy. To be honest, he was 'better than expected'—pretty decent.
His mouth was a bit foul, and he seemed like the type who enjoyed teasing people.
Even accounting for that, hadn't he gone along with her unreasonable demands quite obediently today?
Ryu Se-eun was well aware her behavior had been pretty overbearing.
So, getting called out directly for her rudeness was within expectations. She might not have had a comeback even if he'd shamed her.
...Though if he had, she'd probably have clung on stubbornly anyway.
'Anyway... he wasn't uncomfortable or anything.'
To confess the truth, up until the day before arriving at the academy—right before stepping into the freshman welcome party—she'd harbored a few prejudices about Lee Hyun-jin.
Her emotions had been quite complicated. Sure, there was guilt on one side, but a mix of other feelings coexisted too.
First, guilt for dragging him into her one-sided, selfish situation.
No denying that. Even she thought her excuse was absurd.
Beyond that, though, she'd felt vague jealousy and hostility toward him as "Seol Ha-yeon's disciple."
Why? Because her father always showed interest and fascination toward him.
She was grateful that he properly looked after and cared for her as his daughter, but Ryu Se-eun was also a mage in her own right.
How could she not crave recognition for her own achievements? And yet, her idol praised this other guy endlessly.
The next great archmage would surely be that young man, or if only they could bring him to Cheolwon, she'd feel so much more at ease, and so on.
Every time she heard that, Ryu Se-eun could only scowl.
It was jealousy.
Was that guy really that exceptional? He was just the number two who couldn't even claim first place at a safe southern academy.
What could he possibly have over her, who'd always held the front lines at Cheolwon blocking northern monster hordes?
She wanted to show him she could do it too. Ace of the border guard? She could handle that role just fine!
With that mindset, Ryu Se-eun had reached her first meeting with Lee Hyun-jin.
'...Well...'
And, reluctantly, she had to admit it.
'He is outstanding. Yeah.'
She considered herself to have a good eye for mana. Ryu Jin-seong had praised her on it several times.
...But she couldn't see it. With her eyes, she could barely make out the unique color of Lee Hyun-jin's mana, let alone its density.
It was a beautiful azure-white.
The hallmark of an ice mage.
Now, a faint thought surfaced: maybe she could never beat him.
Ah, the world is vast, full of geniuses. The moment Ryu Se-eun's confidence shrank.
'Is that why Father suggested marriage to win him over...?'
Black Heaven Ryu Jin-seong had said that before she left for the academy. If possible, build a good relationship with Lee Hyun-jin.
Truth be told, the childish revenge motive against the Ice Empress that she'd mentioned to Lee Hyun-jin was largely her own interpretation.
Ryu Jin-seong had closed off his heart to human relations after that past. What he focused on was 100% Lee Hyun-jin's abilities.
That alone nearly made her sulk, but he'd added even flashier advice.
-If he's a young man to your liking, having his child wouldn't be bad at all. You know this, but second-generation offspring from outstanding awakeners inherit strong awakening factors.
...That was the first day Ryu Se-eun had yelled at her adoptive father.
Ryu Se-eun pondered briefly. What had she said back then?
'Ah, right.'
Probably something like "I hate you, Father!!" screamed at the top of her lungs before storming out.
She hadn't contacted him since.
'...How could he say that to his own daughter?'
Still, one thing she liked... was that Ryu Jin-seong had shown genuine embarrassment for the first time upon hearing her words.
If he hadn't shown even that raw emotion, she might've truly felt wronged.
Well, with nearly a decade and a half of his grace, she'd grant his wish.
But her hurt, pouting heart wouldn't heal easily.
Thinking that, Ryu Se-eun puffed her cheeks slightly. Anyway, the die was cast; time to wrap things up.
Without even taking off her shoes, she sprawled haphazardly on the entryway floor and started tapping her smartphone.
In the dark room, the bright screen illuminated her face.
And the text popping up on the device was none other than:
[Date spots with a guy]
[Foods guys like]
[Things guys like when a girl does...]
....
....
....
[Victory lingerie]
Regular classes had ended, and everyone was preparing to leave the classroom.
"Hey, buy me food."
"...".
Cheon So-yul, who had stretched out using my shoulder as a backrest and was swinging her legs under the chair, suddenly said that.
I blinked slowly and turned to look at her. She tilted her head back to meet my gaze.
"What? Why?"
And not stopping there, she threw back the line I should have said.
With my words cut off at the source, I opened and closed my mouth repeatedly.
Why had so many people started treating me like their meal ticket lately?
Such shameless...
"I even covered your gukbap last time, remember? Hey, you're not gonna say you forgot, right?"
"...Ah."
She really had left it to me.
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
"Well... Anything you wanna eat?"
"Of course."
"What?"
"1++ Hanwoo tomahawk steak."
"?"
A question mark floated over my head.
I tilted my head creakily, staring down at Cheon So-yul with sunken eyes.
It was the reaction I gave when I'd clearly heard nonsense.
