Longing is a frightening thing.
When you are a freshman who knows nothing, the academy feels vast and unfathomable. Second-years, who seem fluent in campus life and confidently take the lead in events, naturally look impressive. Third-years, who watch from the back as if they have stepped away from the front lines, or who are busy preparing for graduation and employment, appear to live in an entirely different world.
You come to respect them.
You look up to them.
You admire them.
Then time passes. You advance to the second year, and juniors enter beneath you.
“Academy life? It’s nothing special. If you don’t know something, just ask!”
“Oh, that instructor? Their class is famous for being hard to get credits in. You didn’t know because you’re in your first year.”
“If you need past exam notes, let me know. They’ve been passed down for generations. Most of the test questions come from there.”
Their hearts swell with excitement, drunk on the idea that they have become the seniors they once admired as freshmen.
By then, they have more or less adapted to life at the academy and mastered most of the information worth knowing. Standing in a position of informational advantage over the new students, it is only natural that they fall into the illusion that they have become somebody important.
…
Of course, many of those seniors, who spent their second year intoxicated with the title and focused on mingling with freshmen, would reach third year only to feel the futility of life when graduation and employment loomed, and they realized they had achieved very little.
Some still failed to come to their senses, despite barely being older, putting on airs and looking down at younger students as if they were children.
Some, resentful that they never properly enjoyed their second year, continued to loiter and flirt.
“Oh, you’re first-years after all. We’re second-years. We’re a year above you, so it’s okay if we speak casually, right?”
“You were already speaking casually.”
“I’ve actually been noticing you two for a while now.”
“I thought dolls were walking around, seriously.”
Do-gyeon-woo did not need to remember the names of the two male students who said this. They belonged squarely to that sort of group.
Having just advanced to the second year and welcomed juniors, they were riding high on their mood.
It was only natural that they took an interest in Go Eun-bi and Yeon-ha-neul, who were laughing brightly and marvelling as they drank wine for the first time.
More than that, their looks stood out.
…
So much so that people in the banquet hall were subtly casting glances their way.
The two men lingered around them, looking for a chance to strike up a conversation.
Of course, those who paid attention to the movements of the freshmen quickly grasped Yeon-ha-neul’s identity and gave up early.
“She attended the exchange gathering of the Divine Sword Do Clan, and she’s that kid with rabbit ears….”
“Then that must be her. This year’s top entrant.”
“So she’s the disciple of the Lady of Seven Colors. She’s prettier than I heard. And….”
“The childhood friend of the lion cub. No, wait… should we call her his girlfriend?”
“Rabbit works too.”
…
Those supported by the Divine Sword Do Clan naturally had no choice but to be cautious around Do-gyeon-woo, a direct descendant of the family.
He was widely predicted to become the representative of the swordsmanship division among the first-years, and as someone who carried the expectations of the Divine Sword Do Clan, he was not a person to be trifled with.
His words were like blades.
A single sentence from him could decide their fate.
As a result, Yeon-ha-neul, known to be closely associated with him, was someone to watch carefully. If they offended her even slightly, their future might become uncertain.
But the male students, ignorant of all this, foolishly chose to harass her.
Do-gyeon-woo’s Yeon-ha-neul.
“Ugh… please let go.”
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
“If you come with us, we’ll let go.”
“What, did we ask you to pay? We said we’d buy it for you.”
They were a little tipsy, and they had some familiarity with the second-year representative, who was also a direct descendant of the Divine Sword Do Clan.
There shouldn’t be anyone from a prestigious family here.
Members of swordsmanship noble houses were attending a separate noble gathering.
Their pride was also on the line.
And so the two male students shamelessly pestered Yeon-ha-neul and Go Eun-bi, who clearly refused.
At that moment, their fate was sealed.
“Take your hands off her, unless you want to be cut down.”
…
A low, chilling voice, followed by a sharp, oppressive aura.
The two men flinched when they saw Do-gyeon-woo walking toward them through the crowd, or rather, through the path the crowd instinctively parted for him.
“I said, let go.”
…
A young man with a deep navy scabbard at his waist, looking every bit like a refined noble.
Yet the pressure he radiated did not match the festive atmosphere at all.
Even from his appearance alone, he was extraordinary. When they noticed the reactions of the people around them, they could sense that something had gone terribly wrong.
That was when reality hit them.
“Would you like to explain what’s going on?”
“Ah…”
A woman had appeared beside Do-gyeon-woo and asked them for an explanation.
Black bobbed hair, blue eyes.
She was wearing stylish clothes instead of her usual uniform, but there was no way they could fail to recognize who she was.
