Chapter 109
Fortunately, Duke Becken didn’t push the issue further.
The atmosphere, which had been on the verge of growing colder, stabilized, and the presentation concluded without further incident.
But as soon as the presentation ended, someone unexpected approached Han Siha.
“Han Siha.”
From the moment I spotted Han Si-hyuk among the judges, I seriously considered dropping out of the competition.
If it had been anyone else, it wouldn’t have mattered, but there was no way that man would give me a favorable score. The glint in his eyes clearly showed his intent to crush me.
However, instead of sabotaging me, he cut off Duke Becken’s nonsense and silently listened to my presentation.
Is this one of those situations where only *he* gets to mock and undermine me, and no one else?
It’s the worst. I definitely don’t want to be at the receiving end of his scorn.
“Your plan wasn’t bad.”
“Weren’t you just saying the topic was weak?”
“I still think it is.”
“Oh.”
Han Si-hyuk’s voice was lower than usual, or maybe it was just my imagination. Adela, sensing the tense atmosphere, quietly excused herself.
Why is she running away?
I was just as uneasy about facing him. Every encounter with Han Si-hyuk was like oil meeting water—destined to erupt into conflict.
Please, can we just get through this without any drama?
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my heart from racing.
“I don’t know what you’re going to say, but I’m busy, so—”
“Your idea is foolish, but it could be profitable.”
“What?”
“You’re going to receive offers for funding, and a lot of them.”
His words seemed out of nowhere. He was likely referring to the idea I presented during the competition.
Money is something I already have plenty of, but more wouldn’t hurt.
Just as I was about to process his unexpected praise, his tone turned chilling, far beyond what it had been moments before.
“Don’t accept any of it. Not a single one.”
“…”
The seriousness in his voice was unmistakable.
“Don’t even start down that path. Bury that childish idea.”
“Why?”
“…You’ll die.”
If anyone else had said this, I would’ve dismissed it as nonsense.
But knowing Han Si-hyuk’s reputation as a top-class seer, I couldn’t take his words lightly.
Was he really saying I’d die just from developing an artifact?
I needed to clarify something.
“You do realize what that artifact represents, don’t you? And who would be most threatened by it if it were made?”
“The dark mages, obviously.”
Dark mages—this artifact was designed specifically to counter their magic, so that much was expected.
“I thought you were an idiot, but you’re aware of that much. Then why…?”
“Because it’s necessary. This artifact could save dozens, maybe hundreds, of lives. If you saw the presentation, you’d know that.”
“They won’t let you live long enough to finish it.”
He was convinced they wouldn’t let someone so dangerous live.
“Everyone saw you at the presentation. What makes you so sure none of *them* were watching?”
“…”
Han Si-hyuk hinted that there could have been dark mages among the audience. It wasn’t an empty threat.
He could be right.
But honestly, it doesn’t change anything.
“Thanks for the concern, even if it doesn’t suit you.”
In a way, this reckless determination feels safer, given how deep I’m already in. The dark mages likely know about my search for the cube at Ardel’s outskirts.
I’m already in a dangerous situation, so I need every weapon I can get to stay alive.
It’s a calculated decision, but I know there’s no convincing Han Si-hyuk.
“If I die, I die. That’s life.”
I decided to just take it in stride.
“You… really don’t listen.”
“Why are you surprised? It’s not like I’ve ever listened to you before. Think about it. When was I ever the obedient type?”
“I—You…!”
Han Si-hyuk, abandoning his usual composed demeanor, scowled and let out a sigh.
“Just get out of here.”
It seems like I might have ruined his temperament.
* * *
The results of the competition were announced a week later.
The ambitious purification necklace won the grand prize. The award included an invitation to the Ministry of Magic for a formal ceremony.
“Everything’s great, but why does it have to be the Ministry of Magic again?”
Adela quietly nodded in agreement with my complaint.
“It is kind of unsettling, especially for you.”
“Yeah, exactly.”
I have bad memories associated with the Ministry of Magic. Being kidnapped by Professor Divert Grunui and going through all sorts of nonsense in their underground facilities—it was the place where I got the cube but also where I was pushed to my limits.
“But what can we do? They’re giving us an award, so we have to go.”
And if you think about it, the Ministry of Magic is as safe as Ardel Academy.
The fact that incidents happen there is just a jinx… at least, that’s what I tell myself.
It’s a safe place.
I finished justifying it to myself and was about to get up when the door creaked open.
Standing there was a familiar face—Solia, who had come to the classroom for her Transformation Studies class.
We weren’t exactly on bad terms, but meeting her right after the competition results were announced was a bit awkward.
I didn’t want to provoke someone as prideful as Solia, so I instinctively looked away.
But then…
“Congratulations.”
Her tone lacked the usual awkwardness.
When I snatched third place from her last time, her congratulatory words felt forced, like she was pushing herself to maintain composure—forcing herself not to show any jealousy.
“Your presentation was impressive.”
This time, however, there was something different. It’s hard to pinpoint, but it felt… lighter, as if she had let something go.
With a bright smile, Solia nodded at me.
“Uh, thanks.”
“But next time, team up with me.”
Huh?
Her sudden suggestion made Adela’s eyes widen.
What’s with this boldness?
For someone who’s never worked in a group with me, her offer was so straightforward that it caught me off guard. Even Adela frowned and questioned it.
“…All of a sudden?”
