Chapter 180 – The Forest Keeper Selection

The day after my date with Byul.

Getting up early to help Shiba, who was still half-asleep, brush her teeth, the empty spaces on the bed and table felt particularly vast.

“Dad?”
“Huh? No, it’s nothing.”

I filled a mug with water and handed it to Shiba, then opened the wardrobe and took out my cadet uniform. Although it’s urgent to investigate the area where Shiba’s kindergarten is located, I must still fulfill my duties as an academy cadet. This is because it’s also essential to pay attention to the forest keeper selection process.

‘Rushing won’t make the rice cook any faster.’

Although it’s a dangerous place, it’s still only a suspected location for terrorist activity. There’s no guarantee that an attack will occur. I looked into the mirror next to the wardrobe and removed my top.

My upper body was reflected in the flat glass. My well-trained muscles were properly defined.

Although there were still some scars around the waist and shoulder blade areas, it was enough to warrant a nod of approval. The once pale skin, a result of being cooped up indoors, had now acquired a fairly masculine complexion from the time spent outside.

‘Not bad.’

After dressing neatly, I helped Shiba change her clothes and left the dormitory.

Shiba’s talent show was scheduled for three days later. I teleported her to kindergarten and, upon returning to the dormitory, naturally set off for school.

* * * * * * * * *

– Clatter.

The sound of the door reverberated throughout the classroom. The previously noisy cadets closed their mouths and looked forward.

Professor Man Se-jeok, who had taken over Lee Se-Young’s instruction, was dressed smartly in a suit as he unfolded the file he had brought in front of the cadets.

“Did you all have a good rest?”

“Yes!”

The cadets all responded immediately. I assumed a relaxed posture, resting my chin on the back of my hand as I stared blankly ahead.

Gu-seul and Jung Si-woo. Azalea and Cornus. A row of familiar faces who had mingled with me at least once, whether it was due to swimming, Lim Jong-hyun, my appearance, or the development of my skills.

‘It feels like I’m seeing them after a very long time.’

That wasn’t a wrong thought. After the midterm exams, I went straight to a training camp, where I spent three months decaying before finally gathering information on the Flowers. It had indeed been a while since I was last at the academy.

Others had only a few days, but I alone felt like I was seeing them after a long break. As I curiously looked around, Azalea turned her head in front of me, and our eyes met. Upon seeing me, she raised the corners of her mouth and gently lifted her right hand, waving it softly.

-Smile.

“…Hey. Azalea is greeting you.”

“Yeah, I just saw that.”

“Are you two dating?”

“Something like that.”

“Ooh~ Si-woo~ Hehehe. Impressive, isn’t it?”

I didn’t really intend to hide it, so when I said as much, Gu-seul slyly smiled and playfully slapped my shoulder.Gu-seul, a girl whose last name is unknown and whose true nature is difficult to discern. Among the people I know, she’s the most enigmatic, and I suspect her current appearance doesn’t reveal her genuine self at all.

Up until now, I assumed I’d eventually learn the truth, but I remained cautious, fearing I might be met with harsh consequences if I tried to uncover it. After hearing information about the Flower, Gu-seul started to bother me more than usual.

Her jet-black bobbed hair framed her face, with some strands sticking up like a puppy’s ears. Her pure, innocent appearance – reminiscent of a first love – seemed perfectly designed to capture the hearts of boys. It’s the kind of look you’d find at least once in every high school class. Gu-seul, sitting beside me, exuded an exceptional beauty while effortlessly maintaining this appearance.

With a face like hers, she also had an incredibly bright personality. Through Gu-seul, it seemed possible to connect with everyone in our class.

I rolled my eyes and stared intently at Gu-seul’s face. It was a rather blatant gaze, and she quickly noticed my stare.

“Why?”
“Hey.”

Guseul herself already knows that I suspect her.

