168 – To Samhwa-guk

Rohan formed a group with everyone, exchanging messages and planning.

They decided to rent a car and drive the long distance to Samhwa-guk during the academy break.

He’d already booked a suitable vehicle using an application run by a major corporation.

He wasn’t particularly fond of driving usually, but this wasn’t work, and he looked forward to chatting and having fun inside the car, which was far better than taking public transport.

The fact that he’d recently obtained his license was due less to a distant future and more to the improved quality of the trip.

As the target date approached, step by step.

Today was the day Sione and Clara commenced their second swimsuit shopping spree.

Rohan, having focused on his training and made some progress, gathered his gear and headed outside.

He walked alone, step by step.

To resolve the lingering unease that had been bothering him, he headed toward Jooyeon’s house.

He vividly remembered the location, having been indebted to her in various ways.

‘Hmm…’

Not far away, he took out his phone and composed a message.

He didn’t know if Jooyeon was home. He sent a message saying he was nearby and asking if she was busy.

Unlike last time, he didn’t have to wait long; the reply arrived quickly.

[Jooyeon Instructor: I’ll be out soon, wait at a nearby cafe]

Rohan, pleased with the message, raised his head and looked around.

‘Where should I go?’

His preference was for a quiet cafe with few customers.

A cafe immediately caught his eye. He went inside, took a seat in the far corner, and informed Jooyeon of the cafe’s name.

‘The atmosphere is nice.’

Rohan unbuckled the sword strapped to his back and waited blankly for a few minutes.

The bell on the door jingled! A red-haired woman, catching his attention, entered the cafe.

Had it been too short a time to call it long, yet too long to say it was recent? Rohan couldn’t help but smile with delight.

“Instructor! Over here!”

“Wait seated. Just tell me what you want to drink.”

“I’ll have the same as you, Instructor.”

Jooyeon chuckled dryly, placed the order, and brought the coffees over.

As soon as she sat down, she smiled faintly at Rohan.

“I wondered if you’d gotten into trouble. But I suppose not.”

“It’s just as the message said. I was in the area and thought of you, Instructor.”

The smile on Jooyeon’s lips deepened slightly.

She seemed dumbfounded, but couldn’t hide her pleasure.

“For a student to seek out their instructor during the break… it’s quite the unusual choice.”

“Aren’t there many students like me? Considering your popularity, Instructor, I thought there would be similar cases.”

“Hmph, the Instructor in Rohan’s head seems quite different from reality. You’re the first student to approach me so unreservedly, though.”

Rohan focused on Joo-yeon’s expression as she spoke.

Though he couldn’t know the worries hidden deep inside, he could sense she seemed more tired than usual just by looking at her eyes.

Joo-yeon, meeting Rohan’s unwavering gaze,

Set down her coffee, changing the subject.

“You worked hard at the shopping mall. I heard from the Security Bureau that your response was excellent and the citizens are full of praise.”

“I only did as you taught me, Instructor. It was also fortunate that Gilbert was there with his booming voice.”

“Indeed, there’s no matching that volume for grabbing attention.”

Joo-yeon nodded slightly, as if the rough picture was forming in her mind.

“What will you be doing during the vacation, Instructor?”

“I need to prepare for next semester’s classes and cooperate with the Security Officers for patrols of the academy city.”

“No plans to return to the homeland?”

“None. I’m busy for the time being.”

“I thought you might go back at least once.”

Joo-yeon rested her chin on her hand, watching Rohan.

Had she increased the training intensity as she’d announced during the Flag Snatching game? Rohan’s skills had certainly improved.

“Rohan seems quite interested in the Instructor. It’s nice for the Instructor not to be bored, but still, it’s supposed to be vacation, can you really spend such precious time like this?”

“I enjoy the time I spend with you, Instructor.”

Joo-yeon savored Rohan’s answer slowly, then chuckled silently as if she’d heard something peculiar.

She could feel it was unadorned sincerity, and it tickled her.

“Rohan isn’t planning on remaining stationary like the Instructor, is he? Broadening your horizons when you have the free time is also a good choice.”

“Actually, I’m planning on visiting the Samhwa Federation.”

Joo-yeon blinked in surprise for a moment.

Then, as if pleased, she nodded gently, recalling her first meeting with Rohan.

‘Rohan is truly… resourceful.’

It felt like only yesterday he was working part-time at a bookstore after the academy and studying in every spare moment.

In just one semester, he had managed to escape being hounded by money through his own efforts,

And focused on his duties as a student, a truly commendable sight.

“I wish I could recommend some good places, but there aren’t really any I could suggest.”

“I understand. It’s common not to visit tourist destinations when you live there.”

Rohan slurped down the half-finished coffee,

And, regretting its end, concluded their commonplace conversation.

“Instructor.”

“Hm?”

“Is something wrong?”

“That’s a sudden question… Is there a reason you ask?”

“You look tired.”

“I’m not particularly in bad shape, but does it look that way?”

