The Conjurer of the Academy

Chapter 81

“Where should this go?”

“I think it should be hung over there.”

From the start of the school day, the place was buzzing. Student council members were busy putting up banners and posters through the corridors, beginning at the main gate.

‘So, that event is finally here.’

With the start of the second semester, that event has finally come. I looked up at the banner hanging over the main gate.

[We sincerely welcome the students from Seoul Hunter Academy.]

This is the exchange student event.

Seoul Hunter Academy (abbreviated Seohun) is a public hunter academy, second only to Babel in the story’s setting.

Last year, Babel’s students went to Seohun as exchange students, so now it’s their turn to come here.

‘It’s going to be hectic for a while.’

The student council’s commitment is due to preparations for the exchange students. The entire school will be bustling with the exchange student event for the next week.

‘The exchange student assigned to Class 1-A is…’

One of the potential heroines.

She’s the top student at Seohun, brimming with enthusiasm and eager to learn anything. If certain conditions are met, she will show a great interest in Han Yu-seong.

‘Well, Han Yu-seong should manage that just fine.’

Being Han Yu-seong, there shouldn’t be any issues. The problem is that exchange students are assigned to individual classes, meaning there’s little opportunity for interaction with students from other classes.

In other words, I won’t have much connection with the student assigned to Class 1-A.

“But on my side…”

Instead, I had to pair up with an exchange student from Class 1-B, which hadn’t been covered in the original storyline. To think I had to take on this kind of risk over just one class difference.

Main Quest No. 7

Q. Exchange Student

– During the exchange student week, build a relationship with the exchange student through various events.

※ The rewards you can earn will vary depending on the ‘emotions’ the exchange student feels on the quest settlement day.

But my system is unrelenting.

The quests from the original storyline were applied to me without exception.

“I hope a decent person comes.”

With anticipation for the upcoming encounters, I made my way to the classroom.

* * *

The scenery outside the bus quickly passed by. There were only a few passengers on board—students in blue uniforms chatting with each other.

“I heard the place is huge.”

“They say the canteen even operates with a meal ticket system, similar to a cafeteria.”

The students on the bus were all top performers from Seohun, selected beneficiaries for this exchange program. Everyone seemed excited, except for one student who wore a gloomy expression.

“Why is everyone so excited? We’re not kids.”

A male student with long, sky-blue hair.

He propped his chin on his hand and stared out the window.

“It’s just another hunter academy. What’s the big deal? It’s all just hype.”

“Don’t be like that, Ji-hwan. Everyone’s just excited to get out of school.”

The female student sitting next to the complaining male student—Jeong Ji-hwan—smiled softly.

“I’m really looking forward to learning something new there. And meeting new friends. Aren’t you, Ji-hwan?”

She had soft, sky-blue long waves and gently slanted eyes, giving her a somewhat gentle and beautiful appearance. She leaned her face slightly towards the window.

“What can we possibly learn in just five days?”

Ji-hwan glared irritably at the female student.

“Jeong Ha-rin, you better behave yourself. If the top student of our school acts like they’re desperate to learn, what will the Babel students think of us?”

“A good friend?”

“Quit talking nonsense.”

Ji-hwan lightly tapped the top of Ha-rin’s head. She yelped and covered her head with her hands.

“Are you just sulking because you failed the entrance exam?”

“What do you know? You don’t know anything.”

“What do you mean, I don’t know? I gave up my acceptance because of you.”

“Ugh.”

Ji-hwan quickly averted his gaze to the window, as if she’d struck a nerve.

“Fine. I just want to prove that Babel’s reputation is all hype.”

Ji-hwan’s eyes darted around. Then he listed the names that came to his mind.

“Cheon Tae-seong from Tae-seong Group, Shin Seo-ha the fighter, and that muscle pig Han Yu-seong. Just watch, if given the chance, I’ll knock them all down.”

Ha-rin smiled brightly.

The names he listed were all first-year students at Babel, each famous for various reasons. Many on this bus were eager to meet those well-known figures.

“Sure, sure.”

Ha-rin leaned back in her seat, clasping her hands together gently and closing her eyes.

“Even though it’s a short time, I hope you make lots of good connections, Ji-hwan.”

With those words, gentle breathing sounds could be heard. Ever cheerful and eager to learn, Jeong Ha-rin would likely have no trouble fitting in at Babel.

“Treating me like a child…”

Ji-hwan turned his gaze back out the window. Despite grumbling about his classmates being too excited,

“Just wait, Babel. Here I come.”

He was actually the most excited of all.

* * *

“Alright, everyone, pay attention.”

As the morning assembly began, Choi Tae-min raised his voice more than usual.

“I have two announcements for you. First, Tae-seong won’t be able to attend school for a while due to an overseas trip.”

No surprise there.

Cheon Tae-seong often missed school because of family obligations. This school had many students who frequently took time off for family business, not just Tae-seong.

“Lord Tae-seong… When will you return?”

The only one visibly disappointed was Ise-ah sitting next to me. It’s amusing since she’s never even spoken to him.

“The other news, as you all know, is that starting today, students from Seoul Hunter Academy will join each class as exchange students.”

This was the main point.

