[No crazy bitch to broadcast the ring battle?] [57]
[I heard the test scores of the incoming freshmen this time are off the charts.] [12]
[You fucking brats, haven't submitted the third-stage gate terrain report yet] [67]
"…I should transfer to another department."
For the second day in a row, the youngest employee of the Finance Department, Kim Na-hyun, muttered to himself at his boss's desk.
He looked at the small picture frame on the desk.
In the frame was a photo of his balding boss, beaming proudly while holding a fish almost as tall as himself.
Kim Na-hyun glared at the photo, his disdain evident as he spoke to the image of his boss and his receding hairline.
"May the rest of your hair fall out, too."
If his boss had heard him, he would have surely given him a good smack on the head, but what did it matter? He was alone here.
"Haa…"
He closed the community forum for students, having exhausted its content, and slumped over his desk.
– It's, it's impersonation!! Yeah, it could be impersonation, right?!
– The magic professors must be out of their minds!!
– What? By tomorrow? Na-hyun, think about it. If he was the real Executioner, she would have demanded immediate action, not given us a day's time.
– Yeah, that makes sense. So, Na-hyun, just tough it out for a day.
– Wha, wha, what are you talking about?! I'm not hiding anything. It's because those crazy professors might do something stupid that I'm asking you to keep watch for a day.
– Ah, just do me this favor, and I'll give you something big in return!!
If he was going to give something, he should have just given money. Why offer to catch some fish?
After lying down for a while, he sat up again, driven by hunger.
"Should I order pizza and beer?"
True to the nature of the Academy, which attracted all sorts of gifted individuals, even the student cafeteria was far from ordinary.
The menu had dozens of options, and for an additional fee, they would deliver to any part of the Academy.
While the menu changed daily depending on the ingredients available, chicken and pizza were always on the menu, so one could always count on ordering those.
'I'll just hold out until midnight, take some pictures, and then I'm outta here.'
Since the meal expenses for today would come out of his boss's pocket anyway, Kim Na-hyun added every topping imaginable and proceeded to checkout.
Knock knock—
Less than 30 minutes later, the pizza and beer arrived.
Kim Na-hyun stuffed himself with the luxurious pizza topped with expensive ingredients, killing time by browsing the community forum again.
And then, right at midnight…
"Fuck, time to leave."
Kim Na-hyun got up as if he had been waiting for this moment and placed his hand on the doorknob, ready to return to the comfort of his home.
Just then…
Eeeeeeeeee—!!
A loud alarm blared from the speakers mounted on the ceiling, followed by a mechanical female voice.
[Please be advised that this is not a drill. The barrier that has protected the Academy for a long time has stopped functioning. The cause is currently under investigation. Faculty and students remaining on campus, if you encounter any suspicious individuals, please capture them and contact the Academic Affairs Office immediately.]
[Once again, I would like to emphasize that this is not a drill but an actual…]
Kim Na-hyun listened to the announcement coming from the ceiling speakers, deep in thought.
'…It can't be, right?'
He was certain it wasn't, but for some reason, his intuition was telling him otherwise.
"Fuck no…"
Kim Na-hyun took his hand off the doorknob and rubbed his face in frustration.
Even the haughty magicians of the Clock Tower had failed to decipher and understand the structure of the Arena Academy's barrier, going so far as to officially declare that they would never attempt it again.
As impressive as the professor he had met yesterday seemed, he didn't believe he was more skilled than the magicians of the Clock Tower. Yet…
'It's too much of a coincidence…'
The day after the professor's warning, the barrier encountered problems.
It could just be a coincidence, but was it really?
The barrier, which had never caused any issues since the Academy's establishment, suddenly malfunctioned today?
"…"
No matter how he looked at it, something seemed off. Should he report this to the higher-ups?
However, Kim Na-hyun's dilemma didn't last long.
He placed his hand on the doorknob and pushed open the door that had been tightly shut.
'Who cares.'
