Sorcery, Youkai Academy (2)
Sorcery Youkai Academy. This place far exceeded my wildest imaginings.
Back in my school days, I'd once wandered around a massive university campus for some experiential learning trip. So I'd figured, no matter how big this academy was, it couldn't be much different from that. But contrary to my expectations, the scale here was enormous.
The grounds were vast enough to fit two of those university campuses side by side. Every building stood out with its unique design, brimming with personality. Welfare facilities, restaurants, cafes—everything was scattered around. It wasn't just an academy; it was a full-blown academy city.
Lost in the scenery whipping past the window, time flew by unnoticed. Before I knew it, we pulled up to the largest building at the center.
White stairs led up to it, flanked below by manicured lawns. Spires rose from the corners of each wall. This structure, more meticulously crafted than any I'd seen so far, oozed an ancient grandeur.
"...Incredible."
Overwhelmed by the sight, I muttered without thinking. Miho rested her chin on my shoulder and whispered.
"This is the main building. The heart of Sorcery Youkai Academy."
"Got it."
Something about it felt distinctly different. I nodded, etching the sight into my memory once more.
That's when Kim Jihye abruptly parked at the base of the white stairs and turned to us.
"Get out. It's probably end-of-day homeroom right now. Hurry up, say hi, then head to the dorms and unpack."
"Thanks for all the hard work."
I bowed my head to Kim Jihye, who'd been driving for hours. She lit a cigarette with her usual gruffness and waved us off impatiently. Then, as if something occurred to her, she glanced back at me.
"Kang Hanjun, you remember what I told you before we left."
Her pitch-black eyes, heavy with fatigue, stared silently at me. I averted my gaze for a moment but eventually met hers.
"Yeah, I know."
Snow woman, Yoo Seolhui. I repeated the name of the youkai I needed to charm in my head.
Kim Jihye seemed to read my mind, chewing her cigarette with satisfaction before gripping the wheel again.
"You're not showing us around?"
When I asked the clearly departing Kim Jihye, she jerked her head toward something.
"I'm a busy woman. That old lady over there will guide you instead. Out."
The white stairs stood empty. Doubting her direction, I hesitated—then a tiny figure popped up at the top.
It slid down the stairs like it was pushing the ground away, appearing before us in an instant.
"Hee hee, welcome."
"H-Hello?"
The creature that arrived so suddenly was adorable. Petite build, three thin whiskers sprouting from its cheeks. Round ears perked up, and it wore the benevolent face of an elderly woman—a youkai beaming at us warmly.
"I'm off. Take good care of these kids."
Kim Jihye, clearly acquainted, gave a casual nod and turned the car around. As I watched her stylish exit, the little youkai wagged its plump tail protruding from its clothes and addressed us.
"Welcome to Sorcery Youkai Academy. I'm the principal here, Sipu."
The tiny principal extended her hand matter-of-factly. As I bent down to shake it, I realized once again that this 'Sorcery Youkai Academy' operated far outside my everyday common sense.
* *
Principal Sipu introduced herself and immediately led us inside. Despite her small stature suggesting a slow pace, she glided down the halls smooth as ice skates.
"Hee hee, this is the library. Full of knowledge on all sorts of sorcery—come visit sometime."
On the way to our class, she pointed out the main building's facilities here and there.
As I nodded and committed it all to memory, she gazed up at me thoughtfully.
"Hee hee hee, must be because you take after your mother. Such a handsome young man."
"...You think so?"
"Indeed. The spitting image. Those sharp, intelligent eyes, that soft jawline—all just like your mother's."
She clearly knew who I was. I recalled Kim Jihye's warning: some of the academy's 'higher-ups' might know my identity. This principal was one of them, I sensed.
Gazing at me with nostalgic fondness, she nodded approvingly.
"Mm, the absolute spitting image."
"Hanjun's mom must've been a beauty," Miho added, swishing her tail.
Pleased, the principal wagged her own tail in kind.
"She was, a true beauty. I owe her much, so if you ever need help, come find me anytime."
Slinging her hands behind her back, she led us onward. Following her, I suddenly noticed how quiet Kim Charyeok had been. Glancing over curiously, I saw him flexing his muscles, scanning the academy with intense eyes.
Uncomfortable with his intimidating vibe, I edged away—but he called out in his deep voice, as if sensing it.
"Hanjun."
"What."
I eyed him dubiously. He clenched his fist tight.
"This place... this is the true otherworld."
His face lit with emotion, fist trembling. Realizing he'd been geeking out silently the whole time, I tuned him out instantly.
