In front of Gaon Dormitory’s main gate.
—Chik.
The limousine door opened quietly.
I stepped out slowly and closed the door behind .
“Thank you, driver.”
As I got out, I gave a polite nod to the chauffeur who had brought here.
Originally, I should’ve returned to Gaon through a portal, but since it had closed due to the late hour, the Glory Corporation’s personal chauffeur had driven directly.
Even though I’d ridden this car several tis just today, it still felt unfamiliar.
Both riding in such a car—and stepping out of it as if it were natural.
“Haa.”
A long sigh escaped .
I took off the suit jacket and slung it over my shoulder.
I’d thought it was borrowed, but apparently, it was a gift from Kang Arin.
She’d bought it on the spot. I didn’t even want to know how much it cost.
The fatigue from today wasn’t just physical.
Of course, for all the exhaustion, I’d gained a lot too.
eting face-to-face with the Association Chairman, guild leaders, and high-ranking officials from various groups.
Getting to speak with them directly and exchanging nas—that was no small feat.
I’d assud such an opportunity would only co after I had fully established myself.
And more than anything, running into Yu Serin on the rooftop...
That was an unexpectedly significant gain.
Judging by her state at the ti, it was clear she was deeply lost—or breaking down.
If soone can be saved with just a bit of advice, then it's right to try saving them.
Of course, it’s her decision from this point on.
Whether she stays holed up in a crumbling nest, living in false comfort with broken wings until she’s devoured by a snake—or whether she flies free and spreads those wings.
Even I was curious about that.
While lost in thought, I found myself already at the dormitory door.
Since it was late, I quietly tapped the door lock and stepped inside.
The familiar chi of the lock being released.
As soon as I opened the door, a familiar scent tickled my nose.
“...Huh?”
I stopped in my tracks.
For a mont, a chill ran down my spine.
A soft scent of air freshener wafted through the dorm.
Normally, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it.
Given the sweaty training routines of Gaon students, the academy encouraged everyone to use air fresheners.
I usually sprayed so before going out, alongside ventilating the room.
So I’d assud the scent was always there.
But this morning—I definitely didn’t spray any.
I had been in a rush and only ventilated the room before leaving.
“......”
I quietly looked around the room.
Everything seed in its usual state.
Items on the desk were untouched, the bed was neat—nothing seed out of place.
“...Must be my imagination.”
Muttering to myself, I hung my suit jacket on the chair.
The lingering scent did bother a little, but seriously—who would sneak into a dorm just to spray air freshener?
Besides, this was Gaon.
The dorms were fully protected by magi-tech systems.
Only authorized people could enter.
To breach that, you'd either have to live in this building—
Or be soone strong enough to completely ignore the security.
The thought gave a headache.
Weariness began to settle in.
And the buzz from the alcohol was starting to rise again.
I collapsed onto the bed.
“...Whatever. I’m just going to sleep.”
I closed my eyes.
And just like that, I drifted off [N O V E L I G H T] almost imdiately.
***
“Ugh.”
My head throbbed slightly.
I hadn’t had that much wine, but I still felt heavy and sluggish.
Maybe it was the beer I mixed with it.
Stretching out, I headed to my usual hangover soup spot.
It was the place Seong Ara had personally recomnded.
The restaurant was mostly empty, but I could see so familiar faces seated far inside.
“You’re here.”
The Old Man. Ha Taeseong.
Next to them sat Seong Ara, who had already eaten half her soup, and across from her was a familiar back-of-the-head.
“You already started eating?”
I checked the ti.
I had arrived exactly when we had agreed.
“She insisted we co early or she’d throw up all over the place, so we got here fast.”
“How much did you drink...?”
Apparently, Seong Ara had had more than expected.
The Old Man and Ara-noona had both been at the party last night.
We’d crossed paths, but they kept things strictly formal with .
‘I’ll have to explain eventually...’
Of course, behind the scenes, Ara gave a full scolding.
Honestly, I’d basically been summoned again today.
“Haein!”
A familiar voice.
I turned my head—Sion was waving at .
The owner of that familiar head was none other than Sion.
“You ca too?”
“Yeah. I kinda missed the hangover soup here.”
She rested her cheek on her palm as she spoke.
“Guess I overdid it a little yesterday. I’m really tired.”
“Didn’t you say you’d be resting at the dorm?”
She had bragged to that she’d be lounging around like a lion all day.
“...Well, yeah... but... just...”
Sion trailed off awkwardly.
I found it odd but didn’t press her.
