Chapter 7

EP.7 Freshman Welcome Party (2)

"First, I would like to congratulate all of you who have entered the Cradle and offer a brief address."

The expansion of spatial perception. It was a sudden situation. During the ten days I struggled with spatial perception, the range had expanded, but only slightly, by a few centimeters. It had never expanded as much as it did now.

Before I could ponder this, the vice-principal took action first.

Turning her head, the vice-principal swept her gaze around the room. Those who met her eyes all tensed up, their bodies stiffening.

"About 200 years ago, it was an era of chaos. Dungeons and towers sprang up everywhere, and abandoned monsters swept through the area in groups."

Despite the lack of a microphone, her chilling voice spread throughout the building.

I paused my thoughts and listened to the vice-principal's address.

"Death was a trivial matter. It was common to see someone next to you turn cold from not being able to get a piece of bread, or for a lover who whispered sweet nothings last night to become a monster's meal."

200 years ago.

Monsters that only appeared in legends tore through the fabric of reality, and the power of a single human surpassed the bounds of common sense.

Even after about 100 years, the chaos did not subside.

Monsters, dungeons, towers.

Unique abilities, magic power, awakening.

In response to the threats that sprang up like mushrooms, humans were granted the power of magic and unique abilities, but it was difficult to bring about peace.

A world filled with chaos and despair needed a hero to quell it and bring peace.

"The Cradle (搖籃)."

Though the vice-principal whispered the word as if to herself, for some reason, the word "Cradle" deeply resonated in my ears.

"Lord Nereel, who obtained the authority of the tower by conquering the Growth Tower, established an educational institution on an artificial island centered around the tower."

The Space Tower.

The Harmony Tower.

The Observation Tower.

The Growth Tower.

The four representative towers that soared high into the sky.

Unlike other towers that spewed out monsters, these towers stood majestically, merely accepting challengers.

Nereel was the first person to conquer one of the four towers that maintain the current world.

Before conquering the tower, he traveled the world, saving countless people.

He used the rights he gained from conquering the tower to cultivate heroes.

In an era of chaos and despair, he wished for heroes to be born here.

Because he poured his power into cultivating heroes rather than using it for himself, the current principal is called a great person.

In response to her efforts, traveling the world to save people and using the power of the tower for the world, the talents who flocked from around the world began to become heroes, thwarting threats everywhere.

"The First Cradle. May the legendary trajectories drawn by heroes begin here, and that is why this place is called the First Cradle."

About 40 years ago, around the time when Hong Yanhua and Bai Ailin's grandparents were active.

The heroic deeds of the heroes who poured out from the First Cradle finally cleared the last special dungeon, declaring the end of chaos.

In short, it's an explanation of the world.

"..."

Glancing around with spatial perception, many of the students seemed emotionally stirred.

Some were even trembling, holding back tears...

Most people around me were immersed and moved, but I didn't quite understand.

Partly because I'm an interdimensional traveler who has only been in this world for about ten days, and partly because I've heard similar lines in games.

Also, because of my unusual position as a special admission student, I feel self-conscious.

Most of the people here have worked hard and sweated to get in, but I just walked in, which makes me feel a bit guilty.

"...Therefore, we wish that all of you who have entered the First Cradle will become heroes who illuminate the future, and we hereby announce that we will provide you with unlimited support for that purpose."

The vice-principal, having finished her speech, smiled wryly at the students' emotional reactions.

"I seem to have given a rather serious speech at a welcome party. Let's wrap it up with an announcement. The proper academic schedule will start in two days. So, enjoy yourselves today, rest well, and prepare for the upcoming training."

The vice-principal paused and looked around.

Her gaze stopped at one spot.

Though her eyes were closed, I could tell she was looking in my direction.

"...That's all."

As the vice-principal clapped her hands together, she vanished in the blink of an eye.

"Was that spatial teleportation? I can't figure it out no matter how hard I look."

"There was no flow of magic power. How does she cast it..."

"What, you can't even think about touching spatial abilities without the relevant unique ability."

Spatial abilities are notoriously difficult to use, hence their infamous reputation.

The chandeliers, which had been off, lit up, illuminating the interior. The waiting band began to play.

Soft music flowed through the hall.

Only then did the students, who had been holding their breath, start talking about what just happened.

Naturally, the topic was the vice-principal's method of appearing and disappearing.

'Spatial teleportation.'

