Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: A Familiar Face and a Bold Strategy
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“Hanseong Pharmaceuticals. They’re even providing elixirs and stuff? If they’ve developed new drugs.”
“Yeah? Then can we meet Han Seoyeun too? She was no joke in person last time.”
“Who knows.”
I was listening to their conversation when my pocket smart student handbook buzzed with a notification.
[Can you make time around 9 after school later?]
Nine o’clock? Wondering who sent it, I checked the sender.
It was an unexpected name.
‘Yoo Ara.’
I turned my gaze to Yoo Ara’s seat. Our eyes met for about a second.
She quickly whipped her head away and dove back into her studies.
Hanseong Pharmaceuticals headquarters manager’s office.
Manager Jeong entered the room after finishing the meeting about sponsoring the Korean Wizardry Academy.
Han Seoyeun stood from her seat to greet him.
“Manager Jeong, thanks for your hard work.”
“Haha, no need. You’re the one busy with new drug development, Manager. Your stamina is... truly admirable.”
Manager Jeong smiled as he took a seat. He then pulled a document from his pocket and placed it on the table.
“Here’s the preliminary list for the Wizardry Academy sponsorship.”
“All grade levels?”
Han Seoyeun scanned the list.
“Yes, exactly. We’ve gathered the top five students overall from each grade. We’ve also separately selected students with special talents and high potential.”
“Hmm. For now, Choi Seoyoon, Lee Seojun, Yoo Ara, and Kim Changhyun—these four are confirmed.”
“Yes, the school side confidently said they’re verified talents. Plus, since they’re known worldwide, we considered the sponsorship PR effect.”
Han Seoyeun nodded.
Choi Seoyoon, Lee Seojun, Yoo Ara, Kim Changhyun.
These were famous students whose genius was praised around the world—ones even Han Seoyeun already knew about.
Sponsoring unknowns wouldn’t get as much publicity.
“These students are definitely on another level from the others.”
As she flipped through the documents, Han Seoyeun’s hand paused for a moment.
A male student’s photo had caught her eye.
The picture was small, making it hard to see his face clearly, but it felt strangely familiar.
His eyes... they resembled someone she knew.
Wondering who it could be, she checked his ranking.
“...20th place?”
“Oh, you mean Kim Sunwoo? I remember him clearly since he’s 20th.”
“Kim Sunwoo?”
She glanced at the name on the list.
A coincidence? The name felt oddly similar too.
“Yes, they say he’s the hottest student right now. The school raved about his dramatic grade jump. And he’s supposedly a genius at studying. First in school history to get three straight perfect scores on theory exams. Truly impressive.”
Han Seoyeun stared at Kim Sunwoo’s photo with a thoughtful gaze.
Seeing this, Manager Jeong added unnecessarily, feeling uneasy.
“Haha, no need to worry. He’s just a candidate, after all. No matter how high his grade jump, we plan to sponsor the top five mostly...”
“Manager Jeong.”
“Yes?”
“There’s still time left, so how about we watch him a bit more? The sponsorship is at Taehwi Festival anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
Han Seoyeun set the documents down as she spoke.
“I heard there’s a midterm soon. Rather than just the current overall rankings, let’s consider the results from this exam too.”
“Ah, true. Consistency matters, but in the end, what counts most is who comes out on top last.”
Han Seoyeun smiled at Manager Jeong’s words.
“Yes, let’s hold him as a reference for now and decide after the exam results.”
Nine at night, after all classes ended.
I sat on a park bench in front of the manifestation training grounds.
Maybe because exams were approaching, the park was deserted and peaceful.
The air had definitely turned chilly with autumn’s arrival. I yawned widely, hands in my pockets.
“Sunbae?”
Then a familiar voice called out.
It was Choi Seoyoon, wearing a large hoodie over her uniform that reached her knees. She held a bag in her hand—snacks?
“Wow~ Bumping into you here, Sunbae. What are you doing alone?”
