Yeonhui's Defiance
Eleonora and Shania were both startled to see Yeonhui suddenly appear. Shania was the first to speak to her.
“Yeonhui, what are you doing here?”
“It's been a while, Dean Shania.”
Yeonhui lightly pinched the hem of her skirt and curtsied gracefully, like a noble lady. With her usual benevolent smile, she asked, “Have you been well?”
“...Yes, I've been fine. And you, Yeonhui? Have you been well?”
“Everyone at Terastial Academy has treated me kindly, so I've lacked for nothing.”
Yeonhui lifted her head and asked Shania, “Dean Shania, it sounded like you were talking about the exchange student program.”
“You heard that, huh.”
Shania let out a small sigh as she continued, “That's right. I came because it looks like we'll need to take you back earlier than planned.”
Seong Hyun-jin had given her a heads-up beforehand, but hearing it straight from Dean Shania herself felt entirely different.
...It's too soon.
They'd only just met. He was from her homeland, and he matched her tastes perfectly. To have to part ways like this...
Yeonhui had planned to deepen her bond with him over the full semester at Terastial Academy. That way, even after she returned home, they'd have reasons to meet during academy breaks or after graduation.
Seeing Yeonhui's expression darken, Shania found it surprising. Had her time at Terastial Academy been that enjoyable? Not expecting Yeonhui to feel regretful, Shania spoke with a hint of awkwardness.
“We're not taking you back right this instant, but you will have to return after midterms at the latest.”
“Isn't there still time left? The principle is to return at the end of the semester...”
“Well...”
Shania repeated the explanation she'd just given Eleonora.
“...So that's why you'll need to come back early.”
“......”
Yeonhui couldn't muster a strong rebuttal to Shania. If there'd been any loophole she could exploit, she would have argued tooth and nail, but this was the will of the entire Holy Kingdom, beyond just the academy. She had no grounds to object—especially since she fully understood the mission entrusted to her.
The Pope of the Holy Kingdom wasn't like the hereditary monarchs of other nations. The position was ascended by saints who appeared at regular intervals. It didn't matter if they weren't from the Holy Kingdom or were even a non-human subrace. Only those blessed by the divine could claim the throne.
If multiple chosen ones appeared at once, it would sow chaos, but as if the gods had foreseen that, only one saint emerged per cycle.
And the figure who could be seen as this generation's saint was none other than Yeonhui.
She was a transmigrator, but her blessing was extraordinarily special. The perk called Divine Blessing was a boon granted directly by the Sun God, the world's chief deity.
Thus, Yeonhui was the saint chosen by the divine for this era.
With the current Pope nearing the end of his days at the Lord's side and no other saints discovered, Yeonhui's presence was uniquely precious in the Holy Kingdom. Naturally, her whereabouts were a top concern for its people.
She'd received unprecedented treatment at Celestial Academy from the start, and even her exchange to Terastial had come with the transfer of ownership of the chapel.
Considering all this, Yeonhui had a duty to meet the expectations of the Holy Kingdom's people. It was because of them that a transmigrator like her hadn't suffered hardship and had been respected and honored by so many.
“Do you understand?”
“...Yes.”
So Yeonhui couldn't argue against Shania's words. But she couldn't fully hide her emotions in her expression either. Seeing it sour so quickly, Shania recalled their earlier conversation and ventured, “...Yeonhui, is this because you met someone from your homeland this time? Student Seong Hyun-jin, right?”
“Yes.”
Yeonhui answered honestly. Shania nodded as if it confirmed her suspicions.
“I thought so. I was actually on my way to meet his master, Sword Star Hakodate Karin. I've heard that you and Student Seong Hyun-jin have grown close.”
“...Is that so?”
“Yes. If you want, I can arrange for you to see him occasionally through Karin.”
“Occasionally...”
Shania meant it as comfort, assuring her they'd meet again in the future, but Yeonhui couldn't settle for that.
Occasionally... even once a year would count as frequent.
They weren't close enough yet for more. They were just senior and junior who knew each other. They needed to grow closer, forge a deeper bond... only then could she see Seong Hyun-jin again later.
Yeonhui absolutely refused to give him up.
It had been 13 years since she'd transmigrated to this world. Short to some, but over half her life to her. He'd been the first person from South Korea she'd met.
He was a reincarnator, not a transmigrator, but to Yeonhui, sharing memories and nostalgia of their homeland made him an irreplaceable connection.
And above all, she'd seen it with her own eyes at the martial tournament. The face Seong Hyun-jin hid behind his usual demeanor.
The ferocious aura and murderous expression he'd unleashed against Aiel Northwood... it was an image Yeonhui could never forget. Utterly captivating.
Others might not see it, but to her, it was.
It wasn't just the ferocity she loved—it was that he could transform like that for someone else. Yes, the type who could do anything for one woman, even become a villain willingly. That was Yeonhui's ideal man.
From the moment she'd witnessed it, Seong Hyun-jin was someone she couldn't let go.
Until now, she'd never resisted the Holy Kingdom's people's wishes. But she steeled her resolve.
She'd fulfill them someday, of course. So for now, at least while she had the relative freedom of being an academy student...
“...But Dean Shania, Dean Eleonora just said...”
“Yes?”
Even if it was selfish, she wanted to have her way.
“That the student's will is the most important.”
Shania was slightly flustered by Yeonhui's words. The girl who'd been so compliant up to now had suddenly changed her tune.
“Yeonhui, what do you mean by...”
“I don't want to go back yet.”
Yeonhui declared boldly, prompting Eleonora, who'd been listening, to chuckle softly. Shania whipped her head around at the sound.
