Ch. 232 - Start of the Semester (7)

Chapter 232: Start of the Semester (7)

Even though Stella’s training sessions often lead to attacks, not every episode was like that. 

Even in the original work, this particular training session wasn’t very significant and was simply brushed over. 

However, this episode served as a turning point in the original game, where students encountered traces of the villains who would primarily appear in the second semester.

These included dark mages, necromancers, witches, and others.

These dark mages, who possessed magical attributes, each had unique lairs.

Dark mages might have a ‘Black Tower.’

Necromancers might have a ‘Cemetery’ or ‘Dungeon.’

Witches favored 'Cabins in the Woods.'

Of course, those characteristics were not absolute. 

There had been cases where witches built towers or dark mages created dungeons.

Nevertheless, their lairs always possessed evidence that could help identify their type.

"Near a dark mage’s dungeon, you will often find decayed plants or animal corpses and beasts driven mad..."

With sleepy eyes, Baek Yu-Seol casually observed the surroundings, then turned his gaze to Flame, who was crouched in a corner rummaging for something.

“What’re you doing?”

“I found it. The dungeon entrance.”

“Congratulations.”

“Why’s your reaction so lukewarm?”

Swoosh!

The wind rustled the leaves. It was eerily quiet.

There were no common mountain birds singing, no small animals rustling in the bushes, and even insects were hidden from sight, making it all the more suspicious.

“This is too easy.”

“Well. That’s true.”

A real dark mage wouldn’t make their lair this obvious. It was clear that the setting had been adjusted to match the students' level.

But not all lairs would be this straightforward. 

The one aimed at the Class S was surely hidden much better.

Naturally, Baek Yu-Seol had no intention of searching for such things. 

Hae Won-Ryang would probably strive for the highest score; Ma Yu-Seong would follow him looking for something interesting, and Eisel and Hong Bi-Yeon would each fend for themselves.

Then again...

In a particular episode, Eisel did find something interesting in this training session.

But even that didn’t lead to any immediate major incidents.

‘…This is boring.’

Nothing was happening. It was just a routine training session.

Thinking this, he felt a sudden relaxation. 

Although he never intended to take academy seriously, he still needed to earn points.

It wasn’t about being expelled from Stella.

What if he managed to save the world from destruction? 

What if everything became peaceful and Baek Yu-Seol himself led a normal life?

‘What would you do then? And who would you want to live with?’

Last night.

Flame had casually thrown out that question.

It was something Baek Yu-Seol had always thought about, but hearing it directly from someone else made his mind even more chaotic.

“Come on. Follow me. I’ll help with your tasks next time.”

“Uh…”

For this reason, Flame was now following Baek Yu-Seol.

She wanted to help him since he was always carrying everything on his own. 

At least in the academy, she wanted to lessen his burden.

“Come this way. The forest with the red maple leaves is out of sight of the professors. I’ll find it for you, so just follow me.”

A kind of system error.

In the original romance fantasy, this setting existed to allow Eisel and another sub-male lead to have a date without being caught by the professors.

“... Is that so?”

The gently swaying red maple leaves had something that could touch a person’s emotions, but to Baek Yu-Seol, whose feelings had long dried up, they were just annoying leaves.

He yawned widely as he watched Flame walk ahead. She was smiling and happily wandering around, seemingly charmed by the maple leaves. She seemed so young and full of energy.

Hmm?

While staring blankly at Flame’s back, Baek Yu-Seol turned his head slightly, sensing someone behind him.

The presence disappeared quickly, but Baek Yu-Seol’s intuition couldn’t be fooled.

What now?

Although the person had only exposed themselves briefly, indicating they weren’t a professional, being tailed was still annoying.

Nothing should be happening, but...

He glanced at Flame.

Yes, nothing should happen in this episode. 

That would be normal. 

But had any episode ever progressed normally so far? 

They had always been twisted, distorted, or accelerated, constantly catching him off guard. This time could be no different.

‘I was too complacent.’

Walking a bit faster to catch up with Flame, Baek Yu-Seol spoke in a low voice.

“Someone’s following us.”

“... Really?”

She fell silent for a moment.

“You sounded like a bodyguard from a spy movie just now. It was kind of exciting.”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

He didn't know what was causing the trouble this time, but he wasn’t going to leave the follower alone.

“You go ahead. I'll check it out.”

“No, I’ll help this time. After all, this is Stella Dome.”

“What if it’s a dark mage? They can attack even in Stella Dome, you know.”

“I'll just shoot light from behind!”

“... Do whatever you want.”

Thinking the follower wasn’t too dangerous, Baek Yu-Seol nodded nonchalantly and took out his Teripon.

Teripon, which had been broken previously, was repaired thoroughly by Alterisha, so it was working fine now.

Baek Yu-Seol leaned close enough to whisper into Flame’s ear, his breath tickling her.

