Translator: Wan ED/PR: Personal Ghost
52. Holidays and school anniversary day (1) [1]
The last week of September started.
As the week included Chuseok holidays and Nation Founding Day[2], the workers were counting days on their fingers in anticipation of the weekend, but the students were not.
Especially in Eungwang School’s case, there was no student making a happy sound, even though the school anniversary was just around the corner.
“It’s holiday, but not a holiday…”
“The midterms are a week after the school anniversary? Isn’t that crazy?”
“The school anniversary is on the October 3rd Founding Day, and it overlaps with the Chuseok holidays, just before the midterm exams, so there is no meaning to the holidays, eh? In addition, October 3rd is on Saturday.”
Monday’s morning, a dying sound came out here and there in the 1st year class 0.
When the word that the Eungwang School’s anniversary was the day of Hwang Myeong Foundation’s establishment, the children looked at Hwang Jiho.
It was because all class children knew that according to the setting he was a relative of the Hwang Myeong Foundation chairman Hwang Myeong-ho.
“… Why was Hwang Myeong Foundation made on the Founding Day?”
“Jiho-ah, did Hwang Myeong Foundation really intentionally make this day into the school anniversary? Does that mean to say to students don’t play and study?”
“Hahaha! Hahahahaha!”
At Han Yi and Sawol Seeum’s question, Hwang Jiho didn’t reply what it meant and laughed senselessly.
The reason why Hwang Myeong Foundation was founded on that day was obvious.
Because it was the founding day[3] when Sinin made Eungwang District into the divine realm and ascended to the throne.
“I think it means it’s better to study beforehand if you want to rest a bit during Chuseok. Let’s stay strong!”
Kim Yuri comforted the children.
Kim Yuri was said to cut off exchanges with her relatives out of worry of her Gwangrim going into a runaway.
‘I hope she will spend peaceful time with her relatives on this opportunity.’
Thanks to Kim Yuri’s encouragement, the children regained their spirits and accepted the reality.
“Yeah… And we can’t change the date of Chuseok and midterm exams now.”
“Those are snacks shared by the Wings Council, so let’s eat together. They gave so many of them that it’s difficult to eat all of them by dormitory students alone.”
The time until the midterm exams, and the holidays, which didn’t feel like holidays was decreasing day after day.
The time passed in a blink and the Chuseok holidays started.
In the study room rented for the night study for the dormitory students were only four people.
“Those four People are the ones remaining in the dormitory for Chuseok holidays?”
“Uh, Me, you, vice president and her.”
Maeng Hyodon spoke while pointing at Mok Uram, me and Kwon Lena, who remained in the dormitory.
Besides us, Han Yi and Sawol Seeum were dormitory students, but the two planned to spend Chuseok holidays outside.
Han Yi with the people at the orphanage, and Sawol Seeum with his family.
Because Han Yi’s grades were outstanding and Sawol Seeum was going back in the middle, they had time to spare.
‘I thought there was a possibility of Kwon Lena spending it with Kwon Jane. Did something happen at the Eternal Lake’s side?’
But Kwon Lena said she would remain in the dormitory.
Perhaps because Sawol Seeum wasn’t around, it seemed that Kwon Lena regained a bit of energy.
“I heard there is a plan to serve Chuseok special meal for the students remaining at the dormitory. I have great expectations.” [4]
“Ye. A whole buffet this time.”
“Really? I only heard I’d have more to eat than I thought.”
When a talk about Chuseok food came up, Kwon Lena also chimed in.
As Kwon Lena always participated, there was no way it was the case, but I strangely felt like I heard her voice for the first time after a long time.
“Um… it’s Chuseok and midterm exam period, so I hope the Moon Rabbit Rice Cakes will be served just like the previous time.”
“Ye, those were delicious.”
“Moon Rabbit Rice Cakes? No way, do You mean the rice cakes made by the To tribe?”
The children swallowed their saliva as they looked at the new non-glutinous ramia songpyeon[5] special edition set advertised on the Moon Rabbit Rice Cakes’ main page.
