How to get on the protagonist’s flower path

…….

……

When I opened my eyes, I saw a familiar ceiling.

“Ah….”

It seemed I had dozed off. I sat up and looked around.

Since there was a bed, was this the guest room? How inconsiderate of me to take up the bed meant for guests.

I got up carefully and descended to the first floor. In the reception room, I could see the sponsors talking with my teacher.

“Hello….”

When I awkwardly greeted them, one of them smiled cheerfully and welcomed me.

“Oh, you’re awake? We were worried when you suddenly collapsed! Are you feeling alright?”

“Yes. I’m fine. Thank you!”

I smiled and approached them. The person who greeted me turned to my teacher again and said,

“So, it seems Toto-san will need to stay at this orphanage for a while. Is that alright?”

“Of course!”

“Gang Na-hyun, how about you also attend school from here for a while?”

“Me?”

“Yes. It’s because the children are ‘in danger.’”

Oh, right?

I nodded eagerly and accepted the sponsors’ request.

Worried about the safety of the orphanage children, I decided to attend school from the orphanage for a few days.

Of course, I went through the proper procedures to get permission from the school.

Even if it was just for a few days, everyone was happy that we could be together.

I played with everyone and enjoyed a happy healing time.

But why did they think the kids were in danger?

As I pondered that, a sudden throbbing headache made me stop thinking.

Lately, my head has been hurting a lot. Should I take some pain relievers?

Just then, someone slowly walked down from upstairs. It was Toto. Like other hybrids, his tiger ears and tail swayed with each step.

“Oh, sponsor! Good morning!”

When I greeted him with a smile, Toto nodded with a slightly stiff expression.

“Is it time to go to school?”

“Yes. I need to work hard to earn a lot of money.”

I laughed playfully.

“I have a lot of family to support, right? I need to make sure everyone is happy with plenty of money.”

“Family, huh.”

Toto contemplated my words and gently patted my head with his large, thick hand.

“How’s your stomach?”

“? Yes, it’s fine. Why do you keep worrying about my stomach, Toto? Did you have a nightmare or something?”

“……Should I say yes?”

Toto mumbled something ambiguous and chuckled softly.

I was happy to see a hint of kindness in his golden eyes, so I smiled back.

“Take care.”

“Yes!”

As I absentmindedly played with my hair, still warm from Toto’s hand, I headed to school.

On the way, I could hear the sounds of construction workers bustling about in preparation for the battle tournament.

The team battle tournament, in other words, the sports festival of the Guardian Academy, usually takes place between mid to late May.

However, unlike ordinary school sports festivals, the public is allowed to enter and watch. It can be considered a kind of show.

The purpose is also to convey propaganda: “Look how strong our rising awakeners are, so citizens can rest easy!”

The downside is that all the entrance fees go straight to the school. Shouldn’t they share some with the participants?

In any case, according to the original story, the event should have been canceled due to the incident during the midterm exams, but fortunately, in this world, we managed to clear the gate safely back then.

Thanks to that—although the discussions took a bit longer—it was ultimately decided that the tournament would proceed, and preparations were ongoing.

Toto seemed interested in this event and asked to be invited. So, I decided to gift invitations to all the family members at the orphanage, including Toto.

……But did Toto say he wanted to be invited?

No, it’s only natural to invite him. He’s a benefactor, after all. He has been continuously supporting the orphanage.

But when did he start supporting us?

I paused for a moment, pondering this question, but my head hurt too much, so I stopped thinking and rubbed my temples.

Lately, my headaches have been so frequent. Should I go to the hospital?

Anyway, when I told the children that they could come to watch the battle tournament,

“Can we see you fight, big sister?”

I could clearly picture their delighted faces. Being a student at the Guardian Academy is great in times like these.

With a lighter step, I headed to school.

It was an ordinary day.

Training was as tough as usual, the conman was as weird as ever, Shimbalan was as troublesome as always, and the other club members were all as kind as usual.

After finishing training, while taking a short break and chatting, my school commute came up in conversation.

