Serena's Dilemma (1)
Serena Eldark had rightfully claimed the top spot in the entrance exam, living up to her fame as the daughter of the Dragon Star. She had received no special privileges in the process, making her unequivocally the most outstanding among this year's freshmen. And yet, for some reason, she let out a sigh.
She should have been rejoicing, or at least looked pleased. Seong Hyun-jin, puzzled by this, found himself blurting out something presumptuous without thinking.
Upon reflection, their only interactions had been a few words exchanged while filling out the application. But that rational thought didn't last long. We're the same age anyway—what's the harm in acting like we know each other? With shameless confidence, he looked at Serena.
Hearing his voice, Serena turned, narrowing her eyes at him. "Dragon girl... you mean me?"
"Yeah."
"How rude."
"Am I wrong?"
She couldn't deny it. But that didn't mean she had nothing to say. "It's true, but... does that mean I can call you a half-elf mongrel?"
"Doesn't matter. It's a fact."
"......"
His matter-of-fact response left her speechless. Fortunately, Seong Hyun-jin wasn't completely oblivious. Sensing her displeasure, he asked, "Was that not okay? Is 'half-dragon' some kind of insult for dragonkin?"
Serena didn't deny it. But it seemed like he was genuinely unaware, so she didn't snap. Instead, she sighed softly. "...You don't need to call me that. Just use my name. You know it, don't you?"
"Hm?"
"You saw the acceptance list. I saw your name there too, Seong Hyun-jin."
"...Oh, right."
He furrowed his brow slightly, looking thoughtful. Serena, watching him, ventured a guess. "Don't tell me you don't remember..."
"Sorry, I'm bad with names."
Wringing his memory, he offered a vague recollection. "Was it Saira Shuvark or something?"
"Serena Eldark. Totally wrong."
"...Well, at least three letters match."
"That's not even half."
"Long names are hard to remember..."
Scratching his head sheepishly, he tilted his head. "But why were you sighing so much? Adults say too many sighs bring bad luck."
To him, "adults" meant people from his past life and his master, the Sword Star. Unaware of this, Serena replied with mild disbelief. "Who says that?"
"Adults I know."
"First time hearing it."
She fell silent for a moment, then sighed again. "...Sigh, it's just something that happened."
"Something? ...Ah!"
His eyes widened as if struck by realization. Serena, meanwhile, was baffled by his reaction. Then his next words left her even more confused.
"You didn't like the entrance exam either, huh?"
"...Pardon?"
"Sparring would have been better. This way, you don't even feel properly warmed up, right? Maybe I should suggest to the dean we do sparring next time."
"...I never thought of that."
Thinking he'd finally found someone who agreed, Seong Hyun-jin chattered excitedly. But Serena dismissed it outright. Blinking, he stared at her, a bit flustered. "Not it?"
"Not at all."
Most people wouldn't worry about that, but he was oblivious. Realizing their thoughts diverged, he cocked his head. "Then what's the issue?"
"...I don't really want to say."
She sighed lightly and stood. "I'll head in first."
Serena left the bench, heading back to the dorms. But soon, she grew uneasy. At first, her mind was too tangled with worries to notice, but a persistent presence trailed behind her.
Glancing back, she saw Seong Hyun-jin following a few steps away. "Wh-what are you doing following me...?"
"Huh? We weren't done talking."
"Pardon?"
Anyone could see the conversation had ended. She'd even said she was leaving first. Yet he kept following—what kind of logic was this? She stared at him incredulously, but he replied brazenly.
"They say sharing worries halves the pain."
"...You followed me just to say that?"
"Huh? No, I'm here to actually listen."
He answered simply. "Kids our age often stress over pointless things. Bottling it up leads to resentment later."
Surprised by his insight, Serena looked at him. Her first impression had been flippant, but he could be serious—and surprisingly mature for his age.
Our age? He spoke like someone much older. Amused, she retorted, "...Aren't we the same age? All freshmen are twenty."
"I'm a reincarnator."
"Ah... right."
She recalled that and nodded. Past-life memories meant experience, so his maturity made sense. It just felt off after his usual antics.
"Must be a long past life."
"Not really. Age-wise, this life and the last aren't much different."
"Huh? So you're around my age in both?"
"Yeah. I never said I lived long before."
"You talk like you've got decades more."
She stared, chuckling dryly. "See? You look relieved already."
"...Ah."
"So, what's the worry? I might not solve it, but I can listen."
Touched by his kindness, she gazed at him, then tilted her head. "...Have we met before?"
"Nope."
"Then why care so much?"
"You're top rank."
"Huh? No need to listen to worries for that."
"There is."
He explained plainly. "Know thyself and thy enemy, and you shall win a hundred battles."
"Pardon?"
"To beat the top rank, I need to know you—your habits, thoughts, lifestyle."
His eyes were earnest. Serena realized he might seem lighthearted, but he wasn't shallow.
"That makes fighting easier."
"...And you can't even remember my name?"
"I do now. Serena Dairuk."
"Serena Eldark. Wrong again."
"...Got the name right, though."
She studied him, then confirmed. "You'll really listen?"
"I don't go back on my word."
Her red eyes scanned him. It felt novel. Like during the application, he approached without regard for her lineage. Most came with expectations tied to her father. But he cared about Serena Eldark herself, regardless.
"...Fine, I'll tell you."
"Go ahead, make yourself comfortable."
