—
Peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee……..
The only sound that reached my ears was a persistent ringing.
“Aah, I was knocked out while blocking Lee Seo-yoon and Kang Ayul’s attacks.”
I had panicked too much and ended up using my psychokinesis to just push their movements aside, mistakenly believing the situation was resolved. That was the problem.
“The next time, I should definitely repel their weapons with psychokinesis too.”
The power of the wooden sword wrapped with magical energy was comparable to a 10-ton dump truck… though not exactly, it was still strong enough to slice through steel.
Because of this, both of my hands, which failed to catch their sword strikes, were completely torn apart and spun around—a sight not suitable for the incoming freshmen of the Academy. Still, thanks to Recovery being on my side, it was quite the insane feat I pulled off.
If anyone else had tried, they would have exploded like shrimp caught in a whale fight, given the sheer force.
“I need to tell them off properly once I wake up.”
From now on, more and more events beyond common sense would happen at the Academy. Like when a cadet loses control of their powers and runs amok, requiring us to go into the library to subdue them. Or dealing with assassins coming from Japan.
As seniors, we need to guide the protagonist group onto the right path. Especially Kang Ayul, who intends to become the spiritual pillar supporting the player after Yoon Se-ah’s death, and Lee Seo-yoon, a disciple of the Sword Demon, whose skills are undeniably proven—these two will play critical roles in helping us tackle the upcoming storylines. They’re the protagonists who’ll help me find my way home.
“I just wish they’d reconcile already…”
“……Yang! Hurry… nurse…!”
“…I… I get it!”
Fortunately, it seemed neither of them was quite so insane as to keep fighting in this situation.
“Alright… hold on… and go!”
I lost consciousness, feeling as if I were being carried by someone. It was probably either Lee Seo-yoon or Kang Ayul bringing me to the infirmary.
A gentle breeze tickled my hair, and I peacefully slipped into sleep.
“…This ceiling feels unfamiliar. Though, technically, it is familiar.”
When I opened my eyes again, I was not in the infirmary but in the dormitory—specifically, my room.
“Ugh… it’s damp.”
Had I had a nightmare? My bed was soaked with cold sweat.
“It’s odd. I faintly remember something from just a moment ago, but now… I can’t remember anything.”
Judging from the trembling in my body and the wetness running down my cheeks, tears were streaming from my eyes. Like a mirage, the memories slipped away the moment I tried to grasp them, leaving me with nothing.
“Weird. I remember there used to be a lamp here.”
As I struggled to focus my vision, a familiar voice came from beside me.
“Is Se-ah alright?!”
“Seo-yoon and… Ayul?”
“…Why did you foolishly jump into that situation?”
When my vision finally cleared, I saw Lee Seo-yoon and Kang Ayul looking at me guiltily, like children who’d broken a dish.
“Eh… wasn’t Seo-yoon a transfer student?”
“Ah, you might be a little surprised.”
They explained the situation. I had been somewhat startled when they entered my room earlier without permission.
“…”
“…So, Seo-yoon’s skill level was judged and her preliminary ranking was set at number 20…”
“Says ‘preliminary,’ but really they just shoved her into an ambiguous position where she’d become the target of a group lynching during the upcoming Student Council President election.”
Despite Kang Ayul’s blunt response, Lee Seo-yoon smiled, seemingly satisfied.
“Thanks to that, I’ve gained access to the sweet room—a place only the top cadets can stay in. My teacher said the luggage will arrive tomorrow… though since Se-ah suddenly collapsed, I didn’t check the room, Room 103. Do you know where Room 103 is?”
“…”
At Seo-yoon’s question, Kang Ayul frowned, evidently uncomfortable.
“If it’s Room 103… that would be right next to mine, here. Also, it’s quite close to Ayul’s room.”
<Room Layout>
[101] [102]
[103] [104]
[105] [106]
[107] [108]
[109] [110]
[Elevator]
[111] [112]
…
…
[119] [120]
I showed Lee Seo-yoon the room layout map from the room guide.
