Chapter 90
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Seol Ye-eun (1)
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"...What do you think of that student Hyun-sol, Mr. Wol Cheon-mu?"
A short silence.
Wol Cheon-mu stared silently at Yoon Seo-jun.
His gaze clearly conveyed it.
This question was the most important part of today's conversation.
"...Hmm."
He released the door handle and took two or three steps back inside.
Leaning calmly against the edge of the table with his arms crossed, he spoke slowly.
"That's a big question. I'm not sure where to start."
"Even a negative answer is fine. It might even be what I need most."
"Is that so?"
Wol Cheon-mu chuckled.
"Then I'll be straightforward. No beating around the bush."
Yoon Seo-jun's eyes grew just a touch more serious.
Wol Cheon-mu lowered his gaze for a moment, organizing his thoughts.
Even just saying one name required that much time.
"For one thing, leaving everything else aside, he's the most precious man to our Ha-yeon. And he's a guy burdened with a lot."
"Precious man... But before that, what do you mean by burdened?"
"From the moment I first laid eyes on him, I vaguely sensed it—in his body, his mind, and even around him.
It didn't seem like burdens he chose himself... but they're already piled up on his shoulders.
A guy like Kang Hyun-sol will keep having that kind of baggage follow him from now on."
Those words also meant a life far from anything ordinary.
"In that case... you're saying he's dangerous?"
"Dangerous."
Wol Cheon-mu stated firmly.
"Too dangerous to keep close, too valuable to keep distant. He could become a walking disaster, or conversely, the pillar that holds back the disasters to come."
The air in the association president's office grew even heavier.
"That choice... will depend on him, then."
"Half of it does."
Wol Cheon-mu shrugged.
"The other half depends on the ones standing by his side."
Yoon Seo-jun's pupils trembled ever so slightly.
Seo-rin.
His granddaughter, who always stood by that student's side, came to mind.
A child who had taken after him more than anyone—stiff, unyielding, and clumsy with relationships.
"...Is it okay for Seo-rin to be by his side?"
He finally let the words slip out.
"Not as association president, but as one grandfather to another... if your granddaughter stands by that student Kang Hyun-sol, is that good for him?
You know Ha-yeon treasures Hyun-sol and harbors feelings beyond friendship—doesn't that bother you at all?"
The question was far more direct than expected.
He knew his own selfish desires were mixed in, but he couldn't move past it without confirmation.
Wol Cheon-mu let out a hollow laugh.
"It's been a while since you've asked so bluntly."
"...My apologies."
"No need to apologize."
He uncrossed his arms and tapped the table once with his finger.
A short sound echoed, followed by his answer.
"If you don't want your granddaughter hurt—"
A beat of pause.
"I'd tell her to keep her distance now."
Yoon Seo-jun's hands tensed slightly.
"But if you want her... to live happily, let her endure by that guy's side."
"...."
"It's just speculation for now, but Kang Hyun-sol will become a far bigger variable than you know.
He might even be the variable that ends this tiresomely long war against the demon race that's dragged on for ages.
Standing by his side is dangerous... but those who can stand with him there will ultimately be the ones who endure that era."
Yoon Seo-jun was speechless for a long while.
His calculations as association president clashed head-on with his protective instincts as a grandfather.
"...So you're saying it's okay for Seo-rin to be by his side."
A line squeezed out with effort.
Wol Cheon-mu nodded faintly.
"Wasn't the question flawed from the start? You want your granddaughter there,
yet you're asking permission from me, a third party just like you? That's nonsense."
"......"
"Your granddaughter is far stronger than you think, Yoon Seo-jun.
It's better to throw her into the real storm than to coddle her into weakness."
He glanced down at the empty teacup one last time.
"And—"
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"What you should worry about isn't that—worry first if that girl Seo-rin can beat my granddaughter."
"...If you say it that strongly, sir, I'll trust you. And regardless of whose granddaughter, Seo-rin is very pretty and endearing.
She won't be taken easily."
Yoon Seo-jun's voice settled.
The anxiety hadn't fully vanished, but a measure of relief had taken root in his chest.
"I was wondering if I asked in vain... but I'm glad I did."
"Maybe it's my age, but these days, even pointless consultations like this aren't so bad."
Wol Cheon-mu turned once more and stood before the door.
"Handle association matters yourself, and that Kang Hyun-sol guy... I'll give him a beating now and then."
"Don't hit him too hard. He's still a student."
"That's why I'm hitting him. A finished product won't improve from a beating."
The door opened, and corridor air seeped in.
"Then I'll be off."
"Yes. Take care, sir."
