As Kangha steps into his room, he lets out a quiet sigh, his mind heavy with unanswered questions. He mutters to himself, "I'll ask Miss Choi everything tomorrow." His voice carries a mix of determination and frustration, though his face remains calm.
He moves toward the bed, his steps deliberate. Reaching down, he picks up the black magic book with one hand and another book with the other. Settling on the edge of the bed, he flips open the first book and begins reading. To anyone observing, he seems like an ordinary man enjoying a quiet night, but Kangha is far from ordinary.
Years of discipline have turned him into an expert at concealing his emotions. No one can easily tell what storms rage within him. Yet when his anger breaks free, he becomes as wild and ferocious as a maddened tiger, his fury uncontrollable.
Now, though, he focuses on the words in front of him, his expression blank but his mind racing with the knowledge these books hold. The hours tick by, the night deepens, and eventually, exhaustion overtakes him. He falls asleep where he sits, the books resting in his hands, the faint glow of the moonlight casting shadows across his room.
Morning arrives with a blinding light that pours into the room. Kangha's eyes flutter open, squinting against the brightness. The world feels disjointed as he shifts, realizing he is still holding the pillow and the book in the same position he fell asleep.
He mutters groggily, "Too much light... Grandfather wouldn't have let this happen." A pang of guilt tugs at him as he recalls the strict routines his grandfather enforced. Since his absence, Kangha's mornings have lost their discipline.
Pulling himself together, he rises from the bed and freshens up. His movements are brisk and efficient, his mind already planning the day ahead. The books—dangerous and full of secrets—are carefully tucked away in the cupboard, hidden from prying eyes.
With the books secured, Kangha steps into the hallway. The school is eerily quiet, each of his footsteps echoing in the stillness. His resolve hardens as he walks straight toward Miss Choi's room, ready to demand the answers he needs. Today, there will be no more avoiding the truth.
As soon as Kangha steps into the room, his gaze falls on Miss Choi and Ji Yeon. The sight of Ji Yeon surprises him. He hadn't expected her to be here. For a brief moment, his thoughts spiral—he realizes he can't openly discuss Ji Yeon's involvement or ask questions about her in her presence. Yet, his unanswered questions gnaw at him. He needs answers.
Kangha takes a breath, composing himself. A warm smile spreads across his face as he addresses Miss Choi.
"How is your health now?" His tone is cheerful, masking the storm within him.
Miss Choi looks up at him with a calm expression and responds evenly,
"I'm fine now, thank you."
Ji Yeon observes the exchange closely. A fleeting thought crosses her mind—perhaps Kangha has found something in the books, a clue or a solution, and that's why he seems unusually happy.
Breaking the momentary silence, miss Choi speaks.
"Kangha, you've said yes to the competition. But how will you find your grandfather in all this?"
Kangha meets her gaze, his expression steady and determined.
"I have a way," he replies simply.
Ji Yeon narrows her eyes slightly, curiosity flickering in them.
"And what is that?"
Instead of answering immediately, Kangha moves to stand beside Miss Choi and Ji Yeon. He shifts his attention back to Miss Choi, his voice calm but probing.
"Will I be allowed to add anything to the competition myself, or will the headmaster control everything?"
Miss Choi's gaze sharpens slightly, but she answers matter-of-factly. "The decision is that the headmaster will handle everything."
Kangha doesn't back down. His tone becomes firmer as he clarifies,
"But what if I want to set some levels, done according to my will?"
Miss Choi tilts her head thoughtfully, her expression unreadable. "It depends on what you want to propose. But you'd have to convince the headmaster—and that won't be easy."
Kangha nods slightly, his mind already racing with plans. Ji Yeon, still watching him closely, can't help but wonder what exactly he's planning—and how far he's willing to go to achieve it.
Ji Yeon's sharp gaze settles on Kangha as miss Choi questions him,
"What is it that you want to set in the levels according to your will?"
For a brief moment, Kangha hesitates. He knows he can't reveal anything about his plans in front of Ji Yeon. He still doesn't fully understand who she is or where her loyalties lie. Her presence makes him uneasy, and the way she listens so intently only fuels his suspicions.
Breaking the tension, Kangha forces a casual tone and replies,
"No,..... there's nothing like that. I was just thinking aloud." He smoothly changes the subject,. "Miss Choi, we must keep an eye on what they plan to do."
