A Sudden Incident
A Sudden Incident
"That's all for today."
The moment Kang Han-na made her announcement, the students still standing on the sparring arena crumpled to the floor, letting out weary sighs.
Looking down at the students, drenched in sweat and gasping for air, Kang Han-na chuckled as if amused and added,
"I hear the observers this time were handpicked by Professor Baek Woo-jin himself, so give it everything you've got."
"......!!"
The dead-eyed students who had been hoping she'd disappear soon suddenly sprang to life.
It was the reaction she'd expected. With a wave of her hand as if she'd said all she needed to, Kang Han-na turned to leave.
"Oh, and the artificial rift raid will be conducted in the same format as last year, so keep that in mind. If you've got someone you want to team up with, be sure to coordinate early."
Having finally finished, Kang Han-na shot the students a wink and swiftly departed the sparring arena.
At the same time, every gaze in the room turned toward Baek Ha-na, who was resting on a bench.
The strongest student in the academy among all upperclassmen.
The strongest rookie in the world.
Overwhelmingly first place in the academy's self-run popularity poll, female students category.
Everyone knew that if they could team up with Baek Ha-na, also known as the Ice Queen or the Wolf Queen, the artificial rift raid would be as good as guaranteed. Yet no one dared to approach her.
Part of the reason was that Nam Seo-hee, ranked second in the academy, was right by her side. But more importantly, they had learned during their freshman year that the raid wasn't just about the result—it evaluated each individual's judgment and skill in overcoming the given situation.
A team with Baek Ha-na would clear the raid easily, but it would also rob them of the chance to showcase their own abilities. At worst, they might not even get to swing their sword once.
'Yeah, I'd better team up with that guy I sync well with.'
'Still, I did do it once last year, so I've got that over the others....'
'Hey, wait, that bastard Im Kyung-soo... don't tell me he's getting on the queen's team again.'
Who had said that?
The students' eyes all turned toward Im Kyung-soo, who was polishing his shield.
"W-what?"
Im Kyung-soo, who'd been rubbing his shield with an oiled, fine cloth, flinched and jumped to his feet at the sudden attention.
It was the result of his danger detection ability improving dramatically after enduring so much torment.
The problem was that, unlike his sharp detection, his mobility as a tanker was far from outstanding.
"Im Kyung-soo!! I challenge you to a duel!!"
"I'm next!!"
"...This time I'll smash that bastard's shield for good."
The male students rose to their feet, wide-eyed, and slowly encircled Im Kyung-soo.
"Huh? W-what?! I didn't do anything this time!"
"Get him!!"
"A tanker showing his back? Have you no shame?!"
"You bastards ganging up on me twenty to one, and you're the ones talking?!"
Crash──!!
Im Kyung-soo barely managed to smash through the sparring arena's glass window and escape, the male students dashing out right on his heels.
Nam Seo-hee, who had been watching the stampede, turned to Baek Ha-na and asked,
"Are you teaming up like last year?"
"Wouldn't that be easiest?"
It was true. Na Ju-hee and Im Kyung-soo had joined randomly last time, but during the academy festival Na Ju-hee had become quite close, and since Im Kyung-soo was also taking the rift studies lecture, he was one of the few male students whose face and name Baek Ha-na actually remembered. That made it less awkward.
"Are you uncomfortable, Seo-hee?"
"No. If you're happy, Ha-na, I'm happy."
"Ugh...! I-I was sweaty today, though...."
"That's exactly why I like it."
"......?"
Baek Ha-na was embarrassed by Nam Seo-hee hugging her tightly from behind and waddling with her toward the changing room, but it wasn't the first time, so she just blushed slightly and let herself be guided inside.
"Lunch at the cafeteria?"
"Ah, I'll skip lunch today."
"......?"
Nam Seo-hee, who had been wiping away sweat with a towel, turned to look at Baek Ha-na.
"I was told to stop by the mansion during lunch."
"Ah, I see."
It was a little disappointing not to eat together, but since it wasn't the Student Council summoning her, the tension drained from Nam Seo-hee's face.
"Then I'll see you at the next lecture."
"Okay. I'll let the others know."
"Thanks."
Baek Ha-na gathered her things and left the training room.
Hmm~ hmm~♪
She didn't know why, but simply the fact that she'd get to see Baek Woo-jin's face made her happy. With a light step, she avoided prying eyes and headed for the mansion.
"I'm back."
The moment she opened the front door, a savory aroma drifted out, and the corners of Baek Ha-na's lips curled up.
-Ha-na!!
