As soon as the shocking graduation ceremony ended, the students poured out like a tsunami.
The crowd quickly formed a long line heading in the same direction, their steps unusually light.
Toward the gate terminal.
The only way to exit Shio-ram is through the gate.
Most are heading back home to heal their tired bodies and minds from the grueling academics, while a few will head outside Shio-ram for personal training with the blessings still intact.
The blessing of growth is maintained even outside Shio-ram. If it weren’t, external training like this would be impossible.
I scanned the long line with my gaze.
I did not join the ranks.
After the graduation ceremony, I decided to pay my respects and visit my master, since I wouldn’t get to see them during the vacation anyway.
“─Don’t skip meals out of laziness, always make sure to eat. And just in case, take some sleep aids with you. Also…”
As soon as I met them, I was bombarded with worried advice.
As I squirmed slightly, the hand that had been ruffling my hair moved down to pat my back. I couldn’t help but feel drowsy.
I had informed my master that I would be going out during the vacation right after stepping out of the Tower of Growth. At that time, my master just nodded, but now…
“…….”
My master seemed to swallow a sigh that was about to come out.
Even though they were holding it in, they looked anxious about the fact I was leaving Shio-ram.
I understood how they felt.
Having barely gone out once, and feeling like I’d collapsed afterward, it was only natural to worry as a mentor.
Besides, I was planning to go to a rather dangerous place…
But if I revealed that, my master might take me back to my accommodations with those dead eyes like before.
[Yes]
[I’ll definitely remember your words, Master]
[No need to worry]
While I enjoyed the affectionate ruffle on my head, I couldn’t keep this up.
No matter how I felt inside, I output something reassuring through the necklace.
My master looked at the necklace with lingering concern, then swallowed another sigh and took a step back.
“…Right, I should not hold you back. But remember this: if something dangerous happens… you must think of yourself first.”
“Come on, it’s not like anything will happen within our clan.”
At that moment, Hong Yeon-hwa, who had been standing with her arms crossed behind me, muttered discontentedly.
When I said I’d quickly say hello to my master, Hong Yeon-hwa, who seemed like she would follow me, immediately joined the conversation.
“Accidents can happen anywhere at any time.”
My master glanced at Hong Yeon-hwa, shook their head, and replied.
“If you relax too much, you’re bound to face serious trouble.”
“If you’re already trembling at the thought of something happening at the Gop-hwa main house, wouldn’t that mean the world’s already gone to ruin?”
‘That’s true.’
As the simple conversation flowed, I made a strange expression at Hong Yeon-hwa’s words.
If even the Gop-hwa clan’s main house was raided, the world situation would indeed be the worst of the worst.
[Then]
[I’ll be off]
“Come back safely.”
My master, who had paused in the midst of a small argument with Hong Yeon-hwa, suddenly ruffled my hair with a complex expression.
“I’ll take good care of him, so don’t worry.”
That was when it happened.
Hong Yeon-hwa, wearing a strange expression, stepped closer and placed her hand on my shoulder.
My master’s face crumpled.
The time passed after the graduation ceremony, but the gate terminal was still buzzing with people.
The gate terminal acts like an airport in the previous world. Instead of a runway, there are gate devices and spaces, and there are duty-free shops too.
However, the Shio-ram gate terminal is on the smaller side compared to others.
Since the number of people who can come here is limited, there’s no need to build a massive facility.
Also, unsurprisingly, accessing the gate requires appropriate identification.
That’s why I asked Maxwell for Seo-yul’s identity a few days ago.
Seo-yul, without identification, couldn’t leave Shio-ram in the first place.
But making an ordinary identity was fraught with complications.
First, there was the issue of who to list as a guardian; even if they managed to make one, the difference in species would inevitably lead to problems later on.
Fortunately, Maxwell said he would take care of that.
Thanks to that, Seo-yul finally got identification, and since Maxwell would take care of things, there shouldn’t be a problem using the gate.
‘…They should be fine.’
