Chapter 94

“…Is there something you’re unsatisfied with?”

Even as I said that, I could roughly guess the reason. The truth was, Sophia had long since surpassed the level where she could be taught by anyone.

As expected, the thoughts running through Sophia’s mind were along similar lines.

“Honestly, the exams aren’t that difficult, and if I put my mind to it, I can use most Cursed Techniques. I guess you could say I’m lacking a bit of motivation~”

Of course, Sophia still had many steps left to climb, but those were realms she could naturally reach someday, even without the Academy.

It meant there was no need to desperately strive in her studies.

‘After all, even if I graduate the Academy in this state, people will try to recruit me wherever I go.’

Once Sophia started talking, she began pouring out all the words she had kept buried inside.

“To be honest, I’m getting bored of only fighting battles where the outcome is predictable. Sometimes, it even feels like I’m deceiving people, just as I’ve occasionally heard. No matter who I meet, I can’t help but think they’ll soon give up and be rolling on the floor.”

“……”

“It’s not a lie, but even when I’m praised for improving after such fights, it doesn’t feel good. Probably the person hearing it doesn’t find it very pleasant either?”

Unintentionally, I had ended up doing something regrettable. In the very battle where Sophia had felt a moment of joy, I had betrayed that expectation twice.

After a brief silence, Sophia swirled her teaspoon at the bottom of her now-empty coffee cup and spoke to me.

“This might not be pleasant to hear, but honestly, I don’t really put in much effort.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yeah. Because, even if I just stand still, I feel myself getting a little stronger.”

Certainly, that wasn’t a false statement.

An S+ Spiritual Power rank and high-level Traits of the enhancement series that synergize to produce effects beyond that.

They were creating a compounding effect, swelling Sophia’s Spiritual Power even at this very moment.

“Mmm. Does someone like me have the right to praise others, or to be worthy of praise? Honestly, I’m not sure.”

A problem born from overwhelmingly exceptional talent. It seemed to be a rather serious concern for Sophia.

“…Maybe I should just quit now?”

To Sophia, who asked dazedly, I quietly replied.

“Well, that’s your freedom.”

“Oh? Now that you’re not trying to stop me, I feel a bit disappointed…”

“Still, I think it’s better for you to stay a while longer.”

At my words, Sophia opened her mouth with a slightly expectant expression.

“Why?”

“Well, it’s not like the Academy is a place you attend just to be number one, right?”

Even excluding grades, if you actually attend, there are quite a few interesting things.

It’s not like Sophia feels only boredom either.

“You take the exams as they come. If you just focus more on other aspects, that will have its own meaning. You’ll be working for half your life after graduation anyway, so is there really a need to experience that a whole year early?”

“…Why bring up such a realistic topic all of a sudden?”

Sophia let out a small laugh as if my reply was completely unexpected.

“Kangyoon, you’re unexpectedly pessimistic.”

“Call it the wisdom of an adult’s experience.”

“Mmm. Actually, by Korean age, I’m a year older.”

“……”

By that logic, I was already in my thirties. As I made a slightly awkward face, Sophia spoke.

“…Yeah. I feel kind of silly now. I’ll keep attending after all.”

“Good thinking.”

I downed the remaining coffee in one gulp and decided to make a special promise for Sophia’s sake.

“In the next exam, if we end up facing each other, I won’t do anything strange.”

“Going all out without holding back?”

“Yeah. Without holding back.”

“…You really promise?”

Like a pure child, Sophia extended her pinky finger and gestured to me.

In response, I extended my own finger in a gesture of promise, something I hadn’t done in a very long time.

Hook.

Swish.

Shhh.

“Then I’ll look forward to the next exam.”

And so, Sophia returned to the original self I knew.

Although I ended up in a situation somewhat different from my original purpose, it was still very helpful in understanding the real Sophia Charlotte, not the original character.

‘Surprisingly, she’s quite ordinary inside.’

It was exactly as Grace had said.

The overwhelming strength that seemed unbeatable no matter the opponent, and that unflappable mentality in any situation.

It was actually a bit different from the image of the human Sophia Charlotte.

As I left the residence and was heading back to the Academy, a familiar face approached. It was Grace.

“How did it go?”

“I got kicked out. For peeking at her sleeping.”

“Wait, seriously?”

“Just kidding. Thanks to you, the conversation ended well.”

“…Were you always the type to make jokes like that?”

Even though I didn’t show it, it had been a rather troublesome situation, so I just wanted to give a little back.

Only then did Grace relax and patted my back as if to say ‘good job.’

“She does act like that sometimes normally, but this time was especially bad… I was really worried about what would happen.”

“Honestly, I had no idea she had so many worries.”

“But it’s okay. For better or worse, Soph can’t stand being lonely.”

In the end, she meant that Sophia probably wouldn’t have been able to leave the Academy where her classmates were.

“Anyway, thanks for helping today. If I get a chance someday, I’ll return the favor.”

With those final words, Grace headed towards the residence where Sophia was this time.

