Why Do You Have That?
Why Do You Have That?
"Hyaaam~"
Ellen yawned widely as she entered Minerva Academy.
As always, the crowd that worships the Clements family swarmed around her.
"Ellen, is that a new outfit?"
"It doesn't have a brand. Did you make it yourself? The material looks unique at a glance!"
"Senior! Did you have a good weekend?"
Leading the naturally formed crowd, Ellen headed toward the classroom.
Everyone had enough sense not to follow her all the way into the classroom unless they were in the same class. Even if they did follow, they wouldn't bother her.
"..."
Ellen tossed her bag onto the desk, shoved her hands into her pockets, and rolled her eyes.
Flora Crimsonhowl wasn't in the classroom.
'That bitch. Still not here? Why's she so slow?'
From the moment Ellen arrived at school first, she already felt like she'd won.
Thanks to the job clearing her head, her condition was at its peak.
'I won't let it go like last time today.'
She'd bring the win rate back to fifty-fifty, and then take the upper hand.
She was confident she could handle even unorthodox patterns.
"Heheheung~"
Seated, Ellen hummed and put on the wireless headphones hanging around her neck.
She tapped her toes to the beat.
'It's been a while since the gacha odds looked this good. Maybe I'll go before work.'
She'd told Max not to include the job in her part-time pay, but he'd not only covered her taxi fare but also given her a decent amount of cash, saying she'd worked hard.
'Our oppa's got some sense~'
She'd been planning to hold out until payday, but with this bonus, there was no reason not to go. Time to recharge on dopamine.
Gacha was the whole reason Ellen had started this part-time job.
'The Rhythm Busters collaboration started this week. I'm pulling until I get it.'
Filling her consciousness with such happy plans, she raised her tension.
When about five songs had blasted through her headphones, someone tapped her shoulder.
"Huh?"
Ellen lowered her headphones to her neck and turned around.
Flora Crimsonhowl stood there with a bewildered expression. As always, her face was nearly expressionless, but for some reason her emotions were clearly readable.
"What is it?"
Of course, Ellen was bewildered too.
Flora coming to find her seat first—that had never happened in the three years they'd been rivals.
"You... that..."
"That?"
"..."
Flora mentioned 'that' and then chewed her lip.
She looked very confused. So much so that one of her ears, usually perked up, was folded down.
"If you called me, just say it. What are you trying to say?"
Ellen was frustrated too. How many things did she even have on her? Between the badges and keychains on her bag, by Ellen's standards, there were dozens of valuables.
It was hard to understand unless she specified what she meant.
But from Flora's perspective, it wasn't easy either.
'That smell... it's definitely coming from those clothes, isn't it?'
The smell she'd caught in the office—was it really from Ellen Clements? Was there a connection between the Clements and the Steigers?
Where? How? Why?
And first of all, was this even something she should touch? What if she'd accidentally sniffed out a hidden relationship? Should she ask her mother first?
Flora's mind was as tangled as the ornaments Ellen had attached to her bag.
""...""
The gazes of the two cadets known as the strongest in Minerva Academy's history clashed.
The other cadets in the classroom held their breath. Some even slowly backed away, worried a fight might break out.
A silence where one second felt like a year.
What broke this silence was a cadet who opened the front door and entered.
"Announcement from the Instructor-nim! First period today is sparring! Everyone come early and warm up!"
The atmosphere was forcibly disrupted.
Ellen stood up from her seat and snarled.
"If you have nothing to say, get out of the way."
"..."
Flora watched Ellen as she brushed past her.
The scents of Max and Ellen mixed together, deepening Flora's confusion.
··
··
It was common for the order of classes to change at Minerva Academy.
The academy had ties with Hayes corporations, VIP visits that forced instructors to move, sudden weather changes—a variety of factors made scheduling volatile.
And so, first period.
Hwoooong—!!!
A storm of flames raged through the arena.
Electricity snarled violently through the flames surrounding the opponent in a dome shape, then raised its output to push back the fire.
Ellen frowned.
Flora's magic was strange. It wasn't as unorthodox as last time's match, nor as textbook as usual.
It was a bland attack, as if her mind was shaken.
"Wow, what's with this fucking cowardice! Is magic a joke to you?!"
Ellen's shout was followed by a bolt of lightning.
