Chương 16: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

"Do you," he asked in a calm and authoritative tone, "want to say something to me?" Both Seong-ho and Jimin turned around at the same moment, and for a brief second, the evening breeze rolled through the corridor like a whisper. Their hair and clothes moved subtly, but enough to make the moment feel suspended and important, as if the world itself was pausing to listen. Jimin met Seong-ho's eyes firmly. He didn't blink. This old geezer… Why is he being so dramatic right now?

"No, Sir," Jimin replied. Seong-ho nodded once.

"Well, see you around, student Sam Jimin." He turned around, exhaling a quiet huff through his nose; something between relief and dissatisfaction and started walking away. Jimin watched him take three steps before the impulse hit him.

"Actually… I have a question?" Seong-ho didn't turn. His back remained straight, posture disciplined.

"What, Sam Jimin?"

"I…" Before Jimin could complete a single word, Seong-ho raised two fingers and gestured without looking, calling him forward. Jimin felt an immediate spike of irritation. This old geezer… But he walked forward anyway, stopping directly in front of him. He lifted his chin slightly.

"Why did you propose the fight in the first place, Sir? I mean, it was the first day. You wanted this fight to happen between us, didn't you?"

"Yes," Seong-ho said without hesitation.

"That was my intention all along." Jimin's eyebrow twitched. That was fast. Damn it. At least pretend to sugarcoat it.

"Why, Sir?" he asked, voice steady. Seong-ho paused; as if choosing the exact weight of his next words. His eyes were serious in a way that made it hard to look away.

"My job isn't just to teach you combat," he began.

"It's to prepare you for the world of the Rifters that you are about to enter soon." Jimin unconsciously straightened his posture.

"By that, I mean both the rift and the world we currently live in," Seong-ho continued.

"Believe me when I say this; both worlds are equally brutal, cruel, and unforgiving. It may look like an advanced civilized world, but in reality, it's driven by the rule of the jungle. Money, influence, elitism, classism… and ultimately, it's ruled by power. Absolute power." Jimin felt his chest tighten. It wasn't new information. But hearing it in that calm, authoritative and deep voice made it sink differently; like listening to a video about stoicism on Metube.

"When I saw you retaliating against Kang Dae-ho," Seong-ho said, "I didn't just see a student defending himself. I saw a low-level person rebelling against a stronger one. In the real world, you can't even imagine the consequences." Jimin swallowed. He's not wrong… but still…

"You do not challenge absolute power, Jimin. Not unless you are ready for what comes after." The echo of his words felt heavy.

"So," Seong-ho continued, "I had to show you a glimpse of that world here, before you learn those consequences the hard way. And to show the others; what happens when someone punches above their weight." Jimin clenched his jaw. He hated it. But he also understood everything.

"I wouldn't have forced you to fight if you refused," Seong-ho said.

"But I had to see if you had something worth nurturing. Fortunately… you had it in you. You surpassed my expectations. Keep that up; but remember what I said as absolute wisdom." The last sentence was delivered almost softly. Jimin felt something change inside him. His irritation faded into respect; genuine respect.

"Thank you, Sir," he said honestly.

"I will keep that in mind." A subtle grin spread on Seong-ho's face.

"But because you won, I have to teach them all this myself now. So, I don't know if I should thank you, student Sam Jimin." He let out a light laugh. Jimin looked at him with half-lidded eyes. Yeah. He's definitely an old geezer.

"So," Seong-ho said as he stepped past him, "since you have your answers, I shall take my leave. Go home, kid."

"Yes, Sir." Seong-ho walked down the corridor, hands behind his back, head held high with pride. That was a good speech. he thought. Jimin shook his head and turned toward his classroom. —- Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Inside the classroom, most students had already left. The lights were glowing softly. As Jimin entered, he noticed Yuna at their desk, picking up her bag. She hasn't gone yet? She looked up sharply when she heard him. Their eyes met.

Jimin raised a hand, pointing at his own bag wordlessly. Yuna hesitated a moment… then walked over, picked up his bag too, and brought it to him.

"Thanks," Jimin said.

"You're still here. I thought you left a while ago." Her shoulders stiffened. She looked flustered and fidgety.

"I… I was…" she mumbled, then abruptly stopped. Before he could ask, she dug into her bag frantically and pulled something out.

"Here." Jimin took it. Then blinked and let out, "…Cash?"

"It's 100, 000 won," she said with a nervous smile.

"100, 000 won!!" He stared like she had just handed him a bomb.

"That much? For what?" Her cheeks reddened in embarrassment.

"A lot of students were betting on the duel. But everyone was betting on Dae-ho. So as a sign of support… I placed a 10, 000 won bet on you."

"Wait… what?"

"Guess what? You won. And the odds were 20 to 1. I got 200, 000 won. So, I thought I should give you half." Jimin's mouth opened slightly. This girl… is too kind.

