The week was hectic as the student elections campaign and the midterms overlapped.
I studied hard on my own and worked hard to help my classmates, especially Maeng Hyodon.
Time passed quickly as I watched the performance of Yeom Junyeol and my other playable characters this week.
‘I didn’t expect the general club president election to go like this. It’s completely different from the game.’
Is it because students and teachers died in the game which left no time for a sound discussion on how to facilitate things?
Unlike in PMH, the election of the general club president isn’t met with chaos and destruction in this world.
The president will be elected by representatives of every club and small group, and each student belonging to their club has the right to vote.
That means I, a freshman who’s not a club executive, can vote.
There were a lot of candidates who are vying for the position, and the competition is heated since there was direct voting to be conducted.
Moon Saeron, who’s in charge of covering this event, seemed so excited that she did something that the head of the newspaper department didn’t even ask her to do.
[Moon Saeron] Finished writing the articles! Now, if there’s any incident during the campaign, we’ll just write additional articles.
[Moon Saeron] In addition, I summarized all the platforms of the candidates for the general club president!
[Moon Saeron] I uploaded it on our website, but the view counts are still low TT Everyone, please promote it!
Moon Saeron published an article analyzing the newly revised election method and the candidates for the general club president, which was divided into a three-way competition between liberal arts and science, sports, and arts.
She summarized the candidates’ platforms, and her evaluation was very good.
It’s helpful for students who don’t have an idea about the new election method for the general club president, and also to get to know the candidates.
‘I didn’t know my character would appear in this.’
As I read Moon Saeron’s article, I found the name of my playable character on the list of candidates.
He’s the sophomore who ran for the student representative position in the game.
Unlike in the game, he didn’t post any picture of him inhaling alcohol, and it’s clear that he ran for a position on his own will judging from his platforms and pledges.
‘The pledge and platforms are excellent. Even his video speech is good. I think I can expect good results.’
On the other hand, in addition to the midterm exams and the election, I was keeping an eye on something else.
The Replay function.
I have used the function on Son Minki, but I have a little problem.
“It’s a different pattern than before.”
“A different pattern?”
Lunchtime, at Cheonik Mountain.
The leaves are slowly turning little by little as the autumn is about to come.
When I told Hwang Jiho that I had something to tell him about the Replay function, he called me to Cheonik Mountain and suggested that we talk there.
— The first autumn leaves appear at Cheonik Mountain. Shall we talk there?
Our conversations are protected by his boundary anyway, can’t we just talk anywhere?
That’s what I thought, but I decided to respect this old tiger’s taste and romanticism.
When I arrived though, I felt as if my fatigue had disappeared.
“Whenever I use that ability on Son Minki, it takes longer and longer to initialize.”
“Didn’t you say it took less time on Yoo Sanghoon when you used it on him twice?”
“Yeah.”
When I first used it on Yoo Sanghoon, the function became available again after two days, and the second time I did, it became available the day after.
For Son Minki, it took four days the first time, but the second time it took a week.
And yet the function’s “stage” or level hasn’t gone up yet.
‘I still can’t choose Hwang Jiho. Because the initialization time gets longer, I can’t quickly use the function consecutively…’
I think I might have to use it on someone else.
Whether I choose Byun Sunhwi or Choi Pyeondeuk, anyway I have no choice since I can’t choose Hwang Jiho yet.
‘I think there’s one character that I can choose though.’
Although I’ve never selected this character yet, I presume he’s available to choose since he has something in common with Yoo Sanghoon, Jang Namwook, and Son Minki.
But I wouldn’t dare to test it on him.
‘…I don’t think the tigers will let me off easy if I choose his name. Especially Red Tiger.’
Kim Shinrok, who was at the testing site at that time, was available to choose from the list.
Although he’s a descendant, Kim Shinrok faced the same fate as the three so I guess that’s why I can select his name.
“Jo Euishin? What are you thinking?”
“…”
Hwang Jiho narrowed his eyes before floating a hologram.
“This is Son Minki’s test results. Can you check it out?”
The hologram showed a video of Son Minki and an organized summary of data.
Son Minki was showing symptoms of insomnia and random tics.
After I used this function of him, the frequency of sudden cursing or a seizure-like episode increased significantly.
He repeatedly dreams of losing his life in the same incident that made him lose his limbs, so it definitely affected his mental well-being.
“What about the energy wave test?”
“His maternal grandfather is still cautious of us and we had a hard time persuading him. I considered kidnapping the kid as a last resort, but fortunately, he’s successfully persuaded yesterday.”
Son Minki’s grandfather was wary of the Hwangmyeong Foundation, but he decided to leave his crazy grandson to us.
“I’ll show you the results of his medical exam and the energy wave test as soon as they’re available. But Jo Euishin…”
“Why?”
“Isn’t there something you wanted to say earlier?”
This old man’s useless keenness appears again.
I couldn’t speak right away.
‘I would have to tell him someday. Yoo Sanghoon, Jang Namwook, Son Minki, and Kim Shinrok have one thing in common.’
I spoke after long contemplation.
“The initialization time is getting longer, so I thought it was inefficient to keep using it on Son Minki. I thought I should use it on someone else.”
“…You’re talking about Kim Shinrok.”
Hwang Jiho seemed to have guessed already.
He may have noticed by the way I was reluctant to say what I wanted to.
“I will tell Red Tiger and Kim Shinrok.”
“…Will it be alright?”
I thought he would object, but Hwang Jiho showed an unexpected reaction.
He spoke with a confident voice.
