Chapter 34 (Continued)

 

The Federal Council had sent an official letter stating that they would compensate me with platinum mileage for the New Yongsan Street incident. However, according to the rules, it would be given after the final exams, so it was still a long way off. For now, I had to be satisfied with the unenhanced Iron Dragon Staff.

 

*Click.*

 

I channeled a small amount of magic into the groove of the handle and pressed the end of the Iron Dragon Staff, causing the staff to retract inwards. Then, I inserted the now-shortened staff into the holster on my belt.

 

“Baek-seo, let’s go.”

 

Baek-seo smiled faintly and tilted her head at me.

 

“Chief, you seem excited.”

 

“Hmm? No way…? I’m the same as always.”

 

We left the Deus Atelier.

 

“Do you like it? The power was no joke,huh?”

 

“It’s beyond my expectations.”

 

With the Iron Dragon Staff, I might even be able to land a proper blow against Kim Dalbi.

 

The reason I thought of Dalbi for comparison was that my attacks didn’t seem to work on her last time.

 

It might have been a different story if I had launched a series of attacks, but my consecutive attacks wouldn’t work on Dalbi, who even blocked Baek-seo’s.

 

Of course, I had no intention of harming Dalbi. However, if a situation arose where I had to subdue her, I would have to wield this three-section staff.

 

“It fits my hand perfectly. I like the weight and how sturdy it feels.”

 

Come to think of it….

 

I need to practice controlling my strength with this.

 

Because if I swing this at an average rule violator, it wouldn’t just end with a fracture.

 

“That’s good.”

 

Baek-seo smiled faintly.

 

“It would hurt if it hit me too.”

 

“Hurt…. Right….”

 

It was an answer that made me realize the difference in our skills, which I sometimes wanted to forget.

 

I don’t think I can beat Baek-seo even with the Iron Dragon Staff.

 

But there was no need to be discouraged.

 

I had finally gotten my hands on the dedicated weapon I had been longing for. This might even allow me to develop various techniques. I was only going to get stronger from here on out.

 

Well, that could wait.

 

‘The timing is good. I’ll have to deal with the Six Sinners soon anyway.’

 

In the game, the Six Sinners caused incidents all over Academy City and made headlines.

 

The game was designed in a way that the players would constantly come across news about the Six Sinners, making them think, ‘It would be fun to fight them’.

 

The academies were some of the stages where the Six Sinners wreaked havoc. Although the Six Sinners didn’t appear at Seoin High, where our protagonist Lee Tae-sung attended, other academies were different.

 

‘One of them will attack Ahsung High soon.’

 

I didn’t know why.

 

In the game, there was news that one of the Six Sinners had invaded Ahsung High.

 

I couldn’t figure out the exact details of the incident. Maybe it was because Ahsung High was far from the main stage of the game? I wasn’t sure.

 

Even if I could figure out the details, I might not have known because I was a casual player.

 

Anyway, I had to be prepared.

 

However.

 

‘I don’t know how Ahsung High’s security is breached….’

 

It was a question without a clear answer.

 

Since one of the Six Sinners appeared in the game, Ahsung High’s security would be breached. But I couldn’t help but have doubts based on my experience at Ahsung High.

 

This was because, as a major academy, Ahsung High’s system was well-designed to thoroughly prepare for external intrusions.

 

Moreover, security was strengthened last year because of the incident where magical beasts broke in during the exams. Even I felt reassured.

 

‘…Let’s put that question aside for now.’

 

Because there was no way I could find a clear answer at the moment.

 

I should eat now.

 

“I’m hungry, want to grab something to eat?”

 

“Leader.”

 

“What?”

 

“I have somewhere to be today. I’ll head there first.”

 

“?”

 

Baek-seo said with a faint smile.

 

Usually, Baek-seo was specific with her words. The fact that she wasn’t mentioning it meant that she didn’t want to talk about it. That’s why I didn’t bother asking, ‘Where?’

 

‘Is it something personal?’

 

Last time, I realized that Baek-seo had a personal life she didn’t want me to know about.

 

Even if it weren’t something like that, I didn’t feel like prying. I was just disappointed that our date in New Yongsan Street was canceled.

 

I guess our date would have to wait until I came back to enhance the Iron Dragon Staff.

 

“Alright. I’ll go on ahead then.”

 

“Okay. I’ll make dinner later, so wash your hands and wait.”

 

“?”

 

Is she my mom?

 

***

 

The navy blue sky was chasing away the sunset. It was the time when night approached.

 

Listening to the chirping crickets, Oh Baek-seo climbed a hill and arrived at a small playground. It was a secluded playground with nothing but a slide, a seesaw, and a swing set.

 

There was a girl there.

 

*Squeak, squeak.* The sound of the swing. She was sitting quietly on the swing, her toes touching the sand.

 

Flowing pink hair. Hanyang Federal Academy uniform without a name tag.

 

“You’re here. It’s been two weeks, right?”

 

Kim Dalbi, one of Academy City’s terrorists, greeted without making eye contact.

 

Baek-seo stopped and looked at Dalbi with an indifferent expression. However, Baek-seo’s left hand rested on the sword at her waist.

 

“Hello.”

 

Baek-seo greeted back with a faint smile.

 

“What a face I’ve been wanting to see.”

 

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

 

Dalbi reacted playfully.

 

“…”

 

Baek-seo narrowed her eyes.

 

“It’s convenient to have a high Tier, isn’t it? There’s something called presence that only those in the 6th Tier can feel.”

 

“You’re telling me. You were blatantly revealing your presence.”

 

Baek-seo shrugged.

 

“Why did you call me? Unless it’s something important, I’m going to draw my sword.”

 

“Something important?”

 

“Then I’ll draw it a little later.”

 

“You’re still drawing it either way.”

 

Baek-seo hadn’t called the Disciplinary Committee on purpose. Dalbi seemed like she wanted to talk.

 

Baek-seo also wanted to talk to Dalbi before apprehending her. There was something she needed to ask and information she wanted to extract. In the current atmosphere, it seemed possible.

 

“Well…, I’m not planning on fighting today. I have something to tell you.”

 

Dalbi said firmly, looking at Baek-seo.

 

“Just give me three minutes. I have something to tell you about your Disciplinary Committee Leader….”

 

In the blink of an eye, Baek-seo plopped down on the swing next to Dalbi.

 

It was so fast, it was like she had used Flash Steps.

 

“Go ahead.”

 

“Wow…, you’re more straightforward than I thought.”

 

Dalbi chuckled in admiration.