I Became a Childhood Friend of the Middle Boss

Chapter 12

All this time, I had been waiting for an opportunity to persuade Yeon Ha-neul.

“I can’t let her talent go to waste.”

Perhaps Yeon Ha-neul would decide to pursue a career in handling mana and becoming a hunter around middle school age.

So, the time she spent until then felt like a waste.

Moreover, she had no background, her talent hadn’t fully blossomed, yet she would enter the Academy City.

“Even though her magic level is 75, her growth potential is limited, so I need to boost it during her growth phase.”

To lower the difficulty level of the story and strengthen the protagonist’s party.

And to create a world after the ending where I can live comfortably.

I was determined to train Yeon Ha-neul during the remaining 5 years before she entered the Academy City.

So, this time, with gained instinctive control, I subtly suggested to Yeon Ha-neul, and…

“Okay then, you’ll be responsible.”

At first, she seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then she accepted the proposal.

Internally, I rejoiced at the response I had hoped for from her.

At that moment, she tilted her head.

“But to become a hunter, you need to graduate from the Academy in the City. Are you planning to enter the middle school academy as soon as you become a middle school student?”

“If you plan to solidify your basics, that’s not a bad idea, but I don’t intend to go to the middle school academy. To become a hunter, you only need to graduate from the high school academy.”

“Why aren’t you going to the middle school academy?”

“I am from a family of divine swordsmen, so actually, learning from there is more helpful than what you learn there.”

One advantage of attending the elementary and middle school academies in the Academy City is the ability to lay the necessary foundations for being a hunter from an early age.

Furthermore, the connections gained while studying there cannot be ignored.

However, as a person from the Shin-Geom Do clan, there wasn’t much advantage for me.

“It’s more like wasting time learning swordsmanship.”

It wasn’t just me who thought that way; everyone from prestigious families capable of producing hunters had the same mindset.

So, even if I entered the middle academy, it was unlikely that I would encounter individuals from distinguished lineages.

I had been diligently training for five years with plans to enter the high academy.

“So, I have to go to the middle academy alone…”

Upon hearing my thoughts, Yeon-Haneul murmured sadly.

But she was mistaken.

“I can’t just let you go alone.”

I decided to correct Yeon-Haneul’s misunderstanding.

“You should attend the middle school with me and then enter the high academy.”

“Me too?”

Yeon-Haneul’s eyes widened.

Her face lit up instantly, and her bunny ears perked up.

I could roughly gauge her emotional state from that.

Hence, I decided to affirm what she might be doing now.

“I promised to take care of you, so how could I let you go alone?”

“Oh, I see… I thought you wanted me to go to the academy first. But can I go to the high academy without learning the basics?”

“So, we need to start practicing now.”

“How?”

“Let’s go to the swordsmanship hall together to build up our stamina. You can also train separately.”

“Are you saying to enroll in the swordsmanship hall? Well, I mean, I…”

“It’s run by our family; why would you need to pay?”

“Is it really okay?”

“Of course.”

Yeon-Haneul asked hesitantly.

I reassured her once again.

If I asked my father, he would arrange for Yeon-Haneul to attend the swordsmanship hall for free.

“If Yeon-Haneul shows talent, she’ll automatically receive sponsorship without me having to say anything.”

That way, Yeon-Haneul’s financial situation would improve significantly.

She wouldn’t need to wear old clothes to school like she does now.

It was during those times.

“Why are you being so kind to me?”

“I don’t have much to offer you…”

Yeon-Haneul asked hesitantly.

I could vaguely understand why she brought up that question.

“She might feel guilty for only receiving and wonder if she deserves sympathy.”

Having lived a life similar to hers in a past life, I made such a rough guess.

But I didn’t just give; I didn’t sympathize with her either.

“I want to see your potential in the future.”

“What?”

“Someday, when you become a famous hunter, maybe I’ll be able to see your potential? That’s the reason if I had to say why. There’s no other reason.”

For me, supporting her was a very profitable deal if it could bring her in as a colleague.

She had nothing to worry about.

Just as she received something from me, I also received something from her.

I wonder if my intentions were conveyed.

“You’re really strange.”

Yeongha lightly burst into laughter.

“Thank you so much.”

