A Hectic Weekend
“Ugh...”
It was that early dawn hour when, on a normal day, I'd be heading to the training room.
Rohan woke up right on time, as if his body remembered on its own. The power of muscle memory was terrifying.
But he didn't get up. He didn't even open his eyes.
Right. I'm at the instructor's place.
A pitch-black room where not a single ray of light seeped through the blackout curtains.
An amazingly comfortable bed, the sweet scent wafting from the bedding, warm air.
In stark contrast, the uncomfortable bandages and wounds that suddenly throbbed with pain, as if excited by the moment.
Sensations utterly different from the dorm he'd been in until yesterday made the situation clear.
Can't do my morning workout... might as well sleep more.
Knowing it was Sunday loosened his mind.
Rohan closed his eyes and reached down to straighten the rumpled blankets.
“?”
Something brushed his lowered hand. Slim and warm.
As he groped further, its shape became clear, and even in his hazy consciousness, he started to guess what it was.
A chill and shiver ran through him, separate from the warmth.
It felt like a blade pressing into his mind.
“Opening your eyes and immediately grabbing the instructor's hand... Cadet Rohan, you have some bad habits.”
“!?”
Juyeon's voice wormed into his ear.
Rohan snapped his eyes open and tried to sit up in panic.
“Enough. It was a joke. Lie back down.”
Juyeon pressed a finger to Rohan's forehead, pinning his head to the pillow.
In this situation, the only part of Rohan that could move freely was his mouth.
“Ahem...! Good morning, Instructor.”
A morning greeting he hadn't given in who-knows-how-long.
Juyeon blinked for a moment, then smiled in the dark room.
“I'd love to return the greeting, but it's still dawn. Sleep more for recovery.”
“...”
Juyeon lifted her finger from his forehead and pulled up the blanket that had slipped down during his squirming, tucking it up to his neck.
“Don't mind me. I just came to check on you, in case.”
“Thank you for your concern. It's been... really a long time since I slept this comfortably. Thanks to you, Instructor.”
This cadet's mouth is oiled even right after waking up.
Juyeon chuckled softly, recalling the sleep-talk she'd heard from him earlier at dawn, and cautiously asked.
“Were you tense sleeping in the instructor's house? Did you have a nightmare or something?”
“Dreams... I don't really remember them when I wake up.”
Rohan was that type. Only a vague sense that he'd drifted through dreamland remained.
“I see.”
“Yep.”
Juyeon seemed relieved by his words and got up from the bed.
Her footsteps faded as she moved away.
“It's not enough sleep yet, so rest. I'll accept your morning greeting then.”
Before Rohan could reply, the door closed quietly.
Rohan slept more, just as Juyeon had told him to.
To shake off the problem-child image, he had to start by obeying orders, right? It was impeccable top-down hierarchy.
When he opened his eyes for the second time.
Rohan checked his status window to assess his condition and rewards.
Name: Rohan
Health: 97%
Mana: 99%
Affiliation - Nation: Southern Ruins' Remnant
Affiliation - Group: Orion Academy
Attributes: [Physical] [Fire]
Status: —
Remaining Points: 3,796P
Hm, no abnormalities, so my body's fine.
The remaining points were impressive too. They'd bulked up with the 1,500P quest reward.
Not far from buying a random skillbook.
“Hoo!”
Rohan exhaled, got up, and stepped off the bed. He folded the blankets with military precision.
He'd been sloppy in the dorm, but not here.
Satisfied with the neat shape, he grabbed the doorknob.
Creak.
Stepping out, he saw Juyeon at the dining table, glancing up from her phone.
Facing her after emerging from the bedroom felt oddly intimate.
“You're up. Good morning.”
“Instructor. Good morning.”
Rohan grinned as if he'd been waiting for her greeting.
“How's your condition?”
“The wounds are fine. Just... my head's fuzzy from sleeping too much.”
“I see. Breakfast will be ready soon, so go wash up.”
