𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟏𝟑: 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝟐
Of course, the exam was not difficult to pass.
The academy would have just been going through the motions, and there was no way they would have failed me from the get-go.
And so, before I knew it, I had become a teaching assistant at Cheong-il Academy and was steadily moving forward.
『It’s funny. To think that someone as outstanding as you would be idling away like this. It’s something I would never have imagined before.』
At Hwang-hwi’s indifferent attitude, the two people sitting on the Sun-Moon Stone and my right arm spoke up.
『Hoho, that’s how it is.』
『I understand the rules, but even we, who are watching over Oppa, are getting a bit bored.』
“Excellence and teaching ability are two completely different things. It’s a natural progression.”
It’s a bit late to say this now, but with these three always chattering away, it’s starting to get a bit noisy for me.
『Why, Oppa? Why do you look so annoyed?』
“I’m thinking about separating the three of you for a while.”
I bound the three of them, who had been communicating poorly, with a spell, and now it’s like they’re mothers-in-law from a drama.
I let out a deep sigh and got up from the bench I was sitting on and walked along the familiar promenade.
It was a little different from when I was a student at the academy, but even so, not much had changed.
Because of that, when I walked around like this, I would always get a nostalgic feeling, and memories of the past would come flooding back.
“When I first came to the academy, I never imagined that I would have such a future ahead of me.”
Strictly speaking, I had all my plans for the future in place, but there were more unexpected events than I had anticipated.
“I feel like all my journeys have come to an end, but on the other hand, I also feel like it’s the future that’s more important.”
『That’s not wrong. The things about the Scapula Chamber and Polar Night were unexpected from the start, and the war that Hwang-hwi should have fought hasn’t even started yet.』
Hwang-hwi and I had shown our grim determination, but the reactions of the other two were surprisingly indifferent.
『Well, to be honest, I don’t think it’s necessary for you to be burdened with any more responsibility.』
『That’s right, Oppa. It might be the future that the new sprouts should face.』
The two of them had a point.
In fact, the reason I decided to become a teacher at the academy was partly because of that.
Now, I will step down from the main stage and become their assistant. That was the answer I came to as the one who had taken on Hwang-hwi’s destiny.
“There’s no need to worry too much. The times are always changing, and someone new will always come along to fill that spot.”
『. . . Well, I agree with that much.』
As one of the founders of the prestigious family, Hwang-hwi would know that better than anyone.
As we continued to walk around, I noticed that even though the sun had set, there were still quite a few students out and about, either taking a walk or training.
And then, one of them spotted me and slowly approached me with a question.
“Teacher! If you don’t mind, could I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“It’s about intermediate barrier techniques, but I don’t really understand this part. . . . . . .”
Although he seemed humble, he actually had a lot of knowledge and had experience helping juniors like Han Seo-ah and Yoo Ha-on, so he was confident enough to teach someone.
My evaluations for the past few months have also been good, so I will probably be able to take up the teachership officially soon.
“I understand. Thank you!”
Watching the girl disappear with a spring in her step, I smiled to myself, lost in memories once more.
This weekend, I should go outside the academy and meet my old friends.
For some reason, it was a night when I had such thoughts.
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
“Whew, it’s really strange to think that you’re a teacher.”
Jung Han-sol muttered, propping his chin up on the table at a confectionery shop in Seoul run by Shin So-ra.
The lines of his face and his physique were about the same as before, but his style had changed, so his impression was quite different.
Looking at the black guitar case next to him, I chuckled in response.
“Same here.”
“Is that so? I didn’t know you would make such a decision.”
Jung Han-sol laughed out loud, then glanced outside before continuing.
“My parents were shocked too. Well, they didn’t stop me since I had the prize money from the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons and the income I’ve earned since then.”
“That’s good. Do you ever think about going back to being an exorcist?”
“Who knows? Well, to be honest, I’ve gotten pretty rusty, so I think I’ll probably end up declining if they ask me.”
As we chatted idly like that, Shin So-ra came over to our table and plunked down a tray of food with a thud.
“These are the last of the pancakes. Why do you keep asking me to make a menu item that doesn’t sell?”
“Because yours are the tastiest! You should just put them on the regular menu.”
Jung Han-sol grinned, and Shin So-ra glared at him.
Seeing them together, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia, and I felt unexpectedly happy.
“You two are still close.”
“Huh? Us? Hohoho. What a joke.”
She said that, but the two of them had been together for over five years now.
I hadn’t heard anything from them, but I could guess what had happened between them.
“How’s the confectionery shop?”
“It’s fine. To be honest, I don’t really know if business is good or not.”
“The bread is delicious, but maybe the location isn’t the best.”
