The Conjurer of the Academy

Chapter 42

“Hey guys, have you been waiting for a long time?”

While we waited at the main gate, Jin So-yul approached us energetically waving her hand.

“Jin So-yul?”

She wore blue shorts that revealed her calves and a large heart-printed T-shirt tucked neatly into the shorts. A pinkish backpack was slung over her shoulders. The outfit perfectly matched the image of the spirited Jin So-yul.

“Wow, clothes really do make a person.”

I wasn’t familiar with Jin So-yul’s casual attire. As I stood there, captivated by her appearance, Yomi added her own comment.

“Have you all been waiting long? By the way, Ha-baek and Ha-na are still in their uniforms?”

“This is what I’m comfortable in, so you don’t need to worry.”

“I prefer my uniform as well.”

Jin So-yul nodded.

I didn’t have many clothes to wear anyway, and for now, staying in our uniforms made it easier to explain our relationship with Yomi to anyone who asked.

“Alright, let’s get going. Our destination today is the Hunter Seoul District Hospital.”

“How long will it take to get there? Don’t tell me you plan to bore me like last time.”

I cast a sideways glance at Yomi, who was impatient about the travel time.

‘Good thing I brought some jerky.’

Considering how restless she might become during the trip, bringing the jerky was a decent precaution.

* * *

“It felt like I was being folded in half! Why are human bodies so inconveniently made?”

I glared sideways at Yomi, who was grumbling.

‘Damn, I should’ve brought more snacks.’

Yomi had devoured all the jerky within five minutes of boarding the bus, leaving her in a state of complete dissatisfaction. Thanks to her, I didn’t have a moment of boredom.

“There are so many people here.”

Even though I wanted to see his face, it was impossible to get close.

The infected creature from yesterday was actually a formal hunter specializing in rescue missions, who had been missing for several months before being found.

As a result, the area around the hospital was swarmed with military personnel and journalists, making access impossible.

“No idea when he’ll wake up, but fortunately, there’s no threat to his life.”

That was all Jin So-yul managed to find out after waiting for a long time.

“Hehe, it can’t be helped.”

Jin So-yul scratched her head. She tried to appear unaffected, but her expression showed clear disappointment.

“Are you alright, senior?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Knowing that he’s safe is enough for me. Now, let’s head back and grab—”

At that moment, Jin So-yul’s gaze fixed on something in the hospital’s backyard.

“Sis, that’s cheating!”

“Hehe, silly.”

Jin So-yul stiffened upon seeing two girls playing.

“Wait a moment.”

Without waiting for a response, Jin So-yul began walking towards them.

‘Could those girls be…’

On the way to the hospital, Jin So-yul told me about what she experienced yesterday.

She shared what she saw and what happened while she was unconscious. Those two girls were undoubtedly the ones Jin So-yul saw in her dream.

“Hello, kids.”

Trying to be brave despite the awkwardness, Jin So-yul approached the two children. The kids paused their play and looked up at her.

“Who are you?”

“Sis, Mom said not to talk to strangers.”

Jin So-yul chuckled as she looked at them, then reached into her pocket and offered them some candy.

“By your heights, one of you must be Jeong-ju, the younger sister, and you’re Jeong-hwa, the older sister, right?”

“Wow, how did you know our names?”

“Can we really eat this candy?”

“Of course!”

The children took the candy from Jin So-yul’s palm cautiously, still somewhat wary.

“Kids.”

Jin So-yul knelt down to meet the children’s eyes at their level. They locked eyes with her, chewing on the candy.

She exchanged a few words with the children, laughing and chatting. Her interaction with the kids made it seem like she was back to her usual self.

“It’s time for us to eat. Let’s play together again next time.”

“Next time, let’s play hide and seek!”

The kids waved goodbye to Jin So-yul.

“Yeah, let’s meet again.”

Jin So-yul gently waved back at the two children.

“Senior.”

I didn’t have much to add. I simply called Jin So-yul without saying a word.

“Hehe, kids are so cute. But why does everyone look so serious?”

Jin So-yul asked innocently.

Although Jin So-yul tried to appear fine, Yomi and I, who could read spiritual energies, knew better. I didn’t want to press the issue, but it seemed Yomi had a different approach.

“Didn’t I tell you earlier? There’s no need to try to be strong.”

Yomi made a seemingly unnecessary comment, and then she smiled gently.

“You’ve really worked hard.”

Yomi patted Jin So-yul on the back.

“Yes…”

I softly patted Jin So-yul’s shoulder as well.

“You did well.”

“No, you and Ha-na did all the work, Ha-baek.”

Jin So-yul shook her head.

“All I did was listen.”

“We couldn’t even do that.”

If it weren’t for Jin So-yul, I would have annihilated the infected creature, and the course of events would have greatly shifted, most likely in an undesirable direction.

“Senior.”

Maybe today, I should give Jin So-yul the praise she deserves.

“I’m hungry, let’s go get something to eat.”

