ALL NOVEL Chapter 170
With the return of the third-year students, the Cradle was filled with a chaotic atmosphere. Even though there was still a fair amount of time left until the social period, the students were already chattering like it was tomorrow.
“She’s not that great… and she is…”
“He’s got someone. From Class B…”
“She looks decent, though…”
In the hallway of the classroom, a group of about six female students were huddled together, whispering something.
These candidates were heatedly debating as they looked over a chart similar to a list of male students currently enrolled in the Cradle, with various details sorted out.
After rummaging for a while, one of the girls sighed heavily and said, “Why are they all…”
The person beside her shook her head disapprovingly.
“Not good. The second years are out.”
“Then what about the freshmen?”
When another girl brought it up, many showed interest. The freshman class was notably impressive, with several already standing out.
“… He has a fiancé.”
“Guk Jae-ryong. What do you think about him? He’s the second son of Hwangseong.”
“The family is good, but the guy is… According to my brother, he just slacks off and gets scolded all the time.”
“Shin Mu-young…? What about him?”
“He’s from the outskirts. Plus, I dislike him. Last time we met in the hallway, he suddenly threw up…”
The girl shivered as she spoke.
“Choi Woojin from Seongsan. He’s not bad too. And next is… the Heukryeon…”
“Masked?”
“I think he’s good. His skills are great, and he’s tall…”
“What are you saying? At the start of the semester, you were complaining about how the new kids are ruining the academy’s atmosphere.”
“Back then was back then! What does it matter if his family is Heukryeon? Besides, who knows? There might be something decent under that mask…”
While one girl was passionately speaking, she suddenly shuddered at a cutting voice from behind.
“Excuse me, could you move?”
“Eek…”
The girl let out a shriek and turned her head. There, with a haughty yet delicate demeanor, stood another female student, her red eyes glimmering as she looked down at her.
“Min, Minha… Hello…”
“Can’t you hear? I said move.”
Yeon Minha abruptly cut off the greeting, showing zero interest. With her expression even more displeased than usual, the other students quickly stepped aside.
She didn’t spare a glance and disappeared down the hallway. The female students left behind sighed in relief yet muttered complaints.
“Why is she like that? She could have just said to move nicely. She’s such a brat…”
“Still, she’s calmed down a lot since freshman year. Back then, she was really… ugh.”
One girl shivered as she recalled something.
“But is the Shadow Banquet being prepared well…?”
At that moment, one student spoke up, and another quickly covered her mouth.
“What are you doing talking about that here? What if the student council or professors hear?”
Once confirming there was no one around, the girl let out a deep sigh of relief. Then, with a wicked grin, she added quietly, “Yuri said she’ll take care of it. We just need to enjoy ourselves.”
*
Yeon Minha was walking down the hallway, her brows tightly furrowed.
“Why is the student council’s budget meeting at the same time as…”
She was regretting not being able to attend the student council meeting and ranking draw as it clashed with her schedule.
Moreover, overhearing the chatter of the other girls in the classroom was also a source of her agitation.
“Those vulgar girls dare to… talk about someone like that…”
She murmured, filled with anger.
“Hem hem. There, is that you, Yeon Minha?”
As she strolled, a greasy voice suddenly rang out.
Trying to hide her discomfort, Yeon Minha turned her head.
A male student was approaching her with a smarmy smile plastered on his face. The unfamiliar badge attached to his jacket lapel indicated that he was a third-year returned to Cradle.
“Haah…”
Yeon Minha let out a sigh mixed with annoyance.
The students were in a frenzy, with the third-years back for a sort of temporary welcome.
The circumstances indicated one thing. The social period was drawing near once again.
Thus, it wasn’t hard to guess that the man in front of her was trying to flirt.
“What do you want?”
Despite Yeon Minha openly displaying her disdain and contempt, the guy didn’t care. It was hard to tell if he was thick-skinned or just clueless.
“Hem hem. It’s been a while. After a few months, you seem to have gotten prettier…”
“Sorry, I’m a bit busy.”
“Wait, wait…!”
As Yeon Minha tried to turn away, the boy hurriedly blocked her path. His name tag read Chun Su-ho.
He was a member of the Ma-do Twenty-Seven Clan and among the executives of the Cradle Student Council. He was also the older brother of the person Yeon Minha had clashed with repeatedly, Chun Yu-rin.
Yeon Minha was already well aware of who he was. Just not particularly interested.
“Arrogant bastard. It’s that opponent who made my little sister like this…”
She coldly muttered inwardly. She had once decisively severed Chun Yu-rin’s pinky finger, taking advantage of a weakness in their duel.
Now she was forced to suffer the sight of this guy panting like a dog in front of her.
It was a sight that didn’t even amuse her.
“The reason I called you was… if you have a moment…”
Truth is, ordinarily, a third-year student without a girlfriend would fall into one of two categories: either too outstanding or a complete loser.
And the man before her clearly seemed to fit into the latter category.
‘He must be desperate, considering this social period is his last chance.’
However, that didn’t mean Yeon Minha had any reason to listen to his plea.
