“Classes Will Proceed Normally Today”
“Classes will proceed as scheduled today, just like I mentioned yesterday.”
The next morning, Yu Jeong-hak, standing in for Ha Ye-jin, handled homeroom. Yesterday had been shortened due to an emergency staff meeting, but things had settled down enough for a full schedule today. There was a joint practical session with the Patience Class in the morning. They were recruiting for additional dorm spots, and so on. Yu Jeong-hak rattled off all the announcements without lingering a second longer than necessary before leaving the classroom.
“We're already missing Teacher Ye-jin this much.”
Gu Jun-hyeok summed him up like that. Jeong In-ah nodded in agreement. Compared to Ha Ye-jin's warmth, Yu Jeong-hak came off as downright cold. He just didn't seem to like students much, period.
“But didn't they say there's practice this morning? Shouldn't we head out?”
As we chatted idly, Jeong In-ah glanced around and pointed it out. The other students had already trickled off to the practice site. We were the only ones left, lounging and gossiping like we had all the time in the world.
Gu Jun-hyeok checked his watch before speaking up. “We've still got plenty of time. We can go later, right?”
“Just go now. Better early than on time.”
I shot back at Gu Jun-hyeok, who was playing it cool and relaxed. Dragging our feet and risking a late arrival was worse than heading out ten minutes ahead. As I stood from my seat and headed for the door, Jeong In-ah and Gu Jun-hyeok scurried after me like ducklings.
“So what kinda practice is this anyway? Man, this school's so unfriendly. Always like this.”
Gu Jun-hyeok grumbled.
“They said the barn, so probably healing practice.”
Jeong In-ah stated the obvious. I just listened without chiming in, leaving the two of them to bounce the conversation back and forth.
“Aw, crap. I'm awful at healing.”
“Really? No biggie. I'm good at it.”
“What am I supposed to do with that? I suck, I said!”
Gu Jun-hyeok shot Jeong In-ah a look like she was the unreasonable one. She just shrugged, slyly poking at his nerves. Listening to them bantering made a laugh slip out before I could stop it.
[Hold up. Hit the bathroom before we go.]
Then Legba spoke to me in his low, chilly tone. Sounded like he had something to say.
“You guys go on ahead. Gotta hit the john.”
“Do you always duck out to the bathroom right before practice? Gettin' nervous and your stomach acts up?”
“Ignore him and go. We'll wait.”
Gu Jun-hyeok threw some shade my way, but Jeong In-ah turned it right back on him. I mumbled something about being quick and headed for the restroom.
It was empty. I fiddled with my hair in the mirror over the sink and spoke up. “So, what's up?”
[‘That guy’ says he’s got words for you.]
“Huh? Him?”
I feigned surprise. No mistaking who Legba meant by ‘that guy.’ He was a free spirit no one could bind—not even me, the cult leader. Infuriatingly mischievous, loving pranks and jokes to the point of seeming flighty at times, but his power and authority rivaled Legba’s own.
[Yeah, I’ve got something to say! But you don’t seem thrilled. Am I wrong?]
[Your flighty attitude drags down the dignity of the Loa. Of course he’s not thrilled.]
[I’m not flighty—you’re just too damn serious, Legba.]
The two strongest Loa were bantering right in my head. Legba clammed up, clearly fed up with his antics.
[Hmm, Legba’s sulking. Candy’ll fix it later.]
With that jovial voice came a fleeting vision in my mind: tuxedo, silk top hat, cigar. Gray and purple mist curled from the cigar, pierced by the red glow in his eyes. The Loa who governed life and death, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Legba in might. Baron Samedi.
[As Legba said, I’ve got words for you.]
Baron Samedi was a Loa with a free soul that couldn’t be bound, as I’d said a dozen times. Unlike the others, he didn’t reside in my body—he manifested in the mortal world, wandering and gathering intel to pass on occasionally.
[You’re heading to practice now, right?]
“Yes.”
[Something big’s gonna go down in this one. Better face it head-on than dodge. There’ll be fallout, but it might work out in your favor.]
“……Got it.”
I nodded half-heartedly at Baron Samedi’s advice. His tips were never all that helpful—always vague, roundabout, like a daily horoscope. The difference? They always came true.
[Alright, I’m off. Good luck.]
“Wait, hold on.”
I grabbed at the departing Loa. He only stuck around for moments like this—rare chances to ask questions. Might as well unload everything now.
