Hong Yuhwa (1)
“……Lost?”
Hong Yuhwa stared at the rankings list. Her team, made up of her and her followers, had scored 9 points. And yet, that only put them in second place.
1st: Lee Seoha’s team – 30 points.
2nd: Hong Yuhwa’s team – 9 points.
3rd: Kim Seohyeon – 8 points.
……30 points. Was that even possible? They’d clearly announced it was out of 10 points, hadn’t they? 30?
“W-We worked so hard, though.”
“30 points out of 10? What kind of nonsense is……”
Hong Yuhwa’s followers let out heavy sighs.
Instructor Seo Wooju was infamous for his strictness. Even the assistants whispered that things were getting out of hand. Word was already spreading that Lee Seoha, Erhil, and Kim Ara had taken down some monstrous beast.
“A-Are you okay, Lady Hong Yuhwa?”
One of her blue-haired followers asked, concern lacing his voice.
Hong Yuhwa lifted her chin haughtily.
“I’m fine. We’ll just do better next time.”
“A-As expected of Lady Hong Yuhwa!”
“So noble……”
“You all did well too. Go get some rest today.”
Hong Yuhwa dismissed her followers and turned toward her penthouse suite.
Out of habit, she scanned her surroundings. No one was around.
Thud.
She flopped onto the bed.
“Me? I came in second?”
Grit.
Hong Yuhwa ground her teeth. It was so unfair. They’d worked so hard!
Historically, fewer than three people had ever scored a perfect 10 at this school. And now, 30 points? This had to be a joke.
“This is cheating!”
Tears welled up in Hong Yuhwa’s eyes.
She’d been confident this time. Lure the monsters into one spot with her followers, then sweep them away with her magic. Simple, but she trusted her firepower enough to aim for first place.
Proof? Kim Seohyeon. She’d even beaten that Kim Seohyeon.
But still, it stung. Second place. Me, in second place.
She’d placed fourth in the entrance exam and clawed her way through this ranking test. Yet she couldn’t surpass the wall that was Lee Seoha.
Hong Yuhwa thrashed her legs in frustration.
– Yuhwa. Know yourself, know your enemy, and you’ll emerge victorious in every battle.
Her grandfather’s words echoed in her mind. He was right.
Her grandfather always guided her down the right path. Recalling his advice, Hong Yuhwa had her butler procure a photo of Lee Seoha through back channels. With a flick of telekinesis magic – a basic spell for novices in that discipline – she floated it up and stuck it to the ceiling.
Right where she could see it every time she lay down. That way, she could stew in this injustice and plot her revenge.
Morning, evening, bedtime – she’d renew her resolve staring at that face.
Hong Yuhwa gazed up. There was Lee Seoha, smirking down at her mockingly.
“So unfair……”
Why did the photo have to be one where he was looking down? It gave off a weird vibe.
Hong Yuhwa rolled over, burying her tear-streaked face in the pillow as she vowed: Next time, I won’t lose.
Trembling with defeat, she drifted off to sleep.
“There was a time when only science had advanced. But about 70 years ago, anomalies began occurring worldwide. As you know, elements from other worlds overlapped with Earth, and a power called ‘mana’ was first observed.”
The professor, with his slicked-back hair, spoke in a dry monotone.
“We’ve uncovered much since then, but mysteries still abound. Towers, dungeons, gates…… This world is full of the unknown. And then there are the races and Transcendents from other realms.”
Spin, spin.
I twirled my pen while listening. Not that I already knew it all – I just couldn’t focus lately. More precisely, since yesterday, I kept feeling eyes on me. Intense ones.
From my right.
A quick glance revealed Hong Yuhwa, glaring daggers at the lecturing professor.
– Master, that wench has been staring at you nonstop.
The Black Heaven Demon Sword whispered, pressed snugly against my side.
‘Ah, probably because of yesterday’s exam.’
They’d announced the monster hunt rankings, so a fiercely competitive type like Hong Yuhwa was bound to fixate on me.
“……Therefore, you all must…… Hm, time’s up. Class dismissed. Enjoy your lunch.”
The professor ended the lecture. As I packed my books and headed out, the other students surged toward the cafeteria.
