Awkward Neighbors (1)
Why did it always end up like this? Just as distrust in the form of doubt bloomed in Seong Hyun-jin's heart, Ciela seemed to read his mind and spoke up.
"I'm telling you upfront—absolutely no weird intentions here. If you're worried I might lay a hand on my cute junior, don't be!"
"Is that for real?"
Given what had just happened with Yeonhui, Seong Hyun-jin couldn't help but be suspicious.
Eleonora, who was standing nearby, chimed in with an explanation. "It's to keep monitoring your condition, Seong Hyun-jin. We need to observe how your body reacts when you draw out the spirit's power—that's the key to finding a solution."
"Ah…."
"To do this without interfering with classes, we'd have to check you from after classes until bedtime… which means we need to be close by."
Eleonora continued, "Coming over every time would work, but it'd be such a hassle. So, not the same room, but staying in the same dorm would be ideal, don't you think?"
"…Hmm."
It was true—dragging himself to the dean's office every night before bed would be a pain.
"But I live in Baeln Dorm. How am I supposed to live with you seniors?"
"Easy—you move."
"Huh?"
"To Teraport Dorm!"
Ciela grinned as she said it, but Seong Hyun-jin's face rapidly soured.
"I, uh, don't have that kind of money."
"Huh? Oh, haha, no worries if it's about cash!"
"Exactly. The Teraport Foundation will cover the dorm fees."
At the mention of the Teraport Foundation footing the bill, Seong Hyun-jin's eyes widened.
"They're covering my costs?"
"You helped me out last time, right? This is payback, plus I'll be studying your condition for my own research. Call it compensation."
"You're not planning to use me as a guinea pig or anything, right?" Seong Hyun-jin joked.
Surprisingly, Ciela's response to his quip had a chilling edge. "Live experiments… something like that, maybe?"
"Huh?"
As Ciela flashed a meaningful smile, Seong Hyun-jin swallowed hard without realizing it. He didn't know exactly what "live experiments" entailed, but it sure didn't sound pleasant.
Seeing this, Eleonora scolded her disciple. "No more joking around—explain properly, Ciela."
"Ehehe, got it."
"…?"
Seong Hyun-jin blinked in slight confusion at Ciela's reaction. Was it just a joke after all?
Ciela waved it off to ease his tension. "Half of it was a joke."
"And the other half?"
"Totally serious. Not the dangerous kind of experiments you're imagining, but I'll still be researching your body."
"…Ah, gotcha."
Feeling a bit relieved, Seong Hyun-jin turned to Eleonora. "So, I'll be living in Teraport Dorm from now on? Guess I need to pack my stuff."
"Yes, you'll reside there. The third floor's full, so you'll be on the second. Ciela was originally on the third, but…."
"I'll stay on the second during this. Gotta observe you right up until you fall asleep!"
Ciela beamed as she said it. Her smile was so natural that even her sudden cheerfulness didn't feel awkward at all.
Seong Hyun-jin gazed at her for a moment, then relaxed with a lighter heart. "Thanks to you, I'll be living in luxury."
"Haha, once you get used to Teraport Dorm life, you might never want to go back to Baeln. Don't get too hooked?"
"Shouldn't I enjoy it while it lasts? Who knows if I'll ever get this chance again."
"Fair point."
Ciela smiled lightly and extended her hand. "Then, let's get along for a while."
"You too. Honestly, I was hoping we'd figure out a fix."
"Here's hoping we solve it this time."
Seong Hyun-jin felt a spark of anticipation deep down. The spirit he'd contracted with, King of Chaos, was undeniably useful and helpful in many ways… but the problem was the exhaustion and collapse that always followed its use.
If they could solve that—at least prevent him from passing out…. I'd be able to fight so much more freely than now.
Seong Hyun-jin smiled faintly, then remembered something else. Since he was already here with Eleonora, he asked, "Oh, Dean. About Yeonhui sunbae—is that really all sorted out?"
He'd heard from Yeonhui herself, but only a vague "it's handled," so he wanted the full story.
"Yes, while you were out, Dean Shania took care of it. The exchange program ended early, and Yeonhui is now officially a Terastial Academy student."
"She wrapped that up in a single day? Dean Shania gets shit done."
"She's got that kind of drive."
"Ah…."
Seong Hyun-jin nodded in understanding. Then, as if realizing something, he tilted his head in confusion. "Wait, then why bother with the exam? If she's like that, she could've just dragged Yeonhui sunbae back whether she wanted to or not…."
