Heuk… Kek…!
As soon as I finished speaking, it was like the principal suddenly came down with a fit of violent coughing, as if seized by a spasm.
It was a sight that was extremely rare to see from someone who always presented herself with elegance and grace.
“Are you okay…?”
Cough… Hek… Yeah, I’m fine… But what the hell did you just say…?
“I said I’m planning to move to Yeon Minha’s dormitory, and I’m asking you to take care of the arrangements related to that.”
Guess I wasn’t hearing things after all…
As I elaborated again, Haewolhwa shot me a sidelong glance, muttering softly.
“I heard the news that you’re having a duel. I was just worried that something had gone wrong, but then out of nowhere, you declare cohabitation…”
For some reason, I felt a faint sense of betrayal in her eyes.
So surprising. I should be the one saying this, as the one who sought help, but I never told you to become so close…
“Huh?”
Cohabitation in the dormitory is something even that guy wouldn’t dare to try… I never imagined I’d be using the term ‘Chungchuluram’ in a place like this… Especially not with someone like Minha…
It was in her following words that I realized the reason I sensed betrayal in the principal’s gaze earlier. An unpleasant feeling rose up, and I immediately denied it.
That’s not it.
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I do.”
“…Did that girl agree to it?”
“Yes.”
“…?”
The principal tilted her head with an expression of skepticism, but there was no way to explain. I couldn’t expose the existence of the power that was leading me to Yeon Minha’s dormitory. After all, Minha had agreed as well.
I barely conveyed that I wouldn’t cause any trouble for her and that the situation occurring now was just a continuation of my previous request.
“So, I guess you threw the duel on purpose?”
“Yes. How did you know?”
“How could someone who hunted a shadow snake alone lose in a duel like that… It’s not bad, really. You get to maintain your undefeated record and show off your overwhelming strength against a rookie in the first year to the public…”
Haewolhwa sighed heavily.
“Well, I understand what you mean. I’ll have to trust you, what choice do I have? So what do I need to do for you…?”
“It’s nothing major, just adjust the patrol routes of the dorm manager and guards.”
“The patrol routes?”
“Yes. So they won’t come near Yeon Minha’s dormitory. I’m concerned they might spot her while entering or leaving. Principal, this should be easy for you to accommodate, right?”
“…Alright. When should I start?”
“Today.”
“That’s fast…”
Still looking skeptical, Haewolhwa nodded.
“…I just want to ask, you remember I said that dating is prohibited, right…?”
“Yes.”
“What an unpredictable child…”
The principal rolled her eyes with annoyance.
“But really, be careful. If your actions get exposed, you and that girl will seriously be in trouble. If a scandal erupts, I won’t be able to help you out. I hope you keep that in mind…”
“I will.”
“Oh dear, the answers just flow out like a stream, huh?”
Haewolhwa slumped back into the sofa and sighed deeply. Then, as if remembering something, she looked at me and asked.
“If you feel lonely living alone in the city…”
“That’s really not a concern. I promise nothing of the sort will happen.”
“…”
Maybe it was because I redirected her question so straightforwardly, but I sensed a faint hint of disappointment in her gaze.
*
Yeon Minha returned to the cradle late in the evening. She moved gracefully along the quiet paths between the beech trees towards the dormitory.
However, at that moment, Yeon Minha was struggling to keep her wits about her. Despite taking a bunch of painkillers, the pain resonating through her insides and bones continued to haunt her.
She had secretly visited a private hospital for treatment and was on her way back. After all, heading straight to the clinic right after a duel would surely raise suspicions.
The stunned expression of her physician lingered vividly in her mind. The skin beneath her removed uniform was covered in dark bruises. The pain was so intense she nearly bit through her teeth.
Yet, the doctor’s opinion was that her life was in no danger. Even after repeated questioning, the results didn’t change.
She had a few broken ribs, but for a wizard’s body, that was merely light damage that would heal with time.
