Promotional Ambassador (1)
The next morning, my friends and I gathered in the living room of the guesthouse, each with our laptops. Outlets were crammed with phone chargers and laptop adapters, reminding me of the academy clubroom—I couldn't help but chuckle.
Han Deuri, who had brought his laptop late, asked, "When does registration start?"
Today was course registration day for next semester's classes.
"It's already started."
We leisurely logged into the registration site. Unlike other universities, the academy's system wasn't first-come, first-served. As long as you signed up within the period, you could take the class even if 100 or 200 students enrolled.
[This is the internet?]
Terra peered into the laptop, her eyes glowing.
"That's right. This is the internet."
[Whoa......]
Terra touched the laptop in wonder. Scan—earth spirit magic.
Terra's mouth formed a perfect O.
[It's not made of earth. What is this?]
"It's called plastic."
[Plastic?]
"A material extracted from petroleum."
[From petroleum?]
Terra's eyes widened further. True to her earth spirit nature, she knew about coal and oil.
[Humans are truly amazing......]
Terra rubbed the laptop admiringly. Han Areum smiled at the sight.
"Is the laptop that fascinating?"
[Yes.]
"Aww, she's so cute!"
Han Areum made an uncle-like sound and pulled something from her pocket—a large gumball.
"Terra, want one?"
[What's this?]
"Candy. You put it in your mouth and let it melt."
[Melt?]
"Yeah. Don't bite—just let it dissolve."
Han Areum popped the candy into Terra's mouth.
"Here, Aqua and Mandu too."
Aqua, eyes sparkling in anticipation, opened her mouth wide.
[Aaaah-!]
"Hehehe. Here you go."
The candy slid in, and Aqua beamed happily.
[Shi-sit!]
With Mandu getting his too, all the spirits had one cheek puffed out.
"Feels like we're at the dentist."
Han Deuri chuckled softly and popped one into his own mouth.
Aqua sucked on her candy, then turned to the laptop, eyes twinkling.
[Now we pick classes here!]
"Exactly. Just select them here."
I'd already explained academy classes to Aqua, Terra, and Mandu—what they were like and how they worked. Mornings were major courses and training. Majors followed a set curriculum by year.
What we need to choose are the afternoon electives.
Aqua and Terra scanned the list curiously. Mandu glanced once and started grooming his wings, uninterested.
[Oh! 'Spirits and Humans'! How about this one?]
Aqua picked a class. An elective, but on spirits.
I checked the syllabus and academy forums for professor reviews.
"Looks good. The prof is strict on grades, but skilled."
Best of all, it was a lower-year class—less burden for Aqua and Terra.
"I like it too."
"With personal tutoring from you, we'd get A+ easy, right?"
"Doesn't matter."
Everyone agreed, so we added 'Spirits and Humans' to our lists.
"What about golf?" Jang Gilsan suggested.
The siblings had gone golfing with him yesterday.
"If you're living as an awakener, golf's a must elective."
"True, but......"
"As golf newbies, won't we just get schooled by upperclassmen who've already played?"
I agreed with the siblings.
"To manage grades, skip sports and languages. How about Monster Dismantling or Gate Management?"
Awakeners, even non-hunters, got drafted for gates sometimes. B- and A-ranks especially—better to prep early.
"Monster subjugation class."
"Or Awakener Response? I'm more into police than hunting."
Major classes focused on ability use, so subjugation and response were electives.
[Do hunters fight monsters?]
Aqua asked. Ever since we vowed to protect the spirits together, her interest in hunters and the academy had spiked.
"Mostly, yeah."
[Like dragons?]
"Dragons only in S-rank gates—rare. We'll fight orcs, goblins."
[Are they strong?]
"Compared to you? One-punch material."
[Hehehe! Simple foes!]
Aqua puffed up proudly. In just 15 years since gates appeared, humanity had tamed most threats. Monsters were no big deal unless S-rank gates.
Terra asked, [Then who killed the spirit contractors in the cave?]
Aqua's laughter cut off. I stroked her serious fringe.
"Mostly demons."
Demons. Even with research, they kept gates unconquerable.
Gate-crossing humanoids slaughtering humanity.
Demons looked human—body structure identical. But they sided with monsters, threatening us endlessly.
"Top killer of awakeners isn't monsters—it's demons."
That's why academy sparring focused on killing human-like foes to survive demon encounters.
[Demons......]
Aqua repeated gravely. Spirit Kings wouldn't forgive spirits' enemies.
After dinner with my parents, we chatted over coffee and tea.
"Terra really looks like Aqua," Mom said fondly.
"Same mother raised them."
"Mother?"
"Uluru, the Earth Spirit King, cares for all spirits."
Aqua and Terra resembled Uluru. Earth and water differed, but hairstyles and dress were identical.
"Like twin sisters."
Mom's gaze softened. She stroked Aqua's head as she chugged cola.
[Heeheehee!]
Aqua loved it.
[Mm......]
Terra, after instant coffee, had a serene, bodhisattva-like smile.
"Kukuku......"
Dad chuckled at her cuteness.
"Oh my."
Mom whipped out her phone. Click, click. Photos saved.
[Mm......]
Terra leaned softly against me. When happy, she got affectionate. Her firm yet soft weight brought a smile.
Dad asked, "Did Terra come to the human world to become Spirit King too?"
[No.]
Terra replied drowsily.
[Spirit King is mine by succession. I came for curiosity.]
"Curiosity? Interested in our world?"
[Totally different.]
Dad chuckled. "Guess we need an overseas trip with the spirits."
"Yeah. Gotta earn money fast."
The kitchen warmed with fullness and spirit adorableness. Mandu leaned on my hand, grooming wings—licking splits, biting dead skin.
I stroked his scruff as he tugged.
"I hit B-rank awakener."
"B-rank?"
Parents' eyes widened. Living in awakener society, they knew B-rank's weight—fame and epithets started there.
"Wow...... Amazing."
"My son's B-rank."
I grinned, petting Aqua, Terra, Mandu in turn.
"All thanks to them."
Aqua beamed.
[Heeheehee!]
Her pure, toothy smile pierced my heart.
[Congratulations.]
Terra nuzzled my arm. Her cuteness bloomed my smile.
[Shi-sit!]
Mandu licked my hand. His small, hot tongue warmed me.
So happy.
Buzzing with joy, I hugged all three, rubbing my face on them. Their textures tickled.
[Ahaha! Tickles!]
[Kekeke!]
[Shi-shi-sit!]
They laughed joyfully. I savored the embrace, then set them on the table—but they clung closer.
[Mm-mm!]
Aqua nuzzled my chest, gazing up with sparkling trust. Happiness crashed like a tsunami.
I kissed her forehead softly.
[Kekeke!]
Aqua squirmed bashfully, beaming. I kissed Terra and Mandu's too.
[Oh......]
Terra rubbed her forehead awkwardly—their first kiss. But she smiled softly.
[Shi-sit!]
Mandu licked my cheek in return. His warm tongue felt great.
"Hehehe......"
I couldn't stop smiling. Parents beamed warmly too.
Three days later, we headed to city hall for Samcheok's promotional ambassador ceremony. But today had more.
"Smile!"
"Pose, please!"
I gave an awkward smile to the cameras. Holding Aqua and Terra, Aqua shared a plaque reading 'Brave Citizen Award' with the Samcheok police chief.
[Uh, uwaaa......]
Aqua's eyes spun dizzily.