Chapter 15
It hadn't pierced deeply thanks to the demon's rock-hard body, but just wounding it should be enough to qualify for Class A, right?
The demon shook off the sword lodged in its back and lumbered toward me, step by heavy step. Not being the type to enjoy getting smacked around and sent flying, I tried to haul myself up.
Damn. My body's not listening.
Maybe because I'd dumped every last drop of mana inside me all at once. Come to think of it, this was the first time my mana reserves had been this depleted since the possession.
The demon swung a fist at me. With a silent prayer that if I was gonna get hit anyway, it wouldn't hurt too bad, I squeezed my eyes shut tight.
Then—BOOM!
"…?"
Nothing happened.
I cracked my eyes open. The demon was gone, and right in front of me loomed a massive wall of twitching muscles.
Nice Guy?
The Nice Guy had finally unleashed his aura and stepped in to block my path.
Meanwhile, the demon—sent flying by his sudden appearance—shook its head and staggered to its feet far away.
After flexing those bulging muscles in my face, the Nice Guy suddenly burst into tears and extended a hand to me.
What the—? What's his deal?
I hesitated to take it, and he pulled back, muttering something incomprehensible.
"I'm… moved…."
"…Pardon?"
Why the hell?
"You two, charging ahead to protect your classmates against that monster… it moved me…!"
He slapped a hand over his heart, gazed at the sky, and let the tears flow.
Oh… right. That's just who he is.
The one thing that could move this musclehead who lived for workouts alone.
Friendship.
Above all else, he prized friendship. He'd act for a friend with no gain for himself, dive into danger without a second thought if it was for them.
Yeah. The Nice Guy wasn't just a fool—he was a romantic fool.
Scarlett, slumped a short distance away covered in wounds, stared at him with a look that said, What the actual fuck?
That was when a savage aura began pouring from the demon who'd been blasted away.
The Nice Guy drew up his mana to shield me and Scarlett.
"My friends… I'll protect them!"
Friends? Me? Since when?
Far off, I could see the demon grinning ear to ear.
To anyone else, it'd look like a fiendish scowl, but knowing Im Sanghyuk lurked behind the illusion, I got it.
He's pumped.
The Im Sanghyuk inside that demon body loved a good fight.
He was already hyped from taking a hit from me, and now some student shows up who can blast him away? Perfect timing.
The demon slammed both hands into the ground and dropped into a stance.
The Nice Guy lowered his posture in response.
WHOOSH! Their forms blurred as they shot forward.
They closed the gap in an instant, fists cocked for each other.
Just before the punches collided, a small black orb materialized between them.
KABOOOOOM!
A massive explosion hurled them in opposite directions.
Entrance ceremony day.
Dina woke early to get ready for the academy, but for some reason, she felt a twinge of unease.
The robe that swaddled her from head to toe made a mockery of her uniform. The pure white mask that hid her entire face. Nothing about it sat right.
Just days ago, she'd resolved to get close to Han Siwoo after their chat. Sure, her first friend spot had been snatched by some nameless bob-cut swordswoman.
But second place… or if that's too much, third at worst.
So today, she'd mustered a bit more courage than usual. Off went the robe onto the bed; the mask stayed primly on the vanity.
Now her reflection stared back from the mirror.
Deep amethyst eyes like polished gems. Flawless, translucent skin. Snow-white hair cascading to her hips, wavy from the waist down. The gentle curves peeking through her uniform, slender arms and legs that looked like they'd snap at a touch—proof she was, indeed, a woman. She was stunning enough to rival the famously beautiful elves.
Ever since awakening, she'd never stepped out without artifacts to conceal her looks.
Dina stared at her mirrored self for a long moment, then snatched the black mask from the drawer and slapped it on.
Save for her childhood, she'd never shown her bare face to outsiders. Going out like this was still too much.
Even just the lower-face mask felt awkwardly exposed.
"…Someday, even the mask…."
With that vow, she stepped outside.
As expected, her otherworldly beauty drew stares like magnets. Strangers on the street, smitten, tried striking up conversations left and right.
For someone with zero social circle and zero practice dealing with people, it was exhausting.
Should've just teleported….
Regretting her whim to walk to school, she pressed on.
Even at the academy, the stares didn't let up. Small mercy: unlike the streets, no one dared approach her casually.
Dina arrived and craned her neck, scanning for Siwoo. The sooner the contact, the better the odds of bonding.
He probably wouldn't recognize her. No robe or full mask this time—just the lower-face one. Their first impression had been rocky anyway, and their only interaction was that one chat.
Chance to fix that bad first impression and get close.
Approach naturally, like strangers meeting for the first time, and build from there.
Hasn't arrived yet?
She'd come early, but disappointment lingered.
He'll be here soon.
She decided to wait demurely near the Star City entrance.
But as closing time for the gates loomed, contrary to her hopes…
What if he doesn't come?
Truth was, she'd assumed unilaterally that he'd enroll. It was just a guess based on his clothes—no hard proof.
What if it was just someone who looked similar…?
If so, her whole plan to befriend him at the academy crumbled from the start.
The gates began grinding shut in the distance.
Her stomach churned from nerves.
Right at the last second—
"Made it!"
He slipped through by a hair, a redheaded girl hot on his heels.
She collapsed just inside, gasping. Looked like both had overslept and sprinted here.
Either way, confirmation: Siwoo was attending. Dina exhaled in relief.
Good.
Pretty nonchalant inner thought for someone who'd briefly contemplated dropping out.
Now just find the right moment to say hi. She strolled casually, plotting her approach—then froze.
The redhead who'd entered with him was laughing and chatting with Siwoo.
Even after catching her breath, they kept walking and talking. Looked tight already.
Missed out on second place too…?
Still, not over yet. Third time's the charm.
Throughout the ceremony, Dina let the principal's speech flow in one ear and out the other, agonizing over how to make a friend.
For someone who'd never had a single friend since awakening, it felt impossibly hard.
Before she knew it, the ceremony ended. Students filed out of Halo Hall.
Dina stood, craving fresh air—and spotted the redhead practically dragging Siwoo by the arm as they exited.
Blood rushed to her head; her face burned crimson.
What shameless nonsense is that?!
They weren't kids anymore—grown man and woman stuck together like glue…!
Just watching made her chest tighten with inexplicable disgust.
Swallowing her irritation, she slipped into the crowd and headed out.
Luckily, a musclebound newbie whose uniform strained at the seams blocked the way ahead, making escape easy.
But don't academy uniforms auto-adjust to the wearer's size?
Why was that guy's about to burst? He was huge, sure. If Dina were twice her current size, he'd match his height….
…Yeah, even maxed out, it probably couldn't handle that.
On her way to class assignments from Halo Hall, a thunderous roar shook the air.
BOOM!
She jumped at the unfamiliar blast and looked—
A car hurtling straight at her.
And Siwoo charging toward it.
CRASH!
Another boom, and the car sailed far away.
After that, it was chaos she couldn't comprehend.
Star City—home to Astel Academy—had never once been breached since its founding. An impregnable fortress of learning.
So why were countless beasts swarming in now?
And why were you two charging them without hesitation?
How could that woman fighting alongside Siwoo move like that?
Aren't you scared of dying? Of pain?
They guarded each other's backs like veterans who'd synced for years.
Beasts reached the other students and clashed with the freshmen.
But Dina's eyes stayed glued to those two.
Unthinkingly, she reached out toward them.
If I could guard your back too.
A lance of darkness materialized in the air.
Could I stand by your side?
The spear impaled a beast.