Chapter 15: Hypnotizing the Beautiful British Exchange Student in the Infirmary (1)

 

The day after the entrance exam.

 

The student cafeteria was bustling from early in the morning.

 

It was because of me.

 

-Whisper, whisper.

 

“Hey, what’s with him eating so much… No, how can he look so good while eating?”

 

“It’s like a chicken commercial….”

 

‘It’s a bit much to criticize someone for just eating.’

 

In front of me were three chickens. My breakfast.

 

…Well, I guess it would look strange to the girls.

 

A solo chicken mukbang among girls, most of whom can’t even finish one chicken by themselves?

 

It’s only natural they’d react with a mix of awe and disgust at such a sight. Of course.

 

‘Well, I’m just going to eat without paying any mind.’

 

-Chew, chew.

 

But I didn’t stop my mukbang.

 

This was a precious source of protein and calories.

 

It was the essential fuel for the status pumping I was starting from today.

 

And,

 

‘Once you get older, you can’t eat chicken so recklessly. You have to eat a lot while you’re young!’

 

I, the second-time-around hypnotic breeder.

 

I knew from experience that fried food becomes hard to digest and sits heavily in your stomach as you age.

 

You can only eat fried food freely while you’re young.

 

So, you should eat as much as you can now to avoid regrets later.

 

Of course, eating three chickens could be overwhelming…

 

-Crunch. Chew, chew.

 

‘Is it because I’ve been eating nothing but porridge for the past two weeks? Ah, delicious~.’

 

For the past two weeks, I had been eating only patient porridge cooked by Soo-yeon noona.

 

The porridge was good, but how should I put it… It felt like home-cooked food made by a wife?

 

It was healthy food without the taste of the secular world.

 

After eating only such food for two weeks, my appetite opened up properly after having a pork cutlet yesterday.

 

It was only natural that the chicken went down smoothly instead of becoming overwhelming.

 

Like a human thermal power plant, I shoveled chicken into my mouth.

 

“…You eat well.”

 

“Hmm? Ah, Shia. Good morning.”

 

While I was eating without a care, Shia naturally joined me at the table.

 

Her gaze filled with interest directed at me.

 

“Chicken in the morning? Do you like chicken?”

 

“No man dislikes chicken. They might fear eating it, but they don’t dislike it.”

 

“Hmm, I see….”

 

-Mumble, mumble.

 

“Favorite food… chicken….”

 

While talking to me, Shia’s fingers busily moved over her phone.

 

I was curious about what she was doing, but I didn’t pry.

 

We weren’t that close yet.

 

I didn’t want to be disliked by asking unnecessary questions.

 

“Do you have a favorite brand?”

 

“I like them all.”

 

“Hmm… Then, do you have a favorite celebrity? Or an ideal type…?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

Unlike me, Shia asked various questions.

 

…Is this what interests women in their early twenties? Very MZ.

 

As a middle-aged man, I struggled to keep up with the conversation topics.

 

‘If I’d known such topics would come up, I would’ve memorized a few… I must seem like an old man. Sigh.’

 

“Sorry. I don’t really know much about celebrities.”

 

In the end, I became a tearful old man who was out of touch with trends.

 

Pretending to know and getting caught would be even more pathetic.

 

“Really? Don’t guys usually like, girl groups or something?”

 

“I’m a bit dull when it comes to trends like that. Sorry. I really don’t know any.”

 

“Hmm… Then what about your ideal type?”

 

“Ideal type? Someone with a kind heart.”

 

“Heh… You don’t care about body shape…?”

 

“Not really?”

 

‘I don’t discriminate from slender to voluptuous.’

 

As a result, an utterly boring conversation, reeking of old man vibes, emerged, unsuitable for a woman in her early twenties.

 

If I were a woman, I wouldn’t like a guy like this either.

 

But…

 

Why was it? There was a spring in her voice.

 

“Hmm, hmm~? Hmm. I see?”

 

‘Hmm? Why is she so happy?’

 

A nasal, high-pitched tone.

 

Shia’s habit that only came out when she was in a very good mood.

 

For me, it was puzzling.

 

What was it? Was there something in this conversation that she liked?

 

She wasn’t the type to like an out-of-touch old man.

 

But why?

 

‘Ah, could it be that she wants to introduce her favorite idol?’

 

I guessed she might be excited at the thought of getting me to join her fandom.

 

…Well, I’d appreciate that.

 

If I could get closer to Shia by agreeing with her, that would be great.

 

I would be a little jealous if it was about male idols, but considering she mentioned girl groups, that didn’t seem to be the case.

 

If it comes up later, I should react enthusiastically.

