Chapter 379: Magic (3)

In this world, history is one of the most significant values, and the Academy takes pride in its long seven centuries of existence.

That’s why the newly founded Joaquin graduate school is classified as a subordinate institution to the Academy.

According to my wife, Ryozo, structuring entities hierarchically like this makes administration much simpler.

‘Must be because she laid the foundation for modern Japanese administration, I guess.’

…Seriously, I can’t afford to make any mistake they could use against me. I made myself that promise as I rubbed my goosebumped arms.

‘She has a truly massive capacity.’

The current prime minister is Ryozo’s older sister, Saki Hina. At first, the prevailing opinion was that she wasn’t up to the task, that her capabilities were very limited.

And it was Ryozo who stepped in to help her sister. First, she politically promoted the slogan “an honorable death of the imperial throne,” taking advantage of the national character obsessed with honor.

“She wiped her rivals off the board in the blink of an eye.”

After that, she changed the Japanese parliamentary system from a hereditary succession to a direct election one.

Thus, the perception that parliament was subordinate to the executive power was solidified, and Hina was able to focus on governing more calmly.

That skillful combination of history and honor became a political example for many other countries.

All of that was Ryozo’s doing.

Anyone in the know is aware of it. Even the current Prime Minister, Saki Hina, has never denied it. When she has administrative issues, she calls Ryozo.

And if the situation demands it, she’s even willing to hand over the position of prime minister to her younger sister.

Anyway.

Ryozo applied the same “experiment” she did with her country to Joaquin Academy. She incorporated the graduate school as a subordinate institution to the Academy, in a way that didn’t lose control but did reduce the workload. Smart management.

A classic method.

‘Classic is classic for a reason.’

Ryozo was especially good at that kind of control.

She organizes my schedule. Leaves out the clothes I should wear on a hanger. And if I have to go on a trip, she discreetly sends Choi Seol-Ah to watch over me.

‘Wait a second.’

Aren’t these all traits of a psychopath?

“I don’t know if ‘psychopath,’ but I think it fits that category of socio… something.”

I saw it in a NouTube short.

“……”

I shook my head quickly.

Tap, tap.

I walked aimlessly until I reached a door located deep in the top floor of the graduate building.

The wooden door gave off a strong scent, like freshly baked bread. The smell of fresh paint was so pungent it hurt even my frontal lobe, not to mention my eyes.

Knock, knock.

I gave a couple of short knocks before entering. The man holding his forehead looked up and, upon seeing me, smiled broadly.

“Heavenly Sword!”

“Just call me Kang Geom-Ma, director.”

“Then call me instructor, not director.”

“…That’s not the same.”

I complained as I took a seat in front of him. For some reason, in front of this man, I always felt disarmed.

Lee Woo-Bin crossed his arms and said:

“If the Heavenly Sword requests it…”

“Tch.”

I clicked my tongue, but couldn’t help smiling. I rested my elbows on the desk and fiddled with my nails.

“How’s everything going? Are you settling in?”

Lee Woo-Bin’s expression darkened.

“No. Not at all. I don’t understand anything at all.”

The general manager of Joaquin’s graduate school is none other than Instructor Lee Woo-Bin. Although his title hasn’t been officially formalized, we all call him “director.”

At first, Lee Woo-Bin showed reluctance toward such a heavy responsibility. He was someone very aware of his own capabilities.

‘Too much, even.’

The title “graduate director” seemed like a heavy burden to him. But after much insistence, he eventually accepted. I can proudly say recruiting him was even harder than Liu Bei’s “three visits to the thatched cottage.”

By the way.

‘Hmm…’

He looked pretty worn out. If he keeps this up, what little hair he has left might blow away with the wind.

It’s fine. Since I came with the intent to cheer him up, I’ll do my best. I leaned slightly forward.

“Ryozo told me there’s no one better than you. That’s why she trusted you. You know how she is—she’s not exactly affectionate.”

“Oh, I know. She was a student in my Wolf class, but I could never read her.”

“Same for me…”

“Ah…”

“……”

“……”

Silence.

“B-but… you love her, right?”

“That’s not even up for discussion.”

“Hahaha. That’s what matters!”

“I feel like I have less and less of a life!”

“That’s the beauty of marriage!”

“Even when I go on trips, I feel like I’m being followed!”

“That’s why it’s called a hundred-year promise! Marriage binds couples with an invisible thread!”

“Hahahaha! Instructor, you’ve got to get married too. Please.”

“Hahahahahaha!”

Please, really?

“Hahahahahahahaha!”

We both burst into laughter. Once the atmosphere had lightened, I got to the main point.

“And how are the professors?”

“They’re as grand as the sky.”

He didn’t even say “amazing,” but “grand.” It was rare to hear such praise from someone as strict as the instructor.

‘Well…’

We’re talking about the Dragon Lord and the archangel.

Even the word “grand” doesn’t quite cut it.

But that wasn’t all. To build an even more solid structure, I also planned to invite a “third great figure.”

‘Sorry, instructor.’

It had to be done.

…Because honestly, it was the right thing to do.

Lee Woo-Bin wasn’t close to Ryozo and had no way of knowing my true intentions. Since the graduate school belonged to the Academy, Ryozo’s orders were absolute.

‘Like the instructor said, Ryozo isn’t exactly sentimental.’

That someone like Ryozo would care so much about me was something genuinely touching.

‘Please save me.’

While I silently suffered, Lee Woo-Bin smiled at me and said,

“So far, the evaluations of the new students have been good. And even though we’re still in orientation, attendance is amazing. Everyone is burning with passion to study.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Being rector is still too heavy a role for me. But seeing the students’ passion, I feel maybe I made the right decision.”

