The chandelier on the ceiling painted the banquet hall in a golden hue.
The light, neither too excessive nor lacking, highlighted the luxurious interior even more.
In the center of each table, there were decorations like vases, surrounded by an array of foods from various cultures.
There were also high-priced branded alcohol and beverages, each costing hundreds of thousands of won, along with drinking water.
“Do we really have to attend the basics of magical power? We must have learned all this at the Academy already.”
“Well, the level of the professors is different, so I’m sure we’ll learn something new.”
“‘The Relationship Between Spirits and Magical Power’… Professor Liana Velus…? I remember her being active on the African front.”
“She retired recently. I heard it was due to an injury.”
Cadets dressed in casual clothes were scattered around, each looking for someone to talk to.
“What subjects are you focusing on?”
“I hear this rookie professor is conducting this class.”
“These days, there’s a clan that’s really making a splash.”
“I heard the magical energy on the African side is quite worrisome.”
There were trivial chatter and personal stories, but also many professional topics regarding world affairs.
Shio-ram cadets.
Around the world, this status is given to those evaluated to have the highest potential among people of their age.
If all goes well, these individuals will be the core of the next generation. While becoming a cadet has its perks, many take pride in the status itself.
“Of course, I need to take the basics of magical power… I guess I need to take all the basic courses.”
“That’s the whole point of the free semester. Anything that can’t be covered by prior learning should be done during the free semester.”
There were also groups who didn’t engage in specialized discussions.
To be precise, they were groups that didn’t yet possess the knowledge to have such professional conversations.
The admission method for Shio-ram is officially twofold.
First, admission through examination.
After announcing the exam worldwide, individuals are selected based on evaluations of their current skills and future potential across various domains.
Most of these are from so-called superhuman clans, who have grown through specialized and systematic education from a young age.
If the first method seeks to discover budding potential, the second method aims to find seeds that haven’t yet begun to sprout.
These are individuals who aren’t from superhuman clans and haven’t received systematic education, but whose potential is verified through thorough examination before being brought on as Shio-ram cadets.
In terms of ratio, about 9:1.
“Was that kid who just came in an exceptional admission? Looks like a real blind person.”
“I’ve heard it’s a specialized sensing ability. With that, they could definitely navigate with their eyes closed.”
“Absolutely essential in the assault squad. But…”
Is it really that significant to be a special admission?
One cadet whispered, lowering their voice, and the cadet beside them cautiously nodded in agreement.
“…We don’t know yet.”
There was a common topic that appeared among the discussions of the two types of groups.
Exceptional admission.
That term popped up all over the banquet hall.
If we were to dissect it, it’s similar to recommended admission, but the individual who reviewed the case is different in the category of ‘exceptional admission.’
Talent chosen and brought in by the master of the cradle. Interest in that talent continues to ignite as we speak.
Whether for the good or the bad.
To be precise, there’s more negativity than positivity in the opinions.
Most people are silent because they know who judged the exceptional admission, but they harbor complaints and doubts internally.
Just then, the door burst open with a bang. A cadet who had been stopped stepped out between the wide, flung-open doors.
Gasps erupted from all corners.
The flames that danced in her hair seemed to embody the very fire, and her eyes seemed to shine with the brilliance of a raw ruby, capturing the attention of everyone in the room.
With such a striking figure, even a casually worn jumper looked luxurious, and every step she took exuded self-assurance.
Hong Yeon-hwa.
A subject of much conversation, akin to an exceptional admission.
She is among the most promising in this 121st class of Shio-ram and the heir to the Gop-hwa Clan.
A prodigy capable of single-handedly eliminating five-tier monsters even before her admission.
Everyone’s attention shifted to the boy who followed her in as he entered the room.
[Thank you for the guidance.]
“No need for such thanks. If there’s anything you need help with, just let me know. We’re the ones at fault here.”
[Yes.]
On top of that, doesn’t the atmosphere seem unexpectedly soft? It almost looks like Hong Yeon-hwa is adopting an accommodating stance.
Those who have met Hong Yeon-hwa before know very well about her fiery temperament.
