School Trip (3)
Students gathered for roll call and the buses departed at 7:30 a.m. But as faculty, I had to arrive by seven. I worried my sister—who seemed utterly unconcerned about her brother getting in trouble—might dawdle and make us late...
Fortunately, we made it to the school field before seven. A few kids were already milling about, and Yoo Hae-bin waved as she approached me.
"Professor, good morning!"
A neat white cap. Loose-fitting short-sleeved T-shirt that fluttered lightly, paired with knee-baring shorts for a breezy look. Add in slightly tall socks and lightweight sneakers, and anyone could tell: I'm off to have fun!
"Oh, Hae-bin."
"Huh?"
Honestly, I hadn't recognized her at first. I only clocked it from her voice. As she walked over, I'd thought, Class 1 girl? Dressed all cute for a picnic. The cap brim hid her face, and her hair was on the longer side for a guy. Height-wise, she was close to Jin Yu-ri, and her build... wasn't that different, was it?
"Professor, why are you staring like that?"
"Nothing. Just wait with the other students. Lee Sea too."
"Got it! Oh, right—wanna sit together on the bus?"
Yoo Hae-bin tossed out the casual invite as we walked side-by-side with Sea. A few meters behind, I kept a straight face but perked up my ears. Sea gave a curt reply.
"I'm sitting with Yu-ri."
"...Why?"
"Gotta talk training."
"...Today? On a school trip?"
"We're rooming together anyway."
"Is that a reason...? And—I didn't wanna say this 'cause it'd sound pathetic—but why do you seem closer to Yu-ri Lately? Why betray me? Why? You used to trash-talk her all the time."
"Not really close. Just training under Miss Charlotte together. And I never trashed her."
"Wow, denying it outright. You loved hearing me badmouth her!"
"Never loved it. Just listened."
"Okay... playing it like that, huh?"
Yoo Hae-bin muttered meaningfully and spun around. She looked at me and proposed,
"Professor, Sea hates me—sit with me instead?"
"...?"
"Five teachers, four seats per row. You take the second row, I'll sit next to you."
"Mm... sure, let's do that."
Better me than her clinging to Sea. I agreed readily enough, and Yoo Hae-bin flashed a triumphant grin at Sea.
"See? I found someone to sit with."
"...Fine."
That flat Fine was probably the last mercy Sea could muster. Sea or me—nobody else to pair with. Sure, some kids don't have many friends, but Yoo Hae-bin wasn't that type...
It felt a little sad.
Creak, vroom—
Around 7:35 a.m., a tad later than scheduled, the bus to Gyeongju rolled out. Front row: homeroom teacher and three chaperones. Across the aisle, left side: me and Yoo Hae-bin. Right side: awkwardly, Sea and Jin Yu-ri.
The homeroom teacher boomed into the mic.
"Anyone never been to Gyeongju?"
"Nah, we went in middle school!"
"Oh, right? Anyway, listen up before we go—even if it's boring."
"I've never been, so I gotta pay attention."
Yoo Hae-bin, who'd skipped middle school trips, whispered. The teacher continued.
Mana was most abundant on this planet over a millennium ago—when it was first discovered. Tech was primitive compared to now. But total power output? Consensus is people back then were stronger. Factoring in tech, modern Awakeners are at history's peak. Pure mana-wise, mid-8th century peaked for a century, then stabilized to current levels.
"Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto were built then. Many sites reinforced existing structures with mana. Gyeongju's full of cool stuff. You listening?"
"Yeah..."
After ten-plus minutes of lecturing, the half-hearted responses drew a sharp look. Kids these days had no discipline...
In our time, we'd at least pretend to listen. Now? Not even. And my seatmate Yoo Hae-bin, who'd vowed to listen...
"Pfft... pfuh..."
Was out first. Her head bobbed, then lolled toward my shoulder.
No way was I catching it softly. As her forehead neared, I tensed my left arm.
Thud.
She blinked sleepily, then slumped toward the window instead. Good—sleep there. Not my problem. But touching me? Hard pass.
