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After the Birth Festival, the next scheduled events were the winter break ceremony and the graduation ceremony.
December, the end of the year.
The conclusion of the sester marked a monuntal event as the graduates, having completed their four years at Siyoram, took their first steps outside the cradle.
As a result, all students were required to participate in these events.
Knock knock
On the busy morning of the winter break ceremony and graduation ceremony, I finished getting ready and knocked on the door.
Creak
"Mm? Ha-yul?"
The door was opened by Baek Ah-rin, her short blue hair fluttering as she moved. Like , she was also wearing a stylish ceremonial uniform made for students.
"Uh... Would you like to co in?"
[Yes, excuse .]
Baek Ah-rin tilted her head slightly, stepping aside. I nodded politely and entered the room.
It
was a tidy room with no signs of disorder. The vanity desk, however, seed to be unusually busy, suggesting that preparations were still underway.
I figured I should get to the point quickly and leave without causing any distractions.
"What's going on all of a sudden?"
[There’s sothing I want to give you before the break.]
Baek Ah-rin, standing with her back to the door, had a puzzled look on her face. Without wasting ti, I quickly retrieved the item I had prepared from my storage space.
"What’s that...?"
Baek Ah-rin, who had been eyeing the space curiously, widened her eyes when she saw what I pulled out.
It was a ring... more specifically, a ring studded with bright red jewels.
[You ntioned needing to make use of your family’s power during the break, so I hurriedly prepared this.]
I had started crafting it after hearing from Maxwell that a special-grade dungeon had been discovered in the Changhae territory.
Special-grade dungeons are often referred to as mystery boxes.
So are easy to conquer and filled with treasures, while others are extrely dangerous and reward nothing but disaster.
Since the break was approaching, Baek Ah-rin was also preparing to return to her family.
Naturally, she would lend her support to any troubles caused in the territory and might even get involved with the special-grade dungeon.
Because special-grade dungeons are particularly hazardous, I had been cautious as well.
[Here, I’ve also engraved a lot of magic, so there won’t be any discomfort when you wear it.]
After carefully checking the status, confirming there were no issues, I handed her the ring.
[Especially, the red jewels embedded in the ring are filled with Fla Magic. If you need it, you can activate it by using Changhae's magic within the spell.]
The magic is designed to concentrate entirely on ‘lting’ and not cause any harm.
It had been a difficult task, even with my investnt in both Fla Magic and my magical skill.
But, in the end, I succeeded in a short ti. Referring to the design of the Fla Sword helped a lot.
I also used rare materials, including high-quality red jewels that had been absorbing the energies of nature since the Great Cataclysm, and a few other ingredients I discreetly borrowed from Siyoram's vault.
"Fla Magic in the ring? How did you apply that to a magic item... No, with your skills, I’m sure you managed fine."
Baek Ah-rin took the ring hesitantly at first but quickly nodded, accepting it after a mont of thought.
"...Haha. By the way, this is already the second ring. I’m wondering where I should wear it… thank you."
[This one’s just for practice, so its effect isn’t very strong… Oops.]
Uhh?
Baek Ah-rin, noticing the ring I was already wearing, smiled brightly and gave a tight hug.
Her face was buried between her ample chest. The coolness of her skin was noticeable since she hadn’t yet ward up from the cold.
But I didn’t mind it this ti and hugged her back tightly.
"Heh, it seems like even a hug doesn’t have much of an effect anymore. By the way, aren’t you going to proceed to the next stage?"
Baek Ah-rin giggled, tightening her arm around my back.
"I’m starting to feel a little impatient too. If this continues, I might end up at the bottom of the rankings. What if I just can’t control myself and grab you all of a sudden?"
Her eyes, like icicles, drilled into my forehead. At that, I instinctively flinched and buried my face further into her chest.
[That, that’s for later…]
I responded, but Baek Ah-rin pouted.
But I couldn’t help it.
I wanted to see her directly, hear her voice, and even sll her scent.
But it still wasn’t the right ti.
I couldn’t be sure if Fla Magic alone would be enough to neutralize the threat. I needed to consider other external factors as well.
If all else failed, I might have to wait for the right ti when my connection with Baek Ah-rin deepens.
So, for now, I stayed patient.
"Hmm… I trust you won’t abandon after bringing this far, so I’ll wait for now."
As I hid my face in her arms, Baek Ah-rin softened her pout and buried her face in my head.
I felt the cool breath seeping through her hair, and I tightened my hold around her waist.
