“Something feels a bit off.”
I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but there was an inexplicable, strange vibe in the air. I tilted my head in thought, but quickly dismissed it as the classroom door swung open and the instructor from the Northern Clan entered.
After the usual formalities, the instructor thanked me for my assistance, mentioning how they were short-handed lately and hoped I could help out more in the future. I smiled and nodded, though I knew it was all just pleasantries. Internally, I couldn’t help but scoff.
Once the training began, I resolved to memorize the faces of the new recruits. I already knew Park Hwanhee, so I focused on those around him, suspecting some might be aligned with his plans based on what I’d heard.
I kept an eye on Baek Hangyeol and Cha Yuna, but aside from the occasional shared smile, they seemed focused on the training. Still, I trusted my instincts. The unsettling feeling from earlier lingered in my mind.
“Mercenary Lord, I have a favor to ask.”
“Yes? Sure, what is it?”
During a break after the theory session, while I was still scanning the room with my third eye, the instructor approached me. I deactivated my ability and turned to see a Northern Clan member with an awkward smile.
“Oh, I just realized we haven’t introduced ourselves. I’m Jang Yunho from the Northern Clan, representing Pamela, a northern city. I’m a four-year user, though still lacking.”
“Ah, I’m Kim Suhyun, Mercenary Clan Lord. Zero years.”
‘Not that I care.’
I replied curtly. Jang Yunho, sweating nervously, continued.
“Ha, the favor is… could you help with the next training session?”
“Training?”
“During the demonstration, Na Seunghye, the ‘Elegant Puppeteer,’ taught in a rather convoluted way. The new users are struggling with practice. We need to guide them individually during practical training.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to gather the struggling users for supplementary training? There are only 38 of them, so it shouldn’t be too many.”
Jang Yunho waved his hands excessively and explained.
“Well, there’s another class right after this one, led by Seong Yubin from the Golden Lion Clan. It’s mandatory, and it’s linked to this training. So, it’s best to avoid extra sessions.”
“Even so, I’m not keen on participating in practical training.”
“Oh, we don’t expect much. Since you’ve completed the academy, could you share a few tips on controlling magic circuits? We’ve spent too much time on theory, and we’re short on time. Even helping one person would give us some breathing room.”
‘What a load of nonsense.’
I thought the new recruits were too lax, but the instructors were just as soft. Even with their reasons, asking a zero-year user to help was quite absurd.
Still, sharing a few tips wasn’t too burdensome, so I sighed and nodded.
“Alright, I’ll start from the left after the break.”
“Thank you! That eases my mind. Honestly, I’m not fond of this training method either, no matter how efficient it is…”
Jang Yunho seized the opportunity to criticize Na Seunghye’s teaching methods. I half-listened, turning my attention to the users on the left. There, I saw Baek Hangyeol, eyes closed, hands clasped, practicing channeling magic through his circuits. Occasionally, he glanced at Cha Yuna with a bright expression, suggesting he was making progress.
When the break ended, practical training based on the theory session began. Jang Yunho instructed the new users to control their magic, offering help to those struggling. As he moved to the right, I headed left, my interest in Baek Hangyeol guiding my decision.
“How’s it going? Any trouble?”
“Uh, no! Just… managing.”
Approaching him, Baek Hangyeol looked startled. I chuckled softly and placed a hand on his back. Glancing over, I saw Jang Yunho’s back turned.
“Relax. Just like you learned, channel your magic calmly through the circuits.”
Though initially flustered, Baek Hangyeol soon followed my guidance, channeling his magic. The flow wasn’t as smooth as expected, with some stumbles.
I gently infused my magic into his, whispering in his ear.
“Don’t resist. Let my flow guide you.”
“Yes, yes.”
I didn’t plan to teach anything groundbreaking. He seemed stuck on the circuit’s complexity, so I aimed to simplify the difficult parts.
‘His magic is pure but timid.’
It reminded me of stabilizing An Sol’s magic at the trap point. As I carefully navigated his circuits, I noticed a sudden acceleration in the flow. Initially struggling to keep up, his magic transformed, gaining momentum with each circuit.
Watching his intense focus, I was impressed by his concentration. His magic kept pace with mine, and I recalled his true name, “Thousand Talents.”
After eight circuits, I withdrew my magic, meeting Baek Hangyeol’s dazed gaze. His face clearly showed a desire for more, likely due to his innate talent drawing him into a trance.
“Not bad. You did well.”
I offered a subtle compliment, avoiding drawing attention. Instead, I patted his head, conveying my approval.
“Thank you!”
“Alright, keep it up. I need to check on the others.”
“Um, instructor, can I ask you again if I have questions?”
“I’m not sure if there’ll be another chance. I’m usually in charge of living and control, not education. Today was an exception, but outside of training…”
I trailed off, leaving the possibility open. If he wasn’t a fool, he’d remember my earlier invitation to visit my quarters. Determined to recruit him, I moved on to the next user, aware of Park Hwanhee’s sharp gaze.
