The Suspension is Lifted
"President, there are matters I’d like to discuss regarding the storage and use of the evidence. Would you spare me a moment of your time?"
When Nam Jinseok spoke, Choi Yi-seul, president of Broad Academy, gave a small nod.
He then turned to the others nearby.
"Those of you directly involved in the case should join us. You’ll need a general understanding of how things will proceed from here, won’t you?"
Nam Jinseok looked to the president as though seeking permission. She nodded silently.
Yoo Heeyeon, Seong Hyunwook, Jeong Eunseo, and Lee Hyunseung—the ones directly tied to the incident—followed them into the president’s office.
"Please, everyone sit."
With a casual flick of her wrist, Choi Yi-seul summoned rows of chairs that materialized instantly.
Only after everyone had taken their seats did Nam Jinseok begin.
"As you’re already aware, President, my brief observation tells me opinions on this stalking case are sharply divided. The only way to settle this is to identify the owners of those two unknown Mana Traces. They are almost certainly the ones who orchestrated the crime."
Choi Yi-seul answered calmly.
"I agree. However, even for the Magic Tower, requesting access to the Mana Database is no simple matter, is it?"
Nam Jinseok nodded.
"Most ordinary people don’t realize it, but the Mana Database holds an enormous amount of classified information. That’s why it’s treated with the highest level of secrecy. Access is normally granted only during major terrorist incidents or equivalent national emergencies, and only to identify perpetrators. However—"
He stressed the next words with deliberate weight.
"—the Magic Tower is an exception. We have consistently supported every national project and personnel request without fail. Our relationship is exceptionally close. The Artemis Guild likely enjoys a similar standing. In any case, what I’m saying is that the government will probably accommodate our request. Of course, using that favor on a matter like this could be seen as excessive… but if I ask, the Tower Master will make the petition on our behalf."
Choi Yi-seul listened carefully before replying.
"…If it’s possible, that would be the best course. The truth would finally be revealed without question."
"Exactly. With that in mind, could you entrust the evidence—the cellphone—to the Magic Tower?"
BANG!
Yoo Heeyeon slammed her palm on the desk.
"What exactly are you suggesting? You want to take the evidence with you? This incident took place inside our academy. Management of it should remain here. Exporting it to an external organization is completely out of the question."
Nam Jinseok explained patiently.
"This is purely a protective measure. Once we request access to the Mana Database and complete all the required procedures, it will still take a month or two before we can actually use it. If the evidence were to vanish during that period, it would create problems for everyone involved, wouldn’t it?"
Yoo Heeyeon whirled toward Choi Yi-seul, her voice dripping with menace.
"President, I’ve endured everything up to this point. But you cannot seriously be considering such a ridiculous demand. This is an internal academy affair. The evidence should remain in your custody. It must be stored within the academy walls."
If the evidence left for the Magic Tower, she would lose any chance to tamper with it or create variables. Inside the academy, however, she could adapt flexibly if complications arose. That was why she fought so viciously against its removal.
Lee Hyunseung thought coldly to himself.
Yoo Heeyeon, you stupid bitch. What do you think you can possibly do with the evidence? It’s not going to happen. I’ll block you no matter what it takes.
Choi Yi-seul wore a troubled expression as she answered Nam Jinseok.
"Unfortunately, regulations dictate that evidence from an incident occurring inside the academy must remain on academy grounds. Still, I give you my word. We will safeguard it meticulously to prevent any loss or theft."
"Hmm… If that is your position, then I suppose there’s no helping it. In that case, there will be no issues with utilizing the evidence later?"
"Correct. You may examine it in front of all of us. Since revealing the truth of the case leaves us no other option, this is unavoidable."
The president suddenly seemed to remember something.
"Ah, and this should go without saying, but while Lee Hyunseung’s innocence hasn’t been proven beyond all doubt, it has been substantially established. I will therefore arrange for his immediate return to the academy. You may resume attendance starting tomorrow. As for the suspension… I am truly sorry."
Lee Hyunseung met Choi Yi-seul’s gaze and gave a slight nod. Yoo Heeyeon was still ranting beside him, but the fact that his suspension had been lifted did not change.
Nam Jinseok waited until the discussion seemed to reach a natural conclusion, then spoke.
"We will contact you again from the Magic Tower shortly."
He rose from his seat. Jeong Eunseo and Lee Hyunseung followed him out.
The sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor.
From behind Nam Jinseok, Jeong Eunseo spoke.
"Thank you. Honestly, I never expected you to help this much… We ended up asking far more of you than originally agreed, so I’ll make sure the additional payment is more than generous."
Nam Jinseok gave a faint smile.
"There’s no need for additional payment."
"But…"
"Miss, I believe there’s a misunderstanding. I didn’t come here today for money."
"What do you mean?"
"Well… it concerns your grandfather. The founding guild master of the Teore Guild, the great mage Jeong Yeong-sik. He helped me tremendously when I was young."
His voice grew distant, as though lost in old memories.
"He taught a talentless street kid like me. He showed me how to survive on the streets, how to trust others—everything. Without him, I would never have entered the Magic Tower. I’d probably still be a homeless wretch."
"My grandfather taught you?"
"Haha, that’s right. I wasn’t always this skilled. In any case, I came today because you are his granddaughter. After he disappeared, I never found a way to repay his kindness. When I received a request for help from his granddaughter, I came at once. To be completely honest, the appraisers in our tower—including myself—have schedules packed with critical matters that cannot be postponed. Money alone doesn’t open those doors, and the amount you paid doesn’t even cover the penalty fees for the appointments I canceled."
Jeong Eunseo fell silent.
She had handed over nearly all the funds she could access. To learn that it didn’t even cover the penalties left her visibly stunned.
"I didn’t say this to burden you, so please don’t look so troubled. I simply wanted you to know that I received great help from Mage Jeong Yeong-sik and came to repay that debt. My suggestion regarding Mana Database access rights is part of that repayment. I received the favor first; now it’s my turn to return it. One question, though—is the mage doing well? No matter how hard I searched, I could find no trace of him."
Jeong Eunseo lowered her head.
"I don’t know either… After he went into hiding, he only left instructions about the location of his legacy before vanishing completely. By now… I fear he may have already passed away…"
Nam Jinseok pulled his fedora lower, composing himself.
"I see… I understand."
"Thank you again for helping us."
"There’s no need for thanks. I will do everything in my power to assist with this matter. Now, I’ll take my leave so the two of you can speak freely."
With those final words, Nam Jinseok departed. His back looked strangely lonely.
Once they were alone, Jeong Eunseo turned to me.
"What do you plan to do now?"
"I’m returning to the academy. And I intend to repay everything I suffered."
"Returning to the academy—does that mean you’ll be rejoining A-class?"
"No. Of course not. When I return, I’ll be transferring into F-class."
"F-class? Why would you deliberately go to a lower class?"
"Because I have my reasons."
I thought to myself.
The lower the class, the more humiliating it will be for those bastards when I crush them.
Just wait. F-class. The most worthless occupation they scorn—a gunner. I would make every last person in A-class taste utter, crushing humiliation.
Now it was their turn to pay the price.
I would make them feel it. Every single piece of trash who had watched me being treated like a criminal and laughed—I would let them taste absolute despair. And Yoo Heeyeon.
Yoo Heeyeon, from now on—in academics, in practicals, in every single field—
you will be mercilessly trampled beneath my feet.