Finals Celebration Party (2)
On the Tuesday afternoon when Lee Ho-yeon had gone to the magic exhibition, Ellis finished her regular classes at the academy and prepared to head home.
He never showed up in the end.
Ellis glanced at the empty seat where Lee Ho-yeon should have been, pondering why incidents seemed to follow that man everywhere. Whether it was some field trip or whatever, he'd gotten caught up in a terrorist attack at the magic exhibition with Professor Im Sol.
Is Lee Ho-yeon the real black curtain behind all this? The thought crossed her mind, especially since his name was popping up in the news more and more frequently.
Tsk. Ellis chuckled at her own ridiculous notion and shook her head. No way that was true.
He said he blocked it perfectly, so he shouldn't be hurt, right?
The news about the terrorist attack had spread not just across the internet but to foreign outlets within hours. Terrorism was a big deal, sure, but with mines launching attacks worldwide multiple times a day, it shouldn't have blown up like that so fast.
The real bombshell was Professor Im Sol's magic that stopped it.
In one word... it was the kind of spell that made you think twice about screwing around in her class.
There were other stories—like reevaluating Professor Im Sol or statements from the Magic Society—but Ellis didn't bother looking them up since they weren't important to her. What mattered was Lee Ho-yeon. He couldn't get hurt. Not when her mana circuits had finally narrowed again.
It was time for another mana massage. She needed his help.
"When was he free again..."
As Ellis reviewed her schedule, someone called out from behind.
"Excuse me, Miss Ellis?"
She turned and saw a familiar face.
"It's been a while. I came by for the finals celebration party."
"...Finals celebration party? Oh, Secretary Sunbae."
Only then did it click. The senior in front of her was the student council secretary. It had been so long since she'd last visited the student council that she'd almost forgotten.
"Yeah, yeah. Here's the plan—take a look. The PR department is technically under student council, so..."
Ellis checked the documents, and annoyance hit her first.
[Student Council Finals Commemoration Party Plan!]
It looked annoying as hell just from the title. And it seemed like it'd draw a huge crowd. Totally not Ellis's style—she preferred quiet.
If it were some important party, she'd grit her teeth and go, but this? Nah...
Wait, she said PR department, so doesn't that mean Lee Ho-yeon will be there too?
Ellis had been about to politely decline, but the thought of him changed everything. With his personality, he'd never skip a team-building event like this.
"It looks more complicated than it is, but for first-years, it's not that big a—"
"Is Lee Ho-yeon participating?"
Ellis scanned the documents while asking the secretary.
"Huh? Oh, of course Ho-yeon's joining. Anyway, for first-years—"
"Then I'll do it."
If he was in, she'd do it. No more hesitation. Ellis signed the papers.
"Uh, wha—?"
"I said I'll do it, Sunbae."
She handed them over with a blink. The secretary was stunned for a second but then smiled, relieved it was done, and took the documents.
"Thanks. You must be pretty close with Ho-yeon, huh?"
"...Not really."
"You signed without a second thought once you heard he was in. Lucky for us—us seniors wrecked the camaraderie, so at least you underclassmen get along."
"..."
Ellis couldn't argue as the secretary sauntered off, dissing the disgraced vice president. Come to think of it, why had she signed just because of him?
Luckily, the dilemma didn't last. She reached a conclusion quickly.
"...I need to talk about the massage."
Plus the centaur stuff, and more. Plenty to discuss.
Mm-hmm. Sure, she could call or text, but Ellis dodged the truth.
"Massage, centaur, business... Yeah. Stuff like this needs face-to-face."
She repeated it to herself like a mantra.
*
Wednesday morning. I saw off the Nam sisters at the front door.
"I'll head out first. Ho-yeon-ah."
"Oppa! Bye!"
"Yeah, yeah. See you later."
I sent them ahead because I had things to discuss with Scarlett about the move.
Scarlett had come home late last night—who knows what she'd been up to—and only told me about the house this morning. Then dropped a bombshell.
"...200 billion?"
"Yes. You told me to find a good deal, right?"
"I did say that. Yeah..."
How good a deal did she snag? I'd only ever lived in a villa, a studio, and the academy dorm. A 200-billion-won house felt unreal.
"I got the best one around. Land prices near the academy are sky-high anyway."
"True, but 200 billion is still..."
"Surely you're not skimping when it's for Liliana-nim and Miss Nam Da-eun to live in?"
Scarlett widened her eyes and covered her mouth in mock shock.
"As if. Fine. Whatever. Do what you want."
That sly grin—she'd definitely pulled something, dodging my questions till the end.
"You didn't blow it on anything weird, right?"
I asked just in case, but she shook her head firmly.
"Absolutely not. I got it way under market value. Sell after a few years, and the appreciation alone will be huge."
"Tch. If that's the case."
