𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟗𝟏

𝚊ẇ̇𝔢𝔟𝐬𝘵𝙤𝙧𝚒𝐞𝚜.ċ̇𝙤ᴍ

A few days had passed since she had returned to the Academy.

Recalling the events of just a few days prior, Cheong Juhwa, who was maintaining the summoning of the Azure Dragon in the training ground’s private room as per Han Kang-yoon’s advice, posed a question to the Azure Dragon.

“What exactly is his identity?”

『I don’t know. You were with him the whole time, yet you’re asking me this?』

“. . .That’s true.”

Han Kang-yoon was an outstanding individual, whether subjectively or objectively.

His conduct was impeccable, and he was blessed with good looks.

Furthermore, his skills and temperament were beyond reproach.

He had silenced Cheong Haram, who had targeted her and stirred up trouble, and he had boldly confronted a crisis that the Defense Corps struggled to handle.

In short, he was the epitome of an exorcist that Cheong Juhwa had yearned to be when she was younger.

“He’s what people call a hexagonal elite.”

『What’s that?』

“It means he’s good at everything. I guess even divine beasts like you aren’t familiar with this term.”

However, as she recalled the recent events, it seemed that those qualities alone did not define Han Kang-yoon.

「𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙖 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙣’𝙨 𝙚𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙣 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧. . . . . .」

Honestly, at this point, it was beyond Cheong Juhwa’s comprehension.

It was clear that he had various secrets, but she couldn’t pinpoint any of them.

『Well, one thing is for sure, he’s not an ordinary human. It feels like that kid’s eyes are looking beyond the present, into something else.』

“What do you mean by that?”

『It means that he has a vast amount of thoughts in his head.』

After exchanging a few words with the Azure Dragon, Cheong Juhwa sensed that her limit had been reached. She wiped away the sweat on her forehead and returned the Azure Dragon to the Blue Heart Jade.

Whooosh.

Swish.

“Speaking of which, this is supposed to be one of the clan’s three heirlooms. . . . . . .”

『It’s quite comical that they can’t even protect something that’s like their symbol.』

The Azure Dragon only blamed the family members, but Cheong Juhwa, who had grown up hearing various things from people of the same origin, was certain of one thing.

It wasn’t the people of the Cheong family, but Han Kang-yoon, who had gotten his hands on all of these, who was strange.

“Well, I guess I’ll find out someday.”

『It seems you trust him quite a bit.』

“For now, we’re a team that’s decided to stay together for life.”

Cheong Juhwa sat down on the floor and took something out of the bag she had brought with her. She immediately channeled her spiritual power and began to draw a talisman.

Swish.

Rustle.

Screech.

Inside the Blue Heart Jade, the Azure Dragon muttered, intrigued by the sight.

『Impressive skills. Have you been drawing talismans yourself all this time?』

“Yes. I started when I was four, so that’s about 13 years?”

『That guy was also skilled at drawing talismans and casting spells. I guess there’s no denying that you two are similar.』

“That Ancestor person?”

After reminiscing for a moment, the Azure Dragon made a suggestion to Cheong Juhwa.

『Are you interested?』

“In what?”

『The Cheong talisman technique.』

It was an unexpected proposal. The Azure Dragon continued, seeing Cheong Juhwa’s blank expression.

『I’ve mentioned it in passing to several contractors over time, but none of them were able to properly use it in the end.』

“. . . . . . .”

『However, you might be able to do it since you have the blood of the Cheong family running strong in you.』

There was no reason to refuse.

The value of a talisman technique created by an ancient sorcerer who fought all sorts of monsters was almost unimaginable.

「𝙋𝙡𝙪𝙨, 𝙞𝙛 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨. . . . . . .」

It could also be of help to Han Kang-yoon, who often received talismans from her.

Although she hadn’t explicitly expressed it, Cheong Juhwa was deeply grateful to Han Kang-yoon for reclaiming the role of the Azure Dragon’s caretaker, a position that her father was originally supposed to hold.

Naturally, she had no intention of passing up an opportunity to repay him.

“Yes. I’ll ask you to teach me.”

『Good. Then whenever you get the chance, call me out like this. It’s difficult to explain verbally.』

And so, Cheong Juhwa gained another potential path for the future.

🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷

̇ȧ̇𝕨𝚎𝘣s𝐭𝔬𝚛𝕚𝘦𝐬.𝕔𝐨𝔪