481

 [Chapter 134]

[Tangled Relationships (3)]

Third day of the cultural festival.

Third round of the comprehensive division competition main tournament.

As the competition ends with the 4th round, the students who advanced to the 3rd round were all known to be promising talents with outstanding skills.

[—Players enter.]

Naturally, most of the students who advanced to the 3rd round were 3rd year students.

The grade with the next highest proportion was 2nd year.

Throughout the history of the comprehensive division competition, it was extremely rare for 1st year students to advance to the 3rd round.

"The 027&27th class was the first to have a 1st year student win while still in 1st year, right? That's when player Ryu Yeon-hwa made a definite impression on the industry..."

"The Ryu Yeon-hwa class was legendary. There were so many 1st year students who made it to the 3rd round then. I heard they broke the record."

"That's right. Before that, the record was held by the class with Kang Hyeon-cheol and Lee Do-jin players. What class was that again?"

"Come to think of it, player Ryu Yeon-hwa really is amazing. Player Lee Do-jin was runner-up, but she won."

"Didn't player Lee Do-jin win the next year?"

The industry insiders attending the arena exchanged conversations, bringing up stories they knew.

Meanwhile, they unanimously said without a doubt:

That this year's 031&31st class has produced the most 1st year students in the 3rd round of the comprehensive division competition.

Not only that.

Rumors about them had already spread throughout the industry to the point they were closely watching.

Industry insiders called them the Golden Class, naming them the most shining promising talents of the golden generation.

Among them—

"—It's said the students belonging to No Eunha's faction are showing an abnormal growth rate."

"Is it just the growth rate? I heard most of them have top-class qualities. Just rumors though."

"We've sufficiently verified No Eunha's strength. All that's left is confirming whether the rumors about the students under No Eunha are just rumors or real..."

"So that's No Eunha's faction? Which one? The handsome one?"

"Not the handsome one, but the male student who looks like a large dog. Choi Eun-hyuk."

"Ah, him? He looks gentle."

—No Eunha's faction.

The name mentioned jokingly by academy students had also reached industry insiders.

As rumors about No Eunha were big, the recognition of students associated with him also rose high.

That was why industry insiders were currently shining their eyes on 1st year students who still had a long way to go before graduation.

Also—

"—That child is <Sword Empress>'s <The Seed>?"

"<Sword Empress> must have taken a liking to him. Usually she would just give advice and disappear somewhere. But she came in as a guest instructor at the high school academy..."

"Come to think of it, I'm sure there was one more <The Seed> in No Eunha's faction. Is that student not participating this time?"

"Ah, <Index >'s <The Seed>?"

"I think her name was Jeong Ha-yang. But she's a navigator so it's awkward for her to come out in competitions like this."

"She's the daughter of the Alice Group chairman, would someone like that come out to a competition like this?"

<Sword Empress> Hwang Jin-hee's <The Seed>.

It had been known through the grapevine that she was looking for a successor.

But this time she officially announced that she had taken on a disciple.

Moreover, rumors were even circulating that she became a guest instructor at the academy to teach her disciple.

The industry was turned upside down hearing the news that <Sword Empress>, who had traveled the country, was settling down to nurture future generations at the academy.

Who on earth was this academy student she liked so much?

Industry insiders closely observed Choi Eun-hyuk walking out to the arena, who had recently become known.

"...He's ordinary."

"He's ordinary."

That was the industry insiders' evaluation.

There was no particular characteristic worth noting.

Rather, their eyes were drawn to his opponent.

On Tae-yang who was already drawing his sword before the match even started.

"Is that student a promising talent too?"

"On Tae-yang... I haven't heard of him."

"He's known as a promising talent for now, but how much can you expect from a 1st year promising talent?"

"But he is handsome."

"He does have a good face. An image people would like?"

"If that student has skills too, it might not be bad to market him like player Lee Do-jin."

While industry insiders' expectations for Choi Eun-hyuk were falling, expectations for On Tae-yang were rising.

Anyway, the match between Choi Eun-hyuk and On Tae-yang.

They decided to watch the duel that was about to begin.

Meanwhile, at that time in the arena—

"—I look forward to this duel..."

"Let's get to it. After I take you down, I'll take down Mok Min-ho."

