Chapter 6: Hellish Gym Class (1)
It wasn’t like I had no friends at all. Even with my twisted personality, there was someone I could call a close friend.
Still, that friend was kind enough to treat me to meals every time we met.
When I once asked why they were doing this, they cheerfully replied, “There’s no one else I can mess with as freely as you.” For such words, they surprisingly weren’t overly rude.
The worst they did was show up uninvited, rummage through my fridge.
Both my parents only came home at dawn, so it wasn’t much of an issue. But they’d often help themselves to the soda or energy drinks I’d bought for myself.
Once, I couldn’t take it anymore and snapped, asking why they had money to buy me food but not enough to buy their own drinks. Their response was:
-“It’s not that I can’t, but taking what you’ve saved for yourself tastes way better.”
After hearing that, I gave up trying to understand this friend. I just let it be. Somehow, that made dealing with them easier.
Anyway, I remember once going to an internet café with them.
They had complained that their computer at home was far better than the garbage ones at the café, saying, “The downgrade shock is insane.”
When I said the PCs at the café seemed fine, they asked if I could really enjoy gaming on these after experiencing my home setup. I got it right away.
Why did that memory come to mind now? Because I was experiencing that same “downgrade shock.” Just stepping out of the sanctuary left me struggling to breathe in the vile, stifling air.
I thought I’d adapted to the warped mana, having slowly traveled inland, but that was my misconception. My body had never adjusted to this nauseating energy, not even for a moment.
Having known the taste of fresh air, my body silently screamed at me to return to the sanctuary.
I regretted leaving, wishing I’d just napped in the classroom instead. But no amount of regret could change anything.
Each breath was so disgusting it made me want to vomit.
Fighting off whispers telling me no one would notice if I disappeared, I looked around for a gymnasium-like building.
But all the buildings were so ornate that I couldn’t tell them apart. I wandered, hoping to find a map, but it seemed such things weren’t made here, likely deemed unsightly.
I had messed everything up, all for a cream bun.
…Nothing I ever did worked out. I shouldn’t have even tried.
Looking back on my previous life, it was always the same. Every time I tried to do something myself, it either failed or led to worse outcomes.
Attempts at witty wordplay always killed the mood. Seeking new thrills with food always ended in disappointment.
When I tried to become a writer, no one read my work. Even when I tried to give up on life, I failed.
From then on, I lived like a plank of wood, waiting to sink. Too afraid to ask for help, too lazy to save myself, I let time erode me, aimlessly drifting with no purpose.
Like a rotting plank waiting to shatter and sink to the ocean floor.
That was me.
I thought it might be different this time.
I scolded myself for such gloomy thoughts, knowing I should focus on brighter things.
In the sanctuary, I could think positively, but being this far away left me a wreck. It had to be the mana’s fault.
Yeah, it’s all because of the mana.
It’s why I’m so miserable, why lunch tasted awful, why my introduction was a disaster. All of it, the mana’s fault.
The reason my mood swings, why I have no friends, why anything bad happens—it’s all because of this warped mana.
Pinning the blame like that, no matter how absurd, made me feel a little better. Having a scapegoat made all the difference.
Of course, feeling better didn’t fix anything. I was still lost, and the distant clocktower announced lunch was about to end.
Still, people move based on how they feel.
Alright, let’s head back to the cafeteria. At least I remembered the way there.
That’s what I thought, but my steps felt heavy. If just walking was this exhausting, how could I possibly handle gym class?
Impossible. Absolutely impossible. I could maybe manage in fresh air, but in this sewer-like atmosphere, I wouldn’t even have my usual strength.
What should I do? Should I show up, let them see me, then say, “I’m not feeling well, can I sit out?” But that would draw everyone’s attention.
What if they decided I was some spoiled brat? Or worse, what if I got labeled as the girl with no excuses left? Even if they already thought that, things could get worse. What if they said, “We’re all suffering, but you think you deserve special treatment?”
“Ugh… I’m going to be late…”
Before my negative spiral could continue, someone’s voice cut through my thoughts. It sounded familiar.
…Ah, I remembered. It was my homeroom teacher. I was a little hurt that they hadn’t learned my name yet, but it was what it was.
“Hello, Teacher.”
“…Oh, huh? Oh… Hoyeon, right?”
It was like I could hear them thinking, What are you doing here? They looked a bit unnerved, like they’d seen something scary, but I didn’t have the luxury to care.
“Do you know where the gymnasium is? I got lost.”
“Oh, you’re lost… Just follow this road straight, and you’ll find it.”
Thankfully, the teacher answered kindly. If I’d gone back to the cafeteria, I’d have taken a longer route. Maybe stopping to wallow in self-pity was lucky after all.
“By the way, could you describe the building? They all look so similar, I can’t tell them apart.”
“Ah… They do look similar. For an empire, I guess this level of extravagance is normal…”
They were clearly talking to themselves, but I heard it. No need to point it out, though. Overheard mutterings can be so embarrassing.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. The gym is a round building, so it should be easy to spot.”
I nodded, bowed lightly, and headed in the direction they indicated. Sure enough, there was a round building.
It looked more like a coliseum than a gymnasium. But this was fantasy, so overthinking was pointless. Inside, a muscular teacher was calling roll.
“Exipri.”
“Here!”
“Han Dogeon.”
“Han Dogeon? Not here?”
Dogeon hasn’t arrived yet. Maybe he was also lost? This teacher looked terrifying; poor guy.
Not that I was much better—I was late too.
“…Baek Hoyeon.”
“Here.”
Our eyes met from a distance. I couldn’t tell if they were glaring or if their natural expression was just intimidating. Either way, they exude authority, matching every stereotype of a gym teacher.
At least I wasn’t scolded. But I couldn’t shake the chill of gaining a “bad impression” stack. Was this teacher the type who didn’t snap unless you really crossed the line?
“Everyone’s here except one. I can’t believe someone’s late on the first day.”
Their voice radiated power, their gaze brimming with authority. They seemed more like a drill instructor than a teacher.
“Nice to meet you all. I’m Georg, your instructor for the year.”
Clap clap clap.
…?
I was the only one clapping. Wasn’t applauding after introductions a universal rule? But as I looked around, the reactions seemed off.
-What’s with her?
No one said it, but I felt it. What? Was clapping some kind of faux pas? I felt like a fool. The stares directed at me were filled with confusion.
“…Who just clapped?”
The tone was ominous. What was going on? The air grew tense, like I’d made some grave mistake.
“…Baek Hoyeon.”
Fearing we’d all be punished, I confessed. The teacher’s gaze felt like it could burn a hole through me. Most of it was confusion, but I detected a hint of anger.
“Is clapping a custom in the East?”
What was I supposed to say? If I answered or stayed silent, it felt like my head would explode.
How could clapping be worse than being late?
“…Sorry.”
I braced myself for a scolding but was spared.
“Hah. Learn the customs of this continent while you can. I’ll let it go this time.”
With a weary sigh, Georg moved on. The murmurs around me grew louder. I couldn’t hear them clearly, but I was sure they weren’t compliments.
Ah. I wanted to die. Why does everything I do turn out like this?
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