* * *

    As the sun rose from beyond the horizon, turning night to dawn, Minister Kim Kwanhyung frowned while gazing out the window.

    The view of the sunrise from the Academy VIP room was beautiful enough to be awe-inspiring, but that was only interesting for the first day or two.

    Having been stuck at the Academy for days on end, with reports of failure after failure, even that beautiful scenery felt unpleasant to him.

    …

    After watching at the sunrise for a moment, the minister lit a cigarette to lighten the mood.

    .

    It was only after the thick smoke of a domestic cigarette filled his lungs that he was able to calmly review his recent moves.

    While trying to summarize the government’s recent activities, all that came to mind were a series of failures.

    Starting with the broken deal with the Necromancer, the Manchurian incident, to the diplomatic efforts to politically isolate the Academy.

    Failure, failure, and even more failure.

    First, regarding the deal between the Necromancer and the Korean government in Incheon.

    The government was yet to find the one responsible for disrupting the deal.

    Whether it was an individual or a group… it remained a total mystery.

    Even the NIS1 had resorted to spouting nonsense, suggesting that some annoying terrorist group from beyond the Dimensional Portal might be involved.

    And the Manchurian incident that followed wasn’t any different.

    Considering how much slush funds and manpower were invested in it… they weren’t able to gather even half the ‘sacrifices’ they required.

    Though the presence of the Saintess was an unexpected variable, it was still a failure nonetheless.

    In an attempt to recoup their losses, Minister Kim Kwanhyung personally stepped in to pressure the Academy…

    But seeing how he was stuck in the VIP room for days since his arrival, the results were far from satisfactory.

    All thanks to that damn so-called ‘special guest teacher’ programme.

    Who would’ve ever thought that the principal would personally put forward a proposal to accept an outside force?

    Forces like Korea, who were actively pressuring the Academy, might understand, but those who had been standing on the sidelines gleefully seized the opportunity in an instant to support the principal’s choice. RＡ????????

    This included the Holy Nation, which marketed the Saintess like some idol, France, which was blinded by jealousy, and even the folks in Moscow, who still thought of themselves as a global superpower.

    With the support from all sorts of people and the title of special ‘teacher’ added to the mix, the justification for pressuring the Academy was lost in an instant. Sёar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    South Korea tried to get the shepherds to infiltrate the academy belatedly…

    However, two of them were caught and killed by a mysterious special teacher named Corvus.

    It was ridiculous even after hearing the report. There was a limit to how unlucky one could be.

    To think that they happened to run into the special teacher at that moment, in that place?

    Concluding his thoughts, Minister Kim Kwanhyung took a deep drag of his cigarette. The nicotine flowing through his veins eased his irritation, if only slightly.

    After a brief pause, the minister recalled something, took out his smartphone, and made a video call.

    Before long, the call connected, and a familiar face appeared on the screen.

    - *I have received your call, Minister. What is it?*

    It was a firm but disciplined voice.

    On the other side of the screen was a woman with a demeanor reminiscent of a soldier.

    She was 10-11-16, one of the shepherds dispatched from the ranch to infiltrate the Academy as a special teacher.

    “You’re starting the special classes from today, right? I just wanted to check up on you. How are the preparations going?”

    It was a routine question, but the shepherd responded without hesitation.

    “Good, good. What about the Black Sheep?”

    Hearing the term ‘Bred Stallion,’ the minister smiled for the first time since the break of dawn.

    Using a honey trap, huh? Sometimes, the simplest solution was indeed the best.

    “How does it seem from your perspective? Is the Bred Stallion really head over heels for the Black Sheep, just like her report?”

    “…Ha!”

    The minister laughed heartily. At least there was something they gained from this damned Lord Howe.

    However, there was no room for complacency. Love that burned like fire could die out at any moment.

    “Tell the Black Sheep not to hold back. And if necessary, use the other sheep as well.

    - *The other sheep too? Do you mean...?*

    “It would be ideal if we can get the Bred Stallion to be affiliated with Korea before graduation… but if that’s difficult, we should at least obtain his seed.”

    - *Ah, then...*

    “Yes, even a half-failed project should be able to spread her legs, right?”

    Spitting out words one would only say to livestock, the minister took out another cigarette and placed it in his mouth.

    While lighting the cigarette, he suddenly remembered something and added a few more words.

    “Ah, also… strengthen the guard around the sheep.”

    “The trash from the failed terror attempt said he’d take our sheep. I don’t know what he’s planning, but… make sure we don’t get involved.”

    The shepherd seemed unusually proactive today. Was it because of the special classes?

    Ignoring the slight sense of incongruity, the minister responded.

