Promotion (3)
The Awakened Academy was enormous. It was so vast that it could easily be considered an entire city unto itself. Gazing out at the scenery from the limousine, Eclipse couldn’t help but let out a quiet gasp of admiration. The sprawling campus was more majestic than any city he had ever seen before.
“This is the Awakened Academy? It looks less like a school and more like a massive city…”
“You can think of it that way. Just picture a really big university with a ton of land. Nothing too special about it.”
While Eclipse marveled at the sight, Yusoha wore a somewhat sour expression and spoke as if it were no big deal.
“Hm? Soha. Did you graduate from the Awakened Academy as well?”
“I graduated a long time ago, when I was just a kid. I was sixteen.”
“What’s the usual age for students when they graduate?”
“Let’s see… anywhere from twenty at the youngest to thirty at the oldest?”
“…Isn’t that impressive?”
“Not really. I inherited all of my grandmother’s mana, after all. It was easy even without a Guardian Star. I passed every part of the curriculum.”
“I see. Still, this place is truly huge… What kind of training do they do here that requires a campus this large?”
“They just need a ton of open space so people can use their mana freely. Honestly, the school was so big it was pretty annoying.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. If you had to go from one class to another, you either had to sprint at full speed or take a car… and even that was a hassle.”
“Sounds like you went through a lot.”
“I did. Honestly, if someone told me to go back, I’d bite my tongue and kill myself.”
“…Is it really that bad?”
“Anyway, it means I hate the idea. Let’s get off soon. The grand auditorium is right up ahead.”
Near the grand auditorium, a huge crowd had gathered. Students from the Awakened Academy, reporters who had caught wind of Yusoha’s S-class promotion—everyone had come. They swarmed toward the limousine, desperate to catch a glimpse of the newly ascended S-class Awakened and her Guardian Star, Eclipse.
“Let’s get out.”
“There are a lot of people here.”
“This is how it always goes when someone gets promoted to S-class. Come on, Eclipse.”
“Alright.”
The moment the limousine door opened and the two of them stepped out, thunderous cheers and applause engulfed the area around the auditorium. Yusoha’s stunning beauty was already well-known, but Eclipse’s appearance was still unfamiliar to most. And that unfamiliarity made it all the more striking. A few students actually fainted just from seeing his face. Some of the girls stared at him as if dreaming of an impossible romance.
All those gazes irritated Yusoha, but there was nothing she could do about it. After all, every student and reporter gathered here had come to celebrate her promotion to S-class. She quickened her pace and entered the auditorium. Eclipse shook off the daze caused by the sea of people and walked beside her.
The promotion ceremony itself wasn’t particularly complicated. The Association President, Jang Dae-hyeon, would read off Yusoha’s achievements one by one, then present her with a commendation, a plaque of gratitude, and her S-class license.
Yusoha looked forward with a slightly nervous expression. How long had she dreamed of this moment? Ever since she was a child, she had wanted to walk the same path her grandfather and grandmother had taken. To become an S-class Awakened and make her name known far and wide—just like Shin Seongmin.
There were currently thirteen S-class Awakened in South Korea. She would become the fourteenth. She had never imagined she would reach that position. With a swirl of emotions in her eyes, she gazed at the stage.
That’s where I’m supposed to stand. The place that’s been opened for me…
After completing the standard procedures—such as the national anthem and the pledge of allegiance—Yusoha stepped up onto the stage.
“Congratulations, Miss Soha.”
“Thank you, Mr. President.”
Yusoha smiled softly. At Jang Dae-hyeon’s gesture, a man who appeared to be his secretary approached, carrying a box containing the commendation, the highest military merit award—the Taegeuk Order of Military Merit—and her S-class license.
Jang Dae-hyeon immediately began reciting Yusoha and Eclipse’s accomplishments.
First, they had stopped a powerful enemy that threatened the security of South Korea.
Second, they had fulfilled their duty as Awakened and shown courage by never retreating from the front lines.
Third, they had conquered and purified the once-unknown territory of North Korea, presenting new possibilities for the nation.
“In recognition of the above achievements… you are hereby designated as the fourteenth S-class Awakened of South Korea. The benefits granted to S-class Awakened are as follows…”
Jang Dae-hyeon continued explaining the various benefits for quite some time.
“And finally, in honor of your valiant conduct, the Taegeuk Order of Military Merit will be awarded to every member of Hwanryeong Team 2, including yourself.”