“Honestly… I’m a little better than her.”
“What?! Hey, what are you talking about?”
Solia smiled warmly, her expression effortlessly disarming Adela. And as someone who knew Solia’s capabilities, I couldn’t help but agree.
Collaboration. Solia’s abilities truly shined during group projects. You could call it a type of “buff” effect—a warmth fitting of a mage of light.
Though, she might have just used that warmth to outshine someone.
“Seriously, unbelievable,” Adela grumbled.
“But it’s true,” Solia added with a soft smile.
It was true, but hearing her say it so directly was amusing.
I suppose there’s no harm in accepting her offer. I nodded and extended my hand for a handshake.
“Sure, someday.”
“…Someday,” Solia replied, her tone matching my resolve.
* * *
Around the same time, Yoon Haul was humming a tune to himself while munching on snacks in his usual spot at the library.
Yoon Haul glanced at the clock before casually pulling out a book.
[Understanding Basic Magic]
He didn’t need to focus much. A quick scan of the pages was enough for him to grasp the fundamental principles of magic.
If any first-year magic students struggling through these concepts saw this, they might have been crushed by despair.
“Boring. I should’ve just gone to class.”
It was, in fact, class time. Yoon Haul, who had boldly skipped out, muttered his disappointment.
“Do the magic students… actually find this stuff fun?”
As he pondered this, a face flashed through his mind. He quickly shook his head.
“Nah, that guy probably already knows all the basics. Maybe I should study advanced magic instead.”
Or maybe he should attend class for a change. The classes he shared with that person might actually be interesting enough to make attending worth it.
Of course, that was an absurd thought…
“Hm… that could be fun, though.”
Yoon Haul chuckled to himself, dismissing the idea.
Just then, a few of his theology classmates who had also skipped class waved him over.
“What’s this? Are you guys done already?”
“Yeah. No one noticed.”
Such was the beauty of large lectures. A group of four or five could slip out, and no one would be the wiser.
It wasn’t just because theology professors were more indifferent towards their students, but also because the curriculum was considerably more relaxed compared to other departments.
Oddly enough, that leniency was what allowed Yoon Haul to grow so quickly.
He learned more from books than he ever did from classes where he already knew the material.
Today, however, seemed like a waste—nothing in his books had piqued his interest.
One of Yoon Haul’s theology friends, a brown-haired student named Philic, blinked as he asked,
“What were you doing out here?”
“Just thinking,” Yoon Haul replied with a smile as he closed his book.
Most theology students were intimidated by Yoon Haul’s otherworldly talents, but Philic wasn’t one of them. And despite Yoon Haul’s tendency to keep people at arm’s length, he confided in Philic.
That’s why Philic was curious. What had brought about this recent change in Yoon Haul’s demeanor? He seemed more upbeat lately, more engaged in something. Philic couldn’t even begin to guess what it was.
Philic scratched his head before speaking up.
“You wouldn’t be grinning like that if you were just thinking.”
“Me?”
“You were doing it the whole time. Even when reading. I thought you were reading a comic book or something. You’re enjoying this stuff now? Is that what it takes to be a genius?”
“Enjoying this stuff would make me a freak. At least, that’s what I think.”
“Then what’s going on?”
Philic glanced around before lowering his voice.
“Don’t tell me…!”
Did he figure it out?
Yoon Haul, recalling his past habit of being overly transparent, swallowed nervously.
But then…
“Is there a new pastry at the cafeteria?”
Smack.
Yoon Haul smacked Philic on the head with his book, not even bothering to dignify the question with a response.
“Argh!”
“Say something that makes sense if you want an answer!”
“Hey, I’m serious! You were looking for that one pastry for weeks! The one that got discontinued.”
“Who cares?! That’s not important.”
“If it’s not that, then what? Did you fall for someone at first sight?”
“….”
“Wait, no way.”
“….”
Philic paused, noticing Yoon Haul’s reaction.
The quick darting of his eyes, the way he avoided Philic’s gaze.
No. This couldn’t be real.
Philic, who had known Yoon Haul for two years, quickly pieced it together.
“That’s… terrifying.”
“What?”
“If someone who goes around ‘interpreting the will of the stars’ starts crushing on you… They’d be doomed to a life of getting beaten up. I already feel sorry for them. Who is it? I’ll give them a heads-up.”
“…You really do need to die by my hand.”
“Wait, hold on!”
Zap.
Blue mana crackled playfully from Yoon Haul’s hand. But just as she was about to let loose, something made her freeze.
“…Hey, what’s wrong?”
Philic blinked in confusion as Yoon Haul’s face went pale.
“Ugh….”
The sudden pain made Yoon Haul’s complexion turn ghostly white.
“Cough… ugh….”
“Hey! Are you okay? Should I take you to the infirmary?”
This was a familiar symptom.
Whenever Yoon Haul was hit with an unexpected vision of the future, the pain hit like a wave, seizing her muscles and making her gasp for breath.
Yoon Haul gripped the desk, trying to steady her breathing.
“No, no… I’m fine….”
This was the price of her talent.
Even though the pain was something she had grown accustomed to, the contents of the vision were something she dreaded. Yoon Haul’s lips turned pale as the eerie voice echoed in her ears.
“So, where is the cube?”
“No, no…”
In the midst of the chaos, a face emerged clearly in her mind.
“I have to stop it.”
Han Siha was in danger.
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