—Kurrrung! Multiple lightning strikes rained down on the spot where Flora stood.
"..."
Flora blocked the lightning with a Shield, a glint of force in her eyes.
Her magical circuits flared, raising the output of the flames.
"Aha! Your eyes are scary! Finally feel like fighting?!"
Ellen curled her lips. She raised her own output too.
Electricity spread in all directions.
The golden lines rooted in her black horns glowed faintly.
Both Flora and Ellen knew.
This was just a match.
When cadets who wielded magic sparred, the rule was that the one to take a step back from their spot lost.
So, sense and strategy to exploit gaps in the opponent's perception were most important. Magic focused on destructive power had no real need to be used.
Both of them were clearly aware that the magic they were preparing now was excessive.
"Stop! That's enough! Match over!"
Sensing the ominous flow of magical power, the Instructor-nim hastily sent a stop signal.
If it were the usual Flora, she would have accepted the Instructor-nim's words and immediately ceased her magic, but today was different.
She was so engrossed in the match that she couldn't hear the outside world.
Flora completed her magic formation.
A wolf made of flames appeared and spread heat with a howl.
— Awoooo!!!
[Lupa]
Flora Crimsonhowl's unique magic, created after she first reached the 5th Rank.
"Bite it."
The wolf that received the order pushed off the air and dashed forward.
It closed the distance to Ellen at tremendous speed. The intent to crush her with power was clearly conveyed.
"You bitch! I'll make you cry like a fucking moron!"
Ellen also completed her magic formation to counter Flora.
Magical power and electricity gathered between her horns, symbols of the dragonkin, forming a round mass.
[Noeryongok]
Likewise, Ellen Clements' unique magic, created upon reaching the 5th Rank.
It fired high-output electric current in a straight line.
Its destructive power was the highest among the magic Ellen could use.
— Kaaak!
At the very moment the flame wolf lunged with its maw open.
Ellen fired the electric current, aiming at Flora.
At the time Max was pondering his lunch menu, Yoo Wi-kang came to the office.
Even though the payment was settled, he wondered why he'd come—apparently, he wanted to express his gratitude.
He even brought an envelope with cash as a gift.
"Client-nim. You look better than before."
"Haha... At first I had all sorts of thoughts, but after watching the footage again, now I only think I did the right thing. I slept soundly for the first time in a while."
"Is work alright? It must have caused you trouble because of the incident."
"No problem. I worked all weekend at Herb Tower, so today is my day off."
Despite receiving news about his wife, the fact that he didn't leave Herb Tower and stayed at his post apparently left a good impression on the company.
More than anything, it was an attitude that prioritized corporate interests.
It was the ideal image of an employee that companies based in Hayes pursued.
"Thanks to you, Mercenary-nim, I even got a vacation. Though I have no intention of holding a funeral for my wife."
"I'm glad. Please take care of your mind and rest comfortably."
Yoo Wi-kang nodded and slurped his coffee.
"I also received a call from Eco Scrap, a subcontractor for Nimbus Express, apologizing for their poor employee management."
"Oh-ho, an apology instead of a denial... That's unexpected."
Yoo Wi-kang's position must have made it easy for him to tighten the screws on subcontractors and break their joints.
"The case was concluded as a 3rd-rank mercenary's power breaking through the hotel's reinforced glass and falling."
"That's a desirable picture."
The very situation of a 3rd-rank mercenary, not even a civilian, falling and dying straight down was absurd, but covering up incidents was common.
Interest died down just as quickly, so even if you searched today, there would be no updated news on the case.
As Max was exchanging after-stories with Yoo Wi-kang, Yoo Wi-kang checked a message and then packed his bag.
Seeing him prepare to leave, Max also stood up from his seat.
"Unfortunately, I made a drink appointment with a friend for the first time in years, so I have to go now. I feel like a kid, excited about day drinking for the first time in ages."
"Haha! How enviable."
"If you ever need to use Nimbus Express, feel free to contact me anytime."
"Thank you. I wish you a happy future, Client-nim."
Likewise, he didn't say he'd be waiting for a new job.
Since it wasn't exactly common for a office worker to visit a mercenary office. Generally speaking.
"Have a good time."
And so, Max sent off Yoo Wi-kang, who had found his freedom and happiness.
Then, in the quieted office, he peacefully contemplated lunch.
Unaware of what was happening at the academy.