On Friday Minori sat at his usual spot staring into space while listening to his classmates chatter.
He was tired. He missed out on his scheduled two hours of sleep due to studying for today's test.
As someone who's cautious, Minori feels uncomfortable when he fails at something he had time to prepare for.
"Sit down."
The professor walked in with a small frown.
"There is a written exam today like I mentioned last time."
A test was announced out of the blue. Heartfelt groans erupted from the cadets.
"Really? I didn't study at all!" Chae Nayun despaired, far ahead in the front.
I doubt it would make a difference even if you did.
After being in a group with Chae Nayun for around 3 weeks now, Minori knew enough to mock her in his mind without feeling guilty.
Today was on 'Phenomenon Realm Analysis', a topic Minori needed to get acquainted with in the first place. It was a blessing that he got a reason to study it.
The reason for this was of course, [The Prophet], which seemed to be a mini phenomenon realm created by a gift, or something similar to it.
"Now, now, quiet down." The professor silenced the cadets in a heartless tone
The professor handed sheets to the cadets in the front and told them to pass it back.
Looking down at the paper, Minori began skimming over the questions.
Problem 1: Describe the monster, 'Pygmalion'.
Pygmalion… it's a Creature created by the destruction of a ghost or spirit within the Phenomenon Realm. They exceed human intelligence and cannot be perceived within the Phenomenon realm. They are hostile to humans and will act to possess their body in hopes of gaining a new one. Due to this some believe they should be classified as Djinn.
Minori scribbled down the image that came to mind as well as a description of its name, his sketch was surprisingly good.
Problem 2: Describe the Nine Evils (Djinns).
9 of the most heinous and powerful Djinns. Although the title was given to them as a way to inform the public of their nature and spread awareness, the Nine Evil's wear the titles like badges of honour.
Minori felt strangely attuned with the notion of the Nine Evils,
Problem 3: State the attributes that humans can manifest in the Phenomenon Realm.
The Phenomenon realm is a location with high concentrations of mana. The concentration of the mana, instead of leading to the creation of a mana explosion creates strange attributes and rules that not only affect humans but the entire surroundings.
A prime example of this is the Clancey Islet, located in england. The destruction of the tower resulted in the creation and manifestation of a tower crystal. The rule imposed by the Phenomenon Realm was Buoyancy. Rather than it consuming mana it directly alters the properties of mana or perhaps the properties of the world…
Minori scribbled down everything he knew.
…
After the Medical Practice Club, Yoo Ah-Ra clapped her hands signifying the end of the club.
Everyone let out a sigh of relief as, surprisingly, Yoo Ah-Ra was very serious when it came to treating wounds.
Despite going on rants and cutely instructing everyone, the moment we began practicing she stared at us with intense focus.
"Alright, good work everyone! You can all get a chocolate on your way out." She gestured to a box near the exit.
"Oh, Minori-sii, could you please come with me to the medical bay? I have a few things I need to carry from there." She got out a checklist and walked over.
What's her plan? Is she onto me? Why has she been singling me out?
"Alright, I don't mind." I stood up and walked out with her, my ears picking up on what the second years were saying.
"Tch, lucky bastard, Senior Yoo never even looks at us." One whispered.
"Isn't he the one the rumours are talking about?" Another one whispered.
Yoo Ah-Ra seemed to slow in her steps as her smiling eyes, always shut, opened and glared at the gossipers.
I no longer heard them as we walked out of the classroom.
We stepped through the corridors silently for a while before Yoo Ah-Ra finally perked up and spoke.
"Say, Minori. You know don't you?" She stopped in her steps as I felt the corridor become suspiciously quiet.
Her tone was as casual as before but she dropped the honorifics and now had her eyes open, tilting her head to smile at me.
Ah, she knew, what gave it away? Or… is she bluffing? Is she trying to probe an answer out because she isn't sure? I won't fall for such a simple probe.
Let's play dumb for now.
"Know what?" I tilted my head a little.
Her smile only widened as she shut her eyes once again.