Shin So-ra’s shop was located in an alleyway quite a distance from the bustling city center, so it wasn’t in a very good location.
Perhaps she had chosen such a place on purpose.
“I’m getting a few regulars, so that’s enough for me.”
“Was I your first regular? I was probably your first customer too.”
“. . . You’re noisy.”
I had mixed feelings, but I was glad to see that both of them seemed to be doing well.
Jung Han-sol and Shin So-ra, who had been bickering for a while, both looked at me and spoke up without waiting for the other to say anything.
“So, do you think you’ll be able to do it?”
“In my own way.”
“To be honest, it’s like a luxury for the students. The great hero of the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons and Korea’s top special-grade exorcist teaching them sorcery. Isn’t that right?”
“You’re exaggerating.”
It wasn’t exactly wrong, but it was embarrassing to hear it from someone else’s mouth.
I might not be as well-known as Yoo Ha-on, who had become the face of the Exorcism Headquarters, or Sophia, who had become a star, but I wasn’t as famous as them either.
“No, everyone who needs to know knows. You’re more famous than you think.”
“That might be true outside the industry. . . . . . But that was half the intention in the first place, wasn’t it?”
“That’s right. I didn’t want to be idolized more than necessary.”
This is just right. I don’t want to be popular among exorcists or have people flocking to me wherever I go.
Taking a piece of baguette and dipping it in cream, I summoned Black Yin into the void and sent it flying out of the shop.
Flap!
『Eek!』
“Why a shikigami all of a sudden. . . . . . Oh, are you using it as a guide?”
“That’s right. It’s almost time for me to meet her.”
“Well, it’s true that she gets lost a lot. That sister.”
Shin So-ra nodded in agreement, and soon after, a silver-haired woman with a very tired face entered the shop.
Jingle─!
“. . . It’s been a while, junior. And the other two.”
“It’s a bit sad to hear you call us the other two. Sister.”
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
Since the research institute she worked at was nearby, Arietta would sometimes ask Shin So-ra’s bakery to deliver food.
Perhaps because of that, she seemed quite friendly compared to before.
“Is work going well?”
“. . . So-so? There’s still a long way to go.”
After the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons incident ended, Arietta, who had been the main force behind resolving the incident, used the huge sum of prize money she had received to set up her own research institute.
And the main thing she researched there was the power and spellcraft that she herself used.
“. . . I hate to admit it, but the data left behind by Xue Laifu is amazing. If it’s researched enough, it could be used in a positive way.”
“In any case, he was a great yokai who ruled the era in his own way.”
In a way, I think Arietta is the one among us who has the clearest vision and has set her goals.
To be honest, I have a little bit of respect for her in the corner of my heart.
“But hey, isn’t it about time you changed your title?”
Arietta responded to Jung Han-sol’s shrug by tearing off a piece of pizza and taking a bite.
“To assistant teacher?”
“Even if you say that, I’m not going to join the research institute.”
“. . . That’s harsh.”
In fact, I had been seriously approached once before I applied for the teachership, but I had declined.
Even though I had decided to step down from the stage, I still wanted to stay nearby and help out.
“. . . You’re always welcome to come visit when you feel like it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“And you have to help with the demonstration next month.”
“Yes. I haven’t forgotten.”
To be honest, I had almost forgotten. One way or another, I can’t deny that I’ve been quite relaxed lately.
“By the way, you look tired, sister. Did you stay up all night again?”
“I couldn’t help it. I’m busy trying to get everything ready in a month.”
Arietta replied, then seemed to remember something and turned to me, her mouth slightly ajar.
“. . . I forgot to replenish it, but can I drink some after a long time?”
“I don’t really mind.”
I felt a bit strange being treated like a drink dispenser, but Arietta looked so tired that I didn’t feel like refusing.
And so, leaving Shin So-ra and Jung Han-sol behind, we walked out of the shop and headed towards a nearby square, chatting idly as we went.
“To tell you the truth, I still sometimes wonder what I would be doing now if it weren’t for you, junior.”
“Are you talking about the Shin Do-hoon incident?”
“That, and in many other ways. . . . . . ?”
Arietta paused for a moment, then glanced at my face and expressed her gratitude.
“I’m always grateful to you, junior.”
“I feel the same way.”
It’s not just me. Arietta’s help has been a great strength to me in many crises.
Beyond that faint smile, Arietta’s arm stretched out and took my wrist.
“I’m getting thirsty.”
“. . . I understand.”
I was taken aback by her behavior, which broke the warm atmosphere, but for some reason it made me laugh.
And so, as I used my spellcraft as usual to draw a drop of blood, Arietta quietly whispered a single word.
“I hope you become a good teacher.”
Her smile was so bright for the usual Arietta that it was a bit strange.
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