Chapter 6

EP.6 Freshman Welcome Party (1)

The chandeliers on the ceiling bathed the banquet hall in a golden glow.

The light, neither too bright nor too dim, accentuated the luxurious interior.

At the center of each table, there were vases and other decorations, surrounded by a variety of dishes from different cultures.

Expensive brands of alcohol and beverages, some costing hundreds of thousands of won per bottle, were also available.

"Do we really need to take the basics of magic? We already learned this stuff at the academy."

"Still, the professors are at a different level, so there's something to gain."

"Professor Liana Velus in 'The Correlation Between Spirits and Magic'... I remember her being active on the African front."

"She retired recently. I heard it was due to an injury."

Dressed in civilian clothes, the cadets were scattered around, engaging in conversations with various people.

"What subjects are you planning to focus on?"

"I heard this new professor is teaching this class."

"Which clan is showing the most growth these days?"

"The magical environment in Africa is getting serious," and so on.

While there were trivial personal stories, a significant number of conversations revolved around world affairs and professional topics.

Shiyoram cadets.

This is the status that the most promising individuals of this age, evaluated globally, gain.

If there are no issues, they will become the pillars of the next generation. The benefits of becoming a cadet are significant, but many also take pride in this status alone.

"I definitely need to take the basics of magic... I guess I'll have to take all the foundational courses."

"That's why the free semester exists. You should take all the courses you couldn't take in advance during the free semester."

Not everyone engaged in professional-level discussions.

More accurately, there were those who lacked the knowledge to have such conversations.

Shiyoram's admission methods are officially two.

First, admission through exams.

After announcing the exam globally, those selected based on their current abilities and future potential in various fields.

Most of these individuals come from so-called superhuman families, having grown into talents through specialized and systematic education from a young age.

If the first method is about finding sprouts that are already blossoming, the second method is about finding seeds that haven't yet started to grow.

Those who, despite not coming from superhuman families and lacking systematic education, have been confirmed to have definite potential through rigorous testing and are brought in as Shiyoram cadets.

The ratio is roughly 9:1.

"Was the one who just came in a special admission? He seems to be blind."

"I heard he has a detection-based unique ability. That would definitely allow him to move around even with his eyes closed."

"Detection abilities are indeed essential in the assault team. But..."

Is he really that important to be a special admission?

A cadet lowered his voice, and the one next to him nodded cautiously.

"...I don't know yet."

A common topic among the two groups of conversations was special admissions.

The term "special admission" popped up in various parts of the banquet hall.

While it is similar to a recommendation, the "special admission" category is different in that the person who reviewed the individual is different.

Talents personally selected and brought in by the owner of the cradle. Interest in them is still burning in real-time.

Whether it's positive or negative.

If we had to say, there were more negative opinions.

Most people kept their mouths shut because they knew who made the decision for the special admission, but they harbored complaints and doubts internally.

Suddenly, the door was boldly opened. A red-haired cadet appeared between the doors that swung open.

Gasps erupted from all around.

Her hair, which seemed to embody burning flames, flowed over her shoulders, and her eyes, like the finest rubies, captivated everyone.

Her figure was so well-proportioned that even the casual jacket she wore looked luxurious, and her confident stride exuded self-assurance.

Hong Yeon-hwa.

A topic of discussion no less than the special admissions.

One of the top prospects in this year's 121st class and the successor of the Gyeokhwa family.

A prodigy who had single-handedly exterminated a 5th-rank monster before entering the academy.

...and the sight of the boy who followed her in made everyone's eyes widen.

"Hey, there's no need to be this grateful. If you need any help, just let me know. I was the one who was wrong."

Moreover, the atmosphere seemed unusually gentle, with Hong Yeon-hwa even showing a considerate attitude, as if she were conceding something.

Those who had met Hong Yeon-hwa before were well aware of her fiery temper.

Overwhelming skills and beautiful appearance. Another characteristic that followed her was her prickly personality.

– "Fucking annoying."

There was a story of someone who kept provoking her in a party and was thoroughly beaten and kicked out.

There are countless other anecdotes about her eccentric behavior.

For those who had such experiences, the current gentle and considerate attitude of Hong Yeon-hwa was a cultural shock.

It was like a temperamental tiger holding a small puppy in its mouth, licking it carefully without eating it.

"Wow."

The majority's perception of the special admissions was revised.

By something that changed Hong Yeon-hwa's attitude.

* * *

'...What kind of gaze is this?'

The types of emotions directed at me before were varied.

Curiosity, doubt, suspicion, envy, and ridicule, among others.

Similar but different emotions flew at me, and now something else has been added.

A gaze that seems to be looking at something incomprehensible and great.

"Those bastards..."

The gaze also turned to Hong Yeon-hwa beside me. She clenched her teeth, about to say something, but suddenly flinched and turned to me, closing her mouth.

"Hey... I wasn't talking to you, I was talking to them."

"..."

"Don't misunderstand..."

Why are you reacting like you're reading my mind?

And why is the gaze getting stranger? Is this some new form of bullying?

I haven't experienced it, but I've read a lot of school life stories.

It was about a popular student pretending to be considerate while tormenting a loner...

If this is really bullying, how do I get out of it?

While deeply thinking about this, a woman approached with quick steps.

"Yeon-hwa, why are you so late? You came just before it started?"

