105 — Would You Like To Have Tea, Just The Two Of Us?

Ju Na-young and Moon Bora.

The two women, holding onto subtle emotions they couldn’t define themselves, pondered over what they had just heard.

‘Y-Yu Seha just… what did he say?’

‘Se-Seha… did he just say ‘Ah~’? Just now?’

They tilted their heads in confusion, wondering if they had misheard.

Then, at Yu Seha’s bright smile, a lightning bolt struck their minds.

Kwarurung!

‘Yu Seha…’
‘Seha…’

Remarkably, he had said ‘Ah~’.

A unique gesture he had only ever done for Ma Hana!

The two were silent for a moment.

Then, as if on cue, they dashed forward like lightning.

Crash!!

“Wh-what is this?”

Yu Seha was startled by the two women thrusting their heads toward him so quickly.

Thud!

“Ouch!”
“Oof!”

They stumbled momentarily after bumping into each other.
But they quickly rushed forward again.

The scene reminiscent of a battle left Yu Seha bewildered.

In just 0.5 seconds, the winner and the loser were determined.

Chomp!

“Munch, munch!”
“…U-ugh…”

The winner, of course, was Ju Na-young.

Possessing greater [Speed] than Moon Bora, she swiftly snatched the kimbap and flashed a subtle victorious smile at Moon Bora.

“Ooh…”

On the other hand, Moon Bora, acknowledging her defeat, hung her head in dejection.

“…Huh.”

This is a bit embarrassing.
Did she want it that badly?

There were plenty of extras anyway.
There was no need to go that far…

‘…Hmm.’

Yu Seha picked one up and handed it to the gloomy Moon Bora.

“Moon Bora, here. Ah~”
“…!”

That action instantly brightened Moon Bora’s face.
She gently swept her hair back and accepted it with a demure, “Ah~”.

“Mmm~ It’s delicious.”
“Really? That’s a relief.”
“……”

On the other hand, Ju Na-young looked at this scene with a sullen face.

She was the winner, but…
She felt as if the outcome wasn’t as good as she had hoped.

“M-me too. Give me another bite.”
“What, Ju Na-young? Is it delicious? Wow, so you like kimbap too? Just take the whole roll. Eat as you–”
“No!”

A voice as firm as could be cut off Yu Se-ha’s words.

It was meaningless like that.
Absolutely.

Moon Bora, who was standing with her arms crossed, agreed and proved it.

“Yu Se-ha. You pick it up with your chopsticks and give it to her.”
“…Huh? Oh, okay…”

Yu Se-ha was bewildered.

He handed over a bite as requested, and Ju Na-young received it with a happy face.

“…Yu Seha, m-me too, a bite…”
“Meooow~ Seha, me too; I want a bite.”
“O-okay…”

Yu Se-ha smiled with a troubled face.
Like a mother bird diligently feeding her chicks, he carried the kimbap.
And then he thought.

‘…Wait a minute…?’

If this keeps up…

I…

‘Won’t have no time to eat…?’

---

Same time, same place.

Of course, there was no way only four people would be dining in such a scenic clearing.

There were many cadets silently watching them.

It was a truly annoying scene, but all four of them looked picturesque.

So, everyone just secretly glanced without saying much.

Among them, the most striking group was about 20 women.

All of them watched Ju Na-young, Moon Bora, and Ma Hana with envious eyes.

―…Ah, they’re so annoyingly close… At this rate, there’s no chance to approach Yu Seha.
―Who said <Snow Ice> had a cold personality? Anyone can see she’s just a girl.
―Only Yu Seha is like that. When another boy tried to talk to her, she just ignored him.
―If it weren’t for <Flame Dragon>, I would have tried to make a move… but they’re never apart.
―…Should I just try talking to him forcibly?
―Don’t even think about it. Don’t you know that the guys who posted malicious comments about <Dragon Sword Mir> all got screwed? The real power among the freshmen right now is Ju Na-young. Moon Bora comes next.

There were not only spectators like them.
There was also a group composed solely of boys.

A rather unusual combination.
A total of 15 male students, all of whom were in the same year as Yu Seha.

Additionally, they were the ones who stepped in to help him whenever he was in trouble at the dormitory.

Well, of course…
Yu Seha himself doesn’t remember any of it.

“…Every time I see him, I feel…”

The largest cadet brought up a topic.
A male student chewing on a pizza bun in his hand.
It was Min Hak-gyu, who ranked in the middle of the first-year ‘Warrior Class’.

“…Isn’t Yu Seha always in a different genre?”

“I agree. We’re struggling to survive day by day… but he’s in a romantic comedy by himself… I’m jealous, damn it.”

His words were echoed by Na Jae-soo, who ranked low in the ‘Archer Class’.

“Honestly, with that look and those proportions… it’s weirder that he’s not popular.”

“That’s true, but Yu Seha. He takes care of that cat tribe girl Ma Hana a lot. Are they dating by any chance?”

