Chapter 206

“Ms. Jackie, aren’t you off work yet?”

“Not yet…! I still have a lot of exams to grade for the kids. I’m just going to do this and leave.”

“Oh, but isn’t the staff room a bit hot? Should I turn on the air conditioning?”

“Oh yes, I’d appreciate that!”

Ms. Jacqueline Carroll nodded in response to the kind offer of Class B’s homeroom teacher, Shim Hyo Chan, who was going to turn on the air conditioner.

As Hyo Chan mentioned, the staff room was hot and humid inside.

Jacqueline was so focused on grading that she didn’t even notice the beads of sweat gathering on her forehead.

“Wait, why isn’t it going below 26 degrees?”

“Excuse me?”

“Have you touched anything on this air conditioner?”

“No? I only pressed the power button.”

“Then why is that? The air conditioner in the staff room is under central control.”

Shim Hyo Chan stroked his chin as if this was the first time he had seen such a scenario.

“I’ll go to the Administrative Office and ask about it.”

Jacqueline Carroll waved his excessive kindness away, laughing awkwardly.

‘That’s strange. Why is it under central control?’

These days, it was the era where complaints numbering in the hundreds would come in if air conditioning wasn’t provided in classrooms due to low birth rates and children’s welfare.

Wasn’t the Academy well funded?

“The air conditioning? Director Kim said we need to save energy after 3 PM. You’ll have to inquire more about it at the foundation.”

“The administrative director?”

“No, it’s Kim Yong Seong, the planning coordination director.”

“Eh? Why him…?”

Following the guide from the administrative office staff, he crossed the sunlit playground and entered the adjacent foundation building.

Here, just like before, the air conditioner was working at a weak intensity.

At that moment, a well-dressed man in a suit came down the stairs.

From him, Mr. Shim Hyo Chan received a rather absurd answer.

“We have to make up for exceeding the budget by cutting costs elsewhere. It’s just manifested in the form of saving electricity.”

“What? What does that mean…?”

“So don’t blame me! I wish you would take this up with your principal instead.”

“Okay, I’m sorry.”

“Honestly, what’s this about just because of one elementary department!”

“Excuse me?”

“Does the entire Academy think it’s all theirs? Ugh!”

Director Kim suddenly exploded with anger, causing Mr. Shim to flinch at the rising tide of rage.

“Sigh… I’ve already requested a budget increase from the headquarters, so please bear with it until then. There’s an ice water dispenser at the entrance, so go cool down. You’re soaked with sweat on your back.”

With a weary face, Director Kim sighed quietly and left the school grounds.

Upon closer inspection, his sideburns were also soaked with sweat.

“Wow, is that the group leader I’ve heard about? I’m genuinely shocked.”

* * *

[IWC Reminiscence]

[2nd Circle Spell: Cool Breeze]

“Ahhhh… refreshing.”

I provided cold air to Ji Hye, who was sprawled out on the gym floor.

“But is it okay to use magic like this?”

“I got permission. It’s fine.”

“I see. You’re the best, Nameya!”

The cooling cycle magic circle embedded in the wand spun diligently in the air, creating a breeze.

“About earlier, I said not to close your eyes and to keep looking at the incoming magic. You won’t get hurt anyway.”

“But… I can’t help but close my eyes!”

Ji Hye lifted her upper body to protest.

“And while moving, the amount of mana you inject into the magic circle should change as well. Use less as you get closer to your opponent, and more as you move away.”

“Ugh… I know but… hic… I keep forgetting…”

Suddenly, Ji Hye’s eyes welled up with tears.

“I get it! I’m sorry, I’m sorry! You’re right, it’s so hard to use magic while moving.”

“Wahh…”

“There’s still plenty of time before the competition, so if you practice consistently every day, you’ll be able to do it too, Ji Hye.”

As I continued to pat her back, a girl with half-opened eyes peeped over my shoulder and chimed in.

“When you fight, you fight like a polar bear, but why do you act weak in front of Name?”

Hearing her best friend Han Seori’s words, Ji Hye spun around.

“I’m not a polar bear!”

“Then, since you wear glasses, how about ‘Glasses Bear’?”

“I’m not ‘Glasses Bear’ either!”

