504

 [Chapter 138]

[Another Strategy (2)]

Seonryeok 13, No Eunha 18 years old.

A new school year began.

Entering his second year of high school academy, he mainly took classes that would help with creating and managing clans.

There were also occasional classes on effectively operating party play.

Why am I taking this?

Ah, I feel like I shouldn't have taken it...

Should I just drop it?

Elective course, Clan Creation Methods.

Eunha silently groaned looking at the textbook filled with dense writing.

Not only was the content too difficult, but there was so much material it was hard to cram into his head.

Moreover, he couldn't understand the instructor's lecture at all.

"—Therefore, if you want to create a clan, you must meet the minimum conditions set by the National Mana Management Organization. Of course you need at least 10 members, and you also need a clan hall that performs the clan's functions..."

If he had aimed to create a party as he initially planned, there would have been no need to take this course.

But as the number of people he wanted to recruit increased, it became ambiguous to stick to his initial position.

So he decided to broaden his perspective by considering creating a clan rather than being limited to a party.

Do I have to memorize all these clauses to create a clan?

However, Eunha regretted his choice not long after the semester started.

Unlike parties that could be formed and disbanded at any time, clans were subject to strict legal standards.

It wasn't easy to create one in the first place, and memorizing the administrative tasks and related matters a clan had to do after creation wasn't easy either.

Operating a party is familiar so there's nothing difficult about it now.

Clan work is different.

Come to think of it, Lee Yu-jeong handled the miscellaneous tasks in operating the party in his previous life.

But in this life, he might have to manage a clan with more work imposed than a party without her.

Eunha felt like the future looked darker the more he thought about it.

In the end—

—I'll need an administrator.

An administrator who specializes in clan administrative work, the housekeeper of the clan.

He recognized the need for an administrator and observed the students taking the lecture with him.

He looked for someone with talent as an administrator among them.

Then he soon shook his head.

Administrator talent is certainly important, but I need to find someone trustworthy.

Eunha had no intention of being involved in administrative work at all.

This meant the administrator would naturally take on all the clan's work.

In other words, the administrator would be delegated full authority over the clan.

They would essentially become the actual clan lord.

As a result, Eunha thought that if he had to recruit an administrator, he should recruit someone not only capable but also trustworthy.

In that sense, his fiancée could be said to be the most suitable talent.

—I could trust and leave it to Seo-hyun.

However, it's uncertain whether Sirius Group's direct descendant would become an administrator of a mere clan.

Han Seo-hyun entered university this year.

She's spending her freshman life in a department that trains clan administrators.

Though according to her, she just repeats going between home and school every day.

Anyway, it would be very welcome if she became an administrator.

The problem is that I can't be certain yet whether Sirius Group will allow Han Seo-hyun to become an administrator like this.

I don't know.

Let's think about that when the time comes.

Eunha decided to stop thinking about it.

He hadn't even definitely decided whether he would create a clan yet.

Just then, the lecture ended.

Eunha barely caught his breath and got up from his seat.

"Should I kill time at a nearby cafe."

Eunha checked the time.

There were no remaining classes.

But Ha-yang has her next class.

Eunha who promised to have dinner with her decided to kill time somewhere until her class ended.

Just then—

"—Where are you going? Class? Is it over?"

"Why do I have to tell you that."

"Let's go get coffee if you have time. Let's kill time together."

He ran into Hoshimiya Kaede in the hallway.

Hoshimiya Kaede who was coming from far away frowned as soon as she saw Eunha.

She who was about to quickly turn around at the corner was caught by Eunha's call.

"I refuse."

"I refuse your refusal."

"..."

"Your class seems over, right?"

"It's over, so what?"

"Then you have time."

She with a bow slung over one shoulder.

Hoshimiya Kaede retorted to Eunha in a prickly tone.

Nevertheless, Eunha was nonchalant.

After being beaten by Ha-yang and beaten by Seo-hyun, Hoshimiya Kaede's attitude was truly at the level of being cute.

Though she would be very displeased if she heard those words.

Eunha didn't bother saying it.