When I received a mission to make a friend through the status window, I naturally thought of Guseul, whom I first met in the dormitory, as a friend. However, she didn’t have even a bit of fondness for me, let alone considering me a friend.
Because of this, I was left with a bad impression. I’ve been consistently expressing my suspicions about her, and Guseul was aware of it.
But she never directly asked about it.

That was an unspoken boundary between Guseul and me. An unwritten rule.
At that time, I had some information that would have frightened me if discovered.

I looked at Guseul with dry eyes.

“So, what are you?”

Without any real thought, as if floating in a sullen mood.
Guseul, stifling her ehehe laughter, showed a self-mocking smile with her eyes, like a plastic doll.

“What do you mean?”

An icy atmosphere that the other students fail to notice envelops us.

Threat. Pretense?
Either way, it’s not my concern.

If Gu-seul were part of the person I had to kill, I was confident I could strike without hesitation. The moment I narrowed my eyes and attempted to speak, the announcement came once more from ahead.

– Thud!

A teacher dropped a file onto the lectern, focusing the attention of everyone in the room. They offered an awkward smile and began to speak slowly and deliberately.

“Regarding the Forest Keeper Selection, the participants from the El Academy have been decided.”

Upon hearing these words, everyone’s shoulders tensed, and they held their breath in anticipation. Occasionally, a voice filled with quiet hope could be heard. The sound of swallowing emanated from their throats.

“…”
“…”

Gu-seul and I exchanged glances before our attention was pulled back to the front as the conversation ceased. It was a brief exchange, but it was enough to heighten our vigilance.

The announcer brought a hand to their mouth, clearing their throat before beginning to list the names of the participating students. The first name to be revealed was that of the chosen Forest Keeper.

It is safe to say that he is the representative of El Academy, which is praised as the best in the world. The name is broadcast all over the world. This is because documentaries featuring cadets training for the Forest Keeper Selection Competition are translated into each language and transmitted in real time.

-Jung Si-woo, right?

An obvious name. The leading candidate for the World Tree’s spouse and the undisputed first-place student in the first year of El Academy. Based on the midterm exam results, Jung Si-woo was the right guess.

-…Is there anyone else?
-They look at potential, so they don’t necessarily focus on rankings.
-Then, could it be me as well?

They do consider potential, but they won’t choose someone who is merely superficial. It’s no wonder that judges come to every exam at the academy to observe the cadets. If they had to choose from here, it would be Jung Si-woo and Cornus. Perhaps Lim Jong-hyun at best.

Before long, three names emerged from Mansejeok’s lips.

“Lee Si-heon.”

Representative of South Korea in the El Academy Forest Keeper Selection Competition. The first name called. For a moment, I was taken aback and opened my eyes wide.

Mansejeok glanced in my direction as he calmly nominated the cadets one by one.

“…Sansuyu, Guseul, Lim Jong-hyun. That’s all.”

Four exceptional talents. At El Academy, there were many gifted students, so this wasn’t out of the ordinary. The current first-year students were even referred to as the “Green Generation” because of their outstanding abilities.

‘No Jung Si-woo?’

Even considering that, it was a shocking revelation. Why not Jung Si-woo? At twenty years old, he possessed extraordinary skills and was a talent whose potential growth was unknown, depending on his efforts. Moreover, unlike me, he was under the protection of the World Tree.

My mom’s friend was always getting first place at El Academy, so what on earth was I doing? Jung Si-woo was the person most likely to be used as a point of comparison.

‘Did I hear that wrong?’
‘Wow, unbelievable… Why Jung Si-woo? Is this accurate?’

The atmosphere within the cadet room rapidly began to stir.

The eyes of the cadets began to focus on Jung Si-woo. I could also feel the gazes directed at me and Gu-seul, one by one.

‘Was there some behind-the-scenes maneuvering?’

Surprisingly, Jung Si-woo seemed calm. Perhaps he requested it or managed to escape the situation in some way.

“Jung Si-woo will be absent due to personal reasons.”

With Mansejeok’s additional comments, the commotion gradually subsided.

