Shared Moments, Deeper Bonds
A week had already passed since we entered the Academy City.
During that time, we’d grown somewhat accustomed to sharing the same room.
But only somewhat.
Even though we’d known each other for five years, living together revealed parts of each other we hadn’t noticed before, and how we cared for each other changed.
Especially between men and women.
As a result, several incidents occurred.
“Still, it wasn’t bad…”
In a way, that week allowed us to understand each other far better than our five years of acquaintance.
It might sound odd, but I learned more about her in that shared week than in our five years of knowing each other.
Of course, the five years laid the foundation for that week—I mustn’t forget that.
In that sense.
“Shall I comb your hair for you?”
“What?”
On the morning of the practical exam, after finishing preparations to depart for Jinjang Academy, I asked Yeon Haneul, who was sitting at the vanity brushing her hair.
She stared at me in the mirror with a bewildered expression.
“Why suddenly?”
“Every time I watch you brush your hair, I feel like trying it myself. Could we do it as a memento of living together?”
“There’s no connection between ‘living together’ and combing hair… Plus, if someone overhears ‘living together,’ they might misunderstand.”
“Why? We did live together.”
“We shared a space.”
“Same thing, right?”
“It’s totally different for me! And saying ‘lived together’ in the past tense makes it sound like we divorced. We’re not even married yet!”
“No one thinks that…”
“I do.”
“I don’t get you sometimes.”
“Jiun.”
“What?”
“I was about to say the same thing. I don’t get you sometimes.”
She stopped brushing, sighed deeply, and glared at me in the mirror.
Our shared week seems to hold no significance after all.
“How about we compromise with ‘slept together’?”
“…Um, don’t you think that’ll cause more misunderstandings?”
“But it’s the truth.”
“We didn’t sleep together, we lived together. Let’s compromise with ‘shared a space’.”
“Same thing, right?”
“It’s different, totally different!”
She once lent me a book.
It likened women to Venusians and men to Martians.
I didn’t quite get it back then, but now I understand—our clash over a single word makes sense.
There’s an invisible distance between men and women, as vast as the gap between Mars and Venus, that defies understanding.
Not just between genders, but perhaps between all people—only by closing such gaps can we truly understand each other.
“So, is it okay?”
“My hair isn’t a toy, you know?”
“I’m good at combing. I’ve brushed Ye Eun’s hair a few times. I’m also good at tying it.”
“Hmm… So?”
“I’ve even brushed Mong Sil’s fur…”
“Am I a rabbit now?”
“You’re Yeon Haneul.”
“Phew… Do you really want to comb that badly?”
“Of course.”
Even so, when I pressed strongly, Yeon Haneul reluctantly agreed with a resigned look.
After shooting me a glance, she raised the comb in her hand.
A signal to hand it over.
“Alright. But just for a moment, okay? If your bad combing messes up my hair and makes me late for the exam, I’ll blame you.”
“Got it. Don’t worry—I won’t ruin your hair with bad combing.”
“Still, you never know.”
Taking the comb from Yeon Haneul, I stood behind her.
As I touched her cascading hair, her rabbit-like ears twitched.
“Don’t ruin my hair. Don’t be nervous.”
“Who said I’m nervous?”
“Oh, right? Then I’ll comb.”
The hair on my palm was incredibly soft.
As always, I marveled—Yeon Haneul’s hair, like her namesake, held a sky-blue hue that felt mystical.
I gently combed her hair…
“Ah… Does it hurt?”
“I’m being careful not to hurt you.”
She gradually relaxed, having tensed up from entrusting her hair to me.
“How is it? Refreshing?”
“‘Refreshing’ feels off, but you’re doing well.”
“There are quite a few white hairs, though?”
“…What?”
“Oh, your hair’s naturally like that, right?”
“Surprise me… Stop joking.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
After finishing up, we headed toward Jinjang Academy.
Jinjang Academy had so many applicants that the first practical exam was held across multiple venues.
Obviously, we couldn’t just take the exam at any random location—we had to go to the assigned spot based on our exam numbers.
“I was worried about getting lost in the vast grounds, but thankfully the directions to the exam venue are well-marked.”
“Hmm, let’s see. Ours is…”
“The dormitory’s over there. Let’s go.”
By chance, we were assigned to the same location.
Upon arriving at Jinjang Academy, we followed the academy’s guidance and walked toward the exam site.
As we neared the practical exam venue, the crowds that had buzzed at the entrance thinned out.
We finally entered the dormitory.
“…”
“…There are so many.”
Dormitory Room 105.
Upon entering the practical exam site, I scanned the people already there.
They were looking at us too.
Their gazes felt piercing.
“Jiun…”
“Don’t be scared. Why would you be scared?”
“It’s not that—I’m telling you to be careful.”
“I know.”
Sensing those gazes, Yeon Haneul subtly grabbed my collar.
I stepped forward to shield her, trying to figure out why their attention lingered on us.
I soon realized the reason.
Is it because of our exam tickets?
Yeon Haneul and I had answered all the questions, turning our exam tickets black.
