The Academy was indeed vast.
The path to the dormitory was well organized.
The streetlights that were lit at midnight created a certain atmosphere.
Students were barely visible.
“Anyone who uses magical power is classified as an Awakener,” they said.
“Yeah.”
We chatted as we walked.
It’s been a long time since I’ve had a conversation like this.
Thinking back to everything that has happened until now, just having an ordinary conversation like this is surreal.
“And Seo-Ah, you’ve used magical power too.”
“Mm-hmm.”
The scene of attacking Han Si-Hoo replayed in my mind.
There’s no way I could have won.
As I felt the chilly night air, my thoughts sharpened.
I kept thinking about the time I was stabbed.
I lightly touched the spot where the wound used to be over my clothes.
How long are you going to check?
There’s no problem at all.
“You might not be an Awakener as Lee Yoo-Ram said…”
Am I really an Awakener?
The doctor said there were drugs that could awaken someone.
He mentioned that stopping the drugs wouldn’t make the abilities disappear.
Right?
“Do you think you can use magical power now? Or skills, maybe?”
“I don’t know.”
Although I had asked the drugs to do something, I never actually handled magical power myself.
It all feels abstract and vague.
What even is magical power?
What are skills?
In stories, everyone could use magical power like it was nothing.
How can I not do it?
But I clearly couldn’t.
I tried to sense something within me, but I couldn’t recapture the feelings I had when I was given the doctor’s drugs.
“It’s not working.”
Nothing is coming out.
I felt like if I just had the drug the doctor gave me, that would be enough.
That black smoke-like thing.
If I just had that drug…
Oh drug, please do something.
Create something.
Nope.
No matter how much I begged the drug, nothing comes out.
It’s not like I’m going to pull out a sword and run amok here.
“Yeah, it’s really not working.”
“Got it.”
“Yep.”
Getting into the Academy is a bit too much for me.
That’s how it is.
So many people want to become Awakeners.
If I think about it that way, having even once used magical power is pretty blessed.
Han Si-Hoo looks a bit troubled.
Is not being an Awakener the problem?
Maybe I wished I could handle my abilities better?
I’m not sure.
“But even so… can I still enter the Academy?”
“Probably.”
What a strange situation.
It seems I’m not an Awakener after all.
“That’s interesting.”
Yeah, I’m not even an Awakener and I’m going to the Academy.
If I use the drug given by the doctor, I can at least pretend to be an Awakener.
But not with the drugs given by the Academy.
“When does the Academy start?”
“There’s a high school entrance ceremony a month later. Until then, you’ll stay in this dormitory.”
“Ah, I see.”
“I think you’ll be assigned a new dormitory before the entrance ceremony. Until then, let’s stay together.”
Throughout the journey to the dormitory, we couldn’t manage to shift the oddly awkward atmosphere.
It definitely wasn’t a relationship that involved keeping distance.
If anything, it was too close.
So many strange things have happened.
I’m not even sure if it can all be tied up with the single word “strange.”
While I was lost in those thoughts, we finally arrived at the dormitory building.
Building A, 3rd floor.
Room 308.
This dormitory looked more like a hotel.
Building A is for top-tier students of the Academy.
“This is my room.”
Han Si-Hoo’s dormitory was neatly organized from the entrance.
Just as I had imagined.
I didn’t think I’d ever come here.
“…Wow.”
It’s definitely much nicer than home.
This dormitory looks like a place people actually live in.
Is it at least the level of a hotel?
It’s truly a national elite training ground.
“You can sleep over here. I’ll be in the living room right next door.”
There’s a room with a bed.
And a television.
It really feels like a hotel.
Han Si-Hoo’s personal belongings are almost non-existent.
Just a few uniforms hanging on the wall.
“If you want to wash up, you can do that here, and as for clothes… these are mine but unworn, so feel free to wear any of the things in that closet.”
It’s a storage cabinet inside the bathroom.
Inside a plastic wrapping are a white shirt and black shorts.
They must be clothes provided by the Academy.
They’re definitely new.
The size is a little big but seems fine overall.
“The towel’s over there, and if anything goes wrong, just call me.”
I guess I should wash up.
“Yeah. Thanks.”
There’s a separate shower in the bathroom.
Not bad at all.
Time for a shower.
It’s been so long.
Water pours down from above.
It’s warm.
The reflection in the mirror is the same as always.
I’ve seen it so many times that it’s lost its appeal.
Why are there so many scars?
The bruises don’t look great.
This is why I should be taking my medication properly.
I feel a bit miserable like a wet dog.
Well, looking at the basics, it might be similar to a stray dog.
But with the drugs, it shouldn’t matter any longer.
There are too many injection marks on my arm.
I wanted to smash the mirror but held back.
Once I changed into clean clothes, I didn’t look too bad.
The short-sleeved t-shirt reveals the scars quite a bit.
I shouldn’t have to hide them around the house.
After all, Han Si-Hoo knows everything.
“Si-Hoo?”
“Yeah?”