Jin So-yul smiled brightly.

“Deal! Today, it’s on me!”

* * *

“Ha-baek, Ha-na. Thank you for coming along even though it’s the weekend. Tonight’s dinner is on this senior!”

“Hmph, you looked like you were about to collapse earlier, but now you seem much better.”

Despite her mixed feelings, Jin So-yul murmured softly, looking somewhat relieved.

“Is this enough?”

Jin So-yul wiggled her fingers.

“What was that thing from yesterday?”

“That’s what happens when someone is infected with the C-virus. Yesterday was a stroke of luck though…”

As the story progresses, infected creatures with the C-virus lose all sense of rationality.

The infected we encountered yesterday still retained some of their habits and rationality from their past life, but most of the ones we will face in the future will act purely on destructive instincts.

“There will be more casualties in the future.”

I locked eyes with Jin So-yul.

‘If Jin So-yul truly has the potential to resolve the C-virus situation…’

I asked Faust to research the antidote, but having multiple avenues of possibility isn’t a bad thing.

However, this means we need to verify Jin So-yul’s abilities. Just as I sought consent from Shin Seo-ha and Han Yu-seong, I needed to get Jin So-yul’s agreement as well.

“I know who’s trying to spread the C-virus.”

“…”

Jin So-yul’s expression hardened.

Given her usual playful nature, Jin So-yul would know that what I was saying wasn’t a cruel joke.

“That’s why I want to ask for your help too, senior.”

“If it’s such a dangerous matter, isn’t it better to inform the adults?”

For the first time, Jin So-yul’s response was practical. It’s not like I didn’t want to do that.

“You couldn’t tell anyone about what happened yesterday either. Why didn’t you inform people about it?”

“…Because no one would believe me.”

Jin So-yul nodded.

As expected, there were no traces left. Due to the barrier, CCTV and all electronic devices went dead, and Yomi repaired the damaged buildings.

Even if the man woke up and testified, they wouldn’t be able to find any peculiarities regarding Jin So-yul.

“I feel the same way.”

For similar reasons, we couldn’t tell anyone. This held true in the game as well. So, this problem needed to be solved among ourselves.

“What should I do? If what you say is true, we can’t let something like what happened to that man happen again.”

Jin So-yul’s answer had been decided from the start.

“If you see anyone with a rabbit face or someone similar to the infected creature from yesterday, please let us know immediately.”

“Alright, I can do that.”

Jin So-yul nodded.

“I have one more question.”

Yomi, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. She crossed her arms and glared at Jin So-yul.

“What do you plan to do from now on?”

“Well, I plan to help you guys…”

“That’s not what I’m asking.”

Yomi waved her hand dismissively.

“To you, that talisman is likely an irreplaceable object, isn’t it?”

Yomi pointed to Jin So-yul’s left pocket. While I couldn’t sense it, Yomi seemed to faintly sense the spiritual energy of the talisman.

“So, you need to make a choice.”

“A choice?”

“Hm-hm, this is something I happened to hear by chance.”

Yomi cleared her throat as she addressed Jin So-yul, who looked puzzled.

“That talisman has the effect of dulling the owner’s spiritual senses. But that’s not all.”

Yomi approached Jin So-yul and gently stroked the back of her neck.

“The spiritual energy that was gradually detached accumulates inside that talisman.”

“If what you’re saying is true, Ha-na…”

Jin So-yul pulled the talisman out of her pocket.

“Yes. The moment you burn that talisman, you’ll see things you’ve never been able to see before. You’ll be exposed to greater dangers, but you’ll also gain the strength to overcome them. Alternatively, you could keep carrying the talisman and wait until you lose the remaining spiritual senses you have.”

In essence, Jin So-yul had the choice of taking the red pill and facing the truth, or taking the blue pill and staying oblivious.

‘This isn’t something that can be forced.’

Jin So-yul possessed hints that could help eradicate the C-virus. However, imposing this choice on her would likely have adverse effects by burdening her before she was ready to decide.

It was better to lead her naturally, as Yomi had done.

“Yeah, I’ll think about it. It’s a really precious item to me.”

Jin So-yul nodded.

“Senior.”

At that moment, a question popped into my mind.

“Now that you’ve found clues related to the talisman, will you continue with the occult club?”

The reason Jin So-yul was obsessed with the occult was to find clues about her mother related to the talisman. Now that she knew her mother was a shaman of the Jin family, she had no reason to cling to the occult anymore.

If Jin So-yul gave up her obsession with the occult and focused on searching for her mother’s whereabouts, it would mean stopping the club activities.

And if that happens, the ongoing quest would…

“Of course, I’ll keep doing it.”

Jin So-yul smiled brightly.

“The occult is fun in its own right!”

Back to her lively self, Jin So-yul flashed a bright smile and held out her hand to me.

“So, please take care of me from now on!”

Who could refuse Jin So-yul’s hand after seeing that radiant smile?

“Likewise.”

Our clasped hands shook gently.