“Yes, ma'am!”
Hearing 'breakfast' made his stomach rumble.
Curious about the menu, but he didn't ask. Whatever Juyeon made, he'd lick the plate clean.
Rohan headed straight to wash up without delay.
Shhhh—!
Water poured from the faucet.
Rohan splashed cold water on his face to wake up, then looked up at the mirror.
...What a mess.
Not the bandages or wounds.
How deeply had he slept in this new house? His hair was a bird's nest.
He fixed it as neatly as possible and came out. Juyeon had stood from the table and was bustling in the kitchen.
As Rohan watched her back quietly, she spoke without turning, gesturing with her hand.
“Sit and wait a bit.”
“Instructor, anything I can help with?”
“It's fine. The owner knows where everything is, so just stay put.”
He sat at the table without argument.
Directly across from where Juyeon had been sitting.
“You said last time you don't dislike any food? Except for bad-tasting stuff, you eat everything?”
“That's right.”
It was from when Juyeon had visited Flower Lily Bookstore and treated him to dinner.
“Then if there's leftovers today, it means the instructor's cooking is bad.”
“I'll chew the plate too!”
“Heh, joke's over—don't chew the plate. Samhwa Nation breakfasts are divisive; might not suit your taste.”
With that, Juyeon checked the rice cooker's timer—three minutes left—and changed the subject at the right moment.
“Got a report from the security office at dawn. I'll give you the rundown.”
“I'm all ears.”
“First, small outfit, so no remnants expected. On-site investigation seems wrapped up.”
Simple words for a single line, but they'd combed through members' smartphones and devices, checked internet accounts, sites used, transaction records.
Plus, security officers had hustled all night in the real world.
“Your firearms and blades were their weapons, so they'll be submitted as evidence. Shame, but I'll request extra merit pay for them.”
“Thank you!”
If they compensated in cash, great for him.
The machete felt good in hand, but it wasn't his style.
Without Juyeon, this process would've been a nightmare.
“One more thing to confirm.”
“What is it?”
“Security Bureau plans to announce it, listing you as an Orion Academy cadet. They want consent to use your full name. If you prefer, they can omit 'cadet' and just announce the group's destruction.”
“I think using my full name is best.”
Juyeon turned from the kitchen at Rohan's immediate reply.
Her eyes showed rare surprise.
“Unexpected choice. Why?”
“I think it'll be useful for the future.”
He might've hidden even the cadet part otherwise, as Juyeon expected.
But for the business he was planning with Clara, any fame—even a speck—would help. A rare opportunity.
“The future... not security, then.”
“Yes.”
Juyeon nodded at his firm tone.
Rohan would handle it well without long explanations.
“I'll pass that on. Your class will buzz Monday. Good example to set.”
Juyeon placed white rice and soup in front of him, warning Gilbert not to howl.
Grilled fish too.
Luxury overload!
Rohan polished off both bowls clean.
Before leaving, he tried a deep bow of thanks, but Juyeon blocked it—such a pity.
•••
•••
“Manager! See you Monday!”
—Yeah. Take care of things!
Rohan sighed and smiled after the call ended.
He'd asked for a day off; the manager said yes without hearing why.
Planning afternoon drinks with his grandson—earlier the better.
Explaining the injury briefly took seven minutes.
Unwrap bandages and shower tonight.
Whatever good ointment the Security Bureau used.
The wounds itched—new skin already forming.
Exchanging messages busily on the way back to the dorm.
Flying through typing.
Bzzz—! Bzzz—!
Phone rang.
Hm?
Unregistered number. But calls like this? Better answer.
Could be Security Bureau, as Juyeon said. Or... another possibility.
“Hello, Rohan speaking.”
—...
Silence. Faint breathing.
—...
Prolonged quiet without reply. Breathing growing ragged.
Rohan thought of someone and called out.
“Sion?”
No next main story event yet.
But instinct flashed: something was about to begin.