The Awakening Academy (1)
CHAPTER_TITLE: A Brief Chat in the Awakened Training Center
His voice was terrifyingly sharp. He didn’t look like he had any intention of guiding me gently.
“We’re already past our appointment time.”
I’d tried to steer the conversation away, but it was pointless.
“Just a moment. I came out here specifically to guide you.”
I had no choice.
“Fine. Whatever.”
The man crossed his arms and leaned back, then opened his mouth.
“I can see right through your little scheme.”
What a way to start. Straight-up accusation. No, what did I even do?
“I heard something strange yesterday. That Taeseong Guild’s Han Yura cornered you and begged you to join.”
“Our relationship is similar, but…”
He jerked his chin toward me.
“S-class hunter and guild master of Taeseong Guild, Han Yura, cornered you… That doesn’t sound right? Especially not in a public place where everyone could hear.”
I let out a sigh. He had a point.
‘I can understand why this guy is suspicious. Honestly, if anyone else saw what happened yesterday, they’d think it was some kind of act.’
I’d never once considered how it would look to outsiders. I’d been too busy trying to use the Link and get my power back.
Still, I was innocent.
“I get why you’re suspicious. But I don’t know why Han Yura did it either. She praised how sharp my eye is, then suddenly offered me a contract. I swear I didn’t plant anyone there.”
“She praised your eye? Okay, let’s say that’s true. But why did the person who applied to join Taeseong turn down Han Yura’s offer? I heard the conditions were excellent. It was supposed to be the best opportunity.”
Why was the interrogation so sharp?
On the surface, he was a punk, but every single question was hard to dodge.
Because I was a regressor, joining Taeseong wasn’t a good choice. Because I owed a debt to Yoon Sera, I came here to pay it back somehow?
If I told him the truth, he’d call me crazy on the spot.
‘And saying I was trying to pay the debt because of Han Yura’s conditions would sound even stranger.’
Honestly, Han Yura’s terms had been pretty decent. No guild this small could offer better. I’d already given up on that part.
I gave up on crushing him with logic for now.
Too many layers of chaos piled up. I couldn’t do it yet.
“First, please guide me to Master Yoon Sera. I reported that Taeseong approached me yesterday, so I want to talk to her.”
“Hmph. Who’s to say that’s not your plan to break down our boundaries? You might fool others, but not me.”
This guy was slippery. Did he actually think Yoon Sera’s intentions were the same?
That would cause serious trouble for Saint Guild.
It was mildly annoying.
Then.
“Phantom!”
A blonde woman shouted and walked over. The gloomy atmosphere of the office brightened instantly.
I couldn’t help but sigh.
‘Back in that era, Yoon Sera was already stunning. But seeing her now… she’s far prettier.’
Personally, I’d only ever seen the version of her fifteen years from now. It was natural she looked even younger and more beautiful now.
Especially her gentle eyes — a complete contrast to the contemptuous gaze she once gave me.
Back then I’d thought she was disgustingly beautiful. Honestly, right now she was a hundred times better.
While I stood there silently sighing, the man clearly found her beauty familiar.
“Yes, Master.”
The man gave a light bow toward Yoon Sera.
‘Phantom, huh… Same as the nickname they gave me? Maybe he really is that strong. I’ve never heard the name before, but talent doesn’t always have a reputation.’
“I only asked you to guide the guest. What are you doing here?”
Yoon Sera rested her elbow on her hip and glared at him.
She must have seen the earlier confrontation.
“It’s nothing. I was just asking a few light questions.”
A few light questions? It sounded like he was squeezing me like a rat.
“Don’t do that anymore.”
“Yes…”
Phantom shot me one last glare before leaving.
His suspicion toward me clearly hadn’t faded. It wasn’t pleasant, but there was nothing I could do about it.
‘Whatever. We’ll be working together. No need to make enemies.’
“Shin Yuseong, right? I’ll apologize on your behalf.”
Yoon Sera gave me a slight bow, looking genuinely sorry.
Her kindness made me feel a little better.
“It’s fine. May I ask in a calm manner?”
“Of course. Come to my office.”
Following behind Yoon Sera, I felt eyes burning into my back.
Phantom glared at me and mouthed a warning.
‘…’
Still nagging even at the end.
From what I’d heard beforehand, Yoon Sera was rated A-class healer.
She’d become the untouchable Saintess in the future, but not yet.
The other Saint Guild hunters didn’t have much information.
‘I wonder what the Phantom guy’s real strength is.’
I’d make sure to give him a solid punch someday.
We arrived at her office, which was small, neat, slightly worn, but spotlessly clean.
‘This is organized. Plants even — she keeps a few.’
The potted plants lining the windows were impressive. Han Yura’s office would never allow them.
“Sorry for the inconvenience. Phantom can be a bit… cautious.”
