Chapter 738: Guest (10)
After the three of us who participated in the battle changed clothes, we headed to the Hwangmyeong mansion.
Before we crossed the gate, Cheongryong said,
“I’ve known Hwangho for a long time but it’s my first time stepping into his mansion.”
Following him, Yong Jegun spoke.
“Shinrok-ah, is it the first time that a dragon other than me has come?”
“Dunno.”
“Yeah, you don’t know about any other dragon who has visited this mansion.”
Although Yong Jegun already knew the answer, he asked Kim Shinrok.
It’s obvious that there’s no one other than him.
If Hwang Jiho had a dragon whom he trusted enough to invite to the mansion, that dragon would’ve been mentioned in preparation for the big operations last Christmas.
‘Does Hwang Jiho not care about his surroundings? Or was he wary of Cheongryong even though he’s close to Baekho-gun?’
Hwang Jiho led us to an annex, not the main house, but I think it’s a big decision to let in three dragons including Cheongryong inside the mansion.
It won’t happen, but if these three attacked, the mansion won’t be safe.
There are advantages like mobilizing other tigers easily, but damage will be done.
Eunho, his descendants, and Ahn Dain’s family were likely to be hurt.
Hwang Jiho trusted Cheongryong enough to let him enter.
“The Dragon Clan will send Tiger Clan members to the Dragon Palace. The Dragon Palace is the place closest to the Dragon King. It’s only right to show them our territory.”
The Tiger Clan invited Cheongryong ahead of the trip to the Dragon Palace.
I understood Hwang Jiho’s words very well.
“All of the people I will introduce today are part of Eungwang High or soon to be part.”
When the door of the cylindrical annex used as a banquet hall was opened, those waiting greeted us.
As expected, Ahn Dain’s family was there too.
Some people I did not expect.
‘I thought Ahn Dain and the descendants would come, but even Kim Yuri is here.’
Jukho and Kim Yuri were present.
Until Hwang Jiho stood in the middle and introduced everyone one by one, no one said anything other than greetings.
Everyone looked like they had a lot on their minds.
In particular, Yeom Junyeol seemed to wonder why two of his junior student association members were here.
Hwang Jiho introduced Ahn Dain as the child of the Tiger Clan couple, and Kim Yuri as the student of Jukho, the chief sorcerer of the Tiger Clan.
Yeom Junyeol’s questions only seem to deepen.
“But Dain and Yuri are… I think they’re humans…”
“Hahaha! There was a situation. Those two are humans, but I consider them part of the Tiger Clan.”
Yeom Junyeol was confused, but he didn’t ask further.
The nervous Kim Yuri began to talk freely when she saw familiar faces.
Today, Kim Yuri introduced her teacher and Ahn Dain introduced her parents.
They were supposed to chat with each other and have dinner together, but it seems that Hwang Jiho took the opportunity and called them here.
Kim Yuri explained the situation and Cheongryong said something.
“Jukho’s student is the embodiment of magnolia.”
“…You recognized it right away.”
When Cheongryong pointed it out, Jukho’s body language naturally went in front of Kim Yuri as if to protect her.
Hwang Jiho stepped in and talked to them.
“You’ve recognized it at a glance. You haven’t abandoned that side’s power.”
“I just don’t use it because I don’t need it. I didn’t abandon it.”
Hwang Jiho’s talking about water.
Cheongryong currently uses fire, but many traditions see the blue dragon as a water god.
Cheongryong can be seen as a fraudulent ability suitable for the head of the Dragon Clan, dealing with both water and fire at the same time.
It’s clear why he didn’t use his water abilities.
It’s because of Yeom Junyeol.
‘Yeom Junyeol is weak against water so he’s trying not to use it.’
He’s seen through Kim Yuri’s power so it seems that he hasn’t completely abandoned his water abilities.
Cheongryong looked at Kim Yuri with blue eyes and brilliant energy waves.
“Her strength is well divided. As expected of a student of the Tiger Clan’s chief sorcerer. But it’s not yet complete. You should take a good look at your surroundings when you practice using your light skill.”
“Yes, I’ll do my best!”
“Your refreshing answer makes me glad.”
When Cheongryong spoke favorably and Kim Yuri replied brightly, Jukho stepped back with confidence.
If a powerful person like Kim Yuri was around Yeom Junyeol, he would fly to tell him to back away right away, but Cheongryong refrained from doing anything reckless since he was at Hwang Jiho’s place.
Other than that, I think it went well because Yeom Junyeol exchanged greetings with Kim Yuri earlier and the latter can actually control her powers.
“Junyeol oppa… No, I heard that Junyeol sunbaenim is the student representative! What does that position do?”
“I’m also curious about the student council and the Jiikhoe!”
“Okay, then should I tell you about the student association first?”
Eunho’s descendants followed Yeom Junyeol well, perhaps because it was their first time seeing a fellow descendant.
Yeom Junyeol answered their questions affectionately, pleased that he gained more juniors.
It was an unexpected occasion, but everyone had a good time interacting with each other.
Of course, the talk about Kim Shinrok’s light skill, the reason for the celebration, became the biggest topic of conversation.
— Grr…
The sound of Nwiho growling spread through the banquet hall.
During the celebration, a video clip filmed by Jeokho and Yong Jegun was shown.
I guess they didn’t just watch while hiding.
The image wasn’t fixed at a single angle.
Those two used multiple devices to shoot at various angles at the same time.
