As I stepped out into the hallway to head to the student council room, I could see a familiar head of hair in front of me.
Choi Yeon.
One of the current top heroes of South Korea, and the successor of the Changcheon (蒼天) sword family, a prestigious lineage known for its swordsmanship from the past to the present, and the top-ranked student at Seoul Hero Academy.
Her unique light aquamarine hair proved that she was of the sword lineage.
"Probably because of her family background, she got into the habit of sending challenge letters."
The two challenge letters that recently flew from her gave me a glimpse of her family's atmosphere.
"…She must have grown by sparring with people she thought were similar or stronger than herself."
Given that the family motto of the Changcheon sword family is 'to harvest with blood,' bleeding was a natural method for her to become stronger.
Moreover, she had several absurd traits, as if blessed by this world.
And among them, the trait that had the greatest impact on her growth was:
【Combat Race】
[1. The more you survive battles with opponents who are equal or stronger than yourself, the stronger you become.]
It was a simple explanation, but it was absurdly powerful.
The more she fought, the stronger she became?
With an environment overflowing with sparring partners, talent in swordsmanship, and a personality that didn't fear challenges.
This trait was like giving not just wings, but boosters to monsters like Choi Yeon.
"…?"
Suddenly, Choi Yeon, who was walking ahead, stopped.
Since there was no reason for me to talk to her or walk side by side, I also stopped and observed her from a distance.
Without turning around, she stood there blankly for a moment and then started walking again.
Thinking it was nothing, I was about to continue walking when I noticed that the distance between us was gradually closing.
…Could she be slowing down to match my pace?
To test it, I slowed down even more, and I could see that Choi Yeon's pace also clearly slowed down.
No, is she really trying to walk with me?
In the end, I sighed and approached her first.
"Why are you slowing down if you just want to walk together?"
Only after I walked up to her did Choi Yeon return to her original pace.
Still, she kept looking straight ahead without meeting my gaze.
"…It's not like that."
"You're not even making eye contact with me."
"My grandfather said not to make eye contact when he's upset."
Huh?
"Are you subtly saying you're upset now?"
Upon hearing my words, Choi Yeon's eyebrows started to twitch.
"…Just. I was just curious why you didn't show up at the place written in the challenge letter last week."
"…Oh, the challenge letter. I threw it away."
"What?"
Choi Yeon stopped in her tracks.
"You threw it away?"
"I don't remember ever accepting the challenge verbally. Just because you sent a challenge letter doesn't mean I have to go, right?"
"Well, that's true… but it rained that evening."
"I know."
"I waited at the sparring ground in the rain."
"But the sparring ground at the academy is indoors, right?"
"…I didn't bring an umbrella, so I walked home in the rain."
It seems like her story keeps changing?
Moreover, there's something strange about it.
In this world, especially in Seoul, the meteorological office boasts a 99% accuracy rate with predictive abilities close to clairvoyance.
Thanks to this, most people check the weather as soon as they wake up.
Yet, she walked home in the rain?
"Did you maybe forget to check the weather and not bring an umbrella or something?"
Choi Yeon's eyebrows twitched.
"…This week, I believe you won't avoid the sparring."
Right, it seems she forgot to bring it and is using it to make me feel guilty.
And she's doing it so clumsily that it's obvious.
I realized she has a completely opposite personality to mine.
And I'm weak for kids like her.
"…I'll try."
"I'd prefer a definite answer."
In the end, it seems she wants me to become the offering for the 【Combat Race】 as soon as possible.
It's not bad that Choi Yeon is getting stronger, but I can't just watch her grow alone. Since I need to prepare in advance, I tried to soften my response.
"First, I have a schedule to check. To be honest, your request for a sparring session feels more like a command than a suggestion."
The first method: hit her with facts.
I have my own things to do, so how can you just command me and then blame me?
This method works well on kids like Choi Yeon, who are extremely good-natured and can't lie.
Choi Yeon, who had been standing still, listening to my words, had her pupils visibly trembling.
But since I know she has no ill intentions, just seeing her like this makes me feel guilty.
"Next time, if I have time, I'll contact you first. Is that okay?"
Only after I said that did Choi Yeon let out a sigh of relief.
She then looked at me and handed me something.
"…Huh?"
"It's your number."
"Oh, you want my number."
