474
[Chapter 133]
[The Snake, Flower Petals, and Winter]
The cultural festival begins.
Students arrived early in the morning to do final checks.
At 10 AM.
As the academy's main gate opened wide, countless people entered the grounds.
"There won't be a day as good as today since entering the academy. Ah, to think such a day would come for me too!"
Towers built with magic all over the grounds.
Choi Ga-in, who had climbed to the top floor of a tower overlooking the main gate, spoke excitedly.
The people visible below seemed to be celebrating her good fortune.
Good fortune.
Yes, it was good fortune.
"Hey guys, did you know? Eunha asked to see the cultural festival together with me."
"Wow, wow... Ga-in, you're so lucky."
"And he even asked to watch the fireworks together? You've probably heard the story about the cultural festival fireworks before. It's about when a man and woman are alone during the festival..."
"Wow! Are you finally dating Eunha!? Congratulations Ga-in! With how popular you are, there's no way Eunha would just leave you alone!"
As if rehearsed.
Kang Yeseul and Kim Byeongguk, led by her, chimed in smoothly in a situation that had already been repeated several times.
Other students were the same.
Choi Ga-in took on a triumphant attitude, encouraged by their praise.
"It's been such a long journey to get here."
Placing her hand on the window.
Choi Ga-in muttered softly with raised corners of her mouth.
The recent 3 years since entering the academy were enough to make her impatient.
Before graduating high school academy, she had to create some influence within Galaxy Group.
This was the only time she could gain power to oppose her half-brother Choi Jeong-hoon.
Of course, she had to recruit promising talents. She also had to make a man with fame as a player her partner and turn his influence into her own.
But she hadn't gained much so far.
"No Eunha is mine now. Since he's in my hands, even Choi Jeong-hoon can't say anything now."
But No Eunha had fallen into her hands.
No Eunha, who she had been working on all this time, suddenly showed her goodwill.
She wasn't a fool either.
She had long noticed the reason.
"As long as I have this flower..."
Moon's Blessing.
When talking with her, No Eunha's gaze would sometimes turn towards Moon's Blessing.
Choi Ga-in, who keenly caught this, thought she could handle No Eunha as she pleased until she handed over this flower.
Then she would just use him freely.
In exchange for giving this flower...
I'll tell him to become my man.
Choi Ga-in giggled while fiddling with the bracelet wrapped around her wrist.
Though she didn't know how important an elixir Moon's Blessing was to No Eunha.
She could roughly guess it was quite important based on how No Eunha treated her.
She ultimately planned to bind him so he couldn't escape from her through the contract of marriage.
Ah, there was On Taeyang too.
Soon she recalled the promising talent she had almost drawn into Galaxy Group this year.
31st class of high school academy, On Taeyang.
If No Eunha hadn't fallen into her hands, she would have planned to draw in On Taeyang as her partner as a second choice.
But that was no longer necessary.
Wait, no.
Then she denied that thought.
Excitement spread across her face.
"—I can just devour Taeyang too, can't I?"
Even if legally prohibited, it's an era where harems flourish secretly.
Of course, reverse harems were the same.
There were people around her who had fiancés while keeping lovers on the side.
So there was no reason to choose just one of the two.
She could have both.
I'll take Eunha as my first partner, and Taeyang as my second.
"But Ga-in, I was thinking of going out to buy something, is there anything you want to eat?"
"Just buy whatever you guys want."
"Okay. Ah, Yeseul, you said you wanted kimchi soup right? I'll try to find that too."
Choi Ga-in laughed silently.
She brushed off whatever the students following her said.
Then she called Kang Yeseul.
"By the way, did you talk to Choi Jeong-hoon oppa? Is he coming?"
"Yeah, he said he might be able to come on the fourth day of the cultural festival."
"Call him again and tell him to make sure to come. A monumental event will happen for our Galaxy Group."
Choi Ga-in looked down out the window.
In three days.
In front of all those people watching, she will propose marriage to No Eunha in exchange for Moon's Blessing.
So that No Eunha has no choice.
She will also prove to Choi Jeong-hoon, who treated her like a child, how high her value is.
"—I'm really looking forward to that time."
Choi Ga-in recited with a wide grin.
☆
Recent rumors circulating in the academy.
On Taeyang had also heard about the romantic rumors between No Eunha and Choi Ga-in.
"Why does Ga-in like that bastard?"
On Taeyang couldn't understand.
Though Choi Ga-in was Galaxy Group's direct descendant, she didn't discriminate against people based on status.
Rather, she had always shown him kindness.
