The Conjurer of the Academy

Chapter 66

The day after vacation began. To be exact, the day before Seol Ha-baek returned home.

“I’m here to pick you up, young miss.”

“Oh geez, I told you not to come get me!”

In front of the limousine parked at the main gate, an elderly man with graying hair bowed to Shin Seo-ha.

“What era are we living in? Why a limousine? I asked for a normal car! I’m not some movie star.”

Shin Seo-ha stomped her foot, clearly uncomfortable with the attention. Despite her outburst, the elderly man just chuckled.

“Young miss, you seem to have become much brighter since I last saw you.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?! Are you senile or something?”

Grumbling, Shin Seo-ha climbed into the back seat of the limousine. The butler got into the driver’s seat after confirming that she was safely inside.

“Young miss, before we depart, please fasten your—”

As the butler turned to check, he was met with something rectangular and hard against his cheek.

“Young miss?”

“Take this.”

Shin Seo-ha handed him an iron supplement, a premium one that was rather expensive.

“You mentioned your back hurt the last time we talked.”

“Young miss…”

Shin Seo-ha turned her head away from the butler. Her face was flushed with a deep blush.

“What are you waiting for? Hurry up and start driving!”

Pushing the iron supplements on the butler, Shin Seo-ha huffed. The butler looked at the supplements in his hand for a moment and then nodded.

“Alright, we’re off.”

The butler wiped away the tears that had gathered at the corners of his eyes with a bent index finger without letting Shin Seo-ha notice before grabbing the steering wheel.

‘Indeed…’

As he pressed the accelerator, the butler thought,

‘She has changed.’

He sighed deeply in relief, thankful that the change was in a positive direction, contrary to his worries.

* * *

The limousine stopped at a standalone house with a magnificent ocean view. However, this wasn’t even Shin Seo-ha’s original home.

“We’ve arrived, young miss.”

“A villa?”

“They said they wanted to spend this summer relaxing with you…”

This also was just one of the many villas owned by Shin Seo-ha’s family.

“How ridiculous. They’ll probably work me to death under the guise of relaxation.”

Shin Seo-ha scoffed at the butler’s words. She wanted to go home immediately, but Shin Seo-ha never had a choice to begin with.

“Then, I’ll return to the main house.”

“Why don’t you stay?”

“Your father specifically requested to spend time with just the three of you. Please stay safe in the meantime.”

“Ugh, this is so annoying.”

Leaving the bowing butler behind, Shin Seo-ha strode towards the doorbell.

Ding-dong

The doorbell rang once,

“Come in.”

A familiar voice echoed through the intercom. Shin Seo-ha didn’t respond; instead, she pushed the door open.

“I’m back.”

As she opened the door, a living room twice the size of the dormitory she had lived in at school appeared.

Though it was just a villa, the walls were adorned with expensive artworks, and beyond the living room was a fully equipped kitchen.

According to Shin Seo-ha’s memory, the first floor was a common area, with personal rooms furnished from the second floor onward.

“Oh my, Seo-ha is back.”

The first to greet her was a middle-aged woman. Despite her age, her beauty was so remarkable that she could easily be mistaken for being in her twenties.

“Mom.”

With a height that matched Shin Seo-ha’s and long hair flowing down to her waist, she wore a white dress that accentuated her figure.

The main differences were her jet-black hair and gentle eyes.

“Have you been well, my daughter?”

“Where’s Dad?”

“Oh, it’s a bit hurtful when you look for Dad before Mom who’s right here.”

Shin Seo-ha’s biological mother, Han Ga-young.

Despite her gentle appearance, she was one of the top-tier A-rank hunters, affiliated with a national agency in South Korea.

“You’re home, my daughter.”

A voice called out from the second floor. The door to the study opened, and a middle-aged man in a red shirt and black vest appeared.

“Dad.”

Shin Seo-ha’s biological father, Shin Woo-taek.

He was a head taller than Shin Seo-ha, with slicked-back red hair and an imposing figure. His rugged appearance was accentuated by a patchy beard and sharp eyes that reminded one of a gang leader.

“So…”

Adjusting the position of his gold-rimmed glasses, Shin Woo-taek slowly descended the staircase.

Had he been holding a knife, it would have looked like a scene straight out of a noir film. The way Shin Seo-ha and her father glared at each other, one might think they were sworn enemies.

As Shin Woo-taek reached the bottom of the stairs, he looked down at Shin Seo-ha. His tightly closed lips parted slowly,

“Do you know how much your Dad missed you?”

Out of nowhere, he said something utterly ridiculous. His low voice forced into a higher pitch was simply laughable.

“Was school life tough? Didn’t you miss your Dad?”

Twisting his body, he slowly approached Shin Seo-ha.

“Come and give Dad a hug!”

Reaching out, Shin Woo-taek tried to embrace her, but his arms swung through empty air as she dodged him effortlessly.

“Get lost!”

“Augh!”

Instead, Shin Seo-ha’s uppercut landed squarely on his chin, sending him sprawling to the floor.

“You’re still full of energy.”

Watching the scene, Han Ga-young burst into laughter, covering her mouth. But it was short-lived; she soon looked at her daughter with a gentle smile.

“Unpack your things and come down. I’ve prepared training gear in your room, so put it on and come down.”

“No, I want to eat first.”

As Shin Seo-ha headed toward the kitchen, Han Ga-young blocked her path with incredible speed.

“What are you doing? Didn’t you hear what Mom said?”

“Ugh…!”

Unlike her reaction to Shin Woo-taek, Shin Seo-ha’s shoulders visibly trembled in front of Han Ga-young.

“And don’t even think about running away like last time. We chose this villa considering all possibilities.”

