Yeonhui's Honest Confession
Shania's eyes widened in shock at Yeonhui's frank confession. And rightly so—it wasn't just about spending one more semester as an exchange student before heading home.
She wanted to stay by his side forever. For a young girl of that tender age to say something like that meant she harbored deep feelings for him.
Shania's gut feeling confirmed what she'd suspected, and she turned to Seong Hyun-jin.
"Senior, that means…"
As Seong Hyun-jin paused, Shania swallowed dryly, tension building. But his next words left both Shania and Yeonhui frozen in place.
"You want to transfer to Terastial Academy?"
"……?"
Shania stared at him, utterly baffled, but Seong Hyun-jin looked back as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"I'll be at Terastial Academy from now on, so if you want to stay by my side… doesn't that mean you want to transfer there too, Yeonhui senior?"
"Uh…"
It wasn't wrong, technically. Yeonhui probably hadn't meant it that way, but to stay with Seong Hyun-jin, she'd have to remain at Terastial Academy.
Still, for the man who should understand her true feelings to fixate on practicalities first? It didn't sit right.
"…Don't you feel anything at all, Seong Hyun-jin?"
"Of course I do. I know you want to stay close to me, Yeonhui senior. Honestly, it's touching."
"No, not that…"
As Shania spoke with a hint of exasperation, Yeonhui, who had been quietly stunned, finally smiled faintly.
"…It's okay, Dean."
"Pardon?"
"That's just how he is, hehe."
Yeonhui brushed it off with a light laugh. Since the person involved didn't mind, Shania saw no reason to dwell.
"I just need to express it more clearly… ♥"
"……?"
For a moment, Shania thought she saw a new expression on Yeonhui's face. But it must have been a fleeting illusion—Yeonhui had returned to her usual gentle smile.
With that settled, they had to address the practical side, just as Seong Hyun-jin had pointed out.
"But Yeonhui, you're in your third year now. Transferring at this stage would wipe out everything you've built at Celestial Academy. Terastial Academy wouldn't recognize most of it…"
"Does it matter which academy I graduate from? I'm still the next Holy Emperor candidate, aren't I?"
Shania couldn't argue with that. But she had more to say.
"And the people of the Holy Nation won't just sit idly by. Especially since this is the Magic Kingdom."
The Magic Kingdom and Holy Nation were age-old rivals, much like Terastial and Celestial Academies. They weren't at war now, but their history was bloody with frequent conflicts. They maintained diplomatic ties and pretended to get along, but public sentiment remained frosty.
The Holy Nation's next Holy Emperor candidate transferring to a Magic Kingdom academy? Backlash was inevitable.
Yeonhui had no solid solution for that. After a moment's thought, she glanced at Shania, clasped her hands neatly, fidgeted a bit, and looked up at her with pleading eyes.
"Couldn't you… pull some strings for that part, Dean…?"
"…!"
"Please…"
Surprisingly, Yeonhui resorted to coquetry. While their relationship was strictly guardian and ward, Shania did cherish her like family. Beyond Yeonhui's status as a prime Holy Emperor candidate, Shania knew her hardships—transmigrated young, scraping by until they met.
Knowing her past, Shania held Yeonhui dear, so seeing her—who rarely made requests—act cute like this was both delightful and bewildering.
Even as Shania pondered, Yeonhui inched closer, gazing up with wide, sparkling eyes like the cat in Puss in Boots.
"…Yeonhui."
"Yes."
"You know you're Celestial Academy's most vital asset, right?"
Yeonhui nodded slightly. She understood the weight of her role.
"Transferring you to Terastial Academy—no, to a Magic Kingdom academy—is a massive risk for me too. You get that?"
"…Yes."
Yeonhui knew full well. Her transfer would keep Shania swamped—stifling rumors, countering Holy Nation pressure. Their reactions were predictable, so protecting Celestial Academy's reputation would demand relentless effort.
Of course, as one of the Palstar Heroes even the Holy Nation respected, Shania could quell complaints if she tried.
