How This Fortune Teller Became Famous

One week wasn't a particularly long time. I picked out a base of operations, drew up a budget using the money Liu Yen had given me, tracked down the locations of other useful skills and artifacts, and gathered every piece of information I didn't already know. I moved busily to prepare for my upcoming academy life, but even amid all that activity, there were scenes that stood out rather obviously.

'A lot of students are digging up the ground or tearing things apart.'

As expected, the impact of me tearing up that flowerbed had been enormous. After all, if artifacts popped out just by digging up the ground, who could resist? From what I could see, the entire place was in chaos—students were scouring the mountains in search of treasure, ripping up other flowerbeds, and ransacking buildings in hopes of finding underground chambers.

"Hey! You can't dig there!"

"Just this spot! If I just dig here, the ley line will—!!"

"That excuse doesn't work anymore!"

"Tsk!"

What was particularly interesting was how the students being dragged away by the security guards would desperately claim they were following feng shui, life energy, or ley lines. Naturally, that was all because of me.

'Looks like word of what happened in the security office got out.'

There hadn't been any academy students inside the security office at the time, so I wasn't sure exactly how my feng shui story had spread. Still, it was a pleasant coincidence. The more they behaved like this, the more my fortune-telling would circulate.

"Preparations... are complete."

I'd met the Special Class students like Liu Yen and Lane Arthur and left a strong first impression. I'd secured a reliable guardian in the form of Charles Teddybear. I'd obtained the necessary skills. And I'd finished all the preparations for what was to come.

Now there was only one thing left—

"Let's go."

—to seize the moment at the entrance ceremony.

The grand auditorium was located at the very center of Romance Academy. Since it stood alone without any other buildings nearby, even students who weren't yet familiar with the academy's layout could find it easily. This was where the game's real beginning—the entrance ceremony event—would start.

That was why I'd been a little nervous, but...

"—And thus, the glorious and proud history of Romance Academy, which began on that day when flower petals were scattered, is now approaching its centennial. New students, always keep in mind what kind of academy you have entered. Pay constant attention to your words, actions, and conduct both inside and outside the academy..."

"...I'm sleepy."

The speech was long. Way too long. The principal wasn't currently at the academy, so the vice principal seemed to be speaking on behalf of the instructors seated behind the podium. Honestly, it would have been much better if Teddybear had been the one talking. Could you please break up your sentences a little?

"Ugh..."

"............"

"Hwaaam..."

The other students who had gathered in the auditorium with a sense of pride were no different. It was only natural when an elderly vice principal had been droning on for over thirty minutes. What was even more impressive was that he could clearly see the students dozing off from the podium yet continued speaking resolutely. Was this some kind of "I'll talk and you'll listen" thing?

"...Students must never lose their original posture and should always maintain their initial resolve as they move forward. Romance Academy will always do its utmost to support such students. Furthermore, we will provide additional rewards befitting outstanding students. With that, I will conclude this brief introduction."

The speech finally ended, but by then there weren't many students left awake in the auditorium. It would probably take them some time to shake off their drowsiness. In the meantime, I looked around.

".........That bastard."

Liu Yen was glaring at me with bloodshot eyes. Why did she look like she hadn't slept in days?

"Ugh... mm."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

".........?"

Lane Arthur kept glancing back and forth between the front and me. She was my top priority for resolving character events. Her older brother Lucas Arthur stood beside her, wearing an expression that seemed to ask what the hell she was doing.

"........."

"............"

The crown prince Kim Seong-il sat perfectly upright, staring straight ahead without dozing off, while the princess Kim Eun-ha sat beside him. They didn't seem particularly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠interested in their surroundings... or did they? Why were they looking at me? Was this some kind of self-consciousness overload?

While I was thinking that...

"............Fortune teller."

My scalp suddenly prickled. When I turned my head slightly, the Saint was staring at me with burning eyes, as if he wanted to bore a hole through me.

...Honestly, he was the one I dreaded most. The Bible says not to worship idols and to kill shamans and fortune tellers or smash their heads in. That wasn't entirely wrong, since back then fortune tellers and shamans were considered the epitome of harmful beings that hurt people. But the fact that a fanatic was trying to put that into practice in the modern era—not even hundreds of years ago—made him the Saint.

When I thought about how hard I'd worked this past week to avoid running into him, it felt a bit unfair.

'...That's not a mace he's holding, right?'

He was gripping some kind of metal lump... I sincerely hoped he hadn't brought a mace to the entrance ceremony to crack my skull open. Seriously.

I ignored the Saint who was trying to pierce my skull with his gaze and turned my head forward again.

