The Disciple Who Descended the Mountain (2) - Chapter 4
Seong Hyun-jin had harbored something akin to a fantasy about academies.
As a place where the world's top talents gathered to compete, he figured every exam would be brutally difficult, and the rivalry fierce. And he wasn't entirely wrong. All of Terastial Academy's exams were notoriously challenging and competitive—some even said scoring a perfect mark was outright impossible.
"No way."
That was why he'd been secretly looking forward to it. He imagined applicants battling it out in a bloody struggle for the limited freshman spots.
"Why wouldn't they fight?"
But Seong Hyun-jin's imagination had run too wild. No matter how cutthroat the competition, they wouldn't let clueless freshmen slaughter each other. How could they properly evaluate anyone that way? The academy didn't even know the applicants' skill levels yet—how would they match opponents or judge uneven fights?
For those reasons, the entrance exam had no applicant-vs-applicant deathmatches. It was just whatever test the academy threw at them.
Upon learning this, Seong Hyun-jin made no effort to hide his disappointment, grumbling objections at the poor receptionist.
"Freshman spots at the academy are limited, right? So shouldn't we be competing for them?"
"Correct."
"Then shouldn't we fight tooth and nail to claim them? Everyone here wants one, but spots are few and applicants many. To get what we want, we have to fight for it!"
"I understand your point, applicant, but complaining to me won't change the exam format. I'm just a lowly staffer, after all."
"Ah..."
Seong Hyun-jin let out a deflated sigh. The receptionist eyed him and said,
"The exam's about to start, so please return to your seat and wait. Nothing's changing here."
"...You're awfully cold."
"Will you please go back to your seat↗"
"Rising your intonation at the end doesn't make you nicer."
"You sure have a lot of demands. If you understand, get back to your seat already."
Seong Hyun-jin realized his words were falling on deaf ears. With a heavy sigh, he trudged back to his spot.
"This is ridiculous... Just a regular exam? That's not right."
Seong Hyun-jin had a goal. He'd given up his peaceful days with his master and meekly accepted descending the mountain for a reason.
The academy was where elite talents converged. Standing out here would naturally spread his name across the world.
Then he could proudly declare it: that he was the disciple of the Sword Star, Hakodate Karin.
That had been his sole purpose in leaving his master's side for the academy—to shine brightly and elevate Hakodate Karin's fame.
The reason was simple. It was his way of repaying the person he loved and cherished most, the one from whom he'd only ever received.
To that end, he wanted to make a splash right from the entrance exam. A strong first impression stuck deep in people's minds, paving the way for future fame.
And the easiest way to showcase his skills and leave a lasting impact? A spar.
That's why he'd hoped for freshman-vs-freshman matches.
"...Maybe I should've gone to Celestial Academy instead?"
"That's in the complete opposite direction, Seong Hyun-jin."
Seong Hyun-jin turned at the voice behind him.
"And even Celestial Academy doesn't do reckless freshman sparring for their entrance exams."
The casual familiarity clashed with the fact that he'd never seen her before. Pretty silver hair, a slender, delicate frame, and refined, fragile features—yet she carried an inexplicable depth, like gazing at his master.
Sensing that profundity, Seong Hyun-jin tilted his head. "You're not a student, are you?"
"Oh? Do I look like a student?"
She smiled as if delighted by the question—like a thirty-something asked for ID at a bar.
Seong Hyun-jin had only asked if she was a student, but seeing her cheer up for no reason, he decided not to spoil it and kept quiet.
"I'm not. I'm the academy's owner."
"You're the dean?"
He'd figured she wasn't a student, but dean? That surprised him. He'd expected some wrinkled old crone, not someone so young.
A long-lived species?
In a world where immortals existed, looks could deceive about age. Still, this was far preferable to a shriveled granny.
The woman who'd introduced herself as dean gave a simple greeting.
"That's right. I'm Eleonora, dean of Terastial Academy."
The dean was the academy's true power. Thanks to his past-life memories, Seong Hyun-jin knew to bow deeply to important figures.
"Hello, Dean. I'm Seong Hyun-jin, hoping to enroll this year."
He greeted her politely first, but Eleonora's reaction was oddly peculiar. His manners seemed fine, so he tilted his head, puzzled.
"Did I mess up?"
"No. It's just... your reaction's a bit off."
"Off how?"
"You heard who I am, and that's all?"
Seong Hyun-jin eyed her curiously. "What reaction should I have to the dean?"
"You don't know me?"
"I just learned. You're Terastial Academy's dean."
"No, not that. Do you really have no idea who I am?"
Seong Hyun-jin narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her. Eleonora flinched slightly, startled. For a split second, it felt like he was dissecting her body piece by piece—his gaze so piercing it left her feeling utterly exposed, triggering an embarrassing illusion.
"...Seong Hyun-jin?"
Was he analyzing her as a woman? Flustered, she called his name hastily. But he continued nonchalantly, unchanged.
"Sorry. I was trying to remember, but nothing. Have we met before?"
Only then did Eleonora realize he'd just been staring to jog his memory. So what was that intense gaze? She felt a bit rattled.
Clearing her throat lightly, she said, "Ahem, no. First time meeting."
"Huh? Then why say it like that? Like it's weird I don't recognize you?"
"Because I'm... a Palstar Hero, like your master?"
"...Ah?"
Seong Hyun-jin looked at her with mild surprise. He hadn't expected her to be a Palstar Hero alongside his master. Doubting it, he asked again.
"For real?"
