Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Is This My First Time Seeing a Saintess Who’s Good at Magic Too?
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The next day, in the afternoon.
I rode in Jia's car—she'd come to pick me up—and we headed toward the academy.
The scenery outside swept past like rhythmic waves with the steady motion of the vehicle.
The academy we eventually arrived at was a peculiar place where old, weathered buildings and sleek new constructions blended together.
"There are new buildings just tucked in here and there, huh?" I noted.
"They say the facility is reusing the site of a university that was wrecked during the Great Cataclysm."
"Aha."
Adaptive reuse. Not a bad concept at all.
The car passed through the main entrance and drove along the winding roads inside the campus.
It must have been carefully landscaped; flowers and trees were arranged in elegant harmony, unfolding before us as we went.
The shadows from the lush trees flickered across the car window in a hypnotic pattern.
Jia parked the car in a lot in front of one of the administrative buildings.
As we stepped out, Jia looked at me and smiled faintly.
"That headband looks very pretty on you. It suits you well."
"R-Really...? Hehe... Siyun gave it to me as a gift!"
I couldn't help but grin broadly at Jia's compliment.
To show off the headband even better, I did a quick turn.
I could feel my tied-up hair swaying gently against my neck.
Maybe because I'd been flaunting the headband so blatantly, Jia stifled a chuckle.
"Do you even know how to style and tie your hair like that yourself?" she teased.
"Oh, this? Of course Siyun did it for me!"
"Aha. How about learning to do it yourself? She can't be your personal stylist every time you go out."
"...Maybe someday in the distant future."
Doing it myself still looked way too tricky.
I was sure that "future me" would eventually have it down pat.
For now, it felt impossible in every way.
"We got here a bit early. Want to take a casual stroll around the campus since we're here to get some fresh air?"
"Sure, why not?"
I nodded at Jia's suggestion, and we started walking through the grounds together.
We passed buildings divided by major and a wide, expansive athletic field.
Occasionally, oddly shaped sculptures came into view along the pathways.
Seeing the campus scenery after so long brought a fresh, unexpected wave of nostalgia.
"Did you finish school all the way to graduation, Jia?"
"Nah. I took a leave of absence when I awakened, but I ended up dropping out once I went full-time as a hunter."
"Aha..."
So she didn't have a diploma either. Just like me.
Of course, her situation was due to unavoidable circumstances, while mine was more of a choice—that difference aside, we were in the same boat.
"Why? Are you feeling like going back to college?"
"No, not really... I was just curious."
"Hehe, those days were so peaceful and nice."
Suddenly, a light breeze blew through the trees.
Jia's hair swayed lightly in the wind.
Beside her hand, which was busy grabbing the fluttering strands, I caught a glimpse of her graceful neckline.
My gaze got caught for a moment without me realizing it, but I quickly tore my eyes away and looked ahead.
Jia smiled softly.
"Nice weather, right?"
"Yeah. It was a good call coming out today."
"Thanks for coming with me. It would've been lonely making this trip alone."
"...It was nothing."
I nodded lightly at Jia's thanks.
Maybe wandering aimlessly for some fresh air like this wasn't so bad after all.
It felt... healing, in a way.
"By the way, what exactly is your business at the academy today?"
"Oh, the President keeps tempting me to become an adjunct lecturer. I figured I should come by and properly turn her down."
"An adjunct lecturer? They have those at the hunter academy?"
"Of course. Why? Are you interested?"
"...Maybe."
I definitely regretted dropping out midway through my studies.
But jumping straight to being a professor? Didn't that feel a bit weird?
I wasn't even sure I had the necessary qualifications or the skills for such a role.
"Hehe, it's similar to regular universities, but also pretty different. Let me know if you're ever curious about the details."
"Yeah, got it."
I nodded lightly.
After circling the main area once, we returned to the lot where we'd parked.
As we reached the building entrance, Jia spoke up.
"Since we're here anyway, do you want to come in with me? Waiting outside will just be boring."
"...Nah, I'm good."
"You'll run into her eventually as a hunter. It's better to get acquainted now while you're with me, right?"
"...You're really good at persuading people."
"Hehe."
I was convinced right away by Jia's reasoning.
If she was someone I would eventually have to see anyway, it was better to greet her while Jia was there to bridge the gap.
In the end, I followed Jia to the Academy President's office.
- Knock, knock.
- Come in.
A voice came from inside, and Jia opened the door.
I followed her in somewhat timidly.
A woman in her late thirties, who had been poring over documents at her desk, looked up.
"Jia's here. Hmm? And who is this with you?"
"Hi. This is my acquaintance, Sihyun. Jeong Sihyun."
"...Hello."
"Yes, hello. Nice to meet you."
We exchanged awkward greetings.
Well, it was more like just me being awkward.
The President stood from her seat and moved over to the consultation desk.
Jia sat on the opposite side, so I naturally took the seat next to her.
