Freshman Welcome Party (1)
Freshman Welcome Party (1)
The chandelier overhead bathed the banquet hall in golden light.
The perfectly balanced glow—neither too bright nor too dim—accentuated the luxurious interior.
Every table had a floral centerpiece, surrounded by cuisine from a variety of cultures.
Brand-name liquors, beverages, and bottled water—each worth hundreds of thousands of won per bottle—rounded out the offerings.
"Do we really need to take Magic Basics? We already learned this stuff at the academy."
"Yeah, but the professors here are on another level, so we'll probably get something new out of it."
"Professor Liana Bellus, the one who wrote 'The Correlation Between Spirits and Mana'...? Wasn't she an active-duty hero on the African front?"
"I heard she retired because of an injury."
Cadets in ordinary attire filled the hall, chatting in clusters everywhere.
Which subjects to focus on. I heard that new professor is teaching this course. I've noticed how much this clan has grown lately. The Demon Realm in Africa seems to be stirring up trouble—topics like that.
Casual chatter and personal anecdotes existed, but specialized subjects like world affairs were just as common.
A Siyoram Cadet.
That status is bestowed upon those judged to have the highest potential among all humans in this age group worldwide.
Barring any major issues, they are the future pillars of the next generation. The benefits of becoming a cadet are vast, but plenty of people take pride in this title alone.
"I definitely need to take Magic Basics... I guess I'll end up taking all the basic courses."
"That's the whole point of the free semester. You need to experience everything that advanced prep can't cover."
There were also those who weren't engaged in specialized discussions.
To be exact, they lacked the foundational knowledge to participate in them.
Siyoram officially has two admission methods.
First. Admission through exams.
These individuals are selected after a worldwide notice, where their current skills and future potential are assessed across a variety of fields.
Most of them come from so-called superhuman families—talented individuals who have grown under professional and systematic education from a young age.
If the first method is about finding a sprout that is already beginning to bloom, the second method is about finding a seed that hasn't yet sprouted.
They aren't from a superhuman family, nor have they received a systematic education, but their potential is undeniable. After rigorous testing confirms this, they are brought in as Siyoram Cadets.
The ratio is roughly 9:1.
"That guy who just came in—the Special Admission. He really is blind, huh."
"I heard he has a detection-specialized unique ability. That would definitely let him get around with his eyes closed."
"Yeah, detection-type abilities are essential for the Strategy Force. But still..."
Is it really so significant that it warrants a Special Admission?
One cadet lowered his voice, and the cadet beside him carefully nodded along.
"...We don't know the full story yet."
There was one topic that tied both groups together.
Special Admission.
The word popped up in every corner of the banquet hall.
Strictly speaking, it's a similar concept to a recommended admission, but the person who does the vetting for the 'Special Admission' category is different.
A talent personally selected and brought in by the Master of the Cradle. Interest in that fact was still blazing.
Whether that attention was positive or negative.
To be precise, the negative opinion held the majority.
Everyone knew who was responsible for the Special Admission decision, so most kept their mouths shut, but dissatisfaction and doubt simmered beneath the surface.
Bam! The doors flew open with a confident bang, and a red-haired cadet strode through.
Gasps of admiration burst from the crowd.
Her hair flickered just past her shoulders like living flame, while her eyes, as pure as top-grade rubies, immediately captured everyone's attention.
Her figure was so flawless that even a casually draped jacket seemed high-class, and her stride overflowed with self-assurance.
Hong Yeon-hwa.
A topic of conversation rivaling the Special Admission cadet.
One of the top prospects of this 121st Siyoram Cohort, and the heir of the Calamity Flame Family.
A prodigy who single-handedly defeated a 5th-Rank Monster before even being admitted.
...And the sight of the boy who had followed her inside made everyone, whose attention had been fixed on her, open their eyes wide.
[Thank you for guiding me.]
"It's nothing to thank me for. If you need help with anything, just let me know. I'm the one who was in the wrong."
[Okay.]
And wasn't the atmosphere between them remarkably gentle? Hong Yeon-hwa even seemed to be walking on eggshells around him, behaving almost considerately.
Those who had met Hong Yeon-hwa before knew her fiery temperament all too well.