So there shouldn’t be any issues when using the gate with Elia. Elia’s parents are devoted to taking care of their benefactor’s family, so there shouldn’t be a problem during the vacation.
…Of course, even accounting for that, I still felt heavy-hearted. I realized how much of a pathetic person I was.
It wouldn’t be possible to hide Seo-yul’s existence forever. Sooner or later, I’d have to tell people around me… Hong Yeon-hwa and my master, etc.
The past few days had been so hectic that I hadn’t had the chance to let them know. I planned to inform them once I returned after finishing everything during the vacation.
“Master, may I take your bags? I’ll handle the processing.”
[Thank you]
[Miss Ariel]
“Hey, Ariel, don’t forget mine… no, hey! You have to take care of mine too!”
On the way to the Gop-hwa clan, Miss Ariel also came along. This was natural as she was Hong Yeon-hwa’s aide.
– Vrooom…
After waiting a moment, the processing was completed, and it was our turn. Our luggage had already been sent to the destination, so we just needed to go.
“Let’s go, Ha-yul.”
[Yes]
I stepped toward the gate.
As I approached the swirling blue gate, the vibrations of space tapped at my senses. When I observed it with my observation powers, the familiar information filled my head.
It’s a technique using spatial powers to create an artificial rift between two spaces and connect them.
After a moment of scanning it, I was pulled by Hong Yeon-hwa and jumped into the gate.
I plunged into the vortex, and shortly after, my feet landed on solid ground.
The observed information updated.
A massive gate terminal. Gates opened and closed incessantly, and countless people buzzed around like a swarm of ants.
Various designs and colors of vehicles and skyscraper walls unfolded outside the facility.
We had arrived at our destination… the Seoul gate terminal.
“Ow, my head…”
Hong Yeon-hwa grimaced at the gate’s unique dizziness and rubbed her forehead.
Once we arrived, Miss Ariel guided us to the vehicle she had prepared in advance.
The vehicle was a futuristic limousine by my standards.
The chauffeur got out of the driver’s seat and bowed his head.
“It’s an honor to serve you, young lady and young master. I will ensure you reach your destination safely and comfortably.”
“Thanks for your efforts.”
[Young master…]
[Looking forward to your assistance]
Despite the polite… and somewhat burdensome greeting, Hong Yeon-hwa accepted it with familiarity and entered the limousine. I followed hesitantly behind her.
The inside of the limousine resembled something straight out of a creation, with red sofa seats wrapping around a circular table.
Under the table, there were storage compartments and a refrigerator; the compartments were filled with snacks, and the refrigerator was stocked with various drinks and alcohol.
What I was observing didn’t just include the exterior and interior conditions.
The limousine was made of a solid alloy of sturdy stones and magical stones, and it was equipped with high-level defensive magic, making it practically tank-like.
“Ha-yul, you can sit here.”
As I was trying to figure out where to sit, Hong Yeon-hwa patted the seat beside her.
“If you feel uncomfortable at all, just say so. The snacks are right here, so help yourself.”
[Thank you]
As I quickly sat down, she immediately started taking out snacks from the compartment.
“Huh?”
It was then.
Hong Yeon-hwa, who had been handing me snacks, suddenly turned her head to look at Miss Ariel, who was sitting across from us.
Miss Ariel appeared to have a shocking yet emotional expression on her face.
“…Why that face?”
“I’m touched.”
“Touched? Elaborate.”
“I, Ariel, have served you for years, but I never dreamed I’d see you care for someone else so thoughtfully.”
“Are you insulting me by calling me a selfish jerk with a terrible personality?”
“Not an insult, but rather a compliment. Anyway, I’d like to gradually inform the young master of the schedule.”
As Hong Yeon-hwa was about to spew out some words, she smacked her tongue, leaned back against the sofa. Miss Ariel then shifted her gaze back to me.
“The schedule remains the same as previously stated. The Gop-hwa clan will treat you as a valuable guest, and after you have taken some time to relax, you can undergo verification whenever you wish.”
