How to get on the protagonist’s flower path

The new semester should be fresh and invigorating.

Right now, I’m…

“Na-hyun! Look! It’s our collaboration with Kim Gang-ha!”

“What is that?! Is it a monster?!”

“Yul! I’m sorry! I miscalibrated it! It’s going to explode soon! Everyone, get out of the way!”

“Hahaha!”

Well, it was quite the near-death experience.

***

It was nice to see the faces of my classmates after such a long time.

Everyone seemed to have gone through various experiences, and I could definitely tell that the kids had grown up quickly in such a short time.

I was looking forward to seeing how my other friends had changed during the time we hadn’t seen each other.

However, despite the new semester being a time that should be lively after a fun vacation, the atmosphere in the classroom was surprisingly somber.

“Did you hear about the recent abnormal incidents?”

“My dad got injured while trying to stop a gate that appeared in the inner area lately…”

“They say they’re even conscripting second-years because they’re short on hunters?”

This was due to the recent surge in abnormal incidents.

Monsters had become much stronger, and gates had started appearing beyond the fortress—essentially in illegal settlements.

Naturally, the atmosphere at the Guardian Academy, where information about hunters flows quickly, had to be subdued.

Moreