The Protagonist (4)

Around 4:30 p.m., as she left the funeral home, Lee Sea walked with the other student council members, lost in thought.

'Why is she acting like this toward me...?'

At the high school division of National Academy 1—what students commonly called Jeil High School—her relationships with others were generally smooth. She didn't have many close friends, but she got along well enough with everyone, and her dislike for noisy drama meant she didn't have any real enemies either.

Except for one person.

Jin Yu-ri, who was subtly watching her from a few meters away, was the exception.

It had been that way since she entered the middle school division at Jeil High. Jin Yu-ri picked fights over every little thing, venting her competitive spirit, boasting about her superiority to try to crush Sea's confidence.

'I'd get it if she was actually better than me.'

Sea herself had considerable talent, but Jin Yu-ri surpassed her. She wasn't from one of the prestigious Awakener families with generations of fame. But as the only child of a massively growing conglomerate, her talent was exceptional. She excelled in both martial arts and magic, ranking in the top three at Jeil High in both. Last year, she'd even decided to pursue the path of a magic swordsman, advancing both fields simultaneously.

Most of the professors had tried to dissuade her. They said she needed to specialize deeply in one for real growth—it was a shame, but she had to choose. Otherwise, her arrogance might lead to ruin.

But Jin Yu-ri ignored them, growing even faster as if mocking their concerns. Rumors swirled that Sea's own high aptitude for magic swordsmanship had greatly influenced that reckless decision, true or not. Either way, it left Sea sighing.

She'd hoped this semester, outside of shared classes, they'd barely cross paths.

'...This is so awkward.'

Their personalities clashed from the start, and it was embarrassing—cringeworthy, even—that someone objectively more skilled was so desperate to beat her.

'What does she see in me that's worth all this?'

Sea's talent as an Awakener was impressive, but in her eyes, Jin Yu-ri was the most beautiful girl in the entire school. Around 165-168 cm tall, with clean lines that made any outfit look stunning, and sharp, challenging features that were perfectly refined. If there was a god in this world, it seemed to favor Jin Yu-ri excessively in every way.

So why did she feel such rivalry toward Sea?

'I don't have a single thing over her.'

Background aside, even judging purely on merits, the gap was clear—not just in skill, but in looks too.

Sea wasn't tall. Nearly 10 cm shorter than Jin Yu-ri, just a bit below average. Her skin was decently good, and she knew her jet-black, glossy hair was pretty attractive. Her features were neatly arranged, nothing flashy. Her figure was okay, not as striking as Jin Yu-ri's, but passable.

Even being generous, that was it. So ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠why, from their first meeting, had Jin Yu-ri been obsessed with besting her? And now, as a second-year student council president, Sea dreaded how much Jin Yu-ri would exploit that position.

"Hoo..."

She let out a sigh that carried a poignant charm beyond her years. Almost every male student council member turned to stare, but oblivious, Sea continued her brooding.

'Is it really because of her?'

She glanced sideways at the boy walking beside her.

Yoo Hae-bin. Not tall, even charitably speaking. He'd been above average when entering middle school, but he hadn't grown much since, so now he was on the shorter side. Otherwise, he was near-perfect.

He rivaled Jin Yu-ri for top in both magic and martial arts, winning more often than not—two out of three times, usually. Dressed as a girl, he'd be the prettiest at Jeil High, with his delicate features. His personality was easygoing, almost overly cheerful at times, but he showed firm resolve when it mattered. He'd been one of Sea's closest friends for years.

'That's all there is to it...'

Sea had no interest in romance, but she had enough common sense to know. It was purely platonic. No romantic feelings on either side—just compatible personalities. Listening to Hae-bin's chatter was as relaxing as tuning into a radio show. They shared the common ground of lost parents too.

Even if Jin Yu-ri was jealous, it wouldn't change anything. But oddly, Jin Yu-ri didn't seem interested in Hae-bin either. It felt less like indirect hostility and more like pure dislike for Sea herself.

'What did I ever do to her...?'

Just then, they reached a fork in the road. Time to part ways. Jin Yu-ri's eyes flashed as she spoke up.

"You're going that way alone?"

Aimed at Sea, who decided to brush it off casually. Probably just some nitpicky rambling...