“That’s why Ryozo trusts you. I’ve never seen anyone care so much for students as you do.”

“What I’m sure of… is that I have no talent.”

He beat his chest with a fist. I smiled lightly and stood up, dragging the chair. And as I turned, I dropped my words.

“That’s also a talent, instructor.”

I felt his gaze on my back.

“That all of us from our generation made it here without straying wasn’t by chance.”

“Wow…”

“So I think you can have more confidence. At least, I believe in you.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Lee Woo-Bin’s face glowing slightly. Ah, to be exact, it wasn’t his scalp that was glowing but his eyes.

“Since this sappy talk is exceeding the limit, I’ll take my leave. Don’t push yourself too hard. That’s why you’ve gathered a whole brilliant faculty.”

“Yes… yes, of course.”

With his emotion-laden voice behind me, I stepped out of the office. I felt pride filling me to the top as I walked down the hallway.

The May 15th sunlight shone warmly through the windows of the long corridor.

***

Adolescence is a fresh time.

You know what they say at that age—even watching a petal fall can make you smile.

Maybe it was the autumn, but the students at the Academy, with minds purer than those of other youths their age, were even more like that. They were sincere with their emotions.

If the Academy’s regulations prohibited romantic relationships, that was like trying to cover the sky with the palm of your hand. The instructors warned them, yes, but didn’t interfere. They also knew—youth must express their feelings just as they are. Only then is it true youth.

In the second-year Rank Class, a juicy rumor was going around—Ji Changhyuk had transferred to the graduate school.

“Lucky Changhyuk.”

“I want to go to the graduate school too.”

“Then sign up for the next exchange program.”

“For that, I’d rather wait one more year and get in officially.”

“And you think the grad school would accept someone like you?”

“Well… that’s true too.”

Ji Changhyuk had transferred to the graduate school of his own will, as a reward for his victory in the exchange.

But he wasn’t yet a full graduate student. He went back and forth between the Academy and the graduate school every other week. It was his tutor Abel’s decision.

The memories with classmates your own age are the most important part of youth. Something that can’t be traded for anything.

In the bustling classroom, a student was staring out the window with her chin resting on her hand. Her melancholic gaze seemed taken from a high school drama.

As she sunk deeper into that image herself, the typical extra from this kind of story appeared. Her best friend approached and spoke.

“Hey, Yuna.”

“What…?”

“You’re a total mess. It’s obvious you like Changhyuk.”

“Ah! What are you saying? It’s not like that.”

“It’s totally obvious!”

“Hey!”

The girl protested. She was clearly acting. Her friend loved teasing her like that, because she always overreacted.

“Yuna, why do you like Changhyuk?”

“I told you, I don’t like him.”

“Well, let’s say you don’t. But if you had to say what makes him special as a classmate in the Rank Class, what would you say?”

“…He’s kind.”

The girl muttered.

“And considerate.”

“Aren’t those the same?”

But she didn’t respond. She just thought about the first time she met Ji Changhyuk. That day when she went to class with toast in her mouth and they bumped into each other by accident.

Changhyuk apologized and returned her toast. He said not even three seconds had passed.

It was a February day.

But even so… it was summer.

***

“That was like shattering a glass of water.”

Zing!

“Then why are you reacting like this? You said you didn’t feel anything.”

“I didn’t say I didn’t feel anything. I said I didn’t like him. Also, I don’t like when people badmouth Geumu just because she’s his partner.”

That was when the classroom stirred. Annoyed by the noisy students, the girl also turned her head toward where everyone was looking.

‘Huh?’

Now that she thought about it… today was Monday! And last week Changhyuk didn’t come!

“There he is! It’s Changhyuk!”

Her best friend slammed the desk and stood up but collapsed immediately. The girl had pressed down on her shoulder.

“Don’t make such a fuss. Sit down.”

She said it in a restrained voice. She was probably clenching her teeth.

“W-Why are you like this?”

She didn’t answer.

‘Changhyuk is going to come this way.’

It had to be that way. Only then would the drama be complete.

The student cleared her throat. She tried to keep her eyes fixed on the window. Her friend rolled her eyes. Step. Step.

Footsteps were heard.

Stay calm… keep it together.

‘He’s coming!’

She bit her lower lip, tense.

He stopped.

She felt his presence beside her. Slowly, she turned her head. Just as she expected, it was Ji Changhyuk.

The girl looked at him like it was nothing, with a nonchalant expression, trying not to seem too obvious.

The atmosphere in the classroom turned strange. The extras were reacting just as they should.

“Excuse me.”

Finally, Ji Changhyuk opened his mouth.

“Can you move? That’s my seat.”

That wasn’t the reaction she was expecting.

“And another thing. Why are your eyes so wide open?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, why are you looking at me like that? Do I look like a joke to you?”

Hey, Changhyuk… you weren’t like this… this isn’t your character!

She didn’t know what had triggered him.

“Is it because I’m a graduate student that you’re mocking me?”

Changhyuk began to spiral like a runaway colt. The girl tried to calm him down.

“H-Hey, Changhyuk… Being the Rank Class rep and getting into the grad school is something to be proud of, but it must also be a lot of pressure…”

“Wow. Now you’re humiliating me? You want to fight me in subspace?”

The perspective pulled back.

The camera passed through the window and encompassed the entire Academy and the graduate school. In the corner of the frame, the light refracted into a spectrum of colors.

Finally, May’s greenery covered the screen like a canvas.