NOVEL NEXT Chapter 76
Huuuk…
As she regained consciousness, the overwhelming pain surged in, causing Jin Yeseo to groan between her teeth.
Heh…
With great effort, she turned her stiff head and barely scanned her surroundings. She was lying on a bed in the dimly lit infirmary, the strong smell of medicine hitting her nose.
Uug…
Struggling against the searing pain in her abdomen, Yeseo clamped her mouth shut, desperately holding back the urge to vomit.
“Tch…”
Suppressing the urge to curse reflexively, Jin Yeseo searched through her hazy memories.
The vivid recollection of the last incident became clearer with her awareness returning.
Her final memory was of herself suffering a humiliating, one-sided defeat in the dueling grounds while being watched by hundreds of spectators.
The thought that some of those spectators included her close classmates and an esteemed senior made her pale face flush with anger.
Hah…
The golden-haired girl let out a deep sigh from deep within her chest, clenching her fists so tightly that they bled.
On the bedside table, several consolation letters from acquaintances were placed.
Yeseo first opened the letter that immediately caught her eye, accompanied by a bouquet and a basket of candy.
Hee…
Indeed, it was a handwritten letter from Baek Seoyeon, filled with words of comfort and wishes for her speedy recovery. Yeseo barely managed to calm her anger, letting a faint smile emerge.
But right below it, a letter with a luxurious seal drained her mood completely.
…
After a moment of hesitation, she eventually moved her only functioning arm to pick up the letter.
No matter how much she wanted to avoid it, there was no escaping it.
It was a letter sent by her mother, who was not only the head of the Baekgwang Jin family but also a three-term congresswoman in the current high council.
With an unwilling gesture, Yeseo opened the letter. As she infused her energy according to the unique pattern, neat handwriting gradually began to appear on the pristine letter.
‘I heard the news. I received a doctor’s prognosis that says if you rest for a few days, you’ll fully recover without any aftereffects. So don’t worry too much…’
Besides that, there were compliments about her interacting with the Paecheon nobles and achieving a top ranking, as well as promises that the family would personally protest to the cradle regarding her excessive injuries.
Hah…
Although she was frustrated at the ridiculous state of affairs, considering the timing of the letter, the protest had likely already been conveyed.
In other words, this meant it was a story already out of her hands.
Since eight parts of ten were filled with the customary flattery, Yeseo quickly skimmed through the letter without lingering.
The most important—and also the most disagreeable—content was briefly summarized in the last line.
‘…Remember, there’s only one chance left. I hope you won’t forget the promise we shared before you entered the cradle…’
Kwadeuk!
Unable to contain herself any longer, Jin Yeseo crumpled the letter and tossed it towards the distant trash can.
However, in her fit of anger, she exerted too much strength, causing the letter to roll across the infirmary floor instead of landing in the trash.
All she accomplished was adding to the throbbing pain in her arm.
With a heavy sigh, Jin Yeseo let her frustration out.
She had made a certain promise with her mother before entering the cradle.
If she lost to a male student twice during the first semester ranking battle, she would have to subsume her stubbornness and search for a marriage partner, just like the heirs of other families.
And if she failed to choose a suitable person during the first year, she would then have to accept whoever her mother determined without any complaints.
Under increasing pressure each year, Jin Yeseo ultimately had no choice but to accept her mother’s proposal.
This wasn’t simply foolishness; it was a decision made after objectively assessing her own abilities.
She could confidently say that none among those starting at the same time could surpass her.
In terms of background or achievements.
Annoying as he was, the male student Choi Woojin was still someone she could easily beat if she put her mind to it.
So she only had to let one year pass to experience complete liberation.
But now her plans were on the verge of being disrupted by some inexplicable misfit that had rolled in from who knows where.
Hah…
While Jin Yeseo wanted nothing more than a one-time stud, her mother was looking for someone within the framework of betrothal whom she could exchange interaction and benefits with.
Yet, Jin Yeseo still couldn’t understand her mother.
Though she was someone who positively regarded everything about Baek Seoyeon, there was a particular aspect that she simply couldn’t grasp within that context.
Baek Seoyeon was considered the strongest magician of this generation, succeeding Haewolhwa.
An endless spring of high-level magic, a conversion rate that far exceeded average by two or three times, and the ability to effortlessly draft weather magic that usually required multiple magicians’ assistance, she had overwhelming skills.
Not to mention her looks, background, and personality were all impressive.
But the first time she learned that Seoyeon had a fiancé whom she loved so deeply it made her want to scream in disbelief, it was honestly a shocking revelation.
While some questioned the existence of this fiancé who had never shown their face, the happiness Yeseo had seen so closely was an emotion that could never spring from a lie.
Adad…
In the empty hospital room, the sound of a golden-haired girl biting her teeth echoed loudly.
She didn’t want to waste her time on foolish actions.
And now, there was only one opportunity left.
*
“Here you go.”
Professor Kwon Chanyul, still tired and with bleary eyes, handed over a document signed by him.
On the top of the paper, the large words “Mentoring Group Field Experience Application” were clearly visible.
“It’s for a tour of the Hogyung Industrial Research Institute for post-graduation career exploration. Quite a solid experience, I must say. It aligns quite well with the mentoring group’s purpose.”