I know this from game knowledge. Spatial teleportation, the vice-principal's signature skill.

A technique that calculates the coordinates of the starting and ending points, connects the space, and moves the target.

It's different from a gate terminal. A gate is merely a power exerted through the Space Tower, while the vice-principal's spatial teleportation is a personal ability.

Moreover, while a gate fixes the starting and ending points and incurs high maintenance costs, the vice-principal's spatial teleportation can freely change the starting and ending points and can be cast at any time.

In the original work, no one could use spatial teleportation as freely as the vice-principal.

'Hmm...'

Before long, the music of the invited band began. The official start of the welcome party.

But my attention was elsewhere.

When the vice-principal first appeared, my spatial perception range expanded randomly and rippled like a stone thrown into still water.

When the vice-principal disappeared just now.

My spatial perception rippled significantly. If the previous ripple was like a pebble, this one was like a boulder.

Spatial teleportation and the spatial perception that observed it.

The expansion of the range. A strange feeling.

My head itched. It was a frustrating sensation, as if I was on the verge of a realization but couldn't quite grasp it.

Just a little more... If I observe it a few more times, I might get something—

"Hi? Are you Yi Huyul? Do you want to hang out with us if you don't have a group?"

"?"

My thoughts were interrupted. I looked up at the voice. In the brief moment I was dazed, several students had gathered around me.

'Ah.'

Freshman welcome party.

A cultural event held to relax and build camaraderie among students before proper training begins.

In other words, I'm a hot topic, receiving both positive and negative attention.

The self-conscious outcast broke out in a cold sweat.

At the same time, Hong Yanhua's invitation came to mind. "Will you stay with me?" If Hong Yanhua had been there, they might not have approached.

'...Should I have accepted?'

As always, regret came too late.

* * *

The freshman welcome party proceeded as usual. The vice-principal, who had taken the stage, wished for a blessed year and the birth of heroes, marking the start of the event.

After that, a typical party followed.

Students who had conquered the First Cradle or were dressed appropriately gathered in groups and chatted.

Some were trying to build romantic relationships.

Hong Yanhua and Bai Ailin were in the former group. They chatted casually with a few close friends and occasionally had serious conversations.

"So, how did you get involved with Yi Huyul?"

A casual conversation took a turn with a single comment from Xin Xuelv.

Xin Xuelv, with her short brown hair, was acting as the mood maker along with Bai Ailin in this small group.

"...Just. We met in the middle of something."

"Your reaction was a bit strange, though. It was like you were handling a piece of art. Even my butler isn't that careful with art pieces."

"Or, did you fall in love at first sight? He is incredibly handsome, after all."

"Crazy woman."

The opening remarks about the special admission student Yi Huyul. The eyes of the friends around her sparkled.

"To be honest, he's more cute than handsome. He's like a doll. After seeing all those bulky muscle monsters, seeing him was like a breath of fresh air."

"I agree. Just looking at him gives a protective feeling."

The girls' gazes flickered in my direction.

Like hungry lion cubs, they pounced with all sorts of malicious comments. Hong Yanhua, who was refuting them one by one, had Bai Ailin, who was quietly sipping a drink, tilting her head with a strange smile.

"So, what kind of trouble did you cause?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I just saw some dirt on Yi Huyul's clothes."

"Ugh...!"

"I saw it too. It was a bit dirty when I looked closely."

Hong Yanhua flinched.

That woman has such good eyes. She even noticed that. I used magic to clean it up.

'Snake.'

Another headache.

The woman, who could raise hundreds of snakes in her heart, immediately pounced on her interest.

If she wasn't interested, she would have let it go.

Hong Yanhua narrowed her eyes and glared at Bai Ailin.

"...We bumped into each other. What? Are you twisting it?"

"Twisting? What are you saying? I was just wondering if you did something rude~"

"Ugh..."

She did. She did something incredibly rude. Not only did she push a visually impaired person to the ground, but she also started an argument by asking if he couldn't see.

"Our Yanhua may have a rough tone and manner, but she's not a bad person, right? I was just asking in case~"

"Your tone doesn't match. Aren't you having a lot of fun right now? Huh?"

"How can you say that? I'm just concerned about my friend."

Bai Ailin smiled and smoothly deflected the criticism, while the friends giggled.

Hong Yanhua clenched her teeth in frustration.

"So? What kind of person is he?"

"...What kind of person? How can you tell from a brief encounter?"

