Young-ah! (4)

“…Wh-what?!”

In front of her, Yu Seha gestured with his back turned.

Ju Na-young was utterly bewildered by his actions.

Wh-what in heavens is he saying?

‘Carry? Carry me?’

Is he planning to carry me on his back…
And finish the race?
In front of competitors?

“D-don’t be ridiculous! Do you not understand the situation? This is an exam, an exam!”

Failing to recognize the trap and falling for it was her own mistake.

She was too conscious of him.
She didn’t want to lose to him.
That single-minded determination caused her to lose her rational judgment.

She had tried so hard to broaden her perspective, but it seemed innate nature was not something easily changed.

‘……’

It was frustrating, but since it was her own doing, accepting the result was necessary.

Therefore, it was only natural for Yu Seha to win.

Ju Na-young was already prepared to accept the result.

However, contrary to Ju Na-young’s wishes, Yu Seha had no intention of just letting it go.

“No, just stop talking and get on my back.”
“Didn’t you hear me? Leave me alone!”
“No, you’re paralyzed right now!”
“Just go without me!”

Yu Seha let out a sigh.
‘Oh… I’m so tired.’ He muttered, then grabbed Ju Na-young’s arms and pulled her up forcibly.

Skillfully, he guided her onto his back.
Then, he stood up after securing her behind him.
He interlocked his fingers around Ju Na-young’s thin and long, yet firm calves to hold her in place.

“Y-Young-ah?!”

Suddenly, Ju Na-young found herself unable to resist and was captured by him.

She felt naturally flustered.
As if this were a common occurrence, Yu Seha effortlessly carried her on his back.

“Wh-what are you doing?!”
“Then are you giving up like this? We need to continue and record it. We’ll fail at this rate.”
“…That was my mistake–”
“You said you wanted to be recognized by Professor Peng Jin-ah. Don’t you need a score for that?”
“…Th-that’s true, but–”
“If I were the Professor, I would have given you extra points for not giving up. And…”

-Before we are competitors, we are classmates.

“How can I just leave you?”
“……”

Yu Seha finished speaking and ran before Ju Na-young could rebut.

Wham!

Naturally, by inertia, she rested her head on his back.

Ju Na-young, caught off guard, found herself hugging him, her face flushing red.

But she didn’t struggle much.

Because rough breaths were echoing in her ears.

She could hear his heart pounding behind his back, as if it were about to burst.

Surely, he must also be in a situation where he might collapse at any moment.

‘Even so.’

He did not pass by.
He did not abandon her.

Despite showing such dislike and wariness…

As if it were nothing, he gracefully avoided the traps and charged forward.

‘…Young-ah…’

Ju Na-young felt a tickling sensation deep in her heart.

She almost blurted out the words ‘Thank you…’ that were welling up in her throat but held back.

Instead, she said something unrelated.

“…Ah, am I not heavy?”
“You are light as a feather. Eat more. How can a melee dealer be nothing but bones?”

Bones, really…

Despite her appearance, she weighed more than the average woman.

This was because she had meticulously trained herself, achieving a balance of well-toned flesh and muscle.

…By the way, it’s just a little!
It’s only about 3~4 kg at most!
Anyway, don’t misunderstand.

“…I eat well, okay?”
“Haigo~ Really? Someone like you secretly buys perilla leaf mint chocolate series all the time, though?”
“…?! You! How do you know that?!”
“I just know.”

Yu Seha answered indifferently.
Ju Na-young flinched at the fact that her long-held secret was known, but soon got over it.

As awkward as it was to say, she was a celebrity.

A very famous one…

So, minor details like this could be found with a bit of digging.

Huff, huff!

Yu Seha’s breathing became rougher.
Naturally, his pace slowed down.

But the grip holding on became stronger.
As if he would never let go.

Ju Na-young pouted.

Unable to endure the embarrassing situation, she let out a needless grumble.

“…Fool… Idiot.”

“I can hear everything, you know?”
“…Then I’ll ask you. Are you… are you a fool?”
“Yeah, I’m a fool.”
“……”

Yu Seha left her at a loss for words.

After a while, they reached the final 40 laps.

Passing through, he supported her and set her down on the bench.

[1st place: Ju Na-young, Yu Seha.]

“……”

Ju Na-young hesitated as she looked at the scoreboard.

She had to say it now.

She mustered the courage to say thank you to him.

“…Y-Yu Seha. Tha– huh?”

However, he had already disappeared from sight.
Looking around, she saw Yu Seha heading back inside.

