The academy was vast.
The path to the dormitory was well organized.
The streetlights lit up the night with a certain ambiance.
There were hardly any students in sight.

"Anyone who uses mana is classified as an Awakened."

"Yeah."

They talked as they walked.
It’s been a long time since I’ve done something like this.
Looking back on what had happened before, it’s amazing that I’m having such a mundane conversation now.

"And Seo-A, you used mana too."

"Uh-huh."

The scene of attacking Han Si-Hoo replayed in my mind.
There was no way I could win.
As the cold night air hit me, my thoughts became clearer.

I keep thinking about getting stabbed.
I lightly brushed the spot on my clothing where the wound had been.
How long am I going to check?
There’s no problem at all.

"You’re an Awakened... at least that’s what Lee Yoo-Ram said."

Am I really an Awakened?
The doctor mentioned there are drugs that can induce awakening.
He said that quitting the medication wouldn’t make my abilities disappear.
Right?

"Do you think you can use mana now? Skills or anything?"

"I don’t know."

I’ve asked the drugs to do something for me, but I’ve never handled mana myself.
It feels like some abstract concept.
What exactly is mana?
What are skills?
In the novels, it seemed like everyone could use mana, regardless of who they were.
Could I not do it?

I thought I couldn’t.
I tried to feel something within my body, but I couldn’t recreate the sensations I felt when I used the medication the doctor gave me.

"It’s not working."

Nothing is coming out.
Maybe it would be enough just to have the medicine the doctor gave me.
That black smoke that comes out of it.
It seems that would be all I need.

Oh, medicine, just do something.
Make something happen.
But nothing comes out.
I’m not going to pull a sword and rampage here.

"Still, it’s not working."

"I see."

"Yeah."

Getting into the academy is beyond my reach.
That’s how it is.
How many people want to be Awakened?
Thinking about it, having used mana even once makes me feel like a blessed being.

Han Si-Hoo seems a bit troubled.
Is it a problem that I’m not an Awakened?
Did he perhaps hope that I would handle my abilities well?
I don’t know.

"But still... can I get into the academy like this?"

"Maybe."

That’s a strange thing.
It seems like I’m not an Awakened.

"That’s amazing."

Yeah, being at the academy when I’m not even an Awakened.
If I use the medicine given by the doctor, I can at least mimic an Awakened.
But the medicine provided by the academy wouldn’t suffice.

"When does the academy start?"

"There’s a high school entrance ceremony in a month. Until then, you’ll be in this dormitory."

"Ah, I see."

"I think you’ll be assigned to a new dormitory before the entrance ceremony. Let’s stay together until then."

Despite the walk to the dormitory, the oddly awkward atmosphere remained.
We weren’t particularly distant, yet the proximity felt too close.

There have been too many strange things happening.
I’m not sure if “strange” can encompass everything.
While thinking about various things, we arrived at the dormitory building.

Building A, 3rd floor.
Room 308.
This dormitory looks almost like a hotel.
Building A is assigned to the academy’s top students.

"This is my room."

Han Si-Hoo's dormitory was clean from the entrance.
Just as I had imagined.
I hadn’t thought I would be here.

"...Wow."

It’s definitely much better than home.
The dormitory feels like a place where people actually live.
It’s at least of hotel quality.
It truly is a national elite training ground.

"You can sleep here. I’ll be in the living room right next door."

There’s a room with a bed.
And a television.
It feels like a real hotel.
Han Si-Hoo’s personal belongings are hardly visible.
Just a few school uniforms hanging on the wall.

"If you want to shower, you can do that here. As for clothes... they’re mine but unworn, so you can wear anything from that closet."

It’s the closet inside the bathroom.
There are white shirts and black shorts inside, wrapped in plastic.
They seem to be standard issue clothing provided by the academy.
They definitely look brand new.
They’re a bit big, but they look alright.

"The towels are over there, and if anything happens, just call me."

I should probably wash up.

"Okay. Thanks."

The bathroom has a separate shower area.
Not bad.

A shower, huh.
It’s been a while.
Water pours down from above.
It’s warm.

The reflection in the mirror shows the same old self.
I’ve seen it so many times that it’s lost its impact.
Why are there so many scars?
The bruises look bad.
This is why I need to take my medication properly.

I feel a bit miserable, like a wet dog.
Well, if we’re just talking about the basics of living, I might be similar to a stray dog.
As long as I have the medicine, it doesn’t matter.

There are too many needle marks on my arm.
I want to smash the mirror, but I held back.

After changing into the clothes, I didn’t look too bad.
The short-sleeved shirt revealed my scars quite a bit.
I guess I don’t need to hide them even at home.
After all, Han Si-Hoo knows everything.

"Si-Hoo?"

"Yeah?"

Han Si-Hoo was organizing the medicine in the living room.

"Do you have any bandages?"

My arm is likely to attract attention.
I don’t want that.

