A Genuine Beginning (1)

Entrance Ceremony.

A convenient event designed for students to face their competitors and stir up ambition for academic achievement.

On the podium stood a principal with bright yellow hair, talking earnestly about something.

"To the new students who have become a part of El Academy, representing the faculty of El Academy, I sincerely congratulate and welcome you to your admission. Here at El Academy…"

Angelica, was it? The principal and the representative of the World Tree, to summarize her long speech, it was something like this:

[Welcome to the Academy! Eh?]

[You know how well we treat you, right? If not, you should know.]

[All the benefits you receive are thanks to the World Tree, behave well!]

Angelica was expounding on this sentiment in a lengthy manner.

Naturally, it felt tedious.

I stifled a yawn as the monotonous translation echoed.

'It's time to water Shiba.'

Another yawn at this needless thought.

Looking around from behind my mask, every student was intently watching the principal.

I compared the faces of the students with the data Seyeong gave me.

'Was she managing the Jungjin class?'

The elites of El Academy, the Jungjin class.

I'd eventually need to reach that place, so acquiring information on them early on was beneficial.

The reason was simple.

What role would the academy force upon me, being valued as the 'husband' of the World Tree?

Naturally, I would be the top student.

Since the rewards of the tree manual were beneficial to my circumstances, I needed to conform to the World Tree's wishes until I collected them all.

Finally, it was time for the freshman representative declaration.

I watched the unfolding spectacle with open eyes.

-Representatives of Korean freshmen, Jung Siwoo, and Sansuyu.

Upon the principal's words-

Two individuals, a male and a female, rose from the front row, each holding a flag.

Jung Siwoo.

The current valedictorian proudly stepped forward.

Sansuyu.

The salutatorian gracefully presented herself.

They, the most promising students from Korea, were representatives and the top-ranked students at El Academy.

'I never imagined the person I competed against would be the valedictorian.'

They quickly finished their oaths and took their places beside the principal.

The principal spoke again.

-Promising Scholars, step forward.

Scholar was a title at the academy for academically outstanding students.

As the declaration ended, dozens of students from the front row ascended to the podium.

With grand background music and a large confetti cannon firing from both sides, they held their respective national flags.

Among them, Jin Dallae was mingling as if she naturally belonged there.

At least, everyone I met belonged to that promising group.

"Is that the Jungjin group? Right?"

"Yes, they have separate training after school until the evening."

"I wish I had it too."

The eyes of the watching students were filled with envy and pure desire to be like them.

I closed my eyes, observing the surrounding reactions.

Anyway, for me, they were all mountains I had to climb over.

This was the real beginning.

After the entrance ceremony, I headed to my assigned class first.

I chose a seat by the window in the far-left corner and waited. Soon, the students of Korea Class 1 began to enter, one by one.

Among them, many were familiar faces.

Jung Siwoo, Sansuyu, Jin Dallae, etc.

Jungjin class has special classes starting in the evening, so we had to attend the regular and morning classes together here. Initially, there was a plan to make a separate class only for the elites, but it seems it was changed due to language barriers or something similar.

In the morning, we had to attend classes focusing on subjects like English or mathematics, and in the afternoon, we could choose our lectures. It was a mix between high school and college.

'There are festivals and things similar to MT (Membership Training).'

As I was lost in thought, I suddenly sensed someone behind me.

-Tap tap, someone tapped my shoulder. I turned sharply, and a long finger poked my cheek.

"Hehehe."

Her eyes, brimming with mischief, large black eyes stared at me.

"You are in Class 1, too?"

"When did you start joking around?"

"This? They say it's a trendy way to say hello, didn't you know?"

Guseul. Unlike yesterday, today, she resembled a Maltese in a pure white hood.

She pulled a chair next to me and stretched out.

"Yawn! It's a relief you are here. I was wondering what to do if I didn't know anyone in the class."

Guseul giggled.

It was the same as the first meeting; her close distance was a bit uncomfortable. Being friendly with someone you met for the first time yesterday is not easy.

"Oh right, hey, want some confectionery? I brought it from home."

Look at this. She even extended her beak.

I accepted the confectionery of moderate size and put it in my mouth. The sweet red bean flavor wrapped around my tongue.

While savoring the subtle sweetness left on my tongue, Guseul watched me and urged for my opinion.

"Our house's confectionery is delicious, right?"

"Hmm?"

"Say it's delicious quickly."

"It's not good."

"Heck, I will never give you any again."

As we joked around, a teacher entered with the sound of the door opening at the front of the classroom.

"Attention!"

A clear and reliable female voice filled the classroom.

The noisy class became quiet in an instant.

"I am Lee Seyeong, in charge of Korea Class 1. Originally, Teacher Jin Seunghoon would have been in charge, but due to certain circumstances, I will be with you for this year."

She conveyed her intentions precisely with a captivating voice and surveyed the surroundings from the front of the teacher's desk.

"Today's class will proceed with recreation. Prepare your self-introductions now."

She, who was speaking assertively, now slowly climbed the stairs.

The clicking sound of her heels resonated within the classroom.

"You will be together for four years, so it's better to get along well. Fighting or ostracizing will be strictly punished. None of you, my students, would discriminate against humans, right?"

Seyeong's gaze momentarily met mine.

She kept climbing the stairs.

