Chapter 17
Enrollment (3)
The principal stared at me intently after finishing her words. The expectant gaze was extremely burdensome.
“…First, there’s something I’d like to ask.”
“Yes, yes. What has you so curious? Go ahead and ask.”
Seeing my show of interest, the principal brightened up and quickly adjusted her sitting position.
“I roughly understand your concerns. But if it’s such an important matter, wouldn’t it be better for you to step in directly?”
T his w a s c o p ie d f r om ki n g m tl.or g
“Hmm, hmm.”
“I may not know much, but as the principal of a prestigious academy, I assume you have considerable power. Your abilities must be outstanding too… Couldn’t you somehow manage it with that? Why would you need to ask me…”
“Well, I’m not quite at the point of bowing down to anyone just yet. But you see, things in this world can’t be solved with power alone…”
Hae Wolhwa muttered while gently furrowing her brow.
T h i s w a s co p i e d fr o m kin g m t l . o rg
“The power within Cradle is delicately divided between me and the Education Committee. And the committee members represent the interests of each family. They don’t take kindly to having their interests infringed upon. Regardless of factions, they unite as one when it comes to such matters…”
Thi s w as c o pi e d f r om ki n g m t l.o r g
“Then…”
“If I were to forcefully suppress them, it wouldn’t be impossible, but the backlash would be proportionately fiercer. In that case, I probably wouldn’t even achieve half of what I initially intended.”
Having said that, the principal looked at me with eyes filled with conviction.
“That’s why I chose you as an alternative. The effectiveness goes without saying, and on the surface, it’s a matter between students, so there will be much less resistance compared to me directly intervening, don’t you think?”
“…I don’t quite understand what you mean. Aren’t I just a mere student? Moreover, without any family background or anything… How could I…”
“What? My dear child. You severely underestimate your own value. I had a hunch, but it seems he sent you without even dropping a hint in that regard…”
Hae Wolhwa clicked her tongue a couple of times with a displeased expression.
“Do you know? Although Cradle accepts recommended students every year, the perception of them among others isn’t very favorable. Contrary to the original purpose of discovering hidden gems, it has long been distorted into a means to obtain a prestigious academy’s diploma through personal connections or financial transactions.”
T hi s w as c o pi e d f r om k i ngm t l . or g
“Then you’re saying I’m also like that…”
“But you’re different. You’re a student who obtained a recommendation from the Heukryeon Sashi, a member of the Five Founding Families, and that too after 18 years. Just this fact alone will create quite a buzz.”
Having said that, the principal suddenly extended her hand backward. From her fingertips, strands of green light seemed to emanate, and in an instant, an envelope on the old desk flew into the principal’s hand.
T hi s w a s c o p ie d f ro m ki n g mt l . o r g
“Of course, if you’re an incompetent fool, it would only invite greater ridicule, but…”
The principal opened the envelope and pulled out the contents, revealing a stack of documents filled with small, densely written text. She picked up the topmost sheet and suddenly began reciting the contents.
“Name: Yu Jinhyun, age: 17, place of birth: F147 3rd-class pioneer village in the southern Ung Province… Well, I don’t know how much of this profile is true, but that’s not what’s important…”
The principal’s muttering slightly stung a corner of my heart. It was because none of those details matched reality.
Fortunately, the principal didn’t seem particularly interested in the authenticity of my profile. I wondered if it was appropriate for someone with the title of principal to act this way, but there was no need to intentionally create a sore spot.
What she was interested in was the content below the profile.
“Let’s see. Participated in a combined total of 21 official and unofficial missions. Exterminated 17 3rd-grade demons, 23 2nd-grade demons, killed 53 and captured 213 criminals with a wanted level of yellow or higher, exterminated 7 1st-grade designated demonic beasts… And more… There’s too much to read through.”
Hae Wolhwa shook her head as she stopped reading the document midway.
“Who would believe these are the accomplishments of a 17-year-old child? Magicians who have experienced such high-level combat at that age are truly rare. Let alone 1st-years, even the most outstanding 2nd-years can’t compare to you…”
And only then did I realize Sa Jaehyuk’s lie. He had clearly said my achievements weren’t even recorded. I felt like smacking him hard on the head if he were beside me.
“Besides, talent is not something that can be hidden even if you try. At first, there may be some who harbor suspicions, but it will die down in less than a year.”
Hae Wolhwa sipped her tea after slightly pushing aside the documents.
“Anyway, if someone like you sides with the Yeon family, wouldn’t the tilted balance be somewhat restored? At least that’s what I think. Your peculiar mask might be a bit of a deduction, but…”
“Is it alright for someone in the position of principal to be so biased?”
“Originally, I don’t particularly enjoy getting involved in such matters. But given the current situation…”
T h is w a s c op i ed fr om k i n g m t l. o r g
Hae Wolhwa shrugged her shoulders. The expression on her face clearly showed that she genuinely disliked it and found it bothersome.
T h is w a s c op i e d fr o m k i n g mtl.o rg
The Paechun Baek was enjoying an unprecedented golden age. The current head of the family had a down-to-earth personality and didn’t flaunt his authority, gaining the support of the people. His reelection for a fourth term as a representative was almost certain.
Moreover, their business foundation and the solidarity among their retainers were rock-solid. Even their daughter was born with heavenly talent and, taking after her father, skillfully drew many people to her side through character rather than authority.
In contrast, the members of the Jeokhwa Yeon family were notorious for their consistently ill-tempered personalities for generations.
Particularly, the young lady in question was a possessor of exceptional arrogance and viciousness. This was the biggest reason why she was losing her footing in Cradle despite not having a significant difference in abilities.