“Thank you…”
“But the contents of the application are true, right?”
“…Yes, that’s correct. But may I ask why…”
“No, I just suddenly remembered a certain junior who tried to cause trouble using this as an excuse. I was wondering if that little brat had passed along any useless methods to my disciple.”
Feeling the sudden suspicion aimed at him, Yeseo felt a prick of anxiety in a corner of her heart.
Though it had nothing to do with his concerns, she could never admit that what was written on the application wasn’t true.
But somehow, she could guess who he was talking about.
“Well, I believe you’re a pretty diligent person, so I trust you’ll do well. And I’m glad to know your relationship with your mentor isn’t bad,” the professor continued, nonchalantly.
“When you first designated that kid as your mentor, there was quite a buzz among the professors. After all, you were quite a handful in your first year…”
He shook his head, as if remembering something unpleasant.
“I thought it would be the end of the world when you two were dueling, but seeing it like this brings back memories. Did overcoming a great crisis together in the South help?”
“Perhaps that had some effect.”
“Right. People usually solidify their bonds after enduring such events. But that kid lied during the counseling session.”
Looking at the professor’s satisfied expression suddenly shift to dissatisfaction, Yeseo felt her stomach drop.
“What? An estimated fifth place in output and an internal particle measurement of 3000 Rubins? You should know there’s a limit to lying.”
“…I’m sorry.”
With no solid excuse to offer, Yeseo could only bow her head.
Now that her achievements were known in the South, he knew full well that she had exaggerated her accomplishments during that counseling session…
“It’s fine. You must not have wanted to stand out unnecessarily. I’m not saying this to scold you; students like that do exist. We can’t force anything from the cradle. And did you expect something like this to happen?”
“Thank you for understanding…”
“Understanding? Please. Anyway, I get it. You may leave now. Don’t cause trouble outside.”
The professor waved his hand dismissively, shooing her out of the office.
After politely bidding him farewell, she grabbed a small bag and exited the main building.
As she walked through the flower-filled campus toward the main gate, she soon noticed someone standing in front of the large statue at the main entrance. Dressed in a neat navy dress instead of a school uniform, Yeon Minha was standing in a dignified posture.
Behind her, a sleek black luxury car waited for its owner to enter.
As Yeseo approached to greet her, Minha turned first and walked over.
She scrutinized Yeseo’s tie again, looking displeased as if something was still amiss.
“What’s wrong? This time I’ve tied my tie properly.”
“No, it’s nothing.”
With that, she turned abruptly and got into the backseat of the car.
*
The girl with black hair spent her day dreaming of happy future days.
They lay in a reed field at midnight, chatting about various trivial things.
The sky sparkled with jewel-like stars, and the distance between them felt so close that she could sense his warm breath.
If she turned her head just slightly, the face of the boy she loved most dearly was right there.
“Um, you know…”
With her fingers fiddling nervously, she caught the boy’s gaze as he turned to meet her eyes, still awestruck by the constellations.
“What is it?”
Taking a trembling breath in an effort to steady her voice, she cautiously broached a topic she had prepared all along.
“If we get married… what should we call each other?”
“…Can’t we just call each other by our names?”
The boy replied, puzzled by her question, and the girl shook her head fervently.
“That’s not allowed! They said couples have special titles for each other…”
“Really? I don’t see why that matters…”
“Uuuh…”
As she lightly pouted, the boy quickly realized his mistake, a look of regret washing over his face.
“Then what should we call each other? I haven’t thought of anything.”
“Well… I read in an old book that they used to call each other… ‘Sire’ or something like that… how about that?”
“Ugh, that sounds way too old-fashioned…”
“…Hmph.”
Though the boy initially showed strong aversion, upon seeing the tears glistening in her eyes, he quickly changed his tune.
“I’m sorry.”
“Then what else?”
“What else?”
“Yeah. Adults usually call each other ‘Darling’… how about that?”
“That actually sounds okay…”
The boy fell silent for a moment before nodding slowly, his expression a bit shy.
Then the girl took a bold step forward, ready to suggest something she had been thinking about in advance.
“Then should we practice it…?”
“Do we really need to practice it?”
“This kind of thing needs to be prepared in advance!”
“Ugh, fine, I get it…”
In the face of her insistence, the boy eventually relented, swinging his hands behind him in defeat.
“…Um, um. Shall I go first…?”
However, the girl could see the blend of embarrassment and faint anticipation on his face.
“Y-You…,”
Despite everything going as she wished, her hesitant lips couldn’t easily say the words.
Her face felt hot, as though it were on fire, and her vision swirled, making it hard to focus on anything.
Unable to do anything but tumble over the first syllable repeatedly, she ultimately inhaled deeply, as if making a significant resolution.
“Y-You!”
Drrrng! Drrrng!
“Ah…”
And in that moment of disappointment, all that appeared before Baek Seoyeon was the dark, dreary ceiling of the dormitory.
Her mouth let out an involuntary sigh, and her eyes wandered, losing focus.
The words she had desperately tried to muster up vanished like a mere dream, swept away by the loud ringing of the telephone.