Truly, an old friend is a friend indeed, I thought as I returned to the Academy.

And then.

“You clearly said this evening…”

“…Ah.”

Caught in an unexpected situation, I had completely forgotten my promise. I had to sincerely appease Cheong Joohwa, who was waiting for me in front of the dormitory with a sulky expression.

The day after unintentionally counseling Sophia on her worries, welcoming the weekend, I went outside the Academy with Cheong Joohwa and strolled around the city.

“Today, you have to do everything I want to do.”

“Got it. Yesterday was a real mistake.”

“…Yeah. Well, I’m over it now.”

Cheong Joohwa, wearing her usual quite active outfit, headed straight for the movie theater without hesitation.

“Two of those, please.”

“Yes. Thank you. Enjoy the movie.”

Carrying popcorn and cola, we picked up the tickets she had reserved after hastily making plans yesterday and sat in our assigned seats.

The movie she chose was a zombie blockbuster, a staple common to all nations.

“It was just okay, watchable.”

“I found it surprisingly fresh and liked it.”

“…Which part exactly?”

Seeing ordinary citizens facing zombies with Talismans instead of wooden planks or steel pipes honestly gave off an inexplicable B-movie vibe that left no room for boredom.

Cheong Joohwa gave me a peculiar look and immediately led me to the game center inside the movie theater.

“Want to have a little contest? The loser has to grant one wish.”

“You’ll regret it.”

“Says who. Pick anything you want.”

However, I shook my head at her words and yielded the choice.

“…Just so you know, I can play everything here.”

Cheong Joohwa smiled as if it was ridiculous and soon found a keyboard-style rhythm game machine at the very back and inserted a coin.

Clack.

Ding!

A very niche choice, but there was one fact Cheong Joohwa didn’t know.

【CLEAR!】

【RANK : AAA】

【9887234】

【MISS : 17】

“How is it? Can’t beat that, right?”

My favorite game was none other than the Exorcism Academy Series, but honestly, I’m good at most games regardless of genre.

Quite good, actually.

【CLEAR!】

【RANK : S】

【9999824】

【MISS : 1】

“My hands are stiff from not playing in a while.”

“……”

Actually, even that was a lie. To be honest, I just intentionally missed one.

‘To begin with, compared to over there, my physical abilities here are much better.’

Of course, just because my appearance changed a bit doesn’t mean I’d suddenly be unable to do what I could before.

Cheong Joohwa, looking at the scoreboard with an expression of disbelief, soon, undaunted, challenged me again.

“L-let’s try one more time with something else.”

Fighting games, shooting games, dart throwing, etc.

We went through most of the machines in the game center once, but the results didn’t really change.

It was just my overwhelming victory.

“How is this possible? Did you just eat and play games all the time?”

“…Once upon a time?”

Eventually, Cheong Joohwa gave up and finally headed outside the building.

However, it seemed a peculiar competitive spirit had been ignited now.

“I can’t go back until I win at something.”

After that, we tried bowling, table tennis, and even batting cage hitting, but Cheong Joohwa ultimately couldn’t secure a victory.

Exhausted, Cheong Joohwa asked me indignantly.

“…What can’t you do, anyway?”

“Everything except the things I’m good at.”

Honestly, to begin with, the types of games available in a city area like this are all pretty much the same.

They were all already familiar to me, so no matter what she chose, it was meaningless.

Besides, deliberately losing goes against my nature anyway.

“Ugh, you’re so annoying. Really.”

But even for someone like me, there were games I couldn’t help.

Especially this absurd ‘Find the Wrong Talisman’ game was something I’d never seen in my life.

“Done! I won this time.”

“……”

“Now you have to grant me one wish later.”

“Then you have to grant me twelve?”

“Yeah. I will, sure.”

Having made efficient use of her time until sunset, Cheong Joohwa returned to the Academy with me, smiling with a thoroughly satisfied expression.

“It feels good to wander around like this after so long.”

“…Then try hanging out with the first-years instead of me from now on.”

“Ah, nagging already. Did meeting your grandmother make you act like her already?”

Grumbling, Cheong Joohwa moved a little closer to my side and spoke again.

“Please summon Sorisoe. I want to hold it after so long.”

“…I said if you call it for that reason one more time, it’ll go on strike.”

Since it was seriously on the verge of having its soul weathered into undeath, that was impossible no matter what.

Instead, I summoned Black Yin and placed it on my shoulder myself.

[Squeak.*]

“It really does look cool. Does it take after its owner?”

“……”

“Or do you also pay attention to such things when creating Shikigami?”

To be honest, it’s not like I don’t have such thoughts at all. Well, any player would.

After enjoying Cheong Joohwa’s touch for a while, Black Yin soon returned to the shadows at my command.

Before I knew it, it was October. Although proper winter hadn’t arrived yet, if you think about it, the second Vacation wasn’t that far off.

‘These peaceful holidays will soon become hard to experience.’

So enjoying the present is surely not a bad choice.

Thinking that, I looked up at the stars in the night sky together with Cheong Joohwa.