Beginning of Summer (5)

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Monday morning was nice and sunny. It was the last week of the first semester at Shinyoung, as well as the week of student council elections. There were almost no classes, so as soon as you showed up for attendance, you were free to do just about anything (except for slack off in your dorm room or leave the school campus). Shinyoung’s tasks for summer vacation were known for being intense, so this one week was the chance for the students to get some rest.

“I heard about it from Na-hee.” Even Kang Shin-hyuk was feeling the drowsy atmosphere that had come over the school. Karen rushed to him first thing as soon as he arrived.

“The Alchemist and the Thunder Empress were here the day before yesterday?”

“What?” It wasn’t Kang Shin-hyuk who responded, but Baek In-ha who was standing next to him. Fortunately, no one else seemed to hear it.

“Don’t go around saying that. Although I guess no one would believe it.”

“I saw the Alchemist talking to you on the contest Friday, and there were some students from our school there. The rumor will spread to everyone in the school.”

“Why do you like gossip so much…”

“Before that!” Kang Shin-hyuk sighed as Baek grabbed his shoulders and shook him.

“You were rolling around in a flower garden while I was struggling!”

“I just ate some chicken?” Of course, it couldn’t be solved with that. Shin Eunah, Lee Na-hee, and Claire were all together with him. It had been so noisy that just remembering it hurt his ears. There was no room for him to intervene, so he quickly ate so he could run away. So he wasn’t lying since he had been blissfully unaware of the three women around him as he focused on eating.

“What about Sunday?”

“I work part-time.” Now that he had gotten used to being a bartender, many customers came to the bar for his drinks. Unfortunately, however, the majority of them were women. It was especially difficult when Shin Eunah was around, and they tried to flirt with him.

“Work?”

“Yeah, it’s something I started recently. Hey, the teacher’s coming in.” Siara Bertrand, the homeroom teacher of their class, entered the room with a big smile. A newspaper was in her hand, not in Korean but in English. However, the picture on the front page was immediately recognizable as it was a picture of Kang Shin-hyuk and Lee Na-hee.

‘It really is a world-renowned competition then.’ However, he had learned that by looking at the faces of those gathered in the contest hall.

“Students, I have an announcement before we start today.” Siara made the students sit down before she showed off the front page of the newspaper. Those who already knew about it quietly nodded, but there were plenty who hadn’t heard and were amazed.

“You’re close to Lee Na-hee?!”

“And Algiers?! I’m jealous!”

“I heard the Magic Crown ran wild because of that.”

“Hey, don’t bring that up.” The students’ eyes began to bug out when they learned that Kang Shin-hyuk and Lee Na-hee won the grand prize with a B-rank artifact.

“Everyone applaud Kang Shin-hyuk.” The sound of lifeless applause echoed throughout the room. Kang Shin-hyuk could understand their feelings. They must have viewed him as living in an entirely different world now.

“This year’s Rookie King is incredible.”

“Maybe he’ll create artifacts for his friends…”

“I would rather get friendly with Lee Na-hee.”

“Quiet.” Siara tapped the table in front of her to quiet the students.

“This week is when the student council elections will be held. Each candidate and the campaign schedule can be viewed on your sticks. Voting will be conducted on Thursday, with the count and inauguration on Friday. There is also a student in this class who will be participating. Everyone, make sure to cheer on Baek In-ha.”

“Woaaaahhhh!”

“Even if he is rotten, Baek should be elected!”

“It’ll be good for the class if he joins the student council!” Even though Baek had made a bad impression, especially on the girls, his potential still reached the sky. Kang Shin-hyuk stood up with the rest of the students to applaud Baek.

‘The whole school would have supported him. He really is incredible…’ While Shin-hyuk was applauding, he suddenly met Siara’s eyes. He thought it was just an illusion, but then she nodded at him.

“That will be all. Student Kang Shin-hyuk, please follow me.” The class was dismissed, and Siara motioned for Shin-hyuk to follow her. They walked down the corridor a bit and, once she had confirmed no one else was around, tapped him gently on the shoulder.

“You did really well, Kang Shin-hyuk. To be able to create an artifact at your age is great but thank you for bringing Lee Manwoo back. It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen him laugh so brightly.” He vaguely remembered her mentioning Lee Manwoo before. Kang Shin-hyuk tilted his head inquisitively.

“Are you personally acquainted with Lee Manwoo?”

“…Well, that’s not it.” She seemed to hesitate for a moment, mumbling to herself before facing him once more.

