The Approaching Class Annihilation Match
Han Seonggil's bold and blunt way of speaking left Yoo Heeyeon momentarily flustered. It wasn't that she hadn't known what kind of person he was. After all, there had been that time before when she'd tried to buy him off with money, and he'd flat-out refused.
"So you're Han Seonggil. I've heard you possess quite impressive combat ability in B-Class. There are many people within the academy who follow my lead. You should join my side as well. It's not difficult. Just handle the occasional tasks I assign you and take my side if any problems arise. In return, I'll give you a massive amount of money."
"Hah, so you're that famous daughter of the Artemis Guild leader. I'm not the kind of person who moves for money. You've misjudged me."
Even back then, Han Seonggil had answered in his usual stubborn way, but Yoo Heeyeon had simply let it slide. The reason was that the issues with Lee Hyunseung had kept erupting one after another, pushing this matter down her list of priorities. Besides, his words hadn't been all that rude.
In other words, she had a rough grasp of his personality, but she hadn't expected this level of reaction. Challenging her to a direct fight? Was that even a sane thing to say?
Yoo Heeyeon was the daughter of the Artemis Guild leader. Opposing her meant opposing Artemis itself. It was something an ordinary person would never even dream of doing. No, even setting the Artemis Guild aside, it simply didn't make sense.
Up until now, Yoo Heeyeon had never once lost the top spot in practical combat at Broad Academy. In short, she held an overwhelmingly superior position in terms of raw combat power. All that money Yoo Hanbeom had poured into her hadn't been completely wasted.
Grind.
Yoo Heeyeon stared at Han Seonggil as she spoke.
The moment the frustrated Yoo Heeyeon tried to cast her spell—
Swoosh.
Lee Hyunseung stepped between the two of them.
Lee Hyunseung looked at Yoo Heeyeon with eyes full of contempt.
But Yoo Heeyeon showed no signs of stopping. She seemed quite worked up herself.
Whoooong.
Mana was gathering at the tip of Yoo Heeyeon's staff. At that point, Lee Hyunseung shouted.
Yoo Heeyeon froze.
The word father made Yoo Heeyeon glare at Lee Hyunseung as she muttered.
But as if acknowledging that Lee Hyunseung's words weren't wrong, Yoo Heeyeon dispersed the mana that had gathered on her staff. Yoo Hanbeom was already disappointed in her. He'd told her to produce meaningful results in this Class Annihilation Match to prove her ability and take responsibility for her words. If he found out that instead of preparing for the match, she was getting into a brawl at the academy, he might look at her with those hateful eyes again.
"How disappointing. I never thought my daughter would be such a pathetic, mindless insect. I clearly told you to focus on the practical exam. Just what are you doing?"
Her father's words seemed to echo in her ears.
Whoosh.
Yoo Heeyeon turned on her heel. Then, with her back still turned, she spoke.
Lee Hyunseung answered with clear irritation in his voice.
The moment she heard the words Magic Tower, a conversation with her father flashed through her mind.
"As you know, the Magic Tower revokes application eligibility if there's a record of suspension from the academy. Because of you, the dream Lee Hyunseung had since he was young has been shattered."
The dream Lee Hyunseung had written on his career aspiration survey back in elementary school: I want to learn magic studies and become a member of the Magic Tower. Because learning is fun. Because simply exploring magic studies makes me happy.
She had destroyed that dream. She'd used external pressure to get him suspended, stripped him of his eligibility, and socially buried him. It was an undeniable fact.
She muttered in a cold voice.
When Lee Hyunseung frowned as if he hadn't heard her, she immediately turned and left the area.
When Han Seonggil, who had been standing beside them, tried to follow after Yoo Heeyeon, Lee Hyunseung gave him a chilling look and said,
After his conversation with Yoo Heeyeon, Lee Hyunseung felt a surge of emotion. The days when he'd found joy and happiness in the smallest things, the days of unfair accusations, mockery, persecution, and contempt from others—it all came rushing back, igniting his rage.
