Midterms (1)
Recently, a rumor had been stirring up quite a commotion at Terastial Academy. Ciela Teraport, the queen of the second-years—a disciple of the Demon Star Eleonora, the academy dean herself, and a flawless beauty who excelled in studies, combat, and looks alike—had fallen head over heels for a male underclassman. And the fact that this was the very same guy who had caught the eye of Dragon Princess Serena Eldark, the most talked-about freshman, had the entire academy buzzing.
“Who the hell is this guy?”
“You know that first-year who won the martial arts tournament, right?”
“Ciela sunbae and Serena Eldark? No way…”
“…I’m so damn jealous.”
The academy students, upon hearing the rumor, reacted in all sorts of ways as they gossiped about the man at the center of it all. But Seong Hyun-jin, the actual subject of the rumor, was walking along with a troubled expression, completely oblivious to it.
“……”
Even as passing students glanced at him—having heard the rumors tying him to those girls—he was too deep in thought to notice.
The reason for this man’s heavy worries was the same one that had students stealing glances at him: Serena Eldark and Ciela Teraport.
Seong Hyun-jin couldn’t just pretend he hadn’t noticed the honest feelings the two had laid bare before him. After all, even liking just one of them would have left him baffled, but both? And these weren’t just any girls—they were stunning beauties who could have any man they wanted without lifting a finger. It felt utterly unreal.
Naturally, it weighed on his mind, making it impossible to focus whenever he studied with them. In fact, Seong Hyun-jin seemed far more rattled than Serena or Ciela, who appeared comparatively unfazed. Five days slipped by like that, and exam day arrived before he knew it—but his thoughts were still more tangled up in that than the tests themselves.
What about the advice from Karin, you ask? The conclusion they’d reached? Seong Hyun-jin’s dilemma wasn’t about choosing between Serena or Ciela.
Separate from the fact that this society allowed for multiple romantic partners, what troubled him was how accepting their feelings would change their relationships.
Just charging ahead without thinking might work…
But what if things didn’t work out later and they broke up? He’d lose precious connections. Even setting aside their appeal as women, both Serena and Ciela meant a great deal to him. They lacked for nothing, materially or emotionally. Even staying just friends would bring plenty of benefits through those bonds—but if things soured completely…?
Don’t rush in blindly. Decide carefully.
Now that he knew their feelings, there was no need to hurry, he figured. Sure, their hearts might change in the meantime, but if they did, oh well. It just meant that was all there was to it.
Having sorted through his thoughts, Seong Hyun-jin lifted his head. Sensing a presence nearby, he glanced to the side.
A female student had fallen into step beside him without him noticing.
“What, Clarice?”
“Good morning, Seong Hyun-jin.”
Clarice Levatein. The quirky lady of House Levatein.
“When did you get here?”
“Just now. I saw you and came over. You seemed lost in thought in a way that’s not like you, so I got curious.”
At her mention of him being deep in thought, Seong Hyun-jin looked around. They were almost at the exam hall already.
“Huh. When did I get this far?”
“To think you were so absorbed you didn’t even notice where you were headed… Now I’m even more curious what you were thinking about.”
Clarice’s usually impassive eyes softened with rare emotion, brimming with curiosity as she gazed at him. Feeling her stare, Seong Hyun-jin shook his head slightly.
“…It’s nothing.”
“Is it hard to talk about?”
“Yeah.”
Clarice nodded as if she understood, then looked back at him and asked, “More importantly, Seong Hyun-jin, when will you take a look at my swordsmanship?”
“…Ah.”
Come to think of it, she had asked him for that favor. To check out her sword skills. And in return, she’d said she’d grant him a favor… even an embarrassing one.
She’d said something like, I’ll handle the sword, and you handle the woman.
Recalling that, Seong Hyun-jin flinched in surprise—not just from embarrassment at her words, but because they triggered a chain of memories: Serena’s actions, Ciela’s behavior.