"Sorry but I don't have time, I'm busy."

"Why, where are you going?"

"To train."

"You can skip one day today."

"...No Eunha. Are you saying that makes sense?"

Hoshimiya Kaede looking dumbfounded.

Eunha shrugged his shoulders.

She sighed as if he wasn't worth dealing with and turned her body.

"Find someone else. I'm busy."

Kaede blurted out.

She took a step.

Eunha silently let Kaede pass by him.

Then timed to when she seemed to have gone far enough—

"—Hou!"

Loud enough for everyone passing through the hallway to hear.

Eunha shouted with his hands cupped.

Then he turned around with a broad smile.

She had turned around too just then.

Their eyes met.

"That cursed..."

Hoshimiya Kaede was moving her clenched lips while trembling.

He giggled seeing her approaching with a huff.

"—I'll buy the coffee. Let's go."

☆

"—What is it."

"What?"

The academy culture center cafeteria.

Eunha who aimed for a quiet time after lunch took Hoshimiya Kaede there.

When Eunha was doing Fine Talk sitting by a window overlooking the lake.

Hoshimiya Kaede who was buried in her chair with arms folded opened her mouth.

Eunha tilted his head.

"You said to have coffee together."

"So we're drinking coffee now."

What was she so displeased about.

Hoshimiya Kaede puffed her cheeks and showed an unhappy attitude.

Eunha could only be bewildered.

Then Hoshimiya said—

"—Why did you call me if you're going to do this. Just buying me coffee and sitting in front doing your phone."

"Ah, sorry. I went too far, didn't I?"

"Focus on me when you're with me."

"Okay, I'll do that from now on."

Hoshimiya Kaede's point.

Eunha realized his mistake right away after hearing her point.

He ended up using too much time chatting with Han Seo-hyun before he knew it.

There was no room for rebuttal if Hoshimiya Kaede sitting face to face thought she was being ignored.

Just then, she suddenly changed her expression and took back her words.

"...No. I misspoke. I hope you wouldn't focus on me."

"Huh?"

"Thinking about it, I feel bad."

"...Then should I keep chatting?"

"That's not what I meant."

"Then what do you want me to do?"

"Don't use your phone."

"And focus on you?"

"Yeah, focus on me... No, that cursed..."

As if she had an identity crisis.

Hoshimiya Kaede bit her lip and revealed her mood.

Eunha who somehow ended up playing word games with her giggled.

Soon he flipped his smartphone over to focus on her.

Hoshimiya Kaede looked at him with an uncomfortable face.

"So."

"What?"

"Were you chatting with Ha-yang?"

"No, with my fiancée."

"Two-timing bastard. I don't understand what Ha-yang or your so-called fiancée like about you."

"You don't understand? Do you know what happens if you understand?"

"What happens?"

"What happens... Of course you'd fall for me."

"...I'll pretend I didn't hear that because it's unpleasant."

Kaede pressed her temple.

She seemed tired just from having a short conversation with Eunha.

On the other hand, Eunha seemed energized from teasing her.

The conversation that seemed like fighting continued afterwards too.

Then—

"—Ah, right."

"Why are you bragging again."

"I heard you've been training with On Tae-yang lately?"

"..."

Eunha changed the topic as if he suddenly remembered.

It was a story he heard through Jin Seo-na.

The story that Kaede has been training with On Tae-yang in the training hall recently.

Eunha thought it was very unexpected when he heard the news.

Because Kaede and On Tae-yang hadn't had any points of contact until now.

It is unexpected.

Moreover, weren't the two in different departments?

One is a ranger.

The other is a dealer.

As a result, Eunha wanted to know how the two people who had no points of contact became close.

"...We're not close. We're just training partners."

"Who said anything?"

He was simply curious.

But it seems she took his words differently.

She momentarily looked flustered then bit her lip and made excuses.

Eunha chuckled seeing her bow her head as if she had committed a crime.

"How did you end up training together? You don't usually like training with other people."

"Let me tell you, it's not that I don't like training with other people, I don't like training with you."

"Do you hate me that much?"

"...Why don't you put your hand on your heart and say that again."

