Entrance Ceremony (1)
Serena Eldark left her seat first, but Seong Hyun-jin lingered in the chapel for a moment longer. He'd brushed it off, telling her such worries were nothing, but in truth, he shared her feelings.
"...Being expected to shine does get burdensome, doesn't it."
Not everyone with exceptional talent enjoyed the constant scrutiny. Sure, one could grow accustomed to it over time, but plenty couldn't. He hadn't faced it in this life yet, but memories from his past life—of feeling much like Serena—remained vivid in his mind.
That's why he'd listened with uncharacteristic seriousness and offered advice. Irritated by the hazy recollections surfacing, Seong Hyun-jin let out a soft sigh and rose from his seat.
"I heard every word."
A woman's voice echoed from deeper within the chapel. It wasn't Serena's.
Click-clack. Accompanied by the sharp tap of heels, a woman emerged from the shadows. Glossy brown hair caught the eye first, followed by striking crimson eyes gleaming beneath a translucent veil. She wore an academy uniform, but unlike Terastial Academy's black, hers was pure white. Black pantyhose accentuated her slender, elegant legs.
As Seong Hyun-jin's gaze flicked there for a split second, she was already beside him. Flashing a warm, friendly smile, she said,
"You have quite the silver tongue."
Even with her sudden appearance, Seong Hyun-jin didn't flinch. He'd sensed her presence midway through their talk and known someone was eavesdropping.
"...I wondered who was listening in. Good thing you came out before I checked."
It wasn't a secret conversation, and Serena hadn't noticed, so he'd let it slide. Still, he couldn't ignore her eavesdropping entirely.
"Why were you listening?"
"Oh, it's not quite eavesdropping. You were sharing the story with me."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm the chapel's caretaker."
Seong Hyun-jin blinked at her words. Now that she mentioned it, her attire carried a strong religious air—the pristine white uniform, the veil, all of it. If she was a student tied to the faith, her unique uniform made sense. In that light, he and Serena had essentially come to her space and shared their talk.
Slightly flustered, he said,
"...Sorry for barging in. It was open, so..."
"No need. The chapel is open to all."
She covered her mouth with a light laugh, her gesture refined like a noble lady's. Seong Hyun-jin guessed she came from high society.
"You're close with Yeonhui, I take it."
"Yeonhui? Oh, Serena."
He shook his head.
"I've only seen her face twice."
"Yet you offered such kind words?"
"She seemed troubled. It helps to hear encouragement."
"What fine character. As expected of the Sword Star's disciple."
Watching her smile warmly, Seong Hyun-jin thought to himself,
This woman feels a lot like Master. Not in looks, but in how she treats me.
Is she just like that naturally?
It eased his mind a bit.
But who is she?
She seemed like a student, yet managing such a grand chapel meant she was likely well-known in the academy. Maybe as famous as Serena, and he'd just been oblivious.
"Are you someone famous?"
"No, merely a humble servant of the divine."
"I see."
As he replied, Seong Hyun-jin gave her a once-over. Flustered by the piercing gaze—like being stripped bare—she glanced at him. But she couldn't complain; to any onlooker, he was just looking at her. With no proof it wasn't her imagination, she held her tongue.
Awkwardly clearing her throat, she shifted the topic.
"...Ahem, I haven't introduced myself."
"Ah, right."
"I'm Yeonhui, a third-year theology student at Celestial Academy. I'm here as an exchange student at Terastial."
"...Yeonhui?"
Surprised by the Korean name, Seong Hyun-jin stared. She tilted her head.
"Why do you ask?"
"Are you from Korea by any chance?"
Her crimson eyes widened in shock. Then she pressed,
"Did the Sword Star's disciple come from Korea too?"
At her startled reaction, he shook his head slightly and explained.
"I'm a reincarnator. Lived in Korea in my past life."
"Ah... I see. A reincarnator."
"Are you... no, Sunbae-nim, a reincarnator too?"
"No."
Yeonhui replied,
"I'm a transmigrator. Transferred here as a child, so I've spent more time in this world."
A child transmigrator? Seong Hyun-jin was impressed. Surviving that took incredible luck. From what Karin had told him, transmigrators faced brutal odds here.
"...You got pretty lucky, Sunbae-nim."
"Something like that. My Blessing is special, even among those granted to transmigrators."
He barely reacted to her mention of the law that bestowed Blessings on transmigrators. His master's was so extraordinary that others paled in comparison.
"You're not curious?"
"Eh, not really..."
"How unique."
Yeonhui chuckled lightly and asked,
"May I have your name, disciple-nim?"
"Seong Hyun-jin."
"Seong Hyun-jin Sunbae-nim, then. I'd love to see you around more. Meeting a fellow countryman feels novel."
"Same here."
At her suggestion of meeting often, he eyed her briefly. Unlike his master, she had a gentle aura, but she was stunningly beautiful. Pretty women kept popping up since descending the mountain—Serena just now included.
...Is this what Master meant?
That he'd forget her once in society. That he wouldn't lust after his master's true form.
