บท 21: 435
[Chapter 126]
[Enlightenment Seeps into the Sword]
"Finally... we've arrived."
I don't know how much we've struggled until now.
Choi Eun-hyuk could no longer suppress the overwhelming emotion.
Eun-hyuk who barely swallowed his choked-up feeling got off the ship and set foot on Jeju Island.
Though it's clearly territory of the Republic of Korea, he who reached Jeju Island for the first time in his life felt like he was stepping on foreign land.
The sight of densely packed palm trees that looked like they could only be seen in tropical regions was an uncommon sight.
So other students all seemed to feel deeply moved too.
Exclamations burst out here and there.
"I... have to come all the way to Jeju Island just to eat one bowl of jajangmyeon?"
Of course, there were many students who felt empty after exclaiming.
Eun-hyuk felt similar to them.
He who went through missions even while taking the ship to Jeju Island was very tired both physically and mentally.
He just wanted to quickly eat jajangmyeon and go home to rest.
Just then, as if reading his mind, Seo-na struck─.
"─Give up. It's comfortable if you give up."
"Seo-na, you..."
"Do you still think the instructors will let us off easily?"
Jin Seo-na wearing black sunglasses bought from the shop just before getting off the ship.
She wearing sunglasses bigger than her face sucked her drink through a straw.
She looked like she came for a vacation. Meanwhile, Ein students following her were dressed similarly.
"But Seo-na, your appearance..."
"This? I bought it from the shop just in case because the sun's rays are strong in Jeju Island."
"Oh... I see."
The fox Jin Seo-na acting nonchalant.
Eun-hyuk was at a loss for words.
She didn't look like a student taking a comprehensive evaluation at all.
Nevertheless, Jin Seo-na proudly put a straw hat on Eun-hyuk's head.
"Eun-hyuk, don't you remember what Eun-ha said repeatedly?"
"What the boss said? Hmm, he said so much I don't know which..."
"He said to rest when you can rest. Even though I look like this, I'm not playing around. I'm resting when I can to preserve energy for the next mission."
"I-I see..."
Seo-na clears her throat and puffs out her chest.
Choi Eun-hyuk nodded with a sour face.
What she said was right, but looking at her appearance, it was hard to fully agree.
It seems more like playing than resting...
But he could get picked on if he needlessly refuted her words.
Eun-hyuk who had learned about her through years of experience decided to stay silent like this.
Regardless, Jin Seo-na looked around and opened her mouth.
"There's something you guys are misunderstanding now."
"Misunderstanding? What is it?"
"You think the comprehensive evaluation is all over because you're happy to have arrived in Jeju Island."
"...Isn't it almost over? All that's left is just eating jajangmyeon, right?"
"Sigh, you too Eun-hyuk? Think carefully. Where do we eat jajangmyeon?"
"...Mara Island."
"Where are we now?"
"...Jeju Island."
"Then we have to go to Mara Island now. To the southernmost point of our country the instructors kept mentioning."
"..."
"Then what do you think the instructors will say to us who arrived in Jeju Island?"
Seo-na scolded.
Only then did he show a pale face as if doused with cold water.
She was right.
It was too early to count chickens. Arriving in Jeju Island wasn't the end.
Because the final destination was Mara Island.
Sure enough.
""""Now, attention─!!""""
While students who gradually remembered the academy's ways hardened their faces.
The instructors standing in front were grinning at them.
"Jeju Island has residential areas distributed around the outskirts as Hallasan in the center transformed into a red dungeon! Transportation is very poor, so unless you cross the red dungeon, you have to go around the island to move!"
"You can take the ship to Mara Island from Seogwipo Port! It's a port located exactly opposite to Jeju Port where we're standing now!"
"In other words, to get to Seogwipo Port, you have to either go around the island outskirts or cross Hallasan!"
I feel dizzy.
If Seo-na hadn't put the straw hat on his head earlier, Eun-hyuk probably would have fainted hearing the instructors' words.