– Crack
Yeon Minha clenched her teeth.
Facing such intense pain for the first time, she had nearly lost her sanity just moments ago.
But in hindsight, that guy had been toying with her the whole time.
On the day of the admission ceremony, when she saw the uncomfortable white mask from afar, she was only briefly disgusted. She just thought it was some “performer” that showed up every year without fail.
She felt a sense of satisfaction with the rumors about his clash with Baek Seoyeon. After all, she was one of the few who knew the true nature of that girl from this cradle.
She was briefly surprised to learn he was a recommended student from the Heukryeon family after 18 years, and even obtained his student records to verify his identity.
However, he was from the backwoods, not a prestigious family or the capital. She couldn’t fathom how such a country bumpkin had become a recommended student from the prestigious Heukryeon family and went around acting so outrageously.
The question was only resolved when she learned that he had been chosen by Sa Jaehyeok, the Heukryeon family’s one sore point.
Sa Jaehyeok.
That name was synonymous with delinquents, scoundrels, and lechers.
Known as the “Fallen Student Council President.”
Once, he seemed to have turned over a new leaf, but ultimately, he couldn’t shake his old habits and has wandered the outskirts for over ten years.
The battlefield was practically a perfect place for him to satiate his cruel and sadistic nature, along with his female subordinates, who had abandoned their families and social status for him.
So, naturally, he wasn’t a decent fellow.
It was clear she hadn’t paid attention before, but perhaps that guy was possibly one of Sa Jaehyeok’s subordinates.
Yet still, even now, she couldn’t guess his objective at all.
At first, she thought the first-place win was an unexpected fluke, and he was just boldly trying to play nice.
After hurling a few insults out of anger at his pathetic attempts to belittle her, he revealed his true colors.
Though initially hurt by his insults, he had a sharp talon of overwhelming skill hidden away that nobody could see.
His provocations that humiliated her had been part of the conspiracy he orchestrated to set up the duel.
However, what puzzled her was what happened next.
If he bore a grudge and was planning on retaliation, he could have simply shown the students gathered how pathetic she was, trampled beneath his feet.
But instead, after confirming the outcome of their match, he removed his arm as if to feign defeat.
Considering his skills, it was clear he had feigned being struck by her flickering flames for dramatic effect.
Such actions only served to reinforce the perception of his strength after defeating a first-year rookie.
What could he possibly gain from behaving that way?
“Is he truly just a crazy jerk…?”
Her muttering voice was filled with fear.
On top of that, she felt the shame of having allowed a strange man to have his way with her.
Her mouth forcibly opened by his rough hand, she foolishly let her precious hair be tangled in his grasp.
Maybe his duel was just a guise to fulfill his twisted and vile desires.
“…Pervert.”
With a slight headache rising, she gently touched her forehead with her delicate finger.
Now that she thought about it, something about making a promise with him seemed familiar. But what was it again? Clearly…
– Tap
As Yeon Minha ruminated over it, she suddenly snapped back to her senses due to the chilling wind blowing from below.
– Thud
She heard something hit her feet, and she unintentionally looked down.
Walking along the beech tree path, she had unconsciously ended up standing at the edge of a forbidden cliff behind the cradle.
The stone she had kicked bounced down endlessly into the abyss below.
As if she had pushed through the bushes, her body was covered in scratches and leaves.
– Hehehe…
– Too bad~
Suddenly, a black shadow brushed past her, leaving behind soft laughter and mockery.
That vivid and chilling malice was now no longer something she could call an illusion.
“…”
Yeon Minha silently lifted her head to stare at the sky.
Where there should have been a moon, a vast eye with sparse veins stared at her wide-eyed, unmoving.
“…Hah.”
She barely clung to her sanity, crumbling away in the endless darkness.
The dream was slowly consuming her.
*
In the end, Yeon Minha returned to the beech tree dormitory late at night. Her body and spirit were both battered. All she wanted was to sink into a soft bed.