If it'd been my money, I'd be pissed, but it wasn't. The 300 billion we'd taken from Buyer Guild—I'd planned to give it all to Da-eun, but she refused flat-out, so I kept it. No regrets spending on a house.
"...Why are you smiling, though?"
"I'm not smi—kuk. Ling."
That laugh just made me uneasy.
"I don't need to check it myself?"
"Yes. Don't worry."
Not giving me the address bugged me, but... it was for all of us, so she'd picked something good. Probably just a bit luxurious. No way she bought something stupid like a [100-billion-won authentic vase], right? I'd lose it if so.
"Alright. I'm off. Keep Liliana entertained."
Liliana had holed up in her room, saying she needed to stream hard before the move.
She's got a week here anyway—what's the rush?
I said goodbye to Scarlett and headed to the dorms. At the academy, I went to first-year Class A.
The place was always buzzing.
—Can we bring booze to the celebration...
—Wanna hang with me?
Cadets clustered, chatting about the party. Seeing how hyped it was, it must be a big deal. Meant more work, though.
Annoyance crept in again, but I pushed it down and joined Lucy and Lumi, who were already seated.
"Ho-yeon-ssi. Hello."
"Lee Ho-yeon, you're tough as nails. Can't you get hurt just once?"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
I sat between them, greeting casually. Lucy eyed me like I was some freak.
"News said it was a massive terror attack... I saw the prof handle it in seconds, though."
She shuddered, recalling Im Sol's spell. No surprise—I'd been shocked too. How shocked were others? On the way, I saw the Magic Society inviting her or something. Wonder how that'll play out.
"Still, glad you weren't hurt... Ho-yeon-ssi."
"Thanks, Lumi."
We chatted till class—yesterday's stuff, ending with "Got time today?"
I ignored the lust in Lucy's eyes and looked away.
"...Gotta hit the student council today."
"Student council?"
"Yeah. Finals party prep."
"Oh, right. Got the message. Says attend unless you've got an excuse."
"I'm on it too. They called me in to work."
"Impressive, Ho-yeon-ssi..."
"Tch. Fine. Pass today! But finals right after the party—what now."
Lumi gazed up at me sparkling-eyed; Lucy fanned herself lazily.
"Already? Gotta study."
Time flew. Or crawled? Schedules packed every day—too much to do.
"Ho-yeon-ssi studies well anyway..."
"Right? How's he ace everything while slacking?"
"Prep ahead. Always prep ahead."
I prepped for class amid their envious stares. My grades were perks, but for perfect lies, I'd convinced even myself: I'm a genius. No guilt that way!
"Teach us too, then... Club room."
"Good idea! Not today—tomorrow?"
The pervy twins' lecherous intent was obvious, but I didn't refuse.
"You won't study anyway... Tch. Tell me if I'm free."
*
"Whoa, it's the celeb! Celeb!"
"...Shut up."
Im Sol frowned at Min Ye-ji's excitement.
"A-young-ah, saw Sol's magic? It floated up in the sky, bam—light—and the mines melted."
"Don't drag A-young in."
"I saw. It was cool. Why? Nothing to be embarrassed about, right?"
Im Sol sighed at her teasing friends but felt grateful deep down. They treated her the same despite the power.
But even if they supported her, it lacked the thrill she felt from Lee Ho-yeon.
...Terminal case.
Slurp—
As Im Sol slurped coffee to clear her head, Min Ye-ji targeted Baek A-young next.
"Makes sense—profs got cadets crushing on 'em. Right?"
"I-I'm not a prof, just infirmary staff. Staff are employees."
"Sol-ah. Sol-ah. Listen to A-young. Huh? Listen."
Im Sol, lost in thoughts of Ho-yeon, snapped back.
"Sorry. Distracted. What?"
"Infirmary staff aren't profs, so she can like cadets...!"
Kya kya—
Min Ye-ji teased mercilessly; Baek A-young blushed, head down, sipping her drink.
Always the same with the trio: Min Ye-ji teasing Baek A-young, Im Sol reining her in.
But today?
"...If they like each other, other stuff shouldn't matter, right?"
Im Sol sipped casually, acting nonchalant. Silence crashed over the table.
Her friends knew: this woman didn't do girly answers.
"...Sol-ah?"
"C-competitor..."
Min Ye-ji gawked; Baek A-young nearly spat her drink.
"Don't give me that look. Just my opinion."
Im Sol defended, but Min Ye-ji pounced.
"L-Lee Ho-yeon, you bastard. Stealing all my friends..."
She squeezed her eyes shut dramatically, but her lips twitched upward—amused.
"He hasn't stolen anyone yet... Calm down."
"Y-yet..."
Baek A-young gaped, soul fled—Im Sol had just confirmed her as a rival.
"Sol-ah. Spill. Why say that?!"
"Haa..."
Min Ye-ji lioness'd Im Sol; Im Sol chuckled wryly at wide-eyed Baek A-young.
If it'd come out eventually, better early.