The academy city, the stage of the game.
In my past life, the southernmost point of Korea was Mara Island, but in the world I was reborn into, the southernmost point was the academy city.
“Kwon-woo, look! There it is!”
“…Yeah, I see it now.”
“To think humans built an island like that—it’s truly amazing…”
After the captain announced we’d soon see the academy city,
I and Yeon Ha-neul, who had been loafing around in the cabin, joined the others on deck to take in the sight.
A faint silhouette on the horizon was gradually revealing itself.
“This is my first time seeing it in person. No wonder Ha-neul is so impressed.”
Listening to Yeon Ha-neul’s chatter,
I recalled the game’s descriptions of the academy city.
An artificial island composed of 25 administrative districts, like a scaled-down Seoul.
A hub of educational institutions for training top-notch Hunters.
A haven for Korean Hunters, where autonomy is guaranteed by Hunters themselves.
A place with a dark side, a lawless zone for the powerful.
“So I’ll be spending three years in such a place.”
As someone who loved this game in my past life, my heart raced, yet thinking of the challenges ahead made it hard to feel purely excited.
Still, I decided to savor this moment for now.
The triplets, however, were a different story.
“Ugh….”
“…”
Ever since boarding the ship from Jeju Island, the triplets had been hit hard by severe seasickness.
The ones who followed us to the deck couldn’t even properly see the academy city, just repeatedly heaving over the rail.
Clutching the railing as if dying, they vomited into the sea—a pitiful sight.
Seeing them, I couldn’t help but sigh.
“Why are you struggling so much when we haven’t been on the ship that long?”
“Have you ever experienced seasickness?”
“Have I ever…?!”
“Have you…? Ugh!”
Pathetic, just pathetic.
That those guys are my subordinates is embarrassing.
Or is it because they’re my subordinates that they act like this?
I clicked my tongue in disapproval.
“Seriously, how can you want to be Hunters if you can’t handle seasickness?”
“That’s why Ha-neul was supposed to cast a seasickness-relief spell… Ugh!”
“You told me not to rely on magic… Ugh!”
“You said not to depend on magic, especially when it might fail or be unusable. What if you can’t fight because of seasickness? As swordsmen, you shouldn’t rely on magic.”
“You’re such a… prude… Ugh!”
Yeon Ha-neul seemed worried about the triplets, but they’d be fine. I knew their stamina, and if they were really dying, they wouldn’t have the strength to complain.
Despite their appearance, they’d grown under my guidance for five years.
And I’m not a prude.
“I’m just speaking the truth.”
One shouldn’t rely on magic.
To grow stronger, one must improve and train oneself without depending on magic.
Whether seasickness can be overcome without magic is uncertain, but I hold no ill will toward the triplets.
In fact, I’ve grown fond of them.
That’s why I’m being tough, yeah.
“Why did we have to take the ship…?”
“We’re not short on money…”
“We could’ve taken the warp gate…”
Even after finding some stability, the triplets didn’t stop complaining.
They seemed genuinely dissatisfied with taking the ship.
“I can’t blame them entirely.”
To enter the academy city, one must transit through Jeju Island due to security measures.
There were three main ways to enter:
One, taking a ship like us.
Two, flying.
Three…
“The warp gate—if we’d used it, we wouldn’t be suffering like this…”
“Was looking forward to taking the warp gate…”
“Warp gate…”
The triplets endlessly muttered about the warp gate.
An artifact essential to humanity’s survival after the Great Calamity, the warp gate allows teleportation between coordinates by reducing the distance to zero.
“But it’s not cheap.”
Of course, for me, a direct descendant of the Shin-Gum Do clan, the cost isn’t burdensome.
The triplets, sponsored by our family, and Yeon Ha-neul, sponsored by the Witch of Seven Colors, could’ve afforded it too.
Yet I chose to take the ship.
“Strong Star did the same.”
In the game Brave Hearts, after descending from the mountains under Tutor Seung-jin’s guidance, Strong Star takes a ship to the academy city, marking the end of the prologue.
Strong Star
“Wow, that’s the academy city!”
At that moment, players got to see the academy city through Strong Star’s eyes, just like we’re seeing it now.
I chose the ship to recreate that scene from the game.
Most importantly…
“Ha-neul wanted to take a ship.”
It was last year.
While preparing for the written exam with Yeon Ha-neul, she suddenly mentioned:
“The academy city is an artificial island, right? So living there must mean seeing the sea a lot?”
“Probably. Why?”
“No reason… I’ve never seen the sea before, so I wanted to see it with my own eyes.”
“Never seen the sea?”
“Yeah, never. Why would I have a reason to go?”
