Closing Ceremony and Vacation Plans
On the way to the auditorium for the end-of-term ceremony, the kids' eyes sparkled with excitement and anticipation.
"Jinwoo, got any plans for vacation?"
Youngje asked Jinwoo as he walked beside me, herding our classmates along.
"Huh? I was just gonna play all those games I bought but never got around to."
Sea-a let out a sigh at Jinwoo's predictably lame response.
"That's why you end up getting thrashed by our goddess. What's the point of having a strong dad if you don't train? Come on!"
"I'd rather beg that me──mentor of yours. My dad's even worse. Thinks you only get strong by nearly dying. Like I'm some alien warrior race or something."
Antonio's methods were definitely a bit extreme. Even so, I hadn't expected him to pick Han Yeo-eun.
"What about you, Glasses? What're you up to over break?"
"Me? Training, probably."
"Ugh──you got some disease where you die if you don't train or what?"
Youngje chuckled at Jinwoo's horrified expression.
"Gotta get stronger for my goal."
Youngje's mentor was still trapped in Dante's Inferno (La Divina). No proper rescue op yet thanks to the dungeon's difficulty, but one thing was clear: we were stronger now than when we'd first made that promise to him.
At this rate... it probably wouldn't take much longer.
Not satisfied that only they had shared, Jinwoo glanced at Sea-a.
"What about you? Why're you grinning like that? Big plans?"
"Me? Duh, play! Normally I'd be working part-time for living expenses, but... I've saved up a ton from Familia activities! Gonna travel with my siblings, chill at home, oh, and train a bit too?"
Everyone had something lined up, it seemed.
"What about you, Eugene? Not going anywhere?"
The question suddenly turned to me.
"Me?"
"Yeah. You must have stuff planned for break."
"Hmm... vacation, huh."
Truth was, I had more than enough to do over break. Familia business never stopped regardless of school, and with all the materials we'd gathered—plus old stockpiles—it was time to upgrade gear.
Problem wasn't a lack of tasks; it was figuring out where to start amid the pile-up.
So.
"I'll probably be busy running around here and there."
"Yeah, makes sense for the boss."
"Boss, forget that. Come over to my place and game. Pleeease? Parents treat you different from friends—swear."
"You think Eugene's as free as you?! Lounging around gaming?!"
Maybe because they were extra hyped today, the kids bantered with big grins.
I couldn't help but smirk at the sight. Yeah, moments like this really made them feel like kids.
Our idle chit-chat carried us right to the auditorium, packed with the entire academy sorted by sections.
"Ah, there's Choi Yeon! Eugene, looks like first-years are over there!"
Sea-a beamed, spotting Choi Yeon sitting blankly in the distance. She noticed us too and waved lightly.
Sea-a waved back enthusiastically.
But what really caught my eye was Jeong Ui-hoon, plopped at the front of their group.
Unlike the excited kids around him, he stared gloomily at the stage.
Of course, I could guess why. Last night, the whole country learned just how incompetent the police's Awakener division was.
Maybe he'd read some article comments?
"Eh, not my problem."
Class 1-A headed to our assigned spots. Top average scores plus winning the class rankings made us the first-year aces, so our seats were comfy and upscale—unlike the others.
The worst class got those awful all-in-one desk-chairs. Who even designs that crap?
Then someone stepped onto the empty stage: long, neat black hair, sharp eyes, and striking red ones.
The woman commanded every gaze just by appearing.
It was Yuri.
She spoke in a calm, precise tone, sweeping her gaze over everyone with a bright smile.
Huh, felt like she just locked eyes with me... That refreshing grin seemed genuinely pleased.
Made sense—president emergency-recalled meant she was basically in charge now.
After basic greetings came the president's speech.
As expected, a snooze-fest. Watch out for water, dungeons, villains over break. Rest healthy. Don't forget assignments.
Jinwoo yawned midway and got pelted by a space-warped pen, yelping in pain.
