School Uniform
School Uniform
A month had passed since Baek Ha-na took the entrance exam.
The result was a foregone conclusion: she passed.
As a transformation-type with an extraordinary mana reserve, I'd pulled some strings to keep her evaluated performance in the average range.
Even so, she'd displayed monstrous stamina and superb reflexes. In the ensuing mock combat, she cleanly dispatched monsters from stage one all the way to the final stage five, earning top marks from every proctor.
'With Claire as her teacher, that much was inevitable.'
And the student herself possessed exceptional talent and ability. The result spoke for itself.
Ultimately, Baek Ha-na's exam concluded without incident.
If anything stood out, it was Nam Seo-hee's behavior.
Nam Seo-hee.
Her personality and background shifted with every cycle of the game.
One constant remained: no matter what backstory she wore, once enrolled at the academy, she invariably showed a friendly disposition toward Baek Ha-na.
Nam Seo-hee was the kind of character who would sacrifice herself to help Baek Ha-na if they ever crossed paths.
That was why I'd allowed her into the house.
And sure enough, Baek Ha-na and Nam Seo-hee had become friends.
'...Friends.'
I withdrew the mana I'd imbued into the notebook.
On the day of the exam, I'd accepted the label. But afterward, Baek Ha-na—
Knock-knock. Tap-tap~
A playful knock landed on the study door. I closed the notebook.
The door eased open a crack and a tuft of snow-white hair peeked through, followed by Baek Ha-na's face poking in.
"Woo-jin~ how much longer do I haaave to wait~?"
"...You're being rude."
"Heehee."
Whatever had her so pleased.
She shuffled into the study, grinning from ear to ear.
Then she spun in a full circle in front of me and asked,
"So? Does it suit me?"
Her waist-length hair was neatly tied back, and she wore a turtleneck the same pure white as her locks, paired with black skinny jeans that traced the lines of her thighs and calves.
To finish it off, a white coat similar in design to the one I wore was draped over her shoulders. She gave me a confident smile and puffed out her chest.
"The pants look a little too tight."
"...That's not what I meant."
Her confidence deflated and her lips jutted out in a pout at my response.
I rose from my seat.
"It suits you well."
"...And?"
"It's pretty."
"Mm~ pass."
Only then did her grin return and she quickly latched onto my arm.
Pass what, exactly?
Well, I wasn't lying. Still, seeing her preen made me want to pinch her cheek for no reason.
"Let's go."
"We'd still have to wait even if we got there earlier..."
"Yes, you already said that. I know, so let's just go already~"
"...."
She pulled me out of the study.
Once she'd dragged me all the way to the front door, she took my coat from the hanger, stood on tiptoe, and draped it over my shoulders.
She was going to this much trouble because today was the day we were getting her academy uniform fitted.
I'd already signed off on the necessary paperwork and told her to go with Nam Seo-hee, but she'd insisted Nam Seo-hee was busy and demanded I come along.
If Maria and Idni had been around, things would've been simpler.
Unfortunately, clergy wore vestments issued by their respective temples rather than the academy uniform, so I had no pretext to call on them this time.
"Alright. Let's go, Woo-jin."
"...."
For a second, I considered thumping her on the crown of her head, but the sight of her laughing so innocently made something in my chest itch.
Ultimately, I was at her mercy all the way to our destination.
**
The academy uniform was no mere dress code marker.
Given the nature of the curriculum, frequent practical training meant the uniform doubled as protective gear for the students' safety.
Because it was responsible for student safety, it carried that weight. And because it was so critical, the fitting took place on academy grounds.
You'd think an academy the size of a small town would consist entirely of research facilities and dormitories, but in reality, half the space was devoted to amenities for students who couldn't leave without special permission outside holidays and weekends.
On top of that, there was Smiths' Row, the Alchemy Workshop, and the like.
Facilities for non-combat-track students were also well-established.
"That's the last of the snacks for today."
"Aww..."
Since we had time before the appointment, Baek Ha-na had dragged me around the academy grounds and proudly polished off more than ten different snacks along the way.
"It's almost time. Let's head in."
"...Wouldn't chocolate Ha-na be okay?"
"No."
"Tch."
She clicked her tongue, chewing on her coffee straw.
She'd been so innocent as a child. How had she turned into such a sly little thing?
-Jingle~
A tailor shop with a distinctly modern flair.
"Whoa... it's huge."
As Baek Ha-na observed, the place was quite spacious.
The shop was open to any student or professor beyond just uniform needs, so it had to store the materials needed to craft any garment at a moment's notice—hence the sheer size.
"Welcome."
"...Hello."
A woman with a monocle over her left eye emerged from inside. Baek Ha-na promptly straightened her expression and gave a slight bow.
The woman flashed a brief smile at Baek Ha-na, then looked up at me.
"By policy, gentlemen are not permitted here. However, during uniform fittings we close the shop to other patrons, so I'll allow it under the guardian's credentials. Please be mindful from next time onward, Professor."
Since Baek Ha-na was still a minor, I remained her legal guardian. Because I'd filed the request, the woman before me had checked the form and knew I was a professor here.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Oh my..."
The unnamed woman's eyes went round and her mouth fell open.
"...You have a wonderful voice."
"I hear that often."
Claire and the two kids who hung around Baek Ha-na said it whenever they got the chance.