 

Thinking that, I reached for the last piece of chicken.

 

The last piece.

 

-Chew, chew.

 

“…Thank you for the meal. Phew.”

 

“What, you’ve already finished?”

 

“Yeah. We have classes soon, so I had to eat quickly.”

 

After the mukbang ended, the attention turned back to me.

 

There was a hint of concern in Shia’s eyes.

 

“…But, are you okay after eating so much?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“All the morning classes are lectures, so you won’t digest well. It’d be bad if you get indigestion.”

 

“…….”

 

‘My wife, you’re such an angel.’

 

I was deeply moved.

 

While other girls whispered behind my back, calling me a pig, she was worried about me.

 

Isn’t my wife an angel? I love her more than anything in the world.

 

A smile naturally spread across my face.

 

“It’s okay. I’ll exercise until I digest.”

 

“Hmm? All the morning classes are theory….”

 

“You’ll see later.”

 

* * *

 

The Awakener education institution in Korea. ‘Pentagon Academy’.

 

This peculiar name came from the chairman’s educational philosophy.

 

The abilities shown by Awakeners. Strength, agility, intelligence, magic, luck.

 

Just like these five abilities, the aim was to develop talents in all areas evenly in a pentagon shape.

 

Thus, first-year students at the academy learn a bit of everything.

 

Magic-type Awakeners train in basic martial arts, and close-combat Awakeners learn about magic utilization.

 

Of course, from the second year onwards, students can create their own curriculum according to their talents…

 

But in the first year, everyone must take all the basic lectures without any options.

 

The lecture we came to from the morning, ‘Basics of Magic Manipulation’, was exactly that.

 

“Nice to meet you all. I’ll be teaching you about magic manipulation….”

 

“Yawn.”

 

‘Ah, so boring.’

 

My expression, attending a compulsory lecture, was one of pure boredom.

 

Believe it or not, I had reached the top rank of S-class before my regression.

 

I had already mastered the academy’s curriculum long ago.

 

There was nothing for me to learn from these lectures, so how could I not be bored?

 

To pass the time, I turned my gaze sideways.

 

‘Well, then….’

 

-Glance.

 

“Ugh, ugh….”

 

‘Let’s think about how to deal with our stubborn Alice.’

 

I saw Alice, who was visibly uncomfortable.

 

Dark circles that even light makeup couldn’t hide.

 

Her face, flushed with fever, even turning her ears red.

 

…It was rare to see someone so openly screaming, ‘I’m a patient.’

 

-Whisper, whisper.

 

“Alice, you should go to the infirmary….”

 

“Ah!? No, it’s fine…!”

 

“……Okay.”

 

‘And she never admits she’s in pain to me.’

 

Naturally, I told her to go to the infirmary as soon as I saw her, but she strongly refused.

 

When I felt her forehead to see if she had a fever, she flinched and avoided me.

 

Even after that, when I asked if she was okay a few times, she hardly talked to me anymore.

 

Shia, who had been watching, even asked, ‘Why is she like that?’

 

But I wasn’t particularly hurt.

 

Because,

 

‘She should take a break on those days. Forcing herself to attend classes on the first day… My wife is too diligent, isn’t she?’

 

Alice was probably suffering from menstrual cramps.

 

It was obvious from how she acted towards me.

 

Besides, this was something that was difficult to talk about, even between women, let alone men.

 

There was no way she would be upset with me for being cold.

 

Instead, I felt guilty.

 

As her husband, all I could do was helplessly watch her suffer.

 

-Mumble, mumble.

 

“You shouldn’t think like that, Alice… Yu-jin wouldn’t know anything about those comics….”

 

‘How much pain is she in? I wish I could take her pain instead. Really.’

 

How much pain does she have to be in to have such dark circles from not sleeping all night?

 

What about the fever? Doesn’t it look like it’s 38 degrees?

 

Moreover… look at her lips moving slightly.

 

She must want to leave early and go to the infirmary, but she can’t bring herself to say it.

 

Because she’s timid Alice.

 

“Then, let’s start with practicing materializing your mana….”

 

‘I can’t help it. It’s a bit different from my original plan, but let’s be a little more arrogant.’

 

I steeled myself for my beloved wife.

 

I was determined to draw all attention to me so that Alice wouldn’t be embarrassed.

 

I was determined not to hide anything.

 

‘I initially planned to finish practicing in one go and go to the training room early… but that wouldn’t have enough impact, would it?’

 

“Professor?”

 

“Hmm? Ah. Cadet Seo Yu-jin….”

 

The professor, who seemed to have been demonstrating to the cadets, was holding a mana sphere in her hand.