    “Well… take occasional pictures of the Black Sheep and the Bred Stallion together. A rumor of romance between the two might be helpful for my next local elections.”

    “Good, keep up the good work.”

    With that, the minister looked away from his phone.

    Whether it was because of the cigarette smoke blocking his view or because of the light of dawn, it was unclear…

    However, the minister failed to notice that the shepherd’s eyes were turning black until the very end.

    * * *

    The hubbub before classes began.

    Perhaps because the temporary class period had come to an end and the lockdown within the school was lifted, today was exceptionally lively.

    Some students were even wearing brand-new uniforms, while others couldn’t stop talking about the special classes.

    Of course, not all students were bursting with energy.

    Especially those who had failed to enroll in any of the special classes were unable to conceal their gloomy expressions as they trudged toward the main building.

    The scene of youth split between extremes.

    Observing the scene, Yeomyeong inadvertently sighed.

    “What’s with the long face this morning? Did you not sleep well last night?”

    Seti’s voice came from right beside him. Yeomyeong narrowed his eyes and looked at her.

    “…Yeah, thanks to an unexpected visitor, I didn’t get any sleep last night.”

    “Really? Who visited you?”

    “…”

    “I wonder who it could be, visiting a guy’s room in the middle of the night?”

    “…Yeah, who could it be?”

    Blunt question, nonchalant response.

    The two continued their conversation, which sounded like casual banter, as they walked to the main building.

    A few students gave them peculiar looks as they walked side by side, but that was all.

    They were well past the age to tease someone about dating, but it was mainly because rumors about how Cheon Yeomyeong and Seti were in that sort of relationship were already rampant among the first years.

    They supposedly fell for each other after their fight on the day Yeomyeong transferred, or they grew close while fighting alongside each other at the shelter.

    Ignoring those obviously planted rumors, Yeomyeong spoke to Seti in a serious tone.

    “Hey, Hong Seti.”

    “…What?”

    “What happened last night, you remember everything, right?”

    The events of last night.

    Mignium’s sudden appearance in reality, Seti’s body, and the Awakening Potion she left behind.

    If it had all been a dream, he could have just laughed it off, but seeing that the Awakening Potion had changed color proved it was real.

    “…Well, who knows?”

    Seti shrugged, pretending to be clueless, just as she had since they met this morning.

    “…”

    Yeomyeong stared at Seti in silence.

    Feeling his gaze boring into her, she rolled her eyes, then chuckled and spoke.

    “So, did you drink… the Awakening Potion?”

    It was something she could say only if she knew about the conversation he had with Mignium.

    So, Mignium actually used Seti’s body last night.

    Yeomyeong massaged his throbbing forehead and answered.

    “Of course not. How could I drink that?”

    “Why? Is it dirty because it came from my chest?”

    “…”

    “Oh… I’ve not seen that expression since Incheon.”

    While Yeomyeong briefly contemplated if he should hit her once, Seti added.

    “Still, you should’ve just drunk it. You can consider it the price for lifting the ban.”

    Saying that, Seti turned her steps.

    Not towards the main building but towards a path the students rarely used.

    Matching her pace, Yeomyeong answered.

    “I didn’t lift the ban expecting anything in return.”

    “Oh, really? Then I should also say that I didn’t give it as a reward.”

    “…I’m serious, but do you really want to keep joking around?”

    Once Yeomyeong spoke up, Seti smiled bashfully.

    “Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to… It’s just, ah, I can’t help it.”

    As if to prove her words, Seti’s lips were trembling slightly.

    Whether it was from laughter or joy, it seemed like she was trying to suppress some emotion.

    “Regardless, I do mean it when I say that I want you to drink it.”

    “…”

    “You have it with you right now, right? The Awakening Potion.”

    Instead of answering, Yeomyeong opened his bag and showed her the inside. Inside his bag was a potion, slightly smaller than a soju bottle, glowing brilliantly.

    “I knew it. You brought it to make me drink it to reclaim it, right?”

    “…Yeah, I’m planning to make you drink it.”

    “And if I refuse?”

    “Then I’ll force you.”

    “Uh… that’s a bit…”

    Seti scratched her cheek for a moment and then shook her head.

    “But still, Yeomyeong, I think it’ll be better if you drink it. It will be a waste if I reclaim it.”

    Her voice turned more serious, but her steps seemed somewhat light.

    “…A waste, you say?”

    “Yeah, a waste. Do you remember when I told you about the potential that my sisters and I were born with?”

    All-master.

    A being capable of simultaneously walking all three paths of mana permitted to humans.

    Seti and her sisters were artificially created All-masters.

