The hall is filled with the soft murmur of voices as forty students, line up in ,neat row's, waiting for their headmaster. The secretary stands at the front, her eyes scanning the group, ensuring everyone is in place.
"Everyone line up,, properly," she instructs. "The Headmaster wants to tell you something."
As the last student finds their spot, the secretary falls silent. A faint sound of footsteps echoes through the hall, growing louder with each step. The students stand straighter, their faces turning towards the door.
The footsteps stop. A man appears, emerging from behind the students. He is dressed in a long, dark coat, He's wearing long shoes.. A wide-brimmed hat obscures most of his face, but the seriousness in his posture is unmistakable. In his hand, he holds a long stick, he makes his way toward the stage.
He passes through the students without a glance, his expression as stern as always. Reaching the stage, he finally speaks.
"As you all know, your five years of training have been completed. You will be sent away from here with a card and our prayers. You may now go out into the world, to live among the people as humans, following the rules you are already familiar with."
The students listen intently,"None of the secrets of the Ethereal Lotus Shrine are to be revealed to outsiders, especially those who know nothing of magic," the headmaster continues, his voice steady. "Miss Choi will oversee the list of incoming students from now on. If any of you wish to remain here and not leave, you may inform her."
A soft murmur ripples through the students, but the headmaster silences it with a raised hand.
"Now, you may return to your rooms."
One by one, the students start coming out of the hall. The headmaster turns to go, and leaves. A boy who was present in the demands starts going. But before that Miss Choi calls out
"Kang Ha," she says, her voice calm but filled with an underlying tension.
Kang Ha, who has been standing at the back, turns at the sound of her voice.
"Yes, Principal?" he responds.
The Kangha pauses, his gaze shifting to Miss Choi. She steps forward and speaks in a low voice, just loud enough for Kang Ha to hear.
"The Headmaster has decided that you may leave this year as well."
Kang Ha's eyes widened in surprise. "But Principal, no member of the Won family has ever been allowed to leave the Shrine. Why has my grandfather made this decision now?"
Miss Choi looks thoughtful for a moment before answering. "He knows of your interest in the outside world, and he has decided that, if you wish to go, you may. But Kang Ha, I urge you to make the right choice. Don't rush into anything."
Kang Ha's face tightens with worry, but he nods slowly. "Okay, fine." he turns and walks away, his mind racing with questions.
As Kang Ha leaves, Miss Choi watches him go with a worried expression.
...…..
The maid, standing by the office window, speaks up.
"Miss Choi, are you worried?"
"No, I'm not," Miss Choi replies quickly. "You go ahead."
The maid leaves, but Miss Choi remains seated, deep in thought. "What is Jeong-woon thinking?" she mutters. "If he lets Kang Ha go like this, the secrets hidden here will never be revealed, and he'll end up like his father—lost to the world. There has to be a way to make Kang Ha stay."
She leans forward, staring at the desk and thinking deeply .
'what?"
"Why you allow Kang Ha to leave?
For three years, he has refused to follow any of my instructions. There have been no consequences for him. I don't want him to disappear like his father did."
"Miss Choi sighs heavily, her hand hovering over a piece of paper".
"He will be safe if he stays in the outside world for a few years, and this will always be his home. He can return whenever he wishes."
With a heavy heart, she begins to write a letter.
"My daughter Ji Yeon, how are you? I need your help. I want you to enter school this year and come to me. Please. You are my last hope. Don't turn me away.""The situation has gotten worse. I don't want Kangha to leave the school because if that happens, his death will be almost certain. There's still so much he has to accomplish here, and you're the only one who can help me. Please, don't deny me."
As she finishes the letter, she stares at the words, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "Was it desperation or just a plea?"
---
Meanwhile, Kang Ha, still lost in thought, is stopped by Woo Jin as he walks through the hallway.
"Kang Ha! Where are you going? Why did you leave the hall so quickly?" Woo Jin asks, surprised.
Kang Ha shakes his head. "I'm not sure. Just...thinking."
"Lee Min Ho, where are you going to live once you leave here?" Woo Jin turns to Lee Min, who is packing his things.
"I'll stay with my parents," Lee Min replies.
"And you, Woo Jin?"
"I'll be staying in the apartment I came from," Woo Jin says casually as he continues to pack.
Kang Ha pauses, looking at him thoughtfully. "Okay, Woo Jin. I'll stay with you."
Woo Jin looks up, his eyes wide with disbelief. "What? How can you come with me?"
Lee Min watches the exchange in confusion. "How did you convince Jeong-woon to let you leave?"
Kangha replies,
"I didn't agree with them. They told me themselves that if I want to leave, I should leave the school."
Lee Min, looking surprised, says,
"Kangha, this doesn't feel right. You should talk to them once."
Kangha nods in agreement with Lee Min's words, his head tilting slightly.
Thinking for a moment, Woo Jin asks,
"Kangha, do you want to leave?"
"Yes, I want to leave," Kangha replies. "Because maybe the thing I've been searching for can only be found by leaving this place."
"But Miss Choi says that if you leave this school, you won't achieve anything," Woo Jin adds.
Kangha, with a determined look, replies,
"I will still try. And leaving the school is my decision." I have already made up my mind.
Kang Ha nods, his thoughts heavy with the weight of his decisions.
---
The scene is set. The story builds toward Kang Ha's journey, one that will take her beyond the safety of the Ethereal Lotus Shrine and into a world full of mysteries, dangers, and untold secrets.