 

She looked at me with a slightly uneasy expression as I raised my hand.

 

It seemed like she was a bit intimidated by me, the future S-class.

 

However, I focused mana into my hand without much thought.

 

Wearing the most arrogant smile possible.

 

‘It’s the first time in this life, but….’

 

-Whoosh… Ding!

 

[You have gained proficiency through repeated experience! Passive Skill: Supreme Mana Control Lv.4294967295….]

 

[Error occurred. Skill level not assigned.]

 

[Reassigning skill level based on caster’s experience….]

 

[Success! Acquired Passive Skill ‘Supreme Mana Control Lv.Max’!]

 

‘Unlike other skills, this one is quick to learn once you know the trick, right?’

 

-Flash!!!

 

With a pleasant notification sound, the wildly fluctuating mana calmed down.

 

The mana quickly concentrated according to my will.

 

In less than a second, a perfect sphere of mana appeared in my hand.

 

The expressions of the professor and the cadets changed drastically.

 

“……W-What!!?”

 

-Murmur, murmur.

 

“What is that…?”

 

“Wow, look how clean it is.”

 

“It’s rounder than the professor’s.”

 

The surroundings became chaotic.

 

It was a natural reaction.

 

Creating a round shape with extracted mana was a simple way for awakened beings to show off their mana control skills.

 

The rounder it was, the better the mana control, which was common knowledge.

 

Even in webtoons featuring awakened beings, it was often used as a skill test.

 

However, even the professor’s sphere was slightly bumpy.

 

What I had created was a perfect sphere, smooth with no distortions.

 

In other words, I had demonstrated superior mana control than the professor.

 

From the very first day of class.

 

‘Well, I have a small amount of mana, so it’s just a showy trick.’

 

The technique was supreme, but the actual mana I could control was minimal.

 

Like putting a pearl necklace on a pig. Anyway.

 

In front of the astonished professor, I declared boldly.

 

“Professor. Since I’m this good, can I go to the training room during lecture hours?”

 

“…What?”

 

“This lecture aims for proficiency in mana control. I’m quite good at it.”

 

You can’t control mana better than I can.

 

Who’s teaching whom here?

 

I’m going to skip the lectures from now on, so deal with it.

 

…Originally, I didn’t plan to sound this arrogant.

 

It was an act that would scratch the professor’s pride, and everyone would think I was rude.

 

It would only ruin my reputation.

 

But,

 

‘Rather than seeing Alice suffer, I’d rather be the rude guy.’

 

“Can I go?”

 

For my wife’s sake.

 

So I smiled arrogantly.

 

Naturally, the professor…

 

‘She might get angry, but if I use the Chairman’s name….’

 

“Of course, Cadet Seo Yu-jin!! It’s wonderful to see you working so hard for your studies!!”

 

‘Huh?’

 

I was sure she’d be angry. Why is she smiling so brightly?

 

“I’ll make sure there’s no disadvantage to your education… No, let’s say I sent you to the training room myself!”

 

“……Pardon?”

 

“You don’t need to feel sorry! Come on! Hurry and go train!!”

 

The situation kept taking unexpected turns.

 

But since she told me to go, I couldn’t just stay.

 

I reluctantly stood up and gathered my things.

 

‘What the heck is this? If it were me, I’d scold the rude kid for being disrespectful to an adult.’

 

“Th-thank you.”

 

“Yu-jin, amazing…!!”

 

Alice, looking up at me and smiling, despite her menstrual cramps, her eyes sparkling like she was touched by the gallant appearance of a comrade.

 

Seeing that smile, I…

 

-Thunk.

 

“———And, Professor, I’ll take Cadet Alice to the infirmary!!”

 

“Huh, huh!?”

 

“Please excuse her absence!! Excuse us!!!”

 

I promptly carried Alice and ran.

 

It was a princess carry.

 

-Creak.

 

“…Huh?”

 

‘Sorry, Shia! I’ll listen to all your celebrity talk later!’

 

Shia seemed to say something behind me, but the patient came first.

 

* * *

 

When we arrived at the infirmary, no one was there.

 

[Currently out! Patients, go to ‘Ryu Soo-yeon Clinic’!]

 

‘Seriously, what timing.’

 

An empty infirmary.

 

It was just Alice and me here.

 

Considering the privacy of the cadets, there weren’t even any CCTVs, so it was clear no one would know what happened here.

 

“Alice.”

 

“Huh, huh… I’m really fine….”

 

As the Man with Hypnotic Powers, there was only one thing to do in this situation.

 

“———I’ll hypnotize you.”

 

My eyes gleamed with a golden light.