NOVEL FROG Chapter 176
After an awkward silence passes, I finally got to hear the whole story from Kwon Yuri.
“So… you want me to attend the social gathering that the senior is planning?”
“That’s right.”
Kwon Yuri nodded while giving me a sly glance.
“Hmph.”
The theatrical tone she used was said to be a famous line from an old movie during a bygone civilization.
Based on her reaction, it seemed she expected me to play along with that line nicely.
But I never imagined the whole thing would be just a favor to ask me to attend a social gathering.
“I think Choi Ireh-senior mentioned something about an official social gathering earlier…”
“No, my gathering is a bit different from that.”
Kwon Yuri shook her head.
“Ire might not even know such a thing.”
Then she wore a playful smile.
“…”
My head started to feel hot. A gathering the Discipline Committee Chair doesn’t know about? That just means it’s unlicensed, right?
“…I clearly heard that illegal sub-gatherings would lead to expulsion if caught…”
“Oh come on, it’ll be fine!”
“…”
“That’s just talk. Why are you so scared? Is it because you’re a chick?”
However, Kwon Yuri waved her hand dismissively as if it was nothing.
“Do you know how many people have said they’ll come to our gathering? If we expel them all, the cradle is finished. How can we handle the protests from all those families?”
…So the conclusion is that they intend to brazenly commit an illegal act.
“You don’t have to worry about expulsion at all. Sure, if caught, there might be some punishment. Got it? Then I’ll consider you coming…”
“…Is there a specific reason I must attend that gathering?”
As she tried to subtly sneak past it, I quickly interrupted her. Then Kwon Yuri made a disappointed face.
Suddenly, something I had forgotten popped into my head.
“By any chance, did you leave that top-tier vitality supplement as a gift during your hospital visit…?”
“Why would the hospital visit gift matter?”
But Kwon Yuri looked at me with wide eyes, as if she didn’t understand anything. I thought she had laid the groundwork for this request… but was I wrong?
“What do you take me for…?”
Kwon Yuri glared at me, an expression full of grievance, and even a tiny tear formed at the corner of her eye. Was she trying to guilt-trip me?
“I’m sorry. Anyway, I want to know the reason.”
“…First, our junior is one of the top candidates among first-years… I mean, she’s talented.”
“Tal… what did you say? I couldn’t hear that clearly.”
“You heard correctly. She’s a good chick who excels in both studying and athletics. The rest is a secret. I can’t tell you until you come.”
That clearly wasn’t what she intended to say. However, Kwon Yuri stubbornly shook her head as if she had no intention of answering.
“…So what’s the second reason?”
“The second reason is…”
Kwon Yuri smiled a mischievous smile that didn’t match her innocent appearance.
“I’m planning to help Minha during this gathering.”
*
For the three days the social event is held, all academic schedules stop, except for those taking some supplementary classes. The colossal building and vast grounds of the cradle transform entirely into spaces for socializing and entertainment.
Official events like the opening and closing ceremonies take place at Hwayangkwan, but dozens of small gatherings continue throughout the three days.
Just like Choi Ireh said, it functions as a “place for healthy and rational interaction,” approved by both the cradle student council and education committee.
The gathering leaders are strictly selected from students with high prestige among their friends, who are known to have promising futures and maintain good character and appearance.
It’s basically a position reserved for second-years. Freshman first-years are too busy adapting to the academy, while third-years spend more time outside than in the cradle.
“Did you know? Minha was chosen as the gathering leader for this social event.”
I didn’t know. These days, I hadn’t seen her in the mornings, which might be why. She must be swamped with the council’s work and preparations for the gathering, so maybe she couldn’t mention it herself.
“But this time, Minha… will probably find it quite tough.”
“Tough?”
“Yep.”
Kwon Yuri replied while putting her finger to her mouth.
“It might not sound like much just because it’s called a small gathering, right? But it really feels like playing house.”
“Honestly, it does sound like that…”
“Hmm, I thought so.”
Kwon Yuri nodded as if it was obvious to her.
“She looks like she wouldn’t know much about socializing. She has no interest… just an innocent chick… right?”
“…”
As I dodged her finger aimed at my nose, Kwon Yuri pouted.
“…Hmph. Just remember, if you take socializing lightly, you might suffer later on.”
Even if they are far superior to ordinary people, a wizard’s body still has clear limitations. A wizard overpowering a large group is mostly a fictional concept.
“Well, there are people like the principal, and Seoyeon and Minha are also there, but that’s almost the extent of it.”
Wizards have chosen to band together to survive. There are no pure wizard families solely dedicated to searching for the truth of magic existing today.
