Eungae Nose's Mind is in Turmoil
“Ugh...”
Rohan rose from the bed and, out of habit, launched into some light stretching.
Having just woken up, his eyes were only half-open, but his body moved on autopilot.
A perfectly ordinary, satisfying wake-up.
After sending Sion and Clara off yesterday, he'd pulled an all-nighter struggling to master his third sword form.
No real progress—just got the stance roughly down.
But that was expected. No regrets over something that couldn't be achieved overnight.
Maybe head to the training room.
His foggy mind went through preparations mechanically.
Even as day broke, it was the same. His daily routine always kicked off with training to make his life as tough and enduring as a whale's tendon.
No boredom despite the repetition.
Just the thrill of wondering if he'd take even one step forward.
The restricted video... play it after my workout.
Best time would be when he could sprawl out alone.
He chugged a nutrient-packed drink and checked his phone.
The bubbly messages brought a fresh burst of energy.
What a fun girl. First one to wear "junior" on her forehead so blatantly.
He fired off a reply and scrolled through the rest.
A smile crept across his face first thing in the morning.
Rohan's fingers flew across the screen.
He had to remind these two to call right away if anything came up.
And the last message.
Probably Ichinose and Noah.
Rohan set the now-empty bottle on the table and grabbed his bag.
Too early to call even her right now.
She must've been swamped yesterday. Plus, the academy was still reeling from the uninhabited island mess.
Perfect for a leisurely chat on the way back.
Rohan slipped on his sneakers and stepped out of the dorm.
It felt strangely novel, like ages since he'd done this. His mood and condition were spot-on.
Arriving at the academy training room, he scanned around.
Ichinose was there amid a few cadets, loosening up in front of the big mirror.
Thought I'd beat her here.
She's so diligent. What time did she even leave?
He tossed his bag aside and started warming up, naturally striking up a conversation.
“You're early.”
“Ah... I just got here too. You're early as well, Rohan.”
“Hm?”
“What's up?”
Rohan's head turned as he glanced at her through the full-wall window.
Now locking eyes directly, he began observing her. Differences from her usual training room self started popping out.
Subtle, but there.
A faint trace of sleep deprivation, like a restless night.
Her usually silky hair had a touch of frizz here and there.
“Ichinose. You look tired?”
“D-do I? I'm fine.”
“Uninhabited island fatigue hasn't worn off yet?”
“...No way.”
She denied it, but kept her eyes shut, nibbling her lip.
So adorably baby-like he wanted to call her Eungae Nose, but he glanced at the other cadets training nearby and zipped it.
“Exams are over, so ease up on studying. Train hard, sure, but...”
“Planning to rest in the dorm after today's session.”
“Smart thinking.”
“Not sure if it'll be quiet with Noah dropping by, though.”
Rohan could already picture it and chuckled.
Finishing warm-ups, they moved to the treadmills.
As they ran, the usually quiet Ichinose spoke first.
“How about you, Rohan?”
“What? My body? It's fine.”
“Your body too, but... uh, you met someone nice at the shopping mall, right...?”
“Oh! Lete?”
The casual name hit Ichinose like a thunderbolt.
So that's her name.
“She wants to enroll in Orion Academy next year. Assuming she passes, she'll make a great junior.”
“Don't you think that Lete girl sees it differently...?”
Conversation stretched longer than usual mid-workout.
Rohan kept it going, thinking it wasn't half bad.
“Exchanging numbers was just the spark. Could be a good connection, you know?”
“Hmmm.”
“Might turn into something great with more chats. Or fizzle out if we don't click. Happens.”
“...Sounds like you're considering it positively?”
“Too soon to say, but asking for a number takes guts. Impressed me. And hating on her for being grateful? Ridiculous.”
“...”
Ichinose clammed up, face stiffening.
She ramped up speed like she meant business.
Rohan matched her, legs pumping faster.
Thanks to transcendence, the elixir from the Monolith, or just training gains—who knew.
His stamina had clearly improved; he kept pace effortlessly.
Rohan used the training room showers.
But Eungae Nose always returned to the dorm to wash up.
Nothing profound about it. Just no prying eyes.
“Hoo...”
Ichinose let the hot water cascade leisurely.
She had time today.
She replayed the simple wooden-sword spar with Rohan.
What even was that thrust?
He'd shown her a new technique in practice, asking for critique.
The feel of parrying it was intriguing.
But his lack of mastery kept it from shining fully.
Thanks to that, she finally got what he meant by his swordsmanship lacking structure.
Only fix was relentless repetition till it stuck.
No helping it. He knew that too.
Looks like a simple thrust on the surface. But mana control difficulty? Comparable to parts of Dream Illusion Slash Shadow Flow.
What kind of sword art was it? What would it look like complete?
Curiosity bubbled up.
A pleasant sense of urgency hit. Rohan was leaping ahead in strength.
At this rate, even easy spar wins will hit a wall soon. His ability to swing decisively despite poor form is threatening.
Based on raw physical core and legs, not mana.
Plus, one-handed swings with bone-cleaving power.
She'd won today's bout, but in real combat? No guarantees.
Spar rules held him back.
Rohan shone when lives were on the line with live blades.
Replay over.
Only then did Eungae Nose wrap up her shower.
“Huuu...”
She dried her hair with the prepared towel, wiping water from her pristine skin.
Meanwhile, she mulled her second concern.
Forgot to ask about the house...
Just questioning him about Lete had maxed her out.
Opening her eyes, Eungae Nose faced the mirror.
Emotions had blinded her to the obvious till now.
...Why am I...?
Curious about Rohan's personal life?
Had Cheonoecheon heir Ichinose Yui ever cared this much about someone else's?
A fresh puzzle.
Was she catching feelings for this guy Rohan?
She, who'd sworn her life to the sword? For a man she'd known barely a couple months?
“That doesn't... make sense...!”
The inner outburst slipped out loud.
Shocked at her unconscious slip, she clapped a hand over her mouth and finished drying off.
“...”
Sure, Rohan cooked dishes that perfectly satisfied her gourmet palate.
Owned a 100-point pillow, had fairytale-level self-sacrifice, saved her multiple times.
Humility hiding his good deeds, no arrogance despite stellar potential.
Gentleness and respect that dawned on you later.
But...!
Eungae Nose patted her glutinous rice cake cheeks—chap! chap!—to snap out of it.
Better not dig deeper into those thoughts.
Another sleepless night loomed.
It's all because he keeps calling me Eungae Nose and stuff—embarrassing nicknames...!
Definitely Noah's weird teasing messing with her head. Never dealt with that crap her whole life.
Back at the dorm after finishing his call with Juyeon, Rohan flopped onto his bed.
Sion and Clara are at the government office.
Perfect timing.
He adjusted his pillow, lay back comfortably, and closed his eyes.
Playing Restricted Video #3 (Authorized Personnel Only)