[El Academy, 2021 Midterm Exam Notice.]
A text message popped up on the phone screen. The day of the exam was approaching.
Sitting comfortably on the sofa, I savored a cup of subtle peach tea while reviewing magic theory.
-Gulp.
A warm sip of tea melted my body in relaxation. It was neither too sweet nor bland, quite delicious as if it was tailored to my taste. Unnecessarily similar tastes. Perhaps that was why she did things like this.
I sighed as I copied down notes.
"Ah…"
Immersed in studying without any distractions, in the cozy air.
Really, it was just too good.
The leisure of sipping tea after a victory was the best form of rest for me. I smiled contentedly. The tea had cooled down just a bit when I brought the cup to my lips.
-Clap, clap.
"Hey!"
Two crisp claps. My rude call summoned a silhouette from the kitchen. A beautiful woman with white hair tied in a ponytail, her mouth frowning in a V-shape, approached.
"Hmm…"
Dressed in casual clothes, she gazed at me with a steady look, holding a teapot.
"What's… the matter?"
"The tea has cooled. You know what I mean?"
"Got it…"
Baekdo's thin voice reached my ears. She seemed really angry. But so what? Was she going to do something about her anger? Today, I was practically her master.
"Hurry back."
"…You should really moderate it. Third-class disciple."
Even though my status dropped from a disciple to a third-class disciple, I was in a good mood.
"We are in a master-disciple relationship. Even in a bet, there are certain lines between a master and a disciple. Do you understand that?"
"Technicalities. What did I tell you to do?"
"…A master worse than a wild cat."
Though she added a comment, what did it matter? There was a lot more to enjoy, so it was too early to worry.
"But you were the one who started the bet."
"…Talking back to a superior."
"Who's the superior now?"
"The master."
"Knowing your place is good… Someone once said that. Who do you think it was?"
Baekdo's brow twitched. It was something I had said to her during training in Jirisan.
"…It was me. I said it because your punching was so lackluster."
"I also said it because your actions after winning the bet were so uninspiring."
"You really don't lose in arguments."
"So what."
"…Never mind."
Realizing that this bet could go on forever, Baekdo got up and went back to the kitchen.
Soon, enjoying the snacks and tea she brought, I read through the midterm exam notice.
Written and practical exams. And a tournament.
The exam types were set in three formats.
The subject was up to the professor. If the professor of the chosen course opted for a written exam, you took a written one, and if they chose practical, then it was a practical exam. Instructors usually chose practical.
On the other hand, the tournament was an exam with a fixed field that didn't change every year.
A brutish yet efficient way to grade based on sheer strength.
It didn't greatly affect the grades but did impact the rankings, essentially a system to honor the truly skilled.
I glanced at Baekdo.
"Come sit here."
Baekdo raised an eyebrow and sat on a small chair beside the desk.
"You must be really annoyed right now."
-Nod, nod.
"The exam is coming up… I have to win… Should we make another bet? Whether I can secure the first place."
She smirked.
"Still fresh in my mind is the embarrassing spectacle from our last foolish bet… Do you really think I would accept this bet?"
Honestly, I think she would. I would if I were her.
"Alright."
Look at this.
"I'll bet on the losing side. There's a possibility of cheating."
"Okay. What should the penalty be for the loser?"
"Anything. Of course, it's the winner who tells the loser what to do."
She still hadn't learned after being fooled once. It felt like watching an ant investor lose in the stock market.
"What will you do if you lose again? It won't just end with being a servant this time."
"Shut up."
She insisted on doing it, and there was no stopping her… I waved my hand dismissively.
"Anyway, let's go eat in an hour. How about pork soup?"
"…I like it."
As much as I increased my training, my appetite had grown, too.
It was natural to get hungry with all the movement. Baekdo seemed to agree, salivating at the thought of the soup.
"Oh right, give me a foot massage."
Of course, Baekdo was no different from a slave before dinner.
"Eek, eek…"
Baekdo, holding back and finally swallowing her curses, silently complied with my request. The sound of teeth grinding in anger filled the silent room.
[Chingoochingoo 010 – xxxx – xxxx]
Miss Sansuyu has made a friend.
And she saved the contact with such affectionate wording.
'…Why him of all people?'
Sung Jiho, Sansuyu's personal secretary, browsed through her phone and let out a bitter sigh.
Chingoochingoo… It was undoubtedly the work of the Banyan Tree she recently accepted as her master. Surely, he must have teased her that this is how friends address each other.
'Lee Shiheon… Why such a man…'
The Cornus family was a prestigious one among the elite.
Anyone approaching the eldest daughter of such a deep-rooted family tree, even if they were children of the World Tree, needed to be investigated.
Sung Jiho silently looked over the brief report.
Lee Shiheon, from the day he approached Sansuyu, Jiho tried to investigate him, but he couldn't find any trace or record of his past.
'Too dangerous. He might have ulterior motives.'