I sat down, and the soup arrived shortly after.
Steam rose in thick clouds.
Only after a few spoonfuls did I feel my body begin to loosen up.
That’s when—
“Jeong Haein.”
From across the table, Ara-noona rested her chin on both hands and looked at .
She was finishing her second bowl and her expression now had a mischievous glint.
“Explain yourself.”
Raising her brow, she started her interrogation.
“Well, there’s not much to explain...”
I started sweating as I tried to co up with an excuse.
That it was a great opportunity, that I gained valuable experience, and so on...
As I trailed off, Ara shrugged and took another spoonful of soup.
It seed she had only been teasing.
“Still, the suit looked good on you.”
The quiet remark ca from Sion, sitting next to her.
“How’d you see it?”
I turned my head—Sion kept hers lowered, scooping up her soup.
“I saw the photo. Ara-unni showed .”
“...Ah.”
“I saw you standing next to Kang Arin too.”
“....”
I just fiddled with my spoon in silence.
“Just saying~”
Sion didn’t add anything more.
I’d thought they might run into each other during the joint classes—seems they were more familiar than I assud.
Oh, right.
I rembered sothing from last night.
It had been bothering , so I turned to Ara-noona and asked.
“Noona, is it possible for a student to bypass Gaon’s dorm security?”
—Pfft! Cough! Cough!
Sion started coughing violently, having inhaled so soup.
Looks like it went down the wrong pipe.
“Eat slowly.”
I patted her back gently and waited for Ara’s answer.
Ara was one of the top magi-tech experts in Vanquisher.
I’d heard that her tech was used in Gaon’s security systems.
“Hmm? Nah. That’d be nearly impossible. It’s Gaon, after all.”
“Right, that’s what I figured.”
“Yeah. Definitely not. Unless you’re so genius reverse-engineering mage... no student could do it.”
“What about you, noona?”
“? I could sneak in even with a cane, easy~”
Ara gave a bright smile and a shrug.
Yeah.
Exactly what I thought.
There’s no way a student would have Ara’s level of skill and intuition.
Must’ve just been my imagination.
“...Why’d you ask that all of a sudden?”
Sion asked cautiously after calming down.
“Well, I definitely didn’t spray any air freshener yesterday morning, right?”
“...Yeah.”
“But when I ca back last night, the scent was really strong. More than usual. So I guess... I was just imagining things.”
I said it lightly, taking another spoonful of soup.
“I see... the air freshener... got it...”
Sion nodded.
“Geez~ you’re so paranoid~”
Ara chuckled as she chid in.
I scratched my head and replied sheepishly.
“Yeah, must’ve just been fatigue.”
We quietly returned to eating.
“By the way, isn’t it exam season? Should you two be hanging out like this?”
“She’s right.”
“...Hey.”
At my playful jab, Sion flinched.
“Co on, give us a tip. Final exams.”
I pressed her for advice on the finals.
She was a Gaon graduate, after all.
She might have sothing useful to share.
“Finals? Ugh...”
Ara shuddered as if recalling sothing traumatic.
Understandable—Gaon’s finals were brutal.
Not sothing I wanted to deal with either.
“I don’t really have anything to offer. You two’ll do fine, anyway... Just take it easy. Don’t overdo it.”
“We will.”
“Yes.”
Sion and I responded almost in unison.
Ara nodded, then wrapped her arms around the table and slumped over.
By then, we had all finished eating.
“Alright, let’s call it here. I’m really gonna rest now~”
“...Hoo.”
The Old Man sighed softly and stepped away from Ara.
Completely free-spirited Ara was the absolute worst match for the rigid Old Man.
He probably had to drink a ton last night because of her. A total disaster for Ha Taeseong.
“...Head on back.”
“Yep.”
“Okay, Grandpa.”
After a simple farewell, the Old Man walked off with his hands behind his back.
Ara was practically dragged along behind him.
Note to self: Never beco an adult like that.
As we stepped out of the restaurant, the chilly air touched my skin.
The sunlight was warm, but the breeze was still crisp.
Sunday, 9 a.m.
It was the weekend, but I didn’t feel great.
My shoulders were starting to feel heavy.
‘Final exams.’
Ti to return to my student self.
Beside , Sion murmured,
“Guess it’s ti to start studying...”
I rotated my neck and replied,
“‘Ti to start’ sounds good. That ans we’re not too late yet.”
I stretched lightly.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah.”
And just like that, we each went our own way.
Finals were creeping ever closer.
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