Whether it was the guidance or our frequent encounters (which I orchestrated), Baek Hangyeol began to recognize me. I subtly highlighted our shared status as zero-year users and secret class members, nurturing a brotherly bond. My plan was to gradually build rapport.
However, I maintained professional boundaries, ensuring he approached me rather than the other way around. This distance was his to close, fostering an environment where he could trust and open up to me.
As I advanced my recruitment strategy, I also adjusted my duties. Shifting focus from control to living supervision allowed me more access to the recruits’ quarters, crucial for monitoring their activities.
I hadn’t set my sights on Park Hwan-hee for that part. There was a reason I memorized the faces of the people sitting around him during Jang Yoon-ho’s training sessions. Even if I only had a slight inkling and didn’t dig deeper, he managed to carry out his plans for two whole weeks without catching my eye. I figured that by keeping an eye on the people around the cautious Park Hwan-hee, I’d eventually catch something. Plus, this method was less likely to be noticed.
And soon enough, I got the chance to prove my theory right.
It was during the personal maintenance time after all the training sessions had ended. While patrolling the dorms, I spotted a familiar new user glancing around as she walked. She was definitely one of the people who had sat near Park Hwan-hee. I immediately stopped my patrol and followed her.
She entered the living quarters and soon emerged with another woman—none other than Cha Yuna. The two whispered briefly in front of the dorm, with Cha Yuna mostly listening. After their conversation, she nodded and walked down the hallway instead of returning to the dorm.
I had been keeping an eye on Cha Yuna ever since I noticed her watching Park Hwan-hee during training, and now seemed like the perfect opportunity. I decided to follow her.
As I trailed her, a strange sense of déjà vu washed over me. It felt like we were heading somewhere secluded, yet the surroundings were oddly familiar.
When Cha Yuna finally stopped, I realized why. She had arrived at a place I had dubbed the “Easter Egg.”
“Damn it. I thought I was the only one who knew about this place.”
Grumbling to myself, I silenced my presence and slipped inside. As a first-year user, she wouldn’t find me if I hid properly, but I couldn’t afford to be careless. I climbed silently up a thick tree and looked down. Below, Cha Yuna had entered and was standing in front of a man—Park Hwan-hee.
He greeted her with a bright smile and murmured something. I quickly focused my hearing.
“Ah, Yuna, you’re here. Haha. I’ve been waiting. Thanks for coming.”
“Why did you call me here again?”
“Huh? Oh, don’t be so wary. We’re in the same boat now…”
“You’re mistaken.”
Cha Yuna’s eyes flashed as she spoke sharply. She continued in a pointed tone as Park Hwan-hee hesitated, about to step closer.
“I didn’t cooperate with you and share information about Han-gyeol for your sake. It was for me and Han-gyeol. I don’t care if we’re in the same boat or whatever, but I’d appreciate it if you stopped getting closer.”
“Oh, I’m still hated, huh?”
“Isn’t that obvious? Considering what you did, don’t you think a slap is the least you deserve?”
At her biting words, Park Hwan-hee rubbed his right cheek and sighed deeply before speaking with a serious expression.
“Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry.”
“It doesn’t sound sincere coming from you. And calling me out here instead of just saying it directly is suspicious.”
“Oh, it’s not like that. I just needed to talk somewhere private because we still have to keep this secret. And…”
“And?”
At Cha Yuna’s sharp retort, Park Hwan-hee scratched his head, looking a bit deflated.
“I didn’t want to make Han-gyeol more anxious. If he saw us meeting, he’d definitely worry.”
“He’s quite the smooth talker, isn’t he? His acting is top-notch too.”
Comparing what Park Hwan-hee was saying now to what he had told Baek Han-gyeol, I couldn’t help but chuckle. His performance seemed to be working, as Cha Yuna blinked in surprise.
“Han-gyeol relies on you a lot, Yuna. He already doesn’t trust me, and I didn’t want to give him more reasons to doubt.”
“Hmph. If that’s really the case, fine. Just tell me why you called me out here.”
Though she still sounded confrontational, her voice had softened considerably. Park Hwan-hee’s expression shifted from dejected to a gentle smile.
“It’s nothing major. I told you most of the plan last time.”
“Right. I agreed to share information about Han-gyeol in exchange for hearing the plan first.”
“Yeah. But there’s a bit of a problem with the plan.”
“A problem…? Don’t tell me it’s Han-gyeol?”
Instead of answering, Park Hwan-hee nodded heavily and began to explain the issue with a genuinely earnest face. It wasn’t anything new. He had told Han-gyeol about the plan, but Han-gyeol didn’t trust him and refused to cooperate. It was the same tedious story I already knew from witnessing it firsthand.
“Did you tell him you shared his information with me?”
“I did. But he just wouldn’t believe it. He kept insisting you would never do that.”
