The Arbiter of Prophecy (3) - Chapter 46
“Seong Hyun-jin.”
Serena approached Seong Hyun-jin, who was sitting in the Combat Department classroom, right on cue as always today.
The other male students shot jealous glances at the sight, but none dared speak up openly anymore.
‘She’s different...’
‘Before, it felt like she just came over because it was convenient...’
It was because they could see that, unlike before, Yeonhui was clearly conscious of Seong Hyun-jin and deliberately approaching him.
The oblivious ones still didn’t get it, but the sharp ones had already figured it out.
That Serena Eldark was showing romantic interest in Seong Hyun-jin, for whatever reason.
‘Lucky bastard.’
‘Damn it, I want that too...!’
Regardless of the jealous stares from the Combat Department students, Seong Hyun-jin treated Serena the same as always.
“Serena, did you come to me again because you have no friends?”
“Are you going to keep teasing me about not having friends? You’re always sitting alone without me anyway.”
“I sit alone because I want to.”
“That’s just an excuse. It’s the classic line from someone with no friends.”
“You don’t believe me? Want proof?”
“Huh?”
Seong Hyun-jin whipped his head around and beckoned to Daniel, who had been watching him with jealous eyes alongside his friends.
“Daniel, wanna sit next to me?”
“For real? Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
Daniel came bounding over like a puppy reuniting with its owner. In truth, it wasn’t because of Seong Hyun-jin—he just wanted to be close to Serena—but she had no way of knowing that.
“See? Told you.”
“......Ugh.”
When Seong Hyun-jin actually proved it, Serena had nothing left to say.
“You saw it, right?”
“Argh, I get it, so stop asking twice...”
Seeing this, Daniel seized the opportunity and mustered his courage.
“Serena, if it’s because you don’t have friends, I could hang out with you...”
“Ah...”
At Daniel’s offer, Serena’s eyes darted around awkwardly, unsure where to look. Then, in a slightly apologetic tone, she replied.
“...Sorry, I don’t really know you.”
“R-right... I see...”
She’d phrased it politely, but it was a clear rejection. Daniel’s eyes welled up as he thought to himself.
‘Damn this looks-based society...’
If only he were as handsome as that half-elf sitting here, he could’ve been friends with Serena. With that thought, Daniel stood up.
“Guess you were just messing with me... I’ll head out.”
“Oh, you caught on? Sorry, next time let’s really sit together.”
“No, it’s fine...”
Daniel slunk away dejectedly, and Seong Hyun-jin tilted his head, turning to Serena.
“Why’d you turn him down? That was a chance to make a friend.”
Serena let out a small sigh and spoke quietly, in case Daniel overheard.
“His eyes were all wrong from the start.”
“Huh?”
“He’s got these wild expectations about me.”
“You’re so picky.”
“Any girl would hate getting that kind of look.”
“What kind of expectations?”
“......”
Serena hesitated oddly, her face flushing a bit. Then, in a grumbling tone, she muttered.
“...The kind where he’s imagining dating me.”
“......”
Seong Hyun-jin glanced at Daniel’s slumped back with a bemused look, then nodded sympathetically at Serena.
“Yeah, that’d be creepy.”
“You get it?”
“If it’s someone you know well, maybe, but from a stranger? It’s just uncomfortable and gross.”
“Why does your master put up with that from guys like him?”
“...Why bring her up out of nowhere?”
As Seong Hyun-jin stared at her in disbelief, the sharp click of polished shoes echoed from the hallway.
The rowdy students quieted down at the sound, and Serena took the seat next to him for now.
Soon, the classroom door opened, and as expected, Instructor Hayes Penrel entered.
She stepped onto the podium, scanned the students, and greeted them.
“Good to see you all again. I hope you’ve all had a proper breakfast?”
“Yes!”
“Before we start class, I have two announcements for you.”
The students’ attention snapped to her at the word “announcements.”
“Announcements? What’s up?”
“No idea.”
Seong Hyun-jin and Serena exchanged puzzled looks as Hayes spoke.
“Lately, there have been frequent assaults on students by an unknown assailant within the academy. The city police and guards are searching diligently, but they haven’t caught the culprit yet. Please stay cautious until he’s apprehended.”
The students murmured in surprise or shared what they’d heard.
“An assailant?”
“Oh yeah, I heard about that. Apparently, only second-years have been targeted—no victims from other years yet.”