Recalling that, he glanced at Yeonhui's figure and muttered in mild disappointment,
"The babies are gonna starve..."
"Pardon?"
"...Nothing. Just talking to myself."
He scrambled to cover, standing abruptly. With a slight bow,
"I'll head out. Sorry for the intrusion."
"Visit anytime. As I said, the chapel is open to all. I'd enjoy the company."
Yeonhui smiled brightly, leaving the door open for future chats. Seong Hyun-jin watched her a moment, then nodded affirmatively.
"Got it."
Her assets fell short, but that smile rivaled his master's.
Terastial Academy's entrance ceremony was simple yet grand—a seeming contradiction with good reason.
New students were few, filtered rigorously from applicants. The program was bare-bones: opening, dean's address, student rep's greeting, closing.
Yet the scale was immense, drawing dignitaries to scout future national talents. No skimping for such guests. Thus, despite brevity and small numbers, it dazzled—many students' most memorable academy moment.
"Whoa, so many."
Seong Hyun-jin marveled at the crowd. Not students, but the VIPs come to see them.
"Look at those guts—packed with ambition."
"Who're you talking to?"
Turning at the voice, he found Serena there. Her red eyes and platinum hair shone beautifully as ever.
"Oh, you."
Unlike yesterday, a fine cloak draped her uniform.
"What's with the cape?"
"Student rep got it for me. Wear it for the speech."
She touched it lightly, gauging his reaction. But his interest had shifted back to the VIPs.
"Who are those folks? Know any?"
"..."
Serena eyed his profile with faint disappointment, then answered.
"Magic Kingdom elites. Officials, nobles, that sort."
"Any you recognize?"
"A few. Some who've greeted Father."
"Oho."
Curious, he asked,
"They all come like this?"
"Graduates become global talents. Early connections pay off."
"Scouting for hires?"
"More or less. Even without, familiarity breeds opportunity."
"Not the greedy kind I thought. Healthy ambition, then."
"What'd you imagine?"
He stayed silent. She tilted her head, but he didn't budge.
"...?"
As her gaze turned puzzled, he swiftly changed tack, pointing to an elderly man mingling in the VIP seats.
"Anyway, who's that hustling around up there? Been at it awhile—tough at his age."
"The dean."
Seong Hyun-jin froze.
"Dean?"
"Yeah. Didn't know? That's Demon Star Eleonora, Terastial's dean. A Palstar Hero, like your master and my father."
Despite the explanation, he wore a bizarre expression, repeating,
"...The dean??"
"Yes?"
He stared in disbelief. The dean he'd met on exam day was young and gorgeous—busty, even if she'd failed the feel test. Not some wrinkled granny.
So who was that woman who'd claimed to be Dean Eleonora?
His mind reeled until Serena broke the tension.
"By the way, you said you'd crush me, right?"
"...Yeah."
"So you're heading to Combat Department too?"
"Why?"
His question flustered her.
"You said you'd beat me."
"Yeah."
"If we're not in the same class, chief or not doesn't matter."
"...Aha."
"...You said that without even knowing?"
Caught, but he had a retort—he'd planned on Combat anyway.
"Was gonna go there. Instructor piqued my interest."
"Instructor?"
Serena pondered the first-year Combat instructor, recalling staff profiles. Flustered,
"...What kind of 'interest'?"
"Literal."
"Isn't student-teacher romance improper?"
"Romance?"
He eyed her like she'd lost it.
"Not that. She's just impressive."
"Oh?... Right."
"You into that usually?"
"Huh? What about me?"
"Teacher and student..."
"N-No!!"
Her vehement denial prompted,
"It's fine. Everyone has tastes. I get it."
"I don't! I just said Hayes Penrel's pretty—you misunderstood...!"
"Didn't you test elsewhere? How'd you know her name and face?"
"Prepped on key staff..."
"Thorough."
She grumbled,
"I prefer same age..."
"Yeah?"
He brushed past. Relieved, she replayed her words and panicked—Seong Hyun-jin fit the bill.
"N-Not you!"
"Who said?"
Amused by her fluster, he patted her back. The cloak amplified the smack, startling her.
"Eek!?"
"No weird thoughts. Just do your speech."
"...I know."
"Don't overthink. Be yourself..."
Encouraging her, Seong Hyun-jin suddenly stiffened, gaze lifting to the VIPs.
Not just him—Serena, excited freshmen, even dignitaries—all eyes converged. The buzz fell silent.
Step.
Bare feet echoed, filling the hush. Raven hair swayed like midnight sky; snow-white, antique garb fluttered.
"Huh? Who's that...?"
"Eh...?"
Students murmured uncertainly, but VIPs recognized her instantly, exclaiming in shock.
"S-Sword Star...?!"
"Hidden for twenty years—why here...?"
Sword Star Hakodate Karin. After two decades in seclusion, she emerged—at Terastial's entrance ceremony.
Seong Hyun-jin stared blankly and muttered,
"M-Master...?"