Chapter 42
The high school entrance ceremony unfolded just like middle school’s had. Every incoming student had to go through a mandatory pre-admission interview, where they chose between the general track and the special management track. Students with little to no mana—or no interest in becoming rankers—were directed to the general track. The special track branched into combat, security, and manufacturing divisions. Since I’d already gone through this process in my previous life, I headed straight for the special management track without hesitation.
“All special management track students, follow me!”
A stern-faced teacher—likely from the security division—raised their voice to gather us. I tried vaguely to place their face as I trailed after the crowd.
“Hey.”
A tap on my shoulder made me turn. A boy shorter than me stood there, smiling. He had long eyelashes and a gentle demeanor, giving off an almost harmless vibe. Seeing someone so small and unthreatening actually eased some of my tension.
“Hello.”
“You’re Yu Chanhee, right?”
My nerves, which had just begun to settle, immediately tensed again. His name tag read Go Hankyul—a name I didn’t recognize. I kept my expression neutral.
“Do you know me?”
“Of course.”
“How?”
“Most people here know who you are.”
I remembered how, in my previous life, a crowd had formed around me the moment class assignments were posted. After all, I was the son of the Director of the Security Bureau of the Combat Division, a prodigy destined to be a first-grade ranker, and the younger brother of that Yu Dohyun. A small “ah” escaped me as I turned away from Go Hankyul without another word.
“I don’t plan on making friends.”
“Aw, come on. At least let’s get to know each other.”
Hankyul followed me cheerfully, apparently assigned to the same class. It seemed I was stuck with him.
“You’ll need at least one friend in school, right? Might as well be me.”
I scoffed.
“Why you? I don’t see the appeal.”
“You really don’t know me?”
He stopped and stared at me. I shook my head, genuinely clueless. Maybe he was connected to the “previous” Yu Chanhee’s social circle, but I had no idea. His serious expression melted into a grin as he suddenly slung an arm around mine.
“If you don’t know me, then get to know me from now on.”
“Stop playing with words.”
“You’re taking this way too seriously for a joke.”
“I told you, I don’t want to make friends.”
“Fine, whatever.”
An annoying person had latched onto me. Was there someone like this in the original novel? Even after scouring the limited content, there was no mention of a Go Hankyul. In other words, he was just a nameless extra. That thought made him even more irritating. The problem was, there was never just one of these types. In the novel, Yu Chanhee had always had his “followers” at his back, using them to torment Yu Hyunjae.
“Actually, I’ve been curious about something.”
Hankyul, who had been chattering nonstop beside me, finally fell silent when the teacher called for attention. But before the ceremony began, he couldn’t hold back.
“What is it?”
“It’s about Yu Hyunjae.”
He leaned in close, as if sharing a secret.
“Is it true he’s your dad’s illegitimate child?”
What kind of nonsense was this? I stared at him in disbelief. Noticing my expression, Hankyul scratched his head awkwardly, as if realizing he’d overstepped. His face was surprisingly innocent for someone who had just asked such a rude question.
“Guess not.”
“You bothered me just to ask that?”
“No, I’m trying to get closer to you.”
Hankyul looked at me with an earnest, almost naive expression. I was left speechless.
***
Just as I remembered, the homeroom teacher was a balding middle-aged man. After a brief morning assembly, the teacher left, and immediately, students swarmed around me like they had in middle school. I wasn’t surprised—this had happened before. But not being surprised didn’t mean I wasn’t annoyed. The crowd flattered me with sickeningly sweet words, clearly trying to get on my good side.
“Chanhee, I heard you’re getting private lessons from the Combat Division director?”
“You’ve been to the Combat Division, right?”
“Yeah, obviously.”
I lowered my head, exhausted. Ironically, Hankyul stood up and shooed the noisy crowd away, as if he’d already claimed the seat next to me as his own. It was almost laughable.
That’s when my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out and checked the messenger app, frowning.