    But…

    “All of us sisters are defective. We were only able to walk two paths. And we couldn’t even do both equally; we had to choose one primary and one secondary.”

    Was it because the ban chaining her down had been lifted?

    There wasn’t a hint of regret or disappointment on Seti’s face as she spoke of being defective.

    “In my case… martial arts is the primary, and Holy Power is my secondary.”

    “Then…”

    “Yeah, what I added to the Awakening Potion was my potential as a Mage.”

    “…”

    “Well, even though I call it potential, I can’t even use the most basic magic.”

    Seti averted her gaze, as if she was apologizing for giving him the worst.

    “Though, it’s not like I’m giving it to you recklessly. If you can use magic, our plan will proceed more smoothly… Efficiency and focus. That’s why I’m giving it to you, Yeomyeong.”

    Watching Seti give a long winded explanation as if hiding something, Yeomyeong stopped walking.

    “Seti, are you sure you won’t regret this?”

    “…I’ve yet to regret anything since I met you.”

    Saying something that embarrassing so effortlessly… Yeomyeong shook his head and took the potion out of his bag.

    Looking at the brilliant light the potion gave off, Yeomyeong hesitated for a moment.

    Should he really just drink this? He was yet to ask about Mignium.

    However, his hesitation didn’t last long. Even if he couldn’t trust Mignium, he could at least trust Seti.

    And once he made up his mind, there was no reason to hesitate.

    Yeomyeong popped the cap and gulped down the potion. Unlike its appearance, it had a sweet, milky taste.

    “How is it? Do you feel anything different?”

    Seti asked after Yeomyeong downed the entire bottle, a strange glint of anticipation in her eyes.

    However, he didn’t feel any changes. Despite having drunk the potion to the last drop, neither his senses nor his body had altered.

    “? How is it? Do you feel something overflowing within you, like when you learned the Surging Wave technique?”

    “…Not really.”

    Putting the empty bottle back in his bag, Yeomyeong examined his inward. But he still couldn’t find anything different.

    “Uh… Perhaps the effect is a bit delayed?”

    “That must be it.”

    “Or maybe… you lost the Awakening Potion lottery?”

    “…What?”

    What on earth was she talking about?

    Yeomyeong immediately frowned after hearing Seti’s half-joking, half-serious comment.

    “Don’t say such awful things.”

    “Why? It could happen, right? And so what if it failed? It was my potential that was wasted, anyway.”

    “…Do you even know how much an Awakening Potion costs?”

    “…Oh. Right. There was also the cost of the potion.”

    Seti added one last comment and then fell silent.

    They exchanged glances in the short silence.

    After staring at each other without saying a word, both of them chuckled almost simultaneously.

    With the atmosphere lightened a bit, Yeomyeong spoke first.

    “Now that we’ve dealt with the potion, tell me how you got involved with Mignium.”

    It was a straightforward question without any dilly-dallying.

    Perhaps not expecting him to ask about Mignium right away, but Seti replied in a slightly flustered tone.

    “Ah, well, about Her….”

    “…Her?”

    “Only you, Yeomyeong, would casually call Her by name. I… can’t do that.”

    Seti’s attitude when speaking about Mignium was prudent, just like the Saintess mentioning the Five Gods.

    “Seti, don’t tell me that…”

    Just as Yeomyeong was about to say something, Seti waved her hand.

    “No, no. It’s not what you’re thinking, Yeomyeong. I chose Her on my own.”

    “…”

    “Really. Once you learn of how I met Her, you’ll understand too. It was on the day when we broke the ban…”

    Just as Seti was about to begin her explanation.

    Something from beyond the bushes at the end of the path alerted Yeomyeong’s senses.

    It was not a student, but someone familiar.

    Yeomyeong immediately glared at that spot, and as if in response to his unconscious mind, the mana in the air flickered.

    A fingernail-sized ice shard pierced through the bushes, grazing whoever was hiding beyond them.

    “!”

    And as soon as the sudden scream erupted, Seti also turned towards the direction of the scream.

    “W-wait! I surrender, I surrender!”

    The one who emerged from beyond the bushes was the cleaning lady, with both arms raised.

    Auntie Ava—A spy from the Secret Society that was behind the terror attack… and the woman who passed on the Surging Wave technique to Seti.

    Despite the blood dripping from her forehead cut by the ice shard, she stuttered.

    “H-Hong Seti, and the Earthian who learned the Surging Wave technique… can we… talk for a moment?”

    Footnotes

    1. The National Intelligence Service is the chief intelligence agency of South Korea. The agency was officially established in 1961 as the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, during the rule of general Park Chung Hee’s military Supreme Council for National Reconstruction, which displaced the Second Republic of Korea.