This drew attention from the other examinees.
Meanwhile, I could hear their murmurs.
“He solved all 30 questions?”
“Wow, black…”
“Ugh, why are we assigned to the same place as those guys?”
“We can’t get involved with them.”
Expressions of surprise, admiration, and sighs.
The examinees spoke like this.
Some seemed to know about us.
“If it’s black, they must be from a prestigious family—wonder who they are?”
“Wait, the kid with rabbit ears… Isn’t she the Seven-Colored Witch’s disciple?”
“The Seven-Colored Witch has a disciple? I’m hearing this for the first time…”
“Hey, is the Seven-Colored Witch our friend? Now that you’re becoming a Hunter, you should know to add ‘-nim’ after your name.”
“Come to think of it, I heard her disciple was applying to the Academy from the Magic Tower. Damn, she applied to Jinjang Academy.”
“What about the person next to her? They’re also black…”
Hong Yeona, known as the Seven-Colored Witch, had grown famous, and she was set to become a professor at the Academy this year.
It seemed quite a few knew about Yeon Haneul because of that.
“Ugh… This is embarrassing…”
“What’s embarrassing? Just enjoy it. You’ll become even more famous in the future.”
Yeon Haneul herself seemed unfamiliar with being recognized by the examinees.
I shrugged, smiling at her reaction.
Hmm, I wonder what they’re saying about me.
Curiosity got the better of me.
I decided to eavesdrop.
“The person next to her must be that kid. Didn’t the Seven-Colored Witch’s disciple grow up with a childhood friend?”
“Oh—him?”
Yeah, me.
The middle boss’s childhood friend.
“Seeing the sword on his hip, it must be him, right?”
“Who is he?”
“He’s from the Swordsmanship Noble House, you know!”
“Which one?”
“Shinjeom Doga!”
“…One of the Ten Great Houses?”
“He’s from Shinjeom Doga?!”
Yeah, me.
Currently, the most promising young talent at Shinjeom Doga, alongside Dosun.
“Don’t you know Dodogam? Haven’t you been to the sword hall?”
“Why? Is he famous?”
“Famous! Haven’t you heard the story about him not being able to catch a rabbit and becoming a family joke?”
“Ah! The Divine Sword Sect’s ‘Rabbit’!”
“That story’s famous. Whenever kids at the sword hall don’t want to train, the instructors warn them, ‘Don’t end up like him…’”
…I never knew my story was that well-known.
Suddenly, I felt annoyed.
“Still, ‘Rabbit’ is old news, right?”
“I heard he’s changed… for the better.”
Yes, that’s the story I wanted to hear.
I tried to calm myself.
“They say he’s not like before, but honestly, the ‘Rabbit’ tale is so strong I wonder if it’s true.”
“He hasn’t made any public appearances, so it’s weird how well-known the ‘Rabbit’ story is, isn’t it?”
“Noble families probably don’t know, right?”
“They’re skeptical too…”
“But now he’s not called ‘Rabbit’ anymore? They use a different nickname?”
“What nickname? I’ve never heard it.”
“Is there another one besides ‘Rabbit’?”
“For sure, the Divine Sword Sect people call him that now.”
The examinees’ gazes poured in.
I stood tall, shoulders squared, under their stares.
I heard praise.
“Lion cub.”
“They’re calling him ‘Lion cub.’”
“Is that an insult or compliment?”
“Probably a compliment? If it were an insult, they’d call him ‘rabbit cub.’”
“Is ‘Lion cub’ an insult? If it’s a compliment, wouldn’t they say ‘cub lion’?”
“Lion cub, cub lion, lion cub, cub lion, lion cub…”
“‘Lion cub’—strangely, this one rolls off the tongue better.”
…Damn it.
Hundreds repeated the same phrase.
I scowled.
My hand unconsciously reached for my sword.
“Jiun, no! Hold on! Stop!”
“I was planning to loosen up before the exam—perfect timing. Let’s just…”
“What are you going to do with a sword?!”
“A sword’s for cutting, so I’ll cut.”
“You’ll commit murder…”
“It’s fine. I can fight with a reverse blade.”
“When did I tell you to have fun? What if you cause trouble and get disqualified?!”
“Are you comparing yourself to me?”
“Still, calm down. Be good, be good… If you cause problems and get kicked out, what then?”
Yeon Haneul stopped me.
Instead, I decided to remember those guys’ faces.
If I meet them in the exam, I won’t let them off.
“Hey! Jiun!”
“Over here! Over here!”
“You’re in the same place as us!”
The triplets were also in the exam hall.
The guys we hadn’t seen in a week waved at us, saying they were glad to see us.
As I approached them, I noticed the exam tickets pinned to their chests.
At least they’re not completely blank.
The triplets’ tickets were red.
They must’ve worked hard while we were apart.
Five years of being roasted were worth it.
Though the game never mentioned it, the triplets from the game probably didn’t get red either.
Probably.
Or maybe they need to be pushed harder.
“What’s with that face?”
“Why do you look like you’re complimenting a stray dog?”