"Then, Valedictorian Kim Seong-il. Please come forward."

"Yes."

Ah, it was time for the diploma presentation. A handsome black-haired young man dressed in neat, luxurious formal attire walked forward with an expressionless, disciplined posture. Even knowing his true nature, his acting ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was truly impressive.

"Crown Prince Kim Seong-il, the valedictorian. A fitting achievement for one of noble blood."

"Thank you."

"Please give my regards to His Majesty. After all, His Majesty and I were classmates at Romance Academy."

"I will be sure to convey your message."

After exchanging brief greetings with the vice principal, the crown prince didn't immediately step down from the podium. Instead, he turned to face the new students. It was customary for the valedictorian and salutatorian to each say a few words on behalf of the incoming class.

"I am Kim Seong-il, Crown Prince of the Unified Korean Empire. I don't mean to overestimate myself, but I believe there isn't a single new student here who doesn't know who I am."

"However, right now I am not a crown prince first, but a new student of Romance Academy. You may not be able to completely forget my status, but my goal is still to make as many friends as possible."

"For these four years, I hope we can set aside all complicated matters and simply share trivial conversations, laugh together, and become close."

"Thank you."

Clap clap clap clap!!!

"Your Highness! You're so handsome!"

"Please look over here, Your Highness!"

"White! Milk! Colored! Prince! Your! Highness!"

It was a pretty cool speech, so the applause was only natural. But why were they using ridiculous expressions like "handsome," "look over here," and "milky white"? Couldn't they just say he was impressive or had great character? Damn otome game. At this rate, it looked like a fan club was going to form.

Amid the cheers, the crown prince stepped down, and the vice principal came forward, clearing his throat.

"Next is the salutatorian. Salutatorian Namgung Min. Please come forward."

"Yes."

When my name was called, I gave my clothes one final check before stepping forward with a smile.

"What? It's not the princess?"

"Who is that? Does anyone know him?"

"No... Isn't that the fortune teller?"

"Fortune teller? Isn't that bullshit?"

"No, I'm sure. Remember the fortune teller who took the special exam?"

Unlike with the crown prince earlier, gazes mixed with suspicion and shock poured down on me. Quite a few students were looking back and forth between me and Princess Kim Eun-ha. It seemed many had assumed the salutatorian would be the princess.

However, there were also a few different reactions mixed in.

"The fortune teller? The guy who dug up the flowerbed?"

"Oh, the one who found treasure using feng shui or whatever?"

"He found it with fortune-telling? I've been digging for a whole week and got nothing!"

"He's the salutatorian. There must be something to him, right?"

While many didn't know me, my rumors had still spread somewhat. At the very least, it was proof that my efforts hadn't been in vain.

When I stepped up onto the podium and stood before the white-haired vice principal, he looked at me with an expression of admiration.

"Congratulations on being salutatorian. This is the first time a Fortune Teller has enrolled in our school, and to achieve salutatorian is truly remarkable."

"It is an infinite honor for me to be able to enter Romance Academy."

"Hehe, I look forward to seeing what you'll do in the future."

I shook hands with the smiling vice principal and received my salutatorian diploma. The speech had been incredibly boring, but unlike the discriminatory principal, the vice principal had a completely open mind, which made things much easier. Although it was impossible according to the scenario, if the principal had been here, he probably would have found fault with me.

I pushed those useless thoughts aside and turned around.

'I can see everything.'

Students who looked shocked as if asking if this was real, students sending suspicious glances, students who simply nodded in admiration—everyone's reactions were different, but not a single one wasn't surprised by my position as salutatorian. Even I had been surprised, so of course others would be too.

The reactions from the Special Class students in particular were priceless. Liu Yen had a severely twisted expression as she shot me a look mixed with suspicion and shock, which was almost cute. Lane had gone completely stiff, and Lucas was looking at Liu Yen with a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hardened expression. Crown Prince Kim Seong-il wore a subtle look of displeasure, while Princess Kim Eun-ha showed the most composed reaction. As for the Saint, his eyes were wide with shock and he looked like he was about to drop the mace in his hand... Wait, it really was a mace. I should probably stay away from him.

In that way, the new students' surprise, questions, and curiosity all focused on me.

'...Now.'

This was the moment I'd been waiting for. The moment to let everyone know about me, the fortune teller, while raising my reputation.

'I absolutely have to stand out.'

Whether it was to easily get involved in character events or to smoothly navigate my academy life from now on, I needed to always stand in front of people. And I knew exactly how to do it.

"Hello everyone. I am Namgung Min, the salutatorian and a fortune teller."

