Yeonmuje (5): No Forgiveness for That Twisted Mindset
As expected, Ciela Teraport, the top student of the Magic Department, claimed victory in the second-years' matches with overwhelming dominance. She crushed every opponent from start to finish, effortlessly leading even against the potentially strongest contender—the top student of the Swordsmanship Department—in their direct clash. In the finale, she sealed the win with her signature chantless magic, delivering a flawless triumph.
"Ciela Teraport! Ciela Teraport!"
"The Queen of the Magic Department!"
The crowd's cheers erupted endlessly as Ciela Teraport's superior skill secured her championship.
Watching the scene unfold, Seong Hyun-jin turned to Serena.
"Aiel Northwood was supposed to be a chant compression master, right? But she didn't even speak a word."
"...A fitting disciple of the Demon Star. The headmaster is famous for casting most spells without incantations, and her student mirrors her perfectly."
"Does that mean she's insanely smart?"
"Beyond imagination. And it comes with talent, of course."
At Serena's response, Seong Hyun-jin gazed at Ciela Teraport in wonder before asking her, "Our turn now, right?"
"Yes, the first-years' matches."
"Shall we head to the waiting room?"
"Sure."
The two left their seats in the stands and made their way to the athletes' waiting room. Some students had already been waiting there before Ciela's match ended, while others, like them, arrived after their own bouts concluded. Naturally, Aiel Northwood, the Magic Department's top student, was among them.
Spotting Serena, he strode over purposefully.
"Serena Northwood."
"...Yes, Brother Aiel."
Serena responded without ignoring him outright. Aiel abruptly thrust something toward her.
"This is the Northwood family's traditional liquor. A Northwood warrior must drink it before battle. The spirits of northern warriors will bless the Northwoods with victory."
It was an ancient custom of the Northwood family that Serena knew well. Aiel's own empty cup sat nearby, suggesting he'd already downed his.
At the sight, Serena curled her lip in a sardonic smile and let out a hollow chuckle.
"...You called me defective, but you still bring me this?"
"Quit your nonsense and drink, Serena Northwood."
"But Brother, I don't drink before matches."
Serena refused flatly.
"I'm grateful you prepared it, but I can't."
"...Have you forgotten that you carry Northwood blood, even if only half?"
As Aiel's demeanor turned menacing, Serena, unwilling to clash unnecessarily, sighed and extended her hand.
"Fine, I'll take it. I'll drink after the match."
"Drink it now."
"That's my choice, Brother."
"You dare defy tradition?"
Aiel glared down at her fiercely, making Serena flinch despite herself. She usually wouldn't care, knowing he couldn't harm her directly, but after Seong Hyun-jin's warning about what he might do if pushed too far...
...His eyes look even more feral than usual.
A twinge of unease crept in. Serena pondered her options. Maybe it was best to just sip it and defuse the situation.
"Serena, you're not drinking that, right?"
"...Huh?"
Suddenly, a hand shot out from beside her, snatching the cup from Aiel's grip. Before Aiel—or even Serena—could react, Seong Hyun-jin had gulped it down in one go.
"Ahh."
Not a drop left. Aiel and Serena stared at him in stunned silence. A beat later, Aiel bellowed.
"A-Are you insane?! Why the hell did you drink that!?"
The traditional liquor had been a shallow ploy prepared by Ryugrien Graywood. Using the Northwood custom as cover, he'd laced it with a trace amount of a secret Graywood family potion. Not enough to cause serious harm, but sufficient to impair performance. The plan was to force it on Serena under the guise of tradition before her match, ruining her condition.
Aiel beating her directly was ideal, but even if not, her early elimination ahead of him would suffice.
But some random guy had chugged it all, derailing everything.
Seemingly oblivious, Seong Hyun-jin spoke calmly as if it were nothing.
"You said it blesses victory, right? She wasn't gonna drink it, so I figured it was good stuff and took it. You'd just toss it otherwise, yeah?"
"Y-You damn half-breed...!"
As Aiel's face twisted in rage, a Yeonmuje staff member entered the waiting room.
"First-year representatives, please prepare! The opening match pits Combat Department runner-up Seong Hyun-jin against Magic Department top student Aiel Northwood!"
Hearing Seong Hyun-jin as his first opponent surprised Aiel slightly. He'd already found the bracket change to top-vs-runner-up suspicious, but this guy—the one who'd just stolen his drink?
"......You."
"Whoa."
