Upon entering the Academy, I could feel the buzzing atmosphere.
-Is that him? The one from the last attack incident…
Whispering students. Some broken facilities. I could confirm that some facilities were not yet restored due to the substantial damage from the last attack.
Come to think of it, an instructor had died. It wouldn't be impossible with Lee Seonghan's technique that pierced my shoulder.
Walking towards the class, Jin Dallae informed me of a fact.
"Did you hear? The lessons will be replaced with experiential classes for a week."
"Experiential classes?"
"Yes. It's a campaign where external instructors from the Hunter Association or the Foundation become mentors."
I had heard about this from Lee Seyeong.
Mentors were assigned according to the student's tendencies for 1:1 or 1:2 classes. I thought it wasn't a bad approach, especially when the damage from the last incident hasn't been sorted out yet.
'Still, it will recover soon.'
Around the campus, construction equipment was busy moving. They were using funds from the Jinmok Group. It was obvious.
Wait, what happened to the Jinmok Group then?
"Just wondering, is your company alright?"
"Oh, that? For now, my aunt is taking care of it. I will take over once I graduate."
That was typical.
"Isn't that a secret? Is it okay to tell me?"
At my question, Jin Dallae smiled slightly.
"Because we're friends."
Friends. She had been emphasizing us being friends since the morning. Her principle of behavior came to me as if she was a friend. It was not unpleasant, but sometimes it was scary.
-Druru.
When I arrived at the class and opened the door, all eyes were on me.
The students were staring through my mask.
Some seemed to want to talk, and there were also eyes full of interest. Seeing their changed attitude, I smiled inside.
Of course, such attention didn't always work positively.
-Tch.
The sound of clicking tongues filled with obvious envy and contempt. There were those who couldn't stand seeing others do well everywhere.
If the rising person was someone who used to be looked down upon or was more incompetent than expected, it would be even more so. In such cases, they usually tried to suppress or trample on the person before they grew.
But even if they didn't have the ability to trample…
-Look at that bastard putting on airs. He's so full of himself.
-Kekeke.
From behind, they could scratch one's mind with voices that were subtly loud enough to be heard.
Jin Dallae's face, who was walking next to me, turned abruptly. It was the face of extreme anger that I saw when I made the chocolate offensive last time.
"What did you just say?"
"…Huh?"
"Full of himself? Are you kidding?"
Everyone was dumbfounded, as if they didn't expect Jin Dallae to react this way.
Why was this girl suddenly like this?
"Apologize to my friend."
I was grateful. It was refreshing, but…
Were you this kind of person?
"What's going on, Dallae?"
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing."
When Siwoo, who ran in due to the commotion, asked, Dallae looked at that student with cold eyes. The student, seeing Siwoo, our class's top ranker, apologized to me reluctantly.
"I'm sorry."
Of course, I had no intention to let it slide, so…
-You know what happens if you mess up, right?
I whispered something of that nuance and sat down. The male student's face crumpled. After the commotion ended, Jin Dallae returned to her seat with Siwoo.
The seat next to me was for Dangdang Tree·Guseul.
"Siha."
"Seulha."
"Pfufufu. He's responding well now."
Exchanging light banter as I waited, Lee Seyeong entered. As soon as Seyeong saw me, she winked and smoothed her choker.
Probably to hide the kiss mark.
"Okay, attention."
Standing at the podium, Seyeong, as always, mixed a few silly jokes to wake the students and then announced some schedules for the experiential classes.
"I presume you all know best about mentor classes. Though called a class, just consider it a one-week experiential learning. The mentors for each student were announced this morning."
She called out the groups one by one.
From one to up to three people. My group was Group H, and the mentor's name would be confirmed in today's class. I listened to see if there was a mentee with me,
"Sansuyu. Group H."
That name popped up.
Turning my head to look at her, Sansuyu met my eyes with her unique expressionless face.
"…?"
I made a peace sign with my fingers. Sansuyu blinked her eyes and tilted her head. Soon, she imitated my action and stretched out her hands, making a peace sign.
Double peace. Cute.
With Sansuyu, who hid an unexpected cuteness, maybe the mentoring classes could be quite enjoyable.
What kind of Sansuyu would I see today?
I spent my time thinking about this.
Soon came the first meeting with the mentor. Many students were having a chat with their mentors. However, there wasn't a trace of a person, let alone a mentor, on the placard marked with Group H.
What on earth was happening?
Looking around, a half-dumbfounded instructor who had glanced at us said,
"Group H?"
"Yes."
"You guys… will have to take a plane."
"Excuse me?"
We had to take a plane to meet a mentor? I was taken aback by the unexpected scale.
"The plane ticket is sponsored, and it seems to be heading to the Hunter Association. Have a safe trip. The plane departure time is in 3 hours."
"You're telling us now…"
"We just received the information too. Sorry. They said they would take care of the meals, so don't worry. Just bring your body."
The man said so with a small laugh.