She didn’t even hope for a deep sleep. She just wished to rest, even for a moment. Thankfully, there were no morning classes tomorrow, so she had a bit of time to spare.
And just as she had stepped into the entrance, about to switch on the light…
From the dark corner of the living room, a strange voice echoed suddenly.
“You’re late, senior.”
“…!”
Yeon Minha immediately braced herself and turned around quickly. No one else should be here except for her.
But as the intruder revealed his identity, astonishment filled her face.
Standing before her, ready to unleash magic, was a male student wearing a smooth, white mask.
“Hii…!”
The poised stance she had just a moment ago crumbled instantly. The hatred and animosity she had repeatedly chewed on began to vanish without a trace. What dominated her now was only the horrific fear from earlier.
“D-Don’t come any closer…”
“Why are you so late?”
“Y-You told me to go to the hospital… But why are you here…?”
“Huh? Didn’t I clearly say you should leave the room empty?”
Yeon Minha recalled the terms of the duel she had struck with Yoo Jin-hyun. Perhaps due to the rage-fueled writing she had done, she hadn’t even remembered correctly.
Certainly, she had said that if she won, she would sever his limbs. And if he won… he had the right to enter her room.
“Wh-What are you talking about… You must have been provoking me…”
“…How many times are you going to repeat that?”
– Clench
His voice was filled with displeasure. His fist was tightly clenched to the point that the veins were about to burst.
Yeon Minha swallowed hard. The man before her was indeed a lunatic. She could firmly believe that even Sa Jaehyeok couldn’t handle him and had tossed him into the cradle.
“I-I’ll overlook your rudeness this time… Just leave…! If not, I’ll call the manager…!”
“Why would I leave? I’m just exercising the rights of a winner here. And go ahead, call the manager or whoever. I’ll just expose the agreement for the duel to the entire school. I’ll include the declaration of surrender you cried out in humiliation.”
At his words, Yeon Minha felt her heart sink like a stone.
“Wh-What nonsense are you spouting… You think you can get away with being fine…? We’ll both be socially…!”
“Do you think I’d care about such things? And don’t worry, I’ve made sure everything is in order so that it won’t be discovered. More than that, could you please show me the way to your room quickly? Do you know how many hours I’ve waited here?”
Yeon Minha barely swallowed the urge to cry. For now, she could think of nothing except following his orders.
“…C-Come this way…”
Yeon Minha took a faltering step to lead him. As they reached the top of the stairs, a row of bedrooms, empty rooms, and the closet showed up in the hallway.
Her heart pounded wildly. If that weirdo truly forced his way into her bedroom, there was no way to block him.
“From now on, I’ll be using this room. So…”
However, after checking the position of her bedroom, he only pointed to the empty room beside it. The thought that he was at least not taking her bedroom made her feel tearfully grateful, which only made her feel more miserable.
“W-Why are you doing this to me…?”
He had finished his unilateral announcement and was about to step into the room, but perhaps out of a sense of injustice, she found the courage to tremble as she questioned him.
“What is your purpose… Why are you doing all this to me…? Are you trying to avenge your friends…?”
“I don’t care who you bully. Honestly, I’m not exactly pure myself.”
“But why…?”
“I’m here to help you.”
Though she couldn’t trust him just yet, she was at a loss. All she remembered was that the man in front of her was a lunatic.
“If you lay a finger on my body… If you take even a step into my bedroom…!”
“You’re voicing the very words I wished to say. Don’t even think about coming into ‘my room’ freely. This is a warning.”
Before she knew it, the room next door had become his domain. The masked male student left those words behind, entering his room and shutting the door. Only a silent stillness flowed through the noisy hallway once more.
“…Crazy psychopath.”
Left alone, Yeon Minha muttered in despair. She stood there for quite some time.
Then, with a heavy heart, she trudged into her own bedroom, opening the door.
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