“What’s wrong, Seong Hyun-jin? Your face looks pale.”
“Huh?… Oh, no. I do need to check your sword, but I’ve been busy lately…”
“I heard you’ve been studying. That’s why I wanted to ask after midterms.”
Her request wasn’t difficult or unreasonable. Seong Hyun-jin hated showing off Karin’s swordsmanship to mediocrity, but he’d gladly teach anyone overflowing with talent. And Clarice Levatein certainly qualified in his eyes. Above all, her deep respect for Karin appealed to him—if she admired his master that much, teaching her posed no issue.
“…Alright, I’ll make time.”
“Thank you. And there’s one more thing.”
“What?”
“You know after midterms comes the academy’s experiential learning period, right?”
“Experiential learning?”
Seong Hyun-jin recalled from his past life memories going on what were basically field trips under that name. Just thinking about it brought a pleasant feeling—he’d enjoyed them back then too.
“We have something like that? Where to?”
“There’s no set destination. We choose our own places.”
“Huh? We pick and go wherever?”
Clarice nodded. “During the experiential learning period, every student goes off to experience whatever they want. Anywhere they can return from within the time frame, as long as it’s not a place the Magic Kingdom has forbidden access to.”
“I see.”
Seong Hyun-jin found the system intriguing, but it also reminded him that all academy students were legal adults.
Yeah, makes sense. They’re not kids anymore; herding everyone together for a picnic would be kinda lame.
And letting them pursue personal experiences definitely seemed more beneficial than academy-mandated ones.
“Sounds fun. Where we going?”
“Do you have anywhere in mind?”
“Not off the top of my head.”
“Then, Seong Hyun-jin, I’d like to invite you to my family’s territory.”
“Huh?”
As Seong Hyun-jin tilted his head, Clarice explained calmly. “It’s partly to repay you for saving me before, but more than that, I thought you’d enjoy it.”
“I’ve never been to Levatein territory. How would you know I’d like it?”
“Our family’s lands are in the north, aren’t they?”
At that, Seong Hyun-jin caught her drift. A grin full of interest spread across his face as he confirmed, “I’ll get to fight magic beasts, huh?”
“Yes. There are quite a few strong ones.”
Clarice’s affirmation drew a toothy smile from him. “Sweet. I’m in.”
“Understood. I’ll let the family know ahead of time.”
“Oh, can I ask if you’re inviting others too?”
“Of course. I was planning to invite Serena Eldark and Yeonhui sunbae anyway. They both helped me a great deal too.”
“Gotcha.”
Her thinking aligned somewhat with his own, so Seong Hyun-jin figured he just needed to check with Ciela. Already buzzing at the thought of slaying northern magic beasts, he’d forgotten his earlier worries and chatted energetically.
“Let’s smash these midterms quick and go!”
# Terra Pavilion Lobby. An unusual group had gathered here.
Serena Eldark and Ciela Teraport with Seong Hyun-jin was a familiar sight, but two more women were present. Yeonhui, the third-year theology student who’d transferred in properly from exchange status, and Clarice Levatein, first-year swordsmanship major.
Another girl had joined Seong Hyun-jin’s side, but surprisingly, neither Serena nor Ciela showed much jealousy. They were too stunned by what he’d just said.
“You’re going to Levatein territory for experiential learning?”
Serena asked with a slightly surprised look, and Seong Hyun-jin nodded. He turned to the group. “I wanted to ask if everyone’s coming along or if you have other plans.”
“If you’re going, Hyun-jin hoobae, I’m in no question.”
“I’ve visited Duke Levatein’s lands a few times, but never fought magic beasts there? Sounds fun, so count me in, hoobae.”
“But why Levatein territory?”
Yeonhui and Ciela were on board, while Serena didn’t seem opposed but asked curiously. Clarice, sitting beside her, explained, “Our lands are full of dangerous magic beasts.”