“Okay, calm down, everyone. Sigh…”

Once the final exams were over, the Academy would have shortened classes almost every day.

So here I was, staying after school to help Ji Hye with her martial arts training.

There are no midterm exams in the 2nd to 6th grades during the second semester.

This was to allow the students to enjoy events called inter-academy tournaments or competitions.

For selecting representatives, a small preliminary round is held for interested students, and if selected as a representative of the Academy, significant bonus points would be obtained in future grading.

And Ji Hye, who ended up in Class 2-B after receiving poor grades in 1st grade, planned to participate in the preliminary round to join the same A-class as her friends, including Seori, in 3rd grade next year.

“They say you can’t use a mini summoning device in the competition?”

“Um… not one that looks like Name’s. Probably only bracelets or gloves? Those kinds will be permitted.”

“But there shouldn’t be any products with gyro sensors for bracelets or gloves.”

“Yeah…”

Ji Hye is somewhat of a unique case compared to the other kids.

In a martial arts competition mostly using aura to break an opponent’s barrier.

According to the standards for elementary competitions, you can use up to three first-circle spells alongside the aura.

First-circle spells aren’t that difficult, and rather, handling aura seems a hundred times harder, but she was among those who struggled with multitasking.

“Well, if you look closely, there might be such a wand somewhere?”

In the form of bracelets or gloves, and with a gyro sensor…

It would be like ordering a Two Plus Hanwoo Gimbap at a gimbap shop.

“I’ll just work even harder…”

Ji Hye gave up quickly.

“Okay, Ji Hye! This time, let’s compete! Since you’re all worn out, I’ll take this chance to take you down!”

“You’re dead. I won’t go easy.”

After saying that, Ji Hye got up from her spot.

“Hey, wait! Wall, wall! We’re not done yet! Name, save me!”

Seori hurriedly fled and shot me a pleading look.

Where does she get such energy?

[Output Magic Pressure (log): 5]

[Deployment: Mana Wall]

* * *

The law is far away, but fists are near.

In South Korean society, fists represent the support and empathy of the public.

When Name was interviewed, the Blue House’s Citizens’ Proposal site literally exploded.

Once the flame touches the fuse, it doesn’t extinguish.

The biggest hit was taken by the “Serious Crime Investigation Agency.”

While it’s fine to catch politicians committing corrupt, economic, or public office crimes, they showed particularly lukewarm reactions towards the arson bombing incident on Bafwadai Bridge, classified as a “major disaster” in South Korea.

This was because it had no so-called “political profit.”

Most of the perpetrators involved were moneyless immigrants or illegal residents exploited by Valpurigis’s subcontractors, and catching them would only result in filling one more prison spot.

Even the horrific event began to fade from memory over time, and it was revealed that investigations were still ongoing under the pretext of the social atmosphere, rejecting every single request for re-investigation.

[“Responsibility for investigation noise acknowledged” – Kim Dae Woon, Chief of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, resigns.]

– They’re so good at evading responsibility, how consistent they are! Hahaha.

– Through this incident, I truly felt the strong connection between the prosecution, media, and politics. The public will grow stronger.

– Strange things happen when an incompetent regime comes into power. Thus, we must vote wisely during elections.

└ Yeah, I’ll still not vote! Hahaha.

Even though it was being overshadowed by personal media, the power of the media was immense.

Having seen too many instances where they got hurt by trying to hide things, the Blue House deemed it the best policy to share information as it comes in.

[President Lee Jo Won’s second national address: “The Valpurigis purging operation has been meticulously planned for a long time.”]

Analysts in the media said the president was taking extreme measures to make up for his mistakes in the last emergency address.

He stated that the arson bombing incident on Bafwadai Bridge was indeed a disaster that could have been prevented and promised to investigate it through a special prosecutor team formed by both parties, expressing strong regret over the hostages who could not be rescued except for one.

Some people were disgusted by the portrayal of Name, who had been trapped in a capsule for seven years as if the government had “rescued” her, while others supported her being recognized as a true victim for her future life.

“You’re also part of the key investigation target, Jeong Ho. How did you end up tangled with such a bold kid?”