Right now, while I’m lying in Room 101 and Kang Ayul is in Room 102, Room 103, which is nearby, has a new occupant… or rather, it used to. I don’t recall who it was, but they vacated it after being pushed out by Seo-yoon, who’s like a 10-ton boulder rolling in.
“Poor guy, whoever vacated their room.”
They had struggled hard to maintain a top 20 rank, only to drop to 21 in an instant because of Seo-yoon.
Still, the student council election is coming up soon, so if they’re truly skilled, I believe they’ll use this frustration as motivation to rise back into the top 20.
“Anyway, why is everyone in my room?”
“Ah, now that you mention it, you’ve been dodging the real issue.”
Indeed, something had been off.
A private dormitory room can’t be opened without the owner’s key. So how did Seo-yoon and Ayul manage to get in…?
“Could it be…”
Is this not my room?
I don’t want to believe it.
“Is this… my room?”
“…”
Oh no.
“Your arm was chopped up, so we rushed to the infirmary as quickly as possible. When we got there, your arm was miraculously still attached.”
“Still, since Se-ah hadn’t woken up, we stayed by her side in the infirmary till about 7 PM. After the nurse left, Se-ah suddenly started convulsing as if she were pinned under a nightmare.”
“There was no way we could just leave you there, drenched in cold sweat and groaning, in your school uniform. And since there was nothing else to do, and your condition might have affected the Student Council’s reputation if you didn’t wake up, we had to help by bringing you here.”
“I couldn’t change you into Ayul’s pajamas since they wouldn’t fit, but at least I got to peek into your wardrobe. Thanks for that.”
“WHAT?!”
So not only did I end up in Kang Ayul’s room, but I was also drenched in cold sweat while lying here?
My head started spinning.
“Anyway, there’s something I want to say to both of you.”
Kang Ayul probably sensed it coming.
“…Seo-yoon, could you step outside for a moment, please?”
“Hmm, now that you mention it, there’s this pizza bread sold at the unmanned convenience store that’s supposed to be quite tasty. I should give that a try.”
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Seo-yoon calmly left the room.
The moment the door closed, Kang Ayul jumped onto my bed.
“Are you really… alright?”
“Yes, wouldn’t anyone’s heart drop if Ayul and Seo-yoon acted so unpredictably?”
“Not that.”
“…”
Ah, trying to deflect the issue doesn’t seem to be working.
“That’s the same look I saw on Christmas Eve. The look you get when you’re trying to hide something.”
“That’s not true. What could I possibly have to hide? People sometimes faint after intense stress is suddenly relieved, right? It’s similar to that…”
“…”
“…If you insist on saying that, then fine.”
That look…
“It’s the same glance of disappointment Ayul gives when the protagonist breaks a promise and does something dangerous.”
But this wasn’t disappointment at my actions as a player. It was more about her helplessness, the frustration of not being strong enough to participate.
Still, I couldn’t tell her why I had such a nightmare, nor could I burden her with an explanation.
“I’m sorry for troubling you with this, Ayul.”
“…”
“Alright, fine. But remember this.”
“?”
Ayul took a handkerchief from her pocket and tried to wipe the sweat off my forehead before tossing it to me.
“You’re the Student Council President of Raon Academy, and I’m the Vice President. If we show weakness, our positions will be taken in a heartbeat.”
“That’s scary. Can’t you go easy on me just a little?”
Although I feel apologetic to Ayul, this balance suits our relationship perfectly.
After all, I am a foreigner who will eventually leave, while Ayul has to continue living in this world even after Mephisto is gone. This kind of twisted relationship… works.
“…”
“Anyway, since the sheets are ruined like this, the bed is out of the question…”
“Sure, we can request a replacement tomorrow.”
“Then, Ayul, take my room. I’m used to sleeping on the floor.”
With Kang Ayul assuring me the sheets would be replaced soon, and Lee Seo-yoon showing consideration by offering to sleep on the floor in my room…
“Well… things seem to be improving between the two of them.”
This morning, they were literally ready to tear each other apart, but now they at least seem to have settled into a somewhat friendly rival relationship.
“Still, I have to say this… you two are insane.”
Regardless of how well their relationship might be improving, there are some things I need to address.
These crazy fighting hens…
—
End.
