Chapter 61

What significance does Cheonghwa Academy’s festival hold?

There are quite a few plausible opinions on that.

Some say it’s to honor Cheongil, the former Elder of the Cheong Family and the academy’s founder.

Others suggest it’s to flaunt their prestige and showcase safety measures by holding a large-scale festival.

Or perhaps it’s an intentional opening to lure and apprehend forces with ulterior motives in a surprise crackdown.

However, the festival’s true meaning is none of those things. Having played all the Exorcism Academy Series, I know the truth.

‘Because the founder, Cheongil, said to do it.’

It’s no joke; that really is all there is to it.

‘Was the reason something like, “An academy must have a festival”?’

Consequently, Cheonghwa Academy’s festival holds no symbolic meaning, tradition, or history.

That’s precisely why the feeling is all the more complicated.

“Do you understand, everyone? The graduating third-year class is short on personnel, so the second-years will inevitably have to take the lead. I expect you to perform admirably, in a manner befitting the academy’s name.”

With two weeks left until the festival day, not only the academy cadets but even the professors are in a state of considerable excitement.

Even those known for their usually dignified personalities are already planning their activities for the festival day.

Something about not tarnishing the name of the founder, Cheongil?

‘The person in question, Cheongil himself, probably wouldn’t care much.’

But there’s no helping it. To modern exorcists, the man named Cheongil is that absolute of a figure.

It’s easier to think of him as the hero from the old tales that often exist.

‘…While the world believes he passed away quietly in his own residence, in truth, he disappeared at some point, and no one witnessed his final moments.’

Recalling Cheongil, who is likely in a deep slumber within some Great Barrier now, I glanced out the window at the sky.

‘Of course, he won’t appear in Part 1…’

To be precise, Cheongil is a character who first reveals his actual appearance in Part 3 of the Exorcism Academy Series.

I remember players being quite flustered and getting heated up about the story upon his appearance, as he was only known to be dead.

Recalling past memories, a sudden thought made me tilt my head.

‘Actually, if I put my mind to it, couldn’t I bring him out?’

Right now, my abilities are insufficient, so it’s impossible, but at a later point after I’ve grown, using my knowledge of the original work, it might be possible to summon Cheongil from the Great Barrier.

Of course, doing that would mess up the story after Part 1. The timeline I need to protect isn’t just the present, so it’s hardly a good option.

‘But…’

You never know.

If someday, due to the aftermath of Hell Difficulty, a truly desperate situation arises, I might need the help of the man called the Cheong Family’s greatest genius.

I chuckled softly at that absurd thought and got up from my seat after class ended.

Praying that the day I have to make such a choice never comes before I see the story’s ending.

“So, following a faculty consultation, our second-year A-Rank class will be responsible for the field observation of prospective students.”

That was the message delivered by our homeroom professor, Baek Jieun, around the time there were about 12 days left until the festival.

“Field observation? I heard the third-years handled it last year…”

“It just turned out that way. Well, this year’s second-year class has many stars, so they might have considered that aspect.”

Finishing her words, Baek Jieun briefly shifted her gaze toward the cadets.

Indeed, in this class right now, there are many cadets who made names for themselves in their regions, like Sophia, Hwang Jihak, Shin Sora, Cheong Haram, etc.

For the middle school division kids, each one of them is probably an object of envy, right?

‘Now that I think about it, there was an episode where Yoo Haon’s group helped a middle school division student in trouble.’

It wasn’t a core part of the story, but such an event definitely existed. In the original work, the second-year A-Rank class was probably guiding those middle school division students too.

“Therefore, we will now assign roles and select groups.”

At Baek Jieun’s words, I let out a small sigh.

Having moved solely chasing my goals until now, I’ve been somewhat alienated from most of my classmates.

Because of that, group activities like this aren’t particularly welcome.

“Hwang Jihak, Shin Sora, Sophia. You are Escort Group 1.”

“Yes~”

Led by Sophia’s cheerful reply, various students’ names were called out, and soon my turn approached.

“Adrian, Cheong Haram, and Han Kangyoon. You are Escort Group 5.”

At that, Adrian, who was nearby, subtly raised a hand in greeting, while Cheong Haram turned her head away in disgust.

By now, the trauma from the Phantom Wood Hungry Ghost should have lessened considerably, but it seems she still finds it difficult to deal with me.

“The scheduled date for the field observation is the last day of the festival week. Relevant materials will be sent to your personal terminals, so be sure to check them.”

At those words, I swiftly turned my head and stared at Baek Jieun. The last day. I definitely didn’t mishear.

“To explain simply, you just need to guide the students along designated courses so they don’t overlap. It shouldn’t be difficult, right?”

Baek Jieun began conveying additional instructions, but they didn’t register well with me.

Because that one phrase from earlier kept swirling in my head.

‘Field observation… in the original work, it was definitely on the first day, wasn’t it?’

Actually, if things were as per the original, the date itself wouldn’t hold much significance. But the last day of the festival was different.

That was the day when Vice-Principal Yoo Hyejin would officially assume the position of Academy Principal, and simultaneously, the day she would be attacked by enemies who had been targeting her.

‘…This is troublesome.’

The situation has changed again. That means the resulting variables cannot be ignored either.

