Chapter 186
Second Day of the Social Gathering.
I was walking out of the arena after participating in the tournament.
The heavy sensation of the clinking victory medal in my pocket was unmistakable.
Unlike the ranking matches, which are limited to competitors within the same grade, this type of event tournament had no such restrictions.
There was a chance I could be matched against second- or third-year students, who had superior experience and skills compared to first-years, so I came prepared in my own way… but the ease of the matches left me feeling somewhat underwhelmed.
“-Hey, you’ve been acting all smug lately just because you’ve been doing well… Ugh!”
A classmate of mine, Guk Jaeryong, who always gave off a sly impression and glared at me with some unknown dissatisfaction whenever we crossed paths.
“-I’ve been waiting for this day. I’ll avenge my past humiliation… Gah!”
Chun Suho, a third-year with a nauseating demeanor. For some reason, I’ve run into this senior unusually often lately. When I hit him in the stomach a bit harder out of sheer irritation, he collapsed foaming at the mouth.
As for the other three upperclassmen I faced, they didn’t leave much of an impression. Thinking back, maybe I just had good luck with the matchups. With multiple tournaments happening simultaneously, it seemed the stronger competitors were scattered across various brackets.
Considering that, the championship prize feels overly generous.
E-2 Braver. A high-end line blade manufactured by Heukryeon’s S&C.
It seems this was the prize sponsorship Myo Sanga mentioned last time, but it’s of little use to me given its value.
I’m already wielding the Marvellous Blade, and the broad, flat design of this blade, which feels more like a large blunt weapon, doesn’t match my style.
“Should I give it to Jin Yeseo…”
The thought came impulsively, but it seemed like a decent idea. She had been eyeing my Marvellous Blade enviously, even if she hadn’t openly expressed it.
It would suit her aggressive combat style quite well. When her probation is over and she returns to the cradle, I’ll give it to her then.
“…”
I touched my forehead absentmindedly. The texture of the mucous membranes still seemed to linger.
It was slightly embarrassing, but at the same time, her determination to achieve her goal was remarkable.
Well, who am I to talk?
After all, it was me who told her to use any means necessary to achieve her objectives.
In a way, Jin Yeseo might simply be faithfully following my advice.
The city center was still teeming with people. The grand music flowing from the various halls and salons hosting gatherings gently filled my ears.
“Mary Ann! Mary Ann! You scatterbrained girl!”
An opera was being performed on a stage set up in the plaza. A woman, wearing a white rabbit headband and a mask, was running around, delivering an impressive performance.
“Go fetch my gloves! My gloves! My gloves!”
Every time she blew a horn, the crowd that had gathered like clouds burst into laughter. It seemed like a story from a fairy tale I’d read as a child.
Was it the story of a girl who followed the white rabbit into a rabbit hole and embarked on an adventure?
It looked like the girl had already fallen into the hole.
***
Since I wasn’t particularly interested in the opera, I turned away and made my way through the crowd.
“Look over there! Magicians from the National Guard!”
“That’s the Black Cat, ranked fourth! Look at that equipment. How much do you think it costs…?”
“Even the seventh-ranked Blue Marlin is here…!”
“Are they patrolling? Those uniforms are so cool. I want to work there after I graduate…”
The voices of passersby buzzed noisily in my ears. I was familiar with the National Guard.
Only those who meet all the qualifications of family, individual skill, and experience can enter. The captain mentioned in passing that they worked there before coming to the 66th Unit.
I heard that quite a few soldiers from the National Guard were deployed to this social gathering for security purposes.
While there were considerable concerns about safety, with people like them stationed here, no one would dare to cause mayhem.
“Do you think it’s still there? The mistletoe?”
“What? What’s that?”
“You know, the one that grants love if confessed under it…”
The voices of the National Guard magicians passing by caught my attention. Were they graduates of this academy?
A mistletoe that grants love? Along with the nameless girl ghost story, this academy really has all sorts of tales. Perhaps the number of ghost stories and superstitions grows in proportion to the academy’s history and traditions.
I continued walking toward the outskirts, away from the crowds. I wasn’t the type to enjoy festivals alone. Yesterday was a matter of work, and I didn’t want to wallow in old memories unnecessarily.
I did have a few friends, but it would be awkward to ask to tag along with their groups at this point.
I planned to find a quiet place to pass the time and then attend the afternoon’s schedule.
Today, I had to meet two people: Kwon Yuri and Yeon Minha.
First was Kwon Yuri’s small gathering. Though it didn’t sit well with me that it was an unauthorized “illegal” gathering, there was no turning back now.
Well, I’d probably just fill the seat and leave when the time came. At worst, I might end up being treated as a plaything to entertain the senior women.
Still, seeing Kwon Yuri keep her promise gave me some peace of mind. Didn’t I witness Yeon Minha’s salon bursting with people?
Considering how even those who usually avoided her showed up, it was clear Kwon Yuri had pulled some strings.