“That’s exactly why I’m surprised. Why go somewhere so risky?”
“That’s the whole point.”
“Huh?”
Seong Hyun-jin replied simply, “The more dangerous they are, the stronger they must be. I can’t pass up a chance to test myself.”
“…”
Serena could somewhat understand, but her voice carried worry. “What if you get hurt…?”
“We’ve got Yeonhui sunbae.”
No room for argument there. “Shouldn’t you fight magic beasts properly at least once before graduating?”
And as expected, telling him it was too dangerous wouldn’t work. When he gets that look, he’s doing it no matter what…
His face lit up with excitement at the thought of facing northern beasts. Serena let out a small sigh. “…I don’t mind going myself.”
“Great, it’s settled then.”
“But Seong Hyun-jin, shouldn’t we focus on the exams first instead of planning that?”
“…I studied hard.”
His half-hearted reply drew a wry chuckle from Serena. She’d seen him afterward, racking his brain now that combat and theory exams were done. He probably hadn’t aced them, yet here he was making excuses…
…He’s kinda cute.
She no longer denied such thoughts. Back then, she’d even slapped her own cheeks in the middle of class over them. Not anymore.
Wondering why he’d bombed the tests despite not being dim, Serena sidled closer to him. Ciela’s gaze sharpened a bit as she approached, but Serena ignored it and whispered, “The exams didn’t seem that hard. Everything came from what I taught you, right?”
“…Did it?”
“Couldn’t concentrate?”
“……”
It wasn’t that Serena taught poorly—Seong Hyun-jin just couldn’t focus on her lessons. Those prior events kept replaying in his mind. He’d sorted his feelings somewhat now, but back then? No chance.
Seeing his silence, Serena flashed a mischievous smile. “Hmm, I wonder why you couldn’t focus. You didn’t seem tired or anything…”
She tilted her head. “Was there another reason?”
“…Like what?”
“For example…”
Serena leaned into his ear and whispered, “I was on your mind?”
“……Huh?”
Seong Hyun-jin’s eyes widened. And that reaction startled Serena even more.
…What? That response?
She’d just been teasing. A positive reaction would be nice, sure, but she’d expected his usual nonchalant reply. This was huge—like she’d hit the nail on the head.
Does he… think about me more than I realized…?
She knew he wasn’t indifferent romantically, but she hadn’t expected this big a reaction.
“Seong Hyun-jin, maybe…”
As Serena moved to confirm—
“Serena hoobae? What’re you two whispering about all secret-like~?”
Ciela wedged between them. Smiling brightly as always, she encouraged him. “It’s fine, hoobae! You can make up any points you blanked on in major subjects with basics and practicals!”
“…Yeah, okay.”
“Just do like I taught you, and you’ll score great!”
Seong Hyun-jin nodded faintly. But while practicals might be okay, he wasn’t confident about the remaining basics either.
…Couldn’t concentrate on those either.
Just like with Serena’s combat and theory lessons, Ciela’s basics class had suffered from the same distraction.
“I’ll do my best.”
He scratched his head as he said it. Clarice cheered him on.
“Hang in there, Seong Hyun-jin.”
“Thanks. You ace yours?”
“I’ve never been close with books.”
“…Ah, right?”
Her bold admission drew a chuckle from him. Feeling a bit comforted by her shared plight, he relaxed. “Same here.”
“Let’s nail the practicals together, then, Seong Hyun-jin.”
“Written exams count for a lot too, you know…? Prep properly for the rest.”
“Serena’s nagging.”
“She sounds like our mom.”
“Serena-mama?”
“D-don’t say weird stuff!”
Serena scolded the pair bonding over their bad vibes, and the lively chatter wrapped up.
“……”
And watching the whole scene quietly was one more person.
…Looks like our hoobae’s got some bitches in heat sniffing around him now?
Yeonhui, who’d hung back from the conversation, listening all the while.