He gestured to a nearby bench. "We can talk there."
"No. Somewhere without people. It's not for eavesdroppers..."
"Then..."
He scanned around and pointed. "That looks quiet."
Terastial Academy guarantees religious freedom. Thus, religious facilities dotted the grounds, especially near dorms. The spot Seong Hyun-jin found was a chapel's worship hall.
"C-can we just barge in?"
"Worship halls are open, right? So yeah."
"That's for worshippers... Sigh, whatever."
Too late—he was already inside. She followed reluctantly.
He sat in a pew, beckoning her. "Come confess."
"...I'm not here for penance. And this isn't a confessional."
His playfulness made her regret sharing. But having come this far, she sat beside him.
"So, what's the worry?"
"...It's from being top rank."
"Huh?"
He looked baffled. "Don't misunderstand—it's serious, not teasing you."
"Didn't think that. What's wrong with top rank?"
"They say the top scorer represents freshmen."
"Yeah, and?"
"I heard we have to say a few words at the ceremony."
"Yeah."
He waited for more, but she stopped. incredulous, he asked, "...That's it?"
"It is serious! Don't look so pitiful! I know it's lame, but it's serious to me...!"
"...Just say a few words. No one expects a speech. Greet and go."
"Th-that's the problem. I can't stand in front of people..."
"Huh?"
He tilted his head. Someone like Serena burdened by attention? Bizarre. Beautiful, talented people drew eyes everywhere, growing numb to it. Yet she dreaded even a short speech.
"Don't people stare at you a lot?"
"...Yes, and I hate it."
"Hate the attention?"
"More like..."
She explained. "I hate how they expect things from me unasked."
"Expect? Why from a stranger?"
"My father's so famous. Being his daughter brings weird expectations. You get it, right?"
He fell silent at her question. Puzzled by his odd reaction, she guessed. "You don't know who my father is...?"
"I was gonna ask. How should I know your dad? Never met him."
"Huh?"
They stared, dumbfounded. She spoke first. "You don't know my father? How?"
"Is he that famous? Some steel man or what?"
"Don't know who that is either!?!"
Exasperated, she sighed. His casualness had seemed different, but he just didn't know her father.
Disappointed, she said, "...That's why you approached so freely."
Still puzzled, he asked, "So who is he?"
"Palstar HeroDragon Star, Ahajaka Eldark. My father."
"Palstar Heroes?"
His mild reaction soured her mood. Of course, now he'll change.
"Oh, really?"
"...Huh?"
"Your dad's the Dragon Star? Cool."
But he was surprised yet unchanged, as if it were no big deal.
"N-not very shocked?"
"It is surprising, but not weird. My master is a Palstar Hero too."
"...What?"
"Sword Star, Hakodate Karin. She's my master."
Stunned, she stared. It sounded absurd, but he seemed sincere. More bewildering.
"What do you mean? The Sword Star is famous for taking no disciples..."
"You know her? Yeah, she doesn't trust easily."
"Then how'd you become one?"
"She took me in as a baby. I didn't choose it, so it's different."
He didn't seem to lie. Was this man truly the Sword Star's prized disciple? Amazed, she asked, "She adopted you?"
"Never formally. Just disciple."
"...I see."
No lie detected, so it must be true. Accepting it, she said, "No wonder you're unshaken by my father."
"Kinda... don't know much."
The Dragon Star was the most renowned Palstar Hero—active, and famously loving a non-dragon. Everyone knew him. Seong Hyun-jin's ignorance was impressively vast. But after the name fiasco, she wasn't fazed.
"...Yeah, figured."
"So others' expectations burden you?"
"Yes. A simple speech won't satisfy them..."
"You live so tiringly."
"Huh?"
Shaking his head exasperatedly, he said, "Why care about their unasked expectations? You're not obligated to meet them."
"...Ignore them?"
"Yeah. Let them expect and disappoint themselves. You didn't beg for it—what's it to you? Feeling responsible is the burden."
"But my actions could shame Father. People know whose daughter I am..."
"Has he ever warned you about that?"
"Not yet."
"Then no issue. He seems understanding. Your peace matters more than his honor. Do what you want."
"...That simple?"
"Yes."
His firm answer widened her eyes. Too straightforward, it flustered her.
"Whatever you choose is your freedom. Ignore if you want."
"...True."
"Someone blessed, yet stressed over trifles. I'd leverage a great dad shamelessly."
Teasing, but she couldn't deny it. She was privileged yet bothered by small things. Smiling bitterly, she heard him add,
"If anyone complains about you ignoring them, send them to me."
"...To you?"
"Yeah, it was my advice. You just followed. I'll share the blame."
"No need—you'd just get bothered."
"You look like you need help, so I am."
Shrugging it off, he said, "Master says helping others means help when you need it."
She stared. Half-elf looks made him seem young and casual, but he was deeper than apparent. His words greatly eased her.
"...You're right, that's how it works."
Relieved, she stood, thanking him. "Thanks, I feel better."
"See? Spilling to me helped."
"Not fully solved... but yes."
Smiling faintly, she affirmed. "Much better."
Pleased, he asked proudly, "So I helped, right?"
"Yes."
"Then remember one thing. If asked, say you got help from Hakodate Karin's disciple."
"Huh?... Okay."
Odd priority, but she agreed. Nodding satisfied, he beamed.
"Good, that's all."