Chapter 7 - You Know My Father?

Mi Young wakes up with the sunlight shining upon her features. She groans as she rolls to the other side of her king sized bed so she could block the sun's rays. She was about to go back to her deep slumber when she noticed that she could no longer hear the chirping birds every time she woke up, as well as the constant tinkling of her father's tools while he's working outside their house. Mi Young's still processing brain immediately jolts her awake when she realizes that she was no longer sleeping in her hard and old bed. She scans her surroundings and what greets her is the big empty penthouse she was currently residing at inside the top Mage academy in the whole Mage kingdom.

Mi Young gets out of her bed and shivers at the cold marbled floor as it touches her bare feet. She walked towards the bathroom so she could wash up and get ready for class. Mi Young walks towards the shower and basks at the warm liquid that touches her bare skin. After taking a bath, she walks towards the huge mirror and looks at her own reflection.

She sees a pale skinned girl with beautiful features that resembles her dad a lot. Except for her blue eyes which are rimmed with a purplish outline - the only feature she got from her mother. She might never have known what her mother looked like but she knew that they have the same eyes since her father has gray pupils. They never talked about her as well but Mi Young assumed that her mother was very beautiful. Speaking of her father, Mi Young wondered if he was doing well or if he was overworking again. She prays to the gods that her father won't overwork himself like before because no one is there to take care of him.

Not wanting to cry on her first day of school, Mi Young tries to cheer herself up by thinking about the events that happened to her yesterday. She never imagined that she would be able to ace the exam in one go. Aside from that, she also learned that she was gifted with all the elements - which was a huge step for her since she had always thought that she was a non-elemental Mage. And to top all of that, she was also able to know what her mana power is.

Mi Young bites her lip to suppress the smile that's starting to form on her face because of the excitement she was feeling upon realizing that everything that had happened yesterday is indeed real.

After recounting all the events that still feels like a dream to her, Mi Young picks out the clothes she's going to use on her first day of class. Unlike other academies in their kingdom, Mistwood Academy does not require any of their students to wear a uniform; you can choose any clothing you like as long as you follow the rules and regulations inside the academy.

Mi Young chose to wear a plain white v-neck shirt, which is her favorite, and a black plaid skater skirt. She also managed to find a pair of black knee-high socks and her old white sneakers to complete her outfit. She looks at the full-body mirror in front of her bed to check her look and notices that something is missing. Upon realizing what it was, she immediately went to grab her mother's cape and draped it around her. Seeing as her look was finally complete, Mi Young nodded at her own reflection in front of the mirror and went to the large oak door to finally set foot at the academy and start her day as an official student.

**

When Mi Young was finally out, she noticed that there's a whole load of students walking along the campus area today than yesterday. She sees different faces all around her as she tries to find her way towards the cafeteria. She didn't manage to eat anything for breakfast since there was nothing inside the fridge, except for cold water. Mi Young thinks that despite having a very luxurious penthouse, if she doesn't have any penny in her pocket, she still wouldn't get to eat anything. Mi Young mentally consoles herself for being poor.

Mi Young walks further around the campus until she finally sees a building that has a huge CAFETERIA written on top of it. She smiles as she finally gets to feed her hungry stomach.

The young girl immediately went inside the cafeteria; a very delicious aroma instantly caught her attention as she sniffed her way towards the source of the mouthwatering scent. When she finally stops, she came face to face with an old lady who was smiling at her adoringly, but aside from that, the old lady seemed to have a glint on her eyes as if telling Mi Young that she knew her personally – which is very weird considering it was her first time entering the academy. Mi Young looked around her to check if there was anyone else besides her but upon confirming that she was indeed alone, she just smiled back at the lady.

"What can I get you, daughter of Soo Ho?"

"Ah yes please—wait, you knew my father?" Mi Young stops. She cocks her head to the side to try and remember who the lady was but to no avail, she couldn't remember anything.

The old lady gave her another charming smile, if you look at her closely you will know that she was a bubbly and carefree person during her teenage years. "Oh yes, Soo Ho was the only student who would stop by my store and eat the desserts I made. He was such a happy-go-lucky kid with a wild and positive outlook in life. He stood out amongst the sea of students here in the academy, who want nothing but power and status. You also resemble him a lot except for your eyes."

"Really? My father never mentioned to me that he graduated here." Mi Young finds it odd that her father never mentioned anything about his years in Mistwood Academy before. When Mi Young announced to him that she was going to attend this academy, her father just smiled at her and said to follow what she thinks is right. She never imagined that he once grazed and ran through the halls of this academy before.

"Oh, that's because he never graduated here." The old lady says.

Mi Young is even more confused. "But you said he used to study here, right?"

The old lady had a sad smile on her lips when she answered Mi Young's question, "He did study here, yes, but he never had the chance to graduate."

"Why so?"

"Let's say that your father ventured too much and managed to see things that are not supposed to be seen by students like him."

With the lady's answer, Mi Young felt more and more confused. "What did he see?"

The lady seemed to realize what she was saying because the next second, she was again smiling at Mi Young adoringly, gone was the sad expression that covered her whole face. "By the way, what would you like to eat? How about you try my strawberry cake? This was your father's favorite dessert!"

Upon knowing that the lady is trying to avoid the subject, Mi Young felt the need to ask more answers from her. "Please. Tell me. What did my father see?"

"Or you can try my chocolate fudge cake. It's delicious as well."

"You have to tell me. Please." Mi Young pleaded once more.

"I have lemon cake too." But to no avail, the old lady is determined not to tell her anything.

Mi Young sighs in defeat as she sadly smiles at the old lady. "The strawberry cake, please."

The lady reflected the same smile towards her before she turned around to prepare Mi Young's order. If the lady isn't going to tell her anything, then it's Mi Young's responsibility to find out about it. So for now, she decided to add something to her goal; and that is to find out the reason why her father got kicked out of the academy before he can even graduate.

When the old lady returned, she was shocked to see the new determined look that reflected on Mi Young's face. She doesn't know if she should be happy that the girl finally stopped pursuing her because of her lousy mouth or if she should feel worried. But then she shakes her head as she hands the young girl her strawberry cake.

Mi Young immediately chomped down the slice of strawberry cake in one go, for some reason, the old lady had a happy expression on her face as soon as Mi Young was done eating.

"Thank you for the cake. How much is it?"

"Oh no need to pay me, dear. Treat it as my welcoming gift to you." The old lady says.

Mi Young nodded at her before she started jogging towards the exit of the cafeteria, but she stopped and waved at the old lady before bowing and thanking her once more.

The old lady smiled to herself as she watched Mi Young's back getting smaller and smaller into view.

"Soo Ho, my child, I hope I can be able to help your daughter the way I couldn't help you before."