“…”
“Only seen it in photos and videos.”
In the five years since Yeon Ha-neul became my childhood friend and started visiting our family,
I realized we’d never taken her to the sea.
“And I saw a photo of the academy city floating on the sea—it was so beautiful. I thought, ‘There’s a place like that in our country?’”
“The academy city has unstable dimensions and different atmospheric mana, creating a unique environment.”
“Right, that’s why it feels mysterious. Oh, I really want to go. See the sea, ride a ship, and witness the scenery from that photo. But first, we need to pass the written exam.”
“Then we must pass.”
“Yeah! We have to.”
That memory stuck with me.
I decided to take the ship to fulfill Yeon Ha-neul’s wish.
And it was the right choice.
“The view is so beautiful. Even the color of the sea has changed. It really is different from the surroundings.”
Yeon Ha-neul was delighted.
That’s what matters.
The triplets don’t get it.
I called out to the ones still sprawled on the deck.
“Gold, Silver, Bronze.”
“…”
“Instead of moping, go inside and get us something to drink.”
“They’re struggling, and you…”
“Ha-neul, what would you like to drink?”
“Me? Hmm… The sea breeze is blowing, and it’s a bit chilly, so I’d like something warm and sweet. Like warm strawberry milk? If not, anything with strawberries or chocolate.”
“Got it. I’ll have a hot chocolate, please. Warm, not iced.”
Yeon Ha-neul no longer hesitated to boss the triplets around.
She’d grown used to it, even suggesting menu items naturally.
Meanwhile, the triplets’ faces soured at being sent on errands.
“Ha-neul’s gone soft…”
“Looks like we’ll be running errands for life…”
“Maybe I should get her mint chocolate…”
“Stop complaining and go. And if you bring mint chocolate, you know what’ll happen.”
Then I’d toss them into the sea.
I don’t hate mint chocolate; it’s just not my taste.
Anyway, after sending the triplets off, I approached Yeon Ha-neul.
She let out a soft giggle.
“You act so tough, but you’re worried about the triplets, aren’t you? You could’ve just told them to rest inside. Why make them… You’re shy, aren’t you?”
“…”
No, really not.
Yeon Ha-neul was misunderstanding.
I decided to let her think what she wanted.
Correcting her would take too long and might come off as excuses.
“Let’s just enjoy the view.”
“Yeah! By the way, it’s cold…”
“Can’t you warm up with magic?”
“…You said not to rely on magic.”
“You can.”
“Why can I?”
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
“…”
“You’re a magician, and I’m a swordsman. If one side is at a disadvantage, the other can…”
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
“What?”
“Nothing. Oh, my hands are getting numb too.”
“Just use magic to warm up.”
“…”
“Or we could go inside and warm up.”
“Forget it. Let’s just wait for the warm drinks the triplets bring and warm up like this. Let’s keep watching the sea.”
The triplets brought the drinks.
Then, saying they’d rest inside, they handed over the drinks and left.
Phew.
Sipping the hot chocolate they’d brought,
I opened my status window.
[Personal Info]
Name: Do Kwon-woo (Male · 17)
Nickname: Rabbit + 2 others [+Details]
Affiliation: Raon Middle School
[Gifts Held]
Evasion Instinct
[Physical Stats]
Stamina: 37 → 65 (62 + 3)
Strength: 34 → 59
Endurance: 32 → 55
Agility: 43 → 71 (68 + 3)
Mana: 30 → 48
Luck: 25 → 32
Remaining Points: 1 [+Details]
Five years of growth were recorded.
Stamina, strength, endurance, and agility had risen significantly.
Internal mana hadn’t increased much, but mana efficiency had improved.
Luck hadn’t risen much since I’d paid less attention to it.
Still, it was a satisfying result.
Yet, there was some regret.
“If I’d had a proper environment, I could’ve raised them higher…”
As each stat surpassed 50, growth slowed.
Required experience increased, and the threshold to push myself to the limit rose.
Thus, regular training had its limits in raising stats.
“But in Academy City, through training and experiencing the game’s story, they’ll rise again.”
I decided not to dwell on the regret.
My thoughts shifted elsewhere.
“Still haven’t met Strong Star.”
In the game, Strong Star entered not through exams but by some agreement between Seung-jin and the principal.
Already in the spotlight as Tugui’s disciple, he’d draw even more attention.
It was his protagonist fate.
He’s probably still under Seung-jin, unaware of the exam, training away.
So, meeting Strong Star would have to wait until after entering Gangnam Academy.
“What are you thinking so hard about?”
Yeon Ha-neul, noticing I was lost in thought, spoke up.