“Who’s the Satanist infiltrator at Florence, and where’s their altar? Just tell me that much before you go.”
Baron Samedi roamed the mortal realm in human form, beast shape, or mist, amassing info beyond human measure. Nothing escaped him—not even the infiltrator or the lost altar.
But he just cackled instead of answering.
[Not yet. I’ll tell you when the time’s right!]
“If you’re gonna tell me later, why not now?”
[Nah, you gotta wait.]
“Why?”
[More fun that way. Haha!]
He laughed like he was toying with me, then left my body. Purple mist flowed out the bathroom window into the sky—Baron Samedi departing as fog.
[That annoying bastard. Couldn’t he at least cough up the altar’s location?]
Legba grumbled about the departed Loa—pointless, since he couldn’t hear it. He knew everything in the world but wouldn’t share unless I was desperate or staring death down. He came through in the clutch, sure, but yeah, annoying as hell, like Legba said.
“Oh.”
Suddenly remembering, I pulled out my phone. Three missed calls: two from Jeong In-ah, one from Gu Jun-hyeok. Texts too, wondering where the hell I was.
Time check: Practice at 8:30. It was 8:34 now.
[A little late’s fine. Builds character.]
“Like hell it is!”
I ignored Legba’s nonchalance, bolted from the bathroom, and sprinted to the site.
*
Florence sprawled wide, packed with odd facilities: the barn, gym, holy training ground—even farmland. This practice was at the barn.
Problem was, it was far from the main building. Roughly 500 meters, give or take—maybe more.
“Huff, huff—ugh.”
And I’d run the whole way. My lungs burned to my throat, bile rising, legs shaking, calves cramping like mad. Good thing I’d been training; otherwise, I’d have collapsed midway.
“Student, name?”
The practice teacher approached with the roll sheet. I caught my breath and looked up.
“Do—huff—Do Seon-woo, sir.”
“Right. One demerit for tardiness.”
No hesitation—he was about to dock me. Ten points meant expulsion at Florence. Even one stung.
“Uh, wait—”
“Yep~”
“Could you let it slide, just once?”
“Yep~ Of course not!”
Her cheery tone made it even more absurd. But it was my fault, no excuses. I resigned to the penalty.
“Teacher?”
A clear, composed voice called out. The teacher paused her scribbling.
“Kim Jin-seo? What’s up?”
“I heard that student was coming from a meeting with the chairman. Scholarship stuff.”
“Oh, really? A scholarship kid, huh?”
She pocketed her pen. Then patted my shoulder.
“Speak up if there’s a reason. I’m not some rigid type who dings without context. Anyway, got it—head in. Tough run, huh.”
“Huh?”
I wasn’t on scholarship. Never met the chairman, let alone consulted him. I’d just chatted with Loa in the bathroom—pure tardiness, no valid excuse.
Befuddled, I stared at Kim Jin-seo. She pressed a finger to her lips: Shh, play along.
No clue why she covered for me, but no demerit? Thankful, I joined the Charity Class line.
Jeong In-ah was there, biting her nails anxiously.
“Dude! Why so late?”
“Got lost on the way.”
“Gimme a believable excuse. …Wait, for real?”
“Half-true.”
“Half? What’s the other half?”
She furrowed her brow, confused. Gu Jun-hyeok sidled up, smirking.
“This is why you’re infamous. Your life’s a nonstop drama. Jealous.”
He teased with a grin. I wanted to fire back, but the teacher started briefing.
“Everyone’s here—let’s begin. As you know, this is a joint Patience and Charity practical. Look this way, please.”
She pointed to the barn’s right side. Dozens of dogs, whimpering. On closer look: dislocated shoulders, limping legs—injured.
“These are military dogs from the Central Knight Order next door. All hurt in operations.”
Some kids shot them pitying glances.
“You’ll each get one. Use healing circles and blessing circles to treat them. Faster treatment means higher scores, obviously.”
She directed staff to distribute the dogs. One per student, including a limping, whining one at my feet.
“Begin now. Report immediately if one’s critical. No report and it dies? Instant fail. Unlikely, but fail after 15 minutes without success too.”
She started the stopwatch after the warnings. Students scrambled to draw circles. Me? Utter despair.
I didn’t know healing circles or recovery blessings. No way to treat this dog. While others worked, I stood sucking my thumb.
[Use Restoration Spell.]
As I floundered, Legba quietly offered the fix.
(To be continued next time)