Chapter 23 – The Falling Azalea Blossoms (6)

Time passed.

“Tomorrow is the day, Apostle Lee Si-heon.”
“Understood. Step back. I’m fully aware of what I need to do.”
“Very well. And please accept this.”

On the eve of the task, the disciple who came to see me presented a red crystal orb with an intricate magic circle inscribed upon it.

“By using this crystal orb, you can transport yourself and one person within 3 meters to the basement of our sect’s headquarters.”
“I see.”
“Yes. While we carry out our primary mission, we would like you to bring prospective Apostle Azalea with you.”
“Understood.”

I accepted the crystal orb. Inside, there were numerous magic circles, the complexity of which even I couldn’t decipher.

‘It’s like giving a fish to a cat.’

But that only caused me to heighten my guard.
Unilaterally delivered orders often conceal hidden intentions.

– Swish.

The individuals in black hoods vanished. Now, I could roughly discern their movements.

“Let’s see.”

I rummaged through my pocket, pulled out my phone, and contacted Lee Se-young.

“Hello, sir. Can you prepare one… no, two things for me?”

Late into the night, sleep eluded me.

* * * * *

My heart pounded restlessly, keeping me awake.

The reason was that today was the day Lee Si-heon had announced.

Though it was a crucial day to remain vigilant, I couldn’t fall asleep, no matter how hard I tried, perhaps due to my anxiety.

In an attempt to force sleep, I drank some alcohol. As it coursed through me, my body grew warm.

I embraced the pink pillow and buried my face in it.

[Remember this, Dallae.]

Between my swollen eyelids, an image of my father’s letter from that time flickered.

[Do not trust that man.]

A small girl clings to a bloodstained letter. The sight of her embracing a rabbit doll is heartbreakingly pitiful.

She was sobbing, her throat choked with tears, and in front of her lay a man with a twisted neck, a desolate figure.

[I’m sorry for showing you such a wretched sight. I had no confidence to carry on living. I’m sorry.]

The faded letter, repeating apologies. The tear stains mingled within it. Merely recalling it made her heart heavy, and she longed for the happier days of the past.

[I’m sorry, Father.]

The only person in my life who ever loved me.

As a child, I knew nothing. I was ignorant of what expression a person on the brink of collapse would wear, and what a human face looked like as it slowly crumbled away.

The night before the man died. That hollow and futile expression I witnessed still haunts my dreams from time to time.

I remember his resentment.

It was not until I turned twelve that I understood the meaning behind that eternally furrowed face.

– Chirp, Chirp?

In response to my heightened emotions, a small bird flew towards me and tilted its head.

An intermediate spirit incapable of speech. The last gift that he left me.

– Chirr, chirr.

Rubbing my face against the cheek of the happily chirping spirit, I endeavored to fall asleep.

* * * * * *

“I brought what you asked for. Are two of these enough?”
“This should suffice for making rice cakes.”

Lee Se-Young, annoyed by my words, handed me a crystal shining in red and purple hues.

“You have to use it well. These two are worth one arboreal ring. It’s extremely expensive.”
“How much does one arboreal ring cost?”
“It varies by market price. When they’re scarce, the value is in the demand.”

I understood that it was outrageously expensive.
Regardless, I had gathered everything and finished my preparations; all that remained was to wait and see if they would come.

‘It seems likely that they’ll come. As for Azalea…’

I wondered if I was expected to serve the meal myself or if the table would be set, and I would take it from there.

In truth, nothing really mattered.

Sighing, Se-Young picked up her backpack, which had been momentarily resting on the floor.

“There’s an academy-wide meeting at around two o’clock. They probably targeted that timing. It’s being held under the World Tree’s guidance, so it’s impossible to skip. So, Si-heon.”
“Yes?”
“I won’t be here today.”

Without uttering a word, she nodded and wrapped one arm around my neck, tapping the top of my head.

“Kid, creating the atmosphere with a mask on”
“Wait, wasn’t it you who set the mood, teacher?”

Se-Young, delighted by the swearing, giggled.

“What are you even saying? Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused me? I clung to my academy mates’ legs, pleading for help from all directions – east, west, south, and north. ‘Please help my child.'”
“What do you mean, ‘our child’?”
“You’re still a baby. A baby.”
“Wow, so that was your preference, teacher? That’s kind of disappointing.”
“You really can’t hold your tongue, can you?”

Silence.

While still embracing my neck, Se-Young relaxed her hand and gently stroked my head.

“Well, just make sure not to die. I have a feeling my dreams would be quite wild if my sex friend were gone.”
“Why not just admit you’d be lonely without me?”
“Not at all? You know, a little self-consciousness can be cute.”

After laughing once, I discreetly handed a letter to Se-Young.

“What’s this?”
“If it takes me some time to return to the academy, please give this to Azalea. Shouldn’t we discuss everything from beginning to end?”

Se-Young tilted her head and happily accepted it. After a brief moment of eye contact, we moved away from each other.

– Drrrrrrrr.

Lee Se-Young entered the classroom as a teacher, and I, too, entered as a student.

– Bang!

As she entered and forcefully struck the lectern, the students’ gazes all converged on one spot.

“Alright!”

Lee Se-Young, wearing a mischievous smile, addressed the students.

“I’ve arrived! Everyone, wake up! Jinsu, did you have a drink last night? Sunwoo, did you meet another guy last night? To shake off the sleepiness, I’ll lead the morning chant specially created by the teacher today. Any objections?”

There was no one to voice complaints or discontent.
That’s because they were making a gesture that they wouldn’t let it slide if someone didn’t follow along.

“Treat training as if it were a real battle. Always remain vigilant and face the challenge.”

– Treat training as if it were a real battle. Always remain vigilant and face the challenge.

