Retire 379
by Cristae379 Girl of Dreams (2)
“…A school, you said?”
The reporter in front of me barely managed to swallow her confusion, though she couldn’t hide the tremor in her voice or the uncertainty in her eyes.
Honestly, at this point, it wasn’t so much that she was hiding her surprise as simply wearing it openly. Still, the fact that she kept the interview going was something.
“Yes. A school. So that young Awakened can learn about dungeons and monsters.”
“Uh, um… so that’s why it’s a school!”
“Yes. More precisely, it’s a high school. It’s officially recognized as an educational institution.”
“A high school…”
She probably hadn’t come here to ask about any of this. I had a pretty good idea how these interviews usually went. Most Hunters don’t sit down and answer questions like this.
Just think of Han Taekyung. If he didn’t break the camera, you were lucky.
…No, actually, that guy liked cameras too much. It was my sister who broke them.
Anyway, she was probably just here to get a look at the Korean Hunter who’d helped clear a monster. How far had the news about me being Hong Seok-young’s disciple spread? It was only just now reaching the Hunters in Marseille—so it would take a while to reach Korea.
I kept smiling as I spoke. Unlike Kim Chaemin, who was dressed casually, I’d had to handle fire and might have to fight a monster, so I was wearing at least some protective gear, if not full armor.
Not that I planned it, but it worked out. It gave the impression of a Hunter, but not too much. I knew how I looked. I’d heard “you don’t look like a Hunter when you’re just standing there” more times than I could count.
“This year, our third-years will be the first to graduate. Honestly, the classes must have been tough, but I’m so grateful they stuck with it.”
“Uh… about the dungeon raids…”
“Of course, we teach dungeon raids. Last year, the students entered the dungeon under my and Hunter Hong Seok-young’s supervision, but this year, they attempted the raid on their own.”
“H-Hunter Hong Seok-young?”
The reporter, who had been swept along by my words, finally snapped to attention.
That was the bait I’d dangled, so I nodded with satisfaction.
“It’s a school founded by Hunter Hong. He’s the principal. He even teaches classes himself.”
“Classes? Are you saying the students are all his disciples?”
“They’re students. In the sense that they’re learning, yes, but not in the way ‘disciple’ is usually meant among Hunters.”
After Myeongdong, the school itself became a topic of conversation. Not in a good way, but with that much attention, there were bound to be people who wanted the title of “taught by Hong Seok-young.”
But now? After the brief attention during Myeongdong, that was it. The school’s reputation wasn’t great even in nearby cities, and most people probably didn’t even know it existed. It might actually be better known overseas.
Occasionally, Yangseong High got some attention, but that was because of Hong Seok-young, not the school itself.
“We have mages as well as Hunters. Two of our third-years are mages.”
“There are mages, too?”
“Yes. The magic class is taught by Ms. Kim—Archmage Kim Chaemin.”
With the names Hong Seok-young and Kim Chaemin, I didn’t have to worry about this interview being twisted when it aired in Korea. In fact, now they’d probably start digging into the school—what kind of place it was, what it taught, who worked there.
When I got back, Im Miseon would probably scold me for appearing on camera. I couldn’t undo what I’d done, but at least I’d have a plausible excuse.
Not that it was just an excuse. It was all necessary. The fact that I used that sword was probably already known worldwide…
“Hunter Hong wants to reduce the mortality rate for underage Awakened through this school. There are so many kids who awaken young and don’t know how to control their power.”
Most of Yangseong High’s students are third-years. Once they graduate, only Yoo Jieun will be left. Kang Taewoo is being treated as a third-year for now, but I told him he could stay another year if he wanted. Who knows what he’ll decide.
“I hope more kids who need help will come to us.”
New students.
We need new students.
Kim Chaemin had become close with Noah Michel.
I don’t know what she herself thought, but at least from the outside, that’s how it looked.
An exchange between archmages so young they were called “kids” by the public. For the older mages who’d finally shown up at the Grand Conference, it must have been a heartwarming sight.
“…Is it all right if I stay by your side?”
“Haha. The president said not to just talk to mages, but to speak with Hunters too.”
Alain Richard smiled awkwardly, but didn’t leave my side.
I tried to probe for ulterior motives, but he just kept smiling pleasantly.
Given Mallet’s personality, I figured he was telling the truth. And even if you weren’t a Hunter, it was better to make connections with an archmage than with a bunch of random mages. I made a decent stepping stone for that.
Feigning boredom, I glanced over at the next table, where Kim Chaemin and Noah Michel were deep in debate.
After dealing with the monster, the Grand Conference was held a few days late, but went off without a hitch and was being called the most notable in history. Still, those two mages were lost in their own world.