Shania told her, "If you understand that, then you know this isn't something a little charm can brush off."
"Eek…"
Yeonhui flinched at the pointed remark. She'd thought her charm offensive was flawless, yet it met a cold wall.
But thankfully, Shania didn't stop there.
"We'll test it."
"A test?"
"We need to see if you can thrive at Terastial Academy without my protection."
Shania continued, "We also need proof that Terastial's curriculum benefits you more than Celestial's. As dean, I can't approve the transfer without that."
"How will you test it?"
After a brief pause at Yeonhui's question, Shania spoke quietly.
"Midterms are coming up soon."
"Yes."
"Then using the training grounds should be fine."
Seong Hyun-jin, who had been silent, tilted his head.
"What are you planning to do with the training grounds?"
"I told you—a test."
Shania pointed at him. "Not just Yeonhui—you'll participate too, Seong Hyun-jin."
"Me? Why…?"
"To gauge Terastial Academy's level, you'll represent them in the test."
Seong Hyun-jin scratched his head, wondering if it had to be him.
"Junior…"
But Yeonhui's pleading gaze softened his resolve. After a moment, he nodded.
"…Got it."
"Junior…!"
"What do I need to do?"
Shania thought it over carefully, then said, "Go back for today. I need to talk to Eleonora about the training grounds. Once the test is set, I'll let Yeonhui know, and we'll meet then."
"Okay."
"Thank you, junior."
Yeonhui beamed gratefully, and Seong Hyun-jin nodded awkwardly.
"I'll head out first. Let me know once you decide."
"Yes, junior."
"One more thing, just in case. If you back out later, Yeonhui's proposal is void."
"Got it…"
Having heard the warning, Seong Hyun-jin left the chapel first.
Once he was gone, Shania turned to Yeonhui.
"Yeonhui."
"…Yes?"
"The test won't be easy alone, so cooperate 'stickily' with Seong Hyun-jin."
"Ah, yes."
Shania emphasized 'stickily' oddly before departing promptly.
Left alone, Yeonhui tilted her head.
'Just now…'
Shania's expression right before leaving was peculiar. She had definitely…
'…been smiling.'
#
"You actually accepted that?"
Serena, who had been waiting outside the chapel, walked back to the dorms with Seong Hyun-jin. The men's and women's superior dorms were in the same direction anyway.
Curious about their talk, she asked, and his response was that he'd agreed to Shania's test.
"Yeah, since Yeonhui senior wants it."
"……."
For Yeonhui's sake, no less.
"…For Yeonhui senior, huh?"
"Pretty much."
Serena unwittingly puffed out her cheeks like a chipmunk.
Oblivious, Seong Hyun-jin—who hadn't even glanced back—continued.
"Honestly, I was curious too."
"…About what?"
"The dean's a Palstar Hero like my master."
"She is…? That's exactly why I'm shocked you're taking her test."
Serena's tone implied that was the bigger issue.
But Seong Hyun-jin spoke with eager anticipation.
"A test from someone as strong as my master? Isn't that exciting?"
"…Pardon?"
"I don't know the details yet, but from a Palstar Hero…"
He turned to Serena with a grin that lit up his face.
"I'm really looking forward to it."
"……."
Serena gazed at him, a bit surprised. She'd noticed it before—this man loved clashing with the strong, whether in battle, sparring, or tests.
It stemmed from his competitive spirit, no doubt. Recalling his expression from their class exam matchup, she chuckled softly.
"…You're just like that, aren't you."
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
Serena chuckled again.
"If you're doing it, do it right. Don't embarrass yourself."
"I'll crush it, but… even if I flop, it's my embarrassment, not yours."
Seong Hyun-jin tilted his head—why would she care?
Serena replied simply.
"I don't like seeing you embarrassed."
"…Huh?"
She faltered at his startled look, then breezed past him.
"Just because~."
Serena strode ahead, her pace unnaturally brisk despite the dorm being close. Seong Hyun-jin watched her back curiously, then noticed something and muttered in mild surprise.
"…Her ears are red."