Jang Dae-hyeon received the medal from his secretary, placed it around Yusoha’s neck, and spoke.
“Let us applaud this honorable Awakened who has fulfilled her duty.”
The interior of the auditorium filled with cheers and applause. Yusoha turned around and looked down from the stage. Her family—her older sister Yu Danha, her father Yu Hajun, her grandfather Yu Hyeok, her grandmother Rumeorn, and her mother Seong Mina—were all smiling at her with pride. Even the students of the Awakened Academy, whom she had never met, gazed at her with eyes full of respect. In their eyes, the same kind of longing she once had began to take root.
Finally, she looked at Eclipse, who stood beside her, clapping with his eyes fixed on her. The one who had helped her reach this place—her strongest ally and the partner who would face future hardships by her side.
With gratitude in her heart, she mouthed silently to him.
Eclipse watched her and continued clapping.
After the promotion ceremony ended, Yusoha had no choice but to endure a barrage of questions from the reporters. She had managed to keep them at bay before by citing her injuries, but she couldn’t avoid them here.
“Miss Yusoha, look over here! What was the most difficult part of this expedition?”
But Yusoha was in such a good mood that she cheerfully answered each question one by one.
“The environment was definitely the hardest part. The ground covered in radioactive fallout and the terrain flowing with lava. In the beginning, just walking was enough to make my feet feel like they were on fire.”
“Then what about the strength of the orcs you faced directly? We’d love to hear your raw impressions from that moment!”
“They were strong. During the final battle, I really thought I was going to die. I don’t think there’s been an orc that powerful since the Gates first opened. Honestly… if Eclipse hadn’t been there, we all would have died.”
“They were that strong? Mr. Eclipse, would you like to say a few words as well?”
“They were strong. If that thing had pushed through, a lot of people probably would have died. It was fortunate we were able to stop it in North Korea, where there were no civilians.”
After that, the two of them skillfully handled the rest of the reporters’ questions. Once the questions started to run dry, they quickly slipped away.
“Whew. That was exhausting. You did well, Eclipse.”
To scout students ahead of the upcoming graduation exam, Yusoha and Eclipse had taken rooms in a luxurious hotel located inside the Awakened Academy.
“You worked hard too, Soha. That crowd… it was no joke.”
“Whew. Still, I feel great.”
“Because you’re now an official S-class Awakened?”
“Yeah. I never thought I’d actually become one.”
“I suppose not.”
Yusoha stared at Eclipse for a moment before breaking into a happy smile.
“I don’t know how many times I’ve said this, but it’s all thanks to you. I’m really, really grateful.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yeah. Is there anything you want?”
“Hmm. Not really.”
“…Hm. Really? Then is there anything you want to do?”
“That either. To be precise… I still feel awkward in this world.”
“Still?”
“Yes. I don’t really know what I should enjoy or what I should do…”
“Hmm…”
Yusoha gazed at Eclipse thoughtfully.
He doesn’t know what he should enjoy?
Suddenly, an idea flashed through her mind.
“Eclipse.”
“What is it?”
“If you don’t know what to enjoy, how about we take a look around?”
“Where?”
“Anywhere. We could eat something, read books, watch movies, play games… Or since the Awakened Academy is right here, we could check out the students in advance. What do you think?”
“I understand. I suppose I need to experience things to figure out what I enjoy.”
“And your way of speaking.”
“Hm? My way of speaking?”
“It’s too stiff and formal. You already have the entire language system in your head, don’t you?”
“I do, but…”
“Try speaking a little more naturally. Softer.”
“Even if you tell me to speak softly right now…”
“Say ‘I got it’ instead of ‘I understand.’ That’s what I mean.”
“I understand.”
“Ugh.”
When Yusoha made a stern face, Eclipse flinched slightly before answering. Her aura had suddenly become incredibly intense.
“Ah, I got it.”
The moment Eclipse spoke in a more casual tone, Yusoha’s expression softened instantly. Having had more reasons to smile lately, her already striking beauty shone even brighter.
“Much better. That’s what I meant. Got it?”
“…Yeah.”
“Then, shall we head out? What do you want to do first?”
“Hmm… How about we start with a meal?”
“Sounds good.”
Eclipse spoke to her a bit awkwardly, and Yusoha looked at him with a much gentler expression.