“Ah…”
She was Do Si-eun, known as Lightning Blossom, the student council president of Geumgang Academy.
She was also the representative of the swordsmanship division students.
Which meant the male student standing beside her must be someone of comparable standing.
“No way…”
There was only one possibility. Someone from the Divine Sword Do Clan.
They had memorized the faces of the second- and third-years, so he must be a first-year who had enrolled this year.
No matter how clueless they were, they knew the names of the Divine Sword Do Clan students who had entered this year.
Do-gyeon-woo and Do Seung-woo.
Judging by the situation, the boy standing before them had to be—
“Th-the lion cub?”
“Don’t call me by that name.”
…
Divine Sword Do Clan’s Do-gyeon-woo, known as Rabbit or the lion cub.
The moment they realized who he was, they immediately released Yeon-ha-neul’s wrist and flattened themselves before him.
“I-I’m sorry! I think we made a mistake because we were drunk! I’ll apologize like this. I’m sorry. No, I sincerely apologize.”
“We’ll apologize for being rude like this! We didn’t mean it! We’re sorry!”
…
The being standing before them could end their lives if he so desired.
There was no time to worry about dignity.
In front of everyone, they repeatedly bowed their heads to Do-gyeon-woo.
They had to bow. They had to beg.
“You’re apologizing to the wrong person.”
No matter how much they pleaded,
Do-gyeon-woo had already made up his mind.
If those bastards hadn’t let go,
I might really have cut their hands off, even if it ruined my reputation.
That’s how furious I was at what they had done.
‘You bastards… Ha-neul told me not to swear. Damn it… How dare you lay your hands on Ha-neul.’
Even I, her childhood friend of five years, never touched Yeon-ha-neul carelessly.
When I did, I was careful not to leave even a scratch.
And yet these nobodies, who wouldn’t even qualify as extras, had reached out without hesitation and roughly grabbed her wrist. Of course, it made my blood boil.
On top of that, seeing her troubled expression made emotion override reason.
“You’re apologizing to the wrong person.”
Even if they belatedly bowed and begged after realizing who I was,
I had no intention of forgiving them or letting it slide.
If I were the me from before awakening my past life, I might have hesitated, unable to be cruel, and handled things foolishly.
But the me who remembers his past life is different.
I won’t let this end here.
Before that—
“If you’re going to apologize, shouldn’t you be apologizing to them, not me?”
…
The apology owed to Yeon-ha-neul and Go Eun-bi, whom they had put in an awkward position, had to be received properly.
I spoke to the men who couldn’t lift their heads in front of me.
They weren’t completely clueless.
“We’re sorry. We forced ourselves on you and caused trouble. We… we sincerely apologize.”
“We’re sorry. We were drunk and lost our senses. I also… apologize like this.”
They immediately turned away from me and apologized to Yeon-ha-neul and Go Eun-bi.
Without being told, they even dropped to their knees and bowed their heads.
The two girls looked flustered by the sudden change in attitude.
It seemed clear that this wasn’t genuine remorse, but submission to the power of the Divine Sword Do Clan, which made them uncomfortable.
Even so, mindful of the eyes around them, they reluctantly accepted the apology.
“It’s fine, really… please raise your heads.”
“Yes, please stand up.”
“Thank you so much!”
Only then did the men lift their heads, looking as if they had aged ten years in relief.
But although the apology had been accepted, forgiveness had not been given.
Knowing that distinction clearly, I decided not to change my mind.
‘Even if Ha-neul had forgiven them, I never planned to.’
I never want to see them again in my life.
I clicked my tongue and dismissed them.
“Get lost.”
It was already humiliating enough for them to be disgraced in front of so many people by students younger than themselves.
They responded loudly in unison and immediately left.
Turning my gaze away from the figures disappearing into the crowd, I spoke to Do Si-eun.
“Noona, do you know who those guys are?”
“They know Jin-woo. They’re not that close, though.”
“Then that’s good. I’ll ask you to send me their names later.”
Do Si-eun understood exactly what I intended to do.
They knew the second-year representative, but they weren’t particularly close. Even if they were removed from the Divine Sword Do Clan’s sponsorship list, there would be no serious repercussions.
Given Do Jin-woo’s personality, he wouldn’t try to pick a fight with me over this.
This would be easy enough to handle.
I nodded at her response and turned to Gang Han-byeol.
“Thanks for stepping in.”
“It’s nothing. Friends should help each other, shouldn’t they? My master always said that if you see someone in trouble, you should never ignore it. I just did what I was supposed to do.”
“That’s the hardest thing to do.”
…
“Yeah. So, thank you.”
