Hong Yeon-hwa’s perception of Lee Ha-yul was that of a fragile child who needed to be protected. It felt like a disaster waiting to happen if she took her eyes off him for even a moment.
His delicate appearance certainly played a part. Honestly, very few people would look at Lee Ha-yul and think he had a sturdy presence.
However, living with him and witnessing his behavior contributed to this perception.
Though it was his fault, when they first met and collided, Lee Ha-yul had displayed an embarrassingly helpless demeanor.
And then, he grabbed her sleeve, bowed his head, and timidly followed her around, as well as the way he shrank into a corner during the freshman welcome party.
Oh, also! That time he bumped into a Japanese cadet and fainted.
While he was unconscious, he had nightmares, whining and struggling, ultimately suffering to the point of feeling like he couldn’t breathe…
…but when she held him, he gradually calmed down, worming into her embrace in sheer terror…
Since classes began, he always acted like he was watching for others’ gazes, getting choked up while introducing himself, and when she handed him candy, he didn’t know how to react but thanked her profusely.
During lunch, if left alone, he would be found gorging on chocolate bars in some secluded corner.
One day, he came back after being hit by a certain professor… and when she thought about getting revenge, he somehow sensed it and clung to her, whining not to do that…
He even offered her crumpled candy, anxiously hoping it might please her… so cute.
Anyway, due to his behaviors, Lee Ha-yul was viewed as something incredibly fragile.
He needed protection.
This perception was shaped by guilt and his usual demeanor. She thought of him as a delicate masterpiece that might shatter at any moment.
At some point, Hong Yeon-hwa began to think of him as someone she had to protect unconditionally.
“Hmmm… Indeed, I figured it out perfectly.”
However, that thought was somewhat cracked after their last battle.
On a quiet Tuesday morning, in a cafe, the sun streamed through a large window beside a spacious table perfect for a group.
Hong Yeon-hwa, Baek Ahrin, and other friends who had finished dungeon raids early were chatting away.
Excluding the unmentionable matters, Baek Ahrin, who listened intently to Hong Yeon-hwa’s story, nodded heavily.
After sipping a small bite of a deluxe chocolate edition (15,900 won) to gather her thoughts, all eyes were set on Baek Ahrin’s tightly shut lips. Anticipation filled the air about what she would say.
After a brief silence, Baek Ahrin finally spoke.
“So, you’re saying the fairy you must protect made your heart race by showing strength?”
“Damn it.”
“Haha!”
Different reactions erupted. Friends who overheard erupted into laughter. If not for the soundproofing magic, they would have caused a ruckus.
Hong Yeon-hwa clenched her fists, cursing and struggling to restrain herself from pulling the hair of her giggling friends, filled with an impulse to lash out.
“Uh, is that not it? Whatever.”
Baek Ahrin said something irresponsible while looking wide-eyed at Hong Yeon-hwa, her smirk explicitly revealing her emotions.
“Why are you cursing? People can be wrong, you know…”
“Shut your mouth, don’t say silly things. I—”
“Haha! Fairy, fairy…!”
Hong Yeon-hwa’s words abruptly stopped. Her fist, which had been showing an unusual twist, halted as well. A chilling silence fell over the area.
“…Yeon-hwa?”
Breathlessly laughing, Shin Seo-yul cautiously raised his head, revealing Hong Yeon-hwa’s icy expression.
She did not grind her teeth. She did not clench her fists, nor did her face contort.
– Flaming.
Instead, flames erupted.
“Uh, but the conclusion is basically the same, right?”
“Do you want more beatings? Come here and show me your face, you brat.”
“No, no! I’m not kidding! Listen seriously!”
Shin Seo-yul, with a lump on his head, desperately shook it. His abilities had amplified in response to the imminent threat, to the point that he seemed to leave an afterimage.
Hong Yeon-hwa crossed her arms and tilted her head. It was a gesture indicating she was willing to listen. Shin Seo-yul sighed in relief.
“Okay, let’s tidy this up. Our Hong Yeon-hwa made several BIG mistakes with Mr. Lee Ha-yul on the first day?”
“Ugh…”
The cowardly truth hit Hong Yeon-hwa in the gut. Grasping her stomach, she bowed her head.
“Those heinous deeds were too shameful to even speak of, so let’s skip that part. In that process, Mr. Lee Ha-yul exposed a weak side to you, and that recognition took root—this is what I’m saying.”
Shin Seo-yul paused, sipping through the straw stuck in his drink. He savored the sweetness of fruit before continuing.
“People say first impressions are important. For you, Yeon-hwa, Mr. Lee Ha-yul’s first impression was that of a ‘sorry, weak person who needs to be protected.’”
“What the hell…?”
“That impression only deepened as you lived together and attended classes. But!”
Bam! Shin Seo-yul suddenly slammed his hands on the table, his eyes wide open, startling even Hong Yeon-hwa.
“After that infamous battle, your perception was heavily shaken. The guy you thought needed protecting, Mr. Lee Ha-yul, actually had incredible potential that—”
His words didn’t end. Seeing him so worked up made Hong Yeon-hwa’s expression sour.
“The weak and cute-looking boy actually having such abilities was a plot twist that rattled Hong! What do you think of my deduction, the magnificent Shin Seo-yul?”
“Wow!”
Baek Ahrin, intrigued by the banter, clapped enthusiastically. The other friends joined in with seal-like applause.
“Exactly!”
The praises directed at him made his ego soar. However, he nervously glanced at Hong Yeon-hwa, contemplating what she might say next.
Mixed with some truth, but spoken as a joke. He had expected a scolding about his nonsense to come from her.