“I thought filming a video of the match would help my son. I didn’t expect him to be so cool, but this doesn’t compare to real life. Don’t you think so, Baekho?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t think it’s going to be very helpful for him because he’s done so well anyway. Still, it’s a good recording. Don’t you think so, Hwangho?”
“Hahahaha! Yes. You shot it well. But I think the number of videos is low compared to the number of devices that yours truly prepared.”
“I edited it separately. I’ll reveal it when my son eats his favorite dried persimmon dessert.”
The elders of the Tiger Clan were busy bragging, but they weren’t the only ones.
“I can feel Junyeol’s growth. His movements are faster than when he was training with Yeom Bangyeol!”
“Thank you for the compliment, Uncle Cheongryong.”
Cheongryong asked for a copy of the video to be sent later, and Hwang Jiho gladly agreed.
Yeom Junyeol humbly accepted the compliment and seemed to be doing some self-reflection while watching the video.
I realized the goodness and sincerity of my student as he checked his energy wave control and his judgments.
“The Nwiho summoned by Professor Kim Shinrok is fitting for a descendant of the Tiger Clan. To deal with lightning and energy too…”
“Yeah, right? I was so proud that I couldn’t concentrate on filming. So I filmed the video for the part that’s coming out now.”
Ahn Dain was very happy to see Kim Shinrok’s performance.
She was smiling all the time, extremely glad at her homeroom teacher.
Even when Yong Jegun jokingly talked to her, she answered honestly without the usual alertness.
Looking at the atmosphere and the attitude of her best friend, Kim Yuri was a little flustered at first but she quickly adapted.
“Ahaha, I’m glad Dain has a good family and a good teacher.”
“Yeah, Professor Kim Shinrok is also family since he’s Tiger Clan.”
But there was one person who couldn’t adapt.
Kim Shinrok.
He was out of it while watching the videos until the end of the celebration.
Whenever he tried to ignore reality and dissociate, Yong Jegun would play a joke that would bring him back to his senses.
At the end of the video was Nwiho being petted by Jeokho, but Kim Shinrok couldn’t watch.
Everyone looked happy watching Kim Shinrok though.
‘I can’t believe that even the tiger couple is looking at Kim Shinrok like that. It might seem complicated with Jeokho though…’
The tiger couple accepted Kim Shinrok, but I don’t know about Jeokho.
The couple and Jeokho never exchanged words until the end of dinner.
***
Eungwang High has no spring break.
Winter vacation ended without going to school in the middle.
I spent most of my vacation at the Tiger Mansion and Eungwang High preparing for what would happen in my second year, but it wasn’t that I didn’t go out at all.
When February came, I went to see people I promised to meet during the vacation.
I met with Jang Namwook and Yoo Sanghoon.
“I started my spring camp with the Joo-Oh Dragons, and I’m revealing the training process on my official channel. I was worried that they might’ve lost a lot of morale because they missed the championship, but the team spirit was still good.”
Jang Namwook was talkative as usual.
He spent thirty minutes asking how we were as soon as we saw each other, and then he became busy talking about Joo-Oh Dragons.
The prediction about TC Knights came to mind.
‘According to Woo Kihwan, the TC Knights will continue to lose.’
The baseball fan Ok Toyeon was hopeful though.
She said something about the rookie draft last year being a good pitcher.
I couldn’t tell if it was harsh or merciful to end her torturous hope by delivering Woo Kihwan’s prophecy.
“Hey, let’s go.”
“Ah, yeah. I talked a lot. It’s already time to go in.”
We came to watch professional basketball as Yoo Sahnghoon hoped, but he didn’t look so happy.
Jang Namwook must’ve noticed it too, but I decided to ask directly.
“What’s wrong?”
When I asked, Yoo Sanghoon answered slowly.
“I think something dirty is going to happen at graduation.”
“Graduation? Oh, Eungwang High’s graduation ceremony is in February. I should go to congratulate Sanghee noona. Let’s go buy flowers together.”
High schools usually have graduation ceremonies at the end of January until mid-February while the entrance ceremony is in March.
In contrast, the military academy has its entrance ceremony at the end of February and then graduation and commission ceremonies by March.
The military academy still has quite some time, but Eungwang High’s graduation ceremony is just around the corner.
Does Yoo Sanghoon think something’s going to happen at graduation?
“What do you think will happen? I’ll be prepared.”
“No, it’s not like that… Ah, never mind.”
Yoo Sanghoon tried to say something but eventually closed his mouth.
There’s no sign of anything happening at the graduation ceremony, and it won’t be much because the Tiger Clan is in charge of everything.
I wondered if I should be alert for now, but Yoo Sanghoon kept grappling, saying that was not the case.
‘Well, what does he want me to do?’
Is something that Yoo Sanghee hates going to happen at graduation?
But if he doesn’t talk, then I can’t do anything.
Fortunately, Yoo Sanghoon’s bad feeling was relieved as the basketball game progressed.
The Korean professional basketball games decide championship through six rounds of regular season, reorganization games, playoffs, and championship matches between October and April.
Today’s match was a historic derby between the first and second-place teams as of the fifth round, a rivalry match between two teams who often meet during playoffs.
The result of the game was a great victory for the team that Yoo Sanghoon liked.
‘I think he feels better already. It would get a little weird if I talk about graduation.’
Is Yoo Sanghee lonely about graduating?
For now, I decided to watch in case something happens.
And soon, February 4th came.
It was Yeom Junyeol’s birthday.
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