Overwhelming skill and stunning beauty—but if she had a defining trait, it was her prickly personality.
- Sh*t, this bastard just keeps running his mouth.
There was even a famous story about a party member who kept getting on her nerves, only to be beaten to a pulp and kicked out of the party.
Countless other anecdotes of her eccentric behavior existed.
From the perspective of those with such experiences, Hong Yeon-hwa's current attitude—considerate, gentle—was nothing short of a culture shock.
It was like watching a vicious tiger gently licking a small puppy instead of eating it.
"What in the world..."
The majority's assessment of the Special Admission cadet was revised—he was now someone, or something, that had managed to change the mad dog Hong Yeon-hwa's attitude.
* * *
'...What's with these looks?'
The emotions directed at me had already been varied.
Curiosity, doubt, suspicion, envy, jealousy, ridicule—the works.
Similar but distinct emotions had washed over me, and now something new had been added to the mix.
Like they were looking at something incomprehensible but incredibly significant.
"Those sons of bitches..."
The attention also turned to Hong Yeon-hwa beside me. Grinding her teeth, she started to say something, then suddenly flinched and turned to look at me, shutting her mouth.
"Ah... I wasn't talking about you, I was talking to them."
"......"
"Don't get me wrong..."
What the hell is up with her? Why is she reacting like she's walking on eggshells around me?
No, but the stares are getting weirder again. Is this some new kind of bullying?
I haven't experienced it firsthand, but I've read a lot of stories about school outcasts. The usual formula is the popular kids pretending to be nice to the outcast just to mess with them...
I was seriously contemplating how to escape this, if it really was bullying, when a woman approached with a brisk, bustling stride.
"Hong Yeon-hwa, why are you so late? You got here just before it started."
A bright and lively voice that matched her footsteps. It was another voice I recognized from the game.
"I overslept. Ellia is usually the one to wake me up, but she ignored me today."
"Why?"
"She said it's my dad's orders. Told her to stop indulging me from now on."
Calling that 'indulging' is a stretch. The woman smiled broadly at a grumbling Hong Yeon-hwa, then turned her gaze towards me.
"And this is?"
"Ah. This is Lee Ha-yul. He's the cadet who came in through the Special Admission. I met him on the way here and we came together."
"Oh? You met him on the way and came together? You, Hong Yeon-hwa...?"
"What about me, dam...! Ah, ahem!"
"?"
When anyone talks about the representative powers in South Korea, these three are always mentioned.
Hong Yeon-hwa's family, the 'Calamity Flame (劫火)'.
The 'Taesan (泰山)', renowned as the first superhuman group established in South Korea.
And the family of the woman before my eyes, Baek A-rin—the 'Azure Sea (滄海)'.
These three factions, whose names essentially mean fire, earth, and sea, are collectively known as the Three Great Families of South Korea. They are superhuman powers with an immense presence in the original story.
'Baek A-rin.'
Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek A-rin were an especially frequent combination in the original.
Just as Hong Yeon-hwa is the next heir of the Calamity Flame clan, Baek A-rin is the next heir of the Changhae family.
If Hong Yeon-hwa has fiery red hair cut short to her shoulders and a hasty, explosive personality, Baek A-rin has cool blue hair that flows past her waist with a calm, level-headed demeanor.
Hong Yeon-hwa was a flame that incinerated everything, and Baek A-rin was water and ice that healed and blocked.
"...What? What happened between you two?"
"What do you mean, what happened? Why are you suddenly talking nonsense?"
"You're lying. Up until recently, I told you to fix your language, but you wouldn't even listen."
Baek A-rin seemed to be interrogating her, demanding the truth, while Hong Yeon-hwa displayed a reaction like she'd been caught red-handed.
How should I put this? Hearing those two bickering stirred old memories.
Scenes I'd only watched in a game... and now I couldn't even see them with my own eyes.
This damn sensory seal. This bastard is the real problem.
"Ah! I'm sorry. My attention wandered for a second. I'm Baek A-rin, of the Azure Sea. It's a pleasure to meet you."
[Yes. I'm Lee Ha-yul. Pleased to meet you.]
After a short bout of bickering, Baek A-rin let out a small gasp, as if she had forgotten something, and extended her hand for a handshake.