About ten minutes under the principal's guidance brought us to a classroom door marked 'Transcendent' on a wooden plaque. Our new class.
She glanced back at us, then knocked lightly.
A man's voice called from within, "One moment~," and the door flew open.
"You've arrived? Principal."
Horn-rimmed glasses, intellectual middle-aged look—clearly a teacher. Chalk in hand, he smiled awkwardly.
The principal chuckled. "Hee hee, the transfers I mentioned. Take good care of 'em."
With a parting pat on our legs, she vanished. Left alone, the teacher beckoned us in with a friendly grin.
Stepping inside under his lead, we faced a room full of diverse figures. Tails, horns, wings—youkai proudly displaying their clans' traits, eyeing us curiously. Plenty of human sorcerers like me, too.
Under the barrage of stares, standing awkwardly at the front, the teacher introduced us.
"Kids, as you probably know, these are the transfers I mentioned. This is... Kang Hanjun, admitted as a sorcerer."
He paused, cueing me. I raised a stiff hand in the most natural wave I could manage, scanning the room under the guise of greeting everyone—searching for the 'snow woman' Kim Jihye described.
It didn't take long to spot Yoo Seolhui. No wonder Kim Jihye said I'd know her on sight. A faint white aura like frost clung around one youkai who almost passed for human.
"......"
She met my gaze steadily. Her blunt blue eyes pierced coldly—almost hostile—before she turned away.
"Anyway, Hanjun's intro is done... Next, Miho. Some of you might know her—she attended before."
"Hey everyone."
Miho flashed a vibrant smile and greeted the class effortlessly. Unlike me, she was a natural social butterfly, wrapping up her smooth self-intro in no time.
With hers done, the teacher moved seamlessly to Kim Charyeok.
"And finally, a sorcerer with rare 'constitution' talent, Kim Charyeok... uh..."
"Hm!"
Kim Charyeok puffed up dramatically. The teacher adjusted his glasses, doubting his eyes. But Kim Charyeok grinned, teeth bared in that pose.
"Pleased to meet you all. Kim Charyeok here. As you can see, I love working out! Looking around, I see plenty of prime workout buddies... Wanna train together from now on?"
His gaze locked on a few burly youkai, who flinched under the intensity. My hunch was right—no matter the species, that bald, prematurely aged mug was born intimidating. Nothing living wouldn't cower.
Misreading their reactions, crazy Kim Charyeok beamed contentedly and finished.
Intros over, the teacher tapped the podium.
"With the transfers here, class ends early today. Rest well over the weekend—no injuries."
"Yes sir~!"
He smiled warmly, welcomed us, and left. The students grabbed bags and belongings, flooding out. We rode the wave, swept into the hall.
Some approached curiously, but spotting Kim Charyeok's pleased grin, they backed off.
Other classes ending too, kids poured into the chaotic corridor. Craning my neck for the snow woman I'd glimpsed—
There: students parting like the Red Sea before Moses, scattering unnaturally aside.
Click, clack.
Heels echoing amid the din, drawing my ear. From the gap emerged one person.
Yoo Seolhui, the snow woman. Her bob hair faded from black to deep blue. Unhindered by the crowd, she walked straight toward me, heels clicking.
"Hey."
She stopped before me. I greeted her—but she stared silently, then whispered low.
"You saw it. Everyone avoids me."
Her voice carried a chill. Staring daggers like a warning, she added.
"So watch yourself."
With that, she brushed past. The crowd parted naturally again. Stunned, I followed with my eyes until Miho clung to my arm, grumbling.
"What's her deal... with our Hanjun."
First meeting with the snow woman. Somehow, I instinctively knew our future interactions wouldn't be easy.
* *
After class, Kim Charyeok and I followed Miho's directions to the boys' dorm.
"Hee hee hee, see ya, Hanjun."
Waving her off, I checked the note inside.
"Third floor... Room 305."
Muttering to myself, Kim Charyeok chimed in.
"Hm...! I'm in 406, Hanjun. Come visit later."
"Sure, unpack first."
We parted on the third floor. Not some basic dorm—this place looked like a hotel. Admiring the facilities, I scanned the hall and soon found 305.
A nameplate read 'Cheok Darae' next to a blank spot. Confirming my roommate, I flung the door open casually—fitting for a guys' dorm.
And immediately regretted it.
"Eh...?"
Plump, juicy ass. Pale skin. A girl with red hair and horns, back fully exposed, startled as she turned.
I stared blankly... then voiced the same confusion.
"Huh...?"
Utterly lost, I slammed the door shut to end the scene.
