Midterms (1)

Jin Yu-ri echoed the words in bewilderment. Jin Cheol-min, who had been glancing at her sidelong, let a faint smile play on his lips before repeating himself in a gentle tone.

"Tell my daughter's friend. After midterms are over, come eat at our house. If I tell you too late, there might not be time, so ask her today and come together on the last day of exams. It ends Friday, right?"

"I'm not close to her..."

Jin Yu-ri refused, her voice brimming with awkwardness. Inviting Lee Sea personally. Coming home together. Sitting side by side to eat. All three were daunting tasks for her. She had refused with all her might, but Jin Cheol-min replied as if he'd expected it.

"So what if you're not close? You can get close from ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠now on."

"Sh-She'd feel uncomfortable if you invite her too. ...Probably."

"Sea said her friend is fine with it."

"...Lee Sea did?"

As Jin Yu-ri looked surprised, he continued in a smooth, flowing tone.

"I mentioned it when seeing her off on Saturday. I said I'd tell my daughter after the weekend and ask if she'd come for a meal, and she readily agreed."

Of course, Jin Cheol-min hadn't proposed it that way, and Lee Sea hadn't responded like that either. He hadn't specified a time, just said "whenever there's a chance." Like a casual pleasantry about grabbing a meal sometime, implying it wasn't all that likely. Lee Sea hadn't readily agreed. It was closer to her saying okay because she couldn't outright refuse when he suggested coming over if she had time.

But Lee Sea wasn't here to correct the facts, and having only heard the cleverly twisted nuance, Jin Yu-ri fell for her father's words despite her doubts.

'If she's the one saying she'll come...'

She couldn't back out now when the other side was willing.

"...I'll tell her today or tomorrow."

After Jin Yu-ri left through the front door with hesitant steps, Jin Cheol-min turned to his wife with a pleased smile. He could read his daughter's heart as clearly as if it were in his hand, but this time, it felt right to meddle as a parent. Having led a massive corporation and met countless people, he knew. Jin Yu-ri and Lee Sea. They weren't on good terms now, but...

'Once they get close, they could be lifelong friends.'

As Jin Yu-ri's father, he hoped she'd grow close to such a friend.

Jeil High School's schedule was basically four periods a day. Monday through Thursday: two periods in the morning, two in the afternoon. Friday featured general subjects alongside lectures for its special-purpose training institution status. Midterms and finals were split accordingly.

Monday: Written exams for Monday/Wednesday subjects.

Tuesday: Written exams for Tuesday/Thursday subjects.

Wednesday: Practical exams for Monday/Wednesday subjects.

Thursday: Practical exams for Tuesday/Thursday subjects.

Finally, Friday crammed all general subject exams. Few students besides top scorers like Jin Yu-ri cared about Friday's tests, but Monday through Thursday were different. With weights of 30% written and 70% practical, those scores practically determined guild recruitment and contract terms.

Among them, the written exams on Monday and Tuesday terrified students most. Lower weight than practicals, but full of variables, and the difficulty was downright horrific.

Theory-heavy courses like Magic Engineering were tough by nature. Even practical Magic Studies or Martial Techniques posed devilishly tricky problems. Practicals were routine, so examiners pushed theory study. Unfortunately, their idea of "properly" and students' clashed vastly.

On a 100-point scale, 50 points required "diligent" study by student standards. 30 points needed "very diligent" effort to eliminate two or three multiple-choice options. The last 20 were "diligent" by professor standards—but students wondered, "Did they really expect us to get these?"

Thus, some boldly abandoned written exams. Nail 50 points, leave the rest to luck-polished instincts, aim for 60+ overall. A wise choice, if cynical.

And... as far as Yoo Hae-bin knew, Lee Sea had been one of those wise ones for years past.

She definitely had been, but...

"Let's check answers."

After first period's exam, during break, Lee Sea approached, waving her test paper, and made the suggestion. Yoo Hae-bin looked up in surprise.

"...Check with you?"

At the skeptical question, Lee Sea shot her a glare—What's so weird about me suggesting it?—then thrust out her paper.

"Give me yours too."

"Well, I can show you if you want, but..."

'Won't your mental break?' Yoo Hae-bin swallowed the thought.

Lee Sea had never self-scored after an exam. She'd shove papers into desk drawers without a glance or, in rage, fold them into paper airplanes for the trash. Her written scores hovered 60-65. Top-10 practicals covered it, but written alone? Solid mid-upper tier at best.

So Yoo Hae-bin expected a third or more red marks of sorrow... but the results were wildly off.

"Huh? ...Huh?"

Comparing problem by problem, Yoo Hae-bin let out a flustered voice. Their answers matched almost perfectly. Objective questions, even killer subjectives. Assuming her own 100, Lee Sea's was 90. And she couldn't claim 100, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠so maybe Lee Sea topped her.

"Hmm..."

Yoo Hae-bin stared blankly at the somewhat satisfied yet faintly regretful Lee Sea and asked.

"What are you?"

"Studied at home."

"Tutoring from your bro?"

Yoo Hae-bin assumed that. No leak, but Lee Dojin helping explained the leap.

'Our Dojin-oppa's got the chops.'

But Lee Sea calmly denied it.

"Studied at home. By myself."

She spread her right hand wide. Ink stained her index and middle fingers, even her palm, as she declared low but proud.

"Pulled an all-nighter again today."

"If that got everyone 90s, who'd skip studying? Wow, seriously amazing and mysterious..."

She knew her boyfriend could do it, but not this well. As Yoo Hae-bin marveled again, Lee Sea confirmed.

"You don't know three problems exactly, right?"

"Different from yours?"

The three toughest of thirty. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Yoo Hae-bin figured luck might nab two.

