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Chapter 98

As soon as the preliminaries ended, the final exams began.

Was it due to Yeon-woo’s efforts for even an average score on the midterms that this time the Baksan idiots, led by Namgung Seong, were quiet?

Finally, the final exams concluded.

I should be relieved that it ended without a hitch. If any troublemakers had stormed the academy during the exam period, they would have faced the wrath of every student at the academy.

With a report card that, while not perfect, was somewhat satisfactory in hand, Yeon-woo was packing up with a gleeful grin. She had also been selected as a representative for the upcoming academy competition after summer vacation, and while it wasn’t a full scholarship, she could aim for a decent amount of financial aid. The earnings from selling Heukdong Ogong’s inner core or the prize from Bina Palace after helping Baek In-hwa were still plenty.

The biggest concern regarding finances was solved ages ago, allowing her to generously donate some to the orphanage while being comfortable enough to live. Her combat power had also significantly increased.

The term “combat power” couldn’t fully express her abilities as a Hunter—she was fantastic, having already prepared numerous methods, with plenty more to come as needed.

While it wouldn’t be accurate to say she was entirely content, she could be regarded as being at a pretty decent level compared to before her regression. Now, it was just a matter of waiting for her body to grow with time to achieve perfection.

“I’m so looking forward to summer vacation!”

“Where should we go first? Tae-oh prefers the valleys…!”

“I want to go, I want to! To the sea! But since Tae-oh likes the valleys, we can start there first.”

Yeon-woo smiled warmly as she watched the two kids bringing their belongings and instant noodles to her with their small hands, as if they needed to gather essentials.

While an ordinary person might categorize what to pack and what not to, Yeon-woo didn’t. Her kids weren’t the type to throw tantrums, so she wanted to let them enjoy a little indulgence now.

“Bring more!! No! Bring it all!!”

““Wow!!””

Now busier than before, Tae-oh and Shar started sprinting around the dorm. With a warrior-like spirit, they brought back a ton of items, tossing them in a frenzy. Yeon-woo shoved everything into Relin’s Warehouse without a second thought.

After cramming most of the furniture from the dorm into Relin’s Warehouse, Yeon-woo pondered if this might be a bit excessive, pulling out a few oversized items. Stuff like blankets that weren’t essential to take along.

There were no special ceremonies for summer vacation starting the day after tomorrow. From tomorrow onwards, aside from some facilities, the academy’s facilities would gradually stop operations, marking the beginning of the break.

The facilities that wouldn’t stop operating were for a very limited number of students who weren’t returning home.

Among those students was Baek In-hwa.

She said she didn’t want to go home because it would be cold. When asked if it was hot here, she said it was fine because there was air conditioning.

If you say so… Yeon-woo had a lot to say but kept it to herself, returning to the dorm.

Yeon-woo gazed around the dorm with a complicated expression. Even after removing all her belongings, there remained a sense of liveliness in the room.

After wanting so bad to be at the academy, the time had come to leave, albeit just for a month. She had made many good friends and attended the classes she’d always wanted.

Although the classes in the Magic Department and the Hunter Department weren’t that significant for her…

‘A bittersweet feeling.’

It struck her just before leaving that she could now roam freely in the academy, a place she had longed for, as a current student.

As Yeon-woo stood there lost in thoughts, Shar and Tae-oh exchanged bewildered looks.

Feeling the duo’s curious gazes on her, Yeon-woo chuckled softly and took their hands.

“Shall we take a walk before we say goodbye?”

“Sounds good!”

“I’ve been wanting to see Momo…!”

“After summer vacation ends, I can live with Momo!”

“I’ll make sure to train her to use the bathroom properly!”

“Let’s go out for walks every single day…!!”

With passionate eyes pleading that they not abandon Momo, Yeon-woo scooped up the two kids and set off.

It was time to step out into the world, albeit for a brief moment.

*

“I have no idea why I’m following this guy around during the vacation to do work.”

As usual, Namgung Seong was grumbling alongside Je Gal Seong-ryong. Yeon-woo, tilting her chin and gazing seriously at Namgung, slowly spoke.

“In my opinion… it’s your brain?”

“Hey, are you saying you find my intelligence lacking?”

“Well, you do seem to have enough intelligence to understand what I’m saying.”

In the blink of an eye, Yeon-woo and Namgung were grappling with each other, each holding onto the other’s collar. Je Gal Seong-ryong watched them with a grandfatherly smile.

“Well, it wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t served as a bridge between us, considering Yeon-woo brought this upon herself.”

“Oh, is it because of those guys who call themselves Heuk-kyub?”

“Pretty much. Even if that’s the case, since Samiryun-ju personally recommended it, we might as well have a meeting.”

Got it. Yeon-woo nodded with a doubtful expression. It wasn’t that something was wrong that caused her unease; she just felt a bit guilty that it was because of her that they had to work.

“If you feel guilty, why don’t you come help?”

“How am I supposed to get there?”

“Namgung’s subfamily called you, so why can’t you go? You don’t have to help, but at least bring the kids over to hang out.”

