Seo Gayeon (2)
Monday. The moment I step into school, all I want is to head straight back home. I yawned as I took my seat.
The classroom was already packed with students diligently studying. Such earnest bunch.
"Sleepy?"
"Yeah, I overdid it a bit yesterday."
"No wonder. You were running with Seo Gayeon for a long time."
I glanced at Kim Seohyeon. He'd barged in midway, running with sandbags weighing over 150kg. Must've felt stimulated.
I recalled Kim Seohyeon's origins. He's a kind of living weapon, created in this world to exterminate every last demon.
Whir.
I spun my pen, lost in thought about Seo Gayeon. To raise her properly, the first step is awakening her mana.
Once she gets used to her mana and learns the discipline of magic, she'll grow stronger at an unimaginable speed.
'But that process will be painful.'
Time is tight. She'll suffer the most, but I'm not exactly getting off easy either. Plenty of preparations to make.
How should I train her so word spreads that I've raised her well? As I pondered that, the front door slid open.
Creak.
Instructor Seo Wooju entered.
"Good morning again, everyone. Looks like I have a few announcements today."
He opened his mouth to speak.
"Yesterday, Sunday, there was an incident in Seoul's Gangnam where a demon went berserk. Everyone heard about it, right?"
"Yes!"
"Fortunately, some of our students nearby held off the demon, allowing the citizens to evacuate safely. Hong Yuhwa, Erhil Merhen, Kim Seohyeon, and Kim Ara. Well done, all of you."
Instructor Seo Wooju named the four of them.
"The association is giving you major awards for your efforts. With prize money to boot. Anyone planning to decline?"
"Could we know who's presenting the award?"
"It's Sword Master Baek Jiyeon herself stepping up."
"......Sword Master?"
Kim Seohyeon's eyes widened—a clear sign of his shock. Half the class buzzed at Instructor Seo Wooju's words.
"Isn't the Sword Master the one who single-handedly resolved that A-rank disaster recently?"
"Single-handedly handled an A-rank disaster? Is she even human?"
The students murmured. No surprise—an A-rank disaster was enough to push a developing nation to the brink of collapse.
"Quiet down, everyone. Anyway, one more thing to pass along. With the Black Magic Alliance getting rowdy lately, I want you all to stay vigilant. And whatever you do, don't play hero. No offense, but compared to real heroes, you're still lacking."
Seo Wooju spoke with a hint of sorrow in his voice.
"Demons are vicious. They'll stop at nothing to win—poison, hostages, crimes. Don't think of them as people. They're monsters wearing human skin, nothing more. Our enemies."
He gazed at the students as he said it.
"That covers the heavy stuff. Let's move on."
Instructor Seo Wooju flashed a grin. Then his eyes met mine. He stared with an odd glint.
"And Lee Seoha, drop by the staff room after class."
"Yes, sir."
I scratched my head. Figured as much. I'd erased all traces of myself from modern surveillance. That much was certain. Still, word of mouth or imperfect cover meant he'd have a rough idea.
"Alright, let's get to today's lessons. First up is joint training. Everyone, outside."
"This is tough."
Someone muttered it, and Seo Gayeon silently agreed in her heart. Tough. And burdensome.
She shifted her gaze. There was Lee Seoha. While others were covered in dust, he didn't have a speck on him. He even yawned, looking bored.
"I just don't get that guy."
"No wonder he's top rank. Kim Seohyeon was the number one recruit this year, and he beat him right away."
"You know what his ability even is?"
"Nope. That's what makes him scarier. And you think Lee Seoha has talent like us untouchables?"
The self-deprecating reply drew nods from the surrounding students. Plenty of students here, but Lee Seoha stood out head and shoulders above. Like he was on a whole other level.
Bzzz.
Her phone vibrated. Seo Gayeon checked it.
Seo Gayeon let out a deep sigh, putting the phone away. She didn't know anymore. Her family gave her unconditional faith. But she couldn't repay it.
Honestly, their belief weighed heavily on her. And then.
"Hey."
A lazy smile from this person, whose faith burdened her too.
"Ah, h-hey!"
Seo Gayeon greeted him with a trembling voice. But there was anticipation in it. They were the golden generation at Korea Hero School. And among them, this standout student looked at her with expectation. What did he see in her to hold such hope? Did she have some hidden talent?
Anticipation began to rear its head. But the end of hope was never good. Seo Gayeon tamped it down. He might be wrong, after all.
"No seat here?"
"N-no, there isn't."
"Mind if I sit for a bit?"
Lee Seoha sat beside her with a friendly smile.
"Remember what I said yesterday?"
"Y-yeah, I do."