She didn’t trust people easily.
“It’s fine. Being cautious is good. But just to be clear, I’m not the one planted by Taeseong. Everything I said yesterday is true.”
Yoon Sera offered a gentle smile.
“Of course. I believe you. I know Han Yura well personally. She’s not that calculating. She acts without thinking about the consequences.”
“Hah, that’s exactly right. Honestly, it felt unjust.”
She covered her mouth and chuckled.
“Let me get you something to drink. What would you like?”
Yoon Sera stood up. Did she prepare it herself?
Right. When I entered her office, everyone glanced at me, but everyone looked busy.
No secretary, apparently.
When the drink topic came up, saliva instantly filled my mouth.
“Do you have cola? Ice… no, just water’s fine. One glass of water.”
She looked panicked, so I quickly changed the request.
This wasn’t Taeseong. We were here for Saint Guild.
“Sorry, we don’t have cola… but we do have coffee.”
“Water is fine.”
“Oh, yes. One moment.”
After I drank the water, we finally got to the main topic.
“First, thank you. You helping me yesterday was a huge relief. Turning down Taeseong’s offer wasn’t easy. If you had… testified the same way, I would’ve been in trouble.”
“The thanks were already in the email. I didn’t want to lie.”
Yoon Sera stared at me steadily.
Did she like me a little?
“Still, you’re not disappointed about the offer from Han Yura, are you?”
“Not at all. It just… felt off. I value my instincts a lot, so I turned it down.”
“Ah, I see.”
If Phantom hadn’t interrupted, I might not have answered so honestly. That was helpful.
Now we needed to discuss guild membership.
Should I try complimenting her first?
“But Master Yoon Sera has a great feeling. That’s why I really want to join here.”
“Ah… I’m sorry. As I said in the email, it wouldn’t be good for you to join Saint Guild.”
Yoon Sera pointed to the front of her shirt and bowed politely.
Her chest was overwhelming, but I focused on the important part.
“Wait. I should have told you earlier — I’ve already been marked by Han Yura.”
“What? Why?”
Phantom knew everything that happened that day but hadn’t fully reported it?
I explained everything from yesterday in detail, including the warnings I received.
“There’s talk of a blacklist. My name might already be on it.”
“What do I do?! That’s… honestly awful. Right?”
Yoon Sera swallowed whatever she was about to say and worried about me like it was her own problem.
A beautiful woman’s concern felt strangely good to receive.
“There’s nothing I can do. I’m destined to join Saint Guild. There’s nowhere else I can go now.”
“Wait. Let me check something.”
Yoon Sera took out her phone and typed.
What was she checking?
“Ah! Good news, Yuseong! You’re not on the blacklist?”
Wait, how did she know that?
Could outsiders access Taeseong’s blacklist?
“I have connections in Taeseong… I have some ways.”
“Oh… so it hasn’t been added yet…”
“No way. Han Yura doesn’t forget grudges. If she was going to blacklist you, she would have done it right away.”
She knew Han Yura better than I did?
“Oh, you don’t look happy. You don’t need to join our guild now. And if what you wrote in your resume is true, even more so.”
“Ah, are you doubting my abilities? I didn’t lie even a little in my resume.”
Linked to the highest-grade hunter. Needs time to grow, so I can’t shine immediately, but potential beyond S-class.
That was exactly what I put on my resume.
“I was half skeptical, but since no one tried to deceive me, I’ll believe you.”
That was enough gratitude. I wasn’t being called a liar.
“Then why are you trying to keep me? You have a bright future ahead.”
I said it jokingly, but she stared at me.
“That’s why.”
“Huh?”
“Yuseong, honestly, we’re in a difficult fight right now. As you learned yesterday, Taeseong wants to destroy Saint Guild no matter what. If you were Immediate Response, I’d consider it. But you said you need time. I don’t want to drag a bright future into this. We should each go our own way.”
Yoon Sera’s answer was a rejection.
Was that fair? I had no proof yet.
Maybe it was strange that she took my word so easily.
Anyway, paying back the debt was going to be tough.
‘I already owe you a debt I can never fully repay.’
And joining Saint Guild was necessary for me too. I had to protect the future S-class hunter Yoon Sera from Han Yura’s grasp and help her growth.
Still, I wasn’t giving up. I was a person who kept my promises.
“Ugh… How should I say it to make you give up?”
“Let me ask you. How can I join here? I want to get evaluated whether I’m useful for Immediate Response or not.”
Showing it right now would be impossible.
“Um… There’s something called the Awakened Training Center. Do you know it?”
Built to help awakened people grow, but now it’s a showcase where they prove their value.
And completing it brings real benefits.
“Yes, I know.”
“If you perform well there, I’ll consider it positively. How about it?”
Great?