abcnovels
Chapter 96: 1 vs 1 Showdown (2)
Chapter 96: 1 vs 1 Showdown (2)
Chapter 96: 1 vs 1 Showdown (2)
1 vs 1 Showdown (2)
[Match over! The victor is Student Jeong Jinhee from Class B! With this, we conclude the 1st-year 1 vs 1 Duel Round of 16. We will have a 30-minute break for the students medical check-ups, so we ask the audience to take a short rest as well!]
Phew, its done.
Yeah, Min Yeji sighed with a casual stretch in her chair.
Im thinking of taking a quick breather, Im Sol said, standing up and smoothing her outfit.
Where you off to?
Just getting some fresh air.
Youre going to see Lee Hoyeon, right? Youre his biggest fan, after all.
No, Im not. Ignoring Min Yejis mischievous grin, Im Sol left her seat.
Im sure theres a restroom around here. Im Sol glanced around, on the hunt for one.
After washing her hands in the restroom and returning to her seat, Im Sol suddenly paused when she noticed a building map. It turned out that just one floor below her current spot was the waiting room for the main event participants. Granted, it was a no-go zone for anyone without the right clearance, but being a professor had its perks.
Should I go and say hi?
Even if there isnt a ton to do when I meet him, it feels like a better use of my time than having a casual chat with Min Yeji. We can dive into magical discussions, dissect the duels, and, of course, be there to cheer him on.
Yeah, with this much break time, I could at least drop by and catch a glimpse of my student for a moment. Without second-guessing herself, Im Sol headed towards the waiting room for the main event participants.
***
[Match over! The victor is Student Jeong Jinhee from Class B! With this, we conclude the 1st-year 1 vs 1 Duel Round of 16. We will have a 30-minute break for the students medical check-ups, so we ask the audience to take a short rest as well!]
I couldnt care less about the winner of the last match. They were both extras, so I didnt bother watching it. I lounged on the sofa, scrolling through EveryDay.
Lee Hoyeon lets see. It was oddly entertaining to search for my own name on EveryDay.
[You wanna kill Lee Hoyeon?]
Even when I stumbled upon hateful comments, my mental armor was thick enough to withstand their feeble attempts.
[Lee Hoyeon Handsome]
But I couldnt deny the little ego boost when I came across posts that praised me. Occasionally, there was even some useful information buried within the noise.
[By the way, besides Student Council, what other club is Lee Hoyeon in?]
No comments, but the view count exceeded 100.
Anyway, there wouldnt be any more members for the Friendship Club at this point. Once I conquer Lucy later, Ill turn the clubroom into a space for sex with the twins.
I should pay a visit to the club department and demand complete removal from the club list.
Since Felix, no new member applications had been accepted, but my name still lingered in the club directory, just in case. A club with just me and the twins would definitely raise some eyebrows. Fortunately, there were plenty of vacant club rooms, so I doubted anyone would fuss if we took one over.
I also decided to do a little search for Moon Soorin. To me, shes just a friendly and pretty friend, but it seemed her reputation differed with others. Just one photo of her could stir up a storm. This was why paparazzi were becoming more of a nuisance.
I also looked up other names that crossed my mind: the sexy succubus, Alice, Nam Daeun, Baek Ahyeong, and so on. None of them seemed to have the kind of overwhelming popularity that Moon Soorin enjoyed. The posts were limited to praising her skills or commenting on her looks. Occasionally, there were remarks like, Shes not even that pretty, why all the fuss? and the comment sections were flooded with replies like, Are you sure youre not a girl? Because really, how could someone not find that face attractive?
There were posts like this as well.
[Meeting the saint is tough now]
[I used to go to Teacher Baek Ahyoungs infirmary just to brighten my day, but now they say theyre cracking down on that]
[Should I really break my arm?]
[These days, if you pretend and go see her at the infirmary, its a first-time warning. Two warnings mean school community service.]
[ If we meet the Saint twice and do school community service once, isnt it a win?]
[ Its 300 hours of school community service.]
[ ??? Are they insane?!]