If Gang Han-byeol hadn’t stepped in and stopped them halfway, Yeon-ha-neul would have been put in an even more awkward position. I thanked him.
He really was protagonist material.
He looked a little embarrassed, as if he’d been praised for something that was simply obvious to him.
I gave his arm a light pat, then headed straight for Yeon-ha-neul.
“Gyeon-woo….”
“Are you okay? Let me see your wrist.”
From the moment she called my name, Yeon-ha-neul’s eyes had followed me without drifting away. When I saw her looking up at me with watery eyes, I let out a small laugh.
After getting her permission, I carefully examined the wrist that had been grabbed just moments ago.
“Those… those bastards… How hard did they squeeze you to leave a bruise?”
“It’s okay. This much can be fixed with healing magic. More importantly… thank you for helping. You were cool earlier.”
“I’ve always been cool.”
“Yeah, yeah. Listen to you brag.”
“Does it hurt? Maybe you should at least put something cold on it.”
“Then use magic to chill your hand and hold it on my wrist.”
“That’s probably best. And later, make sure you tell Han-byeol thank you.”
“Mm! I will.”
…Should I erase them anyway?
They probably hadn’t gotten far.
I stroked Yeon-ha-neul’s wrist, thinking it over.
But I needed to cool the swelling, so I forced the thought down.
“Um, Gyeon-woo? Why are you worrying about Ha-neul and not me?”
“Oh, right. You were here too.”
“Wow… that’s harsh.”
“I’m kidding. Are you okay?”
“I was startled, obviously, but I’m fine for now. Ha-neul’s wrist is the real problem. Honestly… weren’t those guys awful?”
“Agreed.”
“Ha-neul, should I chase them down and hit them?”
“If you’re going to chase them, take my sword. If they realize it’s a treasure of my family, they’ll have no choice but to let you hit them.”
“Oh? So that’s how it works?”
“No! I’m serious! I’m really fine, so you don’t have to go that far!”
“Tch. If Ha-neul says so….”
“Shame. You could’ve done a proxy murder.”
“…So, you were planning to use me!”
“Gyeon-woo’s just teasing….”
It seemed Go Eun-bi had only been argued with and hadn’t been touched physically. I felt relieved at that and then noticed Park Sa-gun approaching with a tentative sort of cheer.
Seeing us, Park Sa-gun waved like he was happy; we were all still intact.
“Guys, I’m glad you’re all okay.”
“Sa-gun, where have you been this whole time? You were with Han-byeol, and you didn’t even come help….”
“I’m really sorry about that. I was going to step in with Han-byeol, but I didn’t know how things would turn out, so I stayed behind and watched.”
“What are you talking about?”
“They might twist the truth and go around badmouthing you. So I was… recording.”
Park Sa-gun held up his phone.
A video played: the male students who had grabbed Yeon-ha-neul and Go Eun-bi, and the argument that broke out with Gang Han-byeol.
The image and audio were clear enough that they could serve as evidence if things went sideways.
So Park Sa-gun hadn’t just been standing around doing nothing.
Still…
‘There are too many eyes on us.’
Maybe because we’d caused such a scene, stares poured in from every direction.
When I listened to the whispering, I could hear my name, Yeon-ha-neul’s, and Gang Han-byeol’s being mentioned.
‘No way we can relax like this.’
Having people’s attention stuck to you like burrs was exhausting.
I might be able to shrug it off, but it was too much for Yeon-ha-neul.
We should leave.
Once I made the decision, I took the chance to introduce my friends to Do Si-eun, then brought it up.
“Noona, people keep staring, and it feels like things got messy because of me. We’d go outside and have a drink somewhere else. Is that okay?”
“We’re done with what we needed to do, so go ahead. Just don’t stay out so late that you break curfew.”
“I won’t. Thanks. If you have time, why don’t you come later too?”
“I’ve got a lot to handle today…. Thanks for inviting me, but I don’t think I can. Next time, if you get the chance, call me again. I’m interested in the disciple of the Fighting Ghost, too.”
“Then I’ll set something up next time.”
I was disappointed I couldn’t create a better opportunity for Do Si-eun and my friends to get closer, but it couldn’t be helped.
We were satisfied with exchanging greetings and decided to look forward to another time.
After parting with her, I left the exchange gathering hall with my friends.
And then we had our own afterparty.
By then, Lisa had finished her business and joined us too.
“White Bread, just you wait. I’m going to take first place this time! Midterms, I’m coming for you!”
“She’s drinking like it’s water…. Hey. Slow down.”
“Don’t stop me! Don’t you dare stop me! You think I’d lose to some stupid alcohol?!”
For some reason, Min A-rin, who should’ve been at the noble gathering, came looking for us.