His words are deliberate, a subtle bait thrown toward Ji Yeon. If she's aligned with Felix, she'll likely report this conversation to him. Kangha needs to confirm his suspicions.
Miss Choi nods slightly, her calm demeanor giving nothing away. Ji Yeon, on the other hand, remains silent, her eyes fixed on Kangha with an intensity that unnerves him.
"Kangha's thoughts drift back to the book of black magic he had studied the previous night. It contained unsettling information:
''if someone needs to be freed from a magician's control, the magician must willingly release them. Otherwise, the victim will lose their memory—and may even die".
Frustration bubbles within Kangha as he recalls the fruitlessness of his reading.
"I didn't find anything useful in those books," he thinks bitterly. "All I discovered was Felix's twisted experiments on people. He misused medicine, causing harm, and his intentions were far from pure. Everything I read... Grandfather had already taught me."
Despite the lack of new insights, Kangha resolves to stay vigilant. His voice carries an edge as he declares to Miss Choi,
"I will keep an eye on the headmaster. I'll handle it myself."
"His statement is as much for Ji Yeon as it is for Miss Choi. He wants Ji Yeon to relay this information to Felix—if she's truly in league with him. Kangha's suspicions grow stronger with each passing moment. There's something about Ji Yeon's demeanor that he can't ignore, something that makes him feel as though she's playing a role in Felix's schemes".
Even as he speaks calmly, Kangha's mind races with thoughts. "If she's working with Felix, she'll tell him everything I've said. And that's exactly what I want. Let her make her move—I'll be ready."
Ji Yeon nods slightly, agreeing with Kangha's words. However, before she can fully respond, Kangha cuts her off. His tone is sharp and dismissive as he says,
"No, it's not needed. Keep yourself away from troubles. It's better for all of us."
The sudden coldness in his voice stings. Ji Yeon freezes for a moment, her expression faltering as the weight of his words sinks in. He has effectively pushed her out of the conversation, as though her opinion holds no value.
—-----------------
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There's a knock at the door.
"Come in," the headmaster says without looking up.
A tall boy with a long face enters the room, his expression radiating clear excitement. The headmaster raises his gaze to look at him, curiosity evident in his eyes.
"You? At this hour?" the headmaster asks, his tone calm yet questioning.
"Sir, you told me yesterday that my training would begin today, so I came," the boy replies, his voice filled with enthusiasm and energy.
The headmaster pauses for a moment, his expression thoughtful. Then he nods. "Yes, I remember. So, are you ready?"
"Yes, sir!" the boy exclaims loudly, his excitement brimming over.
Without another word, the headmaster rises from his chair and gestures for the boy to follow. Together, they leave the room and walk toward the bridge spanning the deep ravine.
"Are you taking me to start my training?" the boy asks, his voice tinged with a mixture of excitement and nervousness as he tries to reassure himself.
The bridge they walk on is four kilometers long, with part of it inside the school premises and the rest extending beyond its boundaries. The structure sways gently in the wind, and the deep chasm below looks both mesmerizing and terrifying.
The headmaster doesn't look at him, his gaze fixed ahead. Without breaking stride, he answers, "I will train you only when you earn my trust. Once you gain it, I'll grant you so much power that someone like Kangha will seem ordinary and insignificant to you."
The boy's eyes widen in disbelief, the headmaster's words leaving him stunned. Excitement and awe light up his face, and he can barely contain himself. "What do I need to do to earn your trust?" he asks eagerly, his voice trembling with anticipation.
By now, they've crossed the school's boundaries and stand at the edge of the bridge, overlooking the dizzying depths of the ravine. The headmaster's expression remains serious, almost unreadable.
"To earn my trust, you must do exactly as I say," he replies, his voice firm and commanding.
The boy nods quickly, determination gleaming in his eyes.
"Jump into the ravine," the headmaster orders, his tone devoid of emotion.
The boy freezes, his face draining of all color. Just moments ago, he had been overflowing with excitement, but now every trace of joy vanishes. His pale face reflects pure terror as he stares at the headmaster in disbelief.
"Yo…you... you want me to jump?" he stammers, his voice barely above a whisper.
The headmaster doesn't flinch. His expression remains cold, his seriousness unwavering. The boy glances down at the dark, endless depths below, his heart pounding wildly.
Gone is the confidence he had moments ago. Now, he looks as if the blood in his veins has turned to ice. The enormity of the task before him crushes him, leaving him frozen in place...