Chapter 5
The night before the first day of classes. Late evening.
Now that the sky had already grown dark, I was heading toward the back of the main building where classes would be held.
Since students had gathered from all over the country, the academy had built a proper dormitory on campus. All freshmen were required to live in the dorms as a condition of admission, so the sound of rolling suitcases echoed constantly around me.
Still, the benefits were pretty big.
There were some restrictions, but the facilities were brand new, and even the cost of living was free.
Since everyone here was an adult, maybe the chance to live independently made them accept it willingly.
Of course, it was only for one year.
I dragged my heavy suitcase into the third-floor hallway. The interior was a bit chaotic. I stood blankly near the stair entrance for a moment before heading to the room that had been assigned to me.
“…Hello.”
The moment I opened the door, I greeted the girl inside almost at the same time she greeted me.
As I walked in holding my suitcase handle, she was already arranging her bed.
“Do you care about which side of the room you take?”
“No, not really. I’ll just take the right side.”
I answered casually.
Honestly, the person who arrived first usually had priority.
Besides, when I heard “dormitory,” I imagined bunk beds, but the room was surprisingly spacious. A single bed stood against each wall.
I took off my jacket, hung it on a chair, and began organizing my luggage.
For a while, the room was filled only with rustling sounds.
It was some time later that I realized the girl had been sitting on her bed, watching me.
The moment our eyes met, she asked casually.
“Excuse me, but how old are you?”
“…Twenty-five.”
“Oh, then you’re one year older than me. Do you prefer casual speech or polite speech?”
Her tone was calm, unlike the cute impression she gave.
She looked exactly like the kind of cheerful younger sister type.
As if urging me to answer, she tilted her head slightly, her pink-tinted bobbed hair brushing her shoulders.
“I don’t really mind either way. Whatever’s comfortable.”
“Then I’ll speak casually. What class are you in? Which category?”
…Could you give me a second to breathe?
My roommate started asking questions nonstop, as if she had been waiting.
Eventually, exhausted from answering, I collapsed onto my bed.
“Class B combat type.”
“What weapon? You look like someone who’d use daggers.”
For a moment I wondered if she was subtly insulting me.
After all, daggers were usually used by assassins.
“A greatsword. Sorry to disappoint. What about you?”
“I’m a buffer… but only B-rank.”
Her voice trailed off slightly, sounding a little discouraged.
I had some idea why.
If she were a healer, even at B-rank she’d probably receive offers from many guilds.
But buffers weren’t treated nearly as well.
“If I could choose, I’d be a buffer.”
So the best comfort I could give her was something like that.
“Of course you should choose a healer. What are you saying?”
“…”
For some reason, the room suddenly felt cold.
Embarrassed, I awkwardly moved my lips without finding anything to say.
The girl just wrinkled her nose slightly.
Well, everyone had their own circumstances.
You couldn’t really judge whether one awakening type was better than another.
Honestly, the one who should feel bitter right now might be me, not her.
“Ah, whatever. Anyway, we shouldn’t just sit around like this.”
Huh?
The moment she said that, my roommate jumped off the bed and suddenly grabbed my wrist.
“Wait, where are we going?”
“Somewhere we can’t go at this hour unless it’s today.”
I had only been in the room for less than an hour, but we were already back in the hallway.
Wait—when were we supposed to introduce ourselves properly?
“To eat ramen.”
Suddenly?
* * *
Ugh, my eyes.
Morning sunlight pushed through the window.
Ha… It’s already today.
The moment I woke up, the sensations in my body slowly returned.
Ding!
[The Constellation “Guardian of Tae-won” sends a warning not to be shocked when you look in the mirror.]
I could already imagine what it meant.
My face must be swollen like a steamed bun.
I should have controlled myself.
Why did I drink all the soup too?
While I was silently regretting it, my roommate had apparently already finished getting ready and started urging me to wake up.
“If you don’t get up now, you’ll be late.”
“Ugh…”
Listening to the hair dryer running, I stretched lazily.
I quit university and now I’m in an academy…
Why did I even apply for this?
Well, it wasn’t entirely my choice.
Complaining about my miserable situation in my head, I slowly pushed away the blanket.
“They could’ve at least given us uniforms.”
At that moment, my roommate put down the hair dryer with a thud and muttered while fixing her bangs.
“…Why? Isn’t casual clothing more comfortable?”
“It is if you don’t have to worry about money. But still, it’s a shame.”