“What’s the reason for the attacks?”
“The reason hasn’t been revealed yet. The city police are investigating.”
Hayes continued.
“As Daniel just mentioned, the victims have all been second-years so far, but you never know. Please be extra careful.”
“Do they know what the culprit looks like?”
“The assailant is a male with a blank expression, green hair, an appealing appearance, and a notably small build for a man.”
“Huh?”
“That sounds...”
All eyes turned to one person at the description.
Seong Hyun-jin.
“......Me?”
“Seong Hyun-jin, what did you do this time...”
Even Serena momentarily suspected him—the description matched Seong Hyun-jin far too closely. A blank expression wasn’t typical for him in daily life, but anyone who’d seen his face in combat knew how coldly impassive it could become.
“No, I haven’t done anything for days! Well, not nothing, but...”
“You caused another incident!? Why target second-years!?”
“When did I ever say ‘another’!? And I’m telling you it’s not me!”
As Seong Hyun-jin protested his innocence, Hayes nodded and cleared up the misunderstanding.
“It’s strangely similar to Seong Hyun-jin, but the culprit isn’t him.”
To prevent unnecessary suspicion, she added.
“The headmaster confirmed he couldn’t have been there—his movements don’t align. During the first attack, Seong Hyun-jin was in the headmaster’s office.”
“Ah...”
Serena immediately apologized upon hearing that.
“Sorry, my bad for suspecting you...”
“...It’s fine. Honestly, even I was shocked hearing it.”
Seong Hyun-jin asked Hayes.
“But they’ve got such a detailed description and still haven’t caught him?”
“That’s what I heard. Even I find it odd. The police would know more, but it seems they’re hitting a wall.”
“Hmm...”
“So don’t let your guard down just because it’s only second-years. First-years, stay vigilant too. Avoid going alone if possible. Traveling in groups makes it easier to report and respond if attacked.”
Hayes said.
“Now, the second announcement...”
The second one was just about the exam schedule. It was nearly time for their first midterms since entering the academy.
While Hayes explained, Seong Hyun-jin pondered something and glanced at Serena.
“Serena.”
“Yes?”
“If you feel bad about the misunderstanding earlier, grant me one request.”
“...A request?”
Serena eyed him curiously—what could it be?—then suddenly blushed as a thought struck her.
“N-no, not that!”
“What? I haven’t even said it yet.”
“Y-you’re trying to make me do something weird.”
“How can you assume without hearing it? And what’s ‘weird’ supposed to mean?”
When Seong Hyun-jin boldly turned the question back on her, Serena stammered, her face turning beet red.
“......S-something naughty?”
“......?”
Seong Hyun-jin stared at her like she’d lost her mind. Realizing her mistake, Serena slammed her forehead onto the desk and buried her face.
“Serena Eldark, what nonsense is that...”
“I-I don’t know! I couldn’t sleep, so I’m talking gibberish...!”
“Why couldn’t you sleep...?”
Seong Hyun-jin sighed. He’d heard that the magazines and novels girls read these days were full of scandalous stories, and it seemed Serena Eldark’s head had been corrupted by them. Plus, with her elven blood, puberty might hit late. Her dragonkin heritage delayed physical growth, but mental maturity was another matter.
Understanding her odd behavior that way, Seong Hyun-jin clarified.
“No, not that. Let’s catch that guy ourselves.”
“......Huh?”
Serena stared at him blankly. He continued, dead serious.
“The assaults targeting academy students. The police are stumped on this case. If we solve it, what happens? We get famous, obviously!”
“I guess...?”
“Exactly. So we’re solving this case.”
Serena gave him an incredulous look as he spoke like some private detective.
“...You’re really desperate to get famous, huh.”
“It’s the way to spread my master’s fame.”
“Her reputation is already sky-high without you doing anything.”
“Not enough!”
“R-right...”
Seong Hyun-jin’s devotion to his master seemed to grow endlessly every day. If only he’d direct even a fraction of that toward me...
Slap!
Suddenly struck by the thought, Serena slapped her own cheek.
Seong Hyun-jin jumped in surprise beside her, and Instructor Hayes along with the other students stared in bewilderment at the sound.
“...Serena?”
“......Serena?”
“......S-sorry.”
Serena bowed her head in apology, caressing her burning cheek as she muttered to herself.
“I must be going crazy...”