Guess I Have to Go to School
"Guess I have to go to school."
"……?"
I turned to stare at her in response to her sudden words, and Rose smiled softly at the corners of her mouth, as if she hadn't been crying just moments ago.
"Actually… by law, awakeners of a certain age have to receive education. The Association contacted me saying you're eligible too?"
"Ah……"
Awakener Protection and Education Law.
To prevent accidents from uncontrolled mana in minor awakeners, you had to complete the training mandated by the state.
"Then we need to buy your school supplies first! The cutest bag, notebooks, pencil case—we'll pick them all out. What color do you like, Shina?"
Her attitude shifted to vibrant energy in an instant, impossible to believe she'd been drowning in despair and tears moments before.
She started counting on her fingers, eyes sparkling as if already imagining sending me off to school.
"Yeah… but……"
I hated to pour cold water on her excitement, but a sudden doubt crossed my mind.
"Hm? What's up, Shina? Need something?"
"Um… your work… is it okay…? You didn't come rushing back just because of me, right?"
Her movements froze at my question.
"Uh……?"
Her eyes wandered lost in the air.
Rose stood rigid, lips twitching silently as a bead of sweat trickled down.
Meanwhile, at Hongryeon Guild headquarters.
A suffocating silence hung in the reception room.
"……"
"……"
They sat across the table from each other, maintaining the quiet.
Minji, and someone seated opposite her.
She sank deep into the sofa, arms crossed with clear dissatisfaction.
A long trail of cold sweat slid down Minji's forehead.
Guild master… where the hell did you go…?
"Shina…! Auntie will head back now! Stay home and rest, okay?!"
Rose turned back repeatedly, nagging right up to the front door.
Then she vanished with loud clacking heels.
"Yeah…"
I mumbled blankly, listening to the fading footsteps.
Rushing home just to rub my cheeks for an hour before heading back to work. What kind of routine was this?
"……"
More importantly…
"I have to… go to school?"
I lay on the floor, staring up at the ceiling.
School.
The unfamiliar word flitted through my mind.
What exactly… is a school…?
I flexed my still-aching child-sized hand and pulled out my phone.
Tap, tap. I typed two words into the search bar.
School.
An educational institution and organization where professional teachers instruct students for practical purposes.
"……"
I knew that much common sense.
But what worried me wasn't the dictionary definition.
The state gathering and managing young awakeners for education.
"Like an orphanage…?"
A memory from my past life flashed by.
'Line up. And… kill each other.'
Just the brief recollection sent chills down my spine, my body shuddering.
"Ugh… I really don't wanna go…"
But if it's the law, I couldn't refuse.
It'd be nice to have someone to ask for advice right now.
Rose was in the same boat, so pass.
Old acquaintances from before would probably say the same…
Then, one face suddenly crossed my mind.
'What…? Mister? I'm barely eighteen!'
That guy I met today, Jeong Iden.
He said he was definitely eighteen…?
So he's either still a student or was one recently.
He'd know the ins and outs of school better than anyone.
But…
"No number… and probably won't meet again."
We were just passing ships anyway.
Hope he sells that mana stone and takes care of himself.
"Aaaah… what now."
I flopped face-down on the floor, kicking my short legs.
"Haa… haa… sorry, I'm a bit late… Huh?"
Rose smoothed her disheveled hair as she entered the reception room.
But she was greeted only by cold tea and Minji holding down the fort alone.
"Guild master… she already left. Said she'd come back next time."
Rose's shoulders slumped in defeat at Minji's deflated reply.
"Aah… damn… she was an important guest… Should've left contact info at least."
Vrrr—
Her skirt pocket buzzed.
Her uniform shirt hung loose and unbuttoned, jacket tied sloppily around her waist like regulations meant nothing.
But her face drew even more attention—sharp, icy eyes and pursed lips radiating an untouchable aura.
She checked her phone indifferently.
The screen was filled with a long apology message from Guild Master Rose.
She pocketed the phone again and glanced around. Noisy footsteps approached from afar.
"Ri~ da~!"
A bright, cheerful voice full of energy.
The cold girl turned her head slightly toward the sound.
There, a girl in the same uniform waved wildly with a puppy-like sunny smile, running up.
"How'd the meeting go?"
"No."
"Huh? Why?"
"……Dunno."
The cheerful girl tilted her head at the cryptic reply.
"Uh……?"
