Chapter 241
As expected of the Commander's mentor. Such self-praise had something in common with him.
Well, catering to his pride to this extent isn't all that difficult...
"I heard that you broke all the records when you entered the Cradle."
"Hmm."
Hae Wolhwa nodded smugly, as if she were a student being praised for good grades.
"Youngest admission, shortest time to graduate, undefeated in ranking battles, and even the all-time highest recorded Ruben Value within the body..."
"That is now the second. A four-digit Ruben Value holder has appeared in Paechun, after all."
Hae Wolhwa lightly corrected my statement. She was talking about Yeon. It was also the reward she had earned after overcoming particle hypersensitivity.
Wasn't it said to be akin to possessing an inexhaustible spring? Normally, mages experience the fear of particle depletion at least once, but such stories had nothing to do with Yeon.
The only person who could possibly compete with her was Yeon Minha, hailed as the greatest Spirit Summoner in history, who freely controlled dozens of spirits.
"Well, there's still a long way to go in terms of maturity..."
The smile on her lips was slightly alluring. For the first time, the Principal felt her age to me. No, perhaps she still seemed much younger than her age.
Suddenly, a question arose in my mind. Come to think of it, how old was this person? Even the Commander's parents called Hae Wolhwa their senior...
"..."
I quickly stopped thinking about it. It wasn't something I could ask, anyway.
"Do you know? Since I was a student, I never had even a single friend."
The Principal's voice carried a hint of wistfulness. I had no appropriate response, so I simply listened silently.
"They all looked at me with eyes filled with awe, rather than friendship. Well, that's to be expected. From the moment I entered, I couldn't find a rival among my peers, and I could handle more than ten professors at once without even breaking a sweat."
Though the Principal chuckled softly, an inexplicable loneliness lingered in her voice. Her demeanor stirred a strange pity within me.
This person had already been living the lonely life of a transcendent being since my age.
Of course, I was deeply curious as to why she was telling me this now.
"Ordinary mages can only manipulate refined particles through a spring. However, according to Professor Shin, you displayed a mysterious power to freely control neutral particles of space. Is that your Divine Power?"
"Yes, it is."
"...It's such a relief that your power didn't fall into their hands."
Her smile was brighter than the setting sun. The Principal's joy didn't stop there.
"And the fact that a mage capable of defeating me has finally appeared... truly fills me with such immense joy."
"..."
"This body, praised as the strongest, the Ho Guk Kyung... with a mere flick of a finger... Haha..."
Unhidden excitement and yearning seeped into her voice. Her reaction was somewhat peculiar.
Most people would feel threatened if their position was in jeopardy. Yet the Principal displayed an almost giddy sense of liberation.
...Perhaps this was an indication of just how lonely she truly was. If she had been revered by those around her even during her Academy years, there was no need to mention what came after.
She had spent decades standing alone at the very pinnacle. She hadn't even entered into the arranged marriage that was practically mandatory for mages of a prestigious family.
It was inevitable. Who would dare harbor such feelings for the strongest mage?
At that moment, I understood a little why the Principal had detailed her past so extensively. It wasn't unreasonable for her to express such elation at the appearance of a mage surpassing her.
Well, of course, that didn't mean I had any ill intentions nor would I use my power against her.
"I would never dare lay a hand on the Principal's body."
"..."
Just in case, I deliberately emphasized my words for certainty. After all, human emotions can never be entirely devoid of anxiety.
However, what briefly flickered across the Principal's pupils was unmistakable disappointment. People's emotions are truly difficult. Still, I couldn't outright say something rude like, 'I'll make sure to defeat you, Principal.'
The Principal puffed her cheeks out. Judging by her pouty lips, she didn't seem to want to hide her disappointment.
"Well, let's end that conversation here."
She changed the subject, still grumbling in a dissatisfied tone.
"It's undeniable that your existence is a great strength for us. However, it's also a cause for concern."
"Why is that?"
"The ability to overpower me could also mean that you pose the greatest threat to the Republic."
"Me... you mean?"
"Yes."
Hadn't she just said she trusted me? Her sudden remark left me dumbfounded.
"For decades, our Republic has been led by the Supreme Council, a collective of strong mage families. While it wouldn't be accurate to say it was perfect, it's true they've managed the country fairly well."
