Kangha straightens himself, trying to regain his composure. His eyes fix ahead, but his thoughts are disrupted by Miss Choi's voice.
"Kangha, what do you think? Is that all right?" she asks, her tone calm but expecting an answer.
He blinks, realizing he has no idea what she's referring to. He hadn't been paying attention to her words just moments ago. Now, they are climbing the staircase, the faint creak of each step filling the silence.
"We shouldn't talk along the way like this," he continues, his voice firm but gentle. "We'll talk comfortably in the room."
His statement makes it clear—he wants silence for now. Miss Choi and wu-jin nods slightly, unsure if he notices. His gaze shifts again, drawn to the unconscious girl kangha carries lightly in his arms.
She's beautiful, strikingly so. Even in her unconscious state, her features hold a delicate grace. Kangha can't stop himself from observing her, captivated by the way her soft hair frames her face, and the faint rise and fall of her chest as she breathes. There's an air of fragility about her, yet something draws him in, almost as if her presence alone has stirred something deep within him.
He exhales slowly, trying to focus on the steps ahead, but his thoughts remain tangled in her image. Miss Choi, seemingly unaware of his wandering mind, keeps moving, her steady steps leading the way.
—----------
They now stand outside Ji Yeon's room. Miss Choi slides the key into the lock and opens the door. The moment they step inside, they are met with a shocking sight. The room is in complete disarray, as if someone had either torn it apart in anger or searched through it frantically for something.
Kangha's eyes dart across the chaos, his voice laced with disbelief. "Is anyone keeping track of this? Or… has her room been searched?"
Miss Choi remains silent, her eyes scanning the mess. The room bag lies wide open on the floor, its contents scattered everywhere. Clothes are thrown haphazardly across the bed, some damp as though soaked in water. A single shoe rests on the bed, while its pair sits awkwardly across the room near the door.
Finally, Miss Choi speaks, her tone surprisingly composed. "No, I think it's her own doing," she says as she kneels to gather the scattered items. "She came to the party early. She must have left the room in this condition while getting ready."
She moves to the bed, shaking out the crumpled sheets and stacking the damp clothes neatly to one side.
Woo-Jin steps into the room, his brows furrowed. "I think we still need to consider the possibility of someone being here," he says, his voice calm but firm.
Miss Choi glances at him and shakes her head. "No, it's not needed," she replies, her tone dismissive. "There's no sign of anyone breaking in. Let's not jump to conclusions."
Kangha, meanwhile, carries Ji Yeon over to the bed. He gently lays her down on the freshly made surface, careful not to disturb her. The bright light of the room falls on her face, highlighting her delicate features.
In the black gown, she looks stunning—almost ethereal. Kangha finds himself unable to look away, his lips curving into a faint smile as he lifts his gaze. For a moment, the mess in the room fades into the background.
Miss Choi watches Kangha silently. The faint smile on his lips vanishes the moment he notices her gaze. Her face remains impassive, revealing no emotion, yet her steady eyes seem to pierce through him.
Breaking the silence, Miss Choi speaks in her usual calm tone. "Woo-Jin, bring some curd. It will help reduce her intoxication."
Without hesitation, Woo-Jin nods and quickly leaves the room to fetch the yogurt.
Kangha, however, stands rooted to his spot, his mind racing. He wonders if Miss Choi is about to reprimand him. Is she going to lecture me? he thinks, his shoulders stiffening slightly in anticipation.
But Miss Choi says nothing, her attention shifting back to Ji Yeon. Her composed demeanor leaves Kangha unsure of what to expect. The silence between them feels heavy, and he waits, almost bracing himself for her next words.
"Kangha, I need to talk to you. Sit down," Miss Choi says, her voice firm yet calm. Her expression has shifted, becoming serious, almost unreadable.
She moves to the chair by the window, lowering herself gracefully. The soft light filtering through the glass outlines her poised frame, making it clear that whatever she's about to say carries weight.
Kangha watches her for a moment, then removes his coat and hangs it neatly on the cupboard's hook. Straightening his shoulders, he walks toward her with a quiet resolve.
He sits on the edge of the bed, choosing the left side, directly across from her. The mattress dips slightly under his weight. Behind him, Ji Yeon remains unconscious, her steady breathing the only sound in the room.
Miss Choi's gaze meets his, unwavering. The air between them feels charged, as though her words will decide something important. Kangha sits still, waiting, his heart heavy with anticipation.
"What the headmaster said at the party today was absolutely wrong and inappropriate," Miss Choi begins, her tone carrying a mix of frustration and disbelief. "He didn't show an ounce of love to the children, and worse, he's been telling them all the wrong things about magic. And now, he's decided to teach black magic to the students from this year."
She paces slightly, turning back to Kangha as she recounts every detail, her words spilling out quickly in her anxiety. "There's nothing I haven't told you, Kangha. Everything—every ridiculous and shocking thing he said—I've laid it out for you."