She was a person with a kind heart.
He couldn't believe that such a person had rumors spreading about her with No Eunha, whom he disliked.
"Ga-in won't even listen to me..."
If No Eunha had done something.
Unlike before, Choi Ga-in no longer listened to On Taeyang's earnest words.
No matter how much he said No Eunha was approaching her with some ulterior motive, it was useless.
Rather, she completely changed her expression and even threatened him.
'—Taeyang, can you stop trying to cross the line?'
'...What? No, I'm just trying to...'
'If you're thinking of me, just stay still. I have my reasons for doing this. Understand?'
He tried to protest then.
But he had to close his mouth, realizing she was a direct descendant of Galaxy Group that sponsored him.
No, that's not it.
On Taeyang soon shook his head.
The reason he closed his mouth was simply because he hadn't caught definitive evidence.
Ga-in is being deceived by that No Eunha guy right now.
No Eunha is pulling a scam.
On Taeyang arbitrarily concluded.
Then he lamented how the recent academy atmosphere was flowing centered around No Eunha.
As No Eunha's tyranny greatly increased, didn't the Cheoksa Danyo Jomun Mirror end up in his hands in a way that violated the rules?
Not a single person opposed it then.
Everyone was forced to applaud.
The people of the academy are afraid of No Eunha's power.
And No Eunha's faction is using that to create discrimination in the academy.
A world revolving around No Eunha.
On Taeyang wanted to somehow change the flow of the academy where justice couldn't stand upright and dictatorship was rampant.
So—
—First take down No Eunha's faction, then take down No Eunha himself. If that happens, maybe Ga-in will come to her senses too.
On Taeyang firmly resolved while placing his hand on his sword hilt.
That he would definitely defeat No Eunha.
So participating in the comprehensive division competition was to showcase his growth to everyone and imprint the image of him taking down No Eunha's faction.
On Taeyang moved his steps towards the arena where the comprehensive division competition would be held.
"Anyway, don't get hurt. I'll be cheering for you from the stands, so be grateful. Do well."
"Okay, thanks."
He entered the arena.
Taeyang nodded at Jo Ara's words as he stood at the junction separating the participant waiting room and spectator stands.
Jo Ara enthusiastically shouted words of encouragement.
On Taeyang shrugged his shoulders.
"But are you going to watch alone from the stands? It'll be boring to watch alone... Don't the kids we usually hang out with have time?"
"Um... well... I'm just going to watch with other friends."
"You have friends I don't know about?"
"Would you know if I told you? There are 1800 people in our year."
"I guess... Ah, how about asking Ga-in to watch from Galaxy Group's VIP viewing room? Wouldn't it be more comfortable to watch there with friends?"
On Taeyang was worried about Jo Ara.
His kind-hearted childhood friend unfortunately didn't have many friends around her.
When they were young, she clearly introduced friends she hung out with to him.
Now the situation had reversed where he was introducing friends he hung out with to her.
So he was relieved to hear she had made friends he didn't know about.
"Hmm..."
"Why? Isn't that better?"
It felt like the shackles binding his ankles had been released.
On Taeyang mentioned Galaxy Group's sponsorship out of consideration for her.
But Jo Ara's expression wasn't very bright.
Soon she opened her mouth.
"No, it's okay. They probably won't like that kind of place. We're just going to watch comfortably from the stands."
"But it would be more comfortable there..."
"Ga-in will be there too."
"What's wrong with that? It's not like you and Ga-in have a bad relationship."
"...Just. I want to be with just friends."
Jo Ara rejected On Taeyang's suggestion with an ambiguous smile.
On Taeyang grumbled with a face that couldn't understand.
But there wasn't time to keep talking.
"I'm going to head in now. Have fun. See you later."
"Okay! Don't get hurt and make sure to win, okay?"
Soon he advanced towards the corridor leading to the waiting room without looking back.
Jo Ara, now left at the junction, immediately sighed.
It was a sigh of relief.
"I was so nervous thinking Taeyang might have noticed. If I had said I'd be with Eunwoo and Seona, what would he have said..."
She had agreed to watch the comprehensive division competition with Jin Seona and Cha Eunwoo.
It was something she couldn't tell him.
Jo Ara, who had calmed her heart, decided to move her steps to the promised location.
"I should tell the kids to eat caramel popcorn. Ah, but I wonder if that goes well with beer?"
There's no food as delicious as eating with friends.
Jo Ara was already licking her lips.
☆
First day of the cultural festival.
Even though lunch hadn't passed yet, many people had come to the academy.
Everywhere was crowded with people.