"..."

"And then I'll take down No Eunha who must be watching from up there."

"..."

"You're just one of the paths I have to pass through, so just come at me."

On Tae-yang wrapped in fighting spirit.

Choi Eun-hyuk tried to exchange greetings with him but received cold treatment from him who seemed to be focused on some goal.

Eun-hyuk's expression hardens.

He who rarely gets angry draws his sword, showing fighting spirit as well.

"You're really looking down on me, huh?"

What would the boss do at a time like this?

Eun-hyuk snorted and glared at On Tae-yang.

He was thoroughly angered.

The first reason was because of the remarks belittling the boss he admired.

The second reason, the biggest reason, was because On Tae-yang thought of him as below Mok Min-ho.

"I thought you might have some good points too, but I'll just cancel that. You really talk carelessly, don't you?"

The signal announcing the start of the duel sounds.

Choi Eun-hyuk who infused mana into his blade immediately kicked off the ground and leapt forward.

He decided not to go easy.

"—Go ahead and try to win. But you won't be able to beat me. You're way weaker than Min-ho."

As much like No Eunha as possible.

Eun-hyuk raised the corners of his mouth.

☆

The 3rd round of the comprehensive division competition main tournament is in full swing.

Mok Min-ho, whose advancement to the 4th round was already decided in the morning, wasn't paying much attention.

He just wanted to leisurely look around the cultural festival now after dueling all morning.

Of course, he wasn't looking around alone.

"I actually thought you were going to lose, Min-ho. The scale of the magic Soo-bin laid out at the end was enormous."

"...It seemed like she was determined to kill me. I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't blocked it. Anyway, that Bae Soo-bin..."

"Come on, Soo-bin must have thought about it and adjusted too."

"No way."

"...Right?"

Cha Eun-woo, who had promised to look around the cultural festival together beforehand, matched her steps and spoke to him.

Mok Min-ho focused on her who kept giving her impressions of the match that had just happened moments ago.

Meanwhile, he recalled Bae Soo-bin whom he faced in the 3rd round match.

I might have lost if I had made a slight mistake.

No, I might have died.

Bae Soo-bin was determined.

She employed magic that could be considered lethal.

Min-ho shuddered just thinking about it now.

He felt like he never wanted to duel her again.

Fortunately, I was able to somewhat destroy the magic that was turning everything in front of me bright red using my gift's power.

I could have died if I had made a mistake.

"Are you listening to me?"

"...I was listening."

"Then what did I say?"

"..."

Min-ho turned his head.

Eun-woo had a blank face.

She had keenly noticed that he wasn't listening to her story.

He smiled seeing her downturned eye corners.

"You're wearing earrings? They suit you well. Why don't you keep wearing them from now on?"

"Look at this guy changing the subject."

"I just said it because I thought you looked pretty, is that not allowed?"

There's something he learned from watching No Eunha.

No Eunha always threw out a topic that would catch people's attention when he wanted to avoid talking.

The point was to never say empty words while doing so.

So Mok Min-ho said it with sincerity.

"Anyway... you're mean. You seem to be becoming more and more like Eunha lately."

"Don't curse at me. I honestly just said you look pretty because I think so."

"While changing the subject."

"Okay, I'm sorry for not listening to you."

"That's how you should be. Don't lie to me from now on, okay? And thanks for saying I'm pretty. I guess it was worth putting them on."

After minimizing contact with Choi Ga-in.

Vitality bloomed on Eun-woo's face. Her personality became brighter somehow since then.

Mok Min-ho couldn't control the corners of his mouth rising involuntarily seeing her smile shyly as if embarrassed.

Then the corners of her mouth rise too.

The two stared into each other's eyes for a long time.

"Shall we go?"

"Yeah. Where are we going?"

"No Eunha told me yesterday that the cotton candy they're making at Lee Cheon-seo's booth is worth eating. Let's go there. You like sweet things, right?"

"Ah, I know that place too. I was thinking of going there if we had time. Our thoughts matched perfectly?"

"Eunha said we can eat without paying thanks to the friend discount."

There are a lot of people.

Min-ho naturally held Cha Eun-woo's hand.

She gripped his hand without hesitation. Then she swings it back and forth.