"If Jia is going out of her way to introduce you, this pretty lady must be a hunter too?"
"Yes, that's right."
Both of their gazes turned toward me.
"...I awakened recently. I'm an E-Rank Holy Knight."
"A Holy Knight? That's a new class. Awakening really is a mysterious phenomenon."
The President responded amiably.
But this was just the prelude to her recruitment attack.
"If you're going to keep being a hunter, how about enrolling in the academy?"
"Um..."
"If money is an issue, we have student loans available, just like at a university. You'll make plenty back as a hunter. Right, Jia?"
The President's gaze shifted to Jia for support.
Jia gave a wry smile and replied,
"I've already explained that to her plenty of times, and she's thinking it over. Let's leave it at that for now."
"Hmm, I see. Well, think it over carefully."
The President smiled as if she understood.
Nice one, Jia! Awesome defense!
True to her promise that I wouldn't have to do anything, Jia smoothly shifted the topic back to herself.
"More importantly, about what we discussed before."
"Hmm?"
Jia started talking shop with the President.
I stared blankly at them for a bit, but since the conversation had nothing to do with me, I eventually turned my head away.
I slowly took in the sights of the President's office.
There were piles of documents and rows of books everywhere.
Just looking at the room screamed "busy person's workspace."
"...I'm going to use the restroom."
"Yeah, go ahead."
I quietly mentioned it to Jia and stood up.
I gave a slight bow to the President and headed out the door.
The cool hallway air stimulated my lungs as I stepped out into the corridor.
I headed in a direction that seemed likely to lead to a restroom.
I wasn't sure if it was just this specific building or because classes weren't in session yet,
but there wasn't a soul around—it felt completely deserted.
It kind of reminded me of the old days.
If you came to class too early or stayed too late, the halls always got this quiet.
College life... I didn't live it like one of the popular kids, but it was fun in my own way.
The kind of fun an ordinary person enjoys, I guess.
Hehe, I really miss those days...
Lost in those nostalgic memories, I wandered unconsciously toward the restroom area.
Right before entering,
I bumped right into a man coming out.
"..."
"Uh..."
The man stared at me silently.
He had broad shoulders and a solid build—his handsome face looked almost out of place on such a burly frame.
His eyes began to tremble faintly as he looked at me.
"...This is the men's restroom..."
"...?"
Startled, I backed away step by step and checked the sign on the wall.
A simple pictogram of a male figure indicated that I was, indeed, at the men's restroom entrance.
...Ah.
I was so spaced out that I completely messed up.
"Ah, aaa! S-Sorry!"
"Ahem..."
I apologized frantically and fled into the women's restroom right next door.
A prickly gaze stung my back until I was safely inside.
Handsome guy, you must've been so shocked because of me. I'm sorry...
A wave of intense embarrassment hit me. I sat on the toilet and covered my face with both hands.
I'm literally dying of shame...
The man stared blankly at the women's restroom entrance.
His pale, refined face wore a dazed expression, as he remained deep in thought.
The way her face had flushed bright red like an apology the moment she realized her mistake...
The sight of her long, white hair—which had been styled so prettily—fluttering as she ran away...
It etched itself strongly into his memory.
She looked about the same age as him.
Maybe she was a new student at the academy for the upcoming semester?
He figured they might run into each other again sometime.
With that light impression, the man finally walked away.
After finishing up, I peeked cautiously out of the restroom door.
I glanced left and then right.
No one was around. Safe.
"Phew..."
I let out a heavy sigh of relief and stepped back into the corridor.
I never thought I'd make a mistake like that in my entire life.
...But I hadn't gone deep inside! I just barely stepped into the entrance!
Anyway, I was safe.
No one else saw, I rationalized to myself as I headed back to the President's office.
It looked like their talk was finally wrapping up.
Jia stood up and gave a light farewell.
"We'll be going now."
"Alright, take care."
The President looked a bit regretful to see us go.
Her gaze shifted from Jia to me.
"Hehe, you take care too, Sihyun."
"...Yes, goodbye."
She wasn't the persistent type after all, which was a relief.
It made sense—a busy person had no reason to cling to a total stranger like me.
After our goodbyes, Jia and I headed out of the building.
"Did your business go well?"
"Yeah. It's an annual thing, so we both knew the outcome—it was just a matter of going through the motions."
"Aha."
I nodded, getting the gist of it.
We chatted idly as we got into Jia's car.
As the car started moving, I unconsciously checked my phone.
There was a new message in my chats.
It was from Hankyeol.
We'd exchanged numbers but had never actually messaged each other before.
Wondering what it could be, I swiped up to read it.
"Hmm..."
"What's up?" Jia asked.
"Oh, nothing important. Anyway, what are the dinner plans?"
"How about calling Siyun and we all go eat out tonight?"
"Ooh, that's a good idea."
Having a car really is convenient.
Oh yeah, I have to meet up with Hankyeol tomorrow.