Ch. 225 - End of Summer (6)

Chapter 225: End of Summer (6)

In September, when the summer came to an end, Stella Academy's new term began. 

Unlike other magic academies, Stella held its opening ceremony in the auditorium rather than the sports field, and it was equipped with temperature control magic that was activated 24/7. So, there was no risk of anyone fainting from the heat.

Even the principal’s speech was extremely brief.

"Do your best this autumn."

That was all. 

"Ahem. Now. Next, we have the vice-principal's..."

The principal’s speech was so short that Vice Principal Archie Hayden had to come out and fill in the time. He had so much to say which raised the students' irritation levels as he went on and on with his remarks.

'... It's starting again.'

Eisel realized how she had gotten used to the Stella Academy. At first, she entered with grand ambitions and lived under constant tension for her lofty goals, but now she could afford to be a little more relaxed.

It felt like only yesterday was the entrance ceremony, yet it was already the second semester. 

The first semester of the first year was filled with intense incidents, and even the summer vacation was chaotic.

'I have to study hard this semester too!'

Eisel’s determination was something Flame questioned while reading the original book and deemed it as unrealistic. For most normal high school students, the start of a new semester might bring more thoughts of annoyance than resolve.

However, Flame herself studied quite hard, so from Baek Yu-Seol’s perspective, these characters were quite abnormal.

"With that, the opening ceremony concludes."

After the ceremony, the students gathered in their respective classes.

First-year Class S. 

It had significantly fewer students compared to other classes, but it gathered unique and genius students.

And here... was Baek Yu-Seol.

Unlike other classes, there was no excited, noisy atmosphere on the first day of academy. Instead, there was a quiet silence, and in the middle of it, Baek Yu-Seol was lying on his desk, taking a nap.

Eisel naturally sat in a seat that was not too close but not too far from Baek Yu-Seol, maintaining a perfect and comfortable distance.

Creaaak...

After waiting for a while, the back door of the classroom opened, and Hong Bi-Yeon entered. She first stared intently at Baek Yu-Seol lying on the desk. Then, she turned to glance at Eisel sitting nearby, and quickly averted her gaze.

'What's her problem...?'

Ever since that day, Eisel’s hatred for Adolevit had deepened. But when it came to Hong Bi-Yeon, there were some... odd feelings. She didn’t particularly hate her, but she didn’t like her either.

Creaaak!

Unlike Hong Bi-Yeon’s quiet entrance, Instructor Lee Han-wol casually entered through the front door. 

He scanned the classroom with his dark eyes and his gaze paused on Baek Yu-Seol’s seat. He frowned.

But then, ignoring him, he went to the podium and spoke.

"Long time no see. Some of you might have been partying all summer, and some might not have. Starting from the second semester, we’ll be doing real combat training. I don’t think any of you in Class S are beginners, but still."

Twitch.

Baek Yu-Seol flinched in remorse. He slowly lifted his upper body and stared blankly at Instructor Lee Han-wol with half-dead eyes.

"I don't care what you did during the vacation. But... Before we start the practical classes of the second semester, there’s one way to indirectly check your achievements."

Understanding what he meant, all the students in Class S took out their notebooks, reports, magic parchments, and homemade spell books, including Eisel.

"It’s time for the homework check."

Stella Academy's vacation homework was in the form of reports. It was not just about solving given problems, but students might even have to write new theses or develop new spells or magical tools.

The difficulty level was high. However, that was standard for Stella Academy.

Although each subject required individual submission, it seemed like Lee Han-wol was going to check them all collectively, so Eisel prepared several reports.

Even though she had a busy schedule all vacation, doing homework was not a big deal for her.

Probably, all the excellent students in Class S at Stella had no trouble with it either.

"... I'm screwed."

However, for some reason, Baek Yu-Seol, who was sitting a few seats away from Eisel, was holding his deeply lowered head.

"Huh...?"

Worried, Eisel glanced at his desk, but there was nothing on it.

'No way...'

As if confirming her suspicions, Baek Yu-Seol did not take anything out until Lee Han-wol slowly made a round of the classroom.

"Baek Yu-Seol, where’s your homework?"

"I had a perfectly great report ready, but..."

"But?"

"Seems like I left it in the fridge and forgot. Should I go get it now?"

"... Expect a special curriculum."

"Yes."

Eisel quietly smiled as Baek Yu-Seol was being scolded. When Lee Han-wol returned to the podium, Eisel subtly moved to the seat next to him. 

Previously, there was no reason to sit close, but now there was a valid reason.

"Hey."

"Uh. What?"

Baek Yu-Seol had an expression as if he was mistreated. Eisel quietly took out an extra notebook and handed it to him. 

This notebook contained several magic circles she had doodled while bored, which had combined into a completely new spell.

"Would you like this? It could help you avoid penalties."

Though she said this, she was a bit worried. Genius mages often had strong egos and high self-esteem, making them reluctant to accept help from others even if they made mistakes. 