With a disgruntled air, Namgung waved a piece of paper he pulled from his pocket. It was a ticket for a long-distance travel gate. The best means of connecting nations.

While it wasn’t impossible to use if you put your mind to it, it came with a price that wasn’t easy to bear. After all, it was related to national security.

“Shar, Tae-oh, do you want to go play?”

“I want to play!! Are there lots of toys?”

“Of course.”

“Wow….”

Shar and Tae-oh gazed up at Yeon-woo with sparkly eyes.

“Okay, I’ll go once.”

“Make sure to be at home around the third week. Have a great summer vacation.”

“Hmm. If that’s the case, you should also plan to visit the Namgung family around that time.”

“Okay, see you both later.”

There were no heated hugs between men. The two kids shared a light hug with Yeon-woo and then passed through the main gate.

Next, she encountered Kim Yoo-min. Unlike the two students heading out a day early to enjoy vacation, Kim Yoo-min was sitting in the square, passing the time.

“Why are you loitering here?”

“They said I have to stick around until tomorrow to go down with my brother, so I’m pondering. What about you?”

“The only train ticket is for tomorrow. So I’m just saying goodbye to the kids.”

“So you came to greet me? How did you know where I was?”

“There’s a way to find out, but I’m just wandering around saying hello to anyone I see. Chill with the ego.”

At Yeon-woo’s words, Kim Yoo-min chuckled. Ever since the competition ended, she seemed to be a bit more relaxed, showing a semblance of her usual self.

“I heard you’re in the competition team. I guess that special training paid off?”

“Yeah. Knowing that I was facing a Choi from some neighborhood made it feel like I could actually hit back.”

“Why are you being so harsh…? Where do you think there’s a spot on this handsome face to hit?”

“I’ll admit you’re handsome to a point, but it’s really annoying when you act like that with that face.”

Seeing Kim Yoo-min frown like that, Yeon-woo could only say, “Hmm… well, sorry…” as she sincerely apologized. Because of that, the atmosphere turned a bit awkward, and as Kim Yoo-min fidgeted, she slowly spoke.

“…Thanks for helping me out.”

“The road ahead is long, so don’t overdo the gratitude.”

“I wish you’d leave out those little remarks.”

Now now, they had become completely friendly, and Yeon-woo sat beside Kim Yoo-min, who was smiling. If they’re doing that, I’ll look like the bad guy.

“Let’s hang out again once the vacation ends, okay?”

“Playing with you and Seo-hyung is the most fun…!”

“That makes me feel a little complicated??”

“Well then, we’re off. Are you going to stay here?”

“Yeah, my brother and I are going to grab a bite. See you! Say goodbye to the others for me.”

“Sure. Take the chance to talk to the professor.”

“You don’t have to meddle; I already talk just fine.”

After receiving a somewhat sharp, yet comfortable response, Yeon-woo turned around. The two kids standing up from the bench grabbed Yeon-woo’s hands and waved goodbye to Kim Yoo-min.

After that, Yeon-woo and the kids strolled around the academy, meeting numerous people. Jung Yu-jin said she’d be lounging around at home for a month, while Darius was already gone and hard to find. She had exchanged contact with him for after the preliminaries, but reaching out now felt a bit awkward.

As for Im Yu-bin… oddly enough, their names were quite similar. Seeming to be in a rush, she hurriedly apologized and dashed off without so much as a greeting.

Baek In-hwa, who was staying at the academy… they could meet anytime, so she brushed that aside.

Having thought that much, Yeon-woo strode forward without hesitation, heading toward the Hunter Department’s faculty building.

*

“Something feels nostalgic.”

Standing in front of the Department Head’s Office, Yeon-woo suddenly muttered. As she stood before the firmly closed door, she rummaged through her memories.

‘It’s been two months since then….’

Did she meet the student council president Ain after talking with Yuri? Now that she thought about it, where did the seniors go? Lacking personal information, she had no idea. Given her position as the student council president, she probably wouldn’t go anywhere until tomorrow.

While Yeon-woo stood there blankly, professors stared at her oddly as they passed by. Standing idly here was pointless, so she knocked on the door.

“Is anyone there?”

– Ugh, they’re all busy… come in.

What’s going on, is there someone else? With that thought, Yeon-woo pushed the door open and stepped inside. Tae-oh and Shar had returned, possibly tired from walking, choosing to rest inside Yeon-woo’s body.

Upon entering, Yeon-woo’s eyes landed on Yuri, who had a mountain of documents piled on her desk, and a blonde boy lounging on the sofa meant for greeting guests.

His age seemed young, and he had a determined look about him; standing a bit taller than her. While he appeared slender, the contours hinted at a muscular figure.

Coincidently, unlike Ain, whom she couldn’t recognize at first glance, this was a familiar face.

From the Alkeon continent, known as the Young Lion of Arbelola, it was ‘Albert Lionel’.

The identity of the early arrival.

(To be continued in the next chapter)

 

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