“I… no, France owes him a lot. It had a big impact when he let go of his hammer… I was very sorry to hear about it. So I was surprised to find out he was in Shinyoung.”

“France.” Kang Shin-hyuk wasn’t sure what France had to do with anything. Wasn’t the World Conference supposed to be held there in the fall?

“Did you know that Lee Na-hee’s mother is French?”

“No, but it makes sense.” She did have Western-style features, after all.

“His daughter-in-law was French, so he became involved with France.”

“His child was a genius field master who had the potential to surpass him. His workshop was in France…”

“No, this feels like a story I’ve heard before in an odd way.”

“The story itself is a common tragedy, we don’t need to talk about it.” Siara Bertrand nodded with a sigh. Lee Manwoo’s son has been a great craftsman, just like him. Perhaps that was why Lee Na-hee…

“…Wait, was his wife an enchanter?”

“That’s right.” Kang Shin-hyuk’s face stiffened. Siara’s eyes went wide for a moment, as it took her a second to realize she was looking at the same person. His face relaxed in the blink of an eye, however, as if it never happened.

“You have a great responsibility.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“When we go to France this fall, I’ll invite you over. Please, come play with Lee Na-hee.”

“Oh, right, you’ll be going to.” There was no way they would send the students by themselves, and who better to send to France than a French teacher.

“Is Lee Na-hee going to France?”

“She advanced to the semifinals for the Magic Crown. Did you not know?”

“I didn’t…” But he was convinced. She was an enchanter with overwhelming skill, no doubt that bled over into her combat abilities as well.

“Then, excuse me. You will also be helping Baek In-ha in the election, correct? I was wasting the time of a fairly busy person.” She seemed rejuvenated by clearing her mind and left Kang Shin-hyuk, whose heart felt heavy. He could only mutter blankly as he watched her leave.

“No, I won’t help you…” He decided to help out Baek in his campaign, but his help was almost meaningless. On Friday, Baek In-ha had won over 90% of the votes.

[Baek In-ha: Wait, I will be in the Royal Class next week.]

[Yes, yes. Congratulations. By the way…]

[Baek In-ha: By the way?]

[I’ll be traveling starting next week.]

[Baek In-ha: ????]

[With a woman.]

[Baek In-ha: ?!?!?!]

That evening, after Baek In-ha was elected as the vice president of the student council, it was officially the start of vacation. Kang Shin-hyuk was wiping down glasses with a dry cloth at the Frontline bar as always. He roughly answered the text that flew in from Baek as he readied himself. It would be opening time soon.

“Shin-hyuk.”

“Yeah?” Claire was wiping down the table next to him, suddenly calling out to him. As he turned to answer, he noticed a cigarette in her mouth.

“Do you smoke?”

“No, it’s only chocolate. I just wanted to look cool.”

“…” Kang Shin-hyuk had no idea how to respond as she took a bite into the cigarette-shaped chocolate.

“I used to smoke, but it dulled my senses, so I quit. A superhuman doesn’t need to worry about the toxicity of it, but I wanted to be a pure bartender.”

“I see. Either way, you look cool.”

“Right? Doesn’t it look cool?”

“It depends on who it is.” Claire let out a laugh and nodded.

“You said you and Eunah were going to a gate?”

“Yeah. I’ll be testing my abilities in a large dungeon. I plan to work earnestly.” It was what he had told Baek about. He was planning on pushing himself to the limit.

“Well…” Claire was looking at Kang Shin-hyuk as he mentally wandered. She summoned her determination.

“Should I go too? I’m anxious about sending you two alone.”

“No, it’s okay. I can’t just let my sister take care of me.”

“Well, I’m more worried about Eunah…”

“It’s okay. I’m used to it.” However, she could still be a bit annoying. Claire continued to look nervous, however, as she didn’t understand his thoughts.

“…Okay?”

“Yes. Besides, it seems like she’s getting better. She seems to be realizing she can’t treat me the same as the Anvil of my previous life.”

“You’re not wrong…” Claire wondered if she should be honest about her thoughts but soon gave up. Instead…

Only

“Then suffer. If you make it back safely, your sister will make time for a date during the vacation.”

“Alright!” Kang Shin-hyuk immediately took the bait, and Claire let out a satisfied laugh.

“You’ll have to keep it secret.”

“I’m clumsy at lying.”

“You seem to be good enough to notice that.” She thumped Kang Shin-hyuk’s forehead with a twinkle in her eyes.

“Alright, then let’s start.” The door opened, and the first guest entered.

It was the start of a busy summer.