Silence settled around them briefly.
The icy girl stared into space, while the one beside her gauged her mood before cautiously speaking.
"But… Rida, you really quitting? Graduation's right around the corner."
"……Yeah."
"Why? Big guilds will scoop you up the second you graduate."
Her eyes darkened deeply.
"……He's not there."
"Jeez… you never even talked to the guy properly, but you're so obsessed. That… Kim Shinwoo…?"
"Use honorifics."
The cold girl shot her a glare.
"Ahaha! Got it, got it~ Don't glare like that~"
The girl laughed it off cheerfully. As her sharp edge softened a bit, she sidled up to Rida's side and whispered.
"Then… if you quit……"
"……?"
"Should I quit too?"
"……What."
She gave her a pitiful look, spat out curtly, and walked off first.
"Aww~ wait up…!"
The next morning.
"Shina… you sure you can be alone today? Really? Wanna come to work with Auntie instead?"
Rose lingered at the front door, unable to leave.
Her eyes brimmed with worry.
"I'm fine."
I nodded indifferently.
"Ugh… you have to call…! Don't pick up unknown numbers! Answer Auntie's calls right away! Got it?"
"Yes."
Rose finally left after turning back several times, waving frantically.
This pattern was starting to feel routine.
Well… once I start school soon, things might change?
Anyway…
Like it or not, school it is.
I did some research yesterday.
From what I skimmed, school didn't seem that bad.
A peaceful, quiet place where kids study and laugh ha-ha-ho-ho.
Like a miniature version of the tranquil life I wanted this time around.
I mean, it's modern times—who'd let it get barbaric?
"……"
But I still had a few days before starting.
After Rose left for work, in the wide living room, I lay on the floor staring at the ceiling.
Bored.
So freaking bored.
I grabbed the remote and flipped channels aimlessly, but the celebs' laughter and clichéd drama plots held zero appeal.
Instead, random scenes kept popping into my head.
Yesterday's dungeon—the chilling tension, the thrill of death brushing close…
"Wh-what am I even thinking…?!"
I shook my head in shock.
To instinctively think that perilous experience was 'fun' for a split second.
Had I grown too accustomed to my past life's blood-soaked existence without realizing?
"No… no way."
Death is scary.
I know better than anyone, having been through it once.
Just my brain glitching from sheer boredom.
Chasing thrills leads to ruin.
I need to get used to peace.
So, to kill this unbearable tedium…
"Time to eat something…!"
I jumped up and headed to the fridge.
After all, the joy of eating is humanity's safest, surest pleasure.
"Let's see… what's here… Hm?"
Cold air rushed out as I opened the door, revealing what filled the shelves.
Transparent plastic packs crammed full of thick red liquid.
"……"
Th-this is…?
I carefully pulled one out.
Cold, squishy texture. But no matter how I looked, it wasn't food or drink.
"Blood… right?"
It was a blood transfusion pack.
No logical reason for dozens in a normal home fridge, but thinking about the homeowner's species…
Vampire.
"Come to think of it…"
Since moving in, had she ever cooked me a meal herself?
'Shina, let's eat~'
Delivery food.
'Shina~ Let's eat out today~'
Dining out.
"……"
Always.
She never went near the kitchen; the gas stove gleamed like new.
Fine by me—the food was tasty anyway…
"Is there really nothing…?"
I rummaged deeper into every corner, hoping for hidden snacks or instant meals.
"Oh…! This is…!"
Something heavy snagged my fingers.
I yanked it out excitedly, but my face froze at the label.
"It's blood again…!"
Chills ran through me as I shoved it back into the fridge.
"……Wait… what did I just do…?"
I froze, breathing hard.
Blood sausage hangover soup.
Just shares the 'blood' theme—perfectly edible food…
So why did I hurl it away?
Could it be?
I pictured foods I craved right now.
Chicken… pizza… burgers…
"……!"
No way…
"Did my… tastes regress too…?"
I wanted to deny it, but my body knew.
I had the palate of an elementary kid now.
Anyway, conclusion.
"Nothing to eat…"
People always say that when they open the fridge?
……There's legit nothing.
I glanced at the discarded blood sausage soup.
"Hmm…"
Still too much. Couldn't muster the guts to chew that dark lump.
Ah… wanna order delivery.
"……"
Chasing thrills leads to ruin. Same for food.
But…
I'm a kid.
Kids get a pass for this stuff.