"No. I’ll buy some along with clothes tomorrow. If you need anything, just tell me."

"No, thanks."

It’s too late to go out now.
It’s 3 AM.

[6 hours 23 minutes]

The effects of the medicine are just enough for me to fall asleep.
I hope I can use it just once more.
So my wounds can heal quickly.

"Can I use the medicine?"

"You just used it 30 minutes ago..."

"It’s necessary for the wounds to heal."

"Wounds?"

"Yeah. These."

I lifted my shirt.
I showed the bruise on my abdomen.
Perhaps because I used the medicine, the wounds were fainter than before.

"Ah."

Han Si-Hoo turned his eyes away.

Why is he so flustered?
I’m just showing him my injuries.
Doesn’t he want to check my wounds?

...Indeed.

I was slow to realize it.

Well, I would also be taken aback if a girl lifted her shirt in front of me.
Especially since I’m not wearing a top.
Is this really just a friendship?
It could be, I guess.

Out of consideration for Han Si-Hoo, I lowered my shirt again.
I didn’t really think much of it.

"Ah, anyway, it’s too early right now."

"Yeah."

[6 hours 22 minutes]

This should be fine for now.
I’m not feeling too bad either.

Late at night.
Early morning, maybe.
I try to forget the sticky past.
I think I can sleep now.
I sat on the edge of the bed.

"Can I watch that?"

I pointed at the television.

"Watch as much as you want."

Han Si-Hoo brought over the remote and showed me how to use it.
It’s a television I’m familiar with.
I can also watch videos produced directly by the academy.
There are introduction videos about the academy and even movies.

[6 hours 21 minutes]

Time began to melt away.
It’s fun to watch after a long time.
Even the advertisement videos are entertaining.

There’s an advertisement selling medicine at a cheap price.
It’s not the medicine I use.
I can’t fall asleep.

[2 hours 18 minutes]

So I’m still staring at the screen now.
The television.
It would be nice to have one at home.

No, would it even be possible?
Because of the unstable power supply, it was hard to use my phone.
Eventually, I ran out of money and sold everything.

"...It’s off."

The screen was dark.
Was it a dream?
Did I fall asleep?

[2 hours 17 minutes]

"Medicine..."

I feel sorry for waking Si-Hoo.
He must be sleeping in the living room.

During the rest, it seems my fever has gone down completely.
I didn’t lie down on the bed.
I sat on the floor and leaned against the bed, watching television until I fell asleep.

But for some reason, I’m on the bed now.
Did Si-Hoo move me, or did I climb up?
I don’t know.
I look at the clock hanging on the wall; it’s 7 AM.
It’s morning.

"Si-Hoo?"

The door is slightly open.
When I go out to the living room, I see Han Si-Hoo sleeping against the wall.
Isn’t it uncomfortable?
He must have had a tough time.
Yesterday was exhausting in many ways.
I caused too much trouble.

I can’t see the medicine bottles or syringes.
I have an idea of where they are, but I’m not sure.
I need to wake Si-Hoo to use them.

"...Si-Hoo?"

I called his name softly.
He doesn’t wake up.
He must be very tired.
It’s not urgent for me to use the medicine, so it’s okay.

I laid him down on the floor and propped him up with a pillow.
I covered him with a blanket.
He doesn’t wake up.

I watched him sleep for a moment.
It’s a leisurely morning.

Here, there’s an air purifier, air conditioning, and a heater.
The environment is so nice that it’s surprising.
This must be the academy dormitory.
I think I was supposed to become an academy student.

I pulled a chair out and sat at the table.
There’s a refrigerator too.
Can I open it?
I’m not hungry yet since I haven’t fully woken up.

Knock, knock.

I hear a knocking sound on the door.
I wonder if it’s just my imagination and strain my ears to listen.

Knock, knock.

It feels like someone is quietly tapping on the door.
It seems like they’re being considerate not to wake the person inside.
Si-Hoo hasn’t woken up.

Knock, knock, knock.

It’s definitely a person.
I stood up from my seat to open the door.
It seems like a package has arrived.

What about my outfit?
There’s no problem at all.
The clothes are a bit big, but that’s okay.
If I keep my scars out of sight behind my back, they won’t be visible.

"Yes."

I’m coming out.
I said it too quietly.
No one would hear even if I tried to say I’m leaving.
I’m being careful not to wake Si-Hoo.

Click.

With the sound of the doorknob turning, sunlight streams in.
Standing at the door is a girl with long black hair tied in a braid.
She’s wearing a school uniform, so she must be an academy student.
There are two scabbards hanging from her back.

"Si, Si-Hoo. This is a thank you gift..."

She pauses, startled upon seeing me.
She takes a step back to check the dormitory number.

"...Huh?"

She looks like there are five question marks floating above her head.
She’s holding a white paper bag in her hand.
It seems to be a gift for Si-Hoo.