"We don't care about social status inside El Academy. Remember that. And-"

Her movement stopped next to me.

Then, she murmured in a very quiet voice.

"Come to the office in a bit."

I couldn't grasp the meaning of her words, so I could only stare blankly for a while.

Guseul, who was watching this, approached and whispered with her hand over her mouth.

"Hey. What did the teacher say just now?"

"I don't know."

"What's that?"

For a brief moment, whether she used magic or something, Guseul, who was right next to me, couldn't comprehend what Seyeong said to me.

I waited for the break while listening to Guseul's busy voice and then visited Seyeong's office.

-Creak.

As I opened the door, the fragrant scent of flowers filled my nostrils.

"What's the matter? Aren't you a second-year teacher?"

"Sit, let's talk. There's a lot to say."

Since there was nothing to hide between us, I sat down and sipped the tea.

-Gulp.

"Oh."

Unknowingly, a sigh of satisfaction escaped me, and Seyeong chuckled.

"Delicious, isn't it? That's how you brew tea, dimwit."

"Was the tea at my house that bad? You even prepared snacks."

"Well, there's that, and honestly, I benefited a lot thanks to the Tree Circle Pill you gave me last time."

Was the Tree Circle Pill such a valuable item?

Munching on a cookie, I decided to use it for a bigger deal next time.

"So, why did you call me this time? Did you want to play another round?"

"…Are you out of your mind?"

Was it my imagination that a glint of anticipation shone in Seyeong's glaring eyes?

She took a sip of her tea and spoke calmly.

"What I want to say to you… Ah, just take it as advice. Don't approach the Tree People carelessly."

"Excuse me?"

"Tree People are deeply educated with the ideology of superior citizens. You have nothing to gain from them. What if something happens because you approach them carelessly? Then it will be your fault."

"If a Tree Person says that… Hmm."

Putting down the cookie I was eating abruptly, I stroked my chin.

Since Seyeong lives in this world, her words must be correct.

Then, what about Ddaengddaeng… no, Guseul?

'I don't know about her.'

I had only known her for two days, and more than anything, although she was a Tree Person, her lineage did not seem prestigious.

So, rather than being imbued with the ideology of superior citizens, she seemed more like a pure lady who had grown up in a greenhouse.

Should I keep my distance? I was not sure.

"Hey, rapist."

Seyeong, looking at my contemplating face, spoke as if to console me.

"Just don't do it to me. Why are you so lost in thought?"

"So, just being friends is okay?"

"Of course, but who would be friends with you? With an ugly rapist."

Seyeong, coming a little closer, popped my forehead lightly with her finger. I could only stare at her smiling face, dumbfounded.

Then, I suddenly came to my senses and protested.

"But you keep framing me as a rapist. Technically, if we strictly talk about it, it's mutual fault, you know?"

"Enough, rapist. You are a rapist. Got it?"

Seyeong slightly bent her upper body forward and poked my chest as if branding me.

Heh. Her smiling eyes and lifted lips looked very mischievous.

-Vrr!

Suddenly, the vibration alarm of the smartphone in my pocket rang.

Seyeong's eyebrows slightly raised, and she gave me a strange look.

To me, her gaze seemed to be asking if it was okay not to pick up the call.

I decided to wrap it up and stand up from my seat.

"Anyway, I will remember what you said today."

"You better."

Ah, before I go, there was something I wanted to know.

"Then, why are you being so nice?"

Without a hint of hesitation, Seyeong, sipping her tea, answered calmly.

"What does it matter if I take care of my student?"

I would have spat if I had something in my mouth.

"Yes, I will leave now."

"Go carefully. Prepare your self-introduction well."

Bang.

After closing the door, I then leaned on it. I searched my pocket and pulled out my phone.

Welcoming words for the students who participated in this entrance ceremony and some announcements. Before I could read it all, the system reacted again.

-Ding!

This sound effect was mostly the alarm for the World Tree system.

What was it this time?

Thanks to my mental preparation, I was ready to accept whatever came.

In fact, since the World Tree had handed its child to me, I have been in a state of enlightenment.

The news received through the information window was simple.

[A new relationship has been added to the Favorability Menu.]

Favorability Menu.

So, it was the favorability system provided by the World Tree Auction that I used.

When I went in to check, where once only the World Tree of Purity was written, there was a name I could not have imagined.

[World Tree Auction ] - [Favorability Menu ]

▶Pure World Tree: ♥♥♥♥♥(100/100)

▶Lee Seyeong: ♥♥♥♡♡(64/100) - [Check Information]

▶None

※More relationships with other World Trees are needed. Registration of favorability is possible from 50.

[640p will be deposited due to a new relationship with a new World Tree.]

"…Why is this woman here?"

Certainly, even if she was a Tree Person, Lee Seyeong could be seen as a proper single World Tree.

But why was the favorability so high? In reality, there was no contact point between her and me that could raise the favorability.

So naturally, my hand had to go to check the information.

Name/Gender: Lee Seyeong(Female)

Age/Height: 26 years, 170cm

Sexual Fantasy: Assault.

Romance Fantasy: Holding hands while watching a movie. Natural physical contact, kiss.

Numerous pieces of information floated above the smartphone.

I blinked my eyes and checked again.

-Sexual Fantasy: Assault.

All her actions that were shown to me overlapped.

Oh, it was shocking.

"The continuity is insane."