Second Semester (1)
“Ughhh! Vacation’s almost over.”
Rana stretched her arms straight up toward the sky as she spoke. The cool stretch must have felt good, because a smile bloomed across her face.
“Yeah… time flew by already. And we didn’t even do anything big.”
“Right. But what can you do? We’re second-years now.”
“True.”
That was when Evan, who’d overheard our conversation, paused his magic training and chimed in.
“Vacation’s ending? There’s still over two weeks left, though?”
“That’s just for first-years. It’s different for second-years and up.”
First-years got two months off mid-semester, but second-years only one less. The reason? Events. First semester had even started two weeks early for entrance exams. Second semester was no different—they were kicking off two weeks ahead too.
“So we won’t see you two for a bit?”
“Not completely, but not like this.”
With lectures starting back up, our hangout time would shrink.
Evan grumbled in clear dissatisfaction.
“I thought more vacation time would be awesome, but nope.”
“You’re the only one who thinks that.”
Protagonist brain, alright. Unique as ever. Anyone else would’ve been thrilled.
“Still, Evan junior—there is a way to see Kyle.”
“Huh? What’s that?”
Rana jumped into the conversation, and Evan shot back with eager curiosity.
“Just in case you don’t know: every year, the continent holds something called the Exchange Meeting.”
“Exchange Meeting?”
“Yeah! It’s a big gathering where all the academies on the continent come together. Back in the day, Tianis Academy started it to let students from different schools meet up and sharpen their skills against each other.”
“Oh, all the academies…”
Evan let out a quiet gasp of admiration. Rana pressed on.
“They’re doing one this year too. First- and second-years participate.”
“Guess I’m in. But where’s it at?”
“Last year was here at Tianis, so this time it’s the Justia Holy Kingdom hosting.”
“The Holy Kingdom? Where the six gods live?”
“Yep. They’ve got an academy there too.”
Tianis, the Magic Tower, and the Holy Academy were known as the continent’s three great academies. Just like Rana said, this year’s Exchange Meeting was set for the Holy Kingdom.
“But how’s that connect to meeting hyungnim?”
“Oh, the Exchange Meeting’s mostly joint classes? To prep for that, first-years get to sit in on second-year lectures. For two weeks straight.”
In other words, joint classes—another academy event. It was all about building teamwork ahead of the Exchange Meeting and showing off the skills you’d honed alongside your seniors.
“Tianis really is on another level.”
Evan marveled at the system yet again. I tossed him some advice.
“That’s why you should apply ASAP. Window’s not long.”
“Apply? Isn’t it automatic?”
“Only if you want to. Everyone’s got their own stuff going on.”
Tianis respected its students—and their choices. They didn’t force anything unless it was mandatory.
“Deadline? Where?”
Evan was already antsy, grilling us.
“Student Council Hall. Deadline’s…”
“Tomorrow, probably?”
“Phew, plenty of time.”
Evan let out a relieved breath.
“Don’t slack—get it done. You’re auditing magic lectures too, right?”
“Obviously.”
Evan’s double major was already approved. Second semester meant magic department classes on top.
No way this guy would skip second-year lectures.
“Professors won’t kick up a fuss again?”
“Who knows. Probably.”
“Ugh, hard pass…”
Evan recoiled. He’d been hounded by professors over the double major already. Knight department top seat diving into magic? Total uproar. They’d hounded him daily after he applied. Magic profs’ support got it through, but joint classes would spark round two for sure.
Evan had been famous before, but this blew it up academy-wide.
“Taking magic lectures means you’ll run into me, huh?”
“Yeah. Don’t hold back—give it your all.”
“Got it!”
Did that sound like the devil’s whisper? Evan started sweating bullets.
“Haha… Rana sunbae, hyungnim—you’ll go easy, right?”
“Depends on your performance.”
“Eh? Maybe?”
“……”
Evan bolted for the Student Council Hall like he was fleeing for his life.
Time flew by, and the second semester kicked off.
Tianis entering a new term was quite the sight. Hollow-eyed second- and third-years aside, even the professors shuffling to their classrooms looked beat. Post-vacation morning blues hit everyone hard.
Guess they’re human too.
“Ugh, gonna die…”
“Morning classes just never stick…”
We arrived at the training ground to second-years’ listless gripes. One of them spotted the first-years in the mix.
“Huh, someone actually signed up for joint classes.”
“I skipped to rest up.”
“You and everyone here, probably.”
We approached the first-years—two weeks of shared lectures meant we’d be stuck together anyway. But most of the first-years didn’t mesh well. Tense, overwhelmed by the attention.
A few were chatty, though. Evan chief among them. The guy had killer social skills, and his top-seat status had second-years probing with all sorts of topics.
“Magic thing for real?”
“Heard it’s all anyone talks about lately. Profs won’t shut up.”
“Rumor says self-taught. Even hit 3-circle.”