I took her hand without hesitation. I almost flinched involuntarily at the icy chill I felt on my palm.
Baek A-rin's eyes curved up delicately.
"Detection... was it? It's an indispensable unique ability for the Strategy Force. Oh, I'm sorry if I've offended you."
[No, it's fine. And it is a detection-type ability, yes.]
She smiled in relief, yet apologized once more anyway.
On the surface, she appeared to be a bright, spirited person with impeccable manners.
'This is what they called her mask, right? Even now, I can't be sure.'
If you raise Baek A-rin's Affection high enough, you can hear an episode about her 'Mask'.
Choices branch from there.
Resolve the mask, or leave it be. If you pick the wrong choice here, Baek A-rin becomes a clear enemy.
In the 11th Iteration, I pushed the mask storyline and screwed it up halfway through, eventually ending up killing Baek A-rin.
For the record, I ended up getting killed by Hong Yeon-hwa, who chased after me like a madwoman, in that same 11th Iteration.
Even in the game, those two were depicted as exceptionally close despite their seemingly opposite personalities.
So when one died, the other came at me with the intent to kill. I experienced it firsthand in the 11th Iteration.
She somehow managed to find out the identity of Baek A-rin's killer and then abandoned everything to chase me down—it was incredibly troublesome. I'd wager Hong Yeon-hwa bore about thirty percent of the responsibility for the 11th Iteration going to ruin.
That's why, in the following iterations, I didn't go anywhere near Hong Yeon-hwa or Baek A-rin.
After our brief small talk, as the time for the welcome party to begin drew near, Baek A-rin waved goodbye, looking slightly disappointed.
"It seems like it's about to start. I'll see you later. And."
Baek A-rin reached out with the hand wearing her smartwatch and tapped mine.
[Contact 'Baek A-rin' has been saved.]
"Please contact me anytime if you need help."
As she answered, Baek A-rin headed to where people who seemed to be her friends had gathered.
"Right. I almost forgot about that."
[Contact 'Hong Yeon-hwa' has been saved.]
After registering her contact as well, Hong Yeon-hwa looked around with a worried gaze.
Even though they tried to hide it, plenty of people were sneaking glances this way.
"Do you want me to stay with you? If not, you could just hang out with me and my people."
[I can't impose on you like that. Thanks, but I'll manage.]
Truthfully, I was already at my limit. Being alone is definitely the most comfortable.
Hong Yeon-hwa hesitated, but after I repeatedly insisted I was fine and waved her off, she finally moved towards where Baek A-rin was.
'Whew...'
Alone at last. Soon enough, the other main figures started filing in, dispersing the attention on me and letting me breathe a little.
I trudged over to a corner and slumped into a chair seemingly set aside for those needing a break.
They've prepared something so grand, but at its core, this is exactly what it's called: a freshman welcome party.
In the game, the Vice Headmaster gives a few words of encouragement and then the party among the new cadets begins right away.
'I'm tired.'
Just yesterday, I barely got any sleep. Partly because of the Spatial Perception, and partly because my mind was restless...
The headache won't stop, and it's not just that my vision is blurry—it's completely black.
Right now, the world I perceive is limited to a sphere with a 30-meter diameter. Even that is a simple world of contours all in black-green.
I'm trying, but it feels like my Spatial Perception is about to change, yet it remains stuck.
'Haa...'
It hadn't even started, and I already felt ready to collapse. I was so tired my eyes kept closing, but I still couldn't fall asleep.
Given the choice, I'd love to just sprawl out and sleep for two days straight.
'Still, I should at least see the main cast before I go.'
- Thud!
As I sat there blankly for a moment, I heard the sound of the chandelier overhead turning off. Just as I assumed the surroundings had darkened, my Spatial Perception suddenly expanded beyond its normal range.
'?'
My Spatial Perception expanded from 30 meters to almost 50 meters.
Thanks to that, I felt someone step onto the central stage, which had just entered my range.
A woman had appeared there as though by teleportation, draped in a large robe that practically advertised her as a mage.
'So this is the Vice Headmaster.'
The freshman welcome party always starts with a speech from the Vice Headmaster, who appears on stage via teleportation.
The welcome party had officially begun.