That's Her, That Bitch (1)
In the dim, dank underground sewer. A woman in robes made her way along the iron tracks laid over the flowing wastewater. Before long, she dropped to her knees and paid her respects to her superior, the 'Cult Leader.'
"I've come to see you, Cult Leader."
"It's been a while. I'd love to share a cup of tea and chat, but... that's not the luxury we have."
His eyes were piercingly cold, but the woman brushed it off nonchalantly.
"Let me start with my apologies."
"Yes, I heard. About 'Namgung Mir.' A failure, they say."
"...I have no face to show."
"It's fine. It was just insurance, after all. If anything, it's a relief, right? You hated her guts anyway."
"......There was an interloper."
"An interloper."
He sounded intrigued as he prompted her, and she explained accordingly.
"Choi Siwoo. He's undoubtedly the culprit behind this mess."
"Him again."
"Yes, him again."
Crack. Blood trickled from her clenched fist, filled with rage. The man watched her silently before turning to gaze at the laboratory before them.
"Compose yourself. It's about to begin."
"...The Saintess, you mean."
"Yes. That mission cannot fail. It's a crucial turning point for our future."
Rummaging in the folds of his robe, the man handed her a vial filled with a pure white liquid. It gave off a holy aura, like holy water made from a blessing... but it contained something fundamentally different.
"The finished product. Take it."
"...Thank you."
At his gesture to leave, the woman rose quietly and turned away.
Step, step. She moved with her signature footwork. Soon, two figures followed behind. As if it were routine, the three matched their strides and proceeded together.
In the midst of it, the twin-tailed woman on the left finally couldn't hold back and burst out.
"Argh, this pisses me off! Big Sis! Can't we just kill that cult leader bastard?"
At the sudden outburst, the woman in the oxygen mask on the right muttered softly.
"Skillra. Watch your mouth. No matter how dogshit he is, he's still our boss."
She then turned her gaze to the robed woman.
"Leader. What now?"
"...First, we capture the Saintess. It's a direct order from the Black Sheep, after all..."
Trailing off, she revealed fierce eyes. From within her hood, pupils forming concentric circles radiated murderous intent.
"Then, we plot to take him down."
"...Understood."
"We should've done that ages ago. Big Sis! Rules and discipline were never for us!"
Before long, the footsteps of the three women faded into the darkness.
"...Nngh."
"Hmmm..."
"Wh-why is this so hard?"
In a spacious, cozy room spotless of even a speck of dust, two boys and five girls sat facing each other around a round table. Half of them were racking their brains with headaches, while the other half calmly worked through the problems before them.
At the center, Choi Siwoo fiddled with his pen and scratched his head.
'Not easy, huh.'
It had been two days since he'd smoothly resolved the 'Namgung Mir' incident. Tapping his fingers on the desk, Choi Siwoo recalled parting with his companions.
The morning after the awkward incident with Namgung Ryun.
-"Haha! Young friend! Safe travels! Come back anytime—we'll spar!"-
-"Agreed. Bonds forged in sweat. I'll be waiting, Choi Siwoo."-
After shaking hands with Kang Him-chan and Ye Dong-tak, the orange-haired girl shyly approached.
-"...B-be careful on your way. Thank you so much for this time."-
The bashful girl. The two men behind her teased her mercilessly, and she chased them off in a fiery rage. In the awkward silence, Choi Siwoo extended his hand to the last remaining long-haired beauty. Her cheeks were still flushed with embarrassment.
-"I'll call soon, Guild Leader."-
-"...Sis."-
-"...Pardon?"-
-"Namgung Ryun... sis is fine. Speak casually... no need to be formal, it's awkward."-
-"...Even so, that's—"-
-"Aw, come on! If not, I won't pick up!"-
Like a child throwing a tantrum... Watching the grown woman sulk, Choi Siwoo chuckled and agreed. Then came her barely audible whisper.
-"...First time."-
-"Hm? Sorry, I didn't catch that—"-
-"Yesterday... that was my first kiss."-
Namgung Ryun stammered, then yelled 'Just forget it!' and fled.
Master. I know it wrapped up nicely, so focus already. You still have a mountain of problems left. Oh, and by the way, you got #13 wrong up there.
'Nngh...'
Yes. The reason Choi Siwoo was groaning and sighing.
Not because the 'Namgung Mir' incident hadn't ended well, nor some unexpected trouble.
'Shit. Why's this so damn hard?'