"Still, there shouldn't be any problems in honing your skills."
"Really?"
"Yes."
I subtly glanced at the name tag on the instructor's chest. Man Sejeok. It was a name I had heard somewhere.
Man Sejeok waved at us with a satisfied smile. Somehow, I didn't dislike him and waved back.
Sansuyu, who was watching me, moved her feet towards the main gate and asked me.
"Si-eon."
"It's Shiheon."
"…Shiheon. It would be faster by car. Should I call the secretary?"
I waved to a passing taxi and said,
"No need. Let's take a taxi. This is also part of cultural life."
"Cultural life? Okay."
Thus, by taxi, we headed to the airport located in the center of the education city. As I was talking about everyday life with Sansuyu, like what we did yesterday, my phone vibrated.
-Jin Dallae: I'm heading to the Spirit Mountain with my mentor. How about you?
-Me: On the way to the airport by taxi.
-Jin Dallae: Shiheon too?
-Jin Dallae: (An emoticon of sparkling pink petals)
After responding appropriately, another message rang.
-Lee Seyeong: How's this?
-Lee Seyeong: (A picture of slightly torn stockings.)
Hmm.
I turned my phone so that Sansuyu couldn't see it and replied.
-Me: Hey, crazy lady, work.
-Me: But your body is pretty.
-Lee Seyeong: ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-Lee Seyeong: While I'm away, will you even cook side dishes?
Seeing my expression change, Sansuyu looked at me with piercing eyes. I spoke first as if making an excuse.
"I was contacting the homeroom teacher to see if she arrived safely."
"Really?"
Today, too, the Princess Syndrome prevailed; Sansuyu responded shortly and looked out of the window, resting her head on the glass. In the meantime, I quickly sent a message to Lee Seyeong.
-Me: (Nodding emoticon)
-Lee Seyeong: (Nodding emoticon)
Ah, you Beautiful Cornus. I haven't finished processing the acorns I got last time, but Lee Seyeong was the best.
Messaging and small talk made the time to the airport pass quickly.
50 minutes were left until the flight. After talking to Sansuyu, I walked around. No matter where I went, the flourishing greens were fascinating, contrasting with my old world.
Stretching in the midday sunlight on a weekday. I heard bones popping in my back.
I should catch some sleep on the plane.
"Hey, do you have a lighter?"
Then, suddenly, a woman approached us and spoke. Without even looking at her face, I found a lighter from my waist and handed it to her. We made eye contact: a woman with white hair smoking a cigarette.
[Group H Mentor Baekdo]
The name tag was pinned to her chest.
Soon, it will be pinned to mine, too.
[Group H Mentee Lee Siheon]
"Uh."
"Uh."
Seeing each other's name tags, our faces stiffened. The woman called Baekdo coughed awkwardly, accepted the lighter, and lit her cigarette.
"Uh-hem. You smoke?"
"I do, but not frequently."
"Have one."
Without a word, Baekdo offered a cigarette. I accepted it and took a draw. It had a faint peach scent.
"I didn't expect to see you here. I was dispatched from the Association. They said to teach you."
"We did have such a conversation. They promised the best master. Is it you?"
At my question, Baekdo lowered her head.
"Not yet. I don't take just anyone as my disciple."
"But you said you'd teach."
"I can teach, disciple or not. I have only one direct disciple after searching the whole world."
Understood.
But I didn't expect our first meeting to be over cigarettes.
I lived and learned. I thought and exhaled smoke. She then spoke.
"Smokers are not bad people; I'll give you one point."
"One point?"
"Earn ten, and I'll take you as a direct disciple."
I was thankful for that.
We spent some time smoking and gazing into the distance. The burned paper turned to ash and flew away.
Stealthily, I glanced at Baekdo.
Her near-transparent white hair, contrasting with her pale skin and blue eyes, was mystical. Her unconventional outfit, primarily black latex, revealed every curve. Even her ample chest…
"Do you enjoy women?"
I shivered at her words.
"Not a bad thing."
"I apologize."
"Why are you apologizing? It's natural to be interested in a woman's body."
Baekdo simultaneously lit five cigarettes.
The ashes kept piling up, and the silence stretched. The flowers starting to bloom at the airport were swaying in the subtle breeze.
Finally, she spoke in a heavy voice.
"I have a question."
"Suddenly?"
"Yes. It's crucial. It may decide whether you can be my disciple. Are you ready?"
Baekdo measured me with sharp eyes. I swallowed hard.
This was serious. I needed to take it seriously, too.
The wind blew, and I awaited the question.
Finally, a word fell from Baekdo's lips.
"…Do you prefer hard peaches or soft peaches?"
"Excuse me?"
"Answer quickly. One, two, three…"
"Soft, soft peaches?"
At my bewildered response, Baekdo frowned. Her expression was almost demonic.
"Wrong. Minus five points."
"…What?"
It was shocking.
Baekdo, clearly agitated, warned me in a low voice.
"Peaches are hard."