A Brief Slice of Daily Life (2)
It was quiet. Too quiet. Silence had descended over this cramped space like a Silence spell had been cast.
What the hell is wrong with these two…? I couldn’t hide my bewilderment. Their reactions were nothing like what I’d expected—hell, they were 180 degrees off.
I examined their eyes. No interest in each other, no curiosity. They’d glance occasionally, sure, but the only one they really cared about was me.
“You’re meeting for the first time—don’t you have questions for each other…?” I tried to step in and draw out some kind of response.
“None, Kyle hyungnim. More importantly…”
“Nope! I’d rather…”
They answered in unison, then spoke at the same time.
“I’m more curious about that thing from before.”
“I wanna talk about going out with Kyle.”
Perfectly synchronized, they focused solely on me.
“Ah…” I clutched my aching head, realizing I’d probably blown it.
“Anyway… let’s just finish eating.”
“Yes, Kyle hyungnim.”
“Yeah!”
Fuck.
Rana had been in a great mood right up until they arrived at the student cafeteria. After all, Kyle had personally invited her. To eat together, no less.
When she’d first heard those words, she’d been so thrilled she’d shouted out loud without thinking. Back at the dorm later, embarrassment had turned her face bright red.
The moment class ended, Rana bolted to the cafeteria. And there she saw it: the student sitting across from Kyle.
He was Cha-seok, a freshman in the Knight Department.
I thought it’d just be the two of us…
Rana felt a twinge of disappointment. Even if the junior was pretty, Kyle could’ve made time separately. She figured he was being a bit grumpy today.
Still, with her generous heart, she decided to understand. Buying her lunch like this meant he cared enough about the junior to look after him personally.
The junior seemed like a good kid, just like Kyle. Not quite on Kyle’s level, but the scent wafting from him was pleasant. Of course, it paled compared to Kyle’s.
That thought didn’t last long.
I wanna go out with Kyle already.
Rana’s mind wandered elsewhere. Her top priority right now was heading out to the capital. Sure, being with Kyle was always fun and exciting, but compared to that, this seat felt utterly boring.
I’ll buy a cake for my senior, clothes with Kyle, eat out…
Realizing that sounded like a date—the kind her department friends gossiped about—Rana felt her cheeks heat up.
She munched on her pizza and sneaked a glance sideways. Kyle’s figure filled her vision. He noticed and looked her way. He was sensitive like that.
“What?”
“N-nothing…”
She stammered dumbly and turned away. Peeking at her reflection in Ure’s mirror, she was relieved her face looked fine. Still, she checked whenever she could. Lately, being around Kyle made her face burn.
And just like that, Evan’s presence faded from Rana’s mind.
Evan wasn’t much different.
When’s he gonna say it?
He shoved a steak into his mouth. The rich meaty flavor melted across his tongue. He nearly forgot why he’d come here for that taste alone, but Evan snapped back to attention.
Since arriving at Tianis Academy, he’d gained so much knowledge. Fundamentals of Swordsmanship taught him how to wield a blade; Understanding Mana showed him how to form a mana core. Other lectures like Monster Behavior Principles and Herbalism filled his head with all sorts of info.
The past two weeks had broadened his narrow worldview.
But amid all that knowledge, nothing about magic-wielding knights. Sure, the concept of a magic swordsman existed. Professors just treated it as incomplete, useless, a pipe dream.
Once you hit Master, you could ignite mana flames; at Archmage, your body reconstructs to rival a knight’s. That alone erased any magic swordsman advantages.
And the professors described it bluntly:
[A profession chosen by those with mediocre talent in both magic and martial arts]
That’s how harshly they judged magic swordsmen. No completed examples existed, and the path was brutally tough. Plenty never reached Master as pure knights—adding magic? Even the founding emperor and first Arden family head couldn’t pull it off, they said.
But Evan thought differently. He’d met someone who wielded both magic and swordsmanship masterfully.
Kyle Arden. His senior, the academy’s infamous troublemaker for some wicked deed before Evan enrolled. He wasn’t sure if the rumors were true, but Veil confirmed it.
A guy called a delinquent with a foul personality and no talent—turns out he was a hidden genius.
Evan couldn’t forget exam day: the brilliant mana lights painting the sky, the profound principles in his swordsmanship. With his newfound knowledge, he realized how incredible his senior was.
That’s why he’d rushed here right after class. A chance to learn a secret technique no one else knew.
But then the Magic Department senior showed up, and things stalled.
She’s pretty, though.
The Magic Department senior Kyle hyungnim introduced personally. She was the most stunning person he’d ever seen—on par with the Fourth Imperial Princess he’d glimpsed by chance.
But his appreciation stopped there. Evan’s real interest was his senior’s power and teachings.
