V1 - C5 - P1: Entrance Preparation Pt3.

Haneul Yoon:

"H-huh...?"

To his great surprise, his gaze was initially drawn to their chest, making him nervously swallow and lift his eyes to meet the formidable figure before him.

Haneul Yoon(INT):

"O-oh God... I'm so dead..."

Despite the initially intimidating presence, the towering figures menacing stature quickly shifted to charismatic, his eyes flashing a charming smile as he leaned in and gently rubbed the back of his head. While possessed of a tall height, a mildly lean build, and short brown hair, the young man's warm personality shone through, accentuated by his soft but magnetic amber eyes and gentle smile.

???:

"Hey, uh- are you alright?"

Haneul gazed at the towering figure with surprise, anticipating the fellow student might be a bully looking to exploit him for money. Clearing his throat, he nervously responded.

Haneul Yoon:

"U- uh- uhm... y-yeah..."

Despite not fully trusting the fellow student, Haneul shook the tall figure's hand after he extended it with a reassuring smile.

Haneul, though uneasy and distrustful, found a strange comfort in the tall figure walking alongside him.

???:

"Nervous for the first time of school too, huh?"

"Well, atleast I'm not the only one here."

Haneul turn to glance up at him with a raised eyebrow. Haneul, was a moderately tall young man with a slender physique and a hint of muscle, black irises with bright fiery-colored pupils shaped like flames. His light blond hair was tousled, and he wore black round glasses for clear vision.

Haneul Yoon:

"You're nervous too...?"

"You don't seem to be the type."

Mujin Daeho:

*Chuckles*

"Well, just to reassure you, I'm not as confident as the other magic users here."

"Oh! Right, the name's Mujin Daeho. What's yours?"

Haneul Yoon:

"Mujin Daeho? Your name is pretty odd..."

"I'm not saying it's bad though!"

Mujin Daeho:

"No no, it's alright, it's nice meeting you though."

Mujin sees a large crowd forming queues at the academy entrance, making the place quite crowded.

Mujin Daeho:

"This is a pretty large crowd, huh?"

Haneul Yoon:

"Well of course, some of the strongest students came from this school, it's very prestigious."

"And it's because the academy only accepts twenty-five students out of a hundred plus people."

"The twenty-four students then undergo practical entrance exams, where two pairs compete against eachother, and the loser is eliminated."

"After this process, roughly twelve students remain."

Mujin Daeho:

"Sounds like this place is pretty rough."

Haneul Yoon:

"At first it'll kinda suck, because you're fighting to enter the academy. It's either their life, or yours."

"But it'll be worth it, because you're in."

Mujin Daeho:

"Huh... thanks for the heads up-"

Mujin accidentally collides with someone, causing the person to drop their belongings.

Mujin Daeho:

"Hey– uh, sorry dude–"

Just as Mujin is about to apologize, his collar is pulled, and a group of the guy's friends emerges behind him.

Kim Joon-Ho:

"It's Kim Joon-Ho, f##kface."

"Look at what you did, you made me drop my sh##."

Mujin Daeho:

"Listen, I don't have any problem with you–"

Kim Joon-Ho:

"If you don't have any problems with me, then pick my sh## up."

Mujin Daeho:

"W-what? Uh."

Kim Joon-Ho:

"Pick my sh## up."

Mujin Daeho:

"..."

"Alright, fine..."

As the students pass by or stand around, they observe the interaction between Mujin and Joon-Ho. Witnessing Mujin kneeling to collect scattered items, some onlookers chuckle at his embarrassment, while others shake their heads or sigh.

???: Joon-Ho's friend:

"Look at him! He's actually picking it up!"

??? #1:

"Damn."

??? #2:

"What a p##sy."

??? #3:

"I would've kicked a## if that happened to me, just sayin'."

??? #4:

"That guy's gonna get chewed out of the entrance exams."

??? #5:

"You wouldn't see that happening to me."

Despite the mockery and chatter from onlookers and Joon-Ho's friends, Mujin forces a fake smile. However, he notices a spit drop near his hands and swiftly pulls away, prompting laughter from Joon-Ho and his friends at Mujin's humiliation.

Kim Joon-Ho:

"Must've been the rain, huh?"

Uncomfortably, Mujin forces a false chuckle as he returns the items to Joon-Ho, who smirks in response.

Kim Joon-Ho:

"Now, bow low to the ground, just so I know you're sorry."

Mujin Daeho:

"..."

"Is this necessary?"

Kim Joon-Ho:

"Just do it if you want me to leave you alone, idiot."

Joon-Ho shoves Mujin. He wore a forced smile before slowly kneeling to bow.

Kim Joon-Ho:

"Now say sorry."

Mujin Daeho:

"...I'm sorry."

A smug grin appears on Joon-Ho's face, content with the apology and walks away with his friends.

Kim Joon-Ho:

"Good."

"See you later, p##sy."

Watching the scene, students chuckle and gossip about Mujin, who remains kneeling and bowed to the ground.

??? #1:

"He's probably crying."

??? #2:

"Look at him, he's got his head all hung low."

??? #3:

"What a loser."

Mujin remains bowed, concealing his face by staring at the ground. His eyes burn with anger and hatred; he bites his lip, suppressing his fury over the incident.

Mujin Daeho(Kade&INT):

"I will make you bleed."

"And relish in your humiliation while everyone watches."

Haneul Yoon:

"H-hey... are you alright, Mujin?"

Standing upright again, Mujin released a sigh, masking his true feelings behind a forced smile.

Mujin Daeho(Kade&INT):

"And this useless idiot stood there and did nothing."

*Clears throat*

Mujin Daeho(Kade Northwood):

"Yeah, I'm doing fine."

Haneul Yoon:

"Those guys are a##holes."

Mujin Daeho(Kade Northwood):

"...It doesn't matter, I just want this all to hurry up."

The academy bells rang loudly, prompting student candidates to either run or walk toward the entrance.

Haneul Yoon:

"...Well, best we get going now..."

In line, Mujin and Haneul watch the individuals leaving with disappointment or sadness. Upon hearing a voice that rejects or barely accepts candidates. Mujin peers to the side, trying to identify the source of the voice at the entrance gate.

???:

"Rejected."

"Rejected."

"Rejected."

"Hmm... rejected."

Rejected."

"Accepted."

Approaching the entrance and nearing the front of the line, Haneul grows nervous, fidgeting with his fingers. Despite the tension among those waiting, Mujin remains unfazed and calm.

???:

"Rejected."

"Rejected."

"Rejected."

"Accepted."

"...Accepted."

"Rejected."

"Rejected."

The voice approached as the line dwindled, and when Mujin reached the front, he stood and sighed upon entering the room. A talking owl perched on a pole, and guards on both sides of the walls, gazed down at Mujin with a narrowed look. Mujin raised an eyebrow in surprise and confusion.

Mujin Daeho(Kade&INT):

"A talking..."

"Owl?"

???:

"Don't think when I am examining your potential-coo."