The Genius Tamer of the Academy

Genius tamer 189

Even the professors were just as excited about the unexpected barbecue party.

Han Si-hyuk, trying to maintain a composed facade, walked with his head held high while subtly mingling among the students. As a proper disciple would, they should always seek out their teacher in moments like these.

“Professor, would you like to try a bite?”

“…Let’s give it a try.”

Han Si-hyuk, mingling among the students who attended his lectures, took a piece of meat.

Even with just one bite, it was a taste that made his mind go blank. Han Si-hyuk, who had never tasted such food, found the flavor truly irresistible.

‘They’ve been living with such delicious food…?’

It seemed he had been too frugal until now.

What’s the point of living without eating such a premium-grade steak?

The taste was so mouthwatering that he couldn’t put his fork down for even a moment. Han Si-hyuk, now fully settled, picked up a knife and began eating in earnest.

“Professor… You have quite an appetite….”

Even though it was the dean’s treat, the amount of meat was limited.

Seeing him eat as if he hadn’t eaten in days, the student who had initially offered him the meat blinked in disbelief.

‘Should I snatch that knife away?’

Professors, after all, tend to be clueless in situations like these.

“Mmm. Mmm.”

“Pro… Professor?”

Only after having eaten his fill did Han Si-hyuk return to his usual upright posture.

He tidied up his clothes, as if he hadn’t eaten a bite, and stood up.

“It was a modest meal.”

“….”

His back felt slightly prickly, though he didn’t know why.

Thinking nothing of it, Han Si-hyuk turned his gaze.

Familiar faces were in sight.

Solia, with her silver hair gleaming, was focused on grilling meat.

The noise of squabbling that he had been hearing? As expected, it was coming from over there.

“Aren’t I grilling this well?”

“Um… Could you move a bit?”

“There’s no need for you to grill it. I’m better at it anyway.”

“…What?”

Beside her was Adela, eating meat but looking somewhat displeased.

“Wow, you’ve got talent. You’re really good at grilling!”

And then, there was Han Siha, who was busy devouring the premium-grade steak, thoroughly enjoying its quality.

Han Si-hyuk, fully understanding the situation, began to feel a headache coming on.

It wasn’t exactly surprising, given how things usually were.

Han Si-hyuk sighed, rubbing his temple.

‘That kid… ha….’

Clicking his tongue, Han Si-hyuk’s gaze shifted across the area.

“Hm?”

He had looked just to confirm, but—

His eyes caught something immediately.

At a table where the Theology students were gathered, one person was staring daggers in his direction.

“Ugh, this is so annoying.”

Yoon Haul was drinking wine in broad daylight, using steak as a side dish.

* * *

Glug, glug.

Unfazed by the presence of any professors, Yoon Haul confidently gulped down what was essentially the lowest-alcohol-content wine, barely stronger than a soft drink. She set her wine glass down with a grumble.

Won, who had taken a break from grilling steak with the Magic students, tilted his head, curious about what was going on.

Yoon Haul spoke in an annoyed tone.

“I don’t think Theology suits me.”

“All of a sudden?”

“It never suited me in the first place. I’m going to transfer to the Magic Department. It’s so boring, seriously.”

One Theology student, now labeled as dull, blinked twice.

But that was all. The student turned back to chewing his steak.

Yoon Haul leaned in to whisper in Won’s ear.

“Did you see that?”

“Your department’s known for being boring, I gotta admit.”

The students are nice, sure…

But that’s all they are.

Had she not been naturally talented, Yoon Haul’s major would likely have been in the Magic Department, as she herself suggested.

“Sigh.”

Despite sighing repeatedly, Yoon Haul couldn’t take her eyes off the table where Han Siha was sitting.

Anyone could tell she wanted to go over there, but she was too hesitant to make a move, so she ended up complaining to the Theology students instead.

Won chuckled lightly and teasingly asked Yoon Haul.

“You like him, don’t you?”

“Wha—!”

Startled.

Yoon Haul jumped in surprise.