“I heard they came together when they enrolled… anyone can see they’re dating, right?”

“What the hell, then <Snow Ice> and <Flame Dragon> are fighting over a guy with a girlfriend? Even if polygamy is legally allowed, NTR is a bit…”

“…I don’t think so. They take care of each other, but… how should I put it? It feels more like a father-daughter relationship, so there isn’t that kind of atmosphere.”

“It doesn’t matter, I’m just jealous. I got beaten up by a girl in my class during the ‘Interpersonal Combat’ lesson yesterday and got laughed at… while someone else is hanging out with the two most beautiful girls in the ‘Academy’…”

“I really want to live like Yu Seha, even if just for a day. How happy would life be?”

Everyone looked at Yu Seha with envy, admiration, and respect.

Except for one person.

There was only one person who didn’t harbor such thoughts.

A particularly quiet boy with a low presence.

A boy who exuded an aura as if he were detached from the world.

“Munch, munch…”

A small build, barely around 160 cm.
Dark circles under his eyes.
He was a handsome man, but there was something unsettling about him.

This was Kim Minsu, who also ranked in the middle of the ‘Warrior Class,’ just like Min Hak-gyu.

Of course, this was only his outward identity.

His true identity was a member of [Villain] and a ruthless resident of the underworld.

He was a senior clan member of the worst criminal organization, [Tartarus].

“Munch, munch…”

The fact that he was not just a ‘regular’ but a ‘senior’ clan member spoke volumes about his loyalty to the organization without needing words.

Of course, strictly speaking…

This loyalty was limited to his superior, ‘Moon Ha-yeon,’ but nevertheless, he was undoubtedly a core member.

He ate the sushi in silence, observing Yu Seha’s group.

No, he wasn’t interested in Yu Seha.

All his actions were carried out under ‘Moon Ha-yeon’s’ orders.

And the target of Moon Ha-yeon’s command to ‘observe’ was none other than Moon Bora or <Snow Ice>.

‘…Seeing it this way, they do look alike.’

Thinking this, Kim Minsu suddenly struck his own head with his fist.

“…?! Hey, what the heck? Kim Minsu, why did you do that all of a sudden?”
“…Ah, sorry. There was a fly on my head…”
“Strange guy…”

He gave a vague answer to the surrounding people.

The reason Kim Minsu just hurt himself.

Nothing special.

It was because he dared to do something that would disgrace the command of ‘Moon Ha-yeon’.

‘My command is only one.’

Observe <Snow Ice>.
That’s it.

Any other thoughts were just luxuries.

Kim Minsu, silently observing, closed his eyes.

Memories in his mind briefly drifted back to the past.

---

In an urban city far from the Academy.

Inside a luxurious hotel somewhere.

Hoo, Moon Ha-yeon, who was smoking a cigarette, stubbed it out on Kim Minsu’s forehead.

With a sizzle, ashes trickled down his forehead.

“Thank you.”

“Ugh~ Minsu, you’re so gross. So, what did you find out?”

“The professors are still roaming around the underground waterway.”

“As expected. If we’re unlucky… The [Sticky Sewer] might be discovered and raided by them first.”

Kim Minsu shook his head at that statement.

“That won’t happen. The [Gate] is in a completely different location. We only discovered it by chance; those incompetent professors won’t find it.”

“…Hmm, that’s true. But it feels a bit off when our bug trash Minsu is so sure. Anyway, slimes haven’t been appearing lately, right?”

“Yes, I suspect they set up a [Magic Barrier] and periodically exterminated the creatures until they were eradicated.”

“Hmm~ It doesn’t matter. Even if that place is breached, it’s fine.”

Moon Ha-yeon swirled the wine glass in her hand and took a quiet sip.

Then, she revealed eyes sharper than anything else.

“…Instead, you know how important what’s underneath is, right?”

At her words, Kim Minsu, who had been serving as a human chair, opened his mouth.

“Of course. The space beneath the <Sticky Sewer>. The ‘thing’ that exists there.”

“Yes, we must protect that place even if it costs our lives. It’s the location where the power to rise higher is hidden.”

“…Forgive me for daring to offer my opinion, but I’ve heard that there’s a powerful obstacle at the entrance. Wouldn’t it be better to break through it, even if it means overexerting ourselves?”

“If you do that, the Academy Chairman will find out, you know? Yu Neung-hae, that woman, she may look like an idiot, but she’s quite sharp… Anyway, not now. Don’t worry too much. In the first place, those guys can’t get into a place that even I can’t break through. So, Minsu, don’t do anything stupid…”

<Snow Ice>.
Keep a good eye on that kid.

“She’s mine. That’s why I’ve kept her alive. You know my tastes, right? I always save the best for last.”

“Of course.”

“Oh, right. Also, tell the <Deputy Master> as well. After all strategies are complete, I’ll personally offer it.”

