November 3rd, 2029.
A year and five months had passed since Baek Hana awakened her abilities.
"Ugh…!!!"
"You're excited again."
Baek Hana, who had been diligently training her body with Claire every day, started receiving guidance sparring from him this year.
"You're still the one in control, Hana. Always be mindful and keep your emotions in check so that your abilities don't overwhelm you."
"... It's hard not to get excited…"
Baek Hana, who had been knocked down by a blow to the abdomen from Claire, staggered to her feet.
"That's why you need to keep trying."
"... Okay."
Claire was firm.
And she didn't back down, just like me.
"Hana."
"..."
Rubbing her bruised abdomen, Baek Hana slowly raised her head.
"There's no need to rush. It hasn't even been two years since your awakening, and the fact that you can already use your transformation abilities throughout your body proves that you have a talent for it."
"... Really?"
"Yes. You're doing great already."
Claire's words brightened Baek Hana's expression, and her demeanor became more relaxed.
"But always remember to be mindful and pay attention to what I said earlier."
"... I will."
Baek Hana nodded, her eyes determined.
A few years ago, her eyes used to look dull and clumsy, but now they had matured, giving off a chilling aura to those who looked into them.
With her naturally cold gaze and the intensity she exuded, she now resembled a fierce beast.
"When you're ready, come at me again."
"... Huff."
Baek Hana lowered her stance, took a deep breath, and focused her energy on her legs. The floor beneath her feet creaked as if it couldn't bear her weight.
Her sharp nails were visible at the tips of her slightly curled fingers.
Baek Hana charged towards Claire.
The distance between them closed in an instant.
Baek Hana feinted as if she would strike at Claire with her hand, but instead aimed for her legs, slashing diagonally with her hand.
"I told you to pay attention to your gaze."
Claire casually deflected Baek Hana's incoming hand with her foot, as if she were simply taking a walk.
"Huff!!!"
Baek Hana used the momentum of her deflected hand to plant her hand on the ground and spring herself up, aiming for Claire's head with her extended leg.
"That's right. Don't hesitate when your attack is blocked. Keep moving."
Claire slightly tilted her head back, effortlessly dodging Baek Hana's attack, and praised her.
With that, I closed the window of the study and sat down in my chair.
'She's smart, so her growth is fast.'
If I taught her one thing, she would figure out five other applications on her own. She had an exceptional mind.
Sometimes she showed a lack of understanding in certain areas, but that was a minor flaw.
"She'll pass the test with flying colors."
Although there wasn't a proper comparison, the amount of magic Baek Hana currently possessed within her body had surpassed that of Kang Hana, the character I had encountered in the maze. On top of that, she had an innate talent for manipulating magic.
Among other transformation-type awakeners, it was common to see physical changes like the growth of animal fur or the twisting of their skeletal structure when they manifested their abilities. However, Baek Hana could precisely transform only the parts of her body that she wanted, and she could even borrow the strength of her transformed state without actually transforming.
If people found out that she had achieved all of this within half a year of awakening her abilities, there would undoubtedly be many annoying pests buzzing around her.
There would be professors from certain guilds trying to recruit her, and successors of those guilds making their moves.
I didn't plan to stop them.
I would respect Baek Hana's wishes as much as possible. However, I would make sure to clean up any potential problems beforehand.
I intended to deal with any problematic individuals before they became an issue. That was why I planned to start the troublesome work of being a professor next year.
Boom—!!!
The heavy sound reverberated through the study, causing the furniture to shake slightly.
It signaled the end of their sparring session.
It was also time to restore the messy garden to its original state.
**
"You finished early today."
"Yes. Even though it's not necessary, I thought I'd spend some time with the other students as well…"
As I leveled the sunken garden, I nodded in response to her statement.
"You should head back soon. You don't have much time to rest."
"I'm fine for now."
"...?"
After flattening the ground, I turned around to see Claire glancing at me hesitantly, biting her lip as if she wanted to say something.
Based on my experience, I knew that waiting patiently was more likely to yield a response from her than pressing her for an answer. True to my expectations, she soon gathered her courage and spoke up.
"If… if it's okay with you, Professor, I'd like to ask you to recommend me as an associate professor."
"... The Temple…"
"I've already received permission from Bwier."
Her determined response caused me to pause for a moment.
'I could just make that annoying Kim Sung-won do it…'
There was no need for an associate or assistant professor since there weren't any lectures that required preparation.
'... No, that's not it.'
While I intended to eliminate potential problems beforehand, there was always the possibility of unexpected events occurring—what people called variables or external forces.
She was the only human I could trust with Baek Hana.
If she were to take over the lectures, I could focus more on my work with greater peace of mind.
Having made up my mind, I gave her my answer.
"If that's what you wish, then so be it."
"... Thank you."
For a fleeting moment, a subtle halo seemed to form around her, only to disappear just as quickly. It was a phenomenon that lasted only an instant.
"Then… I'll be going now."
"Okay."
Claire left with a slightly more pronounced tilt of her hips and a quicker pace than usual.
What remained in the garden after she left were me and Baek Hana, who was passed out on the ground.
From the bump on the back of her head, it seemed she had gotten a knock on the head again today.
If one were to only look at Baek Hana lying on the ground, they might think that Claire was bullying her. But this, too, was for Baek Hana's sake.
I wasn't sure if she had noticed, but Claire had been gradually increasing the total amount of force she used on Baek Hana. In other words, the threshold of force required to knock her out was slowly rising.