“?”
Yet, unexpectedly, Hong Yeon-hwa supported her chin with her hands, lost deep in thought.
‘…First impression.’
Regardless of who was watching, Hong Yeon-hwa sunk into contemplation.
She wanted to crush that punk who dared to challenge Lee Ha-yul to a duel. Though he intervened, she was bubbling with anger that wouldn’t simmer down.
The match took place, and her mind was blown by how well Lee Ha-yul performed, exceeding her imagination.
The fragile child she had known was nowhere to be seen; instead, there was a skilled swordsman precisely predicting the trajectory of the incoming blade and even counterattacking.
After that, he exhibited enhanced physical prowess, unleashing a powerful aura that shattered the blade of the cadet foolish enough to attack him.
The fragments of the broken sword glimmered as they flew, contrasting sharply with Lee Ha-yul, who now held a sword wrapped in a brilliant aura; she couldn’t keep her mouth shut.
Special admission. The first cadet chosen by the headmaster—Hong Yeon-hwa suddenly remembered what that meant.
And then…
Persistently sweating, breath ragged, flushed cheeks glowing from exertion…
He looked over at her, lifting his hand in a gesture previously unseen—his usual sulky expression replaced with a soft smile and the corners of his lips turned upwards.
“Ugh.”
Heat suddenly surged to her face. Hong Yeon-hwa usually ran hot, but not even using her ability could keep the warmth at bay; it came on like a rush.
Clearing her throat, she grabbed her drink, the cool sweetness soothing her nerves.
“Wow… that’s incredibly intense.”
She ignored the shocked voices around her. Remembering that moment stirred up lingering feelings in her mind.
‘Ha-yul… his magic was lacking.’
His strength and aura displayed with such tactical skill during the duel was impressive. Yet, it drew less attention due to one fact.
Right after shattering his opponent’s sword, she recalled the shaky aura flickering like it could dissipate at any moment. Not a simple lack of control—inadequate magic power was its cause.
Lee Ha-yul had only recently delved into magic. Even if he entered at the moment of awakening, it had only been a month. His magic reserves must be near depletion.
‘Compensation.’
Errors made since the welcoming party. Despite her determined words to compensate, nothing substantial had occurred yet.
So far, she had only offered him candy or occasionally bought meals.
Now, she thought about it: what was currently lacking for Lee Ha-yul, something just right—something he would like.
Hong Yeon-hwa’s eyes sparkled with expectations, realizing she could finally offer him a bit of compensation.
And perhaps if she played her cards right, she might see that previous smile again.
…
Moments later.
“What the hell?!”
News came crashing down that Lee Ha-yul had collapsed in the street, throwing up.
The happy image she had been conjuring shattered like glass.
*
Liana blinked her eyes.
Yesterday morning, she had carried a drunk Atra to her lodging and returned home.
She had fallen asleep while worrying about how to persuade Atra’s stubbornness and woke up a bit late.
After having a late breakfast, she was leisurely practicing her magic in the neat yard connected to her lodging when the recent chaos erupted.
It had been a typical, ordinary day lately. Afterward, she might have quickly grabbed some lunch or skipped it, prepared for tomorrow’s lecture, and casually worked on some personal research before sleeping.
That is, if Lee Ha-yul hadn’t collapsed in the street, vomiting everywhere.
The memories of that standstill moment rushed back as she hurried to the infirmary. Fixing her disheveled hair, she glanced around.
On the bed, a white caterpillar lay there. No, it was a tightly coiled white blanket… and judging by the presence, Lee Ha-yul seemed to be bundled up in it.
In her haste to get there, she hadn’t heard the exact reason.
‘…Is there something wrong with his body?’
Using magic to check, there didn’t seem to be anything amiss. Liana tilted her head and turned her gaze to a corner of the infirmary.
Propped against the wall stood Atra. Though her behavior seemed normal, she bore an unusual expression, looking like she had lost her country.
“What’s going on?”
“…Nothing.”
“What do you mean, ‘nothing’? He collapses and throws up for no reason?”
Liana asked incredulously, her face contorted.
“Be honest. Did he do something weird?”
“I don’t know. He just suddenly came up to me… and started hurling…”
“Was it when you met Atra?”
Atra hesitated, slowly opening her mouth. Judging by her stutter, she seemed confused as well.
‘What’s going on?’
The questions deepened.
So, Lee Ha-yul met Atra and immediately vomited and fainted? Just like that? What reason could there even be?
…Could there be a reason? She did kind of rough him up a bit when she became superhuman…
‘Who knows…’
What a sudden calamity. Liana sighed heavily, approaching the bed. She could feel he had some awareness. He likely heard their previous conversation.
She planned to question him directly.
The healer’s assessment indicated that physically, he seemed fine.
However, there remained the possibility of mental instability. During such times, it was crucial to treat Lee Ha-yul gently and with sweetness.
Liana was confident.
Unlike Atra, she treated Lee Ha-yul kindly and cheerfully. Perhaps he felt that fondness, as he accepted her touch without resistance.
With a gentle tone, Liana spoke, clearing her throat.
“Lee Ha-yul? May I talk to you for a moment—”
– Rustle.
The blanket stirred considerably. It momentarily wriggled, creating some distance between Liana and Lee Ha-yul.
“…Huh?”
That was a clear sign of rejection. It was a completely unexpected action, causing Liana’s mouth to hang open in shock.
“I… don’t like it either…?”
– Plop!
The blanket quivered as if agreeing with the sentiment. It was the second unmistakable signal of rejection.
Liana’s body froze.
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