Some students were already slumping to the ground.
"Now we'll present options for how to get to Seogwipo Port! Don't worry, whichever side you choose, clans active in Jeju Island will cooperate! Is everyone mentally prepared!?"
""""No!!""""
As if promised.
The students shouted together in one voice.
Nevertheless, the instructors presented two options without budging.
One option was to pass through Hallasan.
One option was to go around the island outskirts.
The former was a high difficulty option, the latter an option that would likely take twice as long.
"We specially told you the options in advance this time for your sake. So carve out your own destiny."
""""...!!""""
The instructors shouting resoundingly.
All the students trembled.
Even Eun-hyuk felt like murderous intent was rising.
"See, I was right? That's why you should have rested comfortably when you could rest."
On the other hand, Seo-na perked up her triangular ears while sucking her drink.
Of course, she was also in a position to take the comprehensive evaluation.
Meanwhile, at that time Jo A-ra─.
"─Whew, it's good I listened to Seo-na. I was hesitant to buy food because I was conscious of Tae-yang, but now I can speak up to Tae-yang with this."
Unlike On Tae-yang who was indignant at the instructors' outrage.
She who happily played with Seo-na on the ship avoiding Tae-yang's eyes soon let out a sigh of relief.
It's fortunate I rested.
☆
The ship heading to Yokohama departed.
Students had to spend 5 days on the sea.
Of course, there was no time to rest comfortably.
Because even the journey sailing was included in the comprehensive evaluation.
They were just resting for a moment.
They would probably receive a mission around this evening.
"I guess I should rest well until then..."
Eun-ha who showered cleanly right after boarding the ship muttered with a towel on his head.
The ship's stern.
Eun-ha who was watching Busan Port gradually receding let out a long sigh.
No matter how many times he thought about it, he never imagined he would go to Japan.
Looks like we won't be able to rest properly.
If we had gone to Gangneung, we could have rested for days without doing anything...
Looks like we'll have to go straight to class as soon as the comprehensive evaluation ends.
Though it's too late to regret.
Eun-ha regretted his choice.
It felt like the biggest regret since regressing.
But he couldn't just keep regretting like this.
"Now that it's come to this, I have to make the best of it somehow."
Eun-ha shook his still wet hair with the towel.
Fighting battles at sea was quite rare, and considerably difficult compared to land battles.
It would surely be a valuable experience for himself and his friends.
Above all, it would help develop practical sense.
He decided to think positively.
I have things I need to train too...
I should practice that.
Eun-ha looked around.
Players from clans ranked A in mana management device grade were walking around the ship.
Instructor Lee Guk-jong said earlier that they along with the instructors would give individual lessons for 5 days.
His friends would gain teachings that become their blood and flesh, if not himself.
Of course, Eun-ha decided to tactfully skip individual lessons when he saw the opportunity.
Just then.
"Seo-young noona?"
While scanning the players' conditions, he discovered Shin Seo-young waving at him.
Her long silver earrings sparkle in the sunlight.
<Empress> Shin Seo-young, a hero who protected many people while sacrificing herself in the Uijeongbu Recapture Operation.
She exuded an undeniable presence just by standing there.
To the point that players standing guard kept glancing at her.
What's going on?
She's a person difficult to approach. Considering her status, that's understandable.
But not for Eun-ha.
He walked towards her as if approaching a neighborhood noona, receiving players' gazes.
"What's the matter?"
"Coming with your hands in your pockets when an instructor calls... Hah, never mind. I have something to say so follow me."
"Okay."
"And what's with your hair? If you're going to dry it, dry it properly. Stay still there."
Shin Seo-young sighing as if dealing with a neighborhood troublemaker.
She who lifted the towel on Eun-ha's head snapped her fingers.
Soon wind blowing from somewhere completely dried his hair.
Eun-ha was satisfied seeing his hair neatly styled.
"This is nice? I can just ask noona to dry it during this comprehensive evaluation."