‘…He mentioned searching for his sister, but has he not found her yet?’

Having not attended the training camp, could something be amiss? As I stared intently, Jung Si-woo, who caught my gaze, waved his hand cheerfully, just like Azalea had.

-Smirk.

It was a cute gesture for a man. Being handsome, if his target had been a woman rather than me, wouldn’t she clutch her chest?

I waved back, and Jung Si-woo turned his head again. In any case, those participating in the Forest Keeper selection were set. A total of four people from the Korean branch of El Academy had been chosen to compete.

“Hehe. But am I really leaving?”

Gu-seul laughed exaggeratedly, as if the result was surprising. She was now, undeniably, one of the representatives chosen by the academy.

‘…Even cadets can’t be trusted.’

These were the words Star had told me yesterday while explaining about the Flower. The person who gave credibility to those words now sat right beside me.

Considering that individuals like this one gathered from all over the world, including El Academy, it was natural to feel the need for caution. After our previous encounter, I knew her skills were beyond those of an ordinary academy student.

What will happen? Even when drawing information and power from the past, the future remains unpredictable.

“Ugh.”

The World Tree of Time, which appeared and gently scratched my itch whenever I was curious, suddenly reminded me of Baekyang’s tree. Only after forgetting did I realize it was spring.

* * * * * * *

Lunchtime arrived after moderately paying attention to class. I sought out Sansuyu, whom I hadn’t conversed with in some time, but she had already left the classroom with friends she had made during our last retreat.

I hesitated to follow her, not wanting to intrude on her newfound friendships.

“…This is surprisingly tasty.”

So, I decided to visit a Korean restaurant with Jung Si-woo. We ordered kimchi stew, spicy pork, and various types of hard-to-make vegetables one wouldn’t typically find at home. When mixed together with a bit of soybean paste soup and red pepper paste, a uniquely delicious bibimbap is created.

“So why are you suddenly not participating in the Forest Keeper Tournament?” I asked.

“Huh?”

Jung Si-woo, who had just taken a mouthful of bibimbap, shrugged his shoulders.

“…You know why, right?”

“Your sister?”

“That’s right. I know the location, but I can’t go there right now. We need to find a way.”

“I knew the place, but I can’t go… Is it inside some kind of flower or something?”

“……”

I jokingly said that everything revolves around the Flower these days. Jung Si-woo’s face hardened a little.

No way. Absolutely no way.
Did Flower do it again?

“…Really?”
“Hmm. I honestly don’t know.”

I was surprised by Flower’s actions as well, and Si-woo also laughed awkwardly, seemingly under a lot of stress.
Our spoons had long since stopped moving.

“Is it that your skills are lacking, or you haven’t found a way in?”
“Both…”
“Then shouldn’t you join the forest keeper selection? I heard it’s the perfect place to hone your skills.”
“…True, but it still won’t be enough there either.”

Jung Si-woo took a drink of cool water, as if his insides were still uneasy, and continued the conversation.

“I plan to focus on exploring the dungeons. After all, the World Tree said so.”
“The World Tree… Right. That would be fitting for you.”

Even if I don’t know, Jung Si-woo receives the protection, love, and grace of the World Tree.

At least from his perspective, adhering to the will of the World Tree would lead him to a favorable fate.

‘The husband candidate is a being akin to a battery for the World Tree. After cultivating his power to the fullest extent, the tree absorbs her husband.’

Despite knowing this, Jung Si-woo still desired strength.

So, what could I say? All I could do was treat him to a meal and encourage him to stay strong.

“You must find it.”
“Yeah, I must.”

Perhaps not one to easily despair, Jung Si-woo refocused on his meal with a hearty smile on his face. He ate voraciously. As for me, I entertained other thoughts while enjoying a spoonful of bibimbap.

Sprout bibimbap… I couldn’t help but chuckle at the image of Shiba, who would probably be weeping at the sight of the bibimbap served for lunch by now.