Chapter 175: Tuesday Lunch with Lucy and Lumi. Professor Im Sol's Hospital Visit
Professor Im Sol had come to visit me during Tuesday lunch. The moment she walked in and saw me waving happily, she let out a disbelieving chuckle.
"I heard about it from Ayoung, but you're really tough."
She looked a bit overwhelmed seeing me so healthy despite my mana circuits being completely wrecked.
"My disciple's just that exceptional, Professor."
"For someone that exceptional, I can't sense a drop of mana from you."
"Ahaha... It'll probably be like this for at least a week."
Not being able to use magic was frustrating enough, but the real anxiety came from not being able to set up a Rune Barrier. Locking the hospital room door alone didn't feel secure enough. Someone might try to peep on my sex life, after all.
"Still, that's a relief. Now all that's left is for you to soar as a genius mage."
"Aw, come on. How could I? You've got that genius mage spot locked down tight."
I played humble, but the internet was actually worshiping me. There were tons of posts comparing my magical achievements to Im Sol's. I wasn't even close to her level yet.
"Public opinion's improved a lot since you saved all those high-ranking officials. The PR battle's basically over."
"Thank you. It's all thanks to you, Professor."
My performance in the terrorist attack helped, sure, but Im Sol had laid the groundwork long before that.
"Ayoung and Min Ye-ji worked hard too."
"Oh, of course."
Baek Ayoung went without saying, but I owed Min Ye-ji a thanks. Trouble was, I never ran into her. Would saving her last time cover it?
"My magic research is going smoothly too. We're in the final stages now."
"Oh... So you're announcing it soon?"
"Yeah. But we're announcing it together. Take your time recovering—I'll wait."
"Mm. Thank you."
Im Sol beamed as she explained the progress on her magic research. It was a hassle, honestly... but what could I do? I had to play along. She looked happier talking about magic than anything else—I couldn't make a bored face. I listened intently, putting on my most interested expression.
"Oh yeah, you won't make it to this week's magic expo, right? No bet then?"
Come to think of it, we'd bet on me acing the exam to go together, but with me hospitalized, no time for that.
"Can't do that, Professor. We'll go next time. Next time."
"Hmmm. Fine. I'll clear my schedule."
I couldn't pass up a chance like that. Expos weren't one-offs—another would come soon enough.
"Professor, speaking of which, that paper..."
About thirty minutes of chit-chat later, Im Sol stood up.
"Guess I should head out. No classes at the academy anyway since exams are over... Just rest here."
"Yeah... Professor? What are you doing?"
Rub rub.
Im Sol was groping my crotch.
"The sweets I ate because of you aren't relieving my stress. You gotta take responsibility."
"...Y-Yeah, yeah. Eat as much as you want. But lock the door, just in case."
"Already did when I came in."
She smirked and gripped harder.
"So thorough... Ngh..."
Once my cock was nicely hard, Im Sol pulled off my patient gown herself. The tip, pointing at the ceiling, glistened with sticky precum. It hadn't been that long, but the situation was exciting.
"No professor does this for her disciple stuck in a hospital bed."
"...True. First time for this kind of experience. Thank you."
We'd done naughty stuff in hospital rooms before, but today was a first. No lie there. Im Sol slowly parted her lips and engulfed my glans. Warmth enveloped my shaft as electric pleasure shot up my spine.
*Slurp—suck.*
Lewd wet sounds filled the room.
* A-class morning class. Seeing Lumi with her newly cut bob, the female cadets squealed and swarmed her.
"Whoa, Lumi? The short hair looks amazing on you!"
"Right? Should've done it ages ago! Way prettier without that dorky ribbon."
"Ah... Um..."
"Hey, Lumi's overwhelmed. Back off!"
Caught off-guard by the sudden attention, Lumi glanced around frantically before shooting Lucy a pleading look. Lucy pushed through the cadets, waving them away wildly to rescue her.
"Okay, okay. But you really do look pretty, Lumi."
"Yeah... Wanna hit the cafe today?"
"S-Sorry. I have somewhere to be..."
"Next time then? Please?"
"I said back off."
Lucy shooed away the persistent girls.
"Lucy... Thanks."
"No prob. But... why'd you cut your hair?"
Even Lucy had only found out that morning—Lumi hadn't mentioned it yesterday.
"Uh, um... Image change?"
"Image change...?"
Lucy tilted her head. Why would shy Lumi need an image change?
* After Im Sol left at lunchtime, the room stayed quiet for hours. I messaged Moon Sulin on my smartwatch.
