Chapter 8: Where are you going to feed the sweet potatoes?(2)

I didn’t like him.

That was my first impression of the man.

During the Academy entrance exam, in the fourth test—a two-person team—I was paired with a black-haired man.

His ugly mask was off-putting, but his carefree attitude, as if the exam was no big deal, was even more irritating.

While other applicants were busy strategizing, what gave him the confidence to stand there silently?

I thought about speaking to him first but decided against it.

A beauty like me talking to an ugly guy? That’d happen only if the world turned upside down.

It’d be my loss.

This test evaluates teamwork with a stranger, but there’s another way to score high.

By showing an overwhelming gap compared to others.

The moment that arrogant ugly guy made a fool of himself, I’d step in, gracefully defeat the beasts, and everything would be perfect.

Yes, that’s how it should’ve gone…

[Clear Time: 1.33 seconds.]

– D-rank beasts: 2 defeated.

– E-rank beasts: 10 defeated.

[Exam concluded.]

What just happened?

Even after the exam ended, I couldn’t grasp what had occurred.

After entering the artificial test gate, the ugly guy vanished like he’d evaporated.

In the blink of an eye, the exam was over.

Outside, some examiners were whispering in low amazement.

“1.33 seconds? Isn’t that a record? His profile says human, but is that a lie?”

“Minhoo Seol, Minhoo Seol… Doesn’t seem like he’s from a famous family, but impressive.”

“Impressive? That’s insane! How do you defeat them all in one second?”

“Hmm. The beasts weren’t even grouped together. How did he pinpoint their locations in such a wide gate? Fascinating.”

They all showered him with praise.

Calling him a once-in-a-generation talent.

That ugly guy was supposed to be my comparison, my laughingstock—why?

A strange resentment boiled deep inside.

I can’t let it end like this.

I approached an examiner immediately.

“Um, excuse me! I have a favor to ask…”

“Oh? The lady who went in with applicant Minhoo Seol?”

“Yes, that’s me… I didn’t do anything in the exam, so my score will probably be low. Could I retake it alone?”

“That’s tough. Even if you didn’t do anything and got carried, that clear time will earn you a decent score. Don’t worry. Think of it as getting a free ride.”

Carried? Me?

The examiner’s words made my anger flare even more.

I had to prove my skills somehow.

“Please! If you let me retake it, afterward…”

So, I made an offer. A tempting one no man could refuse.

I leaned in close, whispering in his ear so others couldn’t hear.

As expected, his face flushed. Typical men.

I deliberately approached a decent-looking examiner because talking to ugly men is torture.

“Well, it’s not usually allowed, but… ahem! If you’re that desperate, maybe I can pull some strings?”

“Thank you!”

The examiner leaned in and muttered,

“Ahem. You’ll stick around after, right?”

*

[Clear Time: 36 minutes, 32 seconds.]

– D-rank beasts: 2 defeated.

– E-rank beasts: 10 defeated.

[Exam concluded.]

Pant, pant.

Not bad.

The average clear time, from what I saw, was about an hour.

36 minutes alone was upper-tier.

Yet, the sense of defeat in my chest didn’t fade.

‘His name was Minhoo Seol…’

How did he clear it in one second?

Does he have some wide-area annihilation skill?

It pissed me off.

He just got lucky with a good skill, didn’t he?

Some of us have been working tirelessly since childhood!

No matter how hard I try, I can’t even touch a genius’s toes?

‘Grrr…’

Blood dripped from my tightly clenched fist.

I couldn’t accept getting a lower score than that ugly guy.

I refused to acknowledge he was a genius.

Based on his performance, that Minhoo Seol guy would definitely take top entrant.

I can’t let that happen.

No matter what, I’ll…

I’ll drag him down from that high place.

The crown belongs to noble, beautiful people like me.

An ugly guy worse than a beast doesn’t deserve such an honor.

*

Plip.

A bead of sweat from my chin hit the floor.

Was it the unexpected situation?

I tried to keep a calm expression, but I couldn’t stop the cold sweat.

‘Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?’

I grabbed my trembling left arm with my right to steady it.

