Partner (1)
Chapter 01Partner (1)
A few days had passed since So-yeon's smoking incident.
I had officially started attending the Academy and, despite various experiences, was slowly adjusting to the unfamiliar school life.
However...
"So-yeon, um..."
Before I could finish my sentence, Min So-yeon ignored me and walked away.
"...Haa..."
Watching her leave indifferently, a heavy sigh escaped my lips.
...This is really bad.
Since the first day of school, I still hadn't had a proper conversation with So-yeon.
That day when I first encountered So-yeon, did I make a mistake?
I recalled the events of that day as I returned to the classroom.
Discovering my daughter's smoking habit shocked me deeply and left me in great distress.
As someone who is no longer her parent, what should I do to act like one?
Amidst countless worries, I chose to simply offer a kind word.
I told her that smoking is bad for her health and to take it easy.
At that moment, it seemed like the best choice I could make.
But... was my thinking too short-sighted?
So-yeon left, telling me not to interfere in her life.
"..."
The words from my beloved daughter pierced my heart like a sharp knife.
Seriously, she called it someone else's life...
The image of her since the day she was born, from her crying out when she came into the world, to attending kindergarten, elementary, and middle school, is still vivid in my mind.
And yet, she called it someone else's life!
That one phrase from my beloved daughter tore my heart apart.
Since then, I've tried to talk to her several times at the Academy, but she kept ignoring me.
Because of her title as the [Sword Queen's daughter] she received a lot of attention from other students too...
But it wasn't just me; she kept everyone at a distance, insisting on being alone.
Whether that's fortunate or not, I'm not sure....
Ironically, several students approached me as well.
But I only had an interest in So-yeon, so I didn't want to get close to other kids.
Though there were students who kept trying to talk to me, that was about it.
Both So-yeon and I had little interest in others, naturally leading to minimal interaction with other students.
Yes.
Father and daughter ended up becoming outcasts together.
*
The price of being outcasts wasn't as significant as I thought.
No, it might actually be better.
"Alright, has everyone chosen a partner?"
A burly middle-aged teacher, Lee Dae-san, spoke to us.
Following his words, the students naturally paired up, except for two.
Min So-yeon and I.
"..."
All eyes turned to So-yeon and me.
Then, a young female teacher, Im Cha-kyung, who was standing next to Lee Dae-san, spoke to us.
"...Why don't you two have partners? Maybe you should pair up..."
"...No."
So-yeon's curt response made Im Cha-kyung's expression stiffen.
And at that moment...
...Wait, isn't this an opportunity?
I thought it might be a chance.
The Academy has a "partner" system.
Two students with different abilities form a pair for a year.
The Academy has many students with diverse abilities.
Some abilities are suited for direct combat, while others are focused on support roles.
Of course, there's no superior or inferior ability, so no ability is better or worse.
My ability is magic, particularly specialized in nature magic.
Fortunately, I was revived with the same ability as in my previous life, and although it might be weaker now, my accumulated skill should be better than using a new ability for the first time.
The job of a "hunter" has a very high retirement rate.
Although gate stabilization has progressed a lot recently, gates themselves are dangerous places, leading to various accidents.
I also died due to such an accident.
For these reasons, hunters often work in pairs, and the Academy's curriculum is designed accordingly.
Since both So-yeon and I need to find a partner, this could be an opportunity to bridge the gap between us.
Alright....
Having made up my mind, I approached Min So-yeon and naturally started a conversation.
"So-yeon. Neither of us has a partner, so why don't we..."
But at that moment, So-yeon coldly glanced at me and cut me off.
"...I don't want to."
Seriously...
I suppressed my frustration and continued the conversation.
"Still, we need to pair up for the class."
So-yeon sighed deeply as if she was really reluctant.
...Is that all? Nothing else?
I was taken aback by her cold reaction.
"...Min So-yeon?"
At that moment, Im Cha-kyung's voice came from behind.
When So-yeon and I turned around, Im Cha-kyung was standing with a boy I hadn't seen before.
...Huh?
With his curly blond hair, tall stature, and fair skin, he looked like someone who could make girls cry.
While So-yeon and I were standing there blankly, Im Cha-kyung introduced him to us.
"This student from the next class wants to partner with Min So-yeon, so I brought him over."
What? Our So-yeon... with this dandy-looking guy?
As soon as the introduction was over, the boy eagerly stepped forward and greeted So-yeon.
"Hi! I'm Jang Su-won."
So-yeon glanced at his outstretched hand and simply nodded her head.
She was as consistent as always.
Despite the awkward situation, Jang Su-won laughed loudly and continued talking.
"...Min So-yeon, I came here specifically to be your partner."
...Huh?
I was slightly taken aback by Jang Su-won's straightforward words.
It seemed like So-yeon didn't know who he was... is this some sort of crush?
Ignoring me, Jang Su-won smiled at So-yeon and spoke.
"If it's alright, would you be my partner?"
At Jang Su-won's approach, I quickly moved between them.
"Wait."
Facing Jang Su-won directly, I spoke firmly.
"Sorry, but So-yeon already agreed to be my partner."