The moment she sat down, she started drinking without a word.
It was like she was trying to drown her anger in liquor.
“I’m Min A-rin, okay? Min A-rin…. Just, hic, wait…. I will, I swear….”
In the end,
That night, I had to carry the completely drunk Min A-rin on my back.
With one hand, I held Yeon-ha-neul’s hand.
‘…Wait. Wasn’t it her wrist that hurt?’
I’d been holding her wrist during the drinking too, keeping it cold.
So, when did it turn into me holding her hand instead?
I decided not to think too hard about it.
“Why? Is there something on my face?”
“…No. It’s nothing.”
Because Yeon-ha-neul looked like she liked it.
That was enough.
“Are you drunk?”
“I might be a little.”
“Yeah, you look like it. Your face is totally relaxed right now. Even the corners of your mouth are lifting like this.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“Then what about your face?”
“Mine’s the same as always.”
“Doesn’t look like it to me.”
“More importantly, you know the way back to the dorm, right? If you don’t, just trust your teacher and follow along.”
“It’s dark. Watch your step so you don’t trip.”
“…Okay!”
The exchange gathering hall of the Divine Sword Do Clan.
Do Seung-woo, who had attended the afterparty with the noble-house members, sank into thought.
‘So, he can react like that.’
A little while ago, the expression on his cousin Do-gyeon-woo’s face had been strikingly unusual.
He’d always been so sickeningly kind that it was irritating, the type who hesitated to swing a sword and was terrified of hurting someone.
Even if that side of him had dulled after his personality changed five years ago, Do Seung-woo had believed the core of him hadn’t really changed.
But then—
Take your hands off her, unless you want to be cut down.
In that moment, Do-gyeon-woo had shown an emotion Do Seung-woo had never seen before.
A pressure that looked like he might swing without hesitation, carried away by feeling.
It was shocking.
He’d never shown that side, not even to Do Seung-woo, whom he hated so much.
That was why his attention turned elsewhere.
To the cause of Do-gyeon-woo’s anger.
‘Is she that precious to you?’
Yeon-ha-neul, the disciple of the Lady of Seven Colors.
Do-gyeon-woo’s childhood friend.
He’d heard about her plenty, but today had been the first time he’d seen her face.
And now he understood how Do-gyeon-woo would react if someone laid a hand on her.
“So that’s what it is….”
Looking back, Do Seung-woo had carried an inferiority complex ever since his first spar with Do-gyeon-woo as a child.
Even when he was called a prodigy, it was the same.
He had always feared that if Do-gyeon-woo fixed his weak temperament, he might steal his place, that his own limits might be exposed.
So, he stepped on him.
So, he would never rise again.
And yet Do-gyeon-woo didn’t break. He clawed his way up and eventually took what should have been Do Seung-woo’s position.
The fear became reality.
A reality he didn’t want to accept.
To Do Seung-woo, Do-gyeon-woo’s very existence provoked his inferiority and made him feel miserable.
And the way Do-gyeon-woo stood so confidently, as if he had no idea what was happening inside Do Seung-woo’s chest, as if he could look down on him like he was nothing, was unbearable.
‘I’ve found your weakness.’
So, he wanted to torment him.
He wanted to see his face collapse.
He wanted to hurt him.
He wanted him to taste humiliation.
He wanted to stir his heart up until it trembled.
He wanted to prove that he was not someone who could be dismissed so carelessly.
And Do Seung-woo’s interest didn’t stop at Yeon-ha-neul. It extended to Gang Han-byeol as well.
‘He seemed close to the disciple of the Fighting Ghost.’
Do Seung-woo had watched Do-gyeon-woo for a long time.
Even if he didn’t know the reason, he could guess how much Do-gyeon-woo trusted Gang Han-byeol.
‘So, he really is that strong, then.’
Do Seung-woo had always regarded Do-gyeon-woo as a rival.
No, at some point, he’d started wanting Do-gyeon-woo to recognize him as one.
The way Do Seung-woo treated him as an opponent, he wanted Do-gyeon-woo to treat him the same way.
But reality didn’t allow it.
By now, the gap between them was unmistakable.
Do Seung-woo wasn’t an opponent.
It was infuriating. Humiliating.
And there was no way he could like Gang Han-byeol, who stood at Do-gyeon-woo’s side, who seemed to be regarded by Do-gyeon-woo as a proper rival.
He was jealous.
‘Then I’ll make them kneel. I’ll force you to look my way. When that happens, you won’t be able to ignore me like you do now.’
With his heart twisted tight by inferiority, hatred, and jealousy, the boss of the first-year, first-semester midterm exam curled his lips into a smile.
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