During the Festival, second day.
I was leaving the arena after finishing my tournament participation.
In my pocket, I could feel the heavy sensation of the clanking victory medal.
Unlike the ranking battles that can only be fought within the same grade, events like this tournament had no real restrictions.
I had prepared myself since there was a chance of facing more experienced and skilled second and third years compared to my first year, but… it ended up being too easy, which was surprisingly disappointing.
“Hey, you’ve been acting all high and mighty lately… Gah!”
It was Guk Jaeryong, a classmate who looked sly and occasionally glared at me as if he had some grievances.
“I’ve been waiting for this day. I must avenge the humiliation… Cough!”
It was Chun Su-ho, a third-year with a slimy demeanor. Lately, I had been running into him a lot. I had struck his stomach a bit too hard out of annoyance, and he collapsed, foaming at the mouth.
Out of the three upperclassmen I faced besides them, none left a strong impression. I guess I just got lucky with the matchups. Since multiple tournaments were held simultaneously, the strong competitors seemed dispersed everywhere.
Compared to that, the prize for winning was more than generous.
E-2 Braver. A high-end blade made by Heukryeon’s S&C.
This must’ve been the sponsorship that Myo Sang-ah mentioned last time, but for me, it felt utterly useless given its value.
I was already handling Marbellus, and that wide shape felt more like a massive blunt weapon that didn’t suit my style at all.
“Should I just give it to Jin Yeseo…”
It was an impulsive thought, but it felt quite okay. She had always shown envy regarding my Marbellus without saying it outright.
It would suit her aggressive combat style rather well. I should hand it over once my restrictions are lifted and I return to the Cradle.
“…”
I absentmindedly touched my forehead. It felt like the moist sensation of mucous membrane was still lingering.
It was somewhat embarrassing, but on the other hand, I was amazed by her determination to achieve her goals.
Well, I guess I shouldn’t speak on that.
After all, I was the one who told her not to care about the means to reach her purpose.
Perhaps Jin Yeseo was simply following my advice faithfully.
The city center was still packed with crowds. The magnificent music flowing from various halls and salons where sub-groups were held sweetly pierced my ears.
“Mary Ann! Mary Ann! You crazy thing!”
On the stage set up in the square, a play was happening, and the acting of a woman wearing a white rabbit headband and mask was quite impressive.
“Go find my gloves! Gloves! Gloves!”
Every time she blew the horn, the crowd gathered like a cloud and burst into laughter. It surely was a story from a fairy tale I had seen when I was young.
Was it the adventure of the girl who followed that white rabbit down the rabbit hole?
It seemed the girl had already fallen into the hole.
*
I wasn’t particularly interested in the play, so I turned and slipped away from the crowd.
“Look! It’s the wizards from the national guard!”
“That’s Heuk-myo, ranked 4th! Look at that gear. How much must that be…”
“And there’s the 7th-ranked Jeongsae too…!”
“Are they on patrol? Their uniforms look really cool. I want to work there after graduation…”
Voices from passing people buzzed loudly in my ears. I knew about the national guard too.
Only those backed by family, personal skills, and experience could enter. I remember the commander casually mentioning he worked there before coming to 66th Brigade.
I knew they had deployed quite a few soldiers from the guard for security during this festival.
I worried a lot about security, but nobody would dare to cause trouble where those guys are.
“Is it still around? Kyeong-sari.”
“What? What’s that?”
“You know. They say if you confess down below, you’ll achieve love…”
I heard the national guard wizards pass by, talking casually. Are they graduates from here?
But a mistletoe granting love? It’s surprising how many weird tales there are, like that nameless girl’s ghost story. Maybe the number of rumors and superstitions corresponds to the academy’s history and traditions.
I continued walking toward the outskirts where the crowd was thick. I’m not the type to enjoy festivals alone. It just happened yesterday, and I felt like I would be sad remembering old times.
Although I had a few friends, it would be awkward to squeeze in with them since they must be busy with their groups already.
I planned to spend time in a quiet place until the afternoon’s schedule began.
I had two people to meet today. Kwon Yuri and Yeon Minha.
First up was Kwon Yuri’s sub-group. I wasn’t entirely keen on attending an unauthorized ‘illegal’ gathering, but there was no alternative now.
Well, I’d just join for a bit and then leave. In the worst-case scenario, I’d just be treated like a trinket to please the senior girls.
However, seeing Kwon Yuri keep her promise eased my mind a bit. I had witnessed firsthand how crowded Yeon Minha’s salon was.