Lee Shiheon had hidden his information too well.
No expert could hide themselves this perfectly.
'Why is the lady meeting such a person…'
As her secretary, it was hard to say, but Miss Sansuyu was too innocent and naive.
Sometimes, she couldn't even tell if her actions were right.
Watching silently, it was confusing whether she was a lady of a noble family or a naive Golden Retriever.
'Sigh.'
A sigh filled with resignation spread outside the window.
'It wasn't like this from the start.'
Excessive expectations and attention. And the project the Cornus family was planning.
The reason Sansuyu, who used to be sharp, lost her emotions and changed was due to various factors.
Of course, she was still beautiful enough to give her life for…
Occasionally, he remembered the way she used to be when he served her as a child.
-Jiho, I learned swordsmanship today. Record it.
Like that, she used to trust herself and take the lead in her responsibilities.
Now, she was like this-
"Miho."
"Yes, Miss."
"I lost my phone…"
-This was the situation.
She was not just foolish.
She might seem silly, but her academic performance at the academy was among the top.
Her swordsmanship skills were improving rapidly. Recently, she had been training hard as if motivated by something.
'Is it because of this guy…?'
Thinking of Lee Shiheon, Jiho looked at Sansuyu, tilting her head, and smiled bitterly.
"If that's really the case, I should be grateful. But… if he harbors any disrespectful thoughts towards the lady, I'll have to step in."
Jiho took out his cell phone from his pocket and handed it to Sansuyu.
"I found it in the hallway earlier. Miss."
"Ah, thank you, Jihu."
"It's Jiho."
"Miho."
"…Yes."
Sansuyu, holding her cellphone, which didn't even have a basic pattern lock, smiled slyly at the screen.
'I hope she's not really going to that strange man…?'
Jiho felt a strange unease watching her.
She had been through a lot, and he truly hoped she would find happiness.
Knowing a bit about the inner workings of the Cornus family, he felt a bitter taste in his mouth.
"Miss."
"Hm?"
"About the friend, you mentioned last time… may I know how it's going?"
Sansuyu hugged her phone tightly. The large screen device, buried in her ample chest, could be completely covered by her small palm.
"I made a friend."
"Oh, really? That's wonderful news."
Was it as expected? Jiho maintained his poker face and continued.
"Miss, you have an exam soon, right?"
"Yes."
"How about inviting your friend over for a study session? It could be a special experience and a chance to build a closer relationship."
Sansuyu's eyes sparkled at the idea.
"That sounds great. Siho! I'll invite them."
Sansuyu, having answered, trotted into her room. Jiho, watching her retreat, had to admit at least one thing.
Lately, Sansuyu's emotional expressions have increased.
It was an undeniable change, evident to the eye.
'I should investigate a bit more.'
Jiho read a few lines about Lee Shiheon from the report.
20-year-old Lee Shiheon. No information on childhood or past activities.
However, given his association with S-class Hunter Baekdo and continuous contact with Lee Seyeong, a female executive of the Orc family, he was not an ordinary individual.
Currently, several guilds and families are in contact with him. However, no illegal transactions had taken place.
At first glance, he seemed like a promising young man. Usually, Jiho would leave it be, but he couldn't let it go since it involved Miss Sansuyu.
'But why does his connection have to be with that woman Baekdo…'
Jiho recalled Baekdo sitting proudly at a guild meeting in the past.
Just her presence alone seemed to devour everyone with her piercing gaze. Remembering that made his arms goosebump.
Honestly, he was a bit hesitant to continue investigating Lee Shiheon.
'I might get in trouble for this.'
But it had to be done.
Everything was for the lady.
That was the mindset required for a secretary protecting the eldest daughter of the Cornus family.
'Please don't let him be a bad guy.'
Jiho thought regretfully as he reached into his pocket, only to remember he had quit smoking for the lady. He missed it a bit today.
Resignedly dusting off his hands, he knocked on Sansuyu's door to convey the dinner news.
"Miss? May I come in?"
"Sure~ Come in."
Upon receiving permission, he opened the door.
Inside the grand room, Sansuyu sat at her computer with a bright yellow headset, only turning her head to look at Jiho.
"Miss, it's about time for dinner."
"It's okay."
Jiho walked around Sansuyu's room, checking the surroundings.
"Miho…?"
Sansuyu asked as if wondering why he was there. Noticing something artificial in her voice, Jiho took a thorough look around the room.
As expected.
Underneath the bed, there was a white plastic bag.
"Miss…"
"Uh, yes."
"Stop eating Tteokbokki. We have to have dinner. What's this?"
"I wanted to eat it."
What could a secretary say outright to his master expressing such a wish?
Jiho swallowed his irritation, thinking internally.
Whoever got her hooked on this stuff, he'd make sure to deal with them.
Last time, she had asked him to fry chicken for her. To Jiho, this spicy and cheesy Rosé Tteokbokki was like the devil's own creation.