Overwhelming skill and beauty aside, the other accompanying trait is her prickly personality.
– That damn girl keeps acting up.
There’s a story of someone who persistently got on her nerves at a party and ended up being thoroughly beaten and kicked out.
There are countless anecdotes about her other mischiefs.
For those who have experienced it, witnessing Hong Yeon-hwa’s… seemingly considerate and… gently pleasant demeanor now is a cultural shock.
It looks as if a bad-tempered tiger is tenderly licking a little puppy without devouring it.
“Oh my.”
The general perception of exceptional admissions underwent revision.
Something had changed the manner of the insane Hong Yeon-hwa.
*
‘…What’s with these gazes?’
The types of emotions that came toward me were diverse before.
Curiosity, suspicion, envy, sneers, and so forth.
Similar yet distinct feelings were approaching, but now something different was added.
It felt like I was being looked at as if I were a remarkable sight, something utterly incomprehensible.
“Those bastards…”
The gaze shifted toward Hong Yeon-hwa beside me. She was biting her lips, about to say something when she suddenly recoiled and turned to me, closing her mouth.
“Uh… I wasn’t talking to you, I meant those over there.”
“……”
“Don’t misunderstand…”
Why do they seem so weird? Why do they look like they’re waiting on me?
Is this some new kind of bullying?
I’ve never experienced it, but I’ve read a lot of stories about high school awkwardness.
It’s the kind of story where the popular kids pretend to be nice to the bullied kids while secretly making fun of them…
If this is truly bullying, how should I escape it? I was deep in thought when a woman approached me with lively steps.
“Yeon-hwa, why are you so late? You arrived just before we started?”
A bright and cheerful voice that was quite similar to her steps. I recognized it from the game.
“I overslept. Ariel was supposed to wake me up, but she left me hanging today.”
“Why?”
“Dad’s orders. He said not to indulge me anymore.”
That much of indulgence, huh? The woman, now smiling at the grumbling Hong Yeon-hwa, turned her gaze toward me.
“Who’s this?”
“Oh, this is Lee Ha-yul. He just got in through exceptional admission. We ran into each other on the way here.”
“Hmm? You ran into each other on the way here? Yeon-hwa, you…?”
“What’s the problem with that, damn it…! Ah, ahem!”
“?”
As for the leading powers in South Korea, everyone points to these three.
The Gop-hwa Clan, to which Hong Yeon-hwa belongs.
The ‘Taesan’ Clan, known as the first established superhuman group in South Korea.
And the woman in front of me, Baek Ahrin from the ‘Changhae’ Clan.
These three are collectively referred to as the Three Great Clans of South Korea, each symbolizing fire, earth, and sea. They played a significant role in the original story as well.
‘Baek Ahrin.’
In the original story, Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek Ahrin were a combination that was especially frequently intertwined.
While Hong Yeon-hwa is the heir of the Gop-hwa Clan, Baek Ahrin is the heir of the Changhae Clan.
If Hong Yeon-hwa sports a fiery red bob cut that matches her impulsive and fiery personality, Baek Ahrin flaunts long blue hair that goes past her waist and embodies a calm and collected demeanor.
Hong Yeon-hwa is the blazing flames consuming everything, while Baek Ahrin represents the calming water and ice that heals and protects.
“…What’s going on? What happened?”
“What do you mean what happened? Why are you suddenly babbling nonsense?”
“Liar. You didn’t listen when I told you to fix your speech patterns just a while ago.”
The tension revealed in Baek Ahrin’s expression while pressing for the truth and Hong Yeon-hwa’s guilty reaction made their playful interchange quite nostalgic.
It felt like I was witnessing a scene that I’d only seen in the game…
That banter between the two was tangible.
Damnable sensory seal. That’s the real problem here.
“Ah! I’m sorry. I got lost in thought for a moment. I’m Baek Ahrin from the Changhae Clan. Nice to meet you.”
[Yes. I’m Lee Ha-yul. Nice to meet you too.]
As they exchanged light-hearted jabs, Baek Ahrin briefly seemed to lose herself and let out a gasp.