Even if Hae Won-Ryang or Hong Bi-Yeon faced the same situation, they would create a new spell within five minutes rather than borrow someone else's homework.

"Well. If you're reluctant, I suppose..."

But Baek Yu-Seol grabbed Eisel’s notebook without any pride or hesitation.

"Thank you!"

"Uh! What?"

Eisel was slightly taken aback by his intense reaction.

"I shall take this gratitude to my grave."

"No. That’s not necessary..."

Although he was excessively thankful, Eisel felt a sense of satisfaction knowing she had helped Baek Yu-Seol. 

Even though it was minor compared to what he had done for her, if she continued repaying his kindness like this, one day...

… One day?

Eisel quickly stopped her thoughts, feeling something was off. She felt unsettled.

***

The first day back at Stella was calm. While other magic academies rushed through their syllabus from day one, Stella allowed for a leisurely pace.

Most students attended brief orientations and quickly returned, making the Class S unusually crowded today. 

Although at one point, Flame got bored and ran around shouting, “Looking for soccer players! Come if you can!" which was a minor incident.

Starting with handing over her homework, Eisel found a reason to stay close to Baek Yu-Seol. She followed around him except during separate class times.

Even during those times, she couldn't help but ask. 

"...  Do you want to know my class schedule?" When Eisel nodded without hesitation, Baek Yu-Seol looked puzzled.

"Why do you need to know? Are you planning to follow me?"

"Are you interested in me?"

Like before, he asked jokingly, but Eisel answered nonchalantly.

"Maybe?"

"Eh?"

"Is that a problem?"

"No. It’s not... But don't you lack the time?"

She pondered for a moment then smiled brightly.

"I've got a bit more time now thanks to someone."

“That’s... who?”

Baek Yu-Seol was genuinely troubled. 

In a few years, Eisel would surely grow into a top-class mage and a beauty in their world, but for now, she was just a high school student. 

He only saw her as a child with no leisure for romantic feelings, so if she truly approached him with such intentions, it would be quite troubling.

'... Am I overthinking?'

Let's reconsider.

He asked if she was interested, not if he liked her.

Considering Eisel’s cluelessness about romance, she might have interpreted it in a different, more innocent way.

'Yeah. That must be it.'

In the original game, Eisel only started to develop feelings for the other male leads in the second year. 

Until then, the story mainly focused on the male leads' one-sided obsession with Eisel, so it was way too early for anything to happen now. 

Moreover, unlike the original male leads who teased or bothered Eisel to stir her emotions, there hadn’t been any such events, so it was safe to say there was no chance of it happening.

"Phew, I was worried for nothing."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing."

Regardless of her intentions, she did help him with homework, so he thought he could repay her with a meal as dictated by the Korean custom.

"Since we have nothing else to do today, how about we have dinner?"

"Huh? Isn't it a bit early for club activities?"

"That’s not it. I'm just suggesting we eat. We don't have to eat only as part of club activities. I have money so I'll buy you whatever you want."

Eisel stared blankly at Baek Yu-Seol for a moment before quickly nodding.

"Sure. Sounds good."

"Then it's pork soup for dinner."

"... You said you'd buy what I wanted, didn't you?"

"You'll like it."

"I've never heard of such a dish..."

"I'm sure."

Though Eisel had a pouty expression, she suddenly thought, '... What if I actually like this bizarre pork soup?'

It was a strange feeling. 

Baek Yu-Seol appeared so confident that she would like an unfamiliar dish.

'Why does he know my secret?'

‘I've been watching over you.’

Suddenly, she recalled a spring day. 

With the setting sun painting the Stella sky in a orange hue, Baek Yu-Seol had said to her, She didn't understand it then, but now she felt she might have a vague idea.

‘A regressor, a time traveler.’

Baek Yu-Seol was a man who roamed freely through time, and possessed a profound insight into her past. 

Could his words ‘I've been watching over you’ be taken lightly?

No way.

He must have encountered many versions of ‘her’ across different times and might even know Eisel better than she knows herself.

"... Okay, let's go. Let's eat that weird pork soup or whatever."

So she decided not to doubt Baek Yu-Seol’s words. She felt confident she would like the suspicious food, whose name sounded odd.

Because Baek Yu-Seol said so.

"Oh. Wise choice."

Seeing Eisel agree more readily than expected, Baek Yu-Seol seemed pleased as he showed a bright smile and led her to Arcanium.

… And the moment Eisel tasted the pork soup, she regretted it.

"It tastes bad..."

"Huh? Where I lived, everyone in town praised it."

"Maybe it's just the town people..."

Eisel realized too late that Baek Yu-Seol's confidence was simply because he loved it so much himself.

"How could this not taste good? Try it with some pepper."

"No. I'll eat it my way."

Eisel got up briefly, went to the kitchen, brought back various seasonings, and adjusted the soup to her taste, making a cleaner and clearer broth. Now, it was somewhat palatably edible. 

Taking a careful sip of the now-tolerable soup, Eisel reflected on her decision.

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