ALL NOVEL Chapter 180
A vast cradle area, comparable to a small city, surrounded by a massive wall with no gaps.
With a scruffy beard and a ponytail, Professor Kwon Chanyul leaned against the wall, puffing away at a cigarette.
Huh…
He exhaled a plume of colorful smoke, his eyes clearly showing annoyance as he glanced downwards.
– Welcome to the first specialized high education institution for wizard training, Cradle. Visitors are requested to wear their identification tags…
Even on the first day of the social gathering, visitors from all walks of life were pouring in like a tidal wave. The amplified voices of guides echoed incessantly.
A clean road free of dust stretched out ahead. Dozens of grand trees lined up along it, adorned with twinkling colorful lights. The great hall, where the main event would take place, and the various rooms for sub-gatherings were bustling as they prepared to welcome guests.
… Tsk.
However, amidst this dazzling festival, he wore a frown as if something was displeasing him. Professor Kwon recalled the events from the last faculty meeting.
*
“The educational committee has already reached the same conclusion.”
The plump and grumpy Professor Roh Jong-ha wiggled his mustache.
“Especially with this year’s social gathering coinciding with the National Foundation Day! How can we brush this off as a modest school event? Think about it, think!”
“But didn’t Haewolhwa carefully request we pay special attention to security while she’s away in the South?”
“Professor Moon is right! Opening up during such chaotic times… it could easily appear overly extravagant to outsiders…”
“Aha, in chaotic times, we must hold a grand event! The greater the discontent among the populace, the more amusement we must provide!”
Young professor Shin Jae-yu’s plea was drowned out by the raging middle-aged professor.
“The Supreme Assembly has maintained such a stance, hasn’t it? The last Nakseongil festival was held on an unprecedented scale. We at Cradle must show our cooperation!”
“But still, the principal…”
“What? The principal is worried about security so he said that.”
Professor Roh’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
“Hasn’t that guy always been such a pain? He can’t stand to see students having fun. Surely this time…”
“What did you say? Professor Roh, even if the principal is away, isn’t that a bit much?”
Shin Jae-yu scoffed curtly.
“And you’re in no position to say such things, are you? The rumors of you only favoring well-off students are everywhere. That’s not very professor-like, is it?”
“W-what? How dare you speak such nonsense! This is defamation!”
“Am I wrong? And speaking of which, what’s with the harassment of that Yena girl? Every time she gets called to the office, she comes out with red eyes! Please straighten up your conduct!”
“W-what!”
“Why are both of you suddenly like this!”
“Calm down…!”
As the plump professor rose abruptly, the faculty room erupted into chaos. Only Professor Kwon Chanyul remained seated, lost in thought.
… Could it be that something was heard from Paecheon?
There was indeed a strange unease in Professor Roh’s overly passionate demeanor.
It was already publicly known that he was under the patronage of Paecheon. Furthermore, Paecheon had consistently advocated for the external opening of Cradle during the social gathering through the educational committee.
For over ten years, the fierce conflict between Paecheon and Jeokhwa persisted. While Jeokhwa met an unexpected demise, Paecheon never grasped the power it longed for.
That was because the Heukryeon family, who had hidden in silence, suddenly declared their return to the highest council.
Perhaps they’re trying to orchestrate a reversal during the social gathering…
“If you’re so worried, why not let others handle the external security! I’ll take charge of the campus facility security!”
The plump professor’s shout echoed loudly in the faculty room.
*
“Senior? You’re slacking off again, right!”
Startled by the loud voice, Professor Kwon snapped back to reality.
With a deeply furrowed brow, he turned his head to the side.
A short-haired female professor approached him with a playful expression.
“Slacking off? Can’t you see I’m diligently on duty?”
As he brushed off the last of the ash from his cigarette, Professor Kwon scolded her.
“And ‘senior’? Can’t you address me properly? You should say ‘Professor’…”
“What does it matter? There are only the two of us.”
The female professor, ignoring his request and dropping the honorific, left him speechless.
“Ah…”
“So, why the long face on such a nice day?”
“It’s because it’s a nice day that I have a long face.”
“Seriously gloomy. No wonder you’re still single at your age.”
Shin Jae-yu stuck her tongue out at him.
“Is it because of security?”
“Yeah.”
Professor Kwon begrudgingly answered.
“But why do you look so excited? You just had a massive fight with Professor Roh.”
“Ugh, don’t even mention that fatso. Can you see this chill on my body?…”
With her brows furrowed, the female professor waved her hands dismissively.
“Well, what can you do about what’s already been decided?”
The female professor spoke in a calm tone.
“Now that it’s like this, let’s enjoy it. There are so many people and it’s lively; I actually feel a bit excited… it reminds me of old times…”
Her eyes, gazing down at the campus, reflected memories from over a decade ago.
“Remember? That was when I fought with that Sa Jaehyeok guy over there.”
“How could I forget that?”
Professor Kwon shook his head, as if in exasperation.
“You really were something. How could a country bumpkin slap the heir of such a prestigious family? I guess that’s why you had a cold war with the Sehwa gang for a while, huh?”
“Hmph. If he didn’t want to get slapped, he should’ve behaved.”
Shin Jae-yu pouted.
“Honestly, that was too much of Sehwa’s sister. How can the discipline committee chair side with delinquents? So obsessed with boys…”
As she continued to grumble, the female professor’s voice eventually began to fade.
“But those were good times… Everything was fun back then… Yujung is still…”
Having unconsciously mentioned someone’s name, the female professor quickly changed the subject.