Without hesitation, I shook her hand. The cold sensation of her palm jolted me unexpectedly.
Baek Ahrin’s eyes sparkled with intrigue.
“Was that… a sensing ability? A unique ability that’s essential for the assault squad. Oh, if it was unpleasant, I’m sorry.”
[No, it’s okay. And yes, it’s a sensing type ability.]
Relieved to hear that, Baek Ahrin offered another round of apologies with a smile.
On the surface, she came off as bright and playful, yet she also exhibited a poised demeanor.
‘Is this acting? I’m still on the fence about it.’
If I raise Baek Ahrin’s favorability, I’ll come across an episode about her ‘mask.’
There, the choices will diverge.
Whether to address the ‘mask’ or leave it as is. If I make the wrong choice here, Baek Ahrin will undoubtedly turn into a clear enemy.
My 11th run involved messing up the mask’s storyline, leading to Baek Ahrin’s demise.
And just to note, the 11th run ended with the insane tormented Hong Yeon-hwa ultimately retiring me.
Even in the game, despite their nearly opposite personalities, these two were depicted as particularly close.
So when one of them died, the other chased desperately after them, which I experienced in the 11th run.
After all that, I ended up discovering the culprit behind Baek Ahrin’s murder along with a load of chaos when Hong Yeon-hwa was relentlessly pursuing him. Out of all the experiences, 30% of the 11th run’s downfall could be attributed to her.
As a result, in the following run, I steered clear of both Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek Ahrin completely.
After some light banter, the welcoming ceremony’s start drew closer, and Baek Ahrin waved goodbye with a hint of regret.
“It’s about to start. See you later. And…”
Baek Ahrin extended her hand, adorned with a smartwatch, to tap my smartwatch.
[Contact ‘Baek Ahrin’ saved.]
“If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out.”
As Baek Ahrin walked toward her group of friends, she was possibly followed by her allies.
“Wait, I almost forgot.”
[Contact ‘Hong Yeon-hwa’ saved.]
Alongside the registration of her contact, Hong Yeon-hwa scanned the area with a worried expression.
Though she tried to act cool, there were many gazes stealthily fixated on me.
“Should I stay with you? You could join me and my friends.”
[No, that would be an inconvenience. Thank you, but I must decline.]
To be honest, I felt overwhelmed already.
Being alone is always the most comfortable.
After some hesitation, Hong Yeon-hwa, seeing me insist that I was fine, finally walked over toward where Baek Ahrin was.
“Phew…”
Finally, I was alone. The arrival of the other main characters allowed some breathing room as attention dispersed away a little.
I trudged to a corner, finding a chair made for weary individuals and plopped down.
Although there were grand preparations, it was essentially a welcoming celebration for newcomers.
In the game, the vice president would come forward, say a few words, and the new students would straightaway jump into the party.
‘What a hassle.’
I hadn’t slept much just yesterday. The spatial awareness was problematic, and my mind felt all jumbled…
I was enduring a splitting headache, and the view was so obscured that it felt as though my sight was blocked entirely.
Now, the world I could perceive was limited to a sphere of 30 meters. Even that was merely a dark-green outline of a world.
I was trying hard to maneuver through, but it didn’t seem like my spatial perception would change anytime soon.
‘Sigh…’
I felt like I might go insane even before this all began. I was tired to the point of my eyelids drooping, yet I couldn’t seem to fall asleep.
I would have loved to just sleep for two days straight.
‘But I definitely need to see the main characters.’
– Bang!
As I sat idly, the sound of the chandelier extinguishing echoed. Anticipating that everything would plunge into darkness, the space perception suddenly expanded beyond its previous limits.
‘?’
The space perception, originally at 30m, ballooned to nearly 50m.
Thanks to this, I finally sensed someone stepping onto the central stage.
Suddenly, a woman appeared, as if she had teleported to that very spot, adorned in a grand robe as if advertising her role as a magician.
‘The vice president, I see.’
The freshmen welcome ceremony began with an opening address from the vice president who had just appeared on stage.
Soon, the welcome party was underway.
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