"I didn't do anything wrong."

"Hmph, as if."

"Anyway, so? How did you end up training with that kid?"

Hoshimiya Kaede closed her mouth.

Her face said why should she tell him that.

But she let out a long sigh and continued speaking as if it was no big deal.

"At first we were just acquaintances who greeted each other a few times at the training hall."

"You became close without me knowing."

"...What does it matter to you who I become close with."

"Anyway. So?"

"During winter break."

"Yeah."

"I was staying at the academy to train..."

Hearing the story.

She and On Tae-yang had seen each other's faces at the training hall many times last year too, so they were acquaintances.

Then winter break came.

She who was trying to stay at the academy to train during break and On Tae-yang who was trying to go to the academy to train during break ran into each other.

From then on, the two started training together.

"So what do you think of On Tae-yang?"

"Why?"

"Just curious."

"..."

Eunha asked after hearing the story.

Come to think of it, he was curious how On Tae-yang became close with the picky Hoshimiya Kaede in his previous life.

But hearing her story, it seems the two met at the training hall and slowly got to know each other.

Eunha guessed that and asked, then—

"—I've never really thought about it."

"Really?"

"If I have to say something, I'd say he's an extremely hardworking person."

"...As the opposite sex?"

"Why should I think of him as the opposite sex?"

Kaede widened her eyes.

She asked back with strength in her eyes.

"I hope you don't misunderstand needlessly. Know that the reason I'm training with him is simply because he's suitable as a training partner, there's no other reason."

"...Okay. I'm sorry."

"I don't want to hear that from you who's two-timing either."

"..."

Hoshimiya Kaede speaking as if clearly displeased.

Eunha felt like he asked something he shouldn't have seeing her attitude.

He regretted asking needlessly.

After that, Eunha had to keep hearing two-timing remarks from her.

"Ah, then are you going to train with him in the evening too..."

"Yeah, two-timer."

"What training do you do there?"

"Why, two-timer."

"...Hey, I said I'm sorry?"

"I don't know, two-timer."

"..."

"Trash bastard."

"I haven't said anything yet?"

"Okay, two-timer."

Somehow the tables had turned.

Kaede seemed happy to have the upper hand over him for the first time.

Eunha sighed.

He eventually decided to just quietly listen to whatever she said as if telling her to do as she pleased.

☆

If Hoshimiya Kaede spoke honestly about the person On Tae-yang—

—He is hardworking.

From her standards.

On Tae-yang was someone who didn't neglect effort to train himself.

And Kaede really liked hardworking people.

It was inevitable that she came to evaluate him positively as he came to the academy to train and poured buckets of sweat even during break.

Moreover—

—Two-timing.

I thought he was a decent guy but now I see he's trash.

At that time.

Kaede heard the story that Eunha got engaged not long after dating Ha-yang.

It could be said to be the occasion for her already poor evaluation of Eunha to plummet again.

In that situation, On Tae-yang who was in stark contrast to No Eunha approached her.

"—Huh? You came to train too? That's unexpected. I thought you guys would go home and rest..."

High School Academy 31st class On Tae-yang.

Even she who was passive in interacting with people knew about On Tae-yang.

Of course she also knew that Jin Seo-na, Cha Eun-woo, Ariel etc. who were close to her really disliked him.

But she didn't recklessly judge people based on others' words.

"—Yeah."

She evaluated On Tae-yang from as objective a perspective as possible.

And her impression after that was that On Tae-yang was an extremely diligent person.

That was the reason she had been continuing to train with him until now.

But—

"—I've been thinking for a while... With your level of skill Kaede, don't you not need to be in No Eunha's faction?"

"What?"

"You said you don't like kids who brag relying on their status."

"..."

"Then why are you in No Eunha's faction?"

That day when she vented all her stress towards No Eunha.

That day too, Hoshimiya Kaede who trained with On Tae-yang as usual and defeated him received such a question.

On Tae-yang who was lying on the floor covered in sweat was looking up at her as if he couldn't understand.

"...It just happened that I seem to act together with them. I'm not part of No Eunha's faction."

