Six Star Chen.
It was the name of the Array Formation brought by Seo Mun-yeon.
The operation of Six Star Chen was beyond complicated but the principle was simple.
Those with different Qi would shape the Array. Let’s take advantage of the strengths produced as a result.
Depending on who becomes the core of the Array, its nature would change.
The process of mastering Six Star Chen was not easy.
Because the operation of Six Star Chen was very intricate.
Seo Mun-yeon tried to nurture each of our individual Qis, and as a result, instead of blending together within Six Star Chen, our energies flowed separately.
In a nutshell, Six Star Chen was six energies wandering in the Array.
At the moment of operating the Array, I was able to handle a bit of the energies of others.
But no matter how much we were in sync, it was no easy task for one person to circulate six energies.
During the time when I was wasting time repeating failures without properly boosting my momentum,
Tang Do-yeon made a decision.
“I should step back.”
“Miss Tang Do-yeon.”
“Please try a little harder.”
Although the group tried to dissuade her, Tang Do-yeon shook her head with a wry smile.
“Don’t you all know? With me here, Six Star Chen cannot be formed.”
With that direct mention from Tang Do-yeon, everyone fell silent.
An uncomfortable truth.
What Tang Do-yeon said was indeed an uncomfortable truth.
While composing Six Star Chen, we connect emotionally by exchanging Qi.
And thus we understood.
We understood the inner turmoil that Tang Do-yeon harbored.
She wanted to face the entity while riding the Bicheongmacha, and that hesitation lingered in her heart.
If she completed Six Star Chen, wouldn’t she have to give up fighting on the Bicheongmacha to compose the Array?
As such, Tang Do-yeon’s hesitation grew every time Six Star Chen failed.
Eventually, it led to her resignation.
Upon Tang Do-yeon’s declaration of giving up, I was flooded with complicated emotions.
“I’m sorry, Miss Tang Do-yeon.”
“Fufu, why are you apologizing? It’s because I couldn’t shake off my attachment that it came to this.”
Really?
I couldn’t lift my head at Tang Do-yeon’s considerate words.
Having read Tang Do-yeon’s hesitation, what did I truly think?
Did I completely understand her doubts without a hint of negative feeling?
And how did that feeling transmit to Tang Do-yeon?
Did it influence her decision or not?
I couldn’t shake off such thoughts.
“This is the right decision. I was anyway to drive the cart, wasn’t I?”
…Tang Do-yeon said this as she stepped back, and Six Star Chen became Oh Seong-jin.
After Tang Do-yeon’s exit, the Array barely established its foundation.
It was only natural that handling five energies was easier than six, but Tang Do-yeon’s withdrawal acted as a bitter medicine for us.
We connected emotionally.
We took that fact lightly and positively, but we faced the harsh taste.
We realized how a lightly revealed inner thought could lead to certain results.
The lightly shown feelings may have nurtured the word ‘giving up’ within Tang Do-yeon’s heart.
We all engraved that truth in our hearts.
With vigilance, we began to handle the power of the Array.
That mindset led to the success of the Array.
“Now that the shape has been established, we will move on to the next step.”
As soon as the foundation of the Array was laid, Seo Mun-yeon proceeded to the next stage.
Having established a framework, it was time to get accustomed to the operation and change of the Array.
“Since we are still inexperienced, I will control the techniques to draw out the changes, so for now, just get used to it.”
Seo Mun-yeon said while swinging the technique sword.
“Thunder Star.”
No sooner had the words been uttered than the flow of the Array changed.
It was I who led that flow.
The five energies, which had been flowing separately, moved along the path of the thunder Qi.
Kuwuung!!
The energies of Black Cat, Miss Yeo Il-ye, Hyeok Gi-rin, and Dokgo I-seol were not something I could control, but the five energies moved along the path of the thunder Qi.
They could never become one, but for this moment, they moved like the thunder Qi.
The Qi evenly spread throughout the Array, preparing to unleash its full power at once.
Kwahh!!
In an instant, it poured out.
Dissipation. Then, in an instant, concentration and explosion.
The first form of Oh Seong-jin retaining the properties of my thunder Qi. Thunder Star.
Kwahh!!
It was an attack that cut through the air, yet the aftermath alone made the grass tear up and a whirlwind blew in all directions.
It was truly an attack worthy of a formation of experts combining their strength.
I didn’t think I was alone in that regard.
I could also feel the energy rising from my companions.
With renewed vigor, we raised the energy of the Array once more.
As the momentum was replenished, Seo Mun-yeon swung the technique sword again, changing the Array.
“Ice Star.”
This time, the leadership of the Array was passed to Black Cat. Her thoughts surfaced as vividly as if they were right in front of me.
Did the group, who had just been flowing under my guidance, feel this way too?
With that thought, I poured the thunder Qi according to the flow of Black Cat’s Nine Yin.
An energy that seemed ready to freeze anything and would catch any Qi protecting the Array as a whole.
“Great Star.”
Now it was Miss Yeo Il-ye’s turn.
In terms of total Qi, just Miss Yeo Il-ye filled half of the Array. An energy stronger than ever surged into the Array.
“Black Star.”
Dokgo I-seol’s energy was rough and ruthless. Though aggressive like my thunder Qi, if my thunder Qi was like a cannon, Dokgo I-seol felt like blades or teeth ripping at the opponent.
“Sun Star.”