They really were just kids, in moments like this.
“Seoha, let’s go.”
“Yeah.”
I went down to eat with Kim Seohyeon.
The cafeteria was pretty empty. It was huge, and each grade had its own section.
“So, what monster did you guys take down yesterday? The assistants were freaking out about it.”
“Something good.”
I gave a vague reply to Kim Seohyeon’s question and headed for the Korean food line. Kimchi, pork stir-fry, seolleongtang, pork cutlet, rice – I loaded up and grabbed a seat.
“……Pork stir-fry again?”
“You’re eating tteokbokki every day and not tired of it?”
“Nope, tteokbokki’s always delicious.”
Kim Seohyeon plopped down across from me with a bright smile. I eyed his tray: fiery red tteokbokki that looked spicy just to gaze at, plus fritters, dumplings, Vienna sausages. And on the side, cream pasta with dipping bread.
“You think you can power through training on that?”
“Huh? Y-Yeah, it’s not enough? H-Haha. Gotta eat more if you’re a guy.”
Kim Seohyeon laughed awkwardly and got up for extra ice cream and bread.
“G-Gasp! L-Lady Hong Yuhwa, a-are you sure you should eat that?”
“L-Lady Hong Yuhwa is getting commoner food?”
I turned at the shocked voices. Hong Yuhwa’s followers were there, with her at the center.
A closer look: her tray matched mine exactly. Pork stir-fry, pork cutlet, seolleongtang, rice, kimchi.
“……”
This was a bit much. I hadn’t expected her to be this obsessed.
I stared at her in disbelief, and our eyes met. Hers blazed like fire.
Feeling the pressure, I looked away – and she smirked in satisfaction.
“……”
Unbelievable.
After class, I headed to the training grounds for a workout. It was packed: Park Unhyeok hoisting 500kg to show off his muscles, Seo Gayeon already drenched in sweat, and more.
“Crowded as hell.”
“Still, this gym’s amazing. Barely any sweat smell. All the equipment’s top-of-the-line too.”
Kim Seohyeon grinned.
“My old school reeked so bad from everyone’s sweat, I thought I’d die.”
“That sounds rough.”
I stretched lightly and glanced at Seo Gayeon. I hoped she’d get into magic.
‘Can’t force it, though.’
Maybe after that event in the original story, when her mana awakens.
“Light two hours today?”
“……Sure.”
Kim Seohyeon beamed. I hated it, but for survival, I had to.
“Start with 50kg, easy?”
Have some mercy. But Kim Seohyeon cheerfully loaded the bench press.
Stare.
I felt eyes on me again. Hong Yuhwa, to my side.
“Lady Hong Yuhwa? Doing bench press all of a sudden?”
“Yes. I’ve realized the importance of basic strength.”
Hong Yuhwa replied haughtily. Her follower looked puzzled but helped her into position.
“Keep your back straight, bar a bit above your chest…… Ah, with Lady Hong Yuhwa’s, uh, ample chest, maybe align it with that.”
Even lying down, her watermelon-sized breasts didn’t flatten much, leaving the follower flustered.
“What, Yuhwa’s doing bench too? Smart move. Even mages benefit from training.”
“How much you lifting?”
“How much? I’m at 5…… Oh, you mean the weight, Seoha. This is 50kg?”
“Make it 55kg.”
The follower panicked at Kim Seohyeon’s words.
“Doesn’t Yuhwa skip strength training?”
“I thought so.”
“……”
Kim Seohyeon whispered in my ear. I whispered back, and his cheeks flushed red.
……This felt off. I turned my attention to Hong Yuhwa.
She’d loaded 55kg and was struggling through a rep, grunting oddly.
“Nngh.”
“Hnn…… Hnng…… Ngh……”
Her face was beet red long ago. Teeth clenched, she lowered it to her chest, completed one rep, and racked it.
Panting heavily, she glared at me.
“Hah…… Haa, s-saw that?”
With a smug, victorious grin, she moved on to another exercise.
“……Yuhwa’s competitiveness is no joke.”
“Yeah.”
I had nothing to say, watching her proud smile. That was just one rep – you need at least five.