[Han Jaemin: Our Chanhee]
[Han Jaemin: How’s the new school? ㅎㅎ]
[Han Jaemin: Making lots of friends? Our Chanhee better not get bullied~]
As usual, his messages were grating. I didn’t reply, and he didn’t send anything else. Normally, meaningless messages like these were a sign that something was about to happen. I nervously scanned my surroundings, ready to respond if a gate appeared.
As I glanced around, my eyes met Yu Hyunjae’s. He was sitting in the corner by the window, chin resting on his desk, watching me. He smiled faintly. Startled, I quickly looked away.
Why is he staring at me like that?
“Chanhee, are you close with Yu Hyunjae?”
Hankyul suddenly popped his head in and asked.
“Why does that matter to you?”
“Well, I want to be friends with you.”
“Didn’t I say I don’t want to make friends?”
“Guess the rumors really are just rumors.”
Hankyul nodded as if it were no big deal. His nonchalance was absurd.
“At my middle school, there were rumors that you were the ringleader in bullying Yu Hyunjae.”
“What?”
Was he seriously bringing up gossip from another school? Given Yu Chanhee’s reputation, it wasn’t surprising that stories circulated, but still.
“You’re actually nicer than I thought?”
“What are you—”
“From now on, I’m sitting here. Nice to meet you.”
Hankyul grinned and extended his hand. Annoyed, I ignored it and turned back to face the front.
***
Even after the entrance ceremony, Hankyul’s inexplicable attempts to bond with me continued for days. His one-sided clinginess had become almost familiar.
It was also Hankyul who brought Yu Hyunjae into the picture—someone I’d been deliberately keeping my distance from at school.
“Aren’t you two close?”
With zero tact, he dragged over Yu Hyunjae, who had been about to eat alone. As ridiculous as it was, part of me had been worried about Yu Hyunjae, so I didn’t push back.
“…How’s school?”
“School?”
Yu Hyunjae looked bewildered, scratching his cheek as he answered slowly.
“Same as before, I guess.”
“So, is someone bullying you again?”
“Huh?”
“You said it’s the same as middle school.”
Of course, I, the main perpetrator back then, had no right to say that. Yu Hyunjae seemed to understand what I meant and covered his mouth as he laughed. I shoved a large spoonful of rice into my mouth, flustered.
“No one’s bullying me, thanks to you.”
“Were you bullied in middle school, Hyunjae?”
Hankyul suddenly butted in, asking Yu Hyunjae. I gave up. Yu Hyunjae looked genuinely perplexed as he glanced at Hankyul.
“Not really…”
“Well, yeah. Who would dare with Chanhee around?”
Hankyul chuckled. Fortunately, Yu Hyunjae didn’t seem particularly bothered by Hankyul’s presence next to me—probably because of Yu Chanhee. But Yu Hyunjae had always been awkward in social situations, having had no friends throughout school. In the original novel, it took an entire book’s worth of plot for him to make his first friend, who then stayed loyally by his side until the end.
“Our school has exactly one first-grade ranker, and he was super popular.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I was in his class in third year, so I remember.”
Hankyul paused mid-bite and pointed past Yu Hyunjae’s shoulder.
“Him.”
I glanced indifferently at the boy Hankyul indicated. He had a sturdy build, perfect for physical combat—short hair, sharp eyes, and tanned skin. While not as handsome as Yu Hyunjae, he was still undeniably good-looking. He effortlessly joined a group of friends calling out to him and began chatting with a smile.
“He’s got a great personality. Always helps people out, even stands up for kids getting bullied. Really active in school stuff too.”
Hankyul launched into an unsolicited monologue about the boy. Apparently, he was nothing like me—a first-grade ranker who actually used his abilities for good. I found myself unable to look away, my gaze fixed on him.
“What’s his name?”
Hankyul finally swallowed his food and took a sip of water before answering.
“Lee Joohyun.”
“Lee Joohyun?”
“Yeah.”
Our eyes met for a split second. I quickly lowered my head to stare at my tray. A sigh escaped me first. There was only one Lee Joohyun I knew—the first friend and comrade of Yu Hyunjae in the novel. In other words, another character from this story.