[Thank you for your consideration]
“That kind of gratitude should be directed toward the young lady and the lady of the house. Furthermore, as for the banquet happening a few days later, as I mentioned earlier…”
‘Banquet.’
That word made me make a strange expression.
I heard that my visit coincided somewhat with the Gop-hwa clan’s regular banquet day.
After all, I was visiting as a guest of significant status.
It wouldn’t do for the clan to treat a major guest like a side dish on a day of grand festivities.
So, when Hong Yeon-hwa asked me with a tense expression if I wouldn’t mind attending the banquet, it looked like if I refused, it would put them in a difficult position, so I accepted.
I still remember how Hong Yeon-hwa’s face brightened instantly.
‘And…’
I recalled the purpose of my visit to the Gop-hwa clan.
The Gop-hwa that had manifested within the Tower of Growth. Back then, I had a lot of questions, so I’d agreed to the verification. But now I understood the reason.
The reason I was able to manifest Gop-hwa was ultimately thanks to the harmonization. Perhaps it was because it had resonated with the strong fire at that time; the harmonization unconsciously mimicked the Gop-hwa and triggered its manifestation.
Once I realized that, I thought there was no need to visit the Gop-hwa clan.
But I did have another reason.
‘The burn on my right arm.’
I flicked my fingers. It was currently wrapped in a bandage but beneath that lay a grotesque scar from a burn.
As Hong Yeon-hwa said, this was a scar caused by Gop-hwa.
Meaning, by her words, I must have experienced Gop-hwa directly.
Strange, isn’t it?
I had sustained burns in my original world and ended up with a scar. That world was ordinary, without even the hint of extraordinary abilities.
‘…Here…’
The records of Lee Ha-yul in this world. The first record mentions a child who was found near an orphanage, nearly dying.
According to that record, this ‘Lee Ha-yul’ already bore the same burn scar on his right hand at that time, was blind, and couldn’t speak.
‘Sigh…’
The information was quite confusing.
That’s why I thought it would be necessary to visit the Gop-hwa clan to gather some information.
Even if I don’t really obtain any helpful information, there’s still plenty I can gather just by being there.
“We have arrived.”
“Wow, that was quick.”
At Miss Ariel’s words, Hong Yeon-hwa turned to look out the window.
Before I knew it, the limousine was driving alongside a tall fence.
To be precise, it wasn’t quite right to call it a fence. It was more akin to a massive stone barrier.
Upon carrying out deeper observations, I sensed an invisible and colorless barrier rising from that stone wall.
The stone barrier is one of the mediums for maintaining and amplifying the barrier.
That was the external barrier protecting the Gop-hwa clan’s main house, a level of protection that demands the word “impenetrable.”
After driving alongside the stone barrier for a while, the main gate came into view.
‘…?’
And then, I spotted a crowd waiting just inside the main gate.
The limousine came to a stop upon entering through the main gate.
Click— The locked door opened automatically.
“Please, step down.”
Hong Yeon-hwa exited first. I followed after her.
The moment my feet touched the well-kept, vibrant lawn.
– ♬──!
A lively tune hit my eardrums hard.
Before us was a grand mansion connected by a red carpet, with a crowd lined up on either side.
Dressed in crimson uniforms, at least ten people blowing brass instruments, with many others behind them carrying various instruments as well.
The music they generated resonated everywhere.
A sudden short performance unfolded.
Then the music stopped, and the person at the front stepped forward.
Bowing deeply at a 90-degree angle, they shouted loudly.
“We warmly welcome the return of our successor bearing Gop-hwa! And the visit of Master Lee Ha-yul—!!!”
“”“Welcome!!!”””
Even accounting for the transcendent people, the tremendous loud voice echoed all around.
[What the heck]
“……”
My face became blank out of surprise.
Hong Yeon-hwa approached me, looking a bit embarrassed, and patted my shoulder.
“Um, I said I could skip these kinds of formalities…”
“Pardon? You requested me to prepare properly since the young master is accompanying you—”
“Shush.”
…Regardless, I proceeded while receiving an extravagant welcome.
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