Chapter 176. Investigation Site
The day before Lee Hoyeon received visitors.
Lucy and Lumi, who had visited the hospital on the day he woke from his coma, were turned away by the nurse and returned in disappointment.
"Lumi... do you think Lee Hoyeon will be okay?"
"Hoyeon... he'll be fine. Yeah. Definitely."
Lucy and Lumi trudged down the street.
They had skipped class for this hospital visit, making the disappointment all the more bitter.
"Nothing we can do. Let's at least attend the afternoon classes, Lumi."
"Yeah. Let's do that."
"...Lumi. Do you think Lee Hoyeon is really dating the school nurse?"
Lucy finally voiced what had been weighing on her mind.
Even though Lee Hoyeon had denied it last time, the recently released CCTV footage made her doubt.
Seeing him throw himself to protect Baek A-Young was unmistakably the act of a lover.
"He's not. Hoyeon said he wasn't."
But Lumi was adamant.
Normally, Lumi would have agreed to some extent with Lucy's words, but when it came to Lee Hoyeon, she always stood her ground.
"You think so?"
"Yeah. If Hoyeon says he isn't, then he isn't."
Even as she said it, Lumi harbored some doubts.
Sure, there had been constant exams and festivals.
And several terror incidents too.
Lumi understood that. But that didn't mean she wasn't disappointed.
She hadn't seen much of Lee Hoyeon lately, and their secret friend activities had dwindled.
"Lumi. Let's go get lunch!"
"...Okay."
In the end, Lumi couldn't focus during class and returned to the dorm.
"What's the problem? Ugh... Should I search it online?"
But she didn't even know what to search for.
Then, a magazine caught her eye.
It was something Lucy had left behind during her last visit.
On the cover: [Transform Your Image to Captivate Any Guy's Attention!]
"...."
Lumi began reading the magazine.
It emphasized the importance of changing one's image.
"Image transformation..."
But for Lumi, the concept of image was too abstract.
She slowly read through the examples in the magazine.
"Change your outfit style. That's too hard... Hair style... Hair style?"
Hair could just be cut at a salon, right?
Of course, she could also buy new clothes, but she didn't feel confident picking out something suitable from hundreds of options.
Compared to clothes, hair seemed easier.
Lumi began browsing hairstyles online.
Tuesday at lunch.
Professor Im Sol came to visit.
Seeing me wave enthusiastically, Im Sol let out a chuckle of disbelief.
"I heard from A-Young, but seriously, you're one sturdy kid."
Seeing me healthy despite my mana circuits being wrecked, she seemed a bit overwhelmed.
"Your student's a bit amazing, huh, Professor."
"For someone amazing, I don't feel a trace of mana from you."
"Haha... I'll probably be like this for at least a week."
Not being able to use magic was one thing, but not being able to set rune barriers was what made me the most anxious.
Locking the door alone didn't feel secure enough.
Can't have someone peeking in on me having sex.
"Still, it's good. Now you're just on your way to becoming a genius mage."
"Come on. You've still got that genius mage title, Professor."
I tried to be humble, but the internet was already idolizing me.
There were even posts comparing my magical prowess to Im Sol's.
I'm not even close to that level yet.
"Public opinion's shifted thanks to you rescuing high-ranking officials. It looks like the media war is over."
"Thank you. It's all thanks to you, Professor."
Sure, my actions during the terror incident helped, but Im Sol had laid the groundwork from the start.
"A-Young and Min Yeji worked hard too."
"Of course."
Baek A-Young, sure, but I also owed Min Yeji a thanks.
But I haven't had a chance to meet her.
I wonder if saving her before counts?
"My magic research is going well too. It's nearly complete."
"Oh... so the announcement's coming soon?"
"Yeah. But I want to announce it with you. I'll wait, so take your time."
"Hmm. Thank you."
Im Sol smiled brightly as she explained her research progress.
Honestly, it's a bit bothersome... but oh well.
No choice but to go along.
When she talks magic, she looks so happy. I can't bring myself to act bored.
I did my best to look interested as I listened to her.
"By the way, looks like you can't attend this week's Magic Expo? Should we cancel our bet?"
Right, we had a bet about acing the test and going to the expo, but I'm hospitalized.
"Can't do that, Professor. Let's go next time. Next time."
"Hmm~ okay. I'll save the date next time."
I can't let this opportunity go to waste.
The expo isn't a one-time thing.
Another one will open soon enough.
"Oh right, Professor. About that thesis..."
After about 30 minutes of chatting, Im Sol got up to leave.
"I'll head out now. No need to worry about Academy classes since exams are over... Just rest here in the hospital."
"Yes... but Professor? What are you doing?"