"This kid never stops talking. Am I your hair dryer?"
Shin Seo-young asked with a snort.
Eun-ha shrugged his shoulders.
While people watching the scene were all dumbfounded, the two didn't think anything of it.
"So what's the matter?"
"Let's go inside and talk first."
Shin Seo-young guided him to a cabin.
It was a cabin assigned to instructors.
He who entered the cabin clicked his tongue seeing his assigned cabin and Shin Seo-young's assigned cabin.
He had to share a room with Kang Si-hyeong.
She was assigned a single room.
"Why make a fuss over that? Isn't it natural since you're a student and I'm an instructor?"
Soon Shin Seo-young who confirmed his reaction recommended a seat to him as if it didn't matter.
"I have a favor to ask you."
"A favor?"
"Yes, because of this comprehensive evaluation."
Shin Seo-young who sat down spread one arm, and wind blowing from somewhere enveloped the two.
It was a barrier to prevent sound from going outside.
"Actually, this comprehensive evaluation isn't just about going to Japan to eat jjamppong. It's not confirmed yet so we haven't told the kids... But I think it's better to tell you Eun-ha first."
She speaking in a serious tone.
Shin Seo-young explained how this comprehensive evaluation could be established.
Japan's Kaguya who is favorable to Korea didn't simply permit entry of Korean academy students.
In exchange for permitting students' entry, students had to visit Japan's player academy.
It was a friendly exchange between students.
Well, that could happen.
It wasn't strange.
Kaguya is ultimately a ruler too.
Even if she's favorable to Korea, as a ruler she wouldn't permit students' entry without any benefit.
Eun-ha had expected this to some extent.
In that sense, a friendly exchange was beneficial to both countries.
"Friendly exchange, that's good. The more experience, the more diverse realizations you can gain."
"But?"
"The problem is that if you do a friendly exchange, wouldn't you end up having friendly matches too?"
"Ah."
Eun-ha realized then.
What exactly Shin Seo-young was worried about.
"Are you worried we might lose?"
"What are you saying?"
However, contrary to his expectation, Shin Seo-young frowned sharply.
"I, and the Fairy Lady too... We don't think you'll lose. We haven't told the kids yet because it's not even certain if there will be friendly matches."
"What. Then what's the problem?"
"You. No Eun-ha, you. You're the problem."
Eun-ha asked incredulously.
Then she poked Eun-ha's nose with her finger.
Shin Seo-young sighed.
"I sent the names of kids going to Japan to the Fairy Government yesterday. Then would you believe it, the Fairy Lady suddenly called me?"
"What did she say?"
"She's looking forward to this comprehensive evaluation. She'll be waiting for you guys to return with greatly improved skills."
"Is that all?"
"No."
Shin Seo-young shook her head.
Then she sank into the chair.
She pointed at him with her finger that was waving in the air.
"She's looking forward to your performance. Make those Japanese kids' noses completely flat."
"...What?"
"Thinking about the nuance, it seems friendly matches are almost agreed upon content."
"Huh..."
"It's a good thing in terms of propaganda. That our country's players are much stronger than Japanese guys, raising the self-esteem of people living difficult lives."
Eun-ha was at a loss for words.
He didn't expect Fairy Lim Ga-eul would specifically mention him.
On the other hand, her intentions were too obvious.
As Shin Seo-young said.
Raising citizens' self-esteem.
And the last one─.
─Ga-eul did have that. The desire to boast to others.
It was inevitable too.
Korea was the last country among Korea, China, and Japan to produce a <White Silver> gift holder.
Moreover, Lim Ga-eul was not a politician but a great actress who lived in the spotlight.
So she often received the impression of falling behind China's Hang-ah and Japan's Kaguya in the early days of the regime.
In fact, Hang-ah and Kaguya also seemed to give off an atmosphere of not treating Lim Ga-eul on the same level.
Moreover, even in his previous life, she was branded with an incompetent image due to disasters that occurred domestically.