Aiel pieced it together. The sudden bracket shuffle pitting him against Seong Hyun-jin. And this punk brazenly swiping and downing the spiked liquor right in front of him.
"Fancy ending up as each other's first opponent."
Seong Hyun-jin had sniffed out Aiel Northwood's scheme somehow and orchestrated the bracket to clash directly. How he'd pulled it off was a mystery, but his intent to thwart Aiel was clear.
Frowning at Seong Hyun-jin's cool nonchalance—playing it off as coincidence despite knowing everything—Aiel growled.
"...You'll regret this."
"Scary stuff."
Seong Hyun-jin smirked lightly, then turned to Serena and whispered softly.
"Don't eat or drink anything else today. Who knows what else they'll try."
"Wait, Seong Hyun-jin, you...?"
Before Serena could probe further, he pulled away and headed to the arena. Aiel, face still grim, went to the opposite side.
Staring blankly at their retreating backs, Serena recalled his warning and muttered.
"......Was there something in that liquor?"
She realized too late.
Then Seong Hyun-jin, who drank it all...?
Seong Hyun-jin was already stepping into the arena, cup emptied. Serena rushed to stop him, but staff blocked her.
"Serena Eldark, it's not your turn yet."
"Wait! That guy who just went up—he might not be in fighting shape...!"
"Health issues are the athlete's responsibility. Unless they forfeit, we can't intervene."
Barred by staff, Serena watched Seong Hyun-jin numbly. Meanwhile, Monica's voice rang out.
"Hope everyone enjoyed lunch~? This morning, we had the second-years' Yeonmuje matches! Ciela Teraport took the crown in style!"
After a quick recap of the second-years, she hyped the upcoming bouts.
"Now, the freshmen making their academy debut! The first-years' Yeonmuje matches begin! Senior Yeonhui, aren't you excited?"
"Absolutely. This year's first-years are packed with promising talents—some call it a golden generation."
Yeonhui replied.
"I'm eager to see if they live up to the hype or if it's overstated."
Monica nodded in agreement.
"Right? And there's that hot-topic freshman: Dragon Star Ahajaka Eldark's precious daughter! Serena Eldark, who aced the entrance exam as top student!"
"Yes, plus runner-up Seong Hyun-jin, third-place Clarice Levatein, and many more talents joining Terastial Academy. Can't wait to witness their skills firsthand—my heart's racing."
"Exactly! And the very first to stamp their mark on Terastial Academy!"
Via Monica's voice.
"Combat Department runner-up Seong Hyun-jin! Magic Department top student Aiel Northwood! Their match starts now!"
Seong Hyun-jin and Aiel Northwood's names echoed through the arena. As the two ascended from opposite ends, second- and third-years in the stands perked up with interest.
"Oh, both elves?"
"One looks half."
"That half-elf's kinda cute."
"His height's just like my little bro."
The crowd buzzed with curiosity, anticipating an entertaining clash. But the mood between the two on the field was anything but light. Specifically, Aiel's side radiated hostility.
"...I can't fathom what you're thinking."
Facing Seong Hyun-jin in the arena, Aiel remarked incredulously.
"You seemed to know what was in that liquor, yet you chugged the whole thing. Madness."
"Not allowed?"
Aiel scoffed at Seong Hyun-jin's nonchalant reply.
"Why go so far for the defective one? Because you're a fellow half-breed?"
"......"
Seong Hyun-jin silently met Aiel's gaze. Dropping the polite tone he'd maintained since apologizing before, he switched to casual speech.
"Ha, you stupid elf prick."
"Calling me that slur again...?"
More than casual—he'd reverted to "elf prick." Aiel shot him an exasperated look, but Seong Hyun-jin pressed on unfazed.
"Honestly, I had zero interest in meddling in your family drama. Too annoying, and I hate tangled webs of vested interests. Whether you insult Serena or interfere... not my problem."
Clack. His right hand rested on his sword hilt.
"But what you just pulled? If you're here for a duel, fight fair with skill. Don't cheapen the match with dirty tricks."
Aiel flinched. Seong Hyun-jin's usual levity had vanished in an instant.
"That's belittling Serena's hard work—and insulting my friend."
His chilling aura and icy glare bore no trace of his typical self.
"That attitude—'I don't care how hard others strive, as long as it benefits me.'"
Shring! The sword slid free with a cold metallic ring.
"I won't forgive that fucked-up mindset."