The Principal continued her explanation.
"Of course, it hasn't always been stable. Such egalitarian republics are always threatened by the emergence of superhumans. The first crisis was precisely my arrival."
Then, she gestured towards herself with her chin.
"From the moment I set foot in the Cradle, everyone around me scrutinized my every move. Naturally, if I ever decided to overthrow the nation, who could possibly stand in my way?"
"But Principal, you never..."
"That's right. I've never had any interest in such things."
The Principal shrugged lightly.
"Relaxing on the greenhouse sofa is my only interest. Honestly, even becoming Principal was something I was forced into. Oh, and aside from that..."
"...?"
Suddenly, the Principal, who had locked eyes with me, shut her lips tightly and averted her gaze. Had she been watching me this whole time? It seemed less like she had something to say and more like she had an ulterior motive.
"Ahem. Let's get back to the topic."
With a fake cough, the Principal diverted the conversation.
"...And the second crisis was the recent rebellion led by Baek Ilyong."
She extended two slim fingers.
"While his personal strength was formidable, no one in the Republic could match his scheming. In fact, his coup was on the verge of succeeding. If I had died in the South, or if you hadn't stopped him, he would've inevitably taken the throne."
"But we still managed to stop..."
"And the third is you."
Now, the Principal's finger was pointed directly at me.
"Me... you mean?"
"A mage with Heukryeon of the Five Families as backing and an overwhelming Divine Power that even the strongest mage couldn't match. That's you. Do I need to elaborate further?"
"But I have no intention of..."
"There was a time when everyone thought the same. Even that greedy Baek Ilyong."
"..."
"On top of that, you hold both Paechun and Jeokhwa cards in your hands..."
Her stern gaze sharpened further. She resembled a wife scolding a cheating husband.
From her expression alone, one could glean that impression.
"Because of you, my head is aching terribly."
"..."
"Don't even think of denying it. I saw with my own eyes earlier how you were agonizing over such an enviable dilemma."
Her remark felt as though she could see right through me.
"Those kids are incredibly spirited. It's been so long since I saw a student daring to glare at me like that..."
Hae Wolhwa chuckled, her tone tinged with derision.
"With such kids in both your hands, how could you not call it a blessing? Power must be checked and balanced. Yet not only do you possess individual prowess, but now support from three great noble families..."
The Principal shook her head as though genuinely troubled. Her concerns were valid. I was already being dragged into the eye of the storm, whether I liked it or not.
"Yet we can't kill you... nor can we lock you up... Ah, perhaps in the basement of our house...?"
However, there's one thing she doesn't know. My fate is already set on a predetermined course. My life will eventually burn out and leave only ashes behind.
I don't know when that time will come, but at least I'm certain the Principal will outlive me.
She doesn't know this, and that's why she worries unnecessarily.
"And remember this! Our Republic strictly upholds monogamy. It's to prevent indiscriminate marital alliances. No matter what happens, you absolutely cannot take both of them at the same time...!"
"You don't need to worry about that."
So the answer was simple. I spoke to the Principal, who seemed lost in her wild delusions.
"The thing you're worried about... will never happen."
***
After parting ways with the Principal, I headed to the training room in Building A. When my mind is as cluttered as it is today, the best remedy is exhausting my body.
Yeon and Yeon Minha were said to have received punishment all night long. Even though I pleaded with the Principal, on this matter she was immovable.
It was only natural since senior students, who should set an example, had engaged in an ugly quarrel in front of juniors.
But I couldn't understand why I was being let off. Was it because, in this case, I was somewhat in the position of the victim...?
Thus, I entered the familiar old training room. Today, I planned to push myself until I fainted.
However, just as I opened the door to the training room.
-Thud!
I tripped over someone's foot and fell flat on the ground.
This is the close combat technique I taught you. Since I didn't feel any hostility, I didn't even think about preparing myself. Besides, it was quite a gentle touch in its own way.
"Hey."
Hoo- A thick green fragrance flickered before my eyes. Beyond the flowing golden hair, there were large emerald-like two pupils.
She climbed on top of me as I was lying down, pressing her body against mine in a restraining posture.
And Jin Yeseo spat out in a chilling voice.
"Explain."
It seems like today... really isn't my day.