Everyone wanted to get closer, but also didn’t dare. Even Richard, talking to me, kept glancing in their direction.
Of course. Where else could you hear two archmages discuss magic?
“That theory you published last time was fascinating. I think it could be applied in a lot of ways.”
“But it’s unstable except for a few attributes. I’ve tried various ways to stabilize the magic… but for now, we still have to rely on mages.”
“Hm. What about using runes?”
“…Runes?”
“Yes, runes. I haven’t published it yet, but…”
I remembered how, when showing movies to the kids, Kim Chaemin had once whispered playfully that she’d wanted to be an actress as a child.
Why are there so many aspiring actors around me? I bet Kim Chaemin would have made a good one too.
I couldn’t follow every part of their conversation, so I left that to Kim Chaemin. And she was doing a great job. I didn’t know exactly what was provoking Noah Michel, but I could tell from the way her magic sometimes twisted…
“Your knowledge of magic is truly impressive.”
“…Isn’t it?”
“If I could understand even half of what you two are discussing, my own magic would be on another level.”
“…Well.”
That wasn’t my business.
Noah Michel was always famous for her magical theory, and Kim Chaemin’s knowledge was just as deep. She’d even wrung out the last of my own knowledge. The theories I’d memorized like math formulas, without fully understanding, Kim Chaemin absorbed completely.
I could only guess, but honestly, when it came to magic, Kim Chaemin might as well be from the future.
“…The world really is interesting.”
Michel murmured softly, almost sighing, as she listened to Kim Chaemin.
“Is it?”
“I honestly never thought I’d have such an enjoyable conversation with a mage my own age.”
The moment she said “enjoyable,” her magic twisted.
There was nothing I could do but watch. It was like watching a bad sitcom.
“It’s the same for me. The world’s a big place.”
Kim Chaemin laughed brightly. The contrast between her and the quietly smiling Noah Michel was striking. Michel, white and sparkling, but still; Kim Chaemin, dark and vibrant, but in motion.
If I could see it, how must it look to a mage with a poetic soul?
“But are you not going to publish the theory you just mentioned? Lately you’ve only been publishing runes.”
“No, I will. I just haven’t finished organizing it yet. I’m waiting for something.”
“Waiting?”
“If it works out, it’ll be the greatest achievement of my life. No, it will be.”
“…Mage Kim’s?”
“Yes!”
Kim Chaemin nodded emphatically.
“You’ll never be able to forget my name.”
“I doubt I could forget it already.”
“Even more than that!”
“…Now I’m curious what it is.”
“Ah, ah. Not yet.”
She burst out laughing.
“Honestly, I’m dying to talk about it, but I can’t. Spoilers are no fun. But…”
The hall quieted. Everyone was focused on Kim Chaemin’s words.
“My magic takes time.”
I realized what she was hinting at.
Kim Chaemin’s magic. Roses. Vines. Plants. Needs time?
“And it takes a lot of work.”
I thought of the greenhouse. The mana grass the kids had started growing. And the real mana grass Kim Chaemin had transplanted among them.
I almost jumped up to stop her, but forced myself to stay put. Still, I couldn’t hide it completely, so I quickly grabbed my teacup and took a gulp of hot coffee. I’d never make a good actor.
Kim Chaemin wouldn’t have said something so meaningful without a reason. She must have a plan. I wouldn’t trust Hong Seok-young or Han Taekyung with something like this, but Kim Chaemin was different. I could trust her.
Besides, if I stopped her, it would only make people suspicious. Better to let it pass as just another grand archmage’s research.
“That.”
Michel spoke in her usual calm tone.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“You should.”
“…Truly.”
“I won’t disappoint you, Michel.”
For the first time, Kim Chaemin’s magic wavered.
Did I miss something in the conversation? No, there wasn’t anything especially dramatic. I knew she’d been needling Michel with the runes, but…
I held back.
She’d tell me when we got back to the hotel that evening. For now, I’d just look for a decent mage among the Europeans. Surely not all young European mages were like those idiots—there must be at least one who was quiet, obedient, and at least somewhat useful…
“…Yes?”
Richard tilted his head.
…Well, I might not know about his magical skill, but at least he seemed to understand what I was saying.
I sipped my coffee, feeling a little calmer.
And then—
That evening.
“Honestly, I think I deserve credit for not punching someone.”
Kim Chaemin, uncharacteristically, let out a harsh remark.
She’d carefully wrapped the room in magic so no sound would escape, but even so, she spent a long time fuming before finally shouting,
“So annoying!!!!”
“…What’s wrong?”
“How could I not be pissed, standing in front of the person who destroyed my territory and not being able to do anything?!!”