Rohan nodded honestly, affirming her impression.

Juyeon picked up her teaspoon and needlessly swirled the coffee around.

“Frankly, I’m going on gut feeling. On that day of the dimensional rift, perhaps something──”

“Enough.”

Juyeon calmly cut Rohan off.

Then, she reached out and flicked Rohan’s forehead lightly.

*Thwack!* With the sound, Rohan closed his mouth, and Juyeon firmly drew a line.

“Rohan has a tendency to delve too deeply.”

“···.”

“A student should be faithful to his duties. He merely needs to enjoy his vacation. Understand?”

“···.”

“Why is Rohan, who always answers so well, so quiet today? Are you trying to ensure you don’t erase the impression of being a problem child to the instructors?”

“No, ma’am. I will be faithful to my duties.”

“Good. Excellent.”

Juyeon wore a satisfied smile at Rohan’s reluctant nod.

An academy instructor has a duty to protect their students. They must never draw them into danger.

Rohan was aware of that boundary. He also knew Juyeon’s upright character.

And so, without giving up, he uttered one more word.

“Instructor.”

“Speak.”

“If I graduate, and the duty to protect me disappears, and I hone my skills and become someone you can trust, will you tell me a little more openly then?”

“···.”

Juyeon leaned back, crossing her arms.

She erased her smile, and wordlessly, stared back.

The whole café fell silent, trapped in breathless stillness.

Silence for several seconds.

Juyeon relented, as if defeated, and let out a hollow laugh.

“Can Rohan not be satisfied with arranging a drinking session with his instructor?”

“I grew up without parents, so I am a little greedy.”

“If you say it like that… the instructor runs out of words.”

Juyeon felt a mixture of exasperation and inner satisfaction.

Unusually reassuring as well.

“First, I need to gain skill to the point of being reliable, then we can talk about it again.”

A reaction that was as good as an agreement.

Only then did Rohan understand and take a step back.

And listened attentively to Juyeon’s lecture that started subtly.

··

··

The day to depart for the Samhwa Nation.

Rohan pulled the borrowed car up in front of Zion’s mansion.

First, the luggage.

Rohan needed only a backpack, but Sion and Clara, after a swimsuit shopping spree, had procured a large suitcase each.

What they’d stuffed into them for such a short trip, Rohan couldn’t fathom, but he squelched his curiosity.

“Alright, hop in, you two.”

“Ooh…!”

Rohan, having finished with the baggage, opened the passenger door and gestured. Clara slipped in, settling herself.

Visibly excited, she tilted her head from side to side, her twin tails swaying.

“Hehe, a trip together…I’m overly giddy.”

Sion sat in the back, but there was no hint of disappointment about not being in the passenger seat.

The two had already made an agreement regarding the coveted spot next to Rohan.

Clara would take the front seat on the way there, Sion on the return.

“Let’s see. The address…”

Rohan checked the address Ichinose had sent via text, and began fiddling with the navigation system.

Their destination: Ichinose’s house.

He tapped ‘start navigation,’ and a mechanical voice chimed in.

─ Please select a route.

The distances varied depending on the toll fees.

Just as he’d heard, the free route was absurdly long, but this time it wasn’t a concern.

Sion, having offered to cover all tolls and other expenses since Rohan was driving, had insisted they take the best route.

─ Navigation started.

Rohan decided to inform Ichinose that they were now leaving.

His phone vibrated urgently.

*Bzzzt──!*

[Ichinose: Noah’s mother will be there too, is that alright? If you’re uncomfortable, we can meet outside. I really don’t mind. I *really* don’t mind]

A somewhat rambling and frantic text.

Rohan quickly replied that it was fine.

They were essentially borrowing the entire ocean. How could he possibly refuse? He needed to express his gratitude properly to Ichinose’s parents.

To go all the way there, borrow everything, enjoy themselves, and then just disappear? Unacceptable.

He had no intention of behaving like a lout.

Besides…

‘Noah’s mother?’

Aside from Seolho Daeje and Noah, Frozen Heart was unknown.

She had never been specifically mentioned, so there was no information.

Perhaps that’s why his interest was piqued. He wanted to meet her.

Adjusting the rearview mirror, Rohan briefly met Sion’s gaze, then…

He turned to Clara, who was beaming in the passenger seat.

“Clara, you need to put on your seatbelt.”

“Huh…? Ah, the seatbelt…”

Flustered, the girl looked around haphazardly. Rohan reached over, gently pressing her shoulder back against the seat.

He leaned in, taking care of it himself.

“Hold still.”

“!”

As Rohan drew closer, Clara held her breath.

She sucked her already trim stomach in even further.

*Click!* The belt fastened, and Rohan settled back into the driver’s seat.

Clara, her cheeks still flushed, twitched the corner of her mouth.

‘Classic Clara. A clever trick.’

Sion nodded, as if having learned a valuable lesson, cataloging the situation.

Only then did Rohan step on the gas.