Well, Soorin Noona, you handle things really well.
Its because there are scoundrels like this that Soorin has to put up with so much. The bad guys.
Knock, knock, knock.
Then, I heard a knocking on my waiting room door.
Who is it?
Medical check.
Huh? Isnt it Ahyeong?
Yes
Just by her voice, I could tell it was Baek Ahyeong. I got up from the sofa and opened the door for her. She came in, pushing a cart with a strange machine.
Congratulations on making it to the top 8.
Thank you. But a medical check?
Yes. All top 8 qualifiers must do it.
I see I sat on the couch, waiting for her to explain, but she was clearly just looking at me, not doing the medical check.
Ahyeong, you
Hmm?
My room is the last one to visit, right?
How, how did you know?
I just had a feeling.
Now I can probably guess what shes thinking without looking at the status window. Quickly lock the door or something like that.
Heroine Status Window
[Baek Ahyeong]
[Affection: 89] (+0.4)
[Lust: 80]
[Appetite: 30]
[Fatigue: 25]
Current Status: Doesnt he want to look the door? Is libido also part of the medical check?
Shes thinking more about it than I am.
Do you have any issues that might affect the duel? Like suddenly feeling uncomfortable somewhere
Dont stare at my crotch, please. Thats sexual harassment, you know.
Just a moment. I got up from my seat and locked the door to the waiting room.
Why, why are you suddenly locking the door?
You already know why.
Baek Ahyeong was faking the twitching of her pupils, but she was unaware that the corners of her mouth were lifted.
Ahyeong, what if my horniness messes up the duel? Can you handle that too?
I, Ill try.
Open your mouth.
Ugh, okay Hmmph!
I pushed her onto the sofa, planting a deep kiss. While sucking on her tongue, I slid mine into her mouth, and she started kissing back passionately. With one hand, I unbuttoned her shirt, slipping my hand down her cleavage.
Ugh like this?
Haah come here
Aah Darling
After breaking the kiss, I slid my hand under her skirt to prepare for some private action. The heat from her stockings was intense, and to get her skirt off, I raised my hand. Thats when it happened.
Knock, knock, knock.
!
Hah!
We suddenly froze in response to the knocking on the waiting room door.
Wh-who is it?
I quickly gestured to Baek Ahyeong and resumed my gaze on her. He understood my intentions and didnt make a sound as she started buttoning up her shirt.
Its me, Professor Im Sol. I just came to see how youre doing.
No, Professor, why are you suddenly showing up at the waiting room? You dont usually meet me first.
Just a moment! We were in the middle of a medical check!
Medical check? I see.
Thankfully, Im Sol didnt mind the mention of a medical check. We quickly fixed our appearance, thinking it should suffice. After a nod exchanged with Baek Ahyeong, I swung open the door.
So, theres no specific agenda during this break, and I was just curious Are you pretty busy? Im Sol started talking as she walked in, but upon seeing Baek Ahyeongs face, she fell silent.
Professor, hello. We were in the middle of the medical check for the top 8 qualifiers. This is Baek Ahyeong, the academys nurse. Ahyeong, this is Professor Im Sol. To ease the awkwardness, I spoke up first.
Hello. Im Professor Im Sol.
Oh, hello. Im Baek Ahyeong.
While Professor Im Sol initiated the greeting, the awkward vibe still lingered. Baek Ahyeongs face was slightly flushed, as if she hadnt managed to calm her excitement. I felt like a husband caught in the act.
Ahem. Professor, please have a seat. The medical check will be done shortly.
Alright.
Im Sol took a seat next to me, and only then did Baek Ahyeong start the medical check. Of course, there was nothing wrong with my body. I hadnt sustained any injuries during the sparring.
Youre healthy. Everything seems fine.
Of course. You have any idea how robust I am?
True. Whats left other than health for you?
While chatting with Baek Ahyeong, as we typically did, I felt Im Sols gaze from the side.
It seems like youre pretty close to the nurse, Im Sol mentioned, more out of curiosity than jealousy. Her eyes seemed to ask, How did you end up having a connection with the saint?