Glancing over, Sea and Jin Yu-ri were murmuring.
"Second and third sword forms against monsters—Miss Charlotte said the linkage..."
"Looser, smoother."
"Reinforce with mana output?"
"Not reinforce. Follow the flow."
"...Lee Sea, you gonna keep talking smug?"
"...What?"
"'Follow the flow'? What is that. Bragging about your senses?"
"Don't like it? Do your own thing."
"Hah... Explain it theoretically. Make it understandable."
"Can't."
"You're picking a fight, right?"
"When did I."
Seemed like bickering, but they weren't on bad terms. More like they bantered this way because it was comfortable. Couldn't help but smile warmly.
Then my phone buzzed.
Phantom had no business this school trip. Until Kill the Evil Volume 2 ended, we'd skip non-essentials. Still, I'd tipped off Seo Yeon-hee, and she knew I'd room with Yoo Hae-bin to discuss plans. She'd nagged me the past few days to report in after settling...
Maybe she still saw me as that unreliable middle-schooler. Chuckling inwardly, I relaxed—vigilance intact—and watched the scenery fly by. Time slipped away. Pit stop, back on the road, and suddenly past 11 a.m.
"We're here. Front first, disembark."
Homeroom teacher's shades gleamed as we filed off onto solid ground.
Less city, more serene ruins. Clean air, green nature over gray skyscrapers. Ancient capital Gyeongju. I exhaled deeply, reaffirming my resolve.
Within these three days, something huge would go down here for sure.
The first day's schedule? Laughably ordinary. Peak school trip banality.
May 5th, past 9 p.m. Showering in the school trip dorm's private bath, Yoo Hae-bin mulled over her lunchtime thought.
Hmm... somehow... it's just normal?
She'd expected more, but nothing special happened. Textbook school trip: ample budget for good lunch, hit a few sites, dorm arrival with rules lecture, decent dinner, boring school program for an hour, then shower.
Fun enough, but a twinge of disappointment. She'd pin hopes on tomorrow.
Today's spots weren't mana sites. Makes sense.
Trip split into Day 1 (general ruins), Days 2-3 (mana-related for National Academy 1's educational focus). Plenty to anticipate. Another reason it wasn't too soon to be let down:
About time...
Her heart quickened. They had no clue, but for her, it was a fun game. Caught or not? Spotted or safe? Thrilling to evade, and if busted, new fun awaited.
She shut off the shower, eyed the steamy mirror. Wet hair draped to her shoulders. Step out un dried? Game over instantly.
Dry the hair, clothes... ugh, layering'll be stuffy.
Grumbling inwardly, she dried and styled her hair, then dressed: undies first, loose white tee and pajama pants, baggy hoodie to hide curves. Out she went.
Door opened—her roommate entered. Lee Dojin, post-duty.
"Showered already?"
"Yeah. Bath's fancy, bed's huge, fridge has drinks."
"Oh?"
"They're lukewarm—one's freezing now. Have it after."
"Thanks."
Casual as ever, he rummaged his carry-on: toiletries, towel, undies. Heading straight in—Yoo Hae-bin stopped him.
"Professor. Take clothes too."
"Right."
No suspicion. Fully geared, he entered. She sighed hugely.
Tough from the start? So much to watch.
Fun, though. She tested the plush mattress, heart still racing, waited fifteen minutes.
Click.
Dojin emerged, hair damp, casual clothes unlike his usual sharp look. Refreshingly different.
Hmm, hm...
She nodded unconsciously. He approached. She mustered her usual chipper tone.
"I'll take this bed. You get the big inner one."
She beamed, thinking it perfect—no cracks.
Then it shattered.
"Hold up."
"Yes?"
He dug in his bag, pulled thin white patient-like garb and gauze pads.
Thunderbolt request:
"Wear only this tonight and tomorrow. Tape these on your chest and back while sleeping."
"...Pardon?"
Yoo Hae-bin knew instinctively: first crisis of the trip had hit.