Unlike Mok Uram, who had no money, Kwon Lena and Maeng Hyodon, who were diligently saving their part-time work pays, tried to buy the expansive Moon Rabbit Rice Cake set with their eyes tightly closed, but the children were greatly disappointed as they were already sold-out.
Luckily in this case I could show a face worthy of a class vice president to our class children.
“I’ll bring them on Chuseok. Let’s eat them together.”
“Whoa, vice president, did you plan for this?”
“Uisin-ah…!”
A few days ago, Ok Toyeon sent a mass of messages saying that as she sent a set of the best songpyeon for the Chuseok, I should eat them all and tell her what I think.
Since she said courier will arrive a day before Chuseok, I would be able to eat the Moon Rabbit Rice Cakes together with the children remaining at the dormitory that day.
“Then let’s study today.”
“Yes! Lena-nim, stay strong!”
“Did you memorize all the formulas I said to memorize yesterday?”
At my and Mok Uram’s words, Kwon Lena wilted, and focus disappeared from Maeng Hyodon’s eyes.
“Ok…. “
“… umm.”
I hated to bring pain to my Playable Characters, but I firmly made up my mind and rolled the two.
Mok Uram seemed to be worried because he couldn’t help Kwon Lena properly, as he was still overestimating her and not that it was just difficult.
When I was using spare moments, while helping with the children studies, to study myself.
Ding.
A message from the bastard, who was certain to get 40 points in all subjects on the midterm exams, arrived.
[Hwang Jiho] Come to our house on Chuseok.
[Me] Busy.
[Hwang Jiho] (picture)
Hwang Jiho attached a picture.
‘No way, this…!’
In the picture were small sized hanboks.
[Hwang Jiho] The descendants and Divine Beast’s Chuseok new clothes were assembled. If you don’t come to see them, they will be sad, right?
You mean that Snare and descendants assembled new clothes and are expecting me?
I couldn’t not to go.
Even if for a moment, I have to make time.
I typed in a reply straight away.
[Me] I’ll go.
* * *
Ahead of the midterm exam period, ascetic Tak Geosan’s intense training was halted for a while.
At first Tak Geosan insisted that they can train and study at the same time, no problem, but the 1st year class 0’s Maeng Hyodon’s homeroom teacher Ham Geun-hyeong stopped him with a menacing face.
— If You’re thinking of Hyodon’s future, You can’t do that.
— Isn’t that guy not doing any work using his head anyway? Does he need good grades?
Then Ham Geun-hyeong showed Maeng Hyodon’s math quiz results.
On the results note, besides Maeng Hyodon’s points, there was an average score of the students from the same subject class.
While the average on the tests was over 80 points, Maeng Hyodon were between 20 and 30 points.
‘Wow, that fucker really is a stone head.’
Bang Yunseop’s grades were a mess, but they weren’t that bad.
Perhaps it wasn’t just Bang Yunseop who thought like this, Tak Geosan was also startled.
Tak Geosan, who cleared his throat a few times, put up a shield for his main disciple.
— Hehe… Looking at the answer rate, he passed the test by guessing multi choice question, eh? Even though he was shooting, didn’t he score 20 points? My disciple shooting ability is beyond ordinary!
Tak Geosan spoke positively, but Ham Geun-hyeong shook his head as he revealed Maeng Hyodon’s test paper.
From thick notes investigating something and developed equation, it was clear at a glance how much effort Maeng Hyodon put in.
— Maeng Hyodon got 20 points because he solved it.
Ham Geun-hyeong’s fact assault broke Tak Geosan’s bloody shield.
Tak Geosan lamented.
— Is there no difference between studying and not studying!
— If that continues, Maeng Hyodon will fail. After failing, if he gets a failing score even at the re-test, he will be kicked out of school. Are You planning to make Maeng Hyodon into a middle school graduate?
Tak Geosan’s heart broke.