In that case, it was only right for me to fulfill my part of the contract as well.
“Promise me one thing.”
“Make sure to come to the Centennial Tree by midnight on the 13th.”
But why did Yeon Minha say that to me? I still couldn’t guess the specific meaning behind that time and place.
She even told me there was no need to come to the salon. As if she had made some major decision…
“I guess I’ll find out when I get there.”
An inexplicable premonition crept into my thoughts. Shaking my head to dispel it, I quickened my pace.
***
The National Guard personnel dispatched to the cradle were enjoying the social gathering while doubling as security.
“Black Cat. What’s wrong?”
“Did you see that guy who just passed by?”
One magician abruptly stopped in their tracks and turned their head. The tall man wearing a mask had already disappeared into the crowd.
“Who?”
“You know, the one from Heukryeon.”
“Oh, the sibling of the former top ranker?”
“I saw them at the tournament earlier. They fought well. Reminded me of the White Wolf from before. But why? Planning to make a recruitment offer?”
“What? Are you still hung up on that? You couldn’t get anywhere with the White Wolf, so now you’re targeting the sibling… Get a grip. There’s at least a two-fold age difference… Ugh!”
“Shut your mouth! Who’s targeting anyone!”
The magician called Black Cat kicked the shin of the man who had been teasing her and fumed.
“I just wanted to keep an eye on them in case they’re a talent worth noting! And the difference isn’t two-fold, it’s only about nine years…!”
“Alright, alright, stop it. Just go back to what you were talking about.”
Another member of the group stepped in, stopping her from further assault and steering the conversation back on track.
“So, where’s this mistletoe?”
“The Centennial Tree. You have to find the smooth vines entwined among the branches.”
Another magician chimed in to answer the question.
“They say if you confess under it after the midnight bell chimes on the 13th, you’ll be bound to the other person forever.”
“Oh my. What a bizarre superstition. The Centennial Tree is the big one in the garden, right? It must be packed with students all the time. I remember there were plenty of secret relationships even in our time.”
“Well, it’s not as easy as it sounds.”
The one engrossed in the story shook their head.
“There are two conditions.”
“Conditions?”
“Yes. First, the mistletoe on the Centennial Tree changes its location every year. I heard it’s a magical plant that relocates its habitat. How could you find it among the branches sprawling like a forest? It’s pure luck.”
“Ugh, that’s creepy…”
The idea of a moving vine made one of them scrunch up their face in disgust.
“Well, there’s a trick. Spirit summoners use their spirits to lure the mistletoe toward them. I’ve seen a few who succeeded in confessing that way.”
“How many spirit summoners are even around… What’s the other condition?”
“You can’t just confess anytime. It has to be right after the bell chimes to signal midnight on the 13th.”
“That’s interesting. What’s today’s date?”
“The 12th.”
After checking their watch, the magician who asked let out a disappointed sigh.
“Ah, but the Centennial Tree area is off-limits during the social gathering anyway. It’s pointless. I thought I’d get to see something fun…”
“You never know. Someone might sneak in during that window… Big Bear, where are you headed?”
One of them paused mid-sentence, turning to call out to a colleague who was veering off in another direction.
“Oh, I have something I was asked to do.”
“A request? From the battalion commander? That person really doesn’t let up, even on a day like this…”
“Not the battalion commander. Someone else.”
Second Day of the Social Gathering.
“Someone else? Who?”
“There is. The one we met last time. I’ll go ahead first. See you later.”
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“Got it. Just don’t go too deep into deserted places!”
The magician, who waved a hand and parted ways with the group, trudged along.
“Main Building’s Machine Room, anyone who interferes will die, Main Building’s Machine Room, anyone who interferes will die…”
Muttering faintly, so softly it was almost inaudible, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Then, he tried hard to recall the appearance of the person who had made a very trivial request to him.
“Definitely brown hair… freckles… huh? Who was it again?”
The clarity that flickered through his mind lasted only for a brief moment. Once again, his dazed, unfocused gaze wavered, and he staggered away, disappearing beyond the alley.
“Main Building’s Machine Room, anyone who interferes will die, Main Building’s Machine Room, anyone who interferes will die…”
***
The Clock Tower was nearing 4 p.m.
I began walking toward the promised location in advance.
As I moved against the flow of the busy main street, the crowd gradually thinned, and soon, a shabby, deserted park came into view.
Near the entrance, surrounded by fences, the figure of a familiar female student flickered into sight.
Her pure and delicate impression was accentuated by the teardrop-shaped beauty mark under her eye.
Kwon Yuri, a second-year student.
“Chick, over here!”
As she waved her hand cheerfully, I reluctantly started walking toward her.
It was at that moment, as I was about to move forward, that I stopped dead in my tracks after noticing something.
Peeking out from her hair were a pair of soft rabbit ears, twitching as if I had seen them somewhere before.
“…White Rabbit?”