Evan’s lips curled into a massive grin at the questions.
“Heh, sunbaes—think I’d peddle obvious lies? Want a demo?”
With that, he unleashed a spell. Flames roared up—Fireball, signature 3-circle magic.
“No way, legit…”
“Sword and magic? World’s so damn unfair…”
One second-year, still baffled, piped up.
“But why not just stick to sword? No clue why bother with magic.”
“That’s magic bashing…”
“Nah, not bashing—just doesn’t add up, junior. Guy with Veil-level talent, why magic? Sword’s plenty.”
Magic swordsman stigma ran deep. Evan’s job to shatter it.
“Started outta curiosity. And it’s got perks.”
“Like what?”
“Heh, I’ll show ya later. Oh? Hyungnim!”
Evan spotted me then. Eyes turned my way.
“Whoa~ same classroom? Kinda fresh like this.”
“See you daily, idiot.”
His so-called classmates—hardly friends—greeted me tentatively.
“H-hi, Kyle…”
“F-first time since vacation…?”
First greetings from them ever. Stammers aside, it was genuine warmth, not fear.
Big change.
Direct hellos now. Unthinkable back then. Maybe my rep had climbed.
I returned it simply.
“Yeah. Good to see you.”
Short as it was, their eyes bugged out. Didn’t expect a reply, huh?
To the floundering classmate: “I’m borrowing Evan.”
“Uh—t-take him…”
“Bye…”
Why the farewell? We’re in the same damn space. Even Princess Ariel glanced over from her chat.
I dragged Evan off from the group. Professor hadn’t arrived yet.
“Hyungnim, vibe’s way softer than before? Used to just glare.”
“I’ve changed since then.”
Blocked his expulsion. Pulled him from library danger. Not favors, but word spread nice. Behavior cleaned up. Acted normal, like everyone else.
Good habits piled up to this.
At least in academy eyes, I wasn’t the old rampaging punk anymore.
Academy-only, mind you.
“See? Gotta keep the good vibes.”
“Enough. And quit showboating like earlier. Bad habit.”
“Huh? That was boasting?”
“Yeah.”
What else was it?
“Uh… sorry, but I showed magic to shut down the hassle. Profs wouldn’t drop it without proof.”
“…You’re actually growing up.”
“No idea what image you got in your head, but top seat means I’m smart too.”
“Then act like it sooner.”
“Ouch… Oh? Veil’s here!”
Evan’s gaze flicked back; he waved wildly.
Veil was there, heading straight over.
“Long time? Vanished all vacation.”
“Territory business. Wanted to, but swamped.”
Quick update for Evan, then a deep bow my way.
“Long time, hyungnim. Hope you’ve been well.”
“Yeah.”
Respect for big bro unchanged. Or just rigid? Took after Dad there.
But… aura’s different.
Sharper all over. Faint blood tang.
Black mage hunts, probably.
Territory was deep in subjugations then. Veil joined.
Evan picked up on it too.
“Veil, you seem… different?”
“Mm… tell you later. Not the place.”
Veil steadied himself, but the edge lingered.
“Still, nice we’re all together. Rare for us three. Right, hyungnim?”
Evan slung arms over our shoulders.
“Three dudes? Gross.”
“Hey, friendship! We’re no ordinary trio.”
“Bullshit.”
“Harsh, hyungnim.”
Ignored Veil and shrugged off the arm. Guy huddle was turning my stomach.
“Quit yapping!”
Professor Mailon’s booming voice cut in.
We shut up and shuffled forward.
“Second-years don’t need intros. Knight first-years—welcome. Name’s Mailon. I’ll guide you next year.”
Basic formalities, kept short. Not his style to drag.
“We’ll see plenty next year, so intro’s done. Here’s how class works.”
Joint Class Participants: First-Years
(Double last year's numbers)
He fiddled with the magitech setup in the training ground, projecting a roster.
A map popped up beside it.
“Tons of first-year sign-ups this round—double last year. I usually do combat-heavy lectures, but this crowd’ll mess it up. So we’re switching it up.”
“Survival. That’s your class. Two-man teams, hole up one day at the prepped site. Perfect teamwork builder for the Exchange Meeting.”
Mailon explained with a devilish grin.
One student raised a hand.
“Professor Mailon, we’ve got other classes…”
“Handled. Cleared with the others. Finish this, and you’re free of my lectures for two weeks. Second-years, resume normal schedule week three.”
Students lit up. One day’s work for two weeks off? Jackpot.
“Teams…”
Teams assigned randomly via magitech.
Mailon randomized teams with the magitech.
(Spoiler: mine was…)
“Hyungnim, looking forward to it.”
“…Yeah.”
Veil. My little bro.
Some luck, huh?
We teleported to the site like last hunt training.
Survival began.
And there…
“I said it was suspicious!”
“What do you know? Shut up and follow!”
We were at each other’s throats minutes in.