[Chapter 166]
[The Beginning of the End]
February of the 15th year of Seonryeok.
Winter passed in an instant.
As the flower buds were preparing for the approaching spring,
[─We will now begin the graduation ceremony for the 031st and 31st classes and transfer students of the Player Academy.]
The academy students gathered in the main auditorium to conduct the graduation ceremony.
""─Pledge.""
""""Pledge.""""
Valedictorian Jung Ha-yang.
Salutatorian Bae Su-bin.
The two people standing in front of the academy principal raised their right hands.
As they declared,
The rest of the students followed, reciting the same words.
"─We declare that we will proudly dedicate this one life as Players who protect the nation and devote ourselves to the people." "We pledge to live our lives without fearing death and with a mindset prepared for death."
Many gazes poured in.
Family members, reporters, industry officials, and others.
Even though they were focusing on the two people standing on the stage,
The two recited their given lines without caring at all.
Not just them, but all the students simultaneously recited the pledge in unison.
The unified voices filled the main auditorium.
Soon, they began to write their names with mana manifested at their fingertips.
""─Until this heart stops beating.""
Names floating in the air.
Starting with Jung Ha-yang and Bae Su-bin,
The students grasped the blue-glowing names in one hand.
As the names in their hands were crushed, the formless mana rippled in the air all at once.
Thump thump
Then, as they struck the floor with the weapons in their hands making a thumping sound,
The mana that had been rippling like mist shattered into fine particles.
Particles sparkling in the light.
The blue mana particles fluttered and fell onto the students' heads.
It looked just like the gods blessing them as they went out into the world.
Of course, the gods were dead.
The particles scattering in the main auditorium were nothing more than the manifestation of their will.
[─This concludes the graduation ceremony for the 031st and 31st classes and transfer students of the Player Academy.]
And so, the seeds sprouted,
And now as flower buds, they each await the day they will bloom.
On this day, the students officially became Players.
☆
The graduation ceremony ended.
The main auditorium was packed with people.
The solemn appearance of reciting the pledge just moments ago was nowhere to be found.
The graduated students were busy chatting, taking photos, or receiving congratulations from others.
Eun-ha was no exception.
"─Senior Noh Eun-ha! I've been admiring you for so long! If it's not too much trouble, could I have one of your belongings!?"
"Senior, congratulations on your graduation! Could I have one too?"
At some point, a graduation ceremony culture had emerged at the academy.
It was the culture of graduating students handing over their devices to juniors.
However, Eun-ha, who could be considered the starting point of this graduation culture, didn't want to do so.
How good are my swords?
She intended to continue using them in the future.
So Eun-ha had announced to her juniors some time ago that she wouldn't be handing over her devices.
However, she now regretted saying she would at least give away a button.
As a result─.
"─Work hard."
""""Thank you!!""""
Ties, buttons.
Eun-ha had to tear apart her school uniform to give to those who swarmed like bees.
As a result, the appearance of a graduate was in a sorry state.
After experiencing this storm, Eun-ha showed the rushing juniors that she had nothing left to give.
No, there was one thing.
""""....""""
The brooch symbolizing Noh Eun-ha's group.
Although Noh Eun-ha's group would now disappear, the meaning of the brooch couldn't be ignored.
It meant being the most promising among promising talents.
Moreover, the brooch also carried the meaning of being recognized by Noh Eun-ha's group.
Especially her own brooch.
Therefore, Eun-ha looked for someone to pass the brooch to.
"─Ah, senior."
"Hello?"
It wasn't difficult to find.
Jin Seo-na, who was nearby, informed him telepathically.
Eun-ha approached one male student among those looking at him.
"Let's meet outside later. So, um..., Seong-hwan." "...! Yes! Senior! I'll work hard to become someone who won't tarnish your name!"
Oh Seong-hwan of the 032nd class.
Eun-ha didn't know much about him.
But according to his friends, he was said to be a strong devotee of Noh Eun-ha and was called a promising talent.
His character was said to be perfect too.
Eun-ha patted his shoulder and even took a photo with him while at it.
It doesn't suit my temperament, but….