The sound of the door closing echoed softly in the association president's office.
In the quiet that followed, Yoon Seo-jun stood still for a long time.
His granddaughter, and one boy.
And the other disaster that might come soon.
"...Kang Hyun-sol."
He murmured the name lowly and looked up at the red sky outside the window.
"Please... be an answer, not a calamity, for all of us."
The sunset glow was slowly sinking.
"Hyun-sol, wake up. We're here."
Seol Yu-bin's warm, soft palm lightly tapped my shoulder.
I roused my groggy body and blinked.
"...Already? No, more than that, when did I even fall asleep...?"
I'd desperately fought it, thinking sleeping while she drove was rude, but apparently my mind had slipped away at some point.
Gathering my wits, I looked out the window and held my breath for a moment.
A grand gate carved as if from a massive tree.
Barrier runes faintly glowing in response to mana.
The surrounding grass was dusted with snow-white frost.
"This is... the Seol Family's main gate."
"Yeah."
Seol Yu-bin turned off the engine with a smile.
"It's been a while, right? Not much has changed since the last time."
The last time? Time to play along.
I spoke in as natural a tone as possible.
"I see. I thought it was pretty and fitting back then too, but it looks even more beautiful now."
Fortunately, Seol Yu-bin nodded without suspicion.
"Right? Let's get out."
As I opened the car door, cool air immediately filled my lungs deeply.
Even in summer, this level of chill... As expected of the land of the ice magic noble family, owners of the SS-grade item Eternal Frost Crystal.
The gate opened quietly, and we stepped inside.
Beyond it lay a snow-covered garden with rows of perennials blooming silver petals.
The massive buildings were all adorned with cold-toned stone and frost patterns,
and between them, mana lamps emitted a soft blue glow that barely stimulated the eyes.
"Remember all this? This is the main house where you came before."
Seol Yu-bin walked slowly, continuing her explanation.
"Over there is the reception hall. We use it for official guests or family gatherings...
And right ahead is the library. It's the place our family's mages frequent the most."
The layout was completely new to me, but I nodded and responded somehow.
"Ah... yeah. It feels similar to before."
I wondered if this level of winging it even qualified as acting anymore.
"Right? I already knew you had a good memory, but this is surprising? You remember even from when you were younger?"
"Haha... well... it left a strong impression. Plus, the Seol Family is a prestigious house, right? Impossible to forget."
"It would leave an impression. The building's structure is so unique."
The deeper we went, the more refined and intricate the buildings became.
Ice sculptures lined the white marble floors, and silver lanterns at corridor ends gradually brightened.
"This is the guest wing."
Seol Yu-bin gestured.
"Your room for tonight is one of these. I warmed the bed, so don't worry.
Or do you want to sleep with sis like old times?"
"I'll use the room. Thank you so much."
Sleeping together as adults? No way!
"So firm~ Making sis a little sad?"
Her tone was light, but somehow each step exuded leisure and authority.
The feeling of being the daughter of this place, the legitimate heir of the family, showed naturally.
I followed behind her, keeping up the act as naturally as possible.
"By the way... were there ice sculptures like these here before?"
"Oh—that's new. Everything else is the same."
Nice. Dodged the trap smoothly.
As we moved along under her guidance, the corridor's atmosphere suddenly shifted.
Even the wall material changed.
Walls densely lined with silvery-white ore glowed faintly, as if harboring a holy aura,
and the ceiling held a chandelier of elaborate decorations and shattered frost.
And straight ahead, the door.
Intricate patterns flowing with white and blue light. Delicate frost flower engravings.
The overwhelming pressure of mana from the door alone.
It spoke volumes about the being who owned this place.
Seol Yu-bin stopped before the door.
"You remember this too?"
She caught her breath briefly and continued.
"Where our mother stays."
"O-of course."
My back straightened involuntarily.
"We'll just say a quick hello. Mom's been... really curious about how you've been."
My heart beat a little faster at those words.
'Please let this pass safely.'
Seol Yu-bin placed her hand on the door handle.
Silver frost scattered softly, and the door slowly opened.
As the frost dissipated, a cold yet noble aura burst out from within, enveloping Seol Yu-bin in an instant.
And—the woman at the center of that aura slowly lifted her head toward us.
Hair the exact shade as her daughter's, slightly darker eyes, a figure embodying both chill and dignity.
Seol Ye-eun.
Former head of the Seol Family, still hailed as one of Korea's top ice mages—a legend.
Seol Yu-bin's mother.
"It's been a while, Hyun-sol."
A voice cold yet strangely warm echoed steadily through the quiet room.