"No idea? Check with her, it'll be close."

She nodded toward the front-row girl with hair tied tight, flipping a thick notebook: Jin Yu-ri.

"...Yeah?"

A curt reply. Lee Sea walked off like business done, leaving Yoo Hae-bin shocked again. She headed straight for Jin Yu-ri.

'What's with her?'

To prevent potential brawl, Yoo Hae-bin followed.

"...?"

Jin Yu-ri turned at the footsteps. Lee Sea asked.

"Number 10... 2 or 3?"

"What?"

Jin Yu-ri frowned. They weren't buddy-buddy for that. Yoo Hae-bin chimed in as friend.

"I did 2, she did 3. What about you, Yu-ri-mental?"

"..."

Jin Yu-ri's subtle expression didn't check her paper.

"I did 5."

"Then 20? 1 or 4?"

"...3."

The last differed too. No time for instant analysis, and before returning, Lee Sea said clearly to Jin Yu-ri.

"...Thanks for answering."

As she turned—

"Hey, Lee Sea."

The sudden call stopped her. Lee Sea looked back, wondering. Not hostile, but hesitant, like broaching something tough.

Silence lingered, then Jin Yu-ri blurted fast.

"You, coming for dinner at my house? Dad asks if Friday after midterms works. Got time?"

"...Huh?"

"Dinner...?"

The question stunned watcher Yoo Hae-bin and Lee Sea alike.

April 19th, Monday, around 7 PM. In the driver's seat with the car parked, Lee Dojin's ear caught Yoo Hae-bin's voice via mana transmission.

"Call me Professor. It's confusing."

"Anyway, Sea scored that high? She didn't mention to me."

He'd dropped her off evening, then left for an appointment. No point burdening, so no asking; no bragging or sulking suggested middling 60s.

Seo Yeon-hee, relaying between him and Yoo Hae-bin, chuckled.

"Maybe saving it post-exams for impact?"

Couldn't deny feeling a tad left out, so he stayed quiet. Yoo Hae-bin continued.

"What now."

Nothing rang a bell, so he snapped curtly. Multiple things she told Hae-bin but not brother-him? Annoying.

"First I hear."

Details: Hospital chat, apparently. Daemyeong Group's chairman Jin Cheol-min. Reputed solid character, not to underestimate. Gratitude for Sea, not scheming—fair invite.

Sorting thoughts, he told Yoo Hae-bin.

"Got it, good work. I'll treat you next time."

"Name anything. School cafeteria fancy stuff 15,000 won lately?"

"Kidding. When needed without suspicion, someplace nice. Call if more."

As he went to reply, transmission cut perfectly. Passenger Seo ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Yeon-hee beamed approvingly.

"Kid's sharp, love recruiting Hae-bin. You?"

"She's fine. Tries sly neighborhood bro vibe when chance, but her charm sticks."

"Neighborhood bro? Nah..."

Seo Yeon-hee chuckled denial. He felt it, though. Whatever. He restarted the car.

"What to eat?"

Last time he'd been rude. Treat tonight, clear weekend for payback.

Seo Yeon-hee echoed awkwardly.

"Anything?"

"Pick or no?"

"Hm, one comes to mind."

"What?"

"What you want."

"...Don't complain later."

Tempted by hot pork soup joint test, but reined in, pondered classy spots. Closest...

Then—brrr—phone vibrated. Seo Sang-wook.

"Yes, Professor. What's up?"

Seo Yeon-hee nodded okay.

"Yes, go ahead."

"Issue?"

Expected, no shock. His uneasy tone prompted; coughs, then steady.

Now his demeanor clicked. No shock without surprise.

"Not confirmed who?"

"No, fine. But important errand now—"

"Got it."

Seemed done, but Seo Sang-wook tossed curve.

"...Pardon?"

Call ended. Seo Yeon-hee, who'd heard, murmured innocently.

"Respects researcher's personal time."

"Yeah..."

"Work done? Hungry—food. ...Huh?"

No reaction, she blinked. He drove, bluffing.

"Nah, pondering eats."

Was pondering. Not fully true.

Sunday through two days, progress jumped 10%. Sea and Yu-ri events mostly midterms; even broad variables couldn't cover. So... other trigger.

Volume 2 subtitle: 'The Hero’s Disciples'. Per Seo Sang-wook, at least one 36 Heroes coming Korea. Plot tied there.

And his Kill the Evil Volume 2 unique quest...

"Bit far—sushi by sea?"

"Sushi? Fine... time okay?"

"Fast drive: 8 PM arrive, two hours eat, 10 PM leave, home 11. Good?"

"Yeah? Let's go."

With delighted Seo Yeon-hee, he sped. Head spun, but this moment mattered.

Same time. Han Tae-gang stood before grand hanok mansion. Vast even at his rare stature's eye level. Gates opened; middle-aged man guided.

"Come in."

Walking, Han Tae-gang scanned. Every rock, blade grass, rafter pulsed mana. Fortress for insiders. Death trap inescapable for intruders. Twisting paths led to plain wooden building.

"Inside."

Guide left; Han Tae-gang entered. Air heavy. Mana waves thick, tangible. Yet casually:

"Here to ask something urgent, Elder."

Creak—inner room figure emerged. Thud, thud. Cane's dull taps. Gaunt elder appeared. Staring intently, he asked neatly.

"Wondered reason... your face is sight."

Show beats tell. Han Tae-gang flicked hand.

Whoosh—red haze fogged air. Bluntly:

"Recognize this?"

"Hm..."

Elder hummed. One of 36 Heroes. Here, Shim family former head Shim Jeong-woong. His languid eyes ignited sudden fiery ambition.