"...."
Lee Hyunseung stayed silent for a moment before apologizing to Han Seonggil.
But Han Seonggil didn't seem to care at all as he asked,
Normally, Han Seonggil wouldn't have paid it any mind, but hearing the words Magic Tower and magic studies made him throw out the question without thinking. After all, Pung Geonho had been a swordsman, yet he'd loved the Magic Tower and magic studies.
"Seonggil, this is a secret, but honestly, I think I would've been better off as a mage. I wanted to become a member of the Magic Tower."
"Then just go. The Magic Tower doesn't have occupational restrictions, does it?"
"To enter the Magic Tower in a non-mage occupation, you need to be at least Unique-grade or higher. On the other hand, mages can apply starting from Epic-grade, so I couldn't get in."
"Hah, what's so great about the Magic Tower anyway? Going into the Labyrinth and killing monsters pays way more."
"It's fun."
"What?"
"Learning magic studies is enjoyable and fun."
Lost in recollection, Han Seonggil heard Lee Hyunseung answer with a smile. For the first time, his expression looked genuinely happy.
Lee Hyunseung eventually shook his head.
Regardless of the reason, once you have a record of suspension, you can never enter the Magic Tower—even if it's proven that the suspension was based on false accusations. That was the Magic Tower's ironclad unwritten rule and tradition. A custom that prevented anyone with any kind of criminal record or sin from working there. The ancient tradition of the Magic Tower that emphasized sanctity.
To Lee Hyunseung, who looked slightly lonely, Han Seonggil said,
Lee Hyunseung asked in surprise,
Lee Hyunseung had been about to explain to Han Seonggil how he could control the Berserker Trait. Obviously, proof through a manipulable lie-detection orb wouldn't be enough to earn trust, so he'd intended to provide solid evidence. But now Han Seonggil was saying he didn't want to hear it.
From Lee Hyunseung's perspective, it naturally looked like Han Seonggil was declaring their alliance over. But contrary to his thoughts, Han Seonggil answered,
When Lee Hyunseung looked at him with eyes asking why the sudden change, Han Seonggil replied,
The image of Pung Geonho shouting in the Labyrinth came to mind.
"You idiot—! Go get a mage right now! Do you want to watch me die? If you're thinking of running away alone, forget it. If you run away by yourself, I'll resent you even in death. Go bring a mage who can use healing magic right now. Risk your life if you have to and bring one—!"
Pung Geonho, who had awkwardly nagged him, veins bulging as he desperately acted. Yet the moment Han Seonggil was about to leave, the relieved look in his eyes flashed through his mind. The awkward lie he hadn't noticed at the time because he'd been too panicked came back to him. Whenever Pung Geonho lied, his eyes would always waver. And when he told the truth, his eyes were always warm and gentle.
When Lee Hyunseung had spoken about magic studies, for some reason, Pung Geonho and Lee Hyunseung's faces had overlapped in his mind.
How unpleasant.
Han Seonggil said,
With those words, Han Seonggil disappeared from sight.
The next morning. Lee Hyunseung's house.
Knock knock.
The familiar sound of knocking on the door.
Creak.
Lee Hyunseung opened the door and stepped outside. As always, Jeong Eunseo was standing there. Instead of a greeting, she said something else.
When she spoke with a hint of tension, Lee Hyunseung replied,
He'd spent the night thinking. And he'd come up with a plan. Yoo Hanbeom's reaction. The man wanted talent. And Lee Hyunseung had confirmed that he held him in high regard. From that reaction, one possibility had become clear.
Originally, clearing his name and crushing Yoo Heeyeon had been the top priority. But after seeing Yoo Heeyeon wield the power of Artemis as if it were her own, and after dealing with her mother Kim Heera who had mocked him, his thoughts had changed.
I'll devour it all.
Starting with the Class Annihilation Match, he would swallow the Artemis Guild whole—her driving force and everything she had.