Retire 559
by Cristae559 (Extra Story 26) Choice_2
Han Eunyeong chose a difficult path.
That clever child could not have been unaware. Though she spoke with little confidence, comparing herself to Oh Hyunwook, Park Seohyun, and Lee Seungyeon, the very names she mentioned were far from ordinary. Setting aside Oh Hyunwook and Park Seohyun, whose talents were more than abundant—did she really think Lee Seungyeon’s drive was anything average? Even without considering her family background, who brings in a thirty-two-page business plan and calls it a typical life plan?
This was the downside of gathering a handful of children in an isolated space. If only there had been more than ten students per grade, it might have been less pronounced. Besides, most of them still came from unusual backgrounds. Only the likes of Choi Jinwoo, Han Eunyeong, and Kim Abel could be said to have grown up normally… though, honestly, even Kim Abel wasn’t exactly ordinary.
When the only ones you can compare yourself to are each other, it’s easy for the children to become trapped in a small world. Maybe this environment was good for those who grew up in such special circumstances, but for Han Eunyeong, it didn’t seem to have been all that beneficial. I hadn’t realized it at the time, but now I could see it.
“Are you really thinking of studying that field just because your brother said so?”
Han Eunyeong, lacking confidence, said she wasn’t as good at fighting as Oh Hyunwook, nor as passionate as Lee Seungyeon, nor even as good at studying as Yoo Hyeeun.
But she was different. Han Eunyeong was better than Oh Hyunwook at synthesizing information, could judge situations more calmly than Lee Seungyeon, and had broader experience and knowledge than Yoo Hyeeun.
From the perspective of someone who has run an institution?
There was no talent quite like Han Eunyeong.
If Lee Seungyeon really did manage to create her “guild” as planned, the one I’d have to beg to join us wouldn’t be Oh Hyunwook, Park Seohyun, or Yoo Hyeeun, but Han Eunyeong.
“My brother’s words did have some influence, but…”
“If you start something just because others say so, all you’ll be left with is regret.”
“But I think I’d regret not trying, too.”
“You think?”
“No. I’d regret it.”
Han Eunyeong spoke with conviction.
“It’s not like I haven’t thought about dungeon strategies. I always came in first in the simulation exercises, didn’t I?”
“You shouldn’t complain about lacking talent. People call that false modesty.”
“…….”
Despite my praise, Han Eunyeong shook her head.
“But I don’t actually like going into dungeons. A strategy made by someone with no real dungeon experience is just like playing a board game.”
“…….”
That was why I’d started staffing the strategy support team at the Administration Bureau with awakened people, at the very least.
Even if you weren’t a Hunter, there was bound to be a difference in perspective.
“My strategies would work up to B-rank dungeons, but from A-rank on, I’m not confident. Even if I manage somehow… what about beyond that?”
“So?”
“Yes. No matter how I think about it, right now I just want to help my friends. So I found a field that they can’t do, but I can.”
“…….”
“And if it doesn’t work out, I’ll just switch to something else! Honestly, staking my future on Lee Seungyeon’s hope-filled business plan seems less profitable than other options.”
Han Eunyeong waved her hand and laughed. The content of her words aside, her laughter was clear and bright, free of any worry.
She was the kind of kid who talked about buying up land around the school in advance—she’d do just fine without any more advice from me. What on earth had Han Taekyung been so worried about with a sister like this?
Still, as with the other kids, there were a few pieces of advice I could offer. After graduation, I hadn’t had much to say to her, but now I did.
“You’ll do well.”
“Really?”
“Yes. If Lee Seungyeon had said she’d do it, I’d have tried to talk her out of it….”
“Oh, she couldn’t do it.”
“You’ll be fine. But, Eunyeong.”
“Yes?”
“You’ll do well on your own, but don’t try to do everything by yourself.”
“…….”
“Just as Kang Taewoo is poring over European dungeon reports, you’ll need to be sensitive to world affairs from now on. All the laws regarding dungeon strategies are intricately connected.”
Han Eunyeong nodded calmly, unshaken.
Of course, she hadn’t made her decision just based on her brother’s words. The way she responded, it was obvious she’d done her research—I almost wanted to give her a sticker.
After dealing with the troublemaking first-years, seeing a graduate like her was a whole different kind of reassurance.
“I’ll send you some materials… It’s not an assignment. From now on, you’ll have to do things on your own. But these are resources you’ll find useful, and they’re not easy to get your hands on right now.”
“…Are they illegal?”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
Surely these kids weren’t still babbling about detectives or whatever.
Han Eunyeong grinned. With sunglasses on, she’d be the spitting image of her brother.
“You can ask if you have questions, but from here on, you’ll really have to work hard.”
“Yep.”
But despite her earnest answer, Han Eunyeong looked at me with a worried expression.
“By the way, teacher… are those materials in Korean?”
“Do you think they would be?”
“…….”
“Study your foreign languages. If you ask Kang Taewoo, he’ll recommend a good French course.”
“Ugh.”
“Anyway, Europe’s legal system for this field is well developed. These days, translation tools and magic are pretty good, but it’s best to know the basics. Start with the countries influenced by the Alps.”
“Yes……”
Han Eunyeong looked crestfallen, but she didn’t say she didn’t want to do it.
“Unni!!”
As soon as I finished my conversation with Han Eunyeong and stepped outside, Yu Ji-eun came bouncing over on her toes.