Han Si-Hoo was organizing the drugs in the living room.
“Do you have any bandages?”
My arm might catch attention.
I’m not keen on that.
“No, I’ll buy some along with clothes tomorrow. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“No, it’s fine, thanks.”
It’s too late to go out now.
It’s 3 a.m.
[6 hours 23 minutes]
The effects of the drug would barely let me sleep.
I wish I could use it just once more.
To make the wounds heal quickly too.
“Can I use the drug?”
“I used it 30 minutes ago…”
“I need to use it to heal these wounds.”
“Wounds?”
“Yeah. Things like this.”
I lifted my top to show the bruise on my abdomen.
Due to using the drug, the wound looked fainter than before.
“Ah.”
Han Si-Hoo turned his eyes away.
Why is he so flustered?
I’m just showing the injured part.
Does he not want to check the wound?
…Indeed.
He was slow to realize.
I suppose I’d be surprised too if a girl suddenly lifted her shirt in front of me.
Especially without a bra on.
Aren’t we friends?
That’s a possibility.
Considering Han Si-Hoo, I decided to lower my shirt again for his sake.
I personally didn’t think anything of it.
“But anyway, it’s too early right now.”
“Yeah.”
[6 hours 22 minutes]
This was still manageable.
I’m not feeling too bad yet.
Late dawn.
Or is it early dawn?
I’m trying to forget the sticky past.
I think I can fall asleep now.
I perched on the edge of the bed.
“Can I watch that?”
I pointed to the television.
“Watch as much as you want.”
Han Si-Hoo brought the remote and showed me how to use it.
It’s a television I know.
I could even watch videos made by the Academy.
Promotional videos for the Academy, and also movies.
[6 hours 21 minutes]
Time started to melt away.
It’s fun since it’s been a while.
The advertisement videos are also entertaining.
There’s a commercial selling drugs at a low price.
It’s not the one I use.
I can’t seem to fall asleep.
[2 hours 18 minutes]
So here I am, still staring at the screen.
Television.
I really wish I had one at home.
No, did I ever have one?
Due to the power issue, even using my cellphone was difficult.
Eventually, I had to sell everything due to lack of money.
“…It’s off.”
The screen was dark.
Was that a dream?
Did I fall asleep?
[2 hours 17 minutes]
“Drugs…”
I feel bad for waking Si-Hoo.
He’s probably sleeping in the living room.
It seems the fever has gone down during my rest.
I didn’t really sleep in the bed, though.
I merely sat on the floor leaning against the bed and watching television until I fell asleep.
But for some reason, I’m on the bed now.
Did Si-Hoo move me, or did I get up myself?
I have no idea.
Looking at the clock hanging on the wall, it’s 7 a.m.
Good morning.
“Si-Hoo?”
The door to the room is slightly open.
When I went out to the living room, Han Si-Hoo was leaning against the wall, asleep.
Isn’t that uncomfortable?
He must have had a tough day yesterday.
It was quite exhausting for all sorts of reasons.
I caused him so much trouble.
I couldn’t find the vial and syringe.
I have an idea where they might be, but who knows.
I’ll have to wake Si-Hoo to use them.
“…Si-Hoo?”
I softly called his name.
He didn’t wake up.
He must have been really tired.
Using the drugs isn’t that urgent, so it’s alright for now.
I laid him down on the floor and supported him with a pillow.
Covering him with a blanket should do the trick.
He didn’t wake up from it.
I watched him sleep for a bit.
What a leisurely morning.
There’s an air purifier, and there’s air conditioning and heating here.
The environment is so nice it’s a bit shocking.
Is this really the Academy’s dormitory?
I feel like I remember saying I was going to be a student there.
I pulled out a chair and sat at the table.
There’s even a refrigerator.
Can I open it?
I’m not hungry yet as I haven’t fully woken up.
– knock knock.
I hear a knocking sound at the door.
I wondered if it was just my imagination and listened intently again.
– knock, knock.
It’s the sound of someone quietly knocking.
It seems like they are doing that to avoid waking up the person inside.
Si-Hoo didn’t wake.
– knock knock knock.
Definitely someone out there.
I got up from my seat to open the door.
Maybe it’s a delivery of some sort.
What’s the attire like?
No problem.
The clothes are a bit big, but whatever.
If I keep my scars hidden behind my back, they won’t be visible.
“Yesss.”
I’m going out.
I said too quietly.
No one will hear me saying I’m going out from here anyway.
Being cautious not to wake Si-Hoo.
– click.
The sound of the doorknob turning and sunlight pours in.
There’s a girl with long black hair in braids standing at the door.
Seeing her in a school uniform means she’s a student of the Academy.
Two sheathed swords hanging from her back.
“Si- Si-Hoo! I brought this as a thank you…”
She looks startled seeing me and stops speaking.
She takes a step back to check the dormitory number.
“…Huh?”
Her expression looks as if five question marks just popped up over her head.
She’s holding a white paper bag in her hand.
It seems like a gift for Si-Hoo.