If I want to recruit this kid to the clan next year, I should endure this much.
A thoroughly calculated thought.
But Oh Seong-hwan seemed overwhelmed to be recognized by Eun-ha.
In any case, Eun-ha and his friends' intentions were successful.
"Eun-ha!!" "Oppa!!"
Meanwhile, as Eun-ha was exchanging words of encouragement with some juniors and classmates,
The crowd parted in the distance.
The students screamed "Kyaa" as they saw Noh Eun-ah walking through the parted crowd.
Eun-ah waved to them as she approached Eun-ha with Eun-ae.
"Congratulations on your graduation! From today, you've become a Player too, right?"
Until now,
But the uniform she wore today wasn't the Regulus Clan uniform.
A white shirt that wasn't see-through.
A navy blue jacket worn over it.
The clan's emblem was embroidered on the left chest of the jacket.
A style that looked like a uniform overall while also resembling office wear.
It was the Pandora Clan uniform.
"The uniform is really pretty. The color scheme is beautiful. It's sophisticated."
"It looks much better than what our clan provides?"
"They say five groups are sponsoring them, so the uniform price doesn't seem cheap either."
People who saw the Pandora Clan uniform let out exclamations of admiration.
Noh Eun-ah, who had deliberately worn the uniform, showed them a beaming smile.
Moreover, Ryu Yeon-hwa was beside her at some point.
She was wearing pants.
"Congratulations on your graduation, Eun-ha."
"Thanks for coming."
"Oppa, congratulations on your graduation! And this is a bouquet I made to give you! Seo-hyun unnie helped too!"
After receiving congratulations from Ryu Yeon-hwa,
Eun-ha then received congratulations from Eun-ae who was clinging to him.
She handed him the bouquet.
Eun-ha was touched by Eun-ae's gift.
"But where's Changjin hyung?"
"I told him not to come since there are so many people. He's probably cleaning the clan hall now."
Holding Eun-ae's hand,
Eun-ha asked Eun-ah.
After that, Eun-ha decided to stop worrying about Han Chang-jin.
"More importantly, let's go see Mom and Julietta unnie! They're waiting over there."
Father couldn't come today because he had a lot of work.
Instead, Julietta, Bruno, and Avenir came with Mother.
So Eun-ha was about to go meet them, guided by Eun-ah.
That's when it happened.
"─Eun-ha oppa!"
Eun-ha heard a familiar voice calling him from afar.
A familiar voice.
Someone raised their hand in the crowd.
Eun-ha entrusted Eun-ae to Eun-ah and approached On Tae-hee, who couldn't move in the crowd.
"Tae-hee, you came too?"
"Of course! It's oppa's graduation ceremony, how could I not come?"
On Tae-hee, On Tae-yang's younger sister.
After losing her mother and transferring to a boarding middle school, On Tae-hee was happy to see Eun-ha.
"Oppa, congratulations on your graduation!"
"Wasn't it hard coming here? The roads must have been quite congested today..."
"The distance wasn't far, so I walked from the dormitory for exercise!" "Beep beep beep boop boop boop!"
"Buldak congratulates you on your graduation too!"
Unlike before, her face had brightened considerably.
Eun-ha, who had been in occasional contact with her, was relieved to see her energetic appearance.
He unhesitatingly placed his hand on her head.
"Thank you for coming today." "No, it's nothing. But oppa, make sure to come to my graduation ceremony too, okay?" "Okay, I got it." "Oppa! Let's take a picture together too!"
"Beep beep beep boop boop boop!!"
Eun-ha stroked her head.
She let Eun-ha stroke her head without moving.
She let out a pleased laugh.
"Let's eat together later. We decided to have an after-party at the clan hall when it's over." "Is it okay for me to come?"
"Of course you can come. Eun-ae will be there too, so you won't be bored. Ah, do you know where the clan hall is?" "Yes! I remember from when I went there once before!"
"But it's quite far from here.... Let's ride in the car together later. Uncle Bruno will drive us."
"Okay! I'll wait then!"
He took a picture with On Tae-hee.