And, objectively speaking, my voice was genuinely pleasant.
"Don't mind me. Focus on your work."
"...Oh. I'm sorry."
She drew a small card from her pocket and held it out to me.
"My name is Becky."
"...."
For the record, the tailor for men was in the building directly across the street.
I accepted the card from the woman who introduced herself as Becky, thinking I might pass it to Baek Ha-na later.
"You're Miss Baek Ha-na, correct? We'll take your measurements first. Please follow me."
"...Yes."
Becky headed inside, and Baek Ha-na followed.
Left alone, I slowly took in the shop.
'Mars leather, firebird feathers, yeti sinew...'
Rare materials that would normally require auctions or special commissions were stacked around as if they were nothing.
Quite a few of them were notoriously difficult to work with, which gave me a decent read on the skill of the woman who'd just taken Baek Ha-na back.
At the same time, it was proof of how heavily the academy was investing in this place.
After scanning everything accessible, I settled into a sofa and waited for Baek Ha-na to emerge.
'She's already twenty.'
I could still vividly picture her face buried in a bowl of cereal.
Back then, I'd felt a little lost at the prospect of teaching her from scratch.
And now that same kid had made friends, undergone awakening, and was entering the academy.
The speed of time was hitting me anew.
'...Though the fact that she still clings to me is a problem.'
Her body, her heart, even her thinking had all grown tremendously—except for one thing.
Only three months shy of adulthood, the girl forgot her age entirely and still leaned on me like a child.
Until now, she'd only done it at home, so I'd let it slide. But after watching her unapologetically cling and hang off me on the way here today, it was starting to look like she needed a firm reminder.
"Professor."
Becky reappeared from the back and gestured for me.
I followed without asking why.
At the center of a circular room containing a large mirror and an array of tools stood Baek Ha-na.
She wore a black uniform with white trim, closer to a suit than a school outfit.
"...Well?"
She did a full spin for me, just as she had at home.
The skirt was a bit short for combat, but black stockings covered a short underlayer beneath, so no bare skin showed.
The problem was, even though nothing was exposed, the effect proved more distracting than if it had been.
Instead of answering her question, I turned to Becky beside her.
"You're aware she's a transformation-type awakened, I assume."
"Of course."
"Add room for her tail at the back..."
I glanced at Baek Ha-na's fidgeting white hands.
"Professor?"
"I'll be in touch separately later."
A combined birthday and enrollment gift for next year would work nicely.
"I'll wait outside. Come out when the alterations are done."
I returned to the sofa.
Exactly thirty minutes later, Baek Ha-na emerged with Becky.
She was no longer in the clothes she'd arrived in. She now wore the uniform.
She held a thick paper shopping bag, which presumably contained her original outfit.
"Finished?"
"Could you give her a final once-over, Professor?"
Becky nudged Baek Ha-na toward me with a wink.
I shifted my gaze from Becky to Baek Ha-na standing in front of me.
She stole a glance at my expression, then—
Perk—
Beast ears covered in white fur perked atop her head.
Next, she turned slightly.
Sway, sway.
A fluffy tail waved shyly, as if greeting me.
Just then, Becky stepped forward, lifted the hem of Baek Ha-na's vest, and pointed to where the tail emerged from the skirt.
"You don't have to worry about exposed skin. I tailored it so the overlapping section parts open in response to Miss Ha-na's mana."
"...Understood."
Becky smiled and stepped back.
I spoke to the girl peering up at me.
"It suits you well."
"...What about the ears and tail?"
Maybe because she'd just revealed something she'd never shown before, she was watching my reaction more carefully than necessary.
"...They're cute."
"......!!"
Her watchful eyes flew wide open.
A soft smile crept across her face and she latched onto me.
"It's not weird?"
"...It's not weird."
"Really? Really cute? Does it suit me?"
What on earth was this about?
Instead of just linking arms, she hugged me straight on, giggling and fluttering her pointed ears.
And on top of that, the woman called Becky was watching us with a strangely unpleasant smile.
Thwack—!!
"Eek!!"
My fist landed on Baek Ha-na's crown. She clutched her head and took a step back.
"...Haa. Let's go."
"Yes. I'll be looking forward to hearing from you, Professor."
I turned, leaving behind Becky's polite bow.
Baek Ha-na, who had pulled back, immediately sidled up beside me and, undeterred as ever, locked her arm through mine.
Sliiide.
"...Baek Ha-na."
"What~"
Her tail coiled around my left thigh.
Oblivious to how much that gesture set me on edge, she rubbed her cheek against my arm.
I was about to scold her when I sensed Ha-na's mana approaching the tailor shop and stopped by the door.
"Baek Ha-na."
"Huh? What~?"
The owner of the mana bearing down on us from up ahead.
"I'm fairly sure I told you not to lie."
"...Huh?"
The tail wrapped around my thigh sheepishly slipped away.
And then.
-Jingle~
The door opened and in walked Nam Seo-hee, her deep black hair trailing well below her shoulders.
"Wha...?"
"Oh..."
Nam Seo-hee's eyes went wide when she spotted us, while Baek Ha-na, still clinging to my arm, let out a flustered sound.
"Baek Ha-na."
"Y-yeah..."
The hand that had been locked around my arm fell away.
"Write a reflection and bring it to me before you go to sleep tonight."
"...Yes, sir..."
Her ears and tail drooped heavily.