A cheerful and lively voice, similar to the one I heard in-game.

"I overslept. Arieal was supposed to wake me up, but she left me alone today."

"Why?"

"Father's orders. He said I shouldn't be pampered anymore."

What kind of pampering is this? Hong Yeon-hwa grumbled and complained, and the woman smiled at her.

"Who is this?"

"Oh, this is Lee Ha-yul. He's a special admission. We met on the way here."

"Huh? You met on the way? Yeon-hwa, you...?"

"What's it to you, damn it...! Ah, cough!"

"?"

When it comes to the representative forces of South Korea, anyone would mention these three.

The Gyeokhwa family, which Hong Yeon-hwa belongs to.

Taesan, the first superhuman group established in South Korea.

And Changhae, where the woman in front of me, Baek Ah-reum, belongs.

Roughly, the three forces known for their names representing fire, earth, and sea, collectively known as the three major families of South Korea. They are also significant superhuman forces in the original work.

'Baek Ah-reum.'

In the original, Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek Ah-reum are often paired.

If Hong Yeon-hwa is the next successor of the Gyeokhwa family, Baek Ah-reum is the next successor of the Changhae family.

While Hong Yeon-hwa has short red hair and an impatient, fiery personality, Baek Ah-reum has long blue hair and a calm, composed personality.

Hong Yeon-hwa is a flame that burns everything, while Baek Ah-reum is water and ice that heal and block.

"...What? What happened?"

"What happened? Why are you suddenly talking nonsense?"

"Lying. You didn't even listen to me when I told you to change your bad habits just a few days ago."

Baek Ah-reum, who seemed to be interrogating for the truth, and Hong Yeon-hwa, who showed a guilty reaction.

I don't know how to describe it. Their bickering brought a new feeling.

Seeing a scene from the game in person... but I can't see it.

What a sensory seal. This guy is the biggest problem.

"Ah! Sorry. I got distracted. I'm Baek Ah-reum from Changhae. Nice to meet you."

After a brief bickering, Baek Ah-reum, who seemed to have forgotten, exclaimed and extended her hand in greeting.

I shook her hand without hesitation. The coldness from her palm almost made me shiver.

Baek Ah-reum's eyes curved gently.

"Detection...? It's a unique ability essential for the assault team. Ah, if it was uncomfortable, I'm sorry."

Relieved that it wasn't uncomfortable, she apologized again with a smile.

On the surface, she seems bright, cheerful, and polite.

'This is acting, right? I'm still unsure.'

As you increase Baek Ah-reum's affection, you can hear stories about her 'mask'.

There, you have a choice.

To resolve the mask or leave it alone. If you choose the wrong option, Baek Ah-reum will become a clear enemy.

I messed up the mask story and ended up killing Baek Ah-reum in the 11th run.

By the way, the 11th run ended in a forced retirement by Hong Yeon-hwa, who chased me like a madwoman.

In the game, despite their contrasting personalities, the two were depicted as being particularly close.

So when one died, the other attacked with a vengeance. I experienced this in the 11th run.

She found out the identity of the killer and, abandoning everything, chased after me, making things very difficult. I'd say 30% of the 11th run's failure was due to Hong Yeon-hwa.

So in the next run, I avoided Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek Ah-reum.

After a brief chat, as the welcome party was about to start, Baek Ah-reum waved goodbye.

"It's about to start. See you later. And..."

Baek Ah-reum tapped my smartwatch with her hand, which had a smartwatch.

"If you need any help, feel free to contact me."

She then headed towards a group of people who seemed to be her friends.

"Right. I almost forgot this."

After exchanging contact information, Hong Yeon-hwa looked around with a worried expression.

Despite pretending not to, many gazes were darting towards me.

"Do you want to stay with me? You can stay with me and my friends if you want."

I'm actually feeling very uncomfortable.

Being alone is the most comfortable.

After hesitating, Hong Yeon-hwa finally moved towards where Baek Ah-reum was.

'Phew...'

Finally alone. Thanks to the other main characters entering, the gazes were diverted, and I could breathe a little easier.

I walked to a corner and leaned against a chair prepared for the tired.

No matter how grandly they prepare, it's still a welcome party for freshmen.

In the game, the vice-principal comes out, says a few words, and the party among the freshmen starts.

'I'm so tired.'

I barely slept last night. It's partly due to spatial awareness and partly due to restlessness...

I also had a headache, and my vision was so blurry that it was almost cut off.

The world I perceive now is limited to a 30-meter sphere. Even that is a world with only black and green outlines.

I'm trying, but my spatial awareness seems to be stuck.

'Sigh...'

I haven't even started, and I already feel like I'm going to go crazy. I'm so tired that my eyes are closing, but I can't fall asleep.

I just want to sleep for two days straight.

'But I should at least see the main characters.'

– Thud!

While sitting dazed, I heard the chandeliers on the ceiling turn off. Expecting the room to darken, my spatial awareness suddenly expanded beyond its usual range.

'What?'

My spatial awareness, which was originally 30 meters, extended to almost 50 meters.

Thanks to this, I could sense someone stepping onto the central stage within the expanded range.

A woman appeared there as if by teleportation, wearing a large robe that advertised her as a mage.

'It's the vice-principal.'

The freshman welcome party began with the vice-principal's speech, delivered by teleportation to the stage.

The welcome party started.

Oh.