…It's my first time giving out my number, and now I'm giving it to her.
After writing down my personal number, Choi Yeon put her phone back in her pocket.
"I'll call you, so if anything happens, contact me──"
"──Ah, here! Here!"
At that moment, a woman began waving her hand and running towards us, who were exchanging numbers and walking side by side.
"Wow, the new top and second-ranked students seem to get along well. The senior is so happy~ But… oh?"
The woman, who had been watching us from a distance, covered her mouth and laughed slyly.
She then paused, looking at my face, and smiled.
"What? You're the new second-ranked student, Han Yujin? What a coincidence~ We're old acquaintances, right?"
She had sharp eyes and long black hair, and a black name tag was attached to her neatly pressed academy uniform.
"…Yes, it's been a while, senior."
She was the senior who offered to show me the way to the infirmary after my sparring with Jin-woo.
"I didn't expect you to be the second-ranked student in the first year. Quite surprising. Oh, and the one next to you is the top-ranked student, Choi Yeon, right?"
Choi Yeon, who seemed to recognize the senior, bowed her head.
"Yes, I'm Choi Yeon."
"Of course. There aren't many girls with that hair color in the academy. So… the male junior's name must be Han Yujin, right? I'm glad I missed hearing your name properly back then."
No… I wish I hadn't remembered.
She smiled and extended her hand for a handshake.
"I'm Yulie Rodman, the vice president of the student council. Nice to meet you, juniors."
As I shook her delicate hand, I felt a chill.
She may seem like a kind senior now, but that's far from the truth.
She is a noble from Romania who chose to study abroad to enter the academy in Europe.
Moreover, she is the next head of a family that can be considered a direct descendant of Count Dracula.
Of course, she doesn't cause major incidents, but I know that sometimes she randomly goes on a rampage, which makes her a bit awkward to meet frequently.
Why is she acting so close to us, who are usually not like this?
Still, since she extended her hand, I should accept it.
"…I'm Han Yujin."
"Great, great. I'm also glad to meet you, juniors. Before we go in, let me give you a few warnings?"
She smiled as she accepted the handshake, then quickly wiped the smile off her face and raised her finger as if giving a warning.
"First, it's okay to express your refusal. But you must never be rude. Got it?"
Choi Yeon tilted her head, not understanding the meaning of Yulie's words.
Since I already knew about the student council at the academy, her warning made sense, so I just nodded.
"Good. Then, the second one, which is really important… the president might play mischievous pranks. Of course, it's not out of malice; it's more like a tradition of the academy. Just take it as a joke and play along. Got it?"
"Playful pranks, you mean?"
Choi Yeon asked, still not understanding.
Yulie just smiled and said, "Yes, that kind of thing."
Of course, I know what those pranks are, and I know that her smile is venomous.
"Alright, let's go in. Yeon, stand behind me, and Yujin, stand behind her."
Yulie stood in front of the student council room door and said this.
Before entering, she neatly adjusted her clothes and knocked, speaking in a businesslike and calm voice, unlike her playful tone just a moment ago.
"I am Yulie Rodman, the vice president of the Seoul Hero Academy student council. The top and second-ranked new students are coming in now."
There was no response from inside.
Click─
But Yulie turned the doorknob and entered.
When Choi Yeon followed her inside, I could hear her exclaim in amazement.
"…Wow."
I could see her, who had been so aloof until now, looking around in awe.
Seeing her reaction, I also entered the room and looked around.
The chandelier with an antique design, the red carpet, and the numerous frames and trophies decorating the walls.
The room was so grand, as if it had been designed to express the power of a leader, and it was filled with works of art.
It was impossible to gauge how much money had been poured into this room alone.
And in the center of this room, there was a massive table, and four people were seated there.
These were the independent student administrative bodies of the academy, the powerhouses of Seoul Hero Academy.
"Welcome! The top and second-ranked new students!"
The man sitting at the head of the large table in the center of the room stood up with a bright smile.
His golden hair, reminiscent of a brilliant sun, his piercing blue eyes, and his refreshing smile.
This man, who stands at the pinnacle of Seoul Hero Academy and will cause a significant stir in South Korea as soon as he enters society.
"My name is Ray Pendragon. I am the president of this student council."
And.
"We, the student council of Seoul Hero Academy, welcome you!"
He was a man who would eventually become my enemy.