Chapter 6. Exam Preparation
Latemia Magic Academy. A place boasting traditions as deep as Arhobent Academy. It was a gateway every aspiring hero had to pass through at least once to recruit a capable mage companion. But opportunities with current students were rare—recruitment usually targeted graduates. Of course, not all mages were desirable. They were divided into the useful and the useless. Men were preferred. On long expeditions, men had the physical edge. That included dealing with physiological issues and shared lodging.
Combat magic specialists were in higher demand. Honestly, it was obvious. Who'd bring a herbalist on a monster hunt? In that regard, Yael—a human woman majoring in theory and freshly graduated—had never received a single hero recruitment offer.
She had no interest in hero parties anyway. She preferred immersing herself in theoretical magic analysis. That's why she'd become a teaching assistant after graduation to keep studying. It had been two years already. She'd even published some remarkable papers. Everyone said a professorship was a sure thing.
"…That's it for today's makeup class. Homework's due next week—don't forget to turn it in."
Yael wrapped up the theory makeup lesson in the professor's stead and tidied up. The students, who'd been slumped like corpses in the quiet lecture hall, sprang up, packed their bags, and bolted out.
The TA finished organizing and looked up. One person remained. An unfamiliar face. He stood with a scrape of his chair and approached her. Handsome guy. Muscular build, perfectly honed.
…Doesn't look like a mage at all, just going by appearances.
"Who are you?"
"You're TA Yael, right?"
"Who are you? Outsiders aren't allowed in the lecture hall. Go to the designated area."
Yael's tone was ice-cold. He grinned.
"Sorry for the late intro. Kang Ji-hyuk."
"…No idea who that is."
"Makes sense. First time meeting."
"I'm busy. Talk later."
She tried to brush past, but Ji-hyuk blocked her path.
"Won't take long."
"Rude much?"
"If it seems that way, my bad. I'm in a hurry."
Yael figured dodging wasn't an option. Might as well humor him briefly.
"Fine, spit it out. What's so urgent?"
"Mind if I sit…?"
"Oh, sure, have a seat."
Her sarcasm dripped—whatever he had to say was pointless. They sat. Ji-hyuk smiled faintly.
…Same prickly attitude as ever, then or now.
Compared to other twisted mages, she was tame. Plenty were far crankier, treating themselves like kings.
"You might've guessed," Ji-hyuk began. "I'm taking the hero exam this time."
"…I see."
"So you know why I'm here?"
Yael shook her head without a second thought.
"Sorry, I won't be much help. As you can see, theory major. And I'm not interested anyway. We're done? Head out."
"TA."
"Nothing more to say."
"…Is that so?"
Ji-hyuk realized she wouldn't budge easily.
Wish I didn't have to play this card…
His eyes sharpened suddenly. Yael felt a chill and averted her gaze.
"Aitrophthalate."
—!
The name hit out of nowhere. The ever-calm, rational Yael couldn't hide her shock. Her breath quickened; fingertips trembled.
Ji-hyuk grinned like he knew everything.
"You're using it, right?"
———!!!
"Don't accuse me—! I've never—!"
She shot up, glaring and yelling.
"Investigation would reveal it all…"
…Ah.
"Relax. Only I know for now."
"I've never done it. I'm… clean."
Her "clean" eyes wavered. She could've controlled it normally, but the shock threw her off.
"Why get so worked up? Sit. Come on."
Yael sank back slowly. But she couldn't meet his eyes. Mentioning the name meant ironclad proof.
…How? Tail followed? No way. No evidence. So how does this guy…?
Did he plant someone?
She licked her dry lips frantically, brain racing.
Where'd the leak come from—?
"I get it. Not much quantity, just a little for research—what's the big deal?"
No reply. She couldn't open up easily.
Ji-hyuk kept talking.
"It was for advancing magic theory, right? A bit of awakening effect—hardly a death sentence. Yeah?"
Simple words. But far from simple.
Aitrophthalate—a banned narcotic. The academy stocked small amounts for research, but unauthorized use was forbidden. Black market prices were steep. Even some heroes used it. But addiction worsened; without it, you'd waste away.
Heroes got leeway for extreme situations, but not sheltered scholars. Caught? Expelled from academia, jail time. Life ruined.