So Eunha turned towards the back of the dormitory instead of going out to the road where the cultural festival was being held.
It wasn't completely empty of people, but it was a relatively quiet path.
Then he sat down on a nearby bench.
"So many people really came..."
Friends participating in the cultural festival in various ways seemed to be in a frenzy.
At some point, no messages were coming up in the group chat.
Eunha sighed after checking photos Eunwoo took of people entering the academy.
The fact that so many people came to see him now only felt burdensome.
By the way, the comprehensive division competition opening ceremony should be starting soon...
When is that guy coming?
Eunha raised his hand to block the sunlight shining through the leaves.
The comprehensive division competition opening ceremony starts soon.
He who would show a demonstration match at the opening ceremony prayed his appointment would arrive quickly.
And finally—
"—Master. Do you think there are people who would understand if you just said you'd be behind the dormitory? I had a hard time finding you."
"You're great at finding things but still complaining... Have you been well?"
"I'm always doing well. But it seems you've been doing even better than me, Master?"
Eunha chuckled seeing the handsome man who suddenly entered his field of vision.
As he lowered his head that had been tilted back, Twenty-five naturally sat down next to him.
Eunha held out his hand.
"Did something good happen?"
"...What are you talking about?"
But Twenty-five just grinned without giving what was asked for.
Eunha frowned at the nonsensical words.
Twenty-five pointed at the corners of his own mouth while tying his brown hair.
"Come on, I can tell just by looking at your face. The viciousness seems to have left your face?"
"When was my face ever full of viciousness..."
"Before, the corners of your mouth were always unpleasantly raised, but now they've shortened."
"Don't say nonsense."
"Yes sir. That was a lie, but it's not a lie that you seem to be in a good mood, is it? If I had to choose, I prefer this side more."
Twenty-five was spouting strange words.
Eunha touched the corners of his own mouth while brushing off his playful hand.
A tall handsome man.
Though it wasn't a path with many people, Twenty-five's appearance was enough to catch people's eyes.
So Eunha decided to finish his business and leave immediately.
"I'm busy now. We'll talk later."
"Oh, bad boy."
"..."
"I'm sorry."
"Forget it, just give me that quickly."
Around summer vacation.
Eunha asked Twenty-five to make a certain drug while looking forward to this day.
It was the key to this operation.
A drug to put Choi Ga-in in a vegetative state.
A drug that would bring her to the brink of death.
"You know how hard it was to make this, right? Getting the ingredients was no joke, and it was tough making double and triple traces to prepare for tracking."
"Yeah, I know. You worked hard, thanks. Is there anything you need?"
"I need Master's love."
"Okay, seems like you don't particularly need anything."
"Hey Master? Can you hear me?"
"I don't have time to joke around with you."
"Yes sir."
Twenty-five was flirting.
Eunha threatened him.
Only then could Eunha carefully examine the drug he received.
This one bottle can put a person in a vegetative state.
"You brought the antidote too?"
"Should I keep that?"
"Do that."
Eunha put the vial in his holster.
Then he reviewed the plan they had made in advance with Twenty-five.
The fourth day of the cultural festival.
When he's alone with Choi Ga-in watching the comprehensive division competition, he'll put her in a vegetative state.
Then Twenty-five will take Choi Ga-in to a place people can't reach and separate Moon's Blessing.
...This is the end of groveling to Choi Ga-in because of Moon's Blessing.
I'll obtain Moon's Blessing on the last night of the cultural festival.
The time limit is three days from now.
He will remodel Choi Ga-in's mental state once she has served her purpose.
He'll remodel her into a chess piece that interferes with Galaxy Group, ultimately making her Choi Jeong-hoon's headache.
It was killing two birds with one stone - obtaining Moon's Blessing too.
So—
—I'm looking forward to that time.
Eunha couldn't hide the corners of his mouth that were rising involuntarily.
Just then, Twenty-five who saw that suddenly pointed his finger.
"That's it! That's it! Master is smiling unpleasantly right now!"
"...Shut your mouth."
"Yes sir."
"Then work hard during the cultural festival period. You know you have to work where people's footsteps are most sparse since you can't be caught by others, right?"
"I was planning to look around anyway."
"Okay, I'm counting on you."
Until the operation is executed.
Twenty-five will roam the academy looking for a suitable place
to work on isolating the Blessing of Moonlight.
Eunha decided to leave him behind and go to the opening ceremony of the general meeting.
to work on isolating the Blessing of Moonlight.
Eunha decided to leave him behind and go to the opening ceremony of the general meeting.