This was exactly that.
"...Ahem."
Cheon So-yul coughed awkwardly and corrected herself immediately.
"No, can't I joke? Let's just grab anything. How about pasta?"
"Should've said that from the start."
I shot her a cold look, and she averted her eyes.
Really, what was she trying to squeeze out of me, living on a pittance allowance?
If anyone should buy such things, it ought to be Cheon So-yul, who got hundreds in pocket money monthly from the great archmage. That made sense, right?
Ah! If only my master sent me pocket money like that every month, I'd have no complaints.
Hm.
'Should I ask once?'
No, no. Better not test it and risk turning into an ice statue.
Seol Ha-yeon was the type who never let disciple rudeness slide—she had a temper.
I shook off thoughts of my master and stood up.
A few days ago it was Ryu Se-eun; today, feeding Cheon So-yul.
After finishing our meal.
Cheon So-yul and I strolled the campus, each with a drink from the cafe.
It was late at night, so caffeine was a no-go.
I chose peach iced tea.
"Never thought I'd see someone actually buying iced tea at a cafe."
"?"
"You're the first I've seen."
But Cheon So-yul suddenly picked a fight over it.
No, what's wrong with iced tea?
"You're weirder for getting hot chocolate."
"It's midwinter. It's cold."
"That's what I meant by childish taste."
"...".
Cheon So-yul clamped her mouth shut, and after a moment's thought, I realized, "Ah!"—she had a point.
"Come to think of it, your height is just...".
Vrrr!
Before I could finish, Cheon So-yul summoned a golden electric chainsaw crackling with energy and shoved it at me. A real electric saw.
She grinned and said,
"Can't cut off your height and attach it to me, can I, Hyun-jin?"
"...".
She said something vicious so casually. I wasn't scared, but I stepped back anyway.
I'd momentarily forgotten: avoid height topics with her at all costs.
To diffuse the awkward mood, I ended our brief spat and made up my mind.
"Here."
"...? What?"
I turned the iced tea straw toward her, and she raised one eyebrow, puzzled.
My intent was simple, of course.
"Try it. I'll share a sip, special for you."
I said, and Cheon So-yul alternated bewildered looks between me and the tea.
You poor thing, not knowing the refreshment of iced tea. Go on, one sip.
"...No, jeez."
She started with disbelief but eventually gave in with a smack of her lips.
Brushing her hair back, she leaned down and sucked on the straw.
"...Mm."
She scrunched her nose, and I asked full of anticipation.
"How is it?"
"How is what...?"
"Tasty? Refreshing?"
Cheon So-yul twisted one corner of her mouth in a scoff.
"...It's winter now? Don't assume everyone has your cold resistance. It's so cold my head hurts."
"...".
Logical, sure, but not the answer I wanted.
I felt a bit offended, and my focus shifted to her hot chocolate.
How great could it be to act like that?
Leaning toward her, I stole a bite of the mysterious white cream on top.
'Mm.'
Savoring it. Definitely sweet.
But iced tea's more refreshing.
Nothing for it.
As I opened my mouth to give it one star out of five,
"You have cream on your mouth."
"What?"
"Right side."
Cheon So-yul nodded lightly toward my lips, and I frowned, rummaging in my pockets for tissue.
...Of course, no 20-something guy carries that. None.
I froze awkwardly, and she smirked openly.
"You're such an idiot."
"...".
What could I do?
The retort lingered lonely on my tongue.
And then Cheon So-yul stepped closer.
"...?"
As I turned puzzled, she suddenly went up on tiptoes.
Lick...
A soft, ticklish sensation near my mouth.
"...? ???"
"Hm, it's just too sweet, as expected."
I stared blankly, and Cheon So-yul casually licked her upper lip, tilting her head.
...My heart jolted hard.
Our gazes locked stickily.
She closed her eyes first, and I leaned down for a light kiss.
Heat unbefitting winter surged through me, but she didn't stop.
Soon, she hooked her pinky with mine.
"...Hey."
She called my name shyly, her voice tinged with faint heat.
I chuckled and looked at her.
Cheon So-yul's soft gaze wasn't on me—it was on the unmanned hotel at the academy outskirts.
...Don't ask why there's a hotel in the academy. Officially for visitors, but whatever.
The spot infamous as students' secret rendezvous. Right now, she pointed it out, gripping my hand tightly.
That was all that mattered.
"Wanna rest there a bit?"
I teased playfully. Her face flushed as she dodged my eyes.
Then mumbled timidly.
"Ah, if you're not into it, forget it...".
"...".
Too tempting to refuse.
...It had been nearly a week since our last time.
Naturally, desire had built up, and here she was, poking me like a dishonest cat with her paw.
How could I let that pass?
I shrugged.
"As the top student wishes."
"...".
Cheon So-yul didn't reply.
She just dragged me to book a room.
And so the next day came.
Dawn broke, and as top-tier mages, we cast invisibility spells and sneaked back to our dorms.
Still, we had to get ready for school.