“This feels oddly annoying.”
“Anyway, congrats on not failing outright. Your bonus points are decent. Looking around, not many got red.”
“Is that something you should say?”
“Wow, black… How’d you solve everything? Did heaven help you?”
“So far, it seems like only you two in this hall got black.”
“Feels that way.”
Even without the triplets pointing it out, I’d already sized up the examinees around us.
Though a bit of time remained until the practical exam began, it seemed only Yeon Haneul and I had solved all the problems.
That’s when Go Eunbi approached.
“Wow, you’re in the same exam hall! Meeting again here. Do you remember me?”
“I remember your name. It’s Go Eunbi, right?”
“Yeah! You remembered! I remembered yours too. Jiun and Haneul, right?”
I hadn’t expected to share an exam hall with Go Eunbi.
Seeing her again made me happy.
She seemed the same.
Then, she gave a wry smile.
“Turns out both of you are insanely famous. I was really surprised hearing what people were saying earlier. Did I do anything wrong to you?”
“No, but there was that time… when Haneul tried to touch your ear.”
“Ah… I was rude back then, wasn’t I? I apologized last time, but if I hurt your feelings, I’m sorry again. Sorry, Haneul.”
“No! Don’t worry about it. Jiun’s just joking. I wasn’t upset, so don’t mind it.”
“Oh, is that it? Then… can I touch it once?”
“That’s off-limits.”
“Aww….”
Yeon Haneul, hiding behind me, still seemed uneasy around Go Eunbi but spoke up anyway.
Go Eunbi looked disappointed by Yeon Haneul’s sharp reply.
But Go Eunbi was Go Eunbi.
She quickly cheered up and changed the subject.
“By the way, Jiun, since you’re from the Ten Great Houses, there are two people from them here. I overheard people saying that guy over there is also from the Ten Great Houses.”
“Really? Who?”
There’s someone from the Ten Great Houses here?
Intrigued by her words, I looked where she pointed.
“Over there.”
“…”
“See the guy in the black uniform? He’s pretty tanned.”
“Oh, him.”
“He’s from the Yihae Yong family. Do you know him? He’s been staring at you since earlier.”
“…We’re not acquainted. Not yet, at least.”
“But you look like you know him.”
“I’ve heard rumors.”
“Ah, I see.”
Short, spiky hair.
Fierce, sharp eyes.
A black uniform matching his hair, styled in an old-fashioned way that stood out.
Muscles bulging beneath it, with small scars scattered across.
Skin darkened by the sun, captivating to women.
A man exuding a vibe that seemed both mountain bandit and pirate.
He’s also in this exam hall.
As someone from the Ten Great Houses, he’d inevitably cross paths with the protagonist, Kang Hanbyeol, and this guy was one of them.
No, he had more weight than a mere plot device.
Like me and Go Eunbi, he was a character players could develop—Kang Hanbyeol’s party member.
“Ah, he’s coming this way?”
…
Yong Heerang, from the Yihae Yong family, one of the Ten Great Houses.
Does he have business with me?
Seems so.
Yong Heerang was a character whose chemistry with Kang Hanbyeol was so strong, they were called soulmates in the game.
[Kang Hanbyeol & Yong Heerang]
—Kang Hanbyeol!
—Yong Heerang!
—Cross!
They had so many similar scenes in the game that the community shipped their friendship…
Stop dwelling on it. Maybe it’s because it’s a rebirth, but my memory’s fuzzy. Hmm.
Anyway.
I quite liked Yong Heerang.
While his passionate personality might be polarizing, he was a decent damage dealer.
Most importantly…
That’s a real man.
Look at that skin and muscle!
How cool.
If Yong Heerang weren’t a comedic character, fiercely combative, simple-minded, and not indifferent to romance, he’d definitely be super popular.
If Kang Hanbyeol weren’t the protagonist, Yong Heerang might’ve been.
“You’re Dodogam from the Divine Sword Sect, right? Solving all the problems means you’re that strong. Nice to meet you! I’m Yong Heerang.”
Yong Heerang extended his hand.
I decided to greet him, seeing his black exam ticket.
“Nice to meet you too. Your black ticket means you’re pretty capable, huh?”
“I solved them with perseverance and spirit! Next time, how about we spar?”
…Sure, if the chance comes up.
As expected.
He casually invited me to spar, quite the fighter.
The problem is, his invitation isn’t just a formality—terrifying.
Not wanting to spar with him, I naturally deferred to some distant future.
If I become sparring buddies with him, I’ll be in big trouble. He’ll chase me around asking to spar all the time?
Liking someone and forming a relationship are two different things.
Avoiding unnecessary headaches is best.
Leaving the sparring to Kang Hanbyeol is wiser.
The protagonist deals with that.
As a non-protagonist, I’ll just coast along, taking what I can.
It’s a relief not to be the protagonist.
Feeling satisfied,
I exchanged a few words with Yong Heerang.
Before long,
“From now on, anyone entering the exam hall will be disqualified! The exam begins now!”
The first practical exam commenced.
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