"You know it's almost time for the tests in the freshmen years right? Have you been studying?" She resumed walking as I followed behind, the noise in the corridor returned.
She really was probing me! What made her suspicious of me?
"Thank you for your advice Yoo Ah-Ra-nim."
She let out a giggle.
"Just call me Noona."
"...I'll stick to honorifics."
The rest of the trip was filled with small talk and occasional jokes.
The box she asked me to carry was surprisingly heavy.
Better not question it.
…
Today was Saturday, a free day for Minori.
Usually he would rejoice and spend the day cooped up alone, recharging.
But today was different, very different.
And the reason for this change was.
"Hehehe, I hope I'm not too much of a bother, coming over on a Saturday like this."
Yoo Ah-Ra, suspected Djinn/Spy, Dangerous individual and Club leader of the Medical Practice Club, was sitting in front of him.
She was dressed in a dark green sweater with a floral dress and boots. Her long brown hair was slightly curly and framed her beautiful face perfectly. A sweet aroma emitted from her being as she enjoyed tea and treats in front of Minori.
Her eyes were shut as she savoured the sweets.
"No, it's not a bother. I wasn't going to do anything in particular today (except receive a reward.). Is there a reason you've come to see me today, Yoo Ah-Ra-nim." Minori held his own cup.
"Do I need a reason to come see my favourite Junior? What would you call it… Ko-hai?"
Minori shivered when he heard his native language. For some reason the woman felt like a predator playing with prey.
No wonder she has such a cult following in the freshmen years.
Minori cleared his throat.
"Not really, but I don't think we know each other enough to warrant a visit."
"I suppose not. But I feel as though you've been intentionally putting some distance between us. Is there a reason for that? You're gonna make your Noona cry~" She pouted and leaned forward. The sweet aroma felt a little stronger.
Minori leaned back into the sofa and looked casual but his eyes kept wandering for some reason.
Minori's mind scrambled for an excuse, a sense of guilt prevailing over his logic.
"No, it's just that I feel a little intimidated by your prestige. Plus it's a little strange to be so close only after a couple talks." Minori felt a little warm but his mental state stabilized.
Sh*t
"Is that so?" She tilted her head and sat upright again, smiling as if she got what she wanted.
"Well, I'm sorry you feel that way about me, but I'm quite fond of having a cute junior like you and I want you to call me Noona. So how about this." She produced a black card with red letters, a rose logo printed on the front.
"I'll continue to interact with you as your club president (in public). If you ever need help, just call your Noona and I'll come to your aid." She got up and stretched, letting out a cute sound as she made her way out.
"Thanks for the tea and treats, junior. Make sure to call me soon~" She blew a kiss and walked out.
I… what just happened?
I gave her exactly what she wanted…
Minori looked at the card.
[ Yoo Ah-Ra's Private Number. 🌹 ]
[ XXX-XXX-XXXX-XXX ]
[ Your Noona 💋 ]
Minori felt his soul leave his body.
Not only is she a dangerous person, she's a dangerous person who's hitting on me! S-She's crazy scary.
Wait, why didn't my instincts flare up?! Was the sweet smell blocking me from my full mental capacities?
Minori swore not to call the number… but he kept it in his wallet just in case.
…Kim Hajin POV…
The weekend sky was clear and blue. The early spring weather was chilly, but still had a bit of warmth to it. But I was unable to enjoy this beautiful day to myself, as I was summoned to go to Seoul's 'Association Tower'.
It was to receive commendation for subjugating the Djinn in the recent incident.
…Really, couldn't they just come to give it themselves?
The conferment ceremony took place at a garden in the Association Tower, and many people were already gathered by the time I arrived. However, the conferment ceremony seemed nowhere close to starting. Kim Suho, CHae Nayun, Minori Nii and I were forced into a ceremony rehearsal because we would receive our commendations from a dignitary, but the dignitary himself was late and we were forced to wait.
I looked to my right and saw Minori Nii, a potential member of the Nine Evils, to my left was Chae Nayun, a pissed off Chaebol. Forget treading on thin ice, I feel like I'm drowning already.
