Chapter 253
Chapter 253
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 253
Chapter Title: Baobab (1)
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[Darling~~~]
"What's with that title?"
[Hehe, didn't like it?]
It had been a while since I last reached out, and Byul greeted me in her usual cute and bubbly way.
[Lee Si-heon, I was so shocked watching your broadcast~]
Was it because what I showed in the first trial exceeded expectations?
Everyone who picked up my call was stunned.
-Lee Si-heon, you've gotten ridiculously strong?
-Come on, Se-young, who do you think I am?
-......Seeing you act all cocky makes me suddenly not want to talk to you.
-Feeling better now?
-......Yeah. I want to see you.
Lee Se-young was surprised, but her reaction made sense. She kept nagging me about when I'd come visit.
-Do you know how shocked I was watching that?
-Really?
-How many state trees did you even...... Ha. You always pull off the most shocking stuff...... Were you hurt? I need to check you out.
-Check what?
-......Your body.
Azalea spoke in a tone full of worry for me.
-Frostbite.
-Yeah.
-I believed in you! Welcome to the path of the mage! Oh, and when are we meeting?
-Why?
-...I can't hold back anymore.
Hwangdo seemed extremely satisfied with the mage potential I displayed this time.
Most of them were pent-up with desire, but still, making the calls let me soak up some affection.
On the other hand, Baekdo ignored my call.
Cheondo might have been trying to maintain his master's dignity, or something—he was unexpectedly quiet.
My growth had been too sudden, so he just kept repeating that he'd hear my story someday.
[But seriously, I was shocked.]
Byul said excitedly.
[At this rate, you're really gonna hit S-rank, aren't you? Oh my, surpassing me? Well, you're my man~ Guess you have to be at that level? Ah, is it just natural? I'm the vice president~ My boyfriend as S-rank vice president's man! Heehee.]
"Why are you so chipper today?"
[...Because you called. What, you don't get excited talking to me since you have so many girlfriends?]
"No way."
Talking to Byul is fun.
We're internet buddies, so our jokes and banter land perfectly.
[Still, it'll be a while before we can meet, Si-heon...]
"I'll step out midway."
[Really? Then let's game again.]
Game, game.
If it's that kind of game from before, I could do it anytime.
[You just had a dirty thought.]
"......No."
[Don't lie. Gamers can tell. Nerds and pervs like us just vibe. I can see right through Si-heon’s closet-nerd heart~]
"Do I seem like that?"
[Yeah. Not so much lately, though.]
Is that so.
"Busted."
[Truth is, I was thinking it too. Hehe.]
Honesty begets honesty.
I chuckled happily and said to her,
"So, about that favor I asked last time."
Now for the main topic.
[Yeah, did I find anything?]
To prepare for Flower's attack, Byul had tasked me with checking if any cadets seemed suspicious.
Of course, she added that it was tough and to just enjoy the selection without worrying. But that felt half-hearted.
I named the top suspect on my mind first.
"Bead from El Academy."
[Bead... Oh, the one with the bow. She was impressive. How many did she knock out? Twenty?]
"Not sure, but she's definitely hiding something. If she's not tied to the association... I think we should investigate."
[Got it.]
Byul agreed readily.
But Bead knocking out over twenty?
That reluctant type going out of her way to do that?
Bead had been on my watchlist from the start, so suspicion was inevitable.
If Bead was Flower...
Inevitably, those who eliminated the most cadets were prime Flower suspects.
[Anyone else?]
"Byul."
[Eek. Switching nicknames like that feels weird... Why so sudden?]
"This is pure speculation, but... could a state tree be Flower?"
[State tree? Never heard that one.]
Byul's voice carried disbelief.
[State trees are raised transparently from the start. They're entrusted to loyal families sworn to World Trees... They're national symbols! They pick utterly trustworthy people.]
"......Hmm."
[Something happen?]
The existence of state trees.
I already knew they were meant to cultivate top talent against Flower.
But as I said before, Flower wasn't just aggressive terrorists.
Considering factions that surprisingly supported Flower...
"Hold on."
Needed to think this through.
I laid out my initial thoughts.
"Assuming that person I mentioned is Flower, they had some goal in eliminating cadets."
[Yeah, no merit in the first trial for just knocking people out. A normal civilian might do it for attention... But Flower would have ulterior motives.]
Flower deliberately drawing eyes to create dropouts?
There had to be a reason.
"And right now, they have the highest dropout count."
[Ah, that's your angle.]
It was a faint suspicion, but hearing Bead took out more than expected deepened it.