Kangha listens intently, his focus entirely on her. For a moment, he forgets his own concerns, his thoughts overshadowed by what she's revealing. He hadn't expected any of this from Miss Choi. The weight of her words surprises him, pulling him deeper into thought.
Miss Choi runs a hand through her hair, a nervous habit as she continues. "I don't even understand why he's doing this. It's baffling, isn't it?" She pauses and looks directly at Kangha. "Don't you think it's surprising?"
Kangha finally speaks, his voice calm but firm. "Surprising? It's beyond that. And now, they're even threatening to throw you out of the school?" His brows knit together in disbelief. "They can't do that. I won't let that happen."
His tone grows stronger, conviction evident in his words. "For ten years, everyone here knows how much you've supported the headmaster. How could he even think of doing something like this? It's not just wrong—it's ungrateful."
Miss Choi's expression softens for a moment, but the tension in the room remains thick. Kangha's mind races, already planning his next steps to ensure this injustice doesn't unfold.
"I will not let them take any wrong decision," Kangha says angrily, his jaw clenched, his eyes blazing with determination.
Woo-Jin, standing near the door, sighs as he closes it behind him. "But there's nothing you can do," he says matter-of-factly. "He's the headmaster, and his decision will be final. Everyone in the hall is already talking about it."
Miss Choi shakes her head, her frustration evident. "I think no child will want to come to school this year," Woo-Jin adds, glancing at her.
"They'll come,"
Miss Choi replies sharply, her voice tinged with bitterness. "But only those who crave evil power—those who have no regard for humanity. The rest? They'll stay far away."
Kangha turns to Woo-Jin, slightly tilting his head. "Did you bring the yogurt?"
"Yes, here it is," Woo-Jin answers, holding up a bag in his hand and waving it toward Kangha.
Without a word, Kangha gets up from the bed and walks over to Woo-Jin. He takes the bag from him, nodding slightly in acknowledgment, and moves to the other side of the bed where Ji Yeon lies unconscious.
Kneeling beside her, Kangha uses his teeth to carefully tear open a corner of the yogurt bag. With steady hands, he begins to feed Ji Yeon small spoonfuls, ensuring she swallows each bit gently. His movements are slow and deliberate, his gaze fixed on her pale face, his thoughts unreadable.
Miss Choi and Woo-Jin watch in silence, the weight of the situation pressing heavily in the quiet room.
"What did you think, Kangha? What will you do?" Miss Choi asks, her voice tight with worry as she sits anxiously in her chair.
"I've already told you what I'm going to do," Kangha replies, his tone calm but firm.
"But how will you stop them?" Woo-Jin presses, standing behind him with a mix of curiosity and concern.
Kangha pauses for a moment before turning slightly to address both of them. His voice is steady, laced with quiet determination. "This school was started by my great-grandfather. He founded it with the belief that it would enable people, teach them to use magic for good, and uphold humanity. That was his vision."
He glances at Miss Choi, her worried expression reflected in the dim light. "When he built this school, he made a law—when his son turned twenty, he would inherit the position of headmaster, provided he was capable. This tradition has been followed for generations. Each son, when he came of age, was judged on his ability before taking on the responsibility."
Kangha straightens, his voice growing stronger. "By that law, I am next in line. I am twenty-two years old, and by all accounts, I am capable of becoming the headmaster. I have every right to make decisions for this school."
He looks between Miss Choi and Woo-Jin, his confidence radiating in the small room. "I won't let the headmaster's selfish choices ruin everything my ancestors built. I'll set things right."
The room falls silent. Miss Choi exhales softly, her expression a mix of relief and doubt, while Woo-Jin watches Kangha closely, as if searching for any sign of hesitation. But there is none. Kangha's resolve is unshakable.
"He won't believe that," Woo-Jin says firmly, his voice cutting through the room. His arms are crossed, his tone almost defiant. "Kangha, you can't fight him. You know that."
Kangha's gaze sharpens, and his confidence unwavering. "I'll tell them the law. If they don't obey it, then I'll do what's necessary—even if it means following their wrong path to set things right." His voice is calm but carries an edge, his words deliberate.
Miss Choi looks up, alarm flashing in her eyes.
"Kangha," she starts, but he cuts her off.
"I won't fight him openly," Kangha continues, his tone resolute. "I won't stoop to his level, but I'll use his own methods against him if that's what it takes. I will protect this school, no matter the cost."
Woo-Jin frowns, his voice lowering. "You can't fight him like that. He's too powerful, Kangha."
"I don't need to fight him directly," Kangha replies, his determination burning in his eyes. "I'll outsmart him. This school isn't his to destroy. It's my responsibility now, and I won't let him ruin it."
The room grows tense as his words hang in the air. Miss Choi looks down, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, while Woo-Jin leans back against the wall, still skeptical but unable to deny the conviction in Kangha's voice....