Ch. 50
TN: Suhyeon's PoV
The negotiations that went on for two days finally bore fruit.
Grandpa told me to take it easy for a while longer, and we had even spoken to the Headmaster, but I left those worries behind. I managed to return to the Academy in the end.
‘I can’t believe it took two days. Two whole days to get back to the Examiner’s side.’
I feel terrible toward Grandpa. I know how concerned he was.
He kept asking what would happen if there was another attack. He begged me to rest just a little more. He practically pleaded, and I hesitated several times.
Even so, the place I belong is beside him. I want to be right by the person I admire most and show him how I’ve grown. I owe all my progress to the Examiner.
“Miss, we’ve arrived.”
“Thank you. I’ll head inside now.”
I hurried away from the guards who came to see me off and dashed in. The place where Examiner Baek Seojin was stationed lay just ahead.
I kept imagining his reaction upon seeing me show up when he expected me to rest for a few more days. He would probably be startled that I came back this soon.
That surprise would last just a moment, though, and then I was certain he would be delighted. He cherished me deeply. That was simply who he was.
“Examiner!”
I considered sneaking up on him for a surprise, yet I forgot all about that idea once I actually spotted him. My lips twitched into a grin I struggled to hide as I called his name.
“Oh. Suhyeon!”
Examiner Baek Seojin wasn’t alone. Kang Hana stood next to him.
“Why is Senior here…?”
That single question flashed through my mind.
Why did she keep coming? She’d shown up not too long ago as well. Senior Kang Hana wasn’t Bronze or Silver. She was Platinum, so she had nothing to do with Examiner Baek Seojin. Then why did I keep seeing her by his side?
I pictured how often she must have hung around him while I was away. Then I imagined him treating her with the same warmth he showed me.
No. I hated it.
I didn’t want to watch Senior and the Examiner talk any longer.
Senior Kang Hana was on a whole other level, so much more accomplished than me, brimming with qualities I lacked.
That thought drove me to drop a piece of secret information I had been holding back. I felt no regret. He turned his attention to me because of it.
Please, Senior, hurry and leave…
No, that was wrong. The Examiner was kind, and so was Senior. She was someone who had looked after me, like an older sister, for a long time. I couldn’t let myself feel that way, because it would betray how she had helped me all this time.
Yes. She probably came here on some errand. She was Student Council President, after all. She’d leave soon, and I’d be the only one left at his side…
“It’s my off day.”
Senior said this and went back to talking with him.
My mouth went dry just hearing that. Then, when she spoke next, my heart dropped.
“Well, someone there wants to offer you a place in the clan.”