"...Really?"
"Yeah. So, it would be faster to find someone else..."
At that moment, So-yeon pushed me aside and spoke in a low voice.
"Hey. Who said you could decide my partner?"
"So-yeon?"
Seeing our conversation, Jang Su-won smiled knowingly and spoke.
"...It seems like she hasn't decided yet. How about being my partner?"
"No, So-yeon is going to be my partner."
As Jang Su-won and I argued, Im Cha-kyung intervened.
"It looks like both of you want to be her partner, so let's let So-yeon decide."
All eyes turned to So-yeon at Im Cha-kyung's suggestion.
She lowered her head, looking burdened by the attention.
...Well, we're in the same class, and we've known each other... she should choose me, right?
With a small hope, I gave her a warm look.
Would my earnest feelings reach her? After a short sigh, So-yeon looked at us with an annoyed expression and said quietly.
"...I don't want either of you."
In the end, we both got rejected.
*
No matter what, we couldn't defy the school's rules.
Fortunately, there were leftover students in other classes, so pairs were forcibly matched.
But Jang Su-won and I, fixated on So-yeon, waited for her choice.
We only needed Min So-yeon's decision.
Though it was a bit sad for the remaining student, there was nothing we could do.
I had a reason why I had to be So-yeon's partner.
In a corner of the practice area, Jang Su-won and I were at a standstill.
It seemed Jang Su-won also really wanted to be So-yeon's partner, showing no sign of backing down.
"Yoo Ji-hwan. You give up this time. I'll be the partner this year, and next year..."
"So-yeon will be my partner this year and next year."
As we exchanged heated words, the surrounding students gave us curious looks.
Meanwhile, So-yeon mingled with other students, seemingly uninterested in our argument.
Her indifferent attitude puzzled me.
So-yeon should know how important a partner is, yet she acted as if it didn't matter.
...What is this...?
As I pondered, Jang Su-won spoke with a resigned tone.
"...I didn't want to say this, but..."
Wondering what he was going to say, I crossed my arms and watched.
"My parents are hunters. They're supported by the government."
"So what?"
Mentioning government support, his parents were at least B-rank hunters.
"My mother and father are both A-rank hunters. ...You understand what I'm implying, right?"
...This brat?
Realizing the hidden meaning behind Jang Su-won's words, I couldn't help but laugh.
Seeing my reaction, Jang Su-won growled, lowering his voice.
"Min So-yeon is the daughter of the 'Sword Queen.' She needs a suitable partner."
I sighed deeply, feeling exasperated, and spoke.
"...You're not even ranked yet, so talking like that..."
At that moment, I recalled a similar situation from the past.
Back then, I was in So-yeon's position....
If Jang Su-won was aiming for So-yeon's status, he might fall for it.
Having made up my mind, I swiftly turned the conversation, subtly leading Jang Su-won.
"...Jang Su-won. I understand what you're trying to say. You think you're more suitable as So-yeon's partner, right?"
"Exactly."
"Then we can find out by competing."
"...What?"
Jang Su-won looked at me strangely, as if he misheard.
...It feels a bit childish to do this with a kid, but...
There's no other way.
I smiled at Jang Su-won and spoke.
"If you beat me, I'll give up on So-yeon."
Jang Su-won burst into laughter as if he found it absurd.
I grinned, taunting him.
"Why, are you scared? Didn't your government-backed parents teach you how to fight?"
Seemingly provoked, Jang Su-won glared at me with wide eyes.
"...You're talking recklessly."
He was the one who brought up the background first.
"You must have no roots, like someone I know."
Jang Su-won, trembling with anger, turned to approach Lee Dae-san.
He had accepted my challenge.
Lee Dae-san, after talking to Jang Su-won, laughed heartily and looked at me.
It was a positive reaction.
Lee Dae-san agreed cheerfully, saying the rest would be handled by Im Cha-kyung.
Thus, Jang Su-won and I explained the situation to Min So-yeon with Im Cha-kyung accompanying us.
So-yeon, hearing about the "friendly match," seemed slightly annoyed and said indifferently.
"...Do as you wish."
She still seemed uninterested.
With Lee Dae-san's permission and Min So-yeon's consent, Im Cha-kyung spoke actively.
"The rule is, between Yoo Ji-hwan and Jang Su-won, the one who either gives up first or is subdued first will lose, and the winner will choose the partner. Since it's impossible today, prepare for the match by tomorrow's class."
Jang Su-won and I exchanged confident looks.
We both had something to rely on, so we were confident.
But I'm not weak enough to lose to a student who just awakened their abilities.
As Jang Su-won and I were engaged in a staring contest, So-yeon sighed shortly and left without a word.
"..."
The person involved didn't seem to care, which made me feel oddly deflated.
Watching So-yeon disappear into the crowd of students, a small question arose in my mind.
Even considering her teenage years, could someone be so indifferent?
I recalled all the observations I'd made of So-yeon so far.
She responded to all attention and kindness with disregard and indifference.
Had she ever shown interest in anything?
No, she hadn't.
...This makes her seem like a child being forced to do something they don't want to do.