She only felt an overwhelming sense of displeasure. She wasn’t particularly known for her patience either.
‘…Report him to the student council? No, that would be…’
Ignoring the pleas, Yeon Minha cast a glance around. An isolated corridor devoid of any presence. A place where, even pretending it was an accident, she could use magic to inflict wounds without a witness to testify.
“Could you not…”
“Just one time…”
As her patience hit rock bottom due to his words, she flicked her finger. A small magical sigil was etched into her palm, and a crackling flame began to flicker.
“What do you want?”
However, the next moment, she heard a low, heavy, yet reassuring voice from someone.
Instinctively, Yeon Minha turned her head with a bright smile.
Coming down the stairs was a Masked Male Student, striding confidently towards her.
“You…”
The third-year male student frowned as he saw him. Unlike his previous, servile approach, his tone was now overtly dismissive. But judging from how he maintained his composure even when faced with that white, sleek mask, it seemed he had indeed heard the rumors regarding the so-called troublemaker.
“Do you have business with Senior Minha?”
“…Senior Minha?”
His brazen tone was annoying, but the way he addressed her was even more displeasing. The third year squinted at him and turned his body, expressing hostility.
“Move aside. We’re having a conversation among seniors; where does a mere freshman think he can…”
“Sorry, but I have to go. Minha, I have a prior appointment.”
“What do you think you’re doing… don’t stand there!”
Ignoring him entirely, the Masked Male Student moved towards Yeon Minha. He almost wrapped his arm around her shoulder, turning her body.
“Senior, are you alright?”
“U-uh? Yeah…”
As she looked at him, Yeon Minha’s eyes were sparkling with sweetness. Her face was flushed, and she couldn’t even manage a proper answer, as if she had turned into a shy girl.
The fact that the arrogant and cheeky Yeon Minha was now meekly following him was infuriating.
“How dare you…!”
Unable to hold back his anger, the third-year lunged at him, but the freshman seemed to possess some sixth sense, swiftly grabbing the other’s wrist.
“Ugh!”
Crunch!
The painful grip made the guy scream loudly.
‘What strength is this…!’
No matter how much he thrashed, it was as if his arm was glued in place.
“Grrr… AAAGH!!”
“How dare you… touch someone recklessly…”
“W-wait…!”
Despite his desperate cries, the freshman paid him no mind. If anything, he tightened his grip even more, seemingly intent on breaking it.
“Hey. Stop it!”
However, at the sound of Yeon Minha’s voice, the male student’s grip loosened instantly.
“Gah… Gah…!”
Chun Su-ho slumped to the ground, gasping for air.
“You… how dare you… touch my senior… EEK!”
As he attempted to look up, he was met with an intimidating gaze, causing him to instinctively shrink back. Yeon Minha stood there with a smile, utterly delighted by the unfolding scene.
“Ahem. I apologize, Senior.”
After enjoying the sight for a moment, she stepped forward, her voice dripping with mockery.
“My junior is a bit too clingy. Please forgive him with your broad heart. Unless, of course…”
She glanced at the male student still sprawled on the floor.
“You wouldn’t report to the student council that a third year fought with a freshman, would you?”
“Ugh…”
His moan was practically an acknowledgment. As Yeon Minha turned her back, her voice was filled with cheer.
“Let’s go.”
Without sparing a glance at the fallen student, they vanished into the hallway.
*
“Goodness. I clearly told you before. You shouldn’t fight recklessly on school grounds.”
Walking alongside the Masked Male Student, Yeon Minha feigned to scold him.
“What would you have done if I hadn’t stopped you?”
She teased him while continuing their conversation.
“Besides, even if he looks like that, he’s a third-year. You shouldn’t treat them so carelessly.”
“What does it matter? Whether he’s a third-year or a professor.”
“Oh, come on…”
Yeon Minha sighed, but there was a hint of satisfaction in her voice. She could distinctly sense his frustration and possessiveness beneath his words.
Part of her felt a slight regret. She hoped he would become more aware of his desires.
Of course, being treated precious wasn’t a bad feeling whatsoever.
“Forget it. Just don’t do that again. You don’t need to worry about that kind of trash. I can handle it myself, okay?”
“…Yes.”
As the boy nodded reluctantly, Yeon Minha finally relaxed a bit and changed the topic.
“By the way… the social period is coming up soon. Did you know?”
Her earlier scorn of the girls was long forgotten.
Yet, contrary to Yeon Minha’s expectant tone, the boy remained calm.
“They say so. Thanks to that, I’ve been really busy lately. It’s all anyone talks about, and even the third-years have come back…”
His indifferent response made her pout involuntarily.
“…”
But soon, Yeon Minha shook her head. She had anticipated such a reaction. After all, she was the one in control of what happened.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“…Nothing. By the way, you were coming back from the ranking draw, right?”
“Yeah. I went to the student council room first, but the door was locked. So I came to see if you were here…”
“Hem hem… I see…”
Yeon Minha nodded enthusiastically. Then she asked in a lively voice,
“So, who did you draw against?”
The boy hesitated for a moment, speaking in a somewhat awkward tone.
“…Jin Yeseo.”