[Fair point.]
Byul affirmed.
[State trees did take out way more cadets than previous generations. The numbers scream intentional.]
"The problem is we don't know why."
If Bead was confirmed Flower, state trees would be suspect too.
[Hmm. Simply put, minimizing casualties?]
"Casualties?"
Those crazy terrorists minimizing casualties?
Byul immediately scratched that itch.
[Yeah. I told you, there are moderates. They do social activism... Never use violence. First or second officers are examples. If they led this attack, it's plausible.]
If so, minimizing casualties made sense.
[If, hypothetically, Flower swayed state trees... Moderates would convince them easier. They target societal flaws and push fixes.]
Byul continued slowly.
[If true... Even I might struggle. Gotta approach carefully.]
"Same thought. Only state trees could flip the board."
[I know. But suspecting state trees is like turning your back on the nation.]
Criticizing state trees hits national identity—super sensitive.
No wonder state trees sometimes seemed lost.
Marronnier was like that.
Burdened by duty, yearning for normalcy.
So, if a state tree really betrayed?
Byul answered casually.
[Country flips. They'd dodge blame somehow... If Korea's Kim Soo-yeon were Flower, Kospi crashes, association crumbles. Total mess.]
I see.
With families like corporations, scandal on a state tree's house shakes the nation.
"For Flower, state trees joining is best-case."
[Probably. Hypothetical, though. I trust your eye... But this?]
Always assume worst-case.
Dismissing possibilities risks disaster.
Our resources were tiny compared to the selection's manpower.
No issue for us suspecting state trees.
"Just a hunch."
[......Okay. I'll trust it.]
"You can trust the vice president that much?"
[Right now, I'm not vice president—I'm Si-heon's girlfriend?]
"Kuhahaha. Thanks. Really."
Good connections are a blessing.
Someone running external errands while I'm in the selection.
Aori and Sun were here too.
Not sure their angles yet, but allies for now.
[Grateful you take my tasks. Still, take care.]
"Will do."
[Yeah. You matter more than those Flower punks, got it?]
"Got it."
[Okay. Gotta work—hanging up?]
-Click.
I lowered the phone.
Tomorrow, second trial begins.
Unlike first, two weeks total—you decide time investment.
Finish in a day? Rest is free.
Doubt it's that easy.
'Trials from the trees.'
Whatever conditions, gotta win.
I got up, stretched, and left the room.
Time to meet Cornus at the cafeteria.
-Creak.
Door opened to a silhouette.
Cornus waiting?
No—unwelcome figure hardened my face.
"Hey."
-Thud!
Instant wall-slam.
Slight knee bend, she looms over me.
"Close again."
Baobab.
Since that day, challenges me every morning.
*****
"So, what do I do with this."
Stuffing food, sighing.
But pricey beef for breakfast surges joy.
Life quality skyrocketing.
"That's why you were late, bro?"
"Yeah."
"I couldn't even talk to Cornus sis, suffered alone... Ditching me for one girl..."
"Watch your words?"
Just eat breakfast together.
Since Cornus and I eat then, greet her while tagging along.
Called Sun same time—that vibe.
But he couldn't approach Cornus.
"What guy ghosts girls like that?"
"...Ghosts?"
Cornus reacts to my words.
Her eyes eye Sun suspiciously.
"Sis..."
First meet: guarded, suspicious. But he's so eager, soon chatting.
Aori much same.
"Ignore bro. No sex drive left—can't even if I wanted."
"Even without me?"
"Fuck....... Don't believe? I'll show you."
"Don't wanna see."
Aori, munching fried egg heartily, tugged my arm.
"I saw it. Lured a girl to bed, but blank-faced nothing—pitiful."
"Really."
"Slapped eventually. 'What the hell?'"
Aori's blunt tale explained last night's neighbor ruckus.
Kid's really lost it.
Solemn scene.
"Bro."
"Yeah."
"Sorry, but die once for me?"
"Crazy?"
"Once, then I'll get neutered. No proper goodbye—super lonely?"
I covered Cornus's ears lightly.
"Don't say that around her."
"......Sorry, sis."
And don't approach without me.
They nodded, getting it, finished eating.
No reason to meet Cornus alone anyway.
Not big deal—'near ink turns black.' If Cornus picks up their dirty jokes...
My pure Cornus stays pure.
"...What's wrong, Sian?"
"Nothing. Eat up."
Cornus munched bread expressionless. Sun, watching us, shook head.
"Bro really cherishes sis."
"Know that, no more jokes."
"Yes sir."
Answers well, at least.