[Once this is over, I’ll co help you.]
"That’s reassuring, but shouldn’t you make sure to return safely first?"
[This ti, I will.]
After a while, spring passed, and winter, with its fading vitality, arrived.
At the sa ti, it was a ti of preparation for the transition back to spring. We survived the winter through the preparations made during the past season, and now, through the preparations of winter, we would usher in the next year.
Both events were carried out relatively modestly.
Just a few days ago, I had already expended my energy at the Birth Festival. There wasn’t much left to hold grand events for the remaining schedules.
Moreover, the term "modest" only applied by Siyoram's standards, as in objective terms, the scale was grand and well-organized.
The only event I truly participated in was the winter break ceremony.
As I wasn’t graduating, and I didn’t have any close friends among the graduating class, I naturally didn’t need to be involved in the graduation ceremony.
The winter break ceremony ended quickly, as if there was no need to drag it out.
Dressed in the splendid ceremonial uniform, walking through the streets, I easily encountered other students who were packing up their things.
‘They’re starting to pack their dormitory items.’
The dormitory building, in particular, was crowded.
There were students preparing their belongings before heading outside, and many staff and technicians were busy working on the dormitory as well.
Since new students would be entering next year, it seed that there were major inspections and repairs underway.
‘New students…’
The thought of new students made my feelings a bit complicated.
It felt like it was just yesterday that I entered as a freshman, yet here I was, already a second-year student.
Among the new students, there were so from the original story who had great potential, and I had so acquaintances with them…
‘…But I suppose it’s too late for friendships now.’
As for my friendships with the students, honestly, if soone asked if I was friendly with everyone, I couldn’t honestly nod.
After all, during the fourth day of the Birth Festival, I couldn’t even attend the drinking party because I was with Yeon-hwa.
From the beginning, it was strange to think I’d actively make friends with anyone.
Having few friends was almost inevitable for soone like .
"Dear, you’re not heading into so dangerous place recklessly, right?"
"Wouldn’t it be better if we went together now, just in case?"
[Negative]
"No…"
After the winter break ceremony, I was slowly packing up my things in my room.
Just as I was doing so, my instructor and Professor Riana, who had been lingering around since earlier, suddenly ca up and wrapped in a tight embrace.
My face was buried in the weight of her soft body, and the scent of her perfu filled my nose.
The gaze touching the top of my head was full of worry and affection, dripping down.
"Ughhh..."
It wasn’t an unexpected reaction.
Both of them had seen what happened to in Shipnaha and China, so it was normal for them to be worried.
But even so, I couldn’t just spend the break loafing around and spoiling myself in their arms…
I wished I could, but that wasn’t possible.
I sighed and shook my head, feeling the disappointnt.
"The place I’m heading to is more dangerous than most. If the Association deems it risky, then the entire world must be dangerous."
The final destination was the entrance to the Hidden Realm.
But for now, my goal was to go to the Association’s headquarters in the U.S. before exploring the Hidden Realm, as I had sothing to discuss first.
There was no guarantee I’d even be able to locate the entrance to the Hidden Realm.
If it seed like it would be a waste of ti, I’d just return and head to Changhae’s territory instead.
So it wasn’t a completely dangerous schedule.
Despite my attempts to reassure them, their expressions remained uneasy, and a faint trace of doubt lingered.
"...Didn’t you say sothing similar last break, and you almost ended up in danger after visiting the Fla family?"
"Ah."
Indeed, even with the initial plans for the Double-Headed Dragon incident, the first part hadn’t been that dangerous. It was the unforeseen complications that followed that caused everything to go wrong.
My attempt to reassure them was quickly countered.
I was once again caught in a tight embrace and subjected to more doting attention.
In this world, there are countless strong individuals and massive powers.
With the disparity in power between individuals widening due to magic and special abilities, it was inevitable.
It’s not impossible for hundreds of people to be slaughtered by a single individual’s gesture, and if soone truly intended harm, they could easily do worse.
Managing a force made up of dozens or even hundreds of such superhumans is an incredibly difficult task.
However, at the very least, so areas under human control, such as the white zones and gray zones, maintain a semblance of society.
Among the various reasons, most people refer to one fundantal group.
The World Superhuman Association.
A global managent body founded by the Tower Masters of Space and Harmony.
Though often referred to casually as the "Association," this group plays a significant role in maintaining the balance of the world.
"Sigh..."
At the sa ti, it’s only natural that they have a heavy workload.
