The Curious Little Wolf and the Labyrinth Invitation
In the languid afternoon, I was killing time in Reading Room 6 of the library.
The difference from usual was that only Ara and I were here.
We had clearly arrived at the reading room as three: Latynia, Ruphus, and me. But when I came to, Latynia had vanished.
Unable to help it, Ruphus went off to find her, leaving just the two of us behind.
It wasn't a big deal since I had some research to do in the library anyway.
...Except for Ara, who kept sneaking glances at me from across the table.
My initial impression was that she was timid, the type who watched for cues.
But the more I observed, the more I realized she wasn't timid at all.
Ara wasn't shy or overly cautious. She was brimming with curiosity.
She was just suppressing it for some reason.
And that led to the current situation: Ara peeking at me every few seconds without turning a single page for the past half hour.
"Why?"
She ducks behind her book the moment I call out, sensing my gaze.
With those wolf ears twitching atop her head, does hiding her face even do anything?
Normally, Ruphus would be here to keep her from getting too bold, but by chance, he was gone.
This was my opportunity.
I slipped around behind her while she was still hiding behind her book.
After a moment, she peeked just her eyes over the top to check on me.
Or tried to.
Spotting that I'd vanished, she looked around, and that's when I sat down right beside her.
"Hello there, little miss. Are you here all alone?"
"Eek!"
Ara's wolf ears shot straight up, and her fluffy tail bristled.
She even has a tail...
This was getting more and more interesting.
"What're you so startled about?"
"W-Well..."
She mumbled something vague, then hung her head low.
Her face was beet red, like it might burst if I poked it.
Her tail was wagging furiously.
...I wanted to grab it, but something told me that'd cause a huge scene, so I held back.
Instead, I waited patiently, flipping through the book I'd borrowed until she calmed down.
It took a good while before she finally lifted her head.
"Um..."
"Yeah?"
"It's a secret from you, big bro..."
"What is?"
"Actually..."
She leaned in, speaking in a conspiratorial whisper like she was divulging some heavenly secret.
Beastkin weren't allowed to talk to outsiders before their coming-of-age rite, she said.
That's why she avoided contact as much as possible, with Ruphus looking after her.
I could guess the reason.
Probably to prevent picking up bad habits from outsiders before maturity.
"Isn't Latynia an outsider?"
"Lady Latynia is basically one of our tribe..."
"So why break the taboo and chat with me now?"
"Ughhh... well..."
I was joking, but she couldn't respond.
Better drop the teasing with Ara for now.
We still needed to get closer first.
"Kidding, kidding. Say whatever you want. I'll keep it secret from Ruphus."
"Then..."
Ara unleashed her bundle of curiosity.
Most questions were about the human world.
I hadn't experienced it myself, but I'd played Prism Arts, so I could answer to some extent.
As we traded questions and answers, we warmed up enough for more personal ones.
"So the coming-of-age rite is next year?"
"Yeah. I'll head back to the tribe with big bro, do the rite, then enroll at Prism."
"So you're not an official Prism student yet?"
"R-Right...?"
"How'd you get in here, then?"
"F-Father... I mean, the chieftain knows the dean. He asked, and she let me."
Connections matter in this world too, huh.
She almost said "father" but switched it up.
Makes Ruphus and Ara direct descendants of the chieftain.
That explains the special treatment.
"Got it. And you're not even a student but you have a smartwatch?"
"Yeah. The dean..."
Smartwatches cost a fortune.
Prism provides them free to enrollees, but otherwise, you need serious resources.
If she handed one over willingly, Ara's father is way bigger deal than I thought.
...Gotta be careful.
Screw up, and it could blow up big time.
"Cool. Ask me anything anytime. Secret from Ruphus."
"Then... can I have your smartwatch number?"
"Sure. Messaging's safer—no risk of getting caught."
I exchanged numbers with Ara.
Spotting Ruphus returning with Latynia from afar, I hurried back to my seat.
Perfect. Clean getaway.
Ruphus was glaring so hard I had to get up.
No matter how I sliced it, he was overprotective.
She'd do her coming-of-age in a year anyway—why shield her so fiercely?
Something felt off, like there was a backstory.
I couldn't straight-up ask, 'Dude, this is weird—what happened back then?' so I let it slide...
Left me with time to kill.
Nothing to do, too early for the dorm.
As I wandered, my smartwatch buzzed.
"Unexpected. The dean reaching out first."
"Ran into an old friend after ages, and talk turned to the Great Labyrinth by chance."
True to her word, besides the dean in her office sat a man who screamed mage at first glance.
I bowed politely, and she introduced him.
"This is Pertis, clan leader of Labyrinthia Clan, at the forefront of Great Labyrinth raids. Pertis, this is student Shin Do-jun, one I've got my eye on."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Shin Do-jun."
"Likewise."
Blunter than he looks.
The dean didn't bat an eye, like she'd expected it.
"This student's already eyeing the Great Labyrinth. Impressive, no?"
"The Great Labyrinth would fall easy if you stepped in, Dean. No need to pass it to the next generation."
"I'm old now. Can't rampage like the old days anymore."
Pertis sized me up at that.
Didn't look thrilled.
"Think it'll change 'cause this kid's interested? Looks scrawny, no real talent."
"I see it differently. His potential's off the charts. Even I can't measure the depths."
"That much?"
He glanced again, surprised.
His assessment ticked up a notch.
"Then I'll keep expectations in check... Shin Do-jun, was it?"
"Yes, Clan Leader."
"Contact me when you're ready to explore the Great Labyrinth. I'll cover the basics."
He handed me his business card.
Connections breeding connections—what a world.
Loving it.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Go on."
Pertis vanished like he had urgent business.
So swift, it took a second to even notice.
A mage moving like that?
What's the deal with the Great Labyrinth...?
"Imanitus side's nearing 6th floor clear—that's got him antsy. Wasn't always so rushed."
"Back in the day, maybe...?"
"Right. One of the Awakeners who roamed Korea with me once. Looking back, gates were popping up nationwide simultaneously..."
The dean launched into a story I'd heard before.
Something I'd have to get used to.
Who knows when she'd hook me up with more prime contacts.
She's my joker card for emergencies.
Best to stay on good terms.
...That's what I thought two hours earlier.
I finally parted from the dean after sunset.
Isn't she busy?
Being able to chat this long was a talent.
Holding a lukewarm audience's attention was too.
Some new tidbits were intriguing, but most was stuff I already knew—hard to feign interest.
Like spoiling Bruce Willis is a ghost: knew it, didn't matter much.
Lucky part? Even without much reaction, I left an impression.
That solves most external issues.
Remaining problems...
Lee Ji-ah. Vivian.
Ji-ah's a people problem—daunting.
Vivian? No clue where to start.
Mind a tangle, I made my way back to the dorm by moonlight.