“…Yes.”

In the end, Shin Seo-ha couldn’t do much but head upstairs. A glance downward revealed Shin Woo-taek and Han Ga-young having a conversation.

“Honey, no matter what, shouldn’t we let her eat first since it’s been a while?”

“Hoho, do you want to join in the fun too?”

“…Sorry.”

The future wasn’t going to change. Now, Shin Seo-ha was certain that Han Ga-young would drag her to the training ground and work her like a dog all day.

That was why the past Shin Seo-ha had tried to run away. It wasn’t just because the training was tough and bothersome.

“Noona, let’s do our best together!”

She couldn’t stand being left alone in a place where they used to always be together. But now, things were different.

“Because you’re more important to me.”

For some reason, Seol Ha-baek’s face flashed through Shin Seo-ha’s mind.

‘Annoying. Why am I thinking of that guy now?’

To shake off her thoughts, Shin Seo-ha shook her head vigorously.

“Guess I’ll stretch my body after a long time.”

Oddly enough, Shin Seo-ha felt like she wanted to run wild.

* * *

A few hours later.

“Ugh, I’m dying!”

The door suddenly opened, and a sweat-drenched Shin Seo-ha entered the villa. She was wearing tight, black training gear that clung to her body.

“You’re back, my daughter.”

The delicious aroma wafted from the table. Shin Woo-taek, wearing an apron, hurriedly jogged from the kitchen to the door.

Adorned on the pink apron was an adorable knitted fox character.

“Hungry? Dad’s made dinner.”

“You should get the kid cleaned up and fed first.”

Han Ga-young, who came in after, scolded Shin Woo-taek. Just like Shin Seo-ha, she was also wearing tight, black training gear.

“Let’s eat!”

Shin Seo-ha, already seated at the dining table, clapped her hands together.

“Oh dear, seems like we have no choice.”

“Honey, hurry and come sit. Today’s menu includes your favorite seasoned dried squid, Seo-ha.”

In the end, the two also sat down at the dining table. Unlike his wife, Shin Woo-taek didn’t pick up his spoon but leaned toward Shin Seo-ha sitting opposite him.

“So, how’s school life for my daughter?”

“I told you over the phone.”

“Hearing it directly is completely different. Any chance you’ve got a boyfriend?”

Shin Seo-ha shuddered.

“Just thinking about it is horrifying. Boyfriend, my foot.”

“Of course, that’s good. Very good.”

Seemingly satisfied with Shin Seo-ha’s answer, Shin Woo-taek grinned widely.

“Ah, but…”

At that moment, Shin Seo-ha abruptly stopped eating.

“There’s someone who really annoys me.”

“Someone who annoys you?”

Shin Woo-taek asked, and Shin Seo-ha quietly nodded.

“Yes. That gloomy, weak-looking guy who picks fights with me over every little thing and constantly bothers me.”

With a slightly calmer demeanor, Shin Seo-ha resumed reaching for the side dishes.

“Bothers you? How?”

“He annoys me to death, telling me to make sure I eat. Telling me not to get into fights. Telling me to apply ointment even when I’m not hurt.”

Shin Seo-ha mumbled as she crammed a mouthful of seasoned dried squid.

“He’s weaker than me but keeps saying he’ll protect me. He even pops up in my dreams. It’s really, really annoying.”

“…Is this a guy?”

“Yeah, but why?”

At that moment, Shin Woo-taek froze. His expression was one of someone who had been utterly crushed, but Shin Seo-ha didn’t even glance up and continued eating.

“Aaaah!”

“What’s with the noise?”

Shin Seo-ha glared sharply at Shin Woo-taek, who screamed out of nowhere. He ignored her and shook Han Ga-young’s shoulder, who was eating beside him.

“Honey, aren’t you bothered by this at all?”

“I’ve already heard it many times.”

“What? You didn’t even mention such an important matter to me—”

Han Ga-young put down her spoon and whispered into Shin Woo-taek’s ear.

“She often talks about that boy when we occasionally chat. Not to mention, she brought him up several times during breaks in training earlier.”

“No, that can’t be.”

Shin Woo-taek removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking, honey?”

“Yes, probably.”

The couple exchanged glances and nodded. Han Ga-young spoke first.

“Seo-ha.”

“Yes?”

“From what I’ve heard, it sounds like that guy really annoyed you.”

“I’m telling you, he totally did.”

“He probably meddled in your business a lot too?”

“He totally did.”

Shin Seo-ha nodded vigorously while chewing.

“So, should Mom go and see it for herself?”

“Totally… cough, cough!”

Shin Seo-ha coughed dryly as if something had gone down the wrong pipe.

“Absolutely not!”

Shin Seo-ha knew.

Han Ga-young wasn’t the type to mix jokes with her words, even in front of the dinner table.

“You’re planning to kidnap him or something?”

“We’ll extend a polite invitation.”

“Hmph, that guy’s probably gone home for vacation. Even if you go to the school, you won’t meet him—”

“We can invite him through text or phone call.”

Han Ga-young waved her smartphone from side to side, showing a phone number saved on the screen.

“How did you get his… uh, his phone number?”

“There are ways to get it.”

“Mom!”

Shin Seo-ha instinctively realized whose phone number it was and shouted. Realizing that Han Ga-young wouldn’t listen, she hurriedly turned her head to the side.

“Dad.”

Shin Woo-taek, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, was her only hope. Shin Seo-ha leaned over the table, pleading.

“Stop Mom, please!”

“No.”

How many times had Shin Wootae refused his daughter’s requests in the past?

“I need to see the face of this bastard.”

His expression radiated genuine anger.