Knot (2)
Knot (2)
Fwooosh.
A breeze carrying the faint scent of spring brushed past.
As consciousness surfaced from the depths, familiar sounds grew steadily clearer.
-Peep!!
-Thank you.
I opened my eyes, letting the sounds settle in my ears.
The lethargy that had clung to me for so long was gone. The ability to restore the body through nothing more than deep sleep was genuinely a major advantage.
I climbed out of bed and stepped into the study.
Warm sunlight and a spring breeze trickled in through the wide-open window.
The short hand of the clock on the desk pointed to 1. Being able to wake at the desired hour without setting an alarm was similarly convenient.
I turned slightly and leaned my head out the window.
-Peep?
The little creature perched on Claire's head in the garden, decorating her hair with pure white petals, spotted me and blinked.
I quietly raised my index finger to my lips.
-Peep~!
Whether it understood me or not, it turned its attention back to Claire and resumed its work.
It would disappear into the tall bushes, pluck my petals that others coveted, and settle them onto Claire's head. The petals, arranged one by one, had formed something of a crown—clumsy, but passable.
Elegant golden hair that shimmered all the more brilliantly as it caught the light.
Watching her locks sway gently in the breeze, I wavered. Should I take in this natural scene as it was, or call her name and see her face?
It was a brief hesitation.
I chose neither and turned away.
The scales had tipped to one side, and with each new morning, I could feel that tilt growing steeper.
"Putting it off much longer will be difficult."
I had intended to endure until the Summer Festival, but now that possessive urges were stirring even toward Claire—not just Baek Ha-na—letting it fester seemed untenable.
'Still, there shouldn't be any disruption.'
Coincidentally, a variable had arisen, and I had summoned the Clock Tower's madwoman. I had originally planned to reveal Crystal's core after next year's "Rift Manipulation" incident, but since I'd already ignited her obsessive curiosity, I might as well make proper use of her.
Besides, she had drawn the attention of others with unsolicited mischief, so she needed to serve as a proper lightning rod.
-Peep!!
While I was catching up on outside news, with time still left before the Disciplinary Committee convened, the creature flew in with its head covered in petals, just as before.
-Bba-bba-bboo-bboo.
"......."
Whatever it had learned from Baek Ha-na, the creature sat at the kitchen table and held out a small piece of chocolate. It probably wanted me to unwrap it.
-Peep~
When I peeled off the wrapper and offered it back, it took the chocolate in its hands and began nibbling like a squirrel—crunch, crunch. Its eating habits seemed to resemble Baek Ha-na's more and more each day.
"Ah......."
When would I stop hearing that sound?
I turned my head to find Claire's startled face, her own head still decked with petals.
"Did I— was I too loud......?"
"No."
"Oh, ah, then, coffee...."
-Pwoong.
The little creature and I enjoyed the sight of Claire flustering about. Before long, a teacup with faint white steam rising from it was placed before me.
Savoring the familiar instant-coffee aroma and taste—nothing fancy—I quietly slipped my hand into my pocket. I knew that if I didn't, habit would have me reaching for her hand.
...Crunch, crunch.
...Crunch, crunch.
Since I didn't speak, Claire kept her silence as well.
For a while, the kitchen held only the sound of the little creature nibbling chocolate.
I checked the clock and rose from my seat. Claire fell in behind me naturally, and oddly, the little imp followed me to the front door as well.
"Dinner......?"
"Something not too heavy, please."
"Not too heavy...."
Still crowned with petals, she curled both hands gently and put on a resolute expression. She looked like an Awakened about to raid a rift.
I fastened the buttons of my jacket and directed a flow of mana toward the two of them.
-Peep?
"......?"
Stems sprouted from the petals resting on their heads, intertwining to form a frame.
I let my gaze linger on the two of them, now wearing passable flower crowns, then quietly turned away.
**
[ Main Building Basement ]
"You may enter this way."
"Thank, you...?"
Blinking at Kim Seong-won's strangely kind behavior, Baek Ha-na's group stepped into the Disciplinary Committee hearing room.
"Why's he being so nice?"
"...I don't know. And keep your mouth shut until we leave."
The four entered a space reminiscent of a courtroom and took seats marked with their names.
-The Disciplinary Committee members are now entering.
The voice of Academic Affairs Director Choi Min-sik echoed through the hearing room over the speakers.
Baek Ha-na's group and the other students who had arrived earlier and were already seated swallowed dryly.
The professors filed in one by one and took their seats. They filled the first floor, followed by Jaden and Lee Hyeok on the second. And finally, the third floor.
Baek Woo-jin, wearing a black jacket, settled into the first seat.
【Let us proceed.】
-We will now commence the Disciplinary Committee proceedings.
The bright lights dimmed, and a hologram materialized in the center. Soon, the footage of the re-created entities that Robert had reconstructed yesterday began to play.