The ultimate power and the most potent elixir.

The heart of a creature that has reached the pinnacle of all races.

“The [Dragon Heart].”

---

“…Munch, munch.”

Kim Minsu quietly imagined.

In the not-too-distant future, seeing Moon Ha-yeon thriving after turning the <Academy> into a sea of flames.

And himself, following her around, periodically being trampled underfoot, and screaming with happiness.

Imagining all this, Kim Minsu chuckled softly.

Yes, enjoy it now. Foolish hunters.

In the end, the one who will win in the future is none other than our <Tartarus>.

And the one at the pinnacle, the one who will reign…

‘Miss Moon Ha-yeon.’
It is you.

---

The second-afternoon class after lunch.

I thought as I lowered the wooden sword in my hand.

‘The classes are all good.’

I had actually been a bit worried.

I had heard quite a few subtle criticisms about the level of the Academy professors.

To sum it up, it was a needless concern.
Each class was interesting and satisfying.

The history I didn’t know was revealed to me through <The Composition of Strategy and Command System>, <Information on Monsters and Their Ancient History>, and even the surprisingly useful <Byproduct Harvesting>.

Not a single class was a waste.

Oh, of course, there were some duds.

‘The <Mana Control and Application> class was completely incomprehensible…’

It was conducted by a male professor with glasses.

He just mumbled what was written in the textbook.
I couldn’t tell if it was a class or just a reading session.

It seemed I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

Even Moon Bora, who was next to me, clicked her tongue and said, ‘I think I could do a better job.’

‘It can’t be helped.’

Only some professors were decent.
But overall, the level was indeed lower than that of active hunters.

Bong Mi-chun, Professor Strict, and Choi Chae-gul taught with their own beliefs and purposes, but apart from some of them, most came here because they couldn’t join the [Four Great Clans].

As a side note, the <Basic Swordsmanship> class I was currently in belonged to the good ones.

Well, it was obvious.
Because the professor teaching it was a professor.

“…Do not consider what you hold with both hands as a mere piece of wood! Straighten your back and fix your lower body, everyone!”

A total of 30 cadets.

All of them were swinging wooden swords in training uniforms on the training ground.

The one teaching was Professor Peng Jin-ah.

She was walking around with her hands behind her back, correcting and teaching each person’s posture.

Additionally, I was the only one from our group taking this class.

Moon Bora and Meowi didn’t even apply for the <Basic Swordsmanship> class.

As for Ju Na-young, she had a mandatory class related to <Druids> during this time, so she said she’d take this class tomorrow.

But as a result, or perhaps as a substitute…

There were others beside me.

Slash!

A strong sword slicing through the wind with powerful force.

The [Swordsmanship], which had already reached level 7, drew a fairly commendable trajectory.

“Wow~ That’s impressive!”

The woman with short blue hair next to me exclaimed in admiration.

Ryu Da-rae.

She was a <Shaman Knight> who teamed up with Ju Na-young during the third week’s sparring.

Due to her characteristics, she said it was effective to learn [Swordsmanship], so she attended this class.

“As expected, a promising talent has a different knack for wielding a sword.”
“Oh, come on~ Don’t flatter me too much.”

She was the woman who took care of the hot-tempered Ju Na-young meticulously.

Naturally, she had a good personality, and thanks to that, we quickly became close.

Subsequently, a peculiar voice saying, “Uh-heh~,” was heard.

A short woman with a height reaching up to my waist.

It was Jeon Hee-ju, a 3★ tank, who also endured until the semifinals of the sparring match.

“Uh-heh? Uh-heh, uh-heh-heh~”

Peng Jin-ah’s <Basic Swordsmanship> training was conducted with exercises suitable for the basics, just as the name suggested.

Every teaching was useful, orthodox, and stable.

But perhaps because of that…

‘There’s no increase in stats or anything…’

It couldn’t be helped.
My skill and stat levels were too high to advance with such actions.

---

“Stop, everyone, that’s it.”

About five minutes before the end of the class.
At Peng Jin-ah’s words, everyone stopped swinging.

“Everyone did well. Today’s class ends here. The next class will also be practical, so bring your swords to the training ground.”

With that, you are dismissed.

As soon as those words were spoken, the cadets rushed out.
I, too, was about to follow them.
But a faint chill ran down my spine.

When I turned around, Peng Jin-ah was approaching with her arms crossed.

“…How was the class, Cadet Yu Seha?”
“It was beneficial, Professor.”
“Hmm, that’s good to hear…”

Peng Jin-ah cleared her throat.

“…As you might already know, from this time onward, the <Exclusive Discipleship> class will commence.”

Ah, so it’s starting right away.
That’s why she stopped me.

As I nodded, she cleared her throat again and said something unexpected.

“Would you like to have tea…?”
“Pardon?”
“Just the two of us…”

Do you like that, Cadet Yu Seha?