Min-ho naturally guided the way while watching her who seemed excited.

He already remembered the way.

Thanks to memorizing the map beforehand.

"The line is long?"

"We'll have to wait a bit. Are your legs... not hurting? Do you want to rest on that bench over there while I stand in line?"

"No. I'm not hurting at all."

They arrived at Lee Cheon-seo's booth.

Mok Min-ho decided to stand in the long line while checking on Cha Eun-woo's condition in front of him.

She's wearing heels unlike usual.

Mok Min-ho who knew she didn't often wear heels was worried she might be uncomfortable standing for a long time.

Fortunately, she answered bravely.

The two faced each other and conversed while standing in line.

The sparkle in Eun-woo's eyes looking up at Min-ho didn't stop.

Eventually it was their turn.

"Huh? Cha Eun-woo, Mok Min-ho? What... What are you two doing here now?"

"Give us one cotton candy."

"This is paid..."

"Eunha said there's a friend discount."

"Shit... Here, take it! It's on me so eat it well."

"Wow, Cheon-seo, thank you so much!"

He practically extorted it.

Min-ho who received cotton candy bigger than his face came out with Eun-woo.

He lowered the grape cotton candy in his hand to match her gaze.

Eun-woo took pictures from various angles and plucked off one grape-like piece of cotton candy.

"Here, you eat first."

"...It's delicious."

"It really is. It's really delicious."

She hands it to him first.

Min-ho ate the cotton candy Cha Eun-woo put in his mouth.

The sugar lump melts as soon as it enters his mouth. Sweetness spreads instantly in his mouth.

Cha Eun-woo also tasted the cotton candy once and shuddered at the refreshing sweetness spreading.

"It doesn't seem like they used regular sugar. It doesn't seem like they used food coloring for the color either, hmm... did they use magic for this?"

At some point, Eun-woo was holding the cotton candy Min-ho had been holding.

She examined the cotton candy made with magic from various angles.

Mok Min-ho stared intently at her showing curiosity.

"...Ah."

"..."

Just then, their eyes met up close.

With the cotton candy between them.

Cha Eun-woo's eyes tremble.

Mok Min-ho was flustered too.

The two just stood there looking at each other, not realizing time was passing.

Right at that moment.

"—Freeze!!"

The sound of a whistle blowing was heard.

The two snapped back to their senses and turned their heads to the students who had gathered around them at some point.

Students holding bamboo spears.

There were familiar faces among them.

"Did you think you could escape our eyes while we're going around with our eyes wide open?"

"Jin Pa-rang..."

"Pa-rang oppa?"

Jin Pa-rang who walked forward wearing sunglasses while perking up his wolf ears.

Pa-rang revealed his snow-white canines while swishing his wolf tail.

"It's nice to see you like this."

"What's going on?"

Jin Pa-rang.

He who lost in today's 3rd round of the comprehensive division competition spoke arrogantly.

Min-ho frowned as he stepped forward as if to protect Cha Eun-woo.

He wondered what was suddenly going on.

That's when Pa-rang blurted out:

"No questions. We don't listen to people who aren't single."

"What?"

"I, Jin Pa-rang, have received orders from the village chief to go around the academy during the cultural festival period and arrest students who show even a little reactionary tendency. I declare that I absolutely did not volunteer for this noble work because it looked fun."

""...""

Jin Pa-rang speaks stiffly.

Mok Min-ho was dumbfounded.

He had no idea what he was talking about.

Regardless, Pa-rang gestured to the students around him.

The students were also wearing sunglasses to hide their identities.

"Therefore, I will arrest you, Mok Min-ho, as a suspect. I'll tell you in advance that it's best not to resist. Guys!!"

""""Heave-ho!!!!""""

"What are you doing!? Let go of this!?"

At Jin Pa-rang's command.

The students wearing sunglasses quickly grabbed Mok Min-ho's arms and legs.

It's no use struggling.

Min-ho ended up being dragged away by them without being able to properly resist.

"Heaven for singles! Hell for those who aren't single! Heaven is fair!"

""""Heaven is fair—!!""""

"Our task is to save those who aren't single!!"

Jin Pa-rang shouts theatrically.