She was momentarily baffled, not understanding.
Soon, she realized his intention.

“Ugh, ugh…”
“Meow. Bora, hang in there!”
“Bora Bora, hang in there!”
“…Kuak… Euk… Bora Bora… Don’t give me weird names like that!”

All for the sake of supporting <Snow Ice>.

Following closely behind, Ma Hana and the others completed the race, sparing no effort in cheering.

Of course, Moon Bora, despite receiving cheers, shouted, ‘Please just vanish from here!’

Anyway, thanks to that.

She was the only one among the <Mage> class to successfully complete the race.

“……”

Ju Na-young couldn’t take her eyes off the three people, even while she was being treated by the medical staff who rushed to her.

No, let’s correct that.

She was looking at Yu Seha alone.

When Moon Bora entered the finals despite being so tired that her eyes were looking dazed, she had a smile of genuine joy.

Ju Na-young couldn’t understand.
No…
No way.

“…What?”

Is he really stupid?
Why did he do that…
For a stranger…

I think he is stupid.
I think he is foolish.
Did he really have the time to care for and help others?

However, while harboring such thoughts, Ju Na-young felt a tingling emotion deep in her heart grow stronger.

A swelling sensation was rising…

Like bubbling foam bubbles floating up.

She tilted her head at the feeling she couldn’t quite identify.

‘…Ah!’

She soon realized.
Yes, no doubt about it.
This is, this is…!

“Resentment!”

At the same time, it was the shame of receiving help from an enemy!

“…Just watch, Yu Seha. In the second week of training, I will definitely win.”

Thus, the first week’s match ended with an unprecedented joint first place score.

Beeeep!

A sharp whistle sound echoed in the ears of the cadets.

Right after the last training of the first week ended.
The second week of training proceeded after a day’s rest.

Peng Jin-ah nodded at the attention of those around.

“Alright, everyone is gathered. As you know, today we start the second week of training.”

Peng Jin-ah pointed to a boulder the size of a house right next to her.

At first glance, it looked like an ordinary rock.

However, on closer inspection, it was covered with dozens of protective barriers and was equipped with a function to automatically produce mana, making it a training artifact.

It was a truly extraordinary ‘sandbag’ with a hardness comparable to that of a natural fortress.

“All you have to do is unleash your best skills on this rock. [Non-combat role] will be assessed in a different way later.”

It was a test to evaluate the typical firepower and skill versatility of the Awakened.

“Now, I will call on each of you one by one. The cadet called shall come forward.”

As Peng Jin-ah finished speaking, the cadets stepped forward one by one.

They displayed techniques based on their respective [Skills].

Most attacked using the ‘Skill Tree’ techniques corresponding to their <Class>, but some showcased skills they had learned independently.

One thing was certain.
None of those who had stepped forward so far had managed to significantly damage the rock.

A few scratches and slight dents were all they had achieved.

“Wow, damn, this is tough.”
“What’s with this rock? It feels like hitting a mountain.”

The grumbling complaints ended there.
Everyone flinched at the sight of the next person stepping forward.

A beauty with glossy red long hair tied into a side ponytail.

The appearance of <Flame Dragon> Ju Na-young made the cadets swallow dryly.

Standing in front of the rock, Ju Na-young took a deep breath and assumed a stance.

“I will begin.”
“Um.”

Ju Na-young lightly stepped on the North Star side.
Flames began to wrap around her arms, starting to blaze.

A rare-grade flame-type skill.
[Burning Flame] further strengthened Ju Na-young’s arms.

Bang, bang, bang!

A series of powerful punches.
As her fist exploded against the rock, [Burning Flame] spread and surged like a dragon’s wrath in all directions.

Rumble! The rock shook with the sound.

Moments later.
A clearly imprinted fist mark was engraved.
Even the surface struck by the fist was melting like magma, with flames flowing down.

In awe of the otherworldly power, exclamations flowed from the observing cadets.

“As expected of <Flame Dragon>…”
“Wow, that’s [Burning Flame]. I heard it’s impossible to learn without the right aptitude.”
“That’s awesome…”

<Flame Dragon>.
Ju Na-young’s nickname, and the title given to the only individual among the freshmen to have a nickname, along with <Snow Ice> Moon Bora.

Ju Na-young, who was wearing a satisfied smile, glanced at Peng Jin-ah.

“Excellent.”
“…! Th-thank you.”

Ju Na-young’s face brightened instantly at the unexpected compliment.

She turned around and caressed her soft cheeks.
She tried hard to calm her trembling lips.

Clap, clap, clap!