My hands and feet didn't tremble. My gaze slowly swept from the center to the surroundings. My voice was somewhat low but carried a pleasant tone.

"I imagine many of you are surprised that I'm the salutatorian. I was surprised myself."

I maintained my smile throughout. I mixed in gestures between my words.

"Being a fortune teller is that kind of profession, isn't it? People who don't get things right and spout baseless claims as if they were truth. With that kind of perception at the root, it's only natural that your gazes toward me aren't exactly kind."

I slightly lowered my tone to emphasize my words. I made eye contact as if I understood their thoughts.

"That is why I would like to prove myself here and now. If I'm a fortune teller, then I should prove it with fortune-telling, right?"

Here I used a confident smile and voice. Then I activated my class skill.

"Fortune Telling."

Using my class skill, I created tarot cards in the air. While everyone's attention focused on the tarot cards, I elegantly shuffled them and drew one.

"What's that?"

"Tarot? Can he actually read them?"

"Of course not..."

"The card I've drawn is from the Minor Arcana, the Five of Swords. This signifies 'chaos.'"

"...Chaos?"

The moment someone among the new students repeated the ominous-sounding word,

Namgung Min spread one hand wide and continued.

"In five seconds, something interesting is going to happen."

He raised one hand, spread all five fingers, and began folding them down one by one.

Five.

"What is that fortune teller saying?"

"Since it's the fifth card, does that mean five seconds later? No way."

"Are you seriously believing that? It obviously sounds like nonsense, doesn't it?"

Four.

"...Lane, keep an eye on that fortune teller. He seems different from the other fortune tellers... Lane?"

"............"

Three.

"How can you trust a fortune teller? Is he really the salutatorian?"

"He looks completely fake to me."

"He suddenly pulls out a tarot card and says something chaotic will happen in five seconds? If that comes true, is that fortune-telling? That's just prophecy."

Two.

"Salutatorian...? That fortune teller bastard is the salutatorian? There was no such information when I investigated last time...!"

One.

"He's just trying to get attention."

"Nothing's happening anyway. What's supposed to happen when it reaches zero?"

Zero.

"Just listen to him, brother. That person is quite interesting."

"........."

"I think... we should pay close attention."

Finally, the moment all his fingers folded down—

Rrrrrrrrrumble───

"W-what the!?"

"I-it's an earthquake!"

"Idiot! This is a floating city!"

"Is something broken!?"

The entire grand auditorium shook as if an earthquake had struck, and the few students who had been sitting jumped up in panic. However, most of the students, even as the whole hall trembled, simply stared at the podium with their mouths open.

Just as Namgung Min standing on the podium had said, the moment five seconds passed, something truly worthy of being called 'chaos' had occurred.

Rrrrr...

"I-it stopped..."

"Did that fortune teller do that? With his class skill?"

"So his fortune-telling is real?"

After a brief moment, the shaking gradually subsided. Only after the previously chaotic students had barely regained their composure did he speak again.

"How was that, everyone?"

Even while the grand auditorium had been shaking, Namgung Min hadn't staggered or lost his smile. When he quietly whispered, his voice echoed through the now-silent auditorium.

Unlike a few seconds ago, the new students' eyes that now looked at him were filled not with doubt, but with astonishment at his fortune-telling.

"That was your salutatorian, Namgung Min."

Clap. Clap. Clap clap. Clapclapclapclapclap──

"What the hell is that fortune teller!"

"Isn't he basically a prophet!?"

"I didn't believe in fortune-telling before, but now I kind of want him to read mine."

"Does he do love readings too!"

The sound of applause filled the auditorium. As if they'd witnessed a skilled magician's trick, countless students gazed at Namgung Min in admiration and cheered.

In response, Namgung Min smiled and bowed his head.

However, it wasn't just the students who were shocked.

"...How did he know?"

"He's a fortune teller, isn't he? He must have read it for real."

"He predicted an academy event with fortune-telling? If that were possible, fortune tellers would be the most important profession in the world."

"He's the first fortune teller student in Romance Academy's history, and he even got salutatorian. Maybe it's not that fortune tellers are special, but that this student named Namgung Min is special?"

"...He's definitely impressive."

The instructors of Romance Academy who were seated inside the podium. They'd been skeptical when Namgung Min first declared five seconds, but now they were all astonished.

'Of course they are. That vibration earlier was prepared by the academy side.'

It was a game set in an academy, after all. If the entrance ceremony just ended plainly, it would be boring, right? My little sister's words were still vivid in my mind.

The entrance ceremony wasn't over yet.

'Shall I run my mouth a bit more?'

Naturally, my plan wasn't finished either.