Well, we got to know each other through some volunteer work. By the way, did you know youre the same age as her? I was thinking of introducing you. Its nice to get along, especially since you both work at the academy.
I see
Haha
Im Sol nodded approvingly, and Baek Ahyeong, who already knew because I told her, let out an awkward laugh.
Why are they both so awkward?
Nice to meet you
Yes, nice to meet you.
Im Sol accepted Baek Ahyeongs greeting, but I wondered if introducing them was really necessary.
Heroine Status Window
[Baek Ahyeong]
[Affection: 89] (+0.4)
[Lust: 80]
[Appetite: 30]
[Fatigue: 25]
Current Status: I was uncomfortable with only men around, but now, Im glad
Baek Ahyeong seems to have a positive outlook. What about Im Sol?
Heroine Status Window
[Im Sol]
[Affection: 51]
[Lust: 25]
[Appetite: 30]
[Fatigue: 40]
Current Status: If were the same age at the academy, Id like to get along
Both of them seem to like each other, but what are they doing?
Now, how about exchanging numbers and catching up later? I couldnt let this go on indefinitely, so I intervened.
And Miss Ahyeong, once youre done with the medical check, you should get back to work. There are other students waiting.
Baek Ahyeong looked at me with a pleading look, as if she couldnt believe I was letting her go like this, but I had no other choice. I couldnt just kick out Im Sol because I wanted some alone time with the nurse. If I were a delicate maiden, I could use the excuse of not feeling well, but since Im so robust, pretending to be sick would be a bit much.
Alright Professor Im Sol, could you give me your number?
But it seems theyre managing the number exchange just fine. Well, I dont know. I introduced them, so they should be fine on their own.
Okay then, Ill head out Professor Im Sol, Ill be waiting for your call.
Yes, Ill contact you when I have time.
As I watched the two of them chat, I couldnt help but remember my past self who used to invite people Id never see again for a meal. They were both friendly, so they should be fine later.
Baek Ahyeong left the room with a cart carrying medical equipment. Her expression seemed a bit down until the end.
I looked at Im Sol, who remained in the waiting room, and opened my mouth, Professor, what do you want to talk about now?
Shall we discuss magic research? Im Sol spoke from the couch with her legs crossed.
Sure, that sounds good
She came to the waiting room for the main event participants to discuss magic research? Well, what else could we talk about with this person besides magic?
***
The eerie cawing of crows set the backdrop, while the moss clinging to decaying trees and walls swayed gently in the wind, creating a desolate atmosphere. It had been a considerable time since any human footfalls echoed in the outskirts of Seoul, the central hub for information gathering within the Korean branch of the Pandemic.
In the dimly lit space, a voice, of unidentifiable gender, resonated with determination. Ive finally tracked it here. To Korea.
So, youve come directly to the Korean branch? A figure entirely concealed in a robe, their identity concealed, cautiously responded to the person before them.
Yes. The last surviving member of the Rune Tribe resides in Korea. We must find them, no matter what.
Weve been attempting our own search since receiving the message, but the clues are far too scarce.
The survivor was but a child, perhaps a newborn or an elementary school student. By now, he would have grown into a young adult or be in elementary school. The one thing Im certain of is that its a male. Focus your investigation in that direction.
Is there any specific characteristic that could narrow down the search?
The Rune Tribes distinct feature is red hair, but they might have dyed it, so dont rely solely on that. Seek out a young boy or a young adult male with extraordinary talents in the field of barriers. Understood?
Yes. Understood. The man slowly rose from his prostrated position and exited the room.
Alone in the room, the Pandemic executive, fatigued from relentless investigation, finally succumbed to weariness on the bed.
I must locate the heir for the sake of our clan.
Given the Pandemics capabilities, they should yield results. After all, they went to great lengths to find the sole survivor of their clan.
Its going to be alright. Once we locate the heir, everything will fall into place. We can start anew They spoke to themselves in solitude, their gaze fixed on the moon visible through the window.