Wouldn’t it be weirder to wear a uniform at this age?
Still, my roommate had such a youthful face that she’d probably look great in one.
For a moment I imagined myself wearing a uniform.
Then I quickly ruffled the back of my hair.
I’d probably just get laughed at.
With that thought, I forced myself up and went to the bathroom.
I had planned to get ready early and explore a bit, but it didn’t seem possible now.
If I did that, I’d definitely be late.
While brushing my teeth irritably at my reflection in the mirror, I heard her voice from outside.
“Unni! Are you eating breakfast?”
“Ng—no! Might be late!”
“Okay, I’m leaving first.”
Without waiting, my roommate cheerfully left the room.
Hearing the door close, I continued brushing.
[The Constellation “Guardian of Tae-won” says it’s amazed that such close-friend energy could appear after sharing ramen just once.]
Human relationships often start with ramen.
In that short time last night, we had introduced ourselves; revealed my rank; shared where we lived; whether we had boyfriends; and our hobbies.
So honestly, it was a good start.
In dorm life, the quality of your life depends heavily on your roommate.
[The Constellation “Guardian of Tae-won” shakes its head, saying if you keep brushing with your eyes closed like that, you’ll be late.]
Seeing the Guardian’s scolding, I forced my eyes open and moved quickly.
Since I skipped breakfast, I at least had a bit more time to get ready.
And choosing clothes wasn’t difficult.
Obviously, training clothes.
There’s no one I need to impress, and we might even have practical training on the first day.
After tying my long hair roughly behind my back, I grabbed my bag.
[The Constellation “Guardian of Tae-won” worries and tells you to find a lunch buddy as soon as you arrive.]
If nothing else works, I’ll cling to my roommate Hyelin.
Just pray for my luck.
My goal is to quietly remain a C-rank until graduation.
* * *
Raon National Special Academy.
Since the academy had only recently begun accepting students, everyone who attended orientation was part of the first class.
It was an honor, but that also meant the academy was receiving a lot of public attention.
For me, it wasn’t exactly a welcome title.
Even the news headlines on the portal sites were constantly talking about the academy.
What a life…
Sighing about my unfortunate situation, I climbed the central stairs of the main building lobby.
Looking up, the first thing I saw was a man leaning against the hallway window, looking at his phone.
Isn’t that… him?
Even from a distance, I recognized him.
When I approached nearby, I naturally stopped walking.
Perhaps sensing my presence, he looked up.
I gave a small nod.
“It’s even nicer seeing you here.”
Straightening up, he walked over and stood in front of me.
Even in the morning, his voice was soft and smooth.
“…Yes. I guess so.”
I answered without much enthusiasm.
Even so, a faint smile appeared in Baek Seon-woo’s eyes.
What exactly was so amusing to him about everything?
I honestly couldn’t understand.
Since the conversation didn’t continue, I turned toward the classroom’s back door.
Then something caught my eye.
On the left side of his chest—
S — Baek Seon-woo
Even though I had already seen it the other day and expected it, it still felt strange.
An S-rank hunter talking casually with someone like me—a mere C-rank.
Just then, a clear bell rang through the hallway, breaking the silence between us.
Judging by the time, it must have been the preparation bell.
“Are you not going in?”
I asked.
But Baek Seon-woo didn’t move.
Instead, he frowned slightly, as if something displeased him.
I started walking toward the classroom.
“Ha-ryeong.”
At that moment, his quiet voice reached me.
Baek Seon-woo had successfully made me look back again.
How many years had it been since someone called me by my name without my surname?
The unfamiliar feeling made me freeze as I looked up at him.
Baek Seon-woo smiled beautifully.
“Miss Ju Ha-ryeong.”
I had to admit it.
No matter who it was, no one would be able to win against this man.
“How about we talk casually to each other?”
“Why all of a sudden…?”
“Because I think it would make my heart race more.”
He tilted his head slightly and gave a gentle eye smile.
At the same time, there was a faint pressure behind that expression.
Maybe it was because he was an S-rank dealer.
It wasn’t easy to deal with him.
“Should we go in first?”
Somehow, that warm latte-like smile felt a little scary.
[The Constellation “Guardian of Tae-won” shakes its head, saying this is exactly why you shouldn’t judge someone by their appearance.]
In the end, I accepted the situation.
Baek Seon-woo opened the back door with the same calm smile.
And instantly—
Everyone’s gaze turned toward the two of us standing side by side.