Choi Seoyoon approached and asked.
“Just waiting for something.”
“Waiting?”
Choi Seoyoon tilted her head. Before she could ask more, I spoke first.
“Where are you headed?”
“To the training grounds now.”
“At this hour? What’ve you been up to?”
“Doing homework. About rare monster ecology... Oh, do you know where the rock cliff riverbank monster bear lives? I’ve researched everything else but this.”
“Rock cave within 300 meters of the cliffside riverbank.”
“Oh! As expected! Should’ve asked sooner. Couldn’t find it online—how do you know?”
Instead of answering, I shrugged.
Choi Seoyoon grinned and held something long and stick-shaped up to my mouth. Some kind of snack.
“This is thanks.”
“Hey, I don’t like snacks.”
“Just eat it. Why are you so picky? Ahh〜.”
Feeling awkwardly embarrassed, I glanced around before putting it in my mouth.
Choi Seoyoon watched me and giggled to herself. I stared at her blankly.
...Why’s she been so friendly lately?
Just as I was about to say something.
“Sorry, I’m a bit late.”
Someone else cut in.
Choi Seoyoon and I turned toward the voice.
Light brown hair fluttering in the gentle breeze.
My appointment—Yoo Ara—stood there.
Choi Seoyoon froze briefly upon seeing her. Then, snapping out of it, she bowed deeply.
“Ah, hello, Sunbae.”
“Hello.”
Yoo Ara nodded back in greeting.
Choi Seoyoon looked back and forth between us and said,
“So the one you were waiting for is Yoo Ara Sunbae.”
“Yeah.”
“Hmm...”
Her expression darkened oddly. Was it the dim park lights?
“Why?”
“Oh, no. I just didn’t expect it at all... Ah! Then you two talk. I’ll head out.”
“Sure.”
With that, Choi Seoyoon vanished somewhere. Yoo Ara watched her back with a strange look before turning to me. She stared intently for about three seconds.
“...You’re good.”
“Good at what?”
She didn’t answer my question. Instead, she blurted out,
“In this midterm, I really want to win.”
Her voice was more serious than usual.
I looked at her and said,
“Everyone probably feels that way.”
“No, I want to beat Lee Seojun properly.”
She plopped down beside me as she spoke. A nice scent hit my nose—fabric softener or post-workout shower?
She looked at me with determined eyes.
“What do you think of Lee Seojun?”
It was an out-of-the-blue question.
“He’s amazing.”
It was a simple, short answer, but nothing else fit him.
Yoo Ara nodded, as if she knew that too. She looked up at the dark night sky.
“Yeah. He’s amazing. And I’ve always lost to him.”
I watched her silently instead of replying. I already knew what feelings she harbored for Lee Seojun without her saying.
“This time, I want to win. And I see it as a chance. A shot at first place.”
Her gaze, which had been on the night sky, turned back to me.
“Kim Sunwoo. You be the leader.”
I stared at her. It was an unexpected proposal.
Well, not that I hadn’t thought of it at all.
“Wouldn’t it be better for me to thin out their numbers as much as possible in the attack squad instead of leading?”
She shook her head at my words.
“No.”
“Why?”
“...The only person I can trust as leader is you.”
What’s she saying?
I narrowed my eyes and said,
“Isn’t that too emotional a choice?”
“No. I have a plan.”
Yoo Ara wiggled her fingers as she spoke.
A plan. Wonder what it is.
“What kind?”
She shrugged.
“Nothing grand. Really simple. A brute-force strategy only you and I can pull off.”
Yoo Ara explained the strategy she’d come up with.
It was exactly as simple and brute-force as she said. So much so that the enemy team might not even anticipate it.
But it felt worth trying. Because it was me and her.
A strategy possible precisely because it was me and Yoo Ara.
I thought it over briefly, then nodded.
“Got it. I’ll lead. Let’s give it a shot.”
It was a heavy responsibility, but just as she wanted to beat Lee Seojun, I wanted to beat him too.