She treated students from naturally emerged 1st-generation magician families or those from humble backgrounds as if they were insects.
And they accounted for more than half of the student body, so her reputation had already hit rock bottom.
“Moreover, the Yeon family recently suffered a major blow to their financial lifeline. Several of their Stellarite mines were attacked by eco-fascist terrorists. The Yeon family accused the Baek family of being behind the terrorism, but due to lack of evidence, they ended up paying compensation for defamation instead. Considering that most of the Yeon family’s influence stems from the enormous wealth generated by their monopoly on Stellarite mining, it will probably take a considerable amount of time to recover from that damage.”
“Then…”
“In other words, they’re facing troubles both internally and externally. With the situation outside being what it is, and now losing influence within Cradle, if left unchecked, the Yeon family might fall into a bottomless pit.”
“…”
“Furthermore, the head of the Baek family is a dangerous individual. Those who know are well aware that he harbors excessive ambition. His daughter faithfully follows her father’s path. I wonder how many serpents both the father and daughter are nurturing in their hearts…”
The principal let out a long sigh and voiced her lament.
“And the Baek family has had a poor relationship with the Sashi family for generations. Especially the current head holds a particularly deep grudge against Jaehyuk. If such a person gains power, it naturally won’t have a positive impact on those children. The current Sashi family has long retired from the frontlines and can no longer wield the same level of influence as before…”
“…”
T hi s w as c o p i e d f r o m k i ng m t l.o rg
“Well, I think that’s sufficient explanation. Now, only your decision remains. I’ll say it once more, but this is a request. Even if you refuse, I swear there will be no disadvantages whatsoever. Think carefully and answer.”
The principal finished speaking and quietly sipped her tea.
My thoughts grew deep in various ways. I understood Hae Wolhwa’s reasons for wanting to support one side, the reasons why she needed my assistance, and the reasons why she said it would indirectly help Sa Jaehyuk and my sisters.
However, up until two years ago, I was living as a country bumpkin in the outskirts. I had no confidence in my ability to handle matters related to family politics.
Moreover, the person I was being asked to support was a female student, one with exceptional arrogance and viciousness, who disliked students from lower backgrounds…
The more I heard the story, the more I understood the reason for the unpleasant sense of déjà vu. I clearly knew the cause all too well.
Perhaps the symptoms had temporarily worsened, but I could feel a throbbing pain spreading across my scars even though I was wearing a mask. I desperately tried to divert my thoughts by asking the principal a question.
“…I have one more question. You said to lend strength… How…?”
“Hmm? Even I don’t know that.”
When Hae Wolhwa heard my question, she widened her eyes and made a clueless expression instead. That response was incredibly deflating.
“Well, you could show a close personal relationship, or overtly take her side in various matters, don’t you think?”
T h is w a s co p i e d f r om ki ng mtl . o r g
“…”
“Hoho, my child. Why do you think I called it a request? Despite my appearance, I’m a weathered old soul. How could I possibly know the matters between youngsters these days?”
Seeing my dumbfounded expression, Hae Wolhwa let out a chuckle and added another remark. In fact, there was nothing wrong with what she said. Despite her appearance, she was much older than Sa Jaehyuk and my sisters.
Thi s wa s c o p i ed f ro m k in gm t l. or g
But I was equally clueless. I couldn’t even properly remember the last time I had a conversation with friends my age.
I was in a position where I had to contemplate just to form ordinary friendships, so how could it be possible to establish a close relationship with someone who lacked the willingness to do so…
“…”
However, I soon realized that I had no choice. Sa Jaehyuk had ordered me to graduate from Cradle with excellent grades and bring honor to his family.
Moreover, as a party to the transaction, it was a legitimate demand of his rights, so I had an obligation to fulfill that demand one way or another.
For someone like me, with nothing to my name, to fulfill Sa Jaehyuk’s request, I needed at least one person to have my back. And as the principal of Cradle, she was the perfect candidate for that role.
Perhaps, this might be an opportunity to repay the debt Sa Jaehyuk had mentioned.
Even though it was described as indirect, I couldn’t turn a blind eye after hearing that it could potentially harm Sa Jaehyuk and my sisters.
Especially since it was mentioned that the head of the family held a special grudge against Sa Jaehyuk.
After a moment of silence, I finally gave the principal my answer of acceptance.
“…Principal, I will accept your request.”
“Really? Truly?”
Upon hearing my response, Hae Wolhwa leaped up from her seat as if jumping. Uncontainable joy was evident on her face.
“I don’t know if I can do well. But I will do my best for now.”
“Hoho, you’ll do fine. Didn’t I tell you? I said there’s no one more suitable than you. My intuition is quite accurate. I’ll help you in any way I can, so don’t worry too much. And don’t fret about your life at Cradle. I don’t think you’ll engage in the same reckless behavior as that guy, but even if you do, I’ll go out of my way to protect you. As long as it’s not too extreme, there won’t be any problems until graduation.”
“Is it okay for the principal to do that…”
“Of course it is. If I can’t even do this much, how else would I relieve stress and keep my position? Hohoho…”
The principal’s delightful laughter filled the greenhouse. After bouncing around excitedly for a while, she suddenly looked at me as if remembering something.
“Ah, you can do whatever you want, but keep this one thing in mind. Our academy is quite strict when it comes to relationships between the opposite sex. Unless you’re engaged, dating within the school is absolutely prohibited. Understand? Absolutely prohibited. Even I would find it quite troublesome if it comes to that. You’re a bright child, so I believe you understand what I mean.”
End of Chapter