As someone who graduated from Eungwang School, Tak Geosan wanted his main disciple, over whom he watched in his late years, to safely graduate from Eungwang School.
— … Training will be suspended until the midterm exams end.
— Thank You for Your understanding, elder.
Bang Yunseop, who observed Ham Geun-hyeong’s negotiations, was greatly relived.
Though he also hated the extremely exhausting training, it was because he needed time to study for the midterm exams.
His grades weren’t as miserable as Maeng Hyodon, but Bang Yunseop was a bit uneasy about his writing scores hitting the bottom.
So with a tearful face, he decided to attend school and study ahead of Chuseok.
Fine fall weather, cool Eungwang School’s campus, the students of the Korean most prestigious highschool absorbed in the studies even when walking.
In the head of Bang Yunseop, who saw it, was only one kind of thought.
‘Ah, I hate studying.’
He hated the training Tak Geosan put him through, but he also hated studying.
Because of his seething emotions when he saw Maeng Hyodon, he took out his uncle’s electric cigarette after who knows how long and felt like smoking.
When he wandered around looking for a secluded place, because of his billowing desire to smoke, which he suppressed before.
Bang Yunseop came face to face with a student with curly hair, who was looking at him, hanging from a branch just above his head.
“Ack!
Bang Yunseop, who felt a pang of conscience, unknowingly screamed.
The curly-haired boy with a good-natured impression, swiftly dropped down from the tree.
Looking closely, the boy, who was on the tree, was someone he knew.
An oddball who newly appeared in the 1st year class 0, Mok Uram.
“Hello.”
“Wh-what?! You! What are you doing right now!”
“I’m the 1st year class 0’s Mok Uram and currently utilizing the time of group study resting for a side job.”
“Side job? Are you talking about part time job? What the hell, what part time job are you doing here!?”
Mok Uram resolutely denied those words.
What followed just made Bang Yunseop go crazy.
“I’m not doing a part time job. The part time jobs were suspended for two weeks before the exams. I’m currently doing a side job of catching student Bang Yunseop smoking.”
“What?! Why the hell?!”
“I decided that I’ll receive bread from our class vice president as a reward.”
The 1st year class 0, who at the beginning was four people, at some point became ten people.
The class 0’s bastard, who recently appeared, Mok Uram was a hogu, but he was also a lunatic with some screws loose in his head.
As that lunatic was targeting him, his spine turned cold.
“You didn’t smoke recently, eh? That’s a pity. I wish You make sure to call me when You smoke.”
“What do you want?! Get out!”
“Ah, the break time is over, so I’ll go. See You next time then.”
Swish!
Mok Uram lightly jumped onto the tree again and leaped as if flying towards the Earthly Wings Hall.
Just from the glance it was obvious that it was an expert body movement that would catch up with Bang Yunseop even if he fled.
Bang Yunseop hid the electronic cigarette even deeper in the school uniform pocket.
He became anxious, because he didn’t know when and where Mok Uram would pop out.
‘Ah, what is that again?’
At the library he headed to as if fleeing, he found people, who he very much didn’t want to meet.
Two geniuses Eungwang School boasted about, Ju Su-hyeok and An Dain.
As if the two met by a coincidence, they sat at the facing each other reading desks and were studying.
The eyes that sometimes met were affectionate, and the expressions and body movements were gushing with harmonious happiness.
Of course, the two people still didn’t notice the other party’s feelings, what more socialize.
‘The joke pair is here.’
But even when those two geniuses acted like jokes, they were people who would take the first place.
The 1st year class 0’s vice president, Jo Uisin, was said to be trailing behind the two geniuses, but it didn’t seem like the two would lose that first place.
As seething feelings kicked in for some reason, Bang Yunseop turned to the corner where he couldn’t see the two.
But today the library was overflowing with the good-looking bastards who came from somewhere, and there was no place for Bang Yunseop.
‘Ah, I want to just go home.’
But Bang Yunseop knew well that if he goes home, he will absolutely not study.