Even without the barrier, the Arena Academy's defenses weren't weak enough to cause immediate concern. And even if his suspicions were correct, the root of all this trouble was that damn bald boss of his.
'If it really is what I think it is… he'll take responsibility.'
As a mere employee, not even an Awakened, let alone a student, what could he possibly do? It was better to just leave.
– You have a call from Kim. Sung. Won.
Kim Na-hyun glanced at his shiny smart watch, which was blinking, and reached for it.
The light soon disappeared, and the smart watch stopped working.
Kim Na-hyun turned off his phone, which was also in his pocket.
"It'll probably be resolved by the time school starts."
On his way home…
He decided to take a short trip somewhere.
Six hours after the Academy's barrier stopped functioning…
The Academy, which should have been quiet, was bustling with activity since the early hours of the morning.
Professors, security guards, and even clerics and priests from the temples were scouring the campus and grounds, looking for any intruders who might have taken advantage of the situation.
Amidst all the commotion, there was one place in the Academy that remained unusually quiet.
Claire was walking through this tranquil spot.
"Hmm."
Claire remembered the first time she had stepped into the Infinite Labyrinth. It was a terrifying place that disoriented all her senses and scattered her magical and divine power.
But now, it was different.
She could touch the overgrown bushes without any problem, and the delicate petals of the pure white flowers would fall at her touch.
Most importantly, her magical and divine power no longer scattered.
All of these changes had occurred after she met a man named Baek Woo-jin.
'A walk…'
The Infinite Labyrinth was no longer infinite or complex to her.
Any path would do, and the labyrinth would lead her to the end without any trouble.
Just like it was doing right now.
A small cottage with a cozy feel and a color that seemed out of place in the modern world.
At the end of the labyrinth was not a powerful artifact or a special potion, but simply a man and a child's home.
A place of comfort that was special to someone.
That was the secret hidden at the end of the labyrinth.
She hesitated for a moment in front of the cottage's door.
The sun had not fully risen yet.
In just two days, Claire had realized how much Baek Woo-jin cherished the child he had acquired at the underground auction the other day.
And children that age tended to sleep a lot, and it was good for them to sleep more.
'I should probably wait a bit longer.'
If they had exchanged contact information, she wouldn't have had to worry about this. But Claire had no intention of exchanging contact information with Baek Woo-jin.
A quiet and peaceful place to walk.
A place where she could be away from the prying eyes of others, even outside the temple.
She loved this secret space.
That's why she wouldn't exchange contact information with him, as it would give her a reason to visit this place.
Of course, after the ring battle was over, she would have to return to England. Or so she was supposed to.
[(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧ He seems to like you, Claire!]
[(´∇｀) So please take care of him for a while.]
The text she had received after parting ways with Baek Woo-jin yesterday.
Claire had accepted the will of the god she served and decided to stay at the Arena Academy branch for a while.
"You seem… pleased."
"What do you mean by that?"
"...?!"
Claire was startled by Baek Woo-jin's voice so close to her, and she jumped back in surprise. And then…
Trip—
She stumbled into the tall bushes.
Baek Woo-jin, half-asleep and holding Baek Hana in his arms, adjusted his large glasses and approached Claire, who was stuck in the bushes.
"Are you alr—"
"I'm fine."
For the first time, Claire interrupted Baek Woo-jin. But the other party seemed completely unaware of it.
Swish, rustle.
As soon as she got out of the bushes, Claire bowed politely to Baek Woo-jin.
"The head of the Finance Department has arrived."
"...Okay."
"Please follow me."
Claire turned around with military precision and began to walk ahead.
Baek Woo-jin watched her for a moment before moving his hand slightly.
Whoosh—
A gentle breeze blew away the leaves that had been stuck to Claire's shoulders and ears.
"That might not be a bad idea."
Her ears, which had turned a faint but unmistakable shade of red.
Seeing the surprisingly human side of Claire, Baek Woo-jin began to consider, albeit slightly, leaving Baek Hana's education in her hands.
"Well… a little, but."
Claire, who had offered to guide him, was already out of sight.