I couldn't sit still as I fidgeted nervously. It caught the notice of the soon to be villain next to me.
"Nervous?" He had dark rings under his eyes, was tall and gloomy. He was supposed to be the exact opposite to Kim Suho, when it came to demeanor, fighting styles, backstory and even morales.
"Yeah, it's my first time being to such an… event." I didn't lie as he would immediately catch it.
"Same here. Don't sweat it too much, you played the largest part in this whole thing. Be proud of yourself." He chuckled softly.
I looked at him in surprise as I came to a thought.
He's… not a villain yet…? That's not something the Minori I wrote would say… unless he was weary of me.
I remembered the setting change notification.
"No, with both you and Kim Suho on the same target you would've won."
"But wouldn't it have taken longer?"
His lazy smile persisted. I didn't have a response.
"You don't seem nervous because of the commendation though." He looked down at me and changed the subject..
This is why I scrapped him. He's already onto a trail he doesn't see. If I talk too much I'll reveal things that no one in this world should know.
"Oh, is it because of…" Minori trailed off when Kim Suho asked the glaring Nayun to swap with him.
"Switch seats with me."
Nayun frowned.
"What if I don't want to?"
"Hurry." Nayun moved after a bit of shoving.
Minori turned his head away from the scene.
Once their scuffle ended, I was trapped between the hero and his counterpiece.
It didn't feel too good.
Kim Suho let out a dry cough.
"Thank you for back then."
"What?"
"At the museum, if it wasn't for you, more people would've been hurt."
"...right."
Being commended by both powerhouses of Cube… didn't feel too bad.
At that moment, an extraordinary undulation of magic power settled.
The 'dignitary' had finally arrived.
"H-He's here. Everyone get ready!"
He was today's commendation conferrer, the Master rank Hero titled 'Wolf of Valhalla'.
His shoulder-length hair was curved up slightly and he had a well trimmed beard which was uncommon for an eastern man. The regality given off by his extraordinary appearance wasn't limited to an invisible feeling. As though a wind was blowing through, each step he took caused a thin undulation of magic power. His raw power had already reached a realm where even he couldn't fully control it.
"...Huu."
Looking around with his wolf-like eyes, the Master rank Hero, Yoo Sihyuk, murmured quietly.
"These fuckers telling me what to do…"
It was so quiet that only I could hear it with my Gift. With a moderate arrogance and a lethargic attitude, Yoo Sihyuk pushed back the guests flocking towards him.
He walked up to the podium commandingly. His attendants ran up and handed him a paper which listed the order of the ceremony. Clicking his tongue, Yoo Sihyuk glanced at the paper before he threw it to the wind. His attendants took the discarded paper and ran off.
— Now, the conferment ceremony will begin.
The host announced the start of the ceremony.
— The commendation will be conferred by the ranke 37 Master rank hero, Sir Yoo Sihyuk.
As we rehearsed, the four of us cadets walked up to the podium.
Yoo Sihyuk smirked as soon as he saw Kim Suho.
"Are you Kim Suho?"
"Yes."
"Mm. I can see why those guys want you."
Intense interest was reflected in Yoo Sihyuk's eyes. With an unusual kindness, Yoo Sihyuk advised Kim Suho.
"Don't join the Association. It might even be better to join the Vast Expanse and become a hunter. Being a hero is nothing but a baggage of responsibility and no fun."
"...Still, a hero fits my personality best."
Kim Suho revealed a clear refusal with a smile. In response, the corner of Yoo Sihyuk's mouth twisted up.
"You're a boring guy. Fine…" He turned his gaze to the gloomy looking Minori Nii.
"You…" Yoo Sihyuks eyes narrowed.
"Are you really aiming to be a hero?" Minori only shrugged in response, to which Yoo Sihyuk opened his mouth and laughed.
"Hahaha! You're like me! Go join a mercenary squad or start your own." He patted him on the shoulder and moved on.
Ah right, this was a thing. Anyone with a beast related Gift would find him more intimidating or stronger than he actually is.
The rest of the conferment ceremony went on without a hitch.
Oh, and we got a 15 million won award.