An Awkward Walk with the Top Student
As I stepped into the hallway on my way to the student council room, I spotted a familiar shade of hair up ahead—the back of Choi Yeon's head.
She's one of the top heroes in modern Korea, the successor to the prestigious Changcheon Sword Clan—a swordsmanship dynasty renowned from past to present—and Seoul Hero Academy's top entrant.
Her distinctive light aquamarine hair, so different from the other kids', was proof enough of her lineage as the granddaughter of the Sword Saint.
"That family environment must be why she has a habit of sending challenge letters."
The two challenge letters she'd sent me recently were a clear window into her household vibe.
"...She's probably grown by constantly sparring with people she thinks are on her level or stronger."
Given the Changcheon Sword Clan's family creed—"We shall reap with blood"—shedding blood was just a natural part of getting stronger for her.
Plus, she had several absurd traits stacked on her, like she'd been blessed by the world itself.
And the one that had the biggest impact on her growth was this:
1. The more you survive fights against opponents of equal or greater strength, the stronger you become.
A simple description, but ridiculously powerful in practice.
Get stronger the more you fight? In an environment overflowing with sparring partners, combined with her swordsmanship talent and her fearless personality toward challenges... it was a trait that gave monsters like Choi Yeon wings—and then some boosters on top.
"...?"
Suddenly, Choi Yeon, who was walking ahead, stopped in her tracks.
I had no reason to chat with her or walk side-by-side, so I'd been keeping my distance. I stopped too and observed her.
She stood there blankly without turning around, then started walking again.
Nothing serious, I figured, and resumed my pace.
That's when I noticed the distance between us gradually closing.
...No way. Was she slowing down to match my stride?
I tested it by slowing even more, and sure enough, her steps visibly adjusted to mine.
She was seriously trying to walk in sync with me?
With a sigh, I closed the gap first.
"You could've just said 'let's walk together.' Why slow down like that?"
Only after I fell in beside her did she return to her normal speed—still staring straight ahead, not glancing my way.
"...That's not it."
"Then why won't you even look at me?"
"Grandpa said not to make eye contact when he's sulking."
Huh?
"Are you subtly telling me you're the one sulking right now?"
Her profile flushed red at my words.
"...Anyway, don't look me in the eye."
Touchier than I expected. So why try to match my steps?
"Fine, I'll hang back a bit."
I yielded and stopped. She was walking fine, then abruptly slowed way down.
"I kept my distance like you asked—no eye contact. What's the issue now?"
"...That's all."
"What?"
I leaned in closer since she'd mumbled, and that's when her proper voice came through.
"I just don't know where the student council room is."
"Ah."
Right, she's directionally challenged. I'd forgotten that quirk of hers.
I shook my head. "Then just follow quietly."
"Okay."
And so we walked side-by-side down the hall again.
But for some reason, I kept feeling an uncomfortable gaze from beside me.
A quick side-eye revealed Choi Yeon peeking at me repeatedly.
Ah, eye contact.
"What now?"
"What do you mean?"
"You've been sneaking glances this whole time."
"I haven't."
"Don't lie—we just locked eyes."
Pointing it out made her nod in admission.
"Just... wondering why you didn't show up to the place in last week's challenge letter."
"...Oh, the challenge. I tossed it."
"What?"
Her steps halted.
"You threw it away?"
"I never said I'd accept your challenge. You sending it doesn't obligate me to show."
"True, but... it rained that evening."
"I know."
"I waited at the training ground in the rain."
"The academy training grounds are indoors, though?"
"...Forgot my umbrella, so I walked home getting soaked."
Her story kept shifting, and something felt off.
In this world—especially Seoul—the weather service boasted a 99% accuracy rate, almost precognitive. Pretty much everyone checked the forecast first thing in the morning.
Yet she walked home in the rain?
"You didn't forget to check the forecast and leave the umbrella behind, did you?"
Her eyebrow twitched.
"...I believe you won't dodge this week's spar."
Bingo. She'd forgotten it herself but was using it to guilt me. So clumsy it was obvious.
She was the polar opposite of me in personality.
And I had a soft spot for types like her.
"...We'll see."
"Not 'we'll see'—give me a firm yes."
Basically, she wanted me as fodder for her 【Combat Race】 ASAP.
Her getting stronger wasn't bad, but I couldn't just watch her grow alone without preparing myself, so I deflected a bit.