Then, with a flustered expression, she lowered herself.

Some of her close friends from Theology knew, but it wasn’t exactly public knowledge.

Especially since Han Siha had almost gotten engaged to Solia, she had to be cautious.

Yoon Haul, looking distressed, lowered her voice.

“Hey… How did you figure that out?”

“What?”

“…You’re really perceptive!”

“Is… is that perceptive?”

Won was taken aback, rendered speechless.

‘She’s been making it so obvious though.’

“Oh, was it that obvious?”

Yoon Haul scratched her head, muttering, while Won burst into laughter, finding it ridiculous.

She seemed serious, but that made it even funnier.

It was so blatantly obvious that it was impossible not to notice.

Still, Won was curious.

The ideal of many, Natalie. Even if Han Siha’s popularity didn’t quite match hers, his subtle allure drew people in.

There were plenty of students who liked Yoon Haul, whether she knew it or not.

She probably knew about it to some extent, so why, of all people, Han Siha?

Given how closely Won had seen Han Siha up close, he couldn’t objectively assess him, making it all the more baffling.

“I just don’t get it… Why do you like him?”

“Huh?”

“I’ve noticed that even Adela seems somewhat interested in Han Siha. I’m not sure about Solia, but they almost got engaged once, didn’t they…?”

“What? Adela too?”

“Yeah. I don’t get it, but there must be a reason. So, what’s your reason?”

It was a pretty direct question, but Yoon Haul didn’t seem like she would avoid it.

“Well…”

Won asked out of pure curiosity.

Yoon Haul answered with a bright smile.

It was a remarkably clear smile.

“He’s handsome!”

“Huh… huh?”

There wasn’t the slightest hesitation in her response.

Yoon Haul’s eyes sparkled as she emphasized it twice.

“He’s totally my type!”

“….”

So that was it.

Won stared blankly at the excited Yoon Haul.

Her face, flushed with excitement, was more sincere than ever.

Like an unbridled horse, Yoon Haul rattled on at breakneck speed.

“Of course, there are a hundred reasons why I like Han Siha….”

“….”

“But the biggest reason is definitely that he’s handsome!”

“Damn, how am I supposed to live with this?”

She was being earnest, so there was nothing Won could say.

It felt… unfair somehow.

Won muttered irritably, feeling somewhat indignant.

As Han Siha’s roommate, he could confidently say he’d seen every little thing about him.

It annoyed him, so he figured he might as well air out a few things.

“You’ve never shared a room with him. Do you have any idea how much he nags?”

“Really?”

“Yeah, he messes things up and then tells me to clean my area too….”

“Oh wow. So neat….”

“I don’t know how you come to that conclusion, but have you seen him petting a rock he named? I swear, I thought he was insane….”

“…He’s even emotional!”

“Oh, for crying out loud.”

Either way, she’s completely absorbed, so it’s unlikely any of this would register with her.

She’s so openly infatuated—there’s not much more that can be said.

Won clicked his tongue and continued speaking.

“Look, forget everything else. You can see the future, right? Can’t you just check if Han Siha ends up with you?”

“I can’t see any futures related to myself.”

“Marriage luck, stuff like that.”

“Oh!”

Yoon Haul nodded at Won’s suggestion.

“I actually checked already. Han Siha doesn’t have any marriage luck in his fortune.”

Won froze at Yoon Haul’s response.

“…Isn’t that a bad thing?”

“Doesn’t that mean I still have a chance?”

Yoon Haul’s eyes sparkled innocently as she spoke.

Won rubbed his forehead with a sigh.

“Incredibly optimistic, aren’t you?”

“He doesn’t have engagement luck either!”

“You nailed that one creepily well.”

Won recalled the mess that was Han Siha’s engagement ceremony, shaking his head.

Marriage luck, engagement luck—it’s hard to say how much faith one should place in the predictions of a would-be prophet.

Still, she liked him so much that giving her a bit of advice seemed the right thing to do.

Won lowered his voice and gestured for Yoon Haul to come closer.

