Cheonmu Hunter Academy Magic Department hopeful, Cha Eun-ju.
Right now, she couldn't quite hide the thrilling tension bubbling up in her chest.
She couldn't help wondering if the fateful encounters she'd only ever seen in comics or novels were actually happening to her.
'Lee Seon-ho... was it?'
Her target department was Combat Support. Her awakening ability was a mental-type buff.
Among them, the fact that he could infuse others with 'courage' made Cha Eun-ju's heart race wildly.
It was the exact buff she needed most ahead of her practical exam.
'Maybe... our first meeting wasn't just some coincidence.'
Finding her lost and flustered, guiding her to the exam room. Ending up in the same testing hall by chance.
Two perfect coincidences, as if the heavens had decreed from the start that they were meant to meet. For Cha Eun-ju, whose hobbies were comics and novels, it felt just like one of those destined encounters from her favorite stories.
'If Seon-ho's there, maybe I could...'
Cast her spells properly in real combat without freezing up.
Support departments lacked combat prowess anyway, so they had to pair up with other departments for practicals—two per team. If Seon-ho just teamed up with her...
Imagining she'd definitely pass if they took the practical together, Cha Eun-ju kept picturing his face even during the written exam.
To the point where she couldn't even fathom pairing with anyone else.
'Seon-ho's so kind... If I ask him to do the practical with me next week, he'll say yes, right?'
The written exam... he probably passed too.
She just had a feeling. She'd snuck a peek at his Combat Support answer sheet right before submitting, and it was pretty well filled out.
He'd helped her when she was lost in front of the bulletin board first, and when she'd spilled her stationery, he'd bent down to pick it up before her. A guy that nice... maybe.
...he could fix her chronic real-combat weakness with his awakening ability.
"Hoo, haa, hoo, haa..."
Her heart pounded at the thought of messing up, so she let out several tense breaths.
If she couldn't ask him properly, she'd ace the written only to flunk the practical.
Next week's practical. If you don't have a partner, do it with me. I'll repay the favor, promise. Please, Seon-ho.
She rehearsed the line in her head over and over, unsure if she'd say it right.
For Cha Eun-ju, who struggled even talking to close friends, let alone strangers, this took serious resolve.
...This Cheonmu Hunter Academy entrance was that important to her.
'He won't just leave after the exam, right...? I signaled him with my eyes so clearly...'
Blink blink, blink blink blink. Go on ahead, I'll wait.
Blink blink blink blink. Got it.
Yeah. It definitely got through. A guy fate-bound to her would understand.
That's how it worked in comics, with eye contact alone. Yeah.
Lost in baseless delusion, she waited in front of Hye-seong Hall for about 30 minutes.
-Step, step.
'H-he's coming...!'
Spotting him emerging slowly, Cha Eun-ju hurried over first.
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"H-how... was the exam...?"
"Cha Eun-ju...?"
...Why'd she pop up out of nowhere?
Given her personality, she'd usually head straight home after the exam to watch anime or swing by a comic shop for her favorites.
Her waiting around till my exam ended and approaching me like this didn't add up.
'Did the affinity I built already pay off?'
Just twice, but maybe it left a deep impression on her.
Or maybe Cha Eun-ju was just low-hurdle for Lee Seon-ho by nature. Either way, she was essential for exploiting her abilities until she overcame her flaws.
'Doesn't matter why—she approached first. Not a bad thing.'
I could grab a meal like planned, bond, then bring up next week's practical. Didn't care about the reason if the result was good.
"W-what's wrong...?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"D-did the exam go badly...? Your face looks kinda down..."
"Nah, think I did fine. Answered all ten questions at least."
"R-really...? That's a relief..."
I wondered why my exam passing was a relief for her, but her next words cleared it up naturally.
"U-um, y'know..."
"Yeah?"
"N-next week's p-practical exam! If—if you don't have a partner...!!"
"...Yeah."