“Ugh, let’s stop talking about the past. How about wearing a school uniform for a change? It looks to me like no one would recognize you.”
“At your age, school uniforms? You’re not Haewolhwa. And you certainly look way younger than her…”
Seeing the female professor’s face scrunch up, Professor Kwon quickly stopped himself.
“…Well, what can you do about already made decisions?”
To be honest, the principal’s warnings certainly carried more weight.
Cradle was inherently designed with security against potential terrorist threats in mind. Even the sewers were built securely, connecting directly to the sea, leaving no chance for external intrusion.
Additionally, the towering walls, hundreds of automatic security dolls, and always-stationed wizard personnel were all present.
The only entry was a thick main gate, sealed off with various security facilities like magic measuring devices and demon detection instruments.
While it was declared open to the outside, only those whose identities had been thoroughly verified—members of noble families—were allowed. Among them, 30% were experts dispatched by the national imperial guard in response to requests during the social gathering.
Even that hefty mustached Professor Roh Jong-ha was an unrivaled master in the areas of exploration and transformation. If he weren’t, he wouldn’t have received support from Paecheon in the first place.
Only his character is a complete disaster.
“Honestly, nothing really must go wrong…”
Professor Kwon let out a deep sigh filled with worry.
“Noise is just such a nuisance…”
*
Dressed in a flouncy dress, Jin Yeseo was waiting for someone beneath a tree on the campus.
With a comically silly monkey mask on her face, she wasn’t particularly trying to hide her identity. Her glorious blonde hair and radiant green eyes were still attracting attention.
It was more about a sense of play than anything else.
More than half of those strolling around were wearing various types of masks from street vendors and were giggling; Jin Yeseo wanted to join that parade.
Huh… huh…
Even with the fresh breeze filling the campus, Jin Yeseo fanned herself like someone who had fallen in the middle of summer.
She could not feel more grateful for the mask.
Given the burning heat on her face, it was clear she was likely making a ridiculously silly expression, especially for one of the five great families’ heirs.
Why, why is this happening… If it keeps up like this, what am I supposed to do…
While Jin Yeseo’s heart raced anxiously, she reflexively smiled brightly and turned at the sound of someone approaching her.
“Why are you arriving so late… huh?”
But Jin Yeseo’s face immediately twisted in disappointment.
The expected handsome guy was replaced by a greasy-looking male student waving at her.
“Wow, look who it is! Isn’t this Jin Yeseo, the junior?”
“Chun Su-ho… Senior?”
Her joy burned like dry leaves, fading away quickly. Jin Yeseo scrutinized the approaching male student with a chill in her eyes as if she were staring at an enemy.
“Nice dress. What were you doing alone? Don’t you have friends?”
“… I’m waiting for someone.”
Even in response to Jin Yeseo’s frigid retort, the male student was unfazed. Instead, he moved closer, engaging her with increased enthusiasm.
“Hmm, I see. While hanging out with girls is nice, it looks a bit dangerous for a freshman to be alone on such a crowded day. Seems you need a dependable senior like me…”
Haa…
The unwelcome leech showed no intention of leaving. Sighing internally, Jin Yeseo completely ignored Chun Su-ho’s words, only hearing a buzzing noise in her ears.
“I’ve heard a lot about Harin… You’re even prettier in person…”
The self-loving male’s comments escalated from there.
Jin Yeseo knew a bit about Chun Su-ho too. He was Harin’s older brother, who was also on the student council with Baek Seoyeon.
And hadn’t his name come up during the last student council meeting?
Looks like I can’t rely on Yeon Minha; now he’s on my case?
While she didn’t particularly care for Yeon Minha, it was painfully obvious who was at fault for the previous commotion.
Pathetic. What kind of third-year tries to flirt with a first-year…?
“Senior, could you be a bit less stiff and just call me ‘Oppa’?”
“Uh, Excuse me, Senior.”
Unable to tolerate his outrageous behavior any longer, Jin Yeseo interrupted the male student’s chatter.
“I think my friend will arrive soon, so I’m sorry, but could you please go?”
“W-What?”
Her polite yet frosty dismissal left Chun Su-ho genuinely taken aback.
“Shouldn’t you enjoy the social gathering with your friends? Don’t waste your time here.”
“Ah… ahaha… wasting time? What do you mean by that?”
Our relationship?
Swallowing back a laugh at his comments, Jin Yeseo felt her grin slip.
“Your fingers are pretty too. They’re so dainty, they might not hold a candle to mine.”
Scrambling to keep the conversation going, the male student relied on Jin Yeseo’s fingers, pointing at them.
“Hey there, Senior, what are you doing?”
“How about a little finger cross? Come on, such small and delicate fingers…”
What the hell is this jerk trying to do…?
Seeing the male student reaching out unnecessarily, Jin Yeseo cursed him internally. The only reason she pretended to tolerate his advances was to avoid causing unnecessary trouble before her boyfriend arrived.
Just before his hand could reach, she planned to kick Chun Su-ho right where it hurt.
“Aaargh!”
But just as she prepared to act, his attempt drew a premature halt. The male student squealed like a little girl, twisting his body in pain.
Contrary to the pained student, Jin Yeseo beamed brightly as if delighted.
“What are you doing?! Security! There’s a weird guy here… Aaargh!”
“Well, funny enough, the weird guy is you.”
Suddenly emerging from nowhere—a creature with a lion mask covering its face—grabbed Chun Su-ho’s wrist and twisted it painfully.
“What kind of nonsense is this, trying to touch someone else’s girl?”
The pair of fierce eyes from behind the mask radiated overwhelming intimidation.