More than that, my situation was urgent.
I had to crack the top five somehow before the year ended.
“Let’s win once, like you said. Lee Seojun.”
Yoo Ara smirked.
“Down with Lee Seojun.”
Down with Lee Seojun. Fun.
“Yeah, down with Lee Seojun.”
Time flew by again, and Saturday arrived.
I did my usual villain hunts, earning small points and karma. Repeating this life made even life-risking dangers feel routine.
Getting used to it is good, but inertia is dangerous.
After finishing everything, I headed to a high-end Korean restaurant in Seoul.
Slide.
As the door opened, Han Seoyeun—wearing a brown sweater—stood from her seat with a welcoming smile.
“Jinwoo.”
“Did I keep you waiting?”
“No, I just got here too. Sit down.”
I sat across from her.
We ordered food right away.
Once the server left the room, Han Seoyeun glanced at me and spoke.
“Getting a reservation here must’ve been tough.”
“Lucky—I snagged a slot two weeks ago.”
“Really?”
Han Seoyeun nodded.
“Anyway, I’m finally getting a meal out of you. I’ve been waiting.”
Her excited tone stirred odd feelings.
Chances to dine alone with Han Seoyeun were rare. Countless people probably dreamed of it, whether for personal reasons or business.
“I’ve received a lot of help lately. Borrowed a big sum too. Lots to be grateful for, all around.”
“You paid it back quick though?”
“Yeah, things went well.”
Buying land and investing everywhere paid off fast. I’d hit my goal, so repaying was easy.
“But actually, I’m the grateful one. That Ilwol Pharmacy Book you gave me—it’s been a huge help.”
As expected. Recent news about new drug development was thanks to the Ilwol Pharmacy Book.
I paused thoughtfully. Every time new drug stories hit the news, one thing always came up with it.
After debating how to ask, I went straight for it.
“How’s Chairman Han Daehyeon’s health?”
“...My father?”
She looked surprised, not expecting the question.
“Well, it hasn’t improved much like the news says. But the chances of recovery seem a tiny bit higher now. Researching the medicine is giving me hints bit by bit. It’s up to me now.”
No major progress beyond news reports. I’d hoped Han Daehyeon’s illness might be cured, but apparently not.
With his lifespan so short, had the Ilwol Pharmacy Book given false hope? I felt a twinge of worry.
“...Hope things work out.”
At my polite words, Han Seoyeun said,
“Anyway, I’ve been swamped lately. Father’s health, new drug development, business, and now Wizardry Academy sponsorship scheduling.”
Wizardry Academy sponsorship.
A key plot point in the original story. Pretending ignorance, I asked,
“Sponsorship?”
“Oh, over half our customers at Hanseong Pharma are wizards. So we’re sponsoring the school and picking promising students for extra support. It’s called sponsorship, but really it’s for PR.”
“Sponsorship. Smart. Good for the image.”
I sipped water and asked,
“Any students catching your eye?”
“Yes, well. You know Lee Seojun?”
“Of course.”
He was famous enough that everyone in this world knew him.
“He’s confirmed for now.”
Same as the original...
Well, it was obvious.
Who else would they sponsor among promising students if not Lee Seojun?
“And we’ll pick mostly other top-rankers. Midterms are soon, so we’ll watch those results.”
I nodded.
Slide. The door opened again as food arrived.
A colorful array of dishes.
I couldn’t help but admire. Han Seoyeun had ordered drinks sometime, pouring into my glass. She seemed to like booze as much as I did.
Looking at my glass, I turned to her. She was still watching me. Her gaze felt different from usual.
Like she was observing me?
“There’s this one student who oddly stands out to me. Not sure if it’s just my imagination.”
I took a sip of the liquor. Sweet and bitter notes lingered.
I’m not clueless. She’s talking about ‘Kim Sunwoo.’
Probably wondering if there’s a connection to ‘Kim Jinwoo.’
“Curious which student.”