‘Why? How? That’s impossible!’

The small crystal orb before me.

The letters floating above it.

º Fairin

º Block

My eyes darted, trying to make sense of it.

‘I’m sure when I handed it to that bald professor, it showed “Minhoo Seol.”’

I’d paid and offered my body to a skilled underworld spellmaster to tamper with the crystal.

The Crystal of Truth is said to be untamperable, but B-rank or higher spells can manipulate it.

However, the “Distortion Spell” and “Invisibility Spell” required are legally banned.

Few spellmasters know those spells, and B-rank spellmasters are rare, so I thought it’d never be discovered.

So why was it exposed?

My gaze turned to the man sitting across from the Director.

Abyssal black hair and eyes like dark crystals.

Even with his hair carelessly tied back, his beauty was undimmed.

A face that could enchant men, women, beasts, even inanimate objects—my gaze lingered briefly before returning to reality, assessing the situation.

‘Did that man dispel the spells? Is he a high-rank spellmaster?’

While thinking of every possible excuse to escape this,

“Why so quiet?”

The Director glared with murderous intent.

My thoughts stopped.

The sharp killing intent pierced my body. I instinctively knew a flimsy excuse would cost me my life.

All I could do was bow my head, admitting my guilt.

“Judging by your reaction, you admit to tampering with the crystal?”

I struggled to open my glued lips, but no words came.

I glanced up, meeting the Director’s and the spellmaster’s piercing stares, then lowered my head again.

“I’ll take your silence as confirmation.”

What’s going to happen to me now?

As I trembled in fear, the spellmaster man stood.

Step. Step.

He walked toward me, gently placing a hand on my shoulder.

Creaking like a rusted machine, I turned and met his eyes.

Such a beautiful, striking man.

Even in fear, looking at him calmed my heart.

He looked away, walked滴

walking behind me, and said,

“I’ll be going now. See you at the entrance ceremony, Director.”

“Hm? Just leaving? No further discussion?”

“The matter’s resolved.”

“…You’re human, aren’t you? A saint or something? Haha.”

“I’m going.”

“Alright. Take care.”

Creak—Thud!

The Director’s office door closed as the man left.

Only the Director and I remained.

Despite late summer, the air felt icy.

Awkwardness and anxiety mixed, rendering me mute.

I had no right to speak.

I stood like a statue, waiting endlessly for the Director to speak.

“The tea’s bitter today.”

That was his first remark after a long wait.

Now my fate would be decided.

*

Shamble—Shamble—

I walked lifelessly, like a zombie.

My reflection in a shop window caught my eye.

‘Pathetic.’

A haggard woman with dead fish eyes.

Me, dying, having lost everything.

Since that spellmaster man touched me, I’ve felt drained, devoid of motivation.

Did he do something to me? But why would he?

Must be my imagination.

Ignoring my weary reflection, I wandered aimlessly.

‘What did he say…?’

I vaguely recalled the Director’s words.

– I won’t dwell on your use of banned spells, since Hunter Minhoo Seol forgave you.

‘Forgave…’

– But I can’t overlook your attempt to frame Hunter Minhoo Seol.

‘Of course…’

– Though the victim, Hunter Minhoo Seol, doesn’t seek punishment, as Director, I can’t forgive you. I’m canceling your admission. The Academy will permanently reject your future applications.

Haha.

Right, I see.

I poured my life into getting into the Academy, only to be barred from entry.

Normally, I’d feel despair and rage, but all I thought was, Oh, well.

What’s wrong with me?

I don’t know.

‘Just go home…’

Letting out a hollow laugh, staring at the ground as I walked.

Then I realized something was off.

Where am I going?

This isn’t the way home.

Where am I?

An unfamiliar place.

Strange buildings.

A damp, dreary atmosphere, like the slums I’d only seen in videos.

It’s quiet.

No people.

No birds, no insects.

As if I’m the only one in this space.

In that eerie silence,

“Time to pay for your sins.”

A familiar voice rang out.

“Back in my homeland, South Korea, framing someone was a death penalty.”

Thud!

With those incomprehensible words, the world sank into darkness.