Chapter 48
Cha Suhyun glared at me, his face subtly but unmistakably angry. I met his gaze head-on and smiled naturally. If he had tried to use me to achieve his goals, then it was only fair that he couldn’t achieve them without me.
Noticing the tension between us, Han Jaemin turned to Cha Suhyun. Suhyun’s lips twitched as if he were about to snap back, but he ultimately just nodded.
“You’re really something, you know that?”
Han Jaemin laughed cynically. That wasn’t a real compliment.
“Maybe it’s just teenage hormones.”
I played it off casually, as if it were no big deal.
“Going through it twice would kill me.”
“Don’t worry. I’m maturing as we speak.”
A disbelieving snort echoed in the room. Either way, my ultimate goal in Crush aligned with what Han Jaemin wanted from me. Now that I’d made it clear, he’d keep an eye on me—even if he didn’t fully trust me.
“So how exactly were you watching me?”
I finally asked outright what I’d been guessing at for days. Han Jaemin tilted his head, pretending to be coy.
“I had someone do it.”
“Who?”
“Do I have to tell you?”
“I’d rather not suspect innocent students of being anti-government spies.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not someone important.”
“Not telling me just makes it more suspicious.”
Han Jaemin, who had been answering without much expression, suddenly smirked.
“Now I don’t want to tell you.”
“What?”
“Let’s call it ‘annoyance tax.’”
I considered pushing further but turned away, feigning boredom. I didn’t want to drag this out.
“Fine. I have my suspicions anyway.”
“Suspicions? Who?”
“I don’t feel like telling you.”
“You should really stop suspecting innocent students of being spies, Chanhee.”
“Are you insane?”
Han Jaemin looked at me with curious eyes. I debated whether dragging Go Hankyul into this would benefit me. If Hankyul was Han Jaemin’s spy, that was a problem. If he wasn’t, I didn’t want to expose my personal connections for no reason.
“Just… don’t harass that guy too much.”
“Then make him stop spying.”
“Well, if you’d stop suspecting people for no reason, that’d solve it.”
I waved my hand dismissively. I didn’t want to fall for meaningless mind games.
“I’m leaving if you’re just gonna waste my time.”
“You should finish what you came to say first.”
Han Jaemin called me back softly. I turned only my head to look at him.
“Next month.”
Cha Suhyun, who had been motionless until now, finally moved his eyebrows. Seeing his reaction, I immediately understood what Han Jaemin was implying.
“Will next month be enough?”
“Is something already decided?”
“Upper-level politics. Too complicated to explain, especially to someone like you who’s just dipping their toes in.”
“You’ve got some serious trust issues.”
“Isn’t this better? A simple relationship where we only share our goals?”
He had a point. What I wanted was for Crush to stop focusing on Yu Hyunjae—and even protect my identity. If things went as planned, I could pull out after helping them summon Yu Dohyun—assuming I didn’t get sucked into the Gate afterward, like in the novel.
“Do what you want.”
Next month—fine. It wasn’t a bad timeline. It gave me enough time to prepare for the decisive clue about this suffocating fate. My heart started to race.
***
About twenty students stood stiffly in the gymnasium, their expressions uneasy. I stood among them, staring at the still-empty podium. Nearby were Yu Hyunjae, Lee Joohyun, and Go Hankyul. A teacher, clutching a thick notebook under his arm, slowly climbed onto the stage. His rigid gaze scanned the notes through his glasses.
“As you’ve all noticed, the students here are those who scored 1st or 2nd grade in the second selection.”
No one was particularly surprised. I gave a small nod to Lee Joohyun, who caught my eye.
“From now on, you’ll be part of the Special Management Class and receive separate training.”
A few students looked excited. I already knew about the Special Management Class from my father. It focused on practical mana manipulation and regular training. It was a bit of a hassle, but for the school, producing high-grade Rankers was a desperate investment for reputation.
“To maintain your grade in the third selection after graduation, you’ll need intense training from now on.”
The students nodded. The teacher in charge of the Special Management Class—nicknamed “Special Class” for short—was a Combat Division trainer in his 50s. His unathletic build and weary expression made it clear he found this tedious.
“Starting next week, you’ll come straight to the gymnasium on Wednesdays. Understood?”
“Yes!” The students replied in unison, as if rehearsed. I turned slightly to look at Yu Hyunjae. He was staring at the podium, a mix of nervousness and excitement on his face. This was probably his first time receiving formal training, so he must be looking forward to it.
The first Special Class session ended with just a simple orientation. I quickly walked over to Yu Hyunjae.
“How was it?”
Yu Hyunjae slowly turned his head toward me and smiled—a bright, boyish grin.
“It’s great. I’m excited.”
“Figured you would be.”
Just then, Go Hankyul shuffled past us. I hesitated before calling out to him first. Hankyul turned to face us.
“I’m kinda worried.”
“About what?”
“I barely scraped by with 2nd grade… I’m gonna fall behind in training.”
I looked at him for a moment before speaking.
“I’ll help you.”
Hankyul’s face lit up instantly. Really? he seemed to ask. I nodded. I could feel Yu Hyunjae glancing at me.
“Wow, Chanhee, you’re such a good person.”
“Not really.”
“Honestly, I can’t even control my mana. It’s hopeless.”
“No, it’s normal for teens. Mana manipulation is unstable at this age.”
“Really? Did they say that in class?”
“No, my old tutor did.”
Ah. Hankyul nodded. He seemed a little surprised by my sudden kindness but didn’t dislike it. I deliberately smiled and patted his shoulder.
“You’ve got talent. I’m sure of it.”
“I’m touched. Seriously.”
“Let’s train hard together.”
Truthfully, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d tried to build a positive relationship as Yu Chanhee. Of course, this wasn’t just about friendship—I had other motives.
***
After the Special Class orientation and a few tasks from the teacher, it was already time to go home. As I was about to leave, I saw Yu Hyunjae waiting for me at the classroom door. We started walking side by side down the hallway. The sunset spilled through the windows, painting the floor in gold.
“Chanhee.”
“Hmm?”
Yu Hyunjae hesitated before calling my name.
“There’s somewhere I want to go with you.”
“Somewhere you want to go?”
“Yeah.”
Yu Hyunjae smiled slightly, about to say something—
“Chanhee! Hyunjae!”
Fast footsteps approached from behind, and Go Hankyul suddenly appeared beside us, his face slightly flushed. I was curious about what Yu Hyunjae had been about to say, but I focused on Hankyul’s words.
“Wanna grab something to eat?”
“Food?”
“Yeah. Since we’re in Special Class now. And thanks for offering to help me.”
“Oh.”
Yu Hyunjae looked like he was about to say something. I cut him off and answered first.
“Sure.”
Yu Hyunjae’s expression darkened slightly. I felt bad, but I had no choice. Keeping my connection with Hankyul was the fastest way to figure out if he was tied to Han Jaemin. Hankyul, looking pleased, led the way, chattering excitedly. I half-listened, nodding along as we left the school building together.
“Wait, are you two brothers?”
Hankyul asked out of the blue.
“Brothers?”
“You’ve got the same last name. I’ve been curious. Sorry if that’s rude.”
“Not exactly…”
Yu Hyunjae scratched the back of his head awkwardly. I thought back to the first time I’d met him—an eight-year-old boy, trembling with fear. Though that was my first meeting with him, Yu Hyunjae had known “Yu Chanhee” long before me. The thought that another Chanhee had named him made me feel strange. As I hesitated, Yu Hyunjae spoke up.
“Chanhee gave me my name.”