"Ppiyaki~"
After changing into slippers and walking down the hall, Baek Ha-na stretched out her palm toward the Fairy, who was flying over wearing a cute dress she'd never seen before.
-Ppiyaaang~
"So cute..."
The light, flowing dress in a perfect blend of white and sky blue, combined with her mysterious wings and pale green hair, made her look just like a fairy from a storybook.
"...Ah, welcome back."
"Claire?"
Baek Ha-na blinked at the sight of Claire sticking just her head out of the kitchen.
"What's wrong?"
"Uh, um..."
Claire's lips moved hesitantly before she carefully stepped into view.
"You're wearing the same dress as Ppiyaki?"
Though in Claire's case, the dress emphasized curves and contours rather than cuteness, giving her a far more alluring air.
"Baek Ha-na."
Just as she was about to tease her sister figure over her unfamiliar shyness, a smooth voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Go to your room, change, and come out to the garden."
"Huh? Ah, okay."
Baek Ha-na nodded and hurried to her room.
"Wow..."
Her eyes sparkled when she saw the exact same dress the cute Fairy and Claire had been wearing, now laid out on the bed.
"...But I was sweaty."
After hesitating for just a moment, Baek Ha-na quickly stripped off her uniform and outer clothes and changed into the dress.
"It fits perfectly."
Without a hint of discomfort, Baek Ha-na twirled once in front of the mirror.
'...But how could it fit this perfectly?'
Her cheeks flushed slightly as she looked at her reflection. Was this what it felt like when a secret you wanted to hide was discovered?
"I-I'd better hurry out."
Shaking her head to clear away stray thoughts, Baek Ha-na left the room and headed toward the garden in front of the study.
"I-I'm here."
Arriving at the garden, she approached Baek Woo-jin and Claire, who were standing against a backdrop of fresh green shrubs and pure white flowers.
"It suits you very well."
"N-no, you look prettier, Claire."
"In my eyes, Miss Ha-na is prettier and cuter."
"S-Stop..."
Flustered by Claire's sudden compliment, Baek Ha-na shook her head and quickly moved to stand beside them. Then, spotting the camera set up in front of the wide-open study window, she asked Baek Woo-jin,
"We're taking a photo?"
"Yes."
"Huh?"
In an instant, a large, warm hand guided Baek Ha-na to stand right between the two of them.
It was the same composition as when they'd painted the picture before.
But there was one difference.
"Miss Ha-na."
"Ah, okay."
Baek Ha-na held her hands out neatly in front of her chest, and the little Fairy in the flowing dress descended to land on them.
"You must stay still until I say it's done."
-Okay!! I'll stay reaaaally still!!
With a soft smile, Claire gently placed her hand on Baek Ha-na's shoulder.
Swoosh.
And a large hand came to rest on her other shoulder.
The situation was completely unexpected, but the warmth flowing from both of them made Baek Ha-na smile brightly before she knew it.
Click─!!
Along with the sound of the shutter, Baek Woo-jin's voice came from beside her.
"I'll take two more, so stay just like that."
Baek Ha-na nodded. Then, his shadow moved.
Click─!!
The shutter sounded again.
Swoosh.
"Huh...?"
Baek Ha-na flinched slightly when something white suddenly covered her vision.
Click─!!
With the final click, whatever had blocked her sight fell away. Baek Ha-na quickly turned her head.
"Ah..."
She realized that what had covered her eyes was the large pair of glasses Baek Woo-jin always wore.
"Go inside and have lunch."
-Lunch!!
Before Baek Ha-na could say anything, the Fairy fluttered her wings and flew through the study window into the mansion.
"Miss Ha-na?"
"Ah, yes..."
Those glasses that completely blocked her vision.
Still a little shaken, Baek Ha-na watched Baek Woo-jin's back as he checked the camera, then she followed Claire back inside.
·
·
·
"Thank you for the meal."
Her stomach full from a cream stew packed with meat, Baek Ha-na rinsed her mouth with cool sparkling water and stole a glance at Baek Woo-jin, who was sipping coffee.
"Um─"
"Your next lecture should be starting soon."
"......Huh?!"
Baek Ha-na shot to her feet after checking the clock.
"S-See you later!!"
"Baek Ha-na."
"Yes?!"
Halfway into the kitchen and halfway into the hallway, Baek Ha-na swung her head back around.
"For this Grade Evaluation, you don't need to form a team."
"...I'm doing it alone?"
After taking a sip of coffee, Baek Woo-jin spoke.
"You are on a team with the professors."