It was easy for him to imagine a future where he ate fruit cut by his mom, fell asleep splayed out, got hit in the back of a head and was chased out of the house.
Bang Yunseop kept on walking, avoiding people.
‘… The library is so big? But to store all those books, it has to be big.’
With the appearance of the device, which let you read holographic type of books, the people, who read paper books decreased.
But just like before, there existed readers, who preferred paper books, all around the world, and everywhere in the world a new paper book was released even today.
The Eungwang School’s library was famous for its book collection increasing faster than the number of new books published every day in the entire world.
The strange statistic was a result of the bibliophile principal, who bought all rare and old books hidden around the world in addition to the new books.
To store that enormous number of books, Eungwang School’s library would be expanded at any time or a new one would be established with the name of the zone added.
This central library was also scheduled to be expanded at the end of this year.
‘It seems there is no one here. Should I look at the library map?’
Bang Yunseop who walked without thinking, lost his way.
The librarians’ main work was to hold a tour and to pick up students, who lost their way, but as he ended up as a missing child, he was upset for no reason.
Huffing, Bang Yunseop wandered between bookshelves to find a way by himself.
When he walked between bookshelves for around 30 minutes, he found the first person.
‘There is a reading area in such a place?’
On the old wooden floor was a four-people table, chairs and a sofa big enough for a person to lay down on.
A female student was sitting in this reading area.
The ordinary looking female student looked somewhat tired.
‘What? Did she come all the way here to study? Did she lose her way too? Ah, wait. I saw that face somewhere.’
Bang Yunseop soon recalled a certain incident.
Some time ago the school was turned upside down when it was revealed that the students, who lost their superpowers, were illegally admitted.
There was a student who was swept up in this incident and involuntarily illegally admitted.
The child, who was studying in this lonely place was the victim with good intentions.
‘… I heard she was permitted to be enrolled, because she got into the upper 50%.’
He felt his insides churn.
For some reason it didn’t feel good to see a child studying in this place no one knew about.
On impulse, Bang Yunseop sat across from the female student and opened his bag.
As he roughly took out his notebook and writing supplies, he was pretty loud, but the other party just glanced at Bang Yunseop and didn’t speak.
*~*~*
[1] Holidays and school anniversary — ‘연휴 (yeon-hyu)’ means consecutive holidays, I didn’t find interesting homonyms, but ‘연’ could also mean smoke or flower, instead of ‘connected/successive’ as in this word (no ideas for 휴(hyu) sadly). School anniversary gives me more to work with. To be precise 개교기념일 (gaegyoginyeomil) refers to ‘an anniversary of the day of opening the school (the school starting its operation for the first time)’, but breaking this word down 개교 (gae-gyo) could also mean ‘introducing a religion for the first time/spreading teachings to some region for the first time’ or ‘changing a religion one was believing in’. 기념 (gi-nyeom) refers to an anniversary, but dictionary definition says ‘keeping memory of something in one’s heart for a long time’, and homonym is ‘empty heart/mind’.
[2] Chuseok holidays and Nation Founding Day — Chuseok is a harvest holiday on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Lunar Calendar. To welcome the full moon, offer pre-harvest to ancestors and pray for a good harvest. Chuseok holidays take three days. Nation Founding Day is 개천절 (Gaecheon-jeol) meaning the ‘day the Heavens opened’. Commemorates the founding of Gojoseon (the legendary first Korean nation) by Dangun (in this world, Sinin).
[3] founding day — 개천절 — Gaecheon Day (Nation Founding Day)
[4] “I heard there is a plan to serve Chuseok special meal for the students remaining at the dormitory. I have great expectations.” — Mok Uram’s sentence, the next next sentence is also his.
[5] ramia songpyeon — a young ramia, instead of an older ramia which is used for fabrics, is used for those rice cakes. Ramia is also a traditional medicine for bleeding. Songpyeon are half-moon shaped rice cakes traditionally eaten during the main holidays like Chuseok.
Translator’s note: Everyone is so invested in Maeng Hyodon’s math score now…
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