Rub rub.
Im Sol had her hand on my crotch, fondling me.
"Thanks to you, even sweets can't relieve my stress. You need to take responsibility."
"... Sure, eat as much as you want. But can you lock the door just in case?"
"Already did when I came in."
She smiled slightly and tightened her grip.
"Such thorough preparation. Ngh..."
Once I was sufficiently hard, she pulled off my patient gown herself.
My cock pointed toward the ceiling, with a sticky droplet hanging from the tip.
It hadn't been that long, but the situation had me excited.
"What other professor helps her student relieve stress in a hospital room?"
"...You're right. First time for everything. Thanks."
I'd done naughty things in hospital rooms before, but this was a first.
So it wasn't a lie.
Im Sol slowly opened her mouth and took my glans inside.
The warm sensation wrapped around my cock, sending a jolt down my spine.
Slurp—smack.
Lewd wet sounds filled the room.
*
A-Class morning class.
The female students squealed and rushed over when they saw Lumi's new short haircut.
"Wow, Lumi? That haircut totally suits you!"
"Right? You should've done this sooner! You look better without that old-fashioned ribbon."
"Ah... um..."
"Hey, Lumi's getting overwhelmed. Stop it!"
Flustered by the sudden attention, Lumi looked around for help. Lucy stepped in, waving her arms to disperse the crowd.
"Okay, okay. But seriously, you look great, Lumi."
"Totally... Wanna go to a cafe later?"
"S-sorry. I have plans today..."
"Then let's go next time, okay?"
"Hey. I said stop."
Lucy chased off the persistent girls.
"Lucy... thanks."
"Don't mention it. But... why did you cut your hair, anyway?"
Lucy only found out this morning.
Lumi hadn't told her yesterday.
"U-uhm... image transformation?"
"Image transformation...?"
Lucy tilted her head.
What reason would Lumi have to change her image?
*
After Professor Im Sol left during lunch, the hospital room was quiet for several hours.
During that time, I contacted Moon Surin via smart watch.
- Me: Surin-noona, are you very busy?
Since she hadn't visited, she must've been extremely busy.
- Surin-noona: Sorry. I should've visited, but all staff involved have to participate in the investigation, so I've been tied up.
It wasn't an Academy-related terror incident, but seeing her so busy meant everyone involved must be just as swamped.
'Maybe they haven't realized Nam Dahee's missing yet.'
If the person managing her wasn't a top-tier Hunter, they wouldn't detect Kang Hyorin's spell.
Kang Hyorin had S-rank level skills, after all.
Of course, if the Guild Leader checked personally, they might notice.
The spell would weaken over time and distance.
But maybe they haven't had time to check due to the investigation.
Because Nam Daeun slipped out without a word and they haven't responded.
Normally, she should still be at the Academy.
So they're leaving it alone.
'Not bad.'
The more time, the better.
Knock knock.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
Probably the visitors the nurse mentioned earlier.
Lucy and Lumi.
"Yeah. Come in."
Click—
"Hey hey! We came back since we got kicked out yesterday."
"Hello, Hoyeon. Are you feeling okay?"
"Yeah yeah. Thanks for coming... huh?"
Lumi, who had been behind Lucy, cautiously stepped forward, and I widened my eyes.
Her signature red-ribbon ponytail was gone, replaced by a short bob cut.
"Whoa. Lumi, you cut your hair? You look amazing."
"T-thank you."
"Right? Everyone at the Academy was going wild saying she looked great."
"Lucy... don't say that. It's embarrassing."
Lucy proudly boasted about Lumi like it was her own achievement.
I felt bad for not being there for her lately, but Lucy hadn't shown it, which I was thankful for.
★ Heroine Status Window
[Lucy]
- [ Affection: 93 ]
- [ Lust: 30 ]
- [ Appetite: 25 ]
- [ Fatigue: 55 ]
Current Status: Thank goodness. Lee Hoyeon looks healthy!
'But why did Lumi cut her hair?'
In the original story, both girls had long hair the whole time.
"Why'd you cut your hair?"
"Image transformation, she said."
Lucy answered on Lumi's behalf.
"Image transformation...?"
"Y-yeah..."
Image transformation... a phrase that doesn't suit Lumi at all.
Isn't that something only social butterflies say?
★ Heroine Status Window
[Lumi]
- [ Affection: 96 ] (+0.4)
- [ Lust: 65 ]
- [ Appetite: 35 ]
- [ Fatigue: 40 ]
Current Status: H-he said I looked pretty. Thank goodness. Thank goodness....
'Guess she really just did it for that...?'
Well, she does look great, so whatever.
We spent the time happily chatting like it'd been a while.