“What, what? When did you get to school? Why are you here? No classes? Aren’t you busy? Have you seen the first-years? Should I introduce you later?”
Behind her, I could see three first-years sprawled out on the field. The practice spear Yu Ji-eun had tossed aside in her rush was being picked up by Kang Taewoo, who shook his head as he put it away. No wonder Yu Ji-eun was still like this, with him following her around cleaning up after her.
I’d pointed it out several times, but since it didn’t seem likely to change, I’d let it go for now. Anyway, in half a year when Kang Taewoo graduates, Yu Ji-eun will be the only third-year left to look after the underclassmen. Let’s see if she can keep this up then.
“Later, later. Calm down. Why are you so excited?”
“But! It’s been ages since you came to school!”
“I saw you just last week….”
“That was then, this is now.”
If she had a tail, Yu Ji-eun would have been wagging it furiously as she clung to Han Eunyeong. It would have been overwhelming, but Han Eunyeong didn’t even stagger—she just accepted it.
It felt rewarding to have taught her.
Anyway, Han Eunyeong’s counseling was over. In truth, I hadn’t given her much advice. No matter how much someone else pushes you, how hard can you really work? Han Eunyeong had made her own decision, and if she was the student I’d taught, she’d do her best.
“…….”
I caught Kang Taewoo’s gaze, and he started grinning sheepishly.
I didn’t know what was going on with him, but lately, he’d been smiling like that more and more. Not that it was a bad thing—certainly better than sitting around gloomily or plotting revenge in his head.
Kids are a mystery. I’d once lamented over when they’d ever grow up, but even when they do, it’s a problem.
I nodded to him and slipped quietly back inside the building. Yu Ji-eun’s cheerful voice filled the field.
Knowing what my own older sister was like at that age, I preferred things as they were now. The clearer the sound of their laughter, the more those memories faded.
Is that a bad thing?
No.
How comforting it is to be able to create a better future for the people I know.
“Why are you making such a serious face by yourself again?”
Just as I was heading to the principal’s office, Kim Chaemin appeared beside me. She must have come straight from the greenhouse; her work clothes were covered in dirt, green leaves, and a few stray roots.
I didn’t let her smiling face fool me.
“Where are Park Seohyun and Choi Jinwoo?”
“They’re just starting to uncover the secrets of the greenhouse.”
“And you still say they’re not your apprentices?”
“Hahaha. It’s not so easy to become the apprentice of a great mage.”
Kim Chaemin laughed dryly. But she no longer denied it. Maybe she realized it would be ridiculous to claim otherwise now.
It had been a while since she’d seen Han Eunyeong, too. I thought she’d go to greet her, but instead, she followed me.
“…Why?”
“Aren’t you going to see Master?”
“Do you need something?”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
“I need some materials. I was thinking of taking Seohyun and Jinwoo into a dungeon.”
I raised an eyebrow at her.
Since Park Seohyun and Choi Jinwoo settled into the lab, it wasn’t all research—they’d also worked with the first-years and occasionally entered dungeons. But this was the first time Kim Chaemin herself had said she’d take them.
“Not for training?”
“Hmm…”
Kim Chaemin tilted her head.
“I suppose it could be, but… it’s more about giving them experience than training.”
“Where?”
“I have a few candidates, but I’ll pick the one we can enter soonest.”
“…Handle your mage business as you see fit. Do you need anyone else?”
“No. It’s not a dungeon with monsters—just tricky internal conditions. That’s why I’m only taking Seohyun and Jinwoo.”
“If you take them around, people will talk. Let them know in advance.”
“It’s about time they stepped out of obscurity.”
Kim Chaemin smiled faintly.
In the principal’s office, my father was leisurely watering the plants. At Kim Chaemin’s request, he nodded without much thought.
“Let me know when you’ve set the date.”
“Yes, Master. But you shouldn’t water that one too much, you know?”
“Really?”
“Just water it moderately! Don’t keep watering it because you’re bored!”
“We all have to make a living, you know…”
“It’s because Teacher Kim keeps reviving the plants that you’re like this.”
“Then should I just let the roots rot?!”
Kim Chaemin snatched the watering can from my father’s hand. The plant she touched shimmered with vitality. At this rate, one day it might just get up and walk out of the pot.
If it were Kim Chaemin, I could almost believe it. I edged a little farther from the plant.
Kim Chaemin, still holding the watering can, stormed out of the principal’s office, and my father just shrugged.
“I guess I’ll have to buy a new watering can.”
“Teacher Kim will scold you.”
“But most principals tend to their orchids in places like this… Isn’t that right?”
“Dad, you’re way behind the times. And you’re not an ordinary principal. Ordinary principals aren’t Hunters.”
“I’ve always been ahead of my time.”
If only he’d stop talking.
I pointed out the window.
“Han Eunyeong is here—aren’t you going to say hello?”
“I will. I just have something to finish up first.”
“Finish up? Did you get into trouble?”
“Is that really all the faith you have in your father, Huijae?”
“It’s because I have so much faith in you.”
My father pouted, then stood up.
“Classes are over for today, right?”
“Sorry? Yes.”
“Then you can say goodbye to Eunyeong on your way out.”
“Where are you going?”
“You’re coming too.”
“Me? Where?”
My father grabbed the jacket he’d left draped over the principal’s office sofa.
“Let’s go look at some land.”