She hadn't visited, so she must be swamped.
Even though the terrorism wasn't academy-related, if she was that busy, probably all the principals were.
Maybe they haven't noticed Nam Da-hee missing yet.
If her usual minder wasn't top-tier, Professor Kang Hyo-ryn's magic formation would fool them. She had S-rank hunter level skills. Though the guild master might spot it. The formation weakened over time or distance, but investigations might've delayed checks. Nam Da-eun vanishing without a peep—and no follow-up—proved it. If all was well, she'd be at the academy. So they were leaving it alone.
Not bad.
The more time, the better.
Knock knock.
Probably the visitors the nurse mentioned. Lucy and Lumi.
"Come in."
Slide.
"Hi hi! Came yesterday but got kicked out, so here today."
"Hello, Ho-yeon. Feeling okay?"
"Yeah. Thanks for... Huh?"
Lumi peeked out from behind Lucy, and my eyes widened. Gone was her signature red-ribboned long hair—now a cute bob.
"Whoa, Lumi, you cut your hair? Looks great."
"Th-Thank you."
"Right? Academy's buzzing about it."
"Lucy... Don't say that. Embarrassing."
Lucy bragged like it was her own achievement. I'd been neglecting them lately—felt bad—but Lucy was either sweet or hiding it well. Grateful either way.
In the original story, they both kept long hair.
"Why'd you cut it?"
"Image change," Lucy answered for the blushing Lumi.
"Image change...?"
"Y-Yes..."
Image change? Didn't suit shy Lumi at all. Wasn't that for extroverts?
Just a whim, huh...?
She's pretty, so whatever. We chatted happily for the first time in ages.
* That night, at Lee Ho-yeon's dormitory.
"Sis sisiii! Look! Chicken! Chicken!"
"Don't run off with my chicken!"
Thud thud! Nam Da-hee and Liliana dashed around with chicken boxes while Nam Da-eun and Scarlett watched from the sofa like parents at a kids' cafe.
"What does Liliana do?"
Nam Da-eun asked Scarlett with innocent eyes.
"...My colleague."
"Her boss, like Ho-yeon?"
Scarlett called her "Liliana-nim," so it made sense.
"...Yes. That's right."
Scarlett's cheeks flushed. With just Ho-yeon, Liliana, and her, she'd never felt embarrassed amid the pleasure. But with Nam Da-hee around, playtime vanished. Sober now, the questions hit with shame. The contract prevented betrayal anyway, and this was more fun than her old guild. Just embarrassing.
"You all seem close."
Scarlett smacked her lips watching Nam Da-eun nod stoically. Then a question popped up.
"But aren't you missing class, Da-eun?"
"Classes don't mean much to me."
"Ah..."
Knowing her backstory, Scarlett winced at the slip. The academy must be hell for someone blackmailed over her sister's safety and practical exam ranks.
"It's fine. Don't worry."
Sensing the fluster, Nam Da-eun reassured her first.
"Sorry, Da-eun. Quitting the academy then?"
Nam Da-eun gazed wistfully at Nam Da-hee.
"Spending time with Da-hee first. Then, if I get the chance, head to Buyer Guild."
"Buyer Guild?"
"Ho-yeon gave me time to think. Made me realize how stupid I was, just taking it."
"..."
"Not sure if it's revenge... But yeah. Go there and give back what they did to me."
The innocent girl had darkened. Scarlett stayed silent—she couldn't know the full extent of Nam Da-eun's suffering.
"One thing I wanna ask. Know what Ho-yeon likes?"
"Pardon? Ho-yeon-nim?"
"Thinking of getting a gift."
Nam Da-eun wanted to repay him for saving her and Da-hee. No big gestures yet, but a small one needed his tastes. Doing nothing pricked her conscience.
"Uh... What Ho-yeon-nim likes..."
Scarlett didn't really know either. Did he even have hobbies?
"..."
One word flashed in her mind.
'Picking up girls.'
Only thing that came to mind. But not something to tell innocent Nam Da-eun.
"What Ho-yeon likes? Obviously se— Mmph!"
Scarlett clamped Liliana's mouth—she'd eavesdropped somehow.
"What color?"
Nam Da-eun didn't catch "sex"—it wasn't in her vocabulary.
Already used to Liliana's antics, Scarlett pivoted fast.
"Ah, color. Pretty-colored flowers."
"Pretty-colored flowers..."
Nam Da-eun nodded, deciding to bring some next visit.