“Ugh. That idiot. I had a feeling something was off lately.”
“Huh? What’s off?”
Park Hwan-hee asked quickly, his eyes gleaming. But Cha Yuna just shook her head, frowning.
“It’s nothing. He keeps talking about one of the instructors… Anyway, what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. It’s mostly my fault, but seeing him reject me so fiercely was a shock. I’m really sorry and at a loss. I don’t know what to do next… Sigh.”
Park Hwan-hee looked genuinely troubled, his shoulders slumped. After a moment, Cha Yuna glanced at him and spoke in a cautious voice.
“Should I… talk to him?”
“Really? Would you do that?”
“Ahh!”
As if waiting for her answer, Park Hwan-hee jumped up and grabbed her shoulders. Startled, she let out a small scream, and he quickly withdrew his hands, looking flustered. The important thing was, Cha Yuna didn’t push his hands away, just flinched.
“I told you not to get close!”
“S-sorry!”
“What were you thinking, grabbing me like that…! I was surprised…”
“I didn’t mean to. I was just so happy. I’m such an idiot. Hahaha.”
“It seems this isn’t their first meeting. I was right.”
Park Hwan-hee’s genuine delight seemed to make Cha Yuna uncomfortable. She bit her lip and looked away, her neck slightly flushed. Whether he noticed or not, he spoke in a deeper voice than before.
“Thank you. But I’ll try talking to him again myself.”
“What? You said he wouldn’t believe you. Even after telling him everything…”
“Yeah. But I want to regain his trust myself. If I sincerely apologize and show him I’m genuine, Han-gyeol will understand. He’s a good kid at heart, like you, Yuna. So, could you give me just a little more time?”
“W-what are you saying all of a sudden? Do whatever you want! Just don’t come crying to me for help later.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t let you down.”
Cha Yuna, who had been struggling to maintain her composure since he grabbed her shoulders, was visibly crumbling. Unable to withstand Park Hwan-hee’s earnest gaze, she finally turned away, saying, “If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.” But her steps were slightly unsteady.
“Sigh.”
As Cha Yuna disappeared into the distance, a heavy sigh echoed from the Easter Egg. Looking down again, I saw Park Hwan-hee wearing an expression I hadn’t seen during their conversation.
His lips curled into a smirk, revealing a clear hint of cunning.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ro Yujin.
Haha, today’s section is a bit long, isn’t it? I had to cover a lot of ground, and there was so much to include that it ended up being much longer than usual. Haha. Anyway, Monday is over. I used so much energy today that I’m really hungry. I think I’ll make some ramen for a late dinner. :)
PS. I apologize to those who find the pacing slow and tedious, but I intend to stick to the pace I mentioned at the beginning.
『 Reader Comments 』
EyeSeeYou: Congratulations on being first, EyeSeeYou! Haha. The second comment was from Ansul’s Avatar(?). Is this your first time being first? I don’t recall seeing you in the top comment before. :)
BearLover: Oh, BearLover, it’s been a while! Where have you been all this time?
BrokenDemon: Yeah, I experienced some lag too. When I click register and then another site map, it just shows the loading screen.
EnjoyPlay: Thank you for the review. It must have been tough finding each character’s abilities, but you did a great job. Thank you. (__)
Dicho: Exactly. Good and desire. Isn’t that the perfect combination for the pinnacle of self-justification? That’s how I see it.
Urararat: Yes, I definitely plan to see it through to the end. I’m considering dividing it into parts or chapters. Haha. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve decided to stick to my usual pace. Thanks to the valuable comments from many readers and advice from fellow writers, I was able to make this decision. I’ll move quickly through unnecessary parts, but take my time where I feel it’s needed. I’m committed to this approach. :)
Dallidakum: Yes! Thank you! The pace might feel slow and frustrating at times, so please check back when there’s more content to dive into!
Seokyangs: Of course, you might see it the way Seokyangs does. :) However, instead of answering your questions about the content now, I’d like to resolve them as the story progresses. So please be patient~!
TearsRiver: I’ve also pondered a lot about the character’s disposition. I wondered if it might be better to switch to a neutral or moderate stance. I’m still considering this, and I’ll take your opinion into account. Thank you for your valuable advice. Oh, and I did make a change to the setting midway through (in episode 105). It’s hard to define the essence you mentioned precisely, but rather than it not being highlighted, think of it as being overshadowed by the “third eye.”
Uheo: Thank you for the coupon. (__) I’ll continue to write diligently, staying true to myself without wavering. Thank you. :)
Your recommendations and comments are the driving force behind my continuous writing. (This is the truth.)
I always read all the comments repeatedly.
Please don’t feel too disappointed if I don’t reply directly.
If you have any pressing questions, feel free to send me a message, and I’ll respond!
With that, I’ll take my leave for today.
I hope you always read my work with a relaxed mind.
Recommendations, comments, critiques, and questions are always welcome.