“Na-hyun, I heard you’re commuting from home these days?”

“Yeah. I’m worried about my younger siblings.”

“……Suddenly?”

Dum Dum, who had been listening to our conversation, spoke up.

Without hesitation, I replied to him.

“Our sponsor is staying at our orphanage for a while. So, it should be safe, but since the sponsor is here, it might be dangerous… right? Maybe? So…”

“…That sounds a bit contradictory.”

Dum Dum made a strange expression after hearing my words.

However, Nayuri nodded repeatedly, as if she completely agreed with me.

“I understand! If a stranger is at home, it makes sense to feel that way!”

Dum Dum looked a bit confused, but it seemed he decided to accept it.

“By the way, I’ve been having headaches lately. Is it because of stress?”

“Should I bring you some pain relievers?”

“It’s not good to keep everything to yourself.”

And before I knew it, the conversation shifted to my headaches caused by the stress from the conman.

After a while, Nayuri left for her dorm, and it was just me and Dum Dum left. I quickly proposed something to him.

“Siwoo, how about we meet a decent meister soon?”

“Suddenly?”

“Yeah. It’s sudden, but I think it’s good to meet them during this season!”

“Alright. If you say so.”

Dum Dum seemed puzzled by my unexpected suggestion, but thankfully he accepted.

“You won’t regret it!”

I confidently patted my chest.

“Who is it?”

“It’s a secret!”

“Okay.”

Dum Dum was quite curious, but when I kept my mouth shut and held on to the secret, he didn’t press further.

A few days later, I headed to the forge with Dum Dum, where Mikel was.

As Dum Dum walked ahead, I noticed the old sword he had on his back. I had to suppress my rising smile to avoid giving away the surprise.

Having visited the old forge again, I knocked on the door as before.

“Mikel, it’s Gang Na-hyun!”

“Oh! Come in!”

We carefully opened the creaking door and entered the forge.

Today, Mikel seemed to be off work, as she was sitting crookedly at the table, drinking tea. As soon as she saw Dum Dum’s face, she said,

“Are you Park Si-yeon’s grandson?”

“……!”

“Indeed, you look just like him. Anyone can see you’re his grandson.”

With a grin, Mikel approached us.

“I have a question. What is your current goal?”

Dum Dum appeared flustered but answered sincerely.

“…I want to get stronger and save the people suffering because of the gates. I have to do this. I’m Park Si-yeon’s grandson.”

“Is that for you, or for your grandmother?”

“Both. I decided to bear this sword for that reason. That’s why I became a ‘hero.’”

“Don’t you regret it?”

“If I can save many people and fulfill the ideals of that person who wanted to save many, then I will not regret it.”

Mikel, who had been staring intently at Dum Dum, muttered to herself.

“Of all things, you’re like this, too…”

Mumbling something incomprehensible, Mikel seemed to come to a resolution and pointed to the sword on Dum Dum’s back.

“Alright. I’ll fix the Blue Twilight. Hand it over.”

“Can you really fix it?”

“Of course, I made it for Si-yeon.”

“……!”

Dum Dum’s eyes widened to their maximum.

Seemingly shocked, he stared at Mikel for a moment. When Dum Dum’s gaze turned towards me, I just smiled lightly.

It seems like the surprise operation was a great success.

After leaving the sword with Mikel, we returned to the main street.

Amid the flurry of questions from Mikel and the rapidly flowing situation, Dum Dum seemed to regain his composure.

“…Thank you.”

I pretended not to notice the slight moisture in his voice and simply took his hand, leading him slowly.

“Since it’ll be hard to get my gun and your sword repaired before the battle tournament anyway, let’s go buy some temporary weapons!”

Dum Dum nodded and asked.

“Should we live here then?”

“…Here?”

I imagined the average prices of weapons sold in this street filled with master craftsmen. There was no way my wallet could handle it.

“…Um, wouldn’t it be better to buy at the academy?”

Just the ordinary-looking, decent-quality weapons displayed there seemed to be ridiculously priced.

Displayed weapons