Clear applause echoed in her ears.

She could feel the various praises and envious glances directed at her, but Ju Na-young didn’t pay much attention.

It was an experience she had gone through countless times in her life.

Most of them likely had the intention of flattering and currying favor with her to gain something.

But just one person.
Only one voice made her flinch and react.

“As expected, you’re amazing.”

The owner of the voice was none other than Yu Seha.

With applause that spared no praise, heartfelt exclamations filled Ju Na-young’s eardrums and retinas.

“……”

Ju Na-young unconsciously felt her shoulders straighten.

She hummed a little tune to herself, ‘Huh-huh~’.

Yeah, that’s right.

Is he finally feeling the gap?

‘Praise me more.’

While feeling the wall, she hoped he would also give up the position of exclusive disciple, saying ‘Ju Na-young-nim! I’m sorry! I was presumptuous!’.

“Next, Yu Seha.”
“Yes.”

Ironically, the next turn was his.
Her eyes met with Yu Seha’s as he walked out.

All right, let’s build up momentum and deliver a cool line!

“How about Yu Seha–”
“Ju Na-young, that was impressive. Amazing.”

Yu Seha put his hand on Ju Na-young’s shoulder with a thud.
Ju Na-young was taken aback, exclaiming, “Oh, oh?!”
She quickly regained her composure.
I-I have to counterattack!

“I-I’m stronger!”
“…? Well, that’s obvious. Anyway, that was impressive.”

Yu Seha, having finished his response, walked past her.

Ju Na-young looked at him with a late realization of having been outdone!

But it’s okay.

She had won.

Yes, that’s right.

Look at those marks engraved on the rock.

No matter how many impressive rumors there were, he wouldn’t be able to win.

‘I’ll crush the second week with superior grades!’

However…

It took only a few seconds to realize how arrogant that thought was.

“Ah…”

A perfectly straight sword mark was deeply embedded in the rock.

The sword mark, as deep as the mark she had made with her punch, sent a chill down her spine just by its presence.

“…Gulp.”

Ju Na-young imagined for a moment, ‘What if I got hit by that…?’

She wouldn’t die, but she would definitely be seriously injured.

A subtle silence followed.
Most of the cadets, with wide eyes, murmured to each other, ‘What is this…?’, ‘I don’t know either…’

Only one person.
No, two people.

“Meeoow! Seha! Amazing!!”
“…Miss Hana. Please calm down.”

Ma Hana and <Snow Ice>.
Only the two of them were cheering for him.

“Amazing. Good job, Yu Seha.”
“Thank you.”

Yu Seha, having sheathed his sword, bowed his head at Peng Jin-ah’s praise.

A compliment one word longer than the one she received.

Ju Na-young, though filled with frustration, soon understood.

Because Yu Seha’s strike was…
That impressive.

“With this, we conclude the first training of the second week.”

Everyone returned to their dorms to rest for tomorrow. That’s all!

Days passed by like that.
One day, two days, three days, four days.

Various complex training sessions were held, not just carving marks into rocks.

Ju Na-young endured it all silently.

She always received the highest scores and was always at the forefront.

But she was human too, and she couldn’t run forever.

Her limits were beginning to show.

“Young-aaah…”

Her unique vocalization slipped out.
It was definitely not easy training.
But there was something more concerning to Ju Na-young.

It was Yu Seha.
Specifically, the fact that she couldn’t surpass him.

He even kept up well with the other trainings, constantly posing a threat to her.

‘I’m still ahead in all the scores for now, but…’

She knew she couldn’t afford to be complacent.
It was a small difference that could be overturned at any time.

‘I will surely win more tomorrow!’

Ju Na-young was determined with clenched fists.

She didn’t notice.
Before she knew it, Yu Seha was becoming significant to her.

He was also a freshman.
A rival competing for the position of Peng Jin-ah’s exclusive discipleship.

This was a bigger stimulus to Ju Na-young than she had thought.

Ju Na-young had always been superior to her peers.

Naturally, she had never experienced serious competition.

But he was different.
He was strong.
Also, a great hard worker.

And…
He was a man who made her feel a tickling emotion she couldn’t identify.

How could she not pay attention?

Thud!

“…Huh?”

It was when she was passing by, lost in thought.

Ju Na-young tilted her head at the sudden, dull noise.

She headed towards the origin, late at night.
The lights in the training room were on.
At the same time, someone was practicing inside.

Swoosh!

A sharp thrust like a flash.
At the same time, a lightning-fast movement of retrieving the sword.

That person was…

“…Yu Seha?”