“Lawyer Park…”

“I’m not a lawyer. I’m a special prosecutor. It’s been ten years since I left my position as a high-ranking prosecutor, yet here you are calling me again. Anyway, hang in there. You don’t have anything you’re hiding, do you?”

“… No, I don’t.”

“Good, let’s do our best from here on out. We will be proceeding with the investigation, so don’t even think about scheming to destroy evidence.”

Seoul Central District Prosecutor Jeong Ho chuckled bitterly.

He thought he’d done everything he could, but he reflected on the sincere advice from older colleagues that to rise higher from here, ‘luck’ also needs to accompany.

As the door slammed shut, the black prosecutor’s robe hanging beside it flapped down.

The wind of change began to blow.

* * *

It was a morning just a few days after summer vacation had begun.

When I woke up, a small red LED light was flashing inside the capsule.

Could it be a message from Yoonseul, who had just returned home after some repairs?

Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I somewhat trudged to bring the hologram to my bed.

It’s human nature to want to sit when you’re awake and to lay down when you’re sitting.

To stay true to my nature, I wrapped myself in a blanket and waited for my pupils to adjust to the bright holographic light.

[Baek Ah Rin – Active]

‘What? It’s Ah Rin?’

The cute friend I had spent two whole months with at the orphanage.

Among the kids who emphasized rules and discipline, she had a truly free and pure soul.

I had felt a bit uneasy whenever I thought that there had been no contact since she got adopted by some wealthy man.

When I peered into the man’s nature, he didn’t seem like a bad person.

So I could trust and let Ah Rin go, praying from afar that she would grow up seeing only good things in a good environment.

Perhaps he might be strict with family regarding things like games or using capsules.

There’s no way she has already forgotten me.

I had been consistently thinking that way when…

[Baek Ah Rin: Name…]

[Baek Ah Rin: Please help me…]

[Baek Ah Rin: Please… for sure…]

A message that made my heart sink arrived.

[No Name: Baek Ah Rin, where are you? Are you okay?]

“…”

Throwing off the blanket, I quickly got up and sent a reply.

Biting my thumb, I waited anxiously for her to respond.

I paced the carpeted floor, leaving clear footprints behind.

Ding—

“Why is the reply taking so long…!”

[Baek Ah Rin: There are no people here.]

[No Name: No people?]

[Baek Ah Rin: A deserted island?]

Why is she being so anxious? Saying it like that makes it sound like someone is dead.

Why on earth is she on a deserted island?

[No Name: Are you really in an emergency right now?]

[Baek Ah Rin: What’s an emergency?]

[Baek Ah Rin: Ah, I get it.]

[Baek Ah Rin: No.]

At least it’s a relief that it’s not an emergency. But how is she using a capsule on a deserted island?

[No Name: If you know the address, could you please tell me? I’ll keep in touch while I head over.]

[Baek Ah Rin: Wait a moment.]

[Baek Ah Rin: Doori Island, Okdo-myeon, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do]

[Baek Ah Rin: Are you really coming?]

‘Ugh! This is frustrating…!’

When I searched for the address on a map, it turned out there was a building, but it was an island where no one currently lived.

I had no idea how Ah Rin ended up in such a place, but since she reached out for help, I needed to go there as quickly as possible.

If she could provide a reason, I could easily explain it to Professor Cheon.

[Baek Ah Rin: I’m sorry…]

[No Name: What do you have to apologize for? I’ll head over quickly. Are you sure you’re at Doori Island?]

[Baek Ah Rin: Yes.]

[Baek Ah Rin: I want to get out of here. But the old man won’t let me.]

[No Name: The old man? Did he lock you up?]

[Baek Ah Rin: I’m not locked up, but there’s not a single boat.]

[Baek Ah Rin: I’m scared, old man.]

[No Name: I understand. I’ll keep in touch while I head over.]

[No Name: (Share: 010-xxxx-xxxx) Just click this number once.]

* * *

“Ahrin… Ahrin! Baek Ahrin! What are you doing? Come out!”

“Uh…?”

“Hurry up! We need to hide now.”

“Min Woo oppa! Name is coming! Name is coming!”

“Hey, just hide quickly! If we get caught, it’s over for us today.”