“The student doesn't want to? Aren't you her guardian? How can you not know a child's heart?”
“......”
Shania wanted to snap back at Eleonora but had nothing to say.
I knew she had bad homesickness, but...
She hadn't expected Yeonhui to refuse over this, even knowing it was the Holy Kingdom's wish.
“...Yeonhui, but you know it's not just me or the academy hoping you'll return.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Yet Yeonhui bowed her head firmly, as if she still couldn't accept Shania's directive.
“Even so, I want to stay here longer.”
“......You'll only have another two or three months at most.”
“That's fine. Even that time would be enough.”
Yeonhui was adamant. Shania sensed she couldn't sway her and fell silent.
Seeing the conversation stall, Eleonora cleared her throat and addressed Shania in a more official tone.
“If Student Yeonhui doesn't want to, I can't accept Dean of Celestial Academy's proposal. Besides, our student might not want an early return either.”
“......”
Shania stayed quiet, though her expression showed displeasure. Eleonora glanced at her with a faint smile, then turned to Yeonhui.
“Student Yeonhui, you can go now. We'll wrap things up between deans.”
“Yes, Dean Eleonora.”
Yeonhui bowed to both and left the dean's office. Shania let out a deep sigh.
“I never thought Yeonhui would actually refuse...”
“Pfft, not knowing your ward's heart after becoming her guardian.”
“...Don't say it twice.”
Shania growled, and Eleonora shrugged.
“What can I do when Student Yeonhui puts it like that~? Let's pretend this conversation never happened?”
Shania scowled at Eleonora's mocking tone.
“...If I can change Yeonhui's mind before midterms end, that solves it, right?”
Eleonora's eyes widened.
“What? You're planning to stay longer? What about your academy?”
Shania was the dean of Celestial Academy, rival to this one. Staying longer here went against propriety—not to mention common sense.
Terastial's midterms were two weeks away. Who would manage Celestial if its dean was absent?
But Shania brushed it off.
“Wise Star is looking after the academy anyway, so it's fine.”
“You're dumping work on Wise Star too...? Don't you have a conscience?”
“He only helps when I'm away.”
Shania was unapologetic, and Eleonora stared in disbelief. But only briefly—soon she thought to herself.
...Actually, maybe it's better with Wise Star in charge?
Shania's mastery of spirit divine arts was unparalleled, but her talents seemed all funneled into her chest; management wasn't her forte. Wise Star handling it might be preferable.
As Terastial's dean, Eleonora secretly hoped Celestial would advance too—for the sake of nurturing global talent—as long as it didn't surpass them.
It wouldn't change much, but if Wise Star managed for two weeks and improved things even slightly, all the better. She told Shania, “Do whatever. You can stay longer.”
“...You just had another rude thought, didn't you?”
“Huh? What're you talking about?”
Shania glared sharply, but Eleonora played innocent with a sly grin. She asked what Shania planned to do.
“Convincing Yeonhui looks tough, so I'll target the other side.”
Eleonora tilted her head.
“The other side?”
“Yeah.”
Shania knew the root cause of Yeonhui wanting to stay. Convince that side instead, and Yeonhui would have no choice but to return.
“You don't mean...”
Eleonora guessed Shania's intent.
“Don't touch Karin's disciple when Karin's right there?”
“Touch? I'm just making a proposal.”
Shania licked her lips subtly as she spoke. Eleonora let out a hollow laugh.
Her old frenemy had always been like this. Especially with men—she'd use her natural beauty to bend situations her way.
Shania waved off concerns.
“Besides, Karin's leaving soon, right? She came for instructor evaluations, so she'll head back before midterms start. I won't touch him until then.”
“......”
Eleonora neither affirmed nor denied, lost in resurfacing memories. The gaze she'd felt when first meeting Seong Hyun-jin.
Even now, it gave her chills. He'd only looked, but it felt like being stripped bare and scrutinized.
She hadn't dwelled on it then, but now it was clear...
...The eyes of a man appraising a woman.
Scanning if she suited his tastes, how alluring her body was—probing every inch.
Recalling it, Eleonora chuckled dryly and warned Shania.
“...You'll regret it big time.”
“What? With that student?”
“Yeah.”
“Quit wasting time and just give up.”
Despite the warning, Shania pondered briefly before shaking her head.
“No way. Your warning just makes me more curious. And above all, I have to bring Yeonhui back.”
She stated firmly.
“The Holy Kingdom expects it.”
“......”
Eleonora recalled Shania's earlier point about considering the Holy Kingdom's gaze. But she knew that wasn't the real reason.
She's so devoted to her homeland...
Divine Star Shania was a Palstar Hero. Earning that title meant saving countless lives, and Shania was no exception.
As an authority on spirit divine arts, she'd saved people by traveling the Holy Kingdom, healing the sick far and wide.
Traversing its vast lands by carriage alone took months without spirit magic. Her journeys must have been grueling beyond measure.
Yeonhui was called a 'saint' now, but in Eleonora's younger days, Shania had been the one so praised. Everyone close to her knew her dedication to her people.
Knowing she couldn't break Shania's stubbornness, Eleonora gave up persuading.
“Fine, do what you want. But if you crash and burn and come crying to me, don't expect sympathy.”
“I won't need to, so don't get ahead of yourself.”
With that, Shania left the dean's office. Eleonora stared at the empty space, muttering.
“It won't work anyway...”
She recalled the scenes she'd witnessed every morning during Karin's stay.
“What can you do against a boy utterly smitten with his master?”
And above all, there was a reason Eleonora hadn't agreed with Shania's claim that 'Karin's leaving soon.'
“Karin's not going back in the first place.”