After a brief mont of rest, the man, who had been sitting back in his chair, let out a large sigh.
He glanced up at the spacious office, the large windows covering one wall showing a lone cloud drifting through the bright blue sky outside.
This was the main office of the Association’s headquarters, located in Washington D.C., USA.
The office of a congressman who occupied a large portion of the upper floors of the Association’s headquarters, which stood over 1,000 ters tall.
"The sky is refreshingly clear today."
As the man, Robert Highline, one of the congressn of the Association, gazed absentmindedly at the sky, he massaged his temples.
Currently, the highest-ranking officials in the Association were the congressn.
Thus, congressn held the highest power in this vast organization.
Though there were checks and balances between them and lower oversight departnts, the power wielded by the congressn was imnse.
If they so desired, they could indulge in all the pleasures and luxuries the world has to offer.
‘Since the sky is so clear, it feels like the perfect weather to leave work...’
But it was none of Robert’s business. In fact, even with power, he had no room to indulge in personal desires.
Because he was too busy using his authority for the public good.
Personal gain? How could there be any ti for that when he couldn’t even leave work properly?
Even what Robert called "leaving work" ant heading to a small on-site dorm room attached to his office.
If an urgent matter arose, he would be dragged out of his bed and back to his desk imdiately.
The office, a symbol of power and authority, was filled not with gold and riches, but with paperwork, books, duties, and responsibilities...
"Sigh... Life’s tough."
Grabbing his hair, Robert slumped his head down. His body was drenched in fatigue, and all he wanted was to sleep deeply.
Congressn had a lot of work to do.
The variety of tasks was too vast to explain, but even the basic paperwork was overwhelming.
When you add in all the important and tedious tasks? It was truly inhuman.
If the congressn weren’t superhumans, they would have already died from overwork long ago.
At the mont, Robert would love to quit and just enjoy so leisure and comfort...
"Ha... Such a naive thought."
But that was simply not an option.
There was sothing all five congressn had in common.
They were all distinguished superhumans who had contributed during tis of chaos, and they held values of integrity and justice.
Moreover, each one had been personally appointed by the Tower Masters of Harmony and Space after rigorous selection.
‘They probably planned from the beginning to appoint congressn who could act as if they were secluded…’
The Tower Masters had been in hiding, and as a result, it was the congressn who were now leading the Association.
Because of that, the congressn wield imnse power and responsibility during this period of the Association’s leaders’ seclusion.
If they appointed soone unqualified, chaos would likely ensue. So, Robert could not leave his post carelessly.
"Hey, you, who are gaining such a good reputation! Why don’t you co be my subordinate?"
"Haha."
Suddenly, Robert recalled a cheerful mory and slightly chuckled to himself.
Whatever it was, at that ti, he had nodded in agreent of his own will.
So, even though the handover hadn’t gone smoothly, he couldn’t just run away.
In the end, his hand, worn down by years of toil and battle, picked up a thin, short pen.
"Congressman Robert, it’s Maxwell."
"Co in."
As he steeled himself and focused on his work, he heard Maxwell’s voice from outside the door, and Robert put down his pen.
Whooo...
The door opened, and a man in a suit entered the office. It was Maxwell, who always wore a polite business smile.
"It’s been a while since I received a report from you in person. Has everything been going smoothly?"
"Yes, just the usual, buried in paperwork."
"Sa here. We’re both struggling. You’re especially enduring a lot at your young age."
"I’m past the age where being young is sothing to boast about."
"You’re kidding. What does that make ?"
"My apologies."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Robert turned his gaze to Maxwell.
Maxwell had no listed surna.
He was formally a mber of the Disaster Managent Departnt, but in reality, he was part of the executive team, essentially the Association's enforcer.
Moreover, under the congressn’s orders, he traveled tirelessly around the world.
"Is there sothing important you need to report?"
Robert, weakly holding a stack of papers, asked.
Given their busy schedules, most reports were done remotely.
However, the fact that Maxwell had co in person ant it was sothing significant.
"Yes, there’s a report I need to deliver in person."
Robert nodded inwardly. Maxwell stamped a docunt before speaking.
"It’s an order from the Association President."
"What?"
Robert, about to respond, froze.
What order from the president?
Slamming the docunt down, Robert quickly raised his head, and Maxwell cleared his throat before continuing.
"The internal eting is scheduled for three days from now. All congressn must attend, and deputies are encouraged to participate."
And just like that, the words were out.
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