The students chant his words while hitting the ground with bamboo spears.

Mok Min-ho shouted tied to a wooden stick.

Jin Pa-rang just snickered.

"Don't worry. I'll safely bring you back before the 4th round match starts tomorrow."

"Let go of this!?"

"Alright guys! Let's go!"

"Cha Eun-woo! Eun-woo!"

Jin Pa-rang directs.

The students take Mok Min-ho away.

Mok Min-ho cried out pitifully looking at Eun-woo who still didn't seem to understand what was going on as he was taken away.

Eun-woo blankly watched him.

"...Everyone's having fun."

Eun-woo gently waved her hand.

She thought this might be part of the charm of the cultural festival.

On the other hand, she was suddenly left alone.

"What should I do now?"

 She doesn't want to look around the cultural festival alone.

Eun-woo stood still pondering when she spotted a female student lining up at Lee Cheon-seo's booth.

It was Hoshimiya Kaede.

She was standing in line alone.

"Come to think of it, I haven't talked much with Kaede..."

I should look around the cultural festival with Kaede.

Changing her mind, Eun-woo stealthily approached her without her noticing.

"Kaede!"

"...!"

She puts her hand on Kaede's shoulder.

She had to stand slightly on her tiptoes since Kaede was taller than her.

Eun-woo smiled looking at her startled expression.

"Want to eat cotton candy together with me?"

"...Is that okay?"

"Of course!"

"...Thank you."

Cha Eun-woo reached out her hand offering the cotton candy.

Kaede stared at the cotton candy for a while before asking for her permission.

Soon she relaxed her tense face and ate a piece of cotton candy.

☆

The match between On Tae-yang and Choi Eun-hyuk.

Eunha was sitting in the VIP viewing room where he could comfortably watch the match.

It was a viewing room mainly used by those sponsored by Galaxy Group.

Of course, Meju was next to him too.

"Eunha, who do you think will win?"

"Eun-hyuk."

"Oh my, you answer right away without even thinking."

Please don't say 'oh my'.

Eunha held back the words rising inside him and silently watched the match.

Then he got hungry.

Come to think of it, he hadn't eaten anything since watching Jin Pa-rang's match and Bae Soo-bin and Mok Min-ho's match.

"I'm hungry, is there anything to eat?"

"Why? What do you want to eat?"

"Something delicious."

"Something delicious...? Okay. I'll bring something right away. Hey guys! Can someone go out and buy something delicious!?"

Eunha said to Choi Ga-in.

Choi Ga-in ordered the students following her as if it was nothing.

Then she leaned her body sideways and rested closely on Eunha's shoulder.

It was no use even if Eunha tried to pull away as if uncomfortable.

Just one day... Let's endure for just one day.

This will end tomorrow too.

Eunha sighed and glanced at the bracelet wrapped around her wrist.

Then their eyes met.

A strange light flickers in her eyes.

"Why. Do you want this?"

"...What would you do if I did?"

"If you want it, of course I can gladly give this to you."

"..."

"But shouldn't I receive something in return too?"

Choi Ga-in whispers secretly.

Eunha decided to keep watching the match without answering her words.

The duel was proceeding as Choi Eun-hyuk's one-man show from beginning to end.

He can only block.

On Tae-yang was struggling just to block.

The spirit he showed at the beginning disappeared.

In contrast, Choi Eun-hyuk was rapidly cornering On Tae-yang.

He's showing a flawless appearance after absorbing <Sword Empress>'s swordsmanship in a short time.

Eunha sighed while inwardly admiring.

"What are you looking at like that?"

"There's something."

He checks his Fine Talk messages.

He rereads the message Bae Soo-bin sent thinking of him as a comrade not long after the cultural festival started.

「Village Chief」: Report right now. Whenever, wherever, we are always around you. Don't be afraid of being alone!! (3:23 PM)

Below the message is how to report.

Eunha seriously considered.

Whether to report Choi Ga-in.

...Forget it. Let's just watch the match.

Soon the match ended.

The winner was Choi Eun-hyuk.

They say On Tae-yang remained kneeling on the ground, unable to get up for a long time even as Eun-hyuk left the arena.

...Well. I'd be embarrassed too if it were me.

Eunha burst out laughing.