They weigh their opponents and adjust their scale, knitting together tightly like tree roots, despite harboring intense hatred and conflict; it’s as if they were one from the start.
The first place where such judgments are made is usually the academy. It’s a place where the young and beautiful, those with the peak magical talent, gather together.
The social event is practically a reflection of such desires. The various small gatherings are not just for laughing and chit-chat but are places where those seeking the connections and influence of the gathering leaders congregate.
“Moreover, this year coincides with National Founding Day, right? A huge influx of external guests will come. Prominent council members, corporate executives, and experts from the national guard…”
Small gatherings will both assess and be assessed. If the gathering leader is deemed lacking value, that gathering will be thoroughly ignored and marginalized.
Considering such a background, Minha’s situation is incredibly precarious.
“I might seem a bit more subdued lately because of someone… but last year, it was meant to be that way…”
Kwon Yuri glanced at my eyes. I quickly understood what she was implying.
Aristocratic arrogance, a fierce and audacious personality, and excessive cruelty. My first impressions of Minha.
Last year, when Minha entered, the followers who had flocked to her like clouds because of her outstanding looks and her five family background have almost disappeared.
Then came the catastrophe with the Jeokhwa family. It nearly destroyed Minha’s family, and she almost lost her life at the hands of the hunters.
Without her family’s power, her already not-so-great reputation has plummeted.
Thanks to Heukryeon and me backing her up, she has been able to get back on her feet as a member of the student council in the cradle. The curse of the ‘Elementalist’ that was consuming her is now almost cured, thanks to my powers.
But events that have happened cannot be reversed.
From my perspective, as someone who personally cherishes Minha, the word ‘prestige’ is entirely unrelated to her.
Possibly, her becoming the gathering leader is more a result of being influenced by Heukryeon’s clout than qualifying on her merits.
That leads to an opposite interpretation. If Minha’s gathering turns out unsuccessful during this social event, the negative impact could flow back onto Heukryeon.
“Perhaps she won’t measure up against Seoyeon…? If I remember correctly, Paecheon seems to be putting considerable effort into this social event this year…”
Kwon Yuri teased, trailing off her words to provoke me.
“Hmm… didn’t they say they rented a hall that can easily hold 200 people…? Seoyeon has many admirers, but I’m not sure how it’ll go for Minha…”
“…”
“There are still many who are scared of Minha… I wonder if it’ll be okay… what if no one shows up…”
“…”
“Seems like someone needs to help… but our chick doesn’t know anything… Hmm… I do have quite a few friends, but… not as many as Seoyeon…”
As she muttered innocently, trying to elicit a desired answer, was I completely mistaken?
One thing is for sure: the only person who can reach out now is this woman next to me.
“So what you meant by saying you would help Minha-senior was…”
“Hmm. Well, it might mean that. It’s not certain, though…”
The look Kwon Yuri gave me was that of a fisherman eyeing a fish that had taken the bait.
“Still, if I bring all my friends and connections, wouldn’t it help a bit? Plus, I could share some good words with the visitors…”
Kwon Yuri shot a side glance at me.
“People help each other, right? Don’t you agree…?”
“…If I attend your gathering, what will I have to do?”
“What will you do? Just have fun and enjoy it. Get some life advice from the pretty senior girls… and share stories and stuff…”
If that’s all it takes, there’s no need to organize an illegal sub-gathering while trying to avoid the sharp gaze of the Discipline Committee Chair. It exists for the purpose of doing something that can’t be done in an official setting.
“…I’ll go.”
“Oh my, you made a good choice!”
However, my hesitation didn’t last long. Upon hearing my response, Kwon Yuri hopped around like a rabbit, expressing her delight.
What on earth does that innocent face want from me? Is she asking me to play house?
I don’t think it’s that extreme, but even if it were, I’d gladly accept the sacrifice.
After all, it would only be a few hours of discomfort. If that minor sacrifice could benefit Minha and her family of origin…
“When is your gathering happening?”
“On the second day. Hehe, it’ll be really fun. You can look forward to it…!”
“Make sure to keep your promise.”
“Of course, naturally. Should I write a slave contract? ‘If I break the promise, I Kwon Yuri will forever forfeit all my human rights, including sexual self-determination…’”
Kwon Yuri nodded as she rattled off a highly suspicious and unsettling statement as if it were a contract. The odd content made me uneasy, but ultimately, I had no choice but to agree. After all, this might never happen.
“Oh, by the way…”
Finally reaching an agreement, she turned to me with a smile.
“Our conversation. It’s absolutely a secret from Minha, okay?”