“The bags you brought, it’s probably best to pack them up early today.”
Choi Soo-eun added that doing so would make departure the next day more convenient.
Finally, tomorrow, farewell to this tiresome hospital. It’s time to leave this narrow ward and return to my room. It took far too long.
The problematic back is now fully recovered. With today’s final check-up, I’ve finally received the discharge diagnosis.
“Thank you for all your hard work.”
It was Choi Soo-eun who congratulated me on my discharge first. She was also the person who helped me the most while I was in this hospital.
Right now, Choi Soo-eun is emptying the trash can in the ward.
The more I watch her, the more amazing it seems. How can such a small body have so much stamina?
She’s been handling hospital duty and classes, and even making lunches every night. It’s not a schedule one person should be able to manage.
She boasts a stamina that even an awakened person would envy. She’s a formidable human being.
“What are you staring at? Is there something you want to say?”
“Nothing.”
She’s strong, resilient, and from a wealthy family. She even owns a car.
That girl would make a fine wife.
“Anyway, see you tomorrow when I’m discharged. And don’t make a mess in the ward as a farewell gesture. Got it?”
Choi Soo-eun left the ward holding the trash bag.
It’s somewhat embarrassing to just receive her hard work without reciprocating. I should probably give her a gift as thanks later.
Of course, something inexpensive.
“Hmmn…”
After Choi Soo-eun left, the ward was incredibly quiet. The stillness felt doubled due to the night.
Since I can’t sleep anyway, I decided to take out the spoon to pass the time.
─── Andvari ───
▶ Active Skills
[Telekinesis Lv.1]
[???]
[???]
[Reflection Lv.1 – NEW!]
──
The first thing that catches the eye is definitely the new skill, Reflection. It’s the skill I gained after facing Baek Joo-hee.
Reflection. Just the name suggests some kind of reflecting skill. Could it possibly repel the enemy’s attacks?
If that’s the case, this is a totally broken skill, right?
Let me try something.
I quickly got out of bed and activated the skill.
Sssssssh──
The magic power gathered, and soon a blue light enveloped the entire spoon.
Ssuuuuu……
But it didn’t last long. The blue light surrounding the spoon faded quickly, suggesting that it might be a one-shot skill.
“Hmm.”
I somewhat understand how the skill works now… but this info alone feels insufficient. I want to confirm its exact capabilities and make sure it truly reflects attacks.
I can’t just ask someone to hit the spoon in the middle of the night. Is there any way I can test it myself?
“Ah.”
Then, a good idea occurred to me. I turned my eyes to the showerhead. I can test it using the stream of water from the shower hose.
I hurried towards the shower.
Krik.
Ssssssssssh──!
I turned the water up to maximum intensity, almost to the point of irritation. Then, I held the enlarged spoon near the water stream.
Tudu-du-du-duduk.
The water pressure is so strong that just bringing the spoon close made water splash everywhere, even beyond the entrance of the shower room.
Let me use the Reflection skill in this state.
Sssu-u-u-u-u-u……
Once again, a blue light enveloped the spoon.
Suddenly,
Ssssssssssssssh――!
“Whoa.”
The water stream was reflected off the spoon. Unlike before, the water didn’t splash everywhere. It smoothly stretched out in a perfectly straight line.
As if I were holding the hose in my hand.
Drurruk……
While I was fascinatedly watching the water stream, the ward door opened. Choi Soo-eun, who had just left, had returned.
“Ah, I forgot something… What are you doing?!”
Choi Soo-eun let out a loud shout upon seeing me playing with the spoon and water stream.
“What did I just tell you?! I said not to mess up the ward!”
Pang─!
She stepped into the shower and smacked me on the back.
That really hurt.
The next day. After going through the discharge procedures, I was on my way to the Combat Division lecture room.
“Hmm.”
On the way, I met Arna. Arna also noticed me and paused for a moment.
“You’re… discharged, I see?”
It was our first meeting since the practical exam. As such, there was an awkward atmosphere between us. Arna kept idly fidgeting with her hair, avoiding eye contact.
“I was discharged this morning.”
“Oh, I see…?”
After that, the conversation died out. We stood silently for a while before I moved to leave.
“See you.”
“Eek….”
When she saw me leaving, Arna quickly caught up to me and started walking beside me.
Tub-tub-tub─
Toc-toc-toc─
“…”
What’s going on?
Why is she acting like this today? She’s casually walking beside me—
This is a first. Even though we’re headed to the same destination, she’s never walked beside me like this before. She usually keeps a distance.
