Awkward Neighbors (2)
Serena's expression was terrifying as she demanded to know what that meant. Just moments ago, she'd worn such a lovely smile that even Seong Hyun-jin had noticed, yet it was astonishing how swiftly her face could twist into that.
Feeling the immense pressure, Seong Hyun-jin broke out in cold sweat and tried to explain first.
"It's a misunderstanding."
"...You say that every time."
"It really is a misunderstanding...?"
Serena clearly didn't trust Seong Hyun-jin's words. With no other choice, he turned to Ciela for help.
"Senior, could you explain it so Serena doesn't misunderstand?"
"...Hmm, sure."
Ciela approached with heavy steps. The academy's popular second-year beauty, Ciela Teraport, now faced off against Serena Eldark, the top first-year stunner. The mere sight of the two girls together drew every student's gaze, and some even swallowed nervously.
Up close, their eyes met.
"Serena, junior? Let me explain properly."
Ciela flashed a bright smile, then dropped a bombshell that clashed wildly with her expression.
"Seong Hyun-jin junior is moving in with me starting today."
"......Pardon?"
Serena wasn't the only one stunned by Ciela's declaration—nearby students listening in froze as well.
"W-what does that mean...?"
"Exactly what I said."
"Why... why are you living with Seong Hyun-jin!?"
"That's just how it worked out?"
Seong Hyun-jin couldn't believe Ciela's words were making things worse. He cut in.
"Senior... saying it like that just deepens the misunderstanding."
"Huh? Ahaha, really?"
Ciela laughed it off like it was a joke, then properly clarified to Serena, whose expression had become quite the sight.
"I meant he's joining Terraport Hall and living here. Not sharing my room."
Serena relaxed a bit at that, but curiosity lingered as she asked,
"Did you drag him into Terraport Hall, Senior?"
"Yeah. But not for my sake—it's specifically for Seong Hyun-jin junior."
"...For Seong Hyun-jin?"
Serena shot Seong Hyun-jin a look that demanded an answer.
He understood why she was upset, but some things he just didn't want to share with everyone.
"It's not something to discuss here... "
"...Then let's go outside."
Serena shot to her feet and glanced between Seong Hyun-jin and Ciela.
"I'd usually let it slide, but this time I need a proper explanation. Let's talk out there."
Seong Hyun-jin nearly blurted out why are you making such a fuss, but his beast-like instincts warned him not to say it now.
"...Fine."
Seong Hyun-jin, Serena, and Ciela filed out of the classroom one by one. The first-year Combat Department room fell eerily silent, like a storm had swept through, as students began piecing together their own interpretations.
...What the hell just happened?
The Dragon Princess and Ciela senior... fighting over Seong Hyun-jin?
A lovers' quarrel...?
The first-years were dumbfounded, and they rushed off to spread the news to friends and acquaintances. Just like that, the rumor exploded across the entire first-year class.
Meanwhile, the trio had arrived at Terraport Hall. They settled at a table in the lobby.
True to its reputation as the top dorm, each table offered pre-plated snacks, and maids soon approached with steaming cups of tea.
Ciela took her cup casually, Serena accepted hers without much awkwardness, but Seong Hyun-jin marveled at the luxury, realizing this was his new home. He asked Serena,
"You said a quiet place— this is it?"
"Where's quieter than the Terraport Hall lobby?"
"Smart choice, Serena junior."
Ciela nodded.
"Yeah, nowhere beats Terraport Hall for peace and quiet. Plus, with me and Hyun-jin junior here, getting in was no issue."
"...So now, explain why Seong Hyun-jin is moving into Terraport Hall."
"He can tell it best, right?"
Seong Hyun-jin scratched his head awkwardly. He'd never shared this with anyone but his master, so it felt strange, but he had to speak up.
He opened cautiously.
"It's because of my spirit."
"Your spirit? Something wrong with the one you're contracted to?"
"Not a huge issue, just a little..."
"No, junior—it's a pretty big deal."
Ciela interjected.
"How common is it for a contracted spirit to siphon its contractor's life force to fuel itself?"
"...Pardon?"
Serena's eyes widened.
"Is it an evil spirit?"
"Looks similar."
"...Not exactly an evil spirit, though. If it were, I couldn't control it—but mine listens well."
As Seong Hyun-jin explained, Serena recalled past events and asked with growing dread,
"So all this time...?"
"...I've been exhausted and needing breaks constantly."
"That's why!? I thought you were just worn out from training...!"