I decided to brush it off.
“…Just thinking about the exam. Gangnam Academy’s practical exam is notoriously difficult.”
“Are you nervous now? You said Gangnam Academy was a piece of cake before.”
“I never said it was a piece of cake.”
“But you implied we’d definitely get in. You said we’re strong, so no matter what the exam throws at us, we’d pass. The triplets would follow too, even if they’re not impressive. Now you’re changing your tune?”
“No, we’ll make it.”
“Then there’s nothing to worry about. Whatever Gangnam Academy’s exam is like, we’ll do well. Right?”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Despite no guarantee of passing, Yeon Ha-neul took my words at face value.
Seeing her carefree smile, I couldn’t help but smirk.
Then, someone approached.
“Are you guys also heading to Gangnam Academy for the exam?”
“…”
“I heard you mention Gangnam Academy just now. If not, sorry.”
A woman with a friendly smile approached us.
She had brown hair and spoke without hesitation, despite being a stranger.
“I recognize her.”
I knew her from the game—Go Eun-bi, one of Strong Star’s party members.
The self-proclaimed “cool girl.”
I hadn’t expected to see her on the same ship.
“This is a chance to make our acquaintance.”
“We’re applying to Gangnam Academy. Are you too?”
According to the game’s lore, Go Eun-bi, a ranger-type character, was outgoing and good at making friends, making her a well-known figure in Gangnam Academy.
Yet, she’d often say…
Go Eun-bi
“Ugh, why would I be popular? I don’t have many friends. I’m a cool girl, a cool girl!”
This trickster.
In my past life, seeing that message left me speechless.
How could someone with so many friends claim to have few?
No wonder her nicknames in the game were “self-proclaimed cool girl,” “kind trickster,” and “social butterfly.”
She’d often gather information for the clueless Strong Star.
“Great! I’m applying there too. Meeting someone from the same academy here makes me really happy. I’m Go Eun-bi. Let’s get along.”
Since she approached first, it was a good opportunity.
I’d been planning to approach her anyway.
“I’m Do Kwon-woo. Nice to meet you.”
“So your name is Do Kwon-woo. If we meet during the exam, let’s collaborate then.”
“Depends on the exam content. If we’re opponents, can’t help it, but otherwise, I won’t hold back.”
“That’s what I’m saying. Let’s have a friendly competition! No holding each other back.”
Go Eun-bi nodded vigorously, her cheerful face matching her game persona.
“She’s like a friendly, cute puppy.”
In the game community, Go Eun-bi was often likened to a Welsh Corgi.
There was even a famous meme of her as a brown puppy holding a “Info” bone, wagging her tail for praise.
“The meme even had her barking ‘Mung!’”
Remembering it, I felt more affinity toward Go Eun-bi.
But…
“She’s bold.”
Unlike me, Yeon Ha-neul hid behind me, shy.
Go Eun-bi’s friendly smile didn’t seem to reach her.
Yet, undeterred, Go Eun-bi spoke to Yeon Ha-neul.
“Won’t you tell me your name? Since I boarded, my gaze keeps going to you. I love pretty people! Your hair is really beautiful. Is it natural or dyed?”
“…I’m Yeon Ha-neul. Hi.”
“Hi! Can I touch your ears? Wow, bunny ears…”
“Um… sorry.”
As Go Eun-bi tried to close the distance, Yeon Ha-neul hid completely behind me.
She was pushing my back, whispering,
“Do something. I’m not good with people that lively and flashy!”
“Just act like you do with me…”
“How can I act like I do with you? You’re close, but she’s a stranger. Plus, her ‘cool girl’ vibe is overwhelming…”
“You’re the cool girl here.”
“She’s really a cool girl.”
Hearing Yeon Ha-neul’s plea, I sighed.
Reluctantly, I stepped in to smooth things over.
“She’s just shy. Also, ains’ ears are sensitive, so don’t touch them without permission. Same with tails. Hope you understand.”
“Oh, I didn’t know. Sorry for trying to touch without asking.”
“…It’s okay.”
Go Eun-bi wasn’t clueless.
She grasped Yeon Ha-neul’s discomfort and carefully avoided pressuring her.
After a few more words, she waved goodbye.
“I’ll head back to my friends. Kwon-woo, Ha-neul, see you later!”
“Yeah, see you.”
“…Goodbye, take care.”
Finally, the ship docked.
Buildings with a near-future vibe and the World Tree, partially obscured by clouds, loomed above us.
“This passenger ship is docking at Academy City. We sincerely thank all passengers for choosing our service. Please check for any belongings and disembark following the crew’s guidance. Lastly, we wish all examinees good luck.”
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