Yael played it cool. Couldn't crack here. Deny as much as possible. Beyond that was the abyss.
Ji-hyuk's smile deepened. It unnerved her.
"I know everything, so drop the act, okay?"
"No clue what you're talking about."
"Why play dumb, educated lady?"
"I said I don't know."
"…Really?"
Finally, he pulled something from his pocket. Paper-wrapped. Yael glanced down, then back up, eyes questioning: What is it?
"Your favorite."
He untied it with a grin. White powder inside.
Ah—.
A decent amount. She mentally divided it by her dose. Ten times… maybe twelve if rationed.
Yael swallowed involuntarily. Her status made sourcing risky—life-ender if caught. Money was tight too. First time seeing this much at once. Pricey for sure. Months of her salary wouldn't cover it.
"What do you think?"
She avoided his gaze. Seeing it drove her mad. Her stash? Barely one dose left—planned to stretch it.
She knew constant use was bad. But research demanded it. Her "genius" label came from the awakening. It boosted solid talent to genius heights. No drug, no high-level papers.
"Work with me, no more sneaking around."
He tapped the desk.
"And you can have this."
Ah—.
He dominated utterly. She'd lost control instantly.
If not for that damn drug…
…But I want it. Want it bad.
She clung to composure. Couldn't fold easily. Life on the line.
"None of my business. Leave."
Heartbreaking. But she endured.
Folding meant a leash forever.
"…Okay?"
He pocketed it again.
Ah—.
Mouth parched. But she clenched her teeth, silent.
"If you say so…"
He stood and headed for the door.
Wait, hold on…!
She screamed it internally a dozen times. Lips sealed tight.
At the door, Ji-hyuk glanced back.
"Change your mind? Come to the academy. Can't wait forever. …Tomorrow, latest."
He left.
"Yael."
"Ah, Professor."
Dazed in the hall, Yael snapped to at her supervisor's call. He asked about the makeup class.
"Uh… went fine."
"Good?"
"Yes, told them homework's due next week."
"Got it. …Hey, paper coming along?"
"…Pardon? Ah… yes."
He patted her shoulder fondly.
"Everyone's got high hopes. You're the genius who revolutionized theory. Looking forward to this one."
"…Thank you. I'll live up to it."
"Keep at it."
He went off. Yael stared blankly after him, then headed to her room.
Back at the dorm, she unpacked. Pried up a loose floorboard under the bed, pulled out an envelope. Rice-grain-sized powder left. Gone in one go.
…Won't reach full awakening, even so.
Ah….
She slumped on the bed.
—Everyone's got high hopes.
Being called genius felt good. But fake genius? Pressure crushed her. Deeper reliance on the drug.
She recalled the euphoria. Body ached suddenly. On it, she felt truly genius—like mastering all knowledge. Pleasure beyond words.
But addiction deepened. Post-use crashes lasted days. Body deteriorating clearly.
…Can't quit. Too exhilarating.
Aah—.
Envelope to lips. Red tongue out hesitantly. She trembled.
Want it. Need it…!
Madness. But not now. Last dose. Ration absolutely.
—Work with me, no sneaking.
—You can have this.
—Academy if you change mind. Tomorrow max.
No. Absolutely not…!
Disaster. One slip, life in ruins. How many wrecked by drug blackmail?
She didn't want that. Drug use was for theory and glory—not the act itself.
…But I want it. Mad for it.
His stash haunted her. Wanted it all. Insane for it.
…No. Absolutely… no….
Ji-hyuk watched the sunset. Neither yesterday nor today—Yael never came.
…Expected as much.
Drug fiend not desperate enough yet. He'd find another mage.
Sun set. Darkness fell. He returned to his dorm room for meditation—more training.
Someone knocked. Gate greeter.
"What…?"
"Uh, someone showed up suddenly."
A sweat-drenched Yael appeared—sprinted here.
Ji-hyuk told the greeter to wait in the hall. Eizel peeked out, curious. He signaled her in.
They entered his room. He offered a chair. She didn't sit. Face screamed urgency.
Yael thrust out her hand.
"Quick, the drug… give it."
Ji-hyuk grinned wide.
…Drug fiend's total defeat.