"I have my own schedule, so I need to check. Bluntly put, you notifying me of a spar is more like an order than a request."
First tactic: hit her with facts.
I have my own stuff—don't just dictate and blame me if I can't.
It worked on straight-laced, honest kids like her, not the shameless or evil types.
Choi Yeon froze at my words. Her usually expressionless eyes trembled side to side.
I knew she meant no harm, so seeing that tugged at my guilt anyway.
"Next time I'm free, I'll reach out first. That work?"
She let out a relieved sigh.
Then she looked at me and thrust something out.
"...Huh?"
"Don't have it. Your number."
"Oh, you want my number."
...First time someone's pried it out of me like this.
I jotted it down for her. She pocketed her phone.
"I called it, so contact me if—"
"—Ah, there they are!"
Just then, a woman waving excitedly appeared in the distance, jumping up and down as she spotted us exchanging numbers and walking together.
"Ooh, the top and runner-up freshmen seem to get along—the seniors are thrilled~ But... huh?"
She'd been watching from afar, covering her mouth with a mischievous grin.
Spotting my face, she paused, then beamed.
"What do you know—you're the freshman runner-up? What a coincidence~ We're acquainted, right?"
Sharp eyes, long black hair draped down, and a black name tag on her neat academy uniform.
"...Yes. Long time no see, Senior."
She was the upperclassman who'd offered to guide me to the infirmary after sparring with Jinwoo.
"Never guessed you'd be the 1st-year runner-up. Quite the surprise. Ah, and you're the top student, Choi Yeon, right?"
Choi Yeon bowed at the senior's words, who spoke as if she already knew us.
"Yes. Choi Yeon."
"Figured. Not many girls at the academy with that hair color. So... that makes you Han Yujin, right, junior? I regretted not catching your name properly back then, but now I have. Actually... I was hoping I wouldn't remember."
She grinned and extended her hand for a shake.
"I'm Yuri Rodmang, student council vice president. Nice to meet you, underclassmen."
Her slender hand felt cool in mine.
She seemed like a friendly senior now, but...
Reality was far from it.
A Romanian noble who'd studied abroad to enter the academy—direct descendant of Count Dracula's line, next in line for her clan.
She didn't cause big incidents recklessly, but... her random rampage events made her someone I preferred to avoid frequent encounters with.
Why was she acting so chummy? Normally she wouldn't.
Still, she'd offered the handshake, so I returned it.
"...Han Yujin."
"Great, nice to meet you too. Before we go in, a few ground rules?"
She shook our hands with a smile, then dropped it instantly, raising a finger like she was laying down the law.
"First: voicing refusal is fine. But no rudeness. Got it?"
Choi Yeon tilted her head, puzzled, but I knew the student council's deal, so I just nodded.
"Good. Second—and this is important... The president might pull some pranks. No malice, just academy tradition. Play along lightheartedly, okay?"
"Pranks?"
Choi Yeon asked blankly again. Yuri just grinned: "Yep, that kind."
I could guess what prank, and knew that smile spelled poison.
"Alright, let's head in? Yeon behind me, Yujin after her."
Yuri positioned herself at the student council room door, straightened her uniform, knocked, and switched to a formal, calm tone.
"Academy Student Council Vice President Yuri Rodmang here. With the freshman top and runner-up. Entering now."
No response from inside.
Click—
She turned the knob and went in anyway.
Door open, Choi Yeon followed first.
"...Wow."
The usually stoic girl gasped in admiration, looking around.
Following her lead, I entered and took in the room.
Ornate chandelier, red carpet, walls lined with countless frames and trophies. A massive room that screamed power and wealth—like they'd studied how to flaunt it—complete with art pieces.
Impossible to guess how much they'd poured into this space alone.
And at the center, a huge table with four figures seated.
These were the power players of the academy's independent student admin body: Seoul Hero Academy's elite.
"Welcome! Freshman top and runner-up!"
The man at the head of the central table shot to his feet with a bright smile.
Golden hair like a radiant sun, piercing blue eyes, refreshing grin.
He was the pinnacle of Seoul Hero Academy—and the kind of guy who'd shake up Korea the moment he graduated.
"I'm Ray Pendragon, student council president."
And...
"The entire student council of Seoul Hero Academy welcomes you!"
A man who'd one day be my enemy.