She remembered. Daring to compare her to Hong Yuhwa, saying her talent was superior. Praise that made her face burn. How long had it been since she'd heard such words?
"Sorry. I think I was a bit hasty yesterday."
Truth be told, he'd been a little emotional. The tutorial-level thing hadn't been overwhelmingly hard, but it was tougher than expected. Lee Seoha spoke slowly, thinking that.
"S-so, I knew it? I d-don't have any t-talent?"
"No, you do."
Lee Seoha answered Seo Gayeon's self-doubting words with firm resolve.
"......"
It was such unshakeable conviction that Seo Gayeon gaped at him for a moment.
"Got time on Sunday by any chance?"
"T-time? Y-yeah, I do. My c-club is on S-Saturday."
"Good. Mine too."
He'd scheduled it for Saturday on purpose, but Lee Seoha swallowed the words.
"Gayeon, your talent is incredible, but learning magic right away would be too hard."
"Y-yeah."
She nodded at the hot praise. Because Lee Seoha believed in her talent and looked at her that way. This kind of faith was a first outside her family.
"It's late in the day too. Magic is a discipline where foundations are crucial."
One of the reasons she'd agonized. Magic was too hard. And she'd started way too late. Not enough time to switch majors now.
Lee Seoha paused and looked at her. He'd been mulling during class, distracted. How to boost her self-esteem?
"Wanna go somewhere with me on Sunday?"
"W-where?"
"A fun place."
"A fun place?"
He deliberately avoided saying dungeon. She'd bolt otherwise.
"Yeah. And that's why I said you have talent."
"Talent......"
Seo Gayeon murmured the unfamiliar word. She wasn't talentless. Otherwise, she wouldn't have gotten into this school. It was just that everyone around her seemed like monsters.
She'd been top of her class at her local school, but following the curriculum here left her drained every time.
"S-Seoha."
"Yeah?"
"Is the talent you mentioned... attribute awakening?"
Attribute. A kind of power where mana takes on a property. So rare that even among the golden generation freshmen, fewer than five had it.
Lee Seoha looked briefly surprised at her words, then nodded readily.
"Yeah."
"That's why you said that to me."
Now it made sense. She'd puzzled over it all night—what talent he saw in her. But the more she thought, the more baffling it got. Because she had nothing.
Then it hit her: attribute awakening.
"Th-then, do you know what my attribute is?"
"Of course."
Lee Seoha opened his mouth.
"Your attribute is......"
Seo Gayeon tilted her head at his words. An attribute she'd never heard of.
"It'll sound unfamiliar. It's an attribute full of secrets."
"......I see."
"But there's a way to awaken it quickly. It's tough and hard, though. Think you can handle it?"
"It's fine."
Seo Gayeon met his eyes and spoke. No waver in her voice. Pure determination.
That was Seo Gayeon's character. She seemed endlessly pathetic on the outside. But her spirit shone like light.
She thought differently. Attribute mana. A power that might be her last lifeline. Her efforts never paid off. But she knew if she didn't even try, she'd amount to nothing.
"Sunday it is, then? Oh, it'll be rough, so wear something comfy like training clothes."
"Y-yeah. O-okay."
Lee Seoha got up. Seo Gayeon watched him go.
Still, his claim about her mana's attribute left her head tilted. The attribute of stars (星)? She'd never heard of such a power.
I'm on my way to the staff room. Because Instructor Seo Wooju called me after class.
'Gotta ask him to keep it secret.'
He'd probably agree. One of the few true educators at this school.
I arrived at the staff room, and Instructor Seo Wooju was waiting outside.
"Follow me."
"Yes, sir."
I trailed after him. The path looked familiar. No use hiding it—it was the same place I'd met Principal Seo Yebin recently.
A door too grand and ornate for a principal's office. Creeeak. It swung open on its own as we approached.
She brushed her dazzling golden hair behind her ear, her violet eyes turning to me.
"Welcome."
"And this student is......?"
A woman in a suit appeared. Sharp, fierce eyes. Black hair tied back in a ponytail. A white scabbard hung at her waist.
Sword Master Baek Jiyeon.
"This student?"
"One I've got my eye on. And... the one you've been looking for."
"This student?"
Her purple eyes curved into amused crescents.
"I said I'd watch, but I didn't expect to meet him so soon."
Principal Seo Yebin smiled meaningfully.
"I put in some effort to see you, Principal."
"So I heard. Handled a demon all by yourself?"
I shrugged instead of answering. She seemed pleased, chuckling softly.
"You put me in a tough spot. Now I have to figure out what reward to give."
"Mind if I pick, then?"
"Go ahead."
She looked at me like a cheeky grandchild. Considering her age, it fit.
"In that case, I......"
I opened my mouth.