Kaede couldn't treat On Tae-yang comfortably like she treated No Eunha.

Come to think of it, it was strange.

She who used to put up walls against others was comfortably treating No Eunha and the people who hung out with him.

She noticed it had become that way.

Is it because I've experienced all the bad things from the start...

Soon she gave a bitter smile.

Her impression of No Eunha couldn't be said to be good at all.

Moreover, she was even threatened by him to become a party member while trying to avoid him.

There was no way No Eunha could become likeable.

But—

—I acknowledge his skill.

She acknowledged No Eunha's skill at least.

At first she didn't like that he had such skill without effort.

But the more she got to know him, she could see that he also didn't neglect effort in unseen places.

No, maybe even more than herself.

There had to be a reason for that level of skill.

Also—

 —He's not arrogant without reason.

No Eunha was someone who was obsessively fixated on protecting his people.

His attitude whenever he protected his people could be seen as extremely arrogant and insolent to others.

She thought that way at first too.

But after learning the reason for Eunha's arrogance, she realized No Eunha wasn't just an arrogant person.

Of course—

—His personality is trash though.

His personality was indeed trash.

It could be proven by the fact that he was two-timing.

He was undeniably trash.

But that didn't mean she liked hearing others badmouth No Eunha.

"—You didn't get caught by some weakness of No Eunha's, did you? I can't believe someone like you Kaede would hang out with that No Eunha."

"..."

"I hope you'd tell me honestly. If No Eunha is really doing something to you, I'll help you somehow."

Only believing what's visible on the surface.

Only believing what he wants to believe.

Misunderstanding, mistaking, concluding.

She didn't like On Tae-yang's arbitrary ramblings.

He seemed like someone obsessed with slandering others.

That's how he looked in her eyes.

And of course she didn't like that type.

"—Shut up."

"...What?"

"I said shut your mouth."

"What are you saying..."

"I decide who I associate with. It's not for you to comment on."

"..."

"And who are you to curse at him?"

"I'm just worried about you..."

"Why is someone who can't even beat No Eunha worrying about others?"

"What? What did you just say?"

"I said you're not even worth a rat's tail. You don't even reach half of half of No Eunha's skill."

—Whoosh

A warning shot.

She drew her bowstring.

An arrow made of mana grazed his cheek.

"..."

No blood came out.

But On Tae-yang seemed dazed by the arrow that passed by at such high speed.

"I'm leaving. I don't think I'll train with you anymore."

On Tae-yang showed no signs of moving.

Kaede turned her body away from him.

She who quickly left the training hall suddenly hit her head against the wall.

"Why did I..."

Embarrassment washed over her.

Even though she herself had been cursing No Eunha plenty.

Nevertheless, she got so angry at someone else cursing him that she ended up acting rashly.

She regretted her actions and kept banging her head against the wall until she calmed down.

As for telling No Eunha about this—

"—I can't tell him, absolutely..."

It was obvious he would tease her if he heard.

She belatedly checked her surroundings.

Fortunately, no one was there.

☆

Jo Ara contacted him.

She says to keep the weekend free.

[Tae-yang will be training at the academy on the weekend too. Don't worry and just go.]

"Okay. Thanks for calling."

Going to meet On Tae-yang's family.

Eunha nodded after hearing the schedule from Jo Ara.

After ending the call, he fell into thought.

Come to think of it...

What happened after On Tae-yang treated his mother's illness with the elixir?

A thought suddenly occurred to him.

Eunha tilted his head.

In his previous life, he used the elixir to treat his mother who was suffering from mana depletion.

He had heard that afterwards, his family escaped poverty after he gained fame as <Braver >.

But—

—Come to think of it, On Tae-yang rarely mentioned his family.

On Tae-yang who walked the path of a player to make his family happy.

But after being reborn as <Braver >, he treated his mother with the elixir and didn't talk about his family.

People were the same.

No one paid attention to the hero's family.

Then—

—Did his family end up living well? They must have lived well, right?

Did the hero who ultimately saved the country make his family happy?

Eunha suddenly felt doubtful.