No matter how he looked at it, Yoon Haul seemed to be digging her own grave.

“If you ask me… you’ve got just one problem.”

“What is it?”

Yoon Haul was the type to believe in what people told her, so no matter what nonsense Won spouted, she’d likely believe it. However, this time, it wasn’t just some random nonsense.

“You’re way too forward.”

“…Me?”

“Just look at your expressions, it’s all over your face! If you’re too obvious, it can overwhelm the other person.”

“Am I… really that much?”

“These things need a bit of push and pull. You’re just constantly pushing, so it’s not working.”

“Oh…”

Yoon Haul’s face grew serious, seemingly reflecting on her past behavior.

“You’re right, I think.”

After some contemplation, Yoon Haul realized Won’s advice made sense and nodded vigorously.

“Got it?”

“Y-yeah!”

Of course, even though Won was giving the advice, he himself had no experience in dating. But Yoon Haul had no way of knowing that.

Having gained a newfound insight, Yoon Haul’s eyes sparkled with confidence, and Won, seeing her, smiled with pride.

“I’m glad you seem to have figured something out.”

* * *

The day after the barbecue party.

The hallways of Ardel Academy were in an uproar from early morning.

Following behind Won, I walked through the crowded corridor filled with murmuring students.

There was only one reason for all this commotion at this time of year.

“Looks like the grades are out?”

“There… there it is!”

The news was that the grades and rankings had been posted on the bulletin board.

Overall, the final exams had gone quite well, so I was expecting decent scores.

Honestly, the other students had worked hard too, so it would be fortunate if I could just maintain third place.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!”

Won, who was ahead of me, rushed to check the bulletin board, making a fuss.

What’s up with him?

Now I’m curious.

“What? How did it turn out?”

“Dude, you won’t believe this.”

“What?”

With students shoving from behind, I ended up getting pushed toward the bulletin board.

After a bit of jostling, I finally managed to lift my head.

I had to check my scores first….

“Huh?”

Magic Department Ranking

At the top, as always, was Lee Han’s name.

Not surprising at all, really.

But the name in second place caught my eye.

Han Siha.

“What the…? I’m in second place?”

I had overtaken Adela for second place.

Beating that study monster—I couldn’t believe it myself, so I just stood there, stunned.

Now I understood why Won was making such a fuss.

“It’s been three years, hasn’t it? The top rankings changed again.”

Adela was third, Solia fourth.

No major changes below that….

Once again, I had shaken things up.

Is this a good thing?

As I was lost in thought, standing there dazed—

“You finally beat me?”

Suddenly—

Adela appeared out of nowhere, startling me.

“Huh?”

I wasn’t sure if it was the right time to see her, but unlike Solia’s dazed reaction when she lost third place, Adela seemed composed.

Adela shrugged and spoke.

“I figured this would happen.”

“…Seriously?”

“Your practical exam scores improved a lot. Most of them were classes we took together… I fell behind in points.”

Adela chatted away like it was no big deal, then let out a light laugh.

She continued in a calm voice.

“And besides, you’re really good.”

Adela’s compliment.

That was quite rare.

Being second does have its perks.

“Thanks.”

I smiled at Adela’s words and turned my gaze.

Next to the Magic Department rankings was the Theology Department’s list.

Not that there was any surprise—Yoon Haul was in first place.

“She’s something else too.”

“She’s absolutely dominant in the Theology Department.”

Adela smiled softly, agreeing with my comment.

Then, I noticed Yoon Haul standing in front of the bulletin board.

“Ugh…”

Caught in the crowd of students, she looked completely stuck.

Despite seeing her top-ranked grades, she showed no particular reaction.

Her consistent demeanor was amusing, so I called out to her with a smile.

We weren’t far from each other.

“Hey, Yoon Haul!”

She flinched.

She definitely heard me when I called loudly.

She’s first, so she deserves some congratulations.

Thinking that, I raised my hand high.

“You’re in firs—”

Whoosh.

In a flash!

Yoon Haul turned her head and quickly slipped away as if running away.

What the heck?