“Act like you haven’t noticed we’re being followed.”

“Uh. Okay. But, um...”

“What? Is there a problem?”

“No, it’s not that...”

“Be quiet. They’re getting closer.”

The wind stopped.

The presence became clear suddenly, and Baek Yu-Seol took it as a signal to attack. He activated the Teripon and turned around.

“What’re you two doing?”

“... Huh?”

“…What?”

It wasn’t an enemy. 

It was Pung Harang, standing there with a stiff expression.

“W-What?”

Baek Yu-Seol hurriedly put away the Teripon and asked, flustered, while Pung Harang’s expression hardened even more.

“Why’re you surprised?”

“Oh no, I thought it was an enemy.”

“Stella Dome is safe. Didn’t the professor say they’ve strengthened the system?”

“Well, I guess so.”

Although the bug that prevented the scene of the red maple leaves from being transmitted to the professors seemed to persist.

“Just answer my question. Class S students are supposed to act individually. But it looks like you two are working as a team…”

Flame and Baek Yu-Seol exchanged glances. They couldn’t deny it since it was true, and they both just shrugged.

If they left it like this, Pung Harang would surely report them to the professors, resulting in significant deductions.

Already feeling resigned to the point deductions, Baek Yu-Seol sighed deeply. Seeing this, Flame stepped forward to explain.

“Hey. There seems to be a misunderstanding. It's not like that.”

“... Not like that?”

“Yeah. Come on, be honest. Who am I?”

“... Flame.”

“It’s me, the second-ranked student in our year. Do you really think I’d be cheating?”

“Not you, but...”

“Then who’s he?”

She pointed her thumb at Baek Yu-Seol.

Pung Harang didn’t need to answer; it was obvious that it was Baek Yu-Seol.

Although his grades were only average, just being Baek Yu-Seol was enough to prove his worth.

He had made headlines several times in the newspapers as a first-year student at Stella and had hunted dark mages on multiple occasions. 

Baek Yu-Seol, who had achieved more than most seasoned magic warriors...

Would he cheat?

“That doesn’t make sense, does it? Don’t you think so too?”

Although Pung Harang didn’t want to accept it, he found himself nodding slowly. He had to acknowledge the truth. 

However, one last question remained; one he didn’t want to ask but couldn’t avoid.

“In that case... Why were you two together?”

At that, Flame glanced at Baek Yu-Seol. After realizing she had no other choice, she blurted out her excuse.

“Can’t you see? We were having a secret date under the maple tree, you clueless guy.”

“So that’s what it was.”

“Yeah. So just go your way. Do we look like the type to cheat just to get some points?”

Baek Yu-Seol felt a twinge of guilt, but Flame’s boldness made him maintain a nonchalant attitude.

“You’re right. My mistake.”

Admitting his error in judgment, Pung Harang slightly bowed his head in apology, then turned and disappeared into the maple trees.

Why did his retreating figure seem so heavy and bitter?

---

The training session ended.

Hae Won-Ryang took first place with an overwhelming score, having discovered the ‘ancient dungeon of the dark mage’ that was hidden in such a way by the professors that it was nearly impossible to find.

Eisel came in second, having found the witch’s hut, which was similarly hidden. She reported something strange to the professors, but they brushed it off as insignificant.

And in third place was Pung Harang. 

Desperately searching for the dark mage’s lair, he finally discovered a necromancer’s hidden cemetery. 

Detecting the dark mana, he purified the graves haunted by the spirits of the dead, earning him high marks.

Yet, why did he feel so unsatisfied?

‘... Was it really a date?’

If Flame said it was a date, it was likely true. 

Baek Yu-Seol didn’t deny it either.

Moreover, as Flame pointed out, neither of them needed to cheat to get good grades. They both had the potential to score higher but were content with just staying in the top ten.

Why was that?

It was obvious; they didn’t take the training seriously.

He understood why they acted that way. In the first semester, there were rumors about Flame and Baek Yu-Seol dating.

Back then, he didn’t pay much attention to it, but why did it stir his emotions now?

‘Let it go.’

He finally understood his feelings. The day he saw Flame with her angelic wings soaring into the sky, he fell for her at first sight.

He had stubbornly refused to acknowledge those feelings out of pride, but it was foolish and stubborn.

It was true.

He did have a crush on her. 

But his father had once said that coveting another man’s woman was the act of the lowest scum.

Although his father had not achieved greatness, he was the person Pung Harang respected the most and had never once disobeyed his teachings.

Baek Yu-Seol and Flame had secretly reconciled and kept it hidden because they didn’t want rumors to spread.

If that was what they wanted, Pung Harang would respect their wishes.

He stood at a distance, watching Flame and Baek Yu-Seol. 

While others gathered around the scoreboard to check their rankings, those two seemed indifferent and simply enjoyed each other’s company.

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