“In the event of unexpected occurrences, assemble in the auditorium.”

– In the event of unexpected occurrences, assemble in the auditorium.

The auditorium was filled with all sorts of magical creatures meant for defense. No aggressive actions were tolerated within the auditorium, and a guardian was stationed there to enforce this rule.

“Do you know where the auditorium is? It’s the central building.”

– Yes!

“Great! I have a meeting, so I need to catch the morning flight. Study at a moderate pace and give it your all!”

– Drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

The door sounded once, and the cadets either fell back asleep or began their self-study. I tapped the backpack I had brought and ran a simulation in my mind.

Time passed slowly.

I quietly enjoyed the gap between moments, both long and short.

10 o’clock. The math quiz proved quite challenging.

11 o’clock. Thanks to the absent professor, I had the chance to organize my thoughts.

12 o’clock. I went to the dining hall alone and ate.

1 o’clock. I found a spot where Azalea couldn’t see me and began to observe her.

A creeping sense of unease urged me to leave this place immediately.

-Woohoooong~

Magical energy stirred in the air.

A few perceptive cadets appeared to have noticed the anomaly, exchanging glances.

I took my cell phone out of my pocket and dialed the number Se-Young had given me.

-Ring ring ring. Click.

[Hello~ Are you Se-Young’s partner?]
“Yes, ma’am. I’m her partner. I heard the teacher was indebted to you.”
[…Oh my, look at you. So audacious.]

“It seems like it’s about to start right now.”
[I know. That’s now-]

– Chijijik.

[-They’re already fighting.]

Fuhak- I could hear the sound of flesh sizzling outside my phone.

[This is the first time I’ve seen the special forces, security, and police gathered in one place. Thanks to you, things are being resolved swiftly. Thank you. I’ll be able to boost my performance a bit because of you. I’ll demonstrate the power of the three.]
“Yes, take care. Can’t you provide assistance?”
[…That might be difficult. Ah-]

– This damn jerk interrupts while someone else is on the phone!

[-I’ll just hang up now.]

– Click.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

An ear-splitting scream rang out immediately.

As I turned my head towards the area where the class was in progress, I saw blood splattered all around where the instructor had been standing.

The sight of the brutally torn head rolling on the floor nearly made me vomit.

“…Whew.”

Thump, thump, thump, thump. It took a moment to adapt to the unprecedented sight. Observing the black shadows encircling the entire practice room, I stood up.

I stowed away the broken cell phone in my backpack and drew out a finely honed sword.

From behind me, a figure in a black hood emerged.

“Lee Si-heon, Apostle. We are ready. I will now brief you on the mission-“
“Ah, yes. Go on.”
“… Apostle?”

A woman’s voice filled with confusion.

The hooded follower trembled, staring at her chest in disbelief.

“Why-“
“Thankfully, my mental strength has improved. Otherwise, I would have vomited numerous times.”

-Swift!

I swiftly withdrew the sword that had pierced her heart.

Blood spurted through the alley between the buildings. Droplets of blood splashed onto my chilled cheeks.

The woman, her body contorted, slowly revealed her face before crumbling apart.

I had taken a life for the first time.

The sensation of slicing through skin, felt on the handle.

It was a repulsive sensation, one I never wished to experience again.

Yet, I had no intention of stopping.

*Swoosh.*

I sliced the throat of the follower who had pursued me once more. Perhaps due to my resolute determination, after the first time, no vivid images haunted me.

I cut, tore, and severed.

In a place unbeknownst to anyone, I must have ended more than a dozen lives.

Gradually, within my accumulating experiences, I grew increasingly adept in that brief period.

The locations of bones and muscles, the precise places to cut for a swift death. The followers were fast, but as I adapted to their speed, I was able to track and intercept them without resorting to magic.

“You treacherous fiend!”
“Ah, Apostle, why!”

As I emerged from the entrance, a follower cried out in such manner. The group of followers surrounding the trainees, myself included, fixed their hardened faces upon me, their gazes filled with deadly intent.

The frightened trainees stole glances at me, their faces contorting in horror upon seeing my state.

“…Siheon, it’s you.”
“Siheon, I kept my promise.”

Jeong Si-woo looked slightly surprised, while Sansuyu remained expressionless, standing in place. In both their hands were swords they had taken from the believers.

“Apostle Lee Si-heon! Your actions are unforgivable!”

A sinister gleam shone in the eyes of the believer who screamed in a grotesque manner. I took a breath and addressed the man before me.

“It seems you expected me to do this. Am I wrong?”

A familiar figure donned the same hooded robe as the others. The man removed the hood, revealing his face, and offered a bitter smile, as if genuinely regretful.

“It’s a shame, brother. I had hoped you would complete this task and join us.”

“Is that so?”

“But one cannot defy the oracle. This time, yes, it must be a trial from above. Love must be reciprocated. If you repent now, your transgressions will be overlooked.”

【 The World Tree of Purity raises its middle finger! 】

“The World Tree just told me. To hell with you.”

“Ha ha. Do you wish to jest in a situation like this?”
“It’s the truth.”
“Well, there’s nothing to be done. Since it’s come to this… What other choice do we have but to capture and brainwash? This is your last chance, Apostle Lee Si-heon.”

【The ‘World Tree of Purity’ roars fiercely!】

“…Tell the World Tree that your mother is a whore.”
“You’ve crossed the line.”

Seeing his hardened face, I couldn’t help but smile.

“The World Tree truly is a dick.”

With blatant hostility, I aimed the tip of my sword at Seong-Han.
Seong-Han scrunched up his face, clicked his tongue, and shot a glance to one side.

There, wearing pristine white masks, higher-ranking followers I had never seen before brandished their swords.
I saw Azalea deflecting the swords with her protective barrier.