Chapter 8
Early morning. I was standing across the street from Coffee Is Life, the cafe where Park Serin worked.
“Whew… I’m nervous as hell.”
Maybe because it was so early, I could see Park Serin across the road, just starting to prepare for opening. After a few more deep breaths, I stepped inside the cafe.
She’d already finished getting ready and changed into her uniform by the time she greeted me from behind the counter.
“Welcome.”
I bowed my head politely in response and pretended to mull over the menu.
First things first—since it’s a cafe, I should order something, right?
“I’ll have an iced tea, please.”
“What size?”
“The smallest one.”
“Please wait a moment.”
While Park Serin took my order and prepared the drink, I stole a glance at her. Her black bob hair fell to about shoulder length, streaked here and there with silvery-blue that was a treat for the eyes. Her eyes were the same silvery-blue hue—and come to think of it, that matched the color of her mana when she’d taken down that villain two weeks ago.
Right, the lore mentioned that parts of the body can change to match one’s mana affinity.
“Here’s your order.”
She strode over confidently and handed me the iced tea.
She’s tall. I was pushing 180 cm, and she was just a bit shorter—taller than most guys, for sure.
“Thank you.”
I accepted the drink with both hands courteously and stood there, gazing at her for a moment. She tilted her head, as if asking what was up.
I took a sip to wet my throat and ventured carefully, “Um…”
“No dates, sorry.”
“Huh?”
I must’ve looked like a total doofus because she winced and added, “Oh, that’s not what you meant? My bad.”
It might come off as delusional, but objectively speaking, she was stunning. Her figure—honed by years of training, no doubt—radiated effortless strength and beauty. Guys must hit on her all the time while she’s working here. So yeah, her knee-jerk reaction made sense.
“Ahem… No, it’s about that villain from two weeks ago. I saw you take it down.”
“Ah.”
She nodded, like it was all coming back to her.
“This might sound sudden, but… could you teach me something basic, like swordsmanship?”
“Out of the blue?”
Her surprised reply made my heart race, my voice shrinking as I stammered excuses. “I only awakened recently… Got lucky and made it into Astel Academy this year. But I’m so far behind everyone else, I’m kinda desperate…”
She closed her eyes, thinking it over, then continued. “Call me senior, and I’ll teach you.”
“I knew it wouldn’t—wait, what?”
I blurted in shock, and she replied flatly, “You’re starting at Astel this year, right? I’m an alum.”
She muttered something about that making her the senior and me the junior, then jotted a note on her phone.
“You’ll teach me… just for that?”
“Always wanted a junior to call me senior. Never happened before. Plus, I kinda jumped to conclusions earlier and was rude.”
She mumbled on about how things had been boring lately anyway. My brain lagged behind, leaving me standing there blankly, until she shot me a look like, Problem?
“What? Don’t want to?”
“No, no! Thank you!”
Suddenly, she narrowed her eyes at me. Catching on quick, I corrected myself. “Thank you… senior…?”
She nodded, a satisfied smile breaking through.
“So, when do we do sword training, junior?”
“Usually basic training till noon, then from midnight to dawn… But if another time works better for you, senior—”
“Nah, that’s fine.”
Our senior’s so cool!
She checked her phone, pondered a bit, then said, “Hmm… But I’ve got schedules tonight and tomorrow night. Day after okay to start?”
“Yes! Of course!”
I nodded eagerly, and she smiled like I was adorable.
Senior smiled!
“So, Tren Park at midnight the day after?”
“Yes!”
We swapped numbers, I bowed 90 degrees, and left the cafe. I chugged the rest of the iced tea.
“Ahh! So sweet!”
Delicious! Starting the day after tomorrow, I’d finally learn proper swordsmanship. Excitement was already bubbling up.
But…
“Did I mention I train at Tren Park?”
I’d been rambling so much in my nerves, she must not have caught it.
*
“Hee hee hee.”
Park Serin was in an amazing mood right now. Good weather? Spotless cafe? Nope!
It was because that boy she’d been eyeing for days had shown up asking her to teach him swordsmanship!
About two weeks ago, a villain terrorized the street where her cafe was. She’d been in a foul mood that day, so she vented by crushing the villain. While handing him over to the cops, she spotted a boy staring at her intently before bolting off somewhere.
Curious, she trailed him from a distance. He ran nonstop for over 30 minutes to Tren Park, then started exercising on the spot. Clearly inspired by her villain takedown—her grumpy mood lifted a little watching him.
His athleticism screamed newbie awakener, but he kept going despite the exhaustion. It was endearing, even pride-inducing. Then suddenly, he grabbed a wooden sword and swung wildly—like a kid with a thick stick. It was comical at first, but one look at his fierce expression killed the laughter.
He swung for ages, and Park Serin was shocked. He was visibly improving right before her eyes.
From that moment, one thought lodged in her mind: I want to train him.
She didn’t know why he avoided using mana, but his growth rate with a beginner’s grip on the sword screamed talent. She wasn’t some ultimate powerhouse herself, but letting talent like that rot without guidance felt criminal.
But what excuse to use to offer? Admit she’d stalked him for hours? Yeah, no.
She’d been mulling approaches for two weeks…
Meanwhile, Han Siwoo shot up fast—even started using mana yesterday, swinging some magic sword he’d gotten somewhere.
At this rate, I won’t have anything to teach him!
He clearly didn’t know proper mana control, and his techniques were just trashy internet basics. Still, his talent would catch up to her in no time. Anxious, she’d tossed and turned all night, opened the cafe on autopilot…
Gasp! It’s him!
The boy walked in right at opening.
Trained till dawn yesterday—must be exhausted! Barely slept? Pulled an all-nighter? Poor thing, he must be wiped!
She kept cool on the outside while freaking internally.
“I’ll have an iced tea, please.”
First time hearing his voice! Always watched from afar—even missed it when he chatted with the park caretaker!
“What size?”
“The smallest one.”
“Please wait a moment.”
Sweet tooth! Figures—he looks kinda boyish!
Too excited, her hands shook; she even used mana to steady them while prepping the drink. She felt him staring at her face from behind. Her lips twitched—she reinforced her facial muscles with mana for a poker face.
“Here’s your order.”
Only when handing it over did she realize how tall he was.
Super tall! Most guys are shorter than me, but he’s taller!
Her height was a subtle complex, so that alone boosted her mood.
She exhaled in relief—then noticed he was still staring. She tilted her head in surprise, and he spoke hesitantly. “Um…”
Her inner fondness already overflowing, she goofed and teased like she did with friends. “No dates, sorry.”
“Huh?”
His dumbfounded face nearly made her crack up.
Adorable! Like a startled puppy!
Playing it off, she continued. “Oh, that’s not what you meant? My bad.”
She barely remembered his words after that. Too thrilled! Roughly, he’d seen her beat the villain, was entering the academy this year, wanted her to train him. Exactly what she’d hoped—dropped right in her lap. She piled on ridiculous excuses and coolly accepted.
Even hid her rising smile to seem aloof.
I’m so happy!
And she got him to call her senior! A cute junior begging his senior for guidance—her dream from academy days.
Graduated without it happening—gave up on it!
When “senior” slipped from his lips, she barely held back a cheer. Half-dazed with joy, she swapped numbers. Didn’t even recall what she’d said, but the result glowed on her phone.
“His name’s Siwoo!”
Alone in the cafe after he left, she let out a joyous squeal.
Of course, claiming schedules for tonight and tomorrow to start the day after? A little white lie to flex: I’m a busy woman, but I’ll make time just for you!