Seeing many who usually looked down on her around must mean Kwon Yuri put in some effort.
Then I must likewise uphold my part of the deal.
“Just promise me one thing.”
“By midnight on the 13th… make sure to come under the Baegnyeonmok.”
But why did Yeon Minha say that to me? I still couldn’t grasp the meaning behind that specific place and time.
I shouldn’t have said she didn’t need to come to the salon. It felt like she had made some grand resolution…
“I’ll figure it out when I go.”
At that moment, a strange premonition struck me. I shook my head to dismiss it and hurried on.
*
The guards dispatched to the Cradle were enjoying the festival while on duty.
“Heuk-myo. Why?”
“Did you see that kid who just passed by?”
Suddenly, a wizard stopped in his tracks, looking back. The tall man in a mask was already lost in the crowd for a while.
“Who?”
“That kid from Heukryeon.”
“Oh, the younger sibling of the 1st-ranked?”
“I saw them at the tournament earlier. They fight well, just like Baekrang did before. But why? Planning to make an enlistment proposal?”
“What? You’re still hung up on that? Because this kid couldn’t get close to Baekrang, now you’re eyeing the sibling… Get a grip; you’re at least twice their age… ugh!”
“Shut up! Who’s eyeing anyone?”
The wizard known as Heuk-myo kicked the shin of the guy who kept pestering her.
“I just wanted to scout talent ahead of time! Plus, I’m only nine years older, not twice…!”
“Alright, enough. Just finish what you were saying earlier.”
Another teammate rushed to distract the conversation that was getting out of hand.
“So where’s that mistletoe?”
“By Baegnyeonmok. You need to find the smooth vines entangled between the branches.”
Someone else chimed in to answer the question.
“After the midnight bell tolls, if you confess your love underneath it, you can be bound forever with the one you confess to.”
“Oh wow. There are all sorts of superstitions. Baegnyeonmok is that big tree in the garden, isn’t it? It must always be crowded with students. I feel like there were tons of secret romances during my time too.”
“Well, it’s not as easy as it sounds.”
The one who had been engrossed in the conversation shook his head.
“There are two conditions.”
“Conditions?”
“First, the mistletoe changes its location every year. I’ve heard it’s a magical plant that moves its habitat. How do you find it among the branches spreading like a forest? It’s practically just luck.”
“Ugh, that’s gross…”
The thought of writhing vines made someone grimace.
“Well, there are ways around this. Spirit Mages lure the mistletoe to their location using spirits. I’ve seen a few who succeeded in their confessions that way.”
“Like how many Spirit Mages do you think there are…? What’s the other condition?”
“You can’t just confess at any time. It must be after the bell tolls at midnight on the 13th.”
“That’s interesting. What date is it today?”
“The 12th.”
Upon hearing the response of one who checked the time, the wizard who asked the question showed a disappointed expression.
“Oh, during the festival, the area around Baegnyeonmok is off-limits anyway. What a bummer…”
“Who knows? Someone might just manage to slip through… Big Bear, where are you going?”
He suddenly stopped talking and turned to call out to someone.
One of his teammates from the guard was veering off the path.
“Oh, I’ve been asked to do something.”
“Something? From the commander? He should really chill on days like this…”
“Not the commander. Someone else.”
“Someone else? Who?”
“I do. The one I met last time. I’m off, see you later.”
“Got it. Just don’t go too far off!”
Waving goodbye, the wizard walked away slowly.
“Bon-gwan mechanical room, anyone who interferes will be killed, bon-gwan mechanical room, anyone who interferes will be killed…”
Muttering so faintly it could hardly be heard, he stood tall again.
He then tried to recall the appearance of the person who had made such a trivial request.
“Brown hair… freckles… huh? Who was it again?”
That moment, clarity flickered briefly. He stumbled back into the alley, his gaze growing hazy and unfocused.
“Bon-gwan mechanical room, anyone who interferes will be killed, bon-gwan mechanical room, anyone who interferes will be killed…”
*
The clock tower was almost touching 4 PM. I moved ahead toward the appointment location.
Going against the main street packed with crowds, I gradually noticed a dilapidated park emerging, increasingly deserted.
Near the entrance, surrounded by fencing, a silhouette I recognized as a familiar female student flickered.
With her pure appearance, her tear mole beneath the eyes accentuated her look.
Kwon Yuri, second year.
“Chick, over here!”
As I awkwardly moved toward her wave of greeting, I suddenly halted my step, having spotted something.
Between her hair, twitched those fluffy rabbit ears that I seemed to have seen once before.
“…White rabbit?”
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