Sure, he was interested in the opposite sex, but he wasn’t ready to get close to anyone yet.
What a handsome pair.
The two seniors sat side by side, looking perfect together.
“Want more?”
“Yeah! I do.”
“Here.”
Kyle hyungnim sliced the pizza and handed it over. Rana sunbae took it happily. They made a great couple. The whispers around them seemed to disagree, but to Evan, they looked solid.
Doesn’t hyungnim notice?
Watching the scene, Evan picked up on the subtle vibe. A one-sided, blind devotion aimed his way.
Hyungnim has his oblivious side too, huh.
No tact, no delicacy. Couldn’t read a girl’s heart, leaving his junior hanging. First meeting or not, Evan pitied Rana sunbae.
So he decided to help. Reasons aplenty: two days ago, advice from hyungnim let him resolve the ghost incident fast. Unexpected finds and professor gifts followed. He owed him.
Even if called a delinquent, Evan didn’t see it. The rough speech and attitude were just quirks of his quirky hyungnim.
Evan fiddled with his watch. He already had a plan. Disappointed not to hear about magic yet, but time was on his side. He could visit the dorm later.
What Evan didn’t know: someone at the table who’d invited him could read minds and was probably fuming.
No, Ha… She was already dying of frustration.
Before long, the meal wrapped up. And my sanity shattered.
The two hadn’t exchanged a single word the whole time. Just stared at me, like before.
Beep-beep—
A sound from across the table. The watch alarm I heard daily.
Evan’s voice followed.
“Oops, sorry sunbaenim. Time flew—forgot my next lecture.”
Obvious acting. Stiff as reading from a textbook—who wouldn’t notice? Lunch break had plenty left anyway.
And most importantly.
“Hey, bullshit. You’ve got no next class.”
First-year lectures were all mornings. Afternoons free, academy policy. Evan had none.
“Haha, slipped my mind. Not a lecture—an appointment…”
Evan backpedaled and stood abruptly, bolting.
“I’ll head out! See you later, Kyle hyungnim! And Rana sunbae…”
He stared at her. For a moment, hope flickered.
“Hang in there! You’ll succeed someday!”
“Yeah! You too, Evan junior!”
They exchanged encouraging glances and well-wishes without me. Hope turned to despair.
Evan left the cafeteria.
“What was that about?”
“Nothin’~ You don’t need to know, Kyle.”
No matter how I pressed, Rana wouldn’t spill. Her beaming smile hid something sly.
“Ha…”
Fine, I admit it. Plan failed.
But I won’t give up. I’ll connect them somehow.
“When’re we heading out, Kyle?”
“Tomorrow…”
Somehow.
So I’d have to keep them together till then.
Sigh…
The next day.
“Stick to the time and be back before 7.”
We showed our outing passes to the guard at the academy gate. A quick warning, and we were out.
Lots of students left daily—hundreds. Couldn’t monitor them all.
We crossed the bridge linking academy to capital, chatting idly.
“Where first?”
“Hm, not sure. Cake for sunbae on the way back…”
Carrying it would just be baggage.
“I’ve got stuff to buy too, but I’ll grab it on return—heavy load otherwise.”
Might as well shop while out. Time to fix my musty, rotten room.
Mirror and daily magic tools, essentials like planned day one. Hammers, nails for repairs. Wood from nearby trees—with permission.
Part-time and volunteer cash covered it.
“Clothes shopping then!”
“Sounds good.”
Realizing aside from uniform, I had no clothes. A few casuals wouldn’t hurt.
Grrrowl~
A loud hungry rumble from somewhere.
“Hungry?”
“N-no?”
Face red, she lied poorly. Past lunch, no food—what was she doing?
“Food first. Know a spot.”
“Y-yeah!”
I knew the capital as well as the academy—always mentioned together.
Not fancy, but student-friendly.
“Elraim, you?”
I asked the one following. Polite since she tagged along. Wish she hadn’t—stubborn.
“I’m fine. As I said, treat me like I’m not here today.”
“Whatever.”
I ignored Elraim, focusing on Rana.
“Let’s go.”
“Got it!”
I led her to the food street. Ordered, chatted till food arrived, ate. Whatever it was, Rana grinned ear-to-ear.
After, I took her to a famous snack stall for dessert.
“Good?”
“Yeah! I’ll treat next time.”
“Do what you want.”
Next: arts street for clothes.
On the way, streets bustled. Mercs, merchants, soldiers, citizens. All sorts passing by.
Weaving through the crowd, a kid brushed past.
“Hm…”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
Thought pickpocket—false alarm. A small note in my hand.
…Right on time.
Yeah, time for them to approach me. Pocketed the paper. Not yet.
After this is done.
Checking later wouldn’t hurt. For now, fine.
I pushed the note from mind till the outing ended.