"C-could you team with me...? I-I really need your awakening ability..."
"My awakening ability?"
"P-please... I'll repay you if you team up with me..."
Her voice trembled as she begged like this—she must really be worried about the practical.
Probably her max courage output. Awkward even asking friends, yet pleading with a guy she'd met hours ago.
Her mention of 'repayment' stirred something below, excitingly. If I demanded that for teaming up, how far would she go?
...Sex might be a stretch, but groping her chest? She'd cave somehow.
'Cha Eun-ju forced to let me grope her tits because "a promise is a promise"... pretty hot.'
The fantasy flashed, but I had no plans to voice it.
I could exploit her timidness for quick feels, but sexual harassment would tank her affinity for me.
I wanted her heart completely, so fantasies only.
Better yet, her plea sparked more ways to boost her affinity. No reason not to pursue them.
"Why so tense asking a friend? Happy to help with that."
"F-friend...?"
"We'll attend the academy together next year—makes us friends. You look plenty qualified to pass, Eun-ju."
"R-really...? S-so you and me are friends... right?"
"Yeah. And no need for repayment. I didn't have a practical partner either—way more comfy with a friend anyway."
"R-really?! S-so you'll do it?!"
"Teaming up's no issue if you want... but first."
"...Huh?"
"Wanna hit a training ground downtown? Better sync once before deciding."
"O-oh, y-yeah...! Y-you're right, Seon-ho..."
Calling her friend first, when she has almost none: +1 point.
Adding I wanted to team with her, no repayment needed: +1 point.
Showing I took her request seriously: +1 point.
"Grab a quick bite before the training ground. Loads of spots by the station."
"Y-yeah! Y-you did my favor, so lunch is on me!"
"No need to go that far... c'mon."
She already seemed above average affinity, but stacking points when I could? No downside.
True to the easiest heroine for Lee Seon-ho only.
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We ate light Japanese ramen near the station, tailored to her tastes, then headed to a hunter training ground by the academy.
Public lots or parks were too risky for her magic. No dungeons open to non-official hunters like us yet.
"Two for a medium room. Rent for 2 hours."
"Medium training room, 2 hours? Right this way."
Sealed for ability leakage, with holographic foes for mock battles.
Not cheap, but no issue. Original Lee Seon-ho wasn't money-troubled.
"I-it's expensive... I-I should've paid..."
"You get next time. I covered today, so we're good."
"B-but..."
"Friends don't nitpick this stuff. Got it?"
"O-okay... Friends, yeah..."
I said that, but no plans to make her pay next. Her subculture splurges left her wallet thin.
Plan: I cover training after she buys meals. Instill subtle debt in her mind.
...Humans cave to burdensome requests if they feel indebted.
"Session's 2 hours. Extensions after are 30-min increments—mind that."
"Got it."
"Y-yeah..."
After the staff briefing, we entered. I had Cha Eun-ju try her dark magic ASAP—2 hours max, no wasting time.
"Start simple: 3 goblins. Cast like usual."
"I-I don't use it much, so not sure..."
"Just whatever feels right. Gotta gauge your level and what buffs you need."
"O-okay..."
She stepped center with a shaky voice, prepping her spell.
Once set, I summoned three weakest goblins and observed.
Had to check her solo skill level sans my assist.
'Kehhek!'
'Keruk, kereruk!'
'Kiheek!!'
"H-heeeek...!!"
Hologram goblins alone had her cowering, hands over head.
She fired black orbs wildly without aiming.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡
Shadow Ball
(Panicked wild shots / Minimal accuracy / One lucky hit)
Panicking, she bit her tongue: "Sh-Shadow Ball! Shadow Ball...!! Sh-Shad—?! Kek...!!"
One stray orb lucked out, killing a goblin. Her solo mock battle ended in pathetic defeat.
"...Hik, higuh..."
...Worse than I thought.
A stark reminder why she became Lee Seon-ho-dependent in the original.
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