"Huh… You don't need to-""Just take it, Jimin." He sighed, defeated.

"All right. Thanks, Yuna." That covers two days of expenses at least… Thank God.

"Well," Jimin said, "I'll head home now." Yuna nodded, and they walked together toward the school gate. But at the gate, someone unexpected was entering. It was Lee Hyun-woo. The moment he appeared, the atmosphere shifted a little. Long handsome face, striking blonde messy hair, sharp sky-blue eyes, casual golden-camel jacket and pants, sky-blue turtleneck. He looked like he walked out of a fashion ad. Jimin and Hyun-woo locked eyes.

"Uh… hey," Jimin said awkwardly. Hyun-woo lifted a hand casually.

"Hi." Then his eyes shifted to Yuna next.

"Hi." Yuna froze like a malfunctioning robot.

"Ah… hi!!" Her voice cracked. She bowed slightly. Then, he straightened. Jimin had to bite his cheek not to laugh.

"Why are you here?" Jimin asked, genuinely confused.

"Why?" Hyun-woo shot back.

"Do I need permission to come here?"

"I didn't mean-""I'm here to meet Instructor Ryu," Hyun-woo said flatly.

"Oh." Hyun-woo nodded at both of them.

"See you, then." He walked past them, hands in pockets, swaying his hair. The moment he was out of hearing range, Yuna deflated like a balloon.

"Well… that was awkward," she whispered.

"Yeah. Don't sweat it. He's always like that," Jimin said. They started walking. After a few seconds of silence, Jimin casually said, "Hey Yuna, you really have a crush on Hyun-woo… huh?" Yuna stopped dead. Her entire face turned red.

"W–WHAT are you saying!?"

"Come on. Your face is red. And why else would you wear that matching sweater and skirt?"

"It… It has nothing to do with him!" Her eyes darted everywhere but his. Her steps got smaller. Then her shoulders dropped, as she gradually became a little sad and let her guard down.

"…It doesn't matter. He wouldn't date someone like me," she said quietly, staring at her reflection in a puddle; her red long bob-cut hair, golden eyes behind her glasses. Jimin frowned.

"Don't talk like that. No need to lose hope." He paused.

"As far as I remember… he liked cute girls." Her head snapped toward him so fast he thought she'd break her neck.

"W-what!? S-stop messing with me!" Her face was even more red than before. Jimin burst into laughter, and after a moment, Yuna laughed too. They parted ways at the crossing near the bus stop. Jimin headed toward his part-time job. —- Meanwhile, at school- Lee Hyun-woo knocked on Instructor Ryu Seong-ho's office door.

"Come in," Seong-ho said. Hyun-woo stepped inside. Seong-ho glanced up; and grinned slightly.

"Well, look who it is! How have you been, kid?" Hyun-woo smiled politely.

"Good, Sir. I've been well."

"Sit down." Hyun-woo complied.

"And your preparation for the entrance exams?"

"It's going well, Sir," Hyun-woo said.

"I've reached Rank E-12 and I joined a D-rank party last week. I'll be raiding D-rank rifts regularly now." Seong-ho let out a satisfied huff.

"Impressive as always. I always knew you had the potential. Just don't get reckless."

"I won't, Sir. Thank you." Hyun-woo hesitated slightly. He was about to say something, but stopped.

"Hyun-woo…" Seong-ho asked, eyebrows raised.

"You look like you want to say something."

"I…" Hyun-woo exhaled.

"I have an old friend in this course. Could you be a bit less strict on him? He awakened as an E-1 rank and has no skills." Seong-ho's eyes narrowed with amusement.

"Are you talking about Sam Jimin? Is he that friend of yours?" Hyun-woo's expression stiffened.

"Yeah… You noticed him already?"

"Of course," Seong-ho chuckled.

"Today was the best first day of this course I've ever seen."

"What do you mean?"

"A duel took place today."

"On the first day?! Between whom?"

"Kang Dae-ho and Sam Jimin." Hyun-woo shot up from his chair.

"What? But-""He won," Seong-ho said, cutting him off. Silence. Hyun-woo's mind blanked. Won? Jimin… won?

"Don't overthink," Seong-ho said.

"Your friend is quite similar to you. I don't mean talent-wise; but there is something about you two." Hyun-woo sat back, speechless.

"And he's not skill-less," Seong-ho added with a hint of mischief.

"He has a skill. And a useful unique skill on top of that. So, don't worry about him. He'll manage on his own." Hyun-woo absorbed every word slowly.

"Anything else you want to say?"

"No, Sir. That's all. I'll be leaving." Seong-ho nodded.

"Take care. And keep your head straight."

"Thank you, Sir." Hyun-woo stepped out of the office, walking through the empty hallway, deep in thought. A duel? Jimin won? He has a skill? He couldn't make sense of any of it. But a slight smile appeared on his face. And so, he left the school; mind swirling with questions.