But Jin Yu-ri's unexpected follow-up made her flinch.

"No handsome big bro to pick you up? Oh, right. You pushed him away and sent him off, didn't you?"

"Huh? Did you snort yukgaejang up your nose or something? What's with the random—"

"Wait a sec."

Sea cut off Hae-bin's retort. Some things could be ignored; others absolutely couldn't. This fell squarely into the latter. She stepped forward, staring Jin Yu-ri down. Not intentionally menacing, but icy blue flames of anger flickered in her eyes anyway.

"Not everything that comes out of your mouth is okay. Watch it."

"...What?"

Jin Yu-ri flinched, then flushed red with rising fury, opening her mouth to retort—but before it escalated, Sea turned to the others.

"I'm heading out."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow."

"Go on ahead, sunbae!"

"Take care, Sea."

With greetings from everyone except Jin Yu-ri, she turned away. Biting her lip unconsciously, she tasted blood midway—unpleasant pain and a faint metallic tang on her tongue. But the indescribable emotion churning in her chest overshadowed it as she headed home. Opening the front door, she heard her brother Lee Dojin's voice on the phone.

"Yes, understood. I'm not at ease right now either... Yes, see you then."

Spotting her return, he wrapped up quickly and approached from the living room.

"Ah, shoulda sprinkled salt before you came in."

"...Whatever."

Sea didn't buy into such superstitions. The dead stayed dead; they couldn't affect the living.

Dojin, looking awkward, tried again.

"What do you want for dinner? You look drained—want me to make something tasty?"

His worried tone carried hopeful expectation. Sea didn't indulge it.

"I'll handle my own food."

So don't interfere with me.

She barely swallowed those words. Undeterred, Dojin pressed on.

"Sea-ya."

"...What."

"Not set in stone yet, but I might get a job soon."

"...A job?"

More baffling than curiosity. After living so freely, why now? Maybe Yeom Ui-jun's death had changed him. And...

His follow-up was even more shocking.

"Your school, Jeil High. Thinking of interviewing as a teaching assistant there."

"..."

"It's Magic Dynamics, and I hear that's a second-year course, so—"

"So?"

"Uh... yeah?"

"It has nothing to do with me."

Dojin fell silent, stunned. He stood there blankly, then muttered bitterly.

"Really...? Guess so..."

His sad expression irked her; she spat a curt reply and retreated to her room.

"I'll eat dinner on my own. Don't call me."

She shut the door with a click and flopped onto her bed.

Today had been the worst. Yeom Ui-jun, not a frequent sight but always warm when they crossed paths, was dead. Killed by terrorists. At the funeral, she'd shown her friends an ugly side. The talk with Dojin. Han Tae-gang scolding him.

A single thought rippled through her mind amid sighs.

'Maybe they'll call off the engagement...'

It might be for the best. Or should she mock it as fitting? Pity him as a sister? Or rejoice that she wouldn't be left alone?

Sea couldn't decide.

Her brother Lee Dojin meant too much—too complicated.

She'd been just eight. Parents gone before elementary school. Memories were hazy. She remembered living with them, but calling them cherished wasn't quite right. Not enough vivid recollections to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠solidify into nostalgia. Or perhaps she'd never let them.

But for Dojin, it was different. To him, family was forever four: him, parents, and little sister Sea.

'Even so...'

Why had he acted that way? In middle school, Sea had stumbled on his traces despite their growing distance. Various exams at National Academy 1 middle school. About a third of the all-time top records were his. Overstating ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it, he rivaled his parents' peers, Lee Si-hyeok and Jeong Se-bin, on paper.

Even estranged, she'd wondered.

'If he was that good, why not now?'

Then, from second-year middle school, things changed. His name vanished from top records. A year in high school passed with no trace. Sea knew why.

Their parents' deaths. It broke his will; his brilliance dimmed.

In other words, to him, their parents were irreplaceable. More precious than her, the sole remaining family.

So. Knowing it was childish, Sea guessed why he fussed over her first and foremost.

'Because I'm... the biggest remnant they left behind.'

Otherwise, he'd ignore her. He looked after her at home out of duty, but she burdened him. So he wandered outside, lost. Deep down, he hated the baggage like her—wanted to grieve eternally.