She zoomed in to check the photo and seemed satisfied.
Then she remembered something and gave a bitter smile.
"Ah.... I'm sorry, oppa. I just realized I can't make it today." "Huh? Why?" "Well...."
On Tae-hee hesitated to speak.
Eun-ha looked down at her.
And then he realized.
Ah, I see.
On Tae-hee was holding not one, but two bouquets.
She said she came to see Eun-ha, but.
There was no way she came to the graduation ceremony just to see him alone.
"Then it can't be helped." "...I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. More importantly, shouldn't you be going now? What if you miss him while staying here?"
"...!"
The reason On Tae-hee came to the graduation ceremony.
It was obvious.
To congratulate On Tae-yang on his graduation.
Although she was said to be on awkward terms with On Tae-yang, they were still blood siblings.
There was bound to be affection.
She probably didn't want to keep fighting with On Tae-yang like this.
Having grasped her feelings, Eun-ha pushed her back.
"I'm proud of you, Tae-hee." "...Thank you, oppa."
"On Tae-yang is over there. Good luck."
"Okay."
Eun-ha honestly praised her.
She then wiped away her worried expression.
Perhaps encouraged by Eun-ha.
She walked towards On Tae-yang with confident steps.
"Oppa..., congratulations on your graduation."
"..."
Eun-ha watched the two of them.
It wasn't difficult for him to spot On Tae-yang.
Because he felt a gaze staring intently at him ever since he met On Tae-hee.
"Thank you, really...."
"Let's go eat later when this is over. Let's eat what you like, oppa."
On Tae-yang carefully accepted the bouquet.
As his face softened,
Her face softened as well.
Encouraged, she spoke to On Tae-yang in a cheerful tone.
"Um...."
"Hm? What's wrong?"
But On Tae-yang hesitated.
On Tae-hee tilted her head.
At that moment, students gathered around On Tae-yang.
"I promised to have an after-party with the classmates joining the Dangun Clan together.... Tae-hee, I'm really sorry." "..."
"I want to skip it too... but this is really important so it's hard to miss." "I... see...."
"You understand, right Tae-hee? Sorry, I'll treat you to a meal next time for sure."
On Tae-yang spoke apologetically.
On Tae-hee's expectations were betrayed.
No matter how much he apologized, her voice only grew smaller.
Her shoulders even drooped.
Right then─
"─Then I'll take Tae-hee and treat her to a meal. Tae-hee, let's go."
"Huh? Eun-ha oppa?" "You came all this way, so you should at least eat. Wait until the match is over."
Instead of heading towards his family,
Eun-ha, who had been watching the two, grasped the situation immediately and grabbed On Tae-hee.
Whether she looked surprised or not,
Eun-ha suddenly shielded her with his body.
"..."
"What? Or do you want to take her?"
"...No."
For a moment, his eyes met On Tae-yang's.
Eun-ha asked gruffly.
On Tae-yang, with clenched fists, finally avoided his gaze.
Eun-ha decided to leave without dealing with him any further.
"─See you at the match later." "..."
With those final words,
Eun-ha turned his back on On Tae-yang.
And On Tae-hee, with Eun-ha's hand on her shoulder, shed tears.
"Sob...."
"Don't cry. He probably wanted to go too but is busy with work."
Words that didn't sound true at all.
Nevertheless, Eun-ha told lies to comfort her.
She knew as well.
Still, she nodded and accepted his comfort.
"I'm really hungry now! I'm going to eat until I burst today!"
"Eat a lot. There will be plenty."
"And I was going to cheer for oppa at the match later even though he's oppa, but now I'm going to cheer for Eun-ha oppa!"
"Okay, okay."
After sniffling for a while,
On Tae-hee pulled herself together.
Eun-ha patted the head of the girl who quickly regained her composure.
They headed towards the family like that.
His friends had already gathered around the family.
There was one more person.
"─Congratulations on your graduation." "Thank you for coming."
Han Seo-hyun, the Pandora Clan administrator.
Wearing the Pandora Clan uniform, she approached with a bouquet in her arms.
She smiled with her eyes.