-As you can see, the students brought before this committee have committed clear offenses supported by clear evidence. As such, we will move directly to the sentencing phase without separate questioning or arguments.
The hologram vanished, and the room brightened again.
【The judgment rendered here shall be absolute and irreversible. If anyone has something to say, speak now.】
Baek Woo-jin's voice settled with weight.
Baek Ha-na clenched her hands tightly on her lap, struggling to calm her pounding heart.
【It seems there is nothing. Then.......】
Baek Woo-jin called the students' names, then began reciting the rules they had violated and the punishments to be imposed.
For those who had actually taken the stage and manifested swords and magic, he ordered the return of their academy uniforms. For the remaining bystanders, he handed down near-expulsion demerits and a ban on leaving campus or staying out overnight during the semester—excluding vacations—until advancement to the second year.
【Maria, Idni.】
The two girls gripped each other's hands and swallowed.
【You too are guilty of standing by, and thus you shall receive the same demerits. However, as your lives are bound to the Temple of the God of Amusement, today's ruling shall be transferred to the temple, and all subsequent punishment shall be left to the temple's will.】
The color drained from the two girls' faces at terrifying speed.
【Na Ju-hee.】
The red-haired girl lifted her head.
There was no hope in her crimson eyes.
【Illegal sparring, manifestation of lethal magic, destruction of academy property. The return of the uniform you wear would be justified. However, as your actions were motivated by a desire to protect, having been deceived by Na Min-seo's lies, that shall be considered a mitigating circumstance. 59 demerit points, and a total ban on all off-campus outings and overnight stays—including vacations—until advancement to the second year. Additionally, your name shall be placed at the very bottom of this year's Grade Evaluation, regardless of your actual performance.】
Na Ju-hee's half-dead eyes flew wide open.
Considering that 60 demerit points meant expulsion, this was nothing to celebrate—but the fact that she had been given another chance was, to Na Ju-hee, no different from being granted her life back.
【Baek Ha-na.】
Baek Ha-na looked squarely up at Baek Woo-jin, who had at last called her name and was now looking her way.
【Na Min-seo's crimes have been proven. However, like Na Ju-hee, you did engage in a bout and committed acts of violence. Excluding demerit points, all other terms shall match Na Ju-hee's punishment.】
Bang—!!
The gavel struck the floor.
【Professors with objections, raise your hands.】
A moment of silence.
Not a single committee member raised a hand.
【With no objections from the other members, this Disciplinary Committee is now concluded.】
As Baek Woo-jin rose, Jaden and Lee Hyeok on the second floor followed suit. The remaining professors also filed out of the hearing room behind him.
-Today's judgment will be issued in an official document and delivered to you and your guardians tomorrow. You are free to leave.
The firmly shut doors opened.
No one could easily rise from their seat.
Baek Ha-na, too, sat blankly at the news that her off-campus outings and overnight stays had been banned.
**
In front of the elevator.
After sending the other professors up first, I called out to the one who remained at my side.
"Jaden."
"Yes, Professor."
I spoke to the young man, whose politeness bordered on excessive.
"Bring your master to the old alchemy workshop building tomorrow evening."
"......Yes!!"
He nodded, eyes gleaming with an almost unsettling intensity.
"I have other business. You go on up first."
"Yes. I shall see you tomorrow."
Even though I hadn't specified an exact time, he failed to notice that detail and vanished from my sight aboard the elevator.
Alone now, I concealed myself and retraced my steps.
I passed through the door I'd come from and headed a little farther down.
Through the wide-open door, I could see the students, each lost in thought. I approached Baek Ha-na, who wore a rather ridiculous expression, as if half-dazed.
Standing quietly behind her, I gently placed my hand on her forehead as she tilted her head back.
"......?"
The girl's unfocused eyes widened.
Then, carefully, I smoothed her hair. I swept aside her disheveled bangs and meticulously tidied the tangled strands.
Slowly, savoring that soft texture.
"Ha-na?"
"......What?"
"Your face is red."
"...It's just hot."
She put on an act, keeping her expression blank and composed, but she couldn't control the warmth slowly blooming across both cheeks.
The desire gradually being satisfied.
I pulled my stroking hand away with some effort and stepped back.
"Ah......."
She let out a short sound and turned her head. Her gaze was fixed precisely on me.
I shouldn't be visible.
Yet as I retreated little by little, her blue eyes tracked me in kind.
"Shall we go?"
"Huh? Oh, uh-huh...."
At Nam Seo-hee's question, Baek Ha-na nodded.
Soon, Baek Ha-na and the three she'd been with left together.
As if they'd been waiting, the other students rose from their seats one by one, and before long, I was the only one left here.
The lights that had brightly illuminated the space went out, and darkness settled in.
I stepped forward as much as I had retreated, and grimaced.
"...This is severe."
My body allowed me to leave only after I had erased every trace of Baek Ha-na.