"Why would I lie about something you'd see through? Your master would tell you anyway."
"True."
Eleonora felt a touch awkward at his delayed shock. Karin's reclusive disciple or not, he'd never even heard of her?
He's pretty clueless about the world...
Judging so, she figured she'd look out for him. Karin had lent her prestigious name to the academy, after all—some perks were in order.
"So, are you as strong as Master, Dean?"
It was an innocent question, but it stung Eleonora a bit. With a small sigh, she replied,
"...Your master is a bona fide monster. Honestly, in a one-on-one, I'd lose in one stroke."
She spoke self-deprecatingly, but Seong Hyun-jin ignored that, focusing only on his master. Nodding in admiration,
"Master really is amazing."
"You respect her a lot, huh."
"She's my benefactor."
Seong Hyun-jin answered simply, then asked Eleonora, "But you're strong too, right? I heard Palstar Heroes are the best of the best."
"Objectively, yes."
"Then—"
He grabbed her hand suddenly. Eleonora blinked in surprise, looking at him.
"—could you be my opponent for the entrance exam?"
"...Pardon?"
"I was hoping for freshman spars, but that's not happening. Sparring you would make me famous fast."
Eleonora was dumbfounded. Sword Star's disciple or not, he was just a fresh-faced young adult. She could win half-asleep. Palstar Heroes were leagues apart—each a pinnacle expert, monstrous national assets.
Demanding a match from her, with enrollment on the line? Insane.
Yet... intriguing. The Sword Star's disciple would surely show something unique. And his boldness in challenging a Palstar Hero after learning what she was? Far from ordinary.
Her lips curved slightly. "...That could be fun."
"Oh, you'll do it?"
Even hearing it might actually happen, Seong Hyun-jin showed no tension—just joy. Cluelessness might explain it, but his confidence seemed deeper.
Fitting of Karin's disciple.
Intrigued for real, Eleonora remembered her role as dean. Waving it off lightly,
"Sorry, no can do."
"Why?"
"Exams must be fair. Can't bend rules just for you."
Her firm refusal deflated Seong Hyun-jin, shoulders slumping.
"Aw..."
"Hehe, don't be too bummed. The academy has plenty of exams beyond entrance—ones that'll thrill you."
"I thought chatting with the dean meant you'd tweak the exam for me."
As he sulked openly, Eleonora chuckled amusedly.
"I'm close with Karin, so I came to greet her incoming disciple."
"You're friends with Master? But you've never visited, have you?"
If they were that tight, she'd have shown up once in twenty years. Puzzled, he asked—Eleonora replied awkwardly,
"She threatened to kill me if I did..."
"......"
Seong Hyun-jin was thrown but figured it fit his master. Nodding understandingly,
"Master can be prickly."
"Even her disciple thinks so?"
Eleonora laughed lightly, then comforted him.
"Sorry it's not the spar you wanted, but we've got discerning tests prepared. If fame's your goal, how about topping the entrance exam?"
"I know that option exists, but I want fame fast."
Fame. A dream anyone might harbor—but Seong Hyun-jin spoke like it was a must, as if driven by something crucial.
Intrigued, Eleonora tilted her head. "Must you become famous?"
"Yes."
She stared expectantly. He answered with grave resolve.
"To spread Master's fame across the world."
"...Pardon?"
"Masters should be the world's most famous—yet Master's not as renowned as she deserves. So as her disciple, I'll get famous and boost her name too."
Eleonora half-agreed, half-disagreed. No swordsman worth their salt didn't know Hakodate Karin. But relative to her prowess, her fame was lacking—least famous among Palstar Heroes, even.
Self-inflicted, though. She'd secluded herself over twenty years, hating the spotlight.
"...Hyun-jin, she'd hate that, you know?"
He was basically undoing her seclusion reason. Pointing it out, but Seong Hyun-jin shook his head firmly.
"Nah, she won't mind. Her disciple working hard to spread the word? Why hate that? I'm not even hyping her up myself."
Eleonora had no retort. His logic held. Karin, who cared little for most things, had poured twenty years into this disciple—clearly exceptional affection. She'd even abandoned seclusion to lend her name, and hadn't refused visits outright.
So even if her disciple went rogue, she'd likely praise rather than scold.
"It's fine!"
Overconfident? Maybe. But Eleonora nodded, convinced.
"If you think so, who am I to argue? You know her best."
"Exactly. No one knows Master like I do."
Something in his tone struck Eleonora as odd—a nuance beyond knowing her thoughts, like he knew everything else too. Curious, but not her place to pry, she changed subjects.
"Entrance exam's starting soon."
Clapping lightly,
"I'll root for you to take first place."
"Can the dean personally cheer for one student?"
"Hey, it's my heart. Not like I'm giving perks."
"Fair."
"Good luck. Expecting great things."
Eleonora gave a light farewell and left. Watching her go, Seong Hyun-jin glanced around.
The dean, huh.
During their long chat, no one had stared. Some glances at her looks, sure, but that was it.
"...No one recognizes the dean?"
And as a Palstar Hero by her own claim, someone should. Freshmen maybe not, but staff?
Didn't seem like a lie.
Pondering their encounter, the lobby filled with applicants. Among the strangers, Seong Hyun-jin spotted one familiar face—dragon horns stood out even in the crowd.
The girl who filled out her application late yesterday.
Right as he clocked Serena, a staffer appeared in the lobby center, announcing to the applicants,
"We will now begin the 35th Terastial Academy Entrance Exam. Applicants, please proceed to the number on your admission ticket."