What kind of person. It's obvious who they're talking about.

Yi Huyul. The first special admission student, a hot topic.

Hong Yanhua recalled the incident that happened on the way here. Despite clearly being at fault, he bowed his head without hesitation and apologized.

He held her sleeve and led her here.

Even after she had just poured out hurtful words, he followed her obediently.

The way he bowed his head and listened.

The way he flinched when her hand approached.

"..."

She narrowed her eyes.

It wasn't a normal reaction, even if she was the one who started the argument.

She had seen such reactions before when she was involved in external activities as part of a clan in middle school.

Although this generation enjoys peace after the chaos was declared over decades ago, it's not entirely peaceful.

Where there is light, there is darkness. Where there is peace, there is chaos.

A place filled with chaos. Africa, which has become a paradise for monsters after being devoured by the Demon Realm.

Even in smaller social circles, many people are exposed to darkness.

And those who are easily exposed to darkness are the weak and powerless.

Like a child.

"...I was at fault, so I'm just being nice to him."

She felt uneasy. If she had controlled her temper, this wouldn't have happened.

If Yi Huyul's attitude was just a facade and he was actually hurt, she didn't know what to do.

Her troubled feelings were evident on her face, and Bai Ailin also wiped away her smile and nodded.

"Indeed. There are still many unfriendly gazes."

"Right. They whisper, but most of the talk is about him."

"Some even look at him strangely while pretending not to."

Unfriendly gazes. Even now, there were people lurking around Yi Huyul, who was sitting in a corner, passing the time.

Some approached out of mere curiosity, but others sneered with envy and ill will.

She had suggested staying with him to avoid such situations, but for some reason, he firmly declined.

"Actually, I have a bit of a question too."

"What?"

"Wow. Look at her reaction. You'd think he was her boyfriend."

Turning her head sharply, Hong Yanhua glared at Bai Ailin, who raised her hands and took a step back.

"Considering he's the first. The first special admission student personally selected by the owner of the Cradle. This has never happened before, right?"

As Bai Ailin said, the emphasis is on the word "first."

"Even though we are also considered to have top potential, and there have been many talented people before us."

The current 121st batch, including Hong Yanhua and Bai Ailin, is called the golden generation, densely packed with talents that can be called the best in history.

In the current second year, the 120th batch, there was a successor to the Taishan clan.

Four out of the five heroes who quelled the chaos and ushered in the era of peace were from the Cradle.

How many of the current superheroes are graduates of the First Cradle?

"Almost 100 years without talented students? No, there were a lot."

The First Cradle has been around for over 100 years, with nearly 10,000 graduates.

They all consider themselves geniuses and superhumans.

Yet, the owner of the Cradle, who had ignored them, finally took notice.

"Everyone is curious. How talented must he be to catch the principal's eye? But when we actually see him... We still don't know, right?"

"But the training hasn't even started yet."

"Ahaha. That's true. Judging by his current appearance is foolish. But I thought something would click just by seeing him for the first time."

"Click? Bullshit."

Bai Ailin's opinion was something Hong Yanhua secretly agreed with. She was also curious about how talented he must be to be admitted as a special student.

'...But it's a bit much.'

Hong Yanhua looked at Yi Huyul with mixed feelings. She wanted to punch the guy who was still sneering, but he had already disappeared.

Yi Huyul was sitting in a corner, nodding off and trying to stay awake.

Seeing him like that, she felt a strange sense of pity.

Hong Yanhua also received reports from her clan. As a potential successor, she received a lot of information.

Among it was information about Yi Huyul.

Orphanage-born. His home and parents were destroyed by a fire, and he was transferred to the orphanage with visual impairment and a very weak body, according to the orphanage director.

His health was poor, and the orphanage couldn't afford to treat him, making it difficult for him to attend a basic educational institution.

Moreover, he had only awakened his unique ability less than a month ago.

When Hong Yanhua had just awakened her unique ability, she was still struggling to control it, let alone manage magic power.

'Is it right to bring him here and leave him alone like this?'

To bring a child who had struggled to survive with blindness and a weak body, just because he awakened, and then leave him alone?

And there are no visible measures taken.

Is it just a matter of throwing him in and letting him grow on his own?

'I don't like it.'

Without realizing it, Hong Yanhua's focus had shifted from talent and potential to worry.

And Bai Ailin was watching her with a strange expression.

Oh.