If the prospective students coming for the field observation get caught up in the incident, it will undoubtedly be a headache.

“Anyway, that’s all for now. Group members should lightly coordinate with each other until the day arrives.”

And so, another day passed.

“Why is your condition like this lately? Did you have a nightmare or something?”

“…It’s nothing. I’ve just been sleeping a bit restlessly.”

To be precise, I couldn’t sleep at all, preoccupied with worrying about the impending events. Perhaps it showed, as Cheong Joohwa ignited Spiritual Power in one hand and spoke to me.

“Shall I use Nightmare Repulsion for you? It’s the Art Formula I’m most confident in.”

“No need. I’m not a child, what’s with that.”

“You’d be satisfied if you actually tried it. My grandmother used it often too.”

Honestly, I was slightly tempted, but knowing what that Art Formula meant to Cheong Joohwa, I indirectly refused.

‘It must be due to her childhood influence.’

An Art Formula she must have used repeatedly, countless times, to fall asleep on her own after losing her parents.

So, in a way, her high proficiency was only natural.

“Suit yourself then.”

“……”

She definitely should have moved up to A-Rank in this Promotion Exam and joined Yoo Haon’s group.

Yet, the frequency with which Cheong Joohwa seeks me out hasn’t decreased at all.

When I subtly questioned her about it, Cheong Joohwa answered me with a hint of dissatisfaction.

“You said we’d be a team together even after graduation. Surely those weren’t just empty words?”

“No, of course not. They were all sincere.”

“They’d better be.”

Cheong Joohwa hummed a tune again and took out a Talisman, fiddling with it. I casually asked her.

“Has there been any unusual movement from the Cheong Family?”

“No. Nothing particularly special.”

“If you sense anything suspicious at all, tell me right away.”

According to the original story’s flow, serious internal conflicts within the Cheong Family will begin in earnest after this semester ends.

Since Cheong Joohwa will undoubtedly be caught in the center of it, I couldn’t help but be concerned.

“What about me? By now, they probably don’t have much interest in me either over there.”

“It’s convenient to use as a pretext in many ways. For the time being, you’ll often be entangled in matters of interest.”

“…How utterly tiresome.”

I agreed with that part completely. Perhaps the emotion I’m feeling now is similar to that.

‘It’s not as easy as I thought.’

I knew it, but it was still vastly different from the feeling of clearing a game.

Nothing gets resolved easily, and the things to think about only increase.

If I’m struggling like this even in just Chapter 2 of the story, how much hardship will I have to endure in the crises to come?

I had no intention of running away, but feeling drained was inevitable.

“Another gloomy face. Like a zombie…”

After speaking, Cheong Joohwa fell silent for a moment, then lifted the Talisman she had been fiddling with and tapped it onto my forehead.

“Ouch, what are you doing?”

“Just stay still for a bit. I’m going to use it on you once, after all.”

A clear light flowed from Cheong Joohwa’s grasp, and a refreshing energy began to swirl around my head.

It was the versatile Basic Art, Nightmare Repulsion, which dispels worries and anxieties, allowing one to sleep peacefully.

“How is it?”

“…It’s good.”

As if supporting her confident demeanor, the Art Formula’s effect was exceptionally outstanding.

Somehow, I also felt like the thoughts in my head had been sorted out.

‘Well, clinging to what can’t be changed won’t create a solution either.’

The fact that prospective students are coming to the academy on the last day of the festival is already an unchangeable event.

Then, all that’s left is to set my course of action, taking that into account as well.

“You go in first.”

“Yes.”

After parting with Cheong Joohwa, I returned to my dorm and dialed a number that had become quite familiar by now.

Brrrring.

Click.

[What is it?]

“A message from the Ancestor.”

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

If the things requiring attention have increased, then shouldn’t we, likewise, allocate personnel accordingly?

“Any changes to the schedule?”

“None. It seems the official announcement will proceed as scheduled on the last day of the festival week.”

“…I see. So that’s how it is.”

In a basement room with a slightly damp atmosphere. There, a man and a woman are engaged in continuous conversation.

“Ha. Yoo Hyejin, that detestable murderess, as Academy Principal? That should absolutely never happen. Such a thing.”

The woman’s eyes are filled with directionless rage. Clutching a tightly clenched fist to her chest as if suppressing something, she addresses someone not present.

“…Father. It won’t be long now. I will soon resolve that grudge for you.”

The woman, who had closed her eyes and remained silent for a moment, soon returned to a calm expression and spoke to her subordinate.

“There will be no issues with the preparations, correct?”

“Yes. Myself and all members of the clan are prepared to lay down our lives. We will follow the Family Head to the very end.”

“Good. Father would surely be pleased.”

The woman picked up a hairpin placed on the table and demurely arranged her hair. Then, she took something out from her bosom and threw it straight up into the air.

Whoosh.

“Rending Scatter.”

Crackle—!*

That which shattered into pieces in mid-air was none other than the Headquarters-issued license certifying one as an Exorcist.

And on one corner of it, the following was inscribed:

【Exorcism Headquarters 1st-Rank Exorcist Yoo Hyeyeon】

The moment the blade of vengeance of the former 1st-Rank Exorcist was directed toward none other than Cheonghwa Academy.