Finally, it was Hyeok Gi-rin’s turn.
True to being the Big Brother of the Jeomchang Faction, he was imbued with the harmonious energy of the Dao, exuding a stability more pronounced than ever within the diverse Qi composed in the Array.
“End.”
After confirming that all changes of Oh Seong-jin were successfully completed, Seo Mun-yeon declared the end of the Array. As the energies of the Array dissipated, everyone could hardly hide their joyful expressions.
Though Seo Mun-yeon had prompted the change, the success of the transformation of Oh Seong-jin was a remarkable advancement.
Hyeok Gi-rin and Black Cat held hands and rejoiced, while Miss Yeo Il-ye and Dokgo I-seol also looked at the two with smiles on their faces.
“Well done, everyone.”
Miss Tang Do-yeon, who had been watching the Array, clapped to congratulate the success. In response, Hyeok Gi-rin rushed over and hugged her.
“You’ve worked hard, Miss Tang!”
“Indeed. Miss Tang Do-yeon’s contributions to achieving this accomplishment were not few.”
“Hahaha. With such words, I don’t know where to put my body.”
It was not surprising that the group was delighted.
Today, as we demonstrated the transformation of Oh Seong-jin, its effectiveness was certainly at a level capable of responding to entities.
With clear output and adaptability through various transformations.
But I couldn’t laugh with my companions.
The transformation of the Array.
When one person became the core and led its flow, we were closer than ever to each other. When the form of Ice Star was established, I could feel Black Cat’s heart strongly, and when the form of Great Star was in play, I strongly felt Miss Yeo Il-ye’s heart.
The same applied when the form of Sun Star was established.
At that moment.
I clearly felt Hyeok Gi-rin’s emotions.
So clear and strong they could not be denied.
Feelings of affection for me swirled in the hearts of my romantic interest Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye.
And Dokgo I-seol, who hid nothing about his feelings for me as a companion.
A fond and tingling sensation that could definitely rival these three.
Hyeok Gi-rin was harboring romantic feelings for me.
* *
….Where am I?
Bright sunlight pours in through the window. A corridor enveloped in light. And the little signboards stuck on top.
One word popped into my head.
School?
Why am I in school?
That question filled my mind, but I couldn’t dwell any further.
Someone was hanging onto my arm.
“Senior!”
A sweet fragrance wafted through the air. Just from that scent, I felt I could tell who was wrapping their arms around me.
It was a familiar scent I had long been accustomed to.
“What are you thinking so deeply about~”
An overwhelming beauty was right beside me, making me forget to breathe just a little. Her deep eyes seemed to sparkle with curiosity and a fondness for me.
The Black Cat, hailed as the best beauty in the city.
Rumor has it she was considered a once-in-a-hundred-years beauty by the esteemed Dr. Poison.
I had even heard she had an individual fan club made up of capable individuals.
“Ah?”
I stared blankly at the Black Cat. No matter how often I saw her breathtaking beauty, I wasn’t mesmerized.
…Why the school uniform?
Isn’t it too obvious to wear a school uniform at school?
But… wasn’t the Black Cat already too old to be in school? Wait, I wasn’t the only one…
“Yap.”
A cold sensation on my cheek shocked me.
Turning to look, I saw Miss Yeo Il-ye with an eye patch pressing a cold drink against my cheek. A hint of satisfaction emerged in one eye that basked in the success of her small prank.
“It seems the practice was quite tough. Have this.”
I nodded blankly and drank the electrolyte drink. Miss Yeo Il-ye, gazing at me with pride, nestled up beside me and grabbed my arm.
“Hmm.”
Is that the flower of both hands?
Caught in a situation I could hardly get used to, I gave an embarrassed expression, and Miss Yeo Il-ye smiled maturely.
“Well then, let’s go practice.”
“Sure, Senior. I have to work hard so I can do it without a coach.”
…Coach?
Right. That’s right.
We created the Array Department and were now practicing under Coach Seo Mun-yeon.
With the Black Cat hanging onto my arm and Miss Yeo Il-ye casually hooking hers with mine, we made our way to the gym. Though I felt as if I’d seen Tang Do-yeon riding her bike and Tang So-yeol crouched between the gym and the main building smoking, it must have been just my imagination.
It was just as we entered the gym.
“I will!”
A voice rang out.
Seo Mun-yeon, arms crossed in a training suit, stood in front of me. And before her stood a familiar silhouette. Hyeok Gi-rin, her hair tied in two braids, was visible from behind.
She seemed to be tensing up, her limbs rigid with exertion.
“I like Senior Ho Cheon-an!”
Suddenly, a shocking declaration followed.
“Y-Yes, I’ve thought so for a while now!”
…Unbelievable.
I already had the Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye. Hyeok Gi-rin had been there when both Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye got together.
Since when?
Since when had Hyeok Gi-rin harbored such feelings for me?
The shocking news drained the strength from my hands.
The empty can slipped from my grasp, starting to fall.
At that moment, chills shot through my entire body.
The future unfolding mere seconds later was clearer than ever before.
The can would hit the floor with a crisp sound, and Hyeok Gi-rin would be startled and turn around. She would realize the feelings she had been hiding all this time.
Not only me but also Miss Yeo Il-ye and the Black Cat.
All of it would happen.
The moment the can touched the ground.
Ding!!
The can fell with a clear sound, and Hyeok Gi-rin turned around.