“…”
“…”
Today’s Arna is unusually quiet. She used to always frown and show anger whenever I appeared, but now she’s quietly walking, looking down at the ground.
She can’t possibly be doing this because she likes me. There must be a reason.
Shall I check?
“Arna.”
“Yes…?”
“Is there something you want to say to me?”
“!”
Arna inhaled sharply, confirming my suspicion.
What does she want to say to me? If I had to guess, it might have something to do with what happened during the midterm exam.
Is she maybe trying to say thank you for saving her?
“That’s unnecessary.”
“Ah…”
“Since when did we start exchanging such embarrassing pleasantries? You don’t have to say it.”
“…”
When I outright rejected her, Arna silently pouted. She clearly looked dissatisfied.
—Hey, where is that guy’s spoon! Where is that bastard?
When we approached the lecture room, a male voice echoed from within. The voice was so loud it could be heard even from the corridor.
That voice—it’s definitely Kang Tae-hoon. He hasn’t forgotten getting hit by the spoon that day and has apparently come seeking revenge.
—What? Not here yet? Well, just contact him or something and tell him to hurry up! Bring him to me immediately! Hurry!
However, I’m not ready to face Kang Tae-hoon just yet. There’s no reason to jump into trouble unnecessarily.
It seems we’ll have to postpone our meeting until next time.
It’s not the right time.
Well, see ya.
“Eh? Wait, where are you going? That’s not the way to the lecture room!”
Without turning back, I ran away.
Pang─!
Late at night, outdoor training center. Kang Tae-hoon kicked a poor tree, yelling in frustration.
“Damn it! Where the hell did he vanish to?!”
He had searched for Shin Yoon-seong all day but couldn’t find a trace. Shin Yoon-seong was nowhere to be found, neither in the lecture room nor in the cafeteria.
“He’s not even some kind of ghost…!”
Pang─!
He kicked the tree again, causing some leaves to fall.
“Shit…!”
More than anyone else, Kang Tae-hoon was angry with himself.
On the day he got hit by the spoon, he didn’t do anything but take the blow. Normally, at such a moment, Kang Tae-hoon would’ve instantly drawn his sword.
Since it was the first time he’d ever been hit by someone, he couldn’t even speak properly during that incident. All his thought processes had ceased—he was as if trapped in a state of panic.
Why did that happen? The more he thought about it, the more his anger surged. And he also felt somewhat embarrassed.
Getting beaten by a nobody is disgraceful enough, let alone being hit with a spoon. What could be more humiliating than that?
“Show yourself in front of me again, and I’ll rip out your guts! …Ow!”
Dak─!
At that moment, someone smacked the back of Kang Tae-hoon’s head.
This familiar feeling—his body recognized it. It was the spoon.
“Hmm….”
Even though he was hit first, a smile started to spread on his face. This must mean Shin Yoon-seong is here.
Finally, it’s time to teach that guy a lesson.
“You little…!”
Ssuu─
The moment he turned around while unsheathing his sword,
“Eng…?”
The expected figure of Shin Yoon-seong was nowhere to be seen. Instead, there was just a floating spoon in the air.
“What…? Why is the spoon floating…!”
Kang Tae-hoon was still unaware of Shin Yoon-seong’s abilities since he’d returned to school not long ago.
Dak─!
“Ow!”
Once again, the spoon smacked Kang Tae-hoon’s head. It kept on hitting him repeatedly.
“I won’t take this lying down! You’re just a spoon, after all!”
Kang Tae-hoon raised his sword despite everything.
Ddrrrrr──
At that moment, the spoon started glowing. Its entire body began to sparkle with a blue light. However, Kang Tae-hoon disregarded that and swung his sword.
Dang─!
“Yaaaaaaagh…!”
Contrary to Kang Tae-hoon’s expectation, the sword was deflected in a spectacular manner. It was as if a repulsive force was acting upon him, and his whole body was pushed back.
“What… What is this guy…?”
Kang Tae-hoon widened his eyes and stared at the spoon. Though it didn’t shine with the same bluish hue it had earlier, it still hovered in the air, unscathed.
Swuushh─
After that, the spoon stopped attacking Kang Tae-hoon. It gracefully turned toward the forest and floated away.
Starting a fight out of nowhere, and then ending it abruptly—all by himself.
Watching his retreating figure, Kang Tae-hoon muttered to himself.
“Is that guy… not actually a ghost…?”