"…Hehe, who knows?"
Eleonora chuckled lightly without answering, leaving Seong Hyun-jin still puzzled as he cocked his head. "……?"
◇◇◇
Seong Hyun-jin, a first-year in Terastial Academy's Combat Department. He was already a person of interest among the second-year guys, let alone his own class.
Was it because of his overwhelming performance at the martial exhibition? Sure, that played a part, but the real reason was elsewhere.
Serena Eldark, the most famous and spotlighted girl in first-year girls. Ciela Teraport, overwhelmingly popular even among second-years. The fact that both were fixated on one guy—Seong Hyun-jin—had already spread like wildfire through the first and second years.
Especially since people had seen Ciela Teraport initiating casual skinship with him.
The first-year guys were already annoyed that Dragon Princess Yeonhui clung to him like glue, and now a pretty second-year senior was showing interest too….
I wanna hang with hot girls too…!
Seong Hyun-jin hogs them all…!!
It was only natural for guys that age to be jealous, and Serena Eldark's changed attitude yesterday and today only fanned the flames.
While Seong Hyun-jin had skipped yesterday due to feeling ill, a few guys had approached the alone Serena—but she'd rejected them all with her signature icy demeanor.
But today, as soon as he returned, her attitude flipped. Gone was the cold front; she stuck to his side, making girlish expressions.
"Something pretty funny happened at lunch yesterday. Too bad you missed it."
"What was it?"
Right after theory class ended, she was already chatting him up with that look on her face.
"Always just to Seong Hyun-jin…."
"I got shot down yesterday… my life…."
The Combat Department guys' jealousy grew by the day, but Seong Hyun-jin just eyed the tense atmosphere, wondering what their deal was.
"Seong Hyun-jin, are you even listening?"
Noticing he was distracted by the guys, she asked with a slight pout.
Seong Hyun-jin scratched his cheek. "…Yeah, I was."
"What was I saying, then?"
Her tone confirmed he hadn't been, so he averted his gaze slyly.
"Knew it—you weren't listening."
"Sorry…."
"I thought you didn't care about other people's chatter?"
"I don't, but the vibe's getting kinda murderous."
As Seong Hyun-jin mumbled awkwardly, Serena pondered briefly before replying. "…Well, of course."
"Of course?"
"Yes."
Serena propped her elbows on the desk and rested her chin on her hands with a soft thunk. Her chest rose onto the desk surface, creating a sight no red-blooded guy could ignore.
"I'm only showing interest in you."
"……Interest?"
"Yes."
Serena leaned forward slightly. Her breasts pressed together a bit, and the guys watching gulped audibly. Seong Hyun-jin, right in front, was no exception.
By his standards, Serena Eldark's size was well above passing, and her face was beautiful enough to rival Karin's. Of course he'd notice.
Confirming his gaze, Serena relaxed a little, speaking with a pleased tone. "Yesterday, some other guys talked to me… but I ignored them completely."
"…Why?"
"You know why."
"…But I'm a guy too? What if you feel the same about me?"
Her eyes widened at his question, and she whispered softly, "That's fine."
"…Huh?"
"……."
Seong Hyun-jin asked what she meant, but Serena just blushed faintly without responding. The mood turned awkward and embarrassing.
Seong Hyun-jin cleared his throat and changed the subject. "Oh, Serena."
"…Yes?"
"I'm moving to Teraport Dorm starting today?"
"……?"
The sudden bombshell wiped away her intent to call him out for dodging.
"Using the tournament prize for that?"
"Huh? No, it's not my money…."
As Seong Hyun-jin started explaining, the classroom door slid open.
Drag!
"Junior Hyun-jin!"
The one who burst in energetically was the second-year heartthrob at the center of all the recent rumors with him.
"Let's head back together!"
It was Ciela Teraport.
The Combat Department students still lingering after class froze in shock. Ciela coming to see Seong Hyun-jin? And what she said was even wilder.
"Let's head back together"? What the hell did that mean?
"That bastard actually did it!?"
"Fuck, fuck! Fuck…!!"
"Die, for the academy's peace—please just die!"
As curse-like mutters flew, Seong Hyun-jin eyed the sudden visitor Ciela with a bad feeling. And his hunch was spot on.
"……Seong Hyun-jin."
At Serena's menacing tone, he turned with a creak. And he saw it clearly.
"…What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Who knew a person could smile while looking that pissed.