Sea sat up, facing the mirror. She pictured certain faces from history books, comparing to her reflection.

Faces Dojin had shown from albums in childhood, imprinting them so she'd never forget. Lee Si-hyeok and Jeong Se-bin. The parents who'd raised them.

Maybe her mood amplified it, but...

'I don't really look like them.'

Dojin did. Their traces lingered clearly in him. Unlike her.

Fact, beyond like or dislike. Digging deeper would shatter her pounding head.

Unable to bear it, Sea pulled the covers over, breathing shallowly like the dead. As if she weren't there—like those absent ones.

Back in my room, I let out a small groan.

Sea was in rough shape...

Her bratty attitude didn't faze me. It was routine by now. I was worried sick, but talking would just stress her more—no other way around it.

I'd expected mild surprise at my job news, but her aversion to me working at her school outweighed it. A bit disappointing. Just a little.

But I couldn't back out.

Full-time instructor for Magic Dynamics at National Academy 1 high school. Contact came last night—Yeom Ui-jun had given them my number. Busy as hell, I'd replied late; we settled on meeting soon given the circumstances.

Planned to decline, but knowing the protagonist attends Jeil High changed that. Can't act solely for my convenience anymore.

Plus, the Kill the Evil Volume 1 quest.

Most effective way? Me working there. Gotta go into the tiger's den to catch one.

Though Jin Yu-ri struck me more as a cat...

Anyway. Chuckling at the trivial sentiment, my phone buzzed. Seo Yeon-hee calling. In a playful mood, I picked up.

"What? Missed my voice already?"

<"Meeting.">

"...When."

An hour ago's convo redux, roles swapped.

<"Big stuff yesterday. Gathering to check faces.">

"How? Masks on."

<"Figure of speech. Also scoping for wandering minds.">

"Got it. When?"

<"Locked for March 14th. I'm free then.">

I reported my news.

"Doing the Jeil High TA gig."

Silence, then her casual approval.

<"Nice. Specifics locked?">

The dangerous figure from the funeral—who was it?

I answered honestly enough.

"Not certain yet... Got a lead. I'll update when confirmed."

<"Good boy.">

Business done. But as I hung up—

<"Homemade's fine too. Might not taste great, but it's the thought.">

Click. Bewildered, I pondered... Ah.

Phantom meeting March 14th. White Day.

I'd gotten something last month, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sure, but...

"Gives me chocolate-flavored smokes, then expects handmade chocolates."

Snickering and grumbling freshened me up. Time to plan.

Last OX question. To confirm if Jin Yu-ri's the protagonist. Can't rule out Sea entirely, slim chance or not.

"Nah..."

Tempting for certainty, but wasteful. Candidates down to two, one 90%+ likely. Better save it; I could investigate myself. Strategically smarter.

Priority: other rewards.

Save OX. Points 1-3 unnecessary now; I'm self-sufficient. Hold till variables arise.

Skills same—candidates abound; S-rank not always best. Need fitting ones; A-ranks grow with mastery.

Trait next. Soon useful.

A-rank traits x2, S-rank x1. Perfect specs for upcoming job life among candidates.

Deep breaths. Selected.

Kill the Evil Volume 1: Academy's Genius Magic Swordsman. Protagonist view. For final boss me? Academy's Genius TA...

"...Lame."

Shook off the childish thought.

March 6th, Saturday. Post-Yeom Ui-jun funeral, public shock subsided. Met the Magic Dynamics professor.

Middle-aged, puffy cheeks, dark circles. Brief greetings, then he casually waved his right hand.

Shooo...

Mana orb formed. Unimpressed tone.

"Know its structure?"

Of course. Knew the intent too.

High school level only, but core of Magic Dynamics: orb. Decode it, applications follow easily. He wants utility—overworked researcher, kids' classes a chore. How much can he milk me?

Straight answer.

"17 circuits, 3 overall formulas, central axis ideally 1 but paralleled to 2. Single one's too hard for most students. Right?"

"...Hmm?"

Shocked, he adjusted glasses. Unbelievable I'd know. Even specialists wouldn't glance-decode. Fair, but unfair—I slacked since middle school second year, not from difficulty. Hologram ordered last place.

This time, that hologram paid off. Not pure smarts.

One corner of my vision held a message only I could see.