Humans are adaptable, and awakened ones have an even faster rate of adaptation. So, the more she got hit and experienced, the more it would contribute to her growth.
'Blood and flesh, huh.'
I looked down at Baek Hana, who was lying motionless, and gently caressed the bump on her head.
In the end, the only awakener who reached the final boss, Emptiness, was always this girl alone.
She must have put in blood, sweat, and tears, sacrificing her freedom and investing all her time into becoming stronger.
And with that strength, instead of using it to regain her freedom, she used it for the sake of a few humans who had given her a small amount of help.
This was her true power.
'Killer.'
An absurd ability that guaranteed the death of any target she intended to kill, be it a god or anyone else.
But if one were to understand the details of this ability, no one could call it unfair.
The price of using Killer was the user's life.
It was an ability that always resulted in the user's death.
So, who could call it unfair?
Moreover, it wasn't as simple as just using it.
One had to sink their teeth, filled with intense murderous intent, into the flesh of their target.
And the girl who survived until the final chapter had accomplished this difficult task.
She had paid the price.
"Uuuuuhhh…"
As I gently rubbed the bump on her head, Baek Hana groaned, sounding both uncomfortable and pleased at the same time.
Seeing this, I couldn't help but smirk.
I had been giving in to this girl more and more over time. Damn this weak body of mine.
'I'll bear all the burdens myself.'
I hoped she would continue to grow like this.
After caressing her for a while, I started to get up, but—
"Puh-heuk—!!!"
Without any warning, a burst of death energy mixed with blood spewed out, accompanied by a violent cough.
Fortunately, the amount wasn't much, and I was able to block it with one hand, preventing it from splattering on Baek Hana.
"Tsk…"
Although I appreciated the refreshing and light feeling after coughing up blood, it was still annoying how it could happen at any time and place without warning.
I waved my hand, dispersing the blood that had collected in my palm and on my lips, and incinerated it, cleaning up the area.
"She'll wake up before sunset."
With that, I left Baek Hana and headed inside to start preparing dinner.
**
Whoosh—
A cold breeze brushed past Baek Hana's body.
She slowly got up from her prone position and sat down on the grass.
The once blue sky had now turned into a vibrant yellow sunset.
"..."
Baek Hana sat there, rubbing her still-aching head and blinking her eyes.
-Puh-heuk—!!
A raspy cough.
Then, a putrid smell and the iron scent of blood filled the air.
Baek Hana had been knocked out by Claire, but she pretended to remain unconscious when she felt Baek Woo-jin touching the bump on her head. She wanted to enjoy the sensation of his touch a little longer.
And when she heard Baek Wu-jin's cough, she caught the scent of blood.
'He coughed up blood…'
Having smelled blood numerous times before, she was certain it was the smell of blood.
He had coughed up blood.
He…
Clack—
Startled by the sound, Baek Hana turned her head.
There, standing at the open window of the study, was Baek Woo-jin, staring at her.
"What are you doing, sitting there like an idiot? If you've woken up, go inside and clean yourself."
"Ah…"
Baek Hana opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but then closed it again.
She wanted to ask if he had coughed up blood, but she couldn't bring herself to do so.
He couldn't lie to her, and she was afraid of hearing the truth she didn't want to know.
She was scared.
"... Baek Ha—"
"Woo-jin!!!"
Baek Hana interrupted him, jumping up from her seat and running towards the wide-open window.
Thud—
With a dull sound, a warm body temperature enveloped her, warming her chilled body.
The scent that wafted from him soothed her mind.
"... You'll be an adult next year."
"I know."
"... Haa."
The soft sigh that escaped his lips.
She liked that.
Even though he always seemed annoyed and reluctant, the occasional smile and gentle touch revealed his true feelings.
Even now, he could easily get rid of her with a flick of his finger, but he accepted her.
"Woo-jin."
"... What is it?"
"Will you stay with me forever?"
"..."
The answer didn't come immediately.
But she waited. She waited and waited.
After a long while, Baek Woo-jin finally spoke.
"... Are you asking me to sleep with you in your dormitory?"
"... Can't… Can't I sleep here…?"
Although it wasn't the answer she had hoped for, Baek Hana was still shocked by Baek Woo-jin's response. She tightened her hold on him and mumbled into his neck.
"... Get down before I hit you again."
"No!! Waaah!! Why should I sleep in the dormitory when this is my home?!"
"... Haa."
Baek Wu-jin quietly closed the window, still holding Baek Hana in his arms. Then, he turned away to head towards the bathroom, intending to dump her in there since she was dirty.
Only then did Baek Hana calm down a little and slowly pulled her face away from his neck, looking up at him.
"... What now?"
At Baek Wu-jin's question, Baek Hana stared at his opaque glasses for a while before breaking into a smile and calling his name.
"Woo-jin."
"... What is it?"
"I like you."
"..."
"Do you… do you like me too… Kyaaak?!"
Just as Baek Hana was about to confess her feelings, she was pulled away from Baek Woo-jin as if by an invisible hand and sent flying through the air.
She landed squarely in the laundry basket.
"Stop spouting nonsense and go take a shower. I'll prepare dinner."
Baek Woo-jin walked away, leaving Baek Hana behind, and disappeared into the kitchen. A few seconds after he left, Baek Hana quietly climbed out of the laundry basket.
"Hmph…"
Sticking her tongue out at the direction of the kitchen where Baek Woo-jin had gone, Baek Hana turned towards the bathroom.
She didn't want him to notice the flushed skin on her neck.