'─But I'm the prettiest, you know?'
In the end, that was all she had to boast about in her previous life.
Ah, there was one more thing.
Unlike other countries, Korea had Ha Baek-ryeon who could succeed Lim Ga-eul.
She was very prideful, and living as an actress made her have a strong desire to show off.
Of course, Kaguya and Hang-ah were like that too. In a way, it could be called a characteristic of rulers.
"...She must be really excited."
"Yeah, she seemed excited. Come to think of it, it's amazing that you have a connection with the Fairy Lady..."
"...It's coincidence, coincidence."
But the situation changed.
In this life, Fairy Lim Ga-eul was stably managing the political situation, and grasped how excellent academy students' skills were.
So she wants to boast.
To Kaguya who is also a <White Silver> gift holder.
Look how well I'm doing.
Come to think of it, this person is really childish in her own way...
Of course, Lim Ga-eul as the head of a country would have other intentions too.
Thinking of raising support for the Fairy Government through this incident.
Nevertheless, she would also have a pure desire to boast like a child.
"Well, if Kaguya agreed to it, they must have something in mind too. Maybe they're confident they'll win."
"I guess so."
"But I don't think we'll lose even if they're confident. Because of you, you, you."
"...But?"
Eun-ha tilted his head.
He still didn't realize why she called him.
Then Shin Seo-young tapped her temple and said.
"Still, it's a friendly match. Even if we win, we need to be mindful of the other country's dignity."
"Right?"
"So Eun-ha, I'll ask you this. Please don't win too thoroughly. The Fairy Lady probably wants you to do that, but that absolutely can't happen. You know that too, right?"
Shin Seo-young quickly lowers her head.
Eun-ha blinked as he looked at the top of her head.
Only then did he realize why she, not another instructor, called him for the friendly exchange.
Because she roughly knew his skills.
Shin Seo-young was worried he might damage the other country's dignity.
I'm a person with thoughts too, of course I wouldn't do that.
Eun-ha was just dumbfounded.
It seemed she had no trust in him.
When he said something like that─.
"─Eun-ha, you always say that but then go around causing trouble."
"..."
"I'm asking like this because I feel like you'll do it again this time too. Got it?"
Shin Seo-young's rebuke.
Eun-ha couldn't readily deny it.
He had committed many sins against her.
However, he assured her, he did have some sense.
Why would I do that to them?
It could harm Baek-ryeon later.
Eun-ha was confident.
Such a thing absolutely won't happen.
"Okay. But I have conditions."
"Conditions? What conditions?"
However, Eun-ha didn't say those words out loud.
Now that it's come to this, he decided to use this to gain some benefits.
Eun-ha held up two fingers to her who was frowning.
"One is to give me a perfect score for this comprehensive evaluation no matter what."
"This kid... Is grades something to bargain over?"
"I'm going to win against those Japanese kids, shouldn't you do at least this much?"
"Hah.... Fine, okay. But know you'll get 0 points if you lose."
"Okay."
There's no way I'll lose.
Eun-ha decided to move on to the main point now.
"The other one is I'll skip missions from now on."
"Say something that makes sense. Are you saying you'll play around alone?"
"Missions aren't helpful for me so I'm just going to train alone. Ah, I'll participate in fighting monsters that come out of the sea."
"Hah...."
Eun-ha smiled brightly.
He's known her for years.
He knew Shin Seo-young couldn't refuse.
Her sighing deeply and lifting her bangs was just pretending to be angry.
Sure enough.
She came to a conclusion.
"─Fine, okay. I'll use my authority to allow you to do as you please until you arrive in Japan. Know I won't let you off if you play around."
"Don't worry."
Though he wasn't without thoughts of playing around.
Eun-ha intended to keep his promise. It was better to train alone rather than do missions that bother people.
Above all─.
─I can comfortably roll the kids.
Pushed around by missions, pushed around by me.
Eun-ha expressed condolences to his friends.
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