“There’s no need to thank me.”

“Still… But if I go to the swordsmanship academy, can I learn the sword like you?”

“No, you’ll mainly learn physical training at the swordsmanship academy.”

“Then… is that it?”

“And you’ll have to learn magic.”

“…”

“I told you. In my view, you seem to have talent in that area.”

Unless I was being foolish, I had no intention of raising her, with a magic power level of 75, as a swordsman.

“So, how do I learn magic? Won’t they teach it at the swordsmanship academy?”

“You’ll have to find a separate teacher. Anyway, I was planning to find a teacher myself because I also want to learn magic.”

“…”

“Let’s learn from the same teacher.”

Of course, it was a lie.

I pretended to be looking for a teacher for myself so that I could find a teacher to teach magic to Yeongha.

And there was someone in mind for that teacher.

‘He’s probably traveling the country enjoying himself at this time.’

I didn’t need to worry about finding him.

My father would take care of it.

* * *

Just like stamina is important in everything, it’s important for a wizard as well.

Opinions might differ among wizards, but at least I believed so.

“Just having a high magic power level isn’t enough. If stamina doesn’t support it, that power won’t be utilized properly.”

I wanted a resilient wizard who could engage in battles for a long time and, if needed, protect their own body.

But a wizard who unleashes powerful magic and collapses due to lack of stamina?

Such a wizard would only be a burden in the party I envision.

That’s why…

“Since we’re on the subject, how about starting today, we do some stamina training together?”

“Are we going to the swordsmanship hall starting today?”

I persuaded Yeonha, who was about to go home after finishing school.

She, who was organizing her bag on the desk, tilted her head with a smile.

“Well, I can, but today is my day off from going to the swordsmanship hall. Instead, it’s a day for personal training at home.”

“Ah… So you want us to train at your place?”

“Exactly. How about training together at my home facilities? I’ll show you how to train from now on.”

“Hmm…”

“Why? Don’t you like it?”

“It’s not that I dislike it, but it hasn’t been long since I visited your house. Won’t your mom feel uncomfortable if I come over again so soon?”

“My mom always welcomes you.”

“Still…”

“Should I ask my mom?”

“Of course, she’d say to come.”

“What’s the problem?”

“Well… nothing. Let’s go then.”

Seeming to seriously consider whether to go to our house or not, she quickly made a decision when I tried to take out my smartphone.

In no time, she glanced at me and spoke.

“But if we train, we’ll sweat, so it’s better to bring a change of clothes, towels, and things to wash up…”

“Most things should be at my place, so you don’t need to bring anything. You can wash up at home after training.”

“Hmm… It might be okay to shower at your place, but I probably won’t have clothes to change into.”

“You can wear my clothes. They should fit you well. And if you look carefully, you might find underwear that I haven’t worn yet…”

“Oh, I don’t like that.”

“…”

Is it really that unpleasant to wear my clothes?

Yeonha cut me off with a stern expression.

I was momentarily taken aback by her sharp rejection.

Whether we go or not.

“Hmm, what should we do… Should I stop by home and bring a change of clothes?”

“…”

“That would take a long time…”

Without paying attention to me, she was deeply lost in thought.

Then, as if she remembered something, she clapped her hands softly.

“Oh! That’s right.”

“What is it?”

“I remembered I had gym clothes! Just in case, I used to keep a change of clothes in the locker.”

“Oh, I see…”

Yeonha took out a bag with underwear and school gym clothes from the locker.

I decided not to ask her why she kept extra clothes in the locker and just let her enjoy her preparedness.

I should just let her be happy.

“Shall we go now?”

“Alright, let’s go.”

Before we knew it, we were leaving the classroom.

Walking and chatting with Yeonha, the path back home didn’t feel dull.

Suddenly, our house came into view.

“Mom, I brought Ha-neul to play…”

Passing through the front door, I opened the entrance.

“Toe! Kki! Eon! Ni! Da!”

…

From the other end of the corridor, I could see Yeeun rushing towards us with a loud thump.

“Hey, Gyunwoo, is she your younger sister? Her name is Yeeun, right?”

‘She seems really excited…’

“…Why are you silent?”

Yeeun’s eyes sparkled like a predator spotting its prey.