“Your friends Yoo Sanghoon and Jang Namwook were fine. Kim Shinrok is the descendant of the 5,000-year-old Tiger Clan. Those young men handled it fine, Kim Shinrok will be alright.”
A part of me is still hesitant, but I can’t let this opportunity slide so I nodded.
The next time I can use the function again, I can use it on someone else.
“If you suggest so, I’ll do it.”
“This is my judgment.”
As a result, we decided to persuade Red Tiger and Kim Shinrok together at the mansion once the function is initialized again.
It should probably be available in early October.
When I explained so, Hwang Jiho’s eyes suddenly sparkled and he nodded.
Is there something in October?
“The timing is good. Leave your schedule for October free.”
“I’m not making plans anyway since the midterm exams are coming up.”
“Hahaha, that’s great.”
The old man was in a good mood throughout our lunch.
* * *
It didn’t take long for the days to pass.
The student elections were conducted and votes were counted quickly.
The people who will lead Eungwang High organizations next year were decided;
Jiikhoe Chairperson Gye Idam.
Student Council President Cheon Dongha.
And Student Representative Yeom Junyeol.
[Yeom Junyeol] Thank you for cheering me on, teacher. I’ll hold on to my principles as the student representative.
[Yeom Junyeol] (Photo)
My student contacted me as soon as the results of the ballot counting were announced, and I got the news faster than the other newspaper department staffers at the ballot counting site.
Even though he’s become the student representative, my dear student still treats me as his teacher.
‘The general club president is my playable character too.’
For the general club presidential election, the votes had to be recounted three times due to the narrow difference in votes.
In the end, my playable character became elected as the general club president.
There’s more good news other than that.
News about Dokgo Miro energized the other kids who were exhausted from studying.
“Did you guys hear the news? At this rate, I think Miro will be on the Top 4 of Playlist!”
“That’s right. Based on the results of the last mission, I think she’s going to be in the top four. I liked her duet song last time during the opening ceremony, but this cover of an idol’s song is something I really liked.”
“I listen to Miro’s song these days when I study and draw.”
“If she makes it to the finals, she won’t be able to go to school even after the midterms since she’d be busy with filming.”
The midterm exams start in early October.
The winner of Playlist will be crowned at the end of October.
Considering that schedule, it’s going to be less plausible for Dokgo Miro to attend school.
Still, the other kids were more happy than sorry and they cheered on Dokgo Miro with one heart.
Throughout our dinner, the friendly atmosphere was maintained as we continued to talk about her.
“I don’t see Lena.”
Right before our night study session began.
Hani, who joined our group study today since she doesn’t have her General Enemies study schedule, asked us.
“Lena said she has lessons today.”
“Oh right. She took lessons last time too during the exam season.”
“As expected of our Lena-nim! She’s great!”
Hani silently took a seat.
Looking at Hani’s concerned face, I think she’s noticed that Lena’s having a hard time these days.
Aside from Hwang Jiho and Kim Yuri, more and more kids were noticing Kwon Lena’s strange behavior.
‘I hope Kwon Lena gets some rest when she meets Kwon Jein.’
Knowing that Kwon Jein is a clumsy person, I felt somewhat uneasy.
* * *
At the Lake of Eternity Team Building, Kwon Jein’s practice hall.
Today, instead of Kwon Jein, it was Kwon Lena who was at the center of the hall as she played her platinum violin.
Kwon Lena was practicing a technique called detach in which several notes were played by changing the direction of the bow.
However, instead of a smooth sound, her notes were cut off several times.
‘She’s not positioning properly so she’s going out of tune. Her bow’s not getting close, but her bowing arm is already too tight.’
While listening to her student’s performance right in front of her, Kwon Jein raised one hand and had her mouth in a straight line.
One’s performance reflects one’s condition.
Kwon Jein’s mood turned sour as well as she listened to Kwon Lena’s poor performance.
Normally she would’ve sternly given her opinions, but she decided to keep it in this time.
‘This is worse than last time. I thought watching the sports exchange games with her classmates would make her feel better. We can’t practice like this.’
Kwon Jein thought so, but she pretended not to know anything because she could guess just how much her only nephew and student were suffering.
Eventually, Kwon Jein stopped Lena’s performance.
“Let’s wrap it up for today.”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
Kwon Jein let out a sigh.
It wasn’t a big question, but she gathered all her courage to ask.
“It seems like you can’t focus. Is there something wrong?”
She asked although she know the answer very well.
Kwon Jein found herself asking a very cowardly question.
Still, she’s ready to give all the help she can if ever Kwon Lena decides to confide in her.
“…”
After a long silence, Kwon Lena shook her head.
‘…Would it be better to put off lessons for a while since she has exams coming up? I have something to take care of about the Oath of the Three Knights anyway.’
Kwon Jein was lost in thought.
It’s a pity that she’d have less time to spend with her nephew, but she spoke after much difficulty.
“Let’s pause with the lessons until your midterm exams are over.”
“Eh? Uhm well… I’d like to practice other skills with you, other than violin lessons. I’d like to spend more time with you…”
Kwon Lena hastily expressed her opposition, but Kwon Jein rejected it.
With a gentle voice, she persuaded Kwon Lena to use their usual time for lessons to rest even a little.
When Kwon Lena reluctantly nodded, Kwon Jein looked relieved.
“Call me anytime if you have any questions. Late hours are fine too. If I don’t answer, you can call Jared too. It doesn’t matter if it’s about violin or studies or anything.”
“…Alright.”
Kwon Jein’s face turned dark when she turned her back, but her nephew didn’t see it at all.