Serena's eyes filled with shock and worry for him. Noticing, Seong Hyun-jin reassured her.
"It's no different from regular fatigue. Resting or sleeping fixes it."
But Serena bit her lip, pained that he'd suffered alone.
"...So during our duel at the sparring festival, and the class placement exam... you were dealing with side effects then too."
"Yeah, but..."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner? I could've asked my father or figured out some way to help!"
Her voice mixed worry and hurt as she asked,
"You got help from Ciela senior... but couldn't trust me?"
"It's not that... I didn't even tell her myself. My master did."
"Right. Karin asked my master directly."
Ciela chuckled.
"So don't feel too bad, Serena junior."
"...I'm not."
Serena denied it, but her sulk was obvious even to Seong Hyun-jin. One might think she was over-worrying, but he didn't mind.
She's my closest friend here, so of course she worries.
If anything, it felt nice. A beauty like Serena fretting over him? Not bad at all.
He reassured her again.
"They're saying I'll stay here for a while to monitor my condition and find a fix. It's not just Ciela senior—Dean Eleonora's helping too."
"...I see."
Serena bowed her head slightly, misunderstanding cleared.
"Sorry, for jumping to conclusions... "
"Nah... Ciela senior did phrase it misleadingly."
"Just blaming me, junior?"
"What'd I even do? Blame me instead?"
Seong Hyun-jin eyed Ciela incredulously, but she just laughed it off.
"I'll ask my father too. He might know something."
"The Dragon Star would know plenty! Hope you get good news."
"Everyone helping is great, but it feels burdensome. It's really not that big a deal... "
As Seong Hyun-jin downplayed it, Serena and Ciela spoke in unison.
"It is a big deal."
"It's a big deal, junior."
"......Senior, you two sync up surprisingly well."
Ciela glanced at Serena; Serena at Ciela. Then Ciela said,
"...Not really surprising."
She smiled lightly.
"We like the same things—figures we'd mesh."
"...!"
"Like the same things? You two overlap?"
Seong Hyun-jin asked, and both shook their heads almost simultaneously.
"You don't need to know, junior."
"Do you do this on purpose sometimes?"
"......?"
Seong Hyun-jin looked back and forth in confusion, but sadly, neither elaborated.
#
"Hmm... "
Ciela eyed Seong Hyun-jin thoughtfully. He sat before her, spirit power fully manifested for inspection.
Serena had left, and they'd begun researching his side effects.
"Hmmm... "
"Senior, staring like that won't reveal answers."
"Not really, but it's fascinating."
Ciela explained.
"It drains life force like other evil spirits, yet obeys you?"
"It does. That's why I wield its power freely."
Eleonora and Ciela kept calling it an evil spirit, but the King of Chaos wasn't technically one. It drained life force like one, sure—but evil spirits were corrupted or berserk originals that couldn't be controlled.
Clarice Levatein's case proved it: rampaging spirits defied control.
Yet the King of Chaos obeyed Seong Hyun-jin perfectly, unlike them. Similar in taking payment for power, but control set it apart.
So Seong Hyun-jin didn't see it as an evil spirit. The drain was a 'penalty,' not a 'curse,' per Karin's words.
Still, if fixable, why not? Hence agreeing to Eleonora and Ciela's help.
After scrutinizing him, Ciela stood.
"That's enough for today. We'll check again tomorrow and take samples."
"What kind?"
"Capture your spirit's power in this special vial, and draw blood while using it."
"Prep both now?"
"Nah. Fresher samples are easier to study, so we'll collect tomorrow too."
"Whatever works for you, senior."
Seong Hyun-jin rose, feeling drained. He asked,
"My stuff's already moved, right?"
"Yeah, my master handled it. Your room's 202, by the way."
"Got it."
He bowed.
"Good night."
"Night, junior! Sleep well!"
Leaving Ciela's room, Seong Hyun-jin headed downstairs to his. But he heard footsteps ascending from the first floor.
"...?"
"Ah."
It was his classmate and close friend, who'd supposedly left ages ago.
"...Serena, why are you here?"
Serena Eldark. She climbed the stairs with two maids carrying a large bag.
She glanced around awkwardly before saying,
"I'm moving in here too... "
"......?"
Serena had said before: living in Terraport Hall was extravagant. She wouldn't indulge on her father's wealth.
So why now...?
"You're living in Terraport Hall?"
Seong Hyun-jin couldn't fathom her sudden change of heart.