It was the mid-semester exams looming right in front of him—specifically, the theory test prep.
'Sigh... Heroes don't study, they say...'
Quit the nonsense and solve it! Of course, this world is ruled by power and ability over laws. With superhumans called Awakeners running wild and abilities beyond rules and laws, it's true that theoretical classes taught at desks hold less weight. But not every Awakener can just brawl forever. Those less aggressive by nature. Those aiming for hero careers. Even those who succeeded as heroes. And the rare few who lasted until retirement. Injuries, lack of ability, mental trauma, family life leading to safety-seeking—various reasons abound. Knowing this societal issue well, Prunel Academy emphasizes theory exams more than other academies, for the cadets' future options as civilians job-hunting. But maybe that's why. The tests were brutally hard, with a savagely broad scope.
Master. Wrong.
"Nngh..."
Damn, my head hurts. Despite his young, healthy body, maybe from all the years lived—his brain felt rusty, hard to grasp.
Truth be told, he didn't need to struggle like this. On exam day, asking Kay would spit out answers and solutions effortlessly.
'But I don't want that.'
A second life. Choi Siwoo wanted good scores through his own effort if possible. Plus, Kay's personality would insist self-achieved feats held true value.
...No? The world isn't fair, Master. As someone with a cheat key like me, you must use it. And prove it—how invaluable I am.
'...Kay. Please don't be like that. Shouldn't you cheer on your master who's working hard?'
I want to see your efforts go to waste too...
...Is this kid a demon?
As Choi Siwoo stared in disbelief, a girl popped up. A pleasant lily scent wafted from her leaning figure. Her brown-black hair gleamed smoothly. She pulled off twin tails without looking childish.
"What's this~? Our hero can't solve this?"
Grinning, this beauty was none other than Wien Joun. She wore an arrogant smirk that screamed 'lame~.'
"...Come to think of it, you were good at studying, Wien."
At his question, she blinked, then 'hmph~'ed, hands on hips, nose in the air. Her confident vibe was pure Wien.
"Yup~ Even looking like this, I'm a super-genius cutie who always swings between 1st and 2nd."
His expression hardened at her words.
"...That last bit. Who'd you learn it from?"
"Huh? Just came to mind... Why, weird?"
Instantly, his mind flashed to Jeon Eunbyeol: 'Ehehe... Choi Siwoo? No calls lately... Keep it up, and I'll sneak in at night for smooches♡ slurps♡ puffs♡ ahn~♡'
Shaking off the horror, he waved it off.
"Nah, nothing. Anyway, teach me."
"Can't be helped~ Prep your notes?"
Wien donned mystery glasses, eyes sparkling.
"See~ You're skipping basic formula substitution from the start."
"Hm...? But no need for 'purification' formula, right? Cut it midway, and it all vanishes, no?"
"No, no. That's the issue! You're thinking real combat. Understand the examiner's intent, give what they want."
"Man, picky problems..."
Her explanation continued, and soon a small 'aha' escaped him.
"Oh, that's how it works..."
"Right. You're getting it."
"Gotta say, Wien... you teach great. Could be a teacher career."
At his sincere praise, Wien flushed. Having heard endless compliments, she knew this was real. Coughing, she fanned her mouth with a sleeve fan.
"Th-that won't get you anywhere? I'm the Jo-un heir. Career set."
"Still suits you... You like kids, right?"
"...?"
She tilted her head.
"Choi Siwoo... How'd you know? Did I mention orphanage volunteering?"
Shit, slip-up. She wouldn't remember illusion visions. He glossed over it.
Then, from across, a chill accompanied a girl's face popping in. Blank-faced, she eyed the next problem and murmured.
"Siwoo. This... substitution's wrong."
"Huh...? For real? Thanks, Garam."
"Yeah..."
At Seol Garam's sudden intrusion, Wien's brow furrowed.
"Hey, Seol Garam! I'm explaining."
"...I wanna teach Siwoo too. I'm... good at studying."
"...Nngh."
Their bickering dragged on. Starting light, it soured to proving superiority, faces souring.
Sandwiched, Choi Siwoo realized something was off.
"Won't work. Choi Siwoo!"
"...Siwoo."
"...Uh, yeah?"
Their gazes pinned him.
"Who ya picking? Choose!"
"...Me, obviously? Siwoo."
Cold sweat trickled down his spine. Major screw-up. Gulping dryly, he swallowed hard.