All the students seemed curious about the exchange students. I felt the same.

“Alright, come in and introduce yourself.”

Rattle

The door opened, and a male student with long, sky-blue hair entered the classroom.

‘Why does he look like that?’

At a glance, he didn’t look like an exchange student at all. Typically, an exchange student would be expected to have an expression of excitement or nervousness.

Yet he had a distinctly dissatisfied look on his face. If I had to compare, it was like he was a new student looking to start a fight on the first day.

“My name is Jeong Ji-hwan from Seoul Hunter Academy.”

No “pleased to meet you” or anything like that.

His appearance was gentle, but his attitude exuded clear hostility.

‘Is this quest doomed already?’

Jeong Ha-rin, who was assigned to Class 1-A, was very polite.

[The current state of ‘Jeong Ji-hwan’ is ‘Arrogant’.]

I didn’t need a notification to tell me that; his expression said it all.

“Now, let’s see…”

Choi Tae-min scanned the classroom. I turned my head to avoid making eye contact as much as possible.

Whether it was during the Babel Festival or with Ise-ah, he always seemed eager to find some way to bother me.

“Then let’s have you sit over there.”

Ji-hwan started moving. He crossed between desks and chairs and, as if it were prearranged, stopped beside me.

‘I knew it.’

When I looked forward again, Choi Tae-min was smiling brightly at me.

“Then why don’t we have Ha-baek show him around the school?”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re perfect for this kind of job, Ha-baek.”

“Ah…”

I couldn’t say anything. If I protest now, the new student might feel uncomfortable.

“Anyway, Ji-hwan will be attending classes with you for the next week. Make sure to help him find his way around the school.”

Choi Tae-min quickly left the classroom, almost as if he were running away.

Although the remaining students seemed curious, none of them approached Jeong Ji-hwan due to his confrontational demeanor.

“What’s there to get lost in? The layout isn’t that different from our school.”

Seeing Ji-hwan muttering to himself, I sighed inwardly.

[The current state of ‘Jeong Ji-hwan’ is ‘Cynical’.]

Yeah, I got that.

* * *

By the end of the first class, I hadn’t spoken a single word to Jeong Ji-hwan.

And now, during the first break, I prepared myself to finally talk to this seemingly hostile exchange student. I couldn’t afford to fail this quest.

“Hey…”

“Huh, I thought I’d be thrilled to be in the same class as Cheon Tae-seong.”

Since the class ended, Ji-hwan had been muttering to himself like this. He kept resting his chin on his desk, mumbling.

“I should’ve put that guy in his place.”

This guy doesn’t seem to know how to keep his internal monologue to himself. He apparently wanted to meet Cheon Tae-seong…

“Sorry to disappoint you. Cheon Tae-seong isn’t here right now. It looks like he won’t be back for a while.”

When I spoke to him, Jeong Ji-hwan gave me a sideways glance.

“Mind your own business.”

“I can’t do that; it’ll get me in trouble.”

“What do I care? You look weak and pathetic; just mind your own business.”

“Pfft, calling you weak and pathetic.”

Ise-ah, who was listening nearby, couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

‘This is going to be quite a troublesome guy.’

Is he the type to openly disregard others? While I wondered what to do if I stayed silent, Ji-hwan suddenly stood up.

“Wait, aren’t you Ise-ah from Seonjin Networks?”

“Finally, someone who recognizes me.”

Ise-ah laughed heartily, covering her mouth with her hand.

“Fight me right here, right now.”

“What?”

The laughter quickly died as Ise-ah took a step back from the sudden challenge.

“I’m going to defeat one of Babel’s pride students and show that our Seohun isn’t much different from your Babel.”

“What nonsense.”

I couldn’t help but furrow my brows at his absurd statement.

“What difference? None of the students at Babel think that way. The differences are ones you create yourself.”

“Sh-shut up!”

Ji-hwan, seemingly flustered, raised his voice.

“I have to find out if those rumors are true.”

“Rumors? What rumors?”

Ji-hwan cleared his throat awkwardly.

“They say the top students at Babel can already perform at C or B rank levels as hunters. Ise-ah, you must be one of the top students, right?”

“Hold on a second.”

That includes me too, doesn’t it?

Judging by his words, he seems to think I’m not included in that group of top students.

“Sorry, but I’m also—”

“Shh.”

At that moment, Ise-ah covered my mouth.

“This might be interesting. Let’s watch for a bit.”

Ise-ah knows I’m a top student. After all, we share the same dormitory.

“I’ve got an interesting idea.”

With a devilish smile, Ise-ah stepped forward again.

“If you don’t cause any more trouble and follow this creepy guy’s instructions, I’ll give you a chance to fight a top student on the last day.”

“Why don’t I just fight you, Ise-ah?”

At Ji-hwan’s words, Ise-ah waggled her finger from side to side.

“I’m a transfer student this semester, so I technically don’t have any ranks. But this guy, Ha-baek, is pretty close with the top students.”

“What? Is that for real?”

I glanced sideways at Ise-ah to avoid Ji-hwan’s gaze. She mouthed silently, probably saying, “You better thank me.”

“Well, it is true.”

Ise-ah had handed me an opportunity.

I decided to take it.