With Yuri's closing words, the ceremony ended. Students rose one by one, chairs creaking en masse, then erupting in cheers like they'd been holding it in.
"Wooo! Vacation! Gaming season!"
And the loudest one was right in front of me.
"God, so noisy! Anyway, Eugene, no club trip for us?"
"Trip?"
"Yeah! Group club vacation! We crushed first semester, so it'd be fun to go somewhere together!"
...A trip, huh. Yeah, vacation tropes like that weren't bad.
"Sounds good."
"Yay!"
Sea-a's face lit up like a flower.
"Head home today, plan details in the group chat?"
"Sure, let's do that."
"Okay!"
Call it a club trip, summon the kids, then train 'em. Perfect cover—club trips were made for that. Vacation training event gives full efficiency bonus. Golden opportunity.
"We dragging everyone under Familia along?"
Jinwoo questioned the "club trip" bit.
"No way. We protect so many clubs now— that's a massive army if we all went."
Youngje waved it off as ridiculous.
"Interns mostly there anyway. Just official members?"
"Nah, too many kills the vibe! Let's keep it us for now!"
And just like that, our trip was set.
"Oh yeah, Eugene—you said you'd be traveling around break?"
"Yeah, something like that."
"Any spots in mind? Feels like you'd pick somewhere epic."
Sea-a's eyes sparkled.
"Specific place? Hmm..."
Places I'd hit over break. If I had to pick one that popped up...
"Me..."
A paradise island with gentle breezes and warm sun. The cool wind tickled the grasses into swaying, rustling the trees.
A pair of birds soared over the meadow, basking in the sunlight, wings beating strong.
Below them walked a blonde girl with a blue ribbon in her hair.
"Hmm~♪ Hmhmhm~♪"
She carried a basket she'd seemingly braided herself. Curious about its contents, she touched it lightly with her free hand, checking the warmth.
"Still nice and hot. Gotta hurry."
Her steps quickened—swift as an invisible wind over the grass, or one with it.
Her movements were feather-light, the basket barely jiggling.
Spotting her destination afar, a smile curved her lips.
A cozy cabin, far from cities—peaceful, quiet. Steep cliffs behind, but one glance out the window revealed the sparkling Mediterranean. Her most treasured spot.
Nearing the cabin, her pace slowed. She smoothed her windswept hair and clothes, then approached the wooden door.
Checking her expression wasn't stiff, she flashed a grin.
Click.
"Grandpa! It's me!"
She chirped brightly, stepping inside. The sea breeze, aged wood, and warm aroma from the basket greeted her. She set it on the table.
"Not too late, right? Sorry! Mom loaded me with laundry and chores, but I rushed."
Chatting casually, she flung open the basket.
"But she was in a good mood today—packed tons! Smells amazing already, huh? You know her Alla Norma is killer."
Tomato sauce fragrance, fresh-baked bread, roasted meat wafted out.
"Oh, grabbed some Stigghiola too. You love this stuff! Begged Mom for it."
Mid-unpacking the feast, she sensed something off.
"...Grandpa?"
Normally he'd appear beaming apologetically at the smell. But silence.
She crept toward his room. No sounds, no presence.
"...Not home?"
She knew him well—old ties. He almost never left the house.
"Where'd he go?"
Worry sprouted. If he was out, something big must've happened.
Then—footsteps outside.
──! ── ─.
That familiar chuckle. Grandpa.
Relief mixed with sheepishness for worrying needlessly. She smiled, planning payback prank.
Hiding by the door, she pressed against the wall, stifling giggles.
Creeeak—
Door opened. She lunged out.
"Wah!"
But.
"...?"
She realized the eyes meeting hers belonged not to her grandpa, but a boy her age.
Jet-black hair, red eyes. Staring confused.
"...Who?"
She blurted, frozen in scare-pose. He replied.
"Eugene Han Calione."
"Eh?!"
Thud!
Calione. Enough to topple her rigid body backward.