In that state, there was no way to calm her down.

I had no choice but to evade or brace for impact.

I quickly shifted my body to the side.

After all, it wasn’t me but Yeonha that Yeeun was hunting.

‘So, Ha-neul…’

Have fun with Yeeun in my place.

As I stepped aside, Yeeun leaped up from her spot with outstretched arms, and I couldn’t help but smile wryly.

“Toe! Kki! Eon! Ni! Da! Ah! Ah! Ah!”

Yeeun gave a hearty laugh and fell right onto Yeonha.

And not comprehending what had happened, she…

“Ahhhhh!”

“Wow! Those are really rabbit ears! Amazing!”

“Uh… Wait, don’t touch there…!”

Yeeun collapsed on top of Yeonha.

Yeonha let out a groan.

—

“Mom warned you not to act recklessly. What if Ha-neul got hurt because of your mistake? Quickly apologize to Ha-neul.”

“Unnie, I’m sorry…”

“Oh, no, it’s okay. Are you hurt anywhere? Are you alright?”

“Yeah!”

If it weren’t for Mom’s intervention, Yeonha would have likely been subjected to all sorts of teasing while pinned down by Yeeun.

It was fortunate it ended here.

At that moment, I felt Yeonha’s gaze after receiving an apology from Yeeun.

It was a somewhat displeased look.

“Why are you like this?”

“You… knew everything, didn’t you?”

“What?”

“Did you avoid it even though you knew?”

It seemed rather cruel that I had left alone without any explanation, probably to avoid getting tangled up with Yeeun.

There was no room for excuses.

But I had to act that way to survive.

If not, I would have collapsed on the ground.

“I’ll remember…”

As if to warn me.

The younger Yeeun whispered close to my ear.

‘Yes, remember.’

However, honestly speaking, it didn’t feel like a threat at all.

It wasn’t scary in the slightest.

It felt more like playing a prank.

I quickly changed my expression and smiled politely at her mother, then spoke to her.

“Starting today, I’ll train with Hanee. Is the training ground outside available for us to use now?”

“I’ve finished cleaning earlier, so it’s okay to use… Training with Hanee? What do you mean?”

“Hanee wants to become a hunter too. So, I decided to teach her.”

“What?”

She said Hanee was coming over to play, not to train.

Perhaps that’s why her mother looked surprised when she heard me.

“Well… I guess Hanee was pestering you to become a hunter.”

“…”

She sighed, furrowing her eyebrows.

Her mother’s gaze fell on me.

While her mother’s words weren’t wrong, why did it feel like there was a lack of trust in me?

I felt unsettled.

Meanwhile, her mother turned her head towards Hanee.

“I’ll respect Hanee’s decision, but being a hunter is not a simple profession. Have you really thought about it seriously before deciding?”

“…”

In a sharp and stern tone.

Yet tinged with concern.

Her mother asked Hanee.

Living a normal life, meeting her father, and becoming a respectable person from a prestigious family, her mother knows well how challenging and arduous the life of a hunter can be.

‘She must be asking if Hanee made the decision lightly.’

My mother was someone who cared deeply about others.

Even if my mother didn’t worry, Hanee was well aware.

She didn’t simply decide to become a hunter at my persuasion.

She carefully considered and judged before making a decision.

To her surprise, she lifted her head absentmindedly blinking at her mother’s concern.

“I’ve thought it through before deciding. I know how dangerous being a hunter can be. But I feel it’s right for me, and I believe I can do well.”

“…”

Was Moore so pleased?

Yeonha’s lips gently curved upward, her eyes forming into crescents.

“Also, Gyoun mentioned he would help me become a hunter. I might have been anxious if I were alone, but with Gyoun by my side, I feel at ease. So, please don’t worry too much.”

“…In that case, I’m relieved.”

It felt awkward hearing it up close.

I turned my head slightly.

On the other hand, my mother’s voice sounded much softer.

“To be honest, I was worried if Gyoun could manage well in the Hunter’s City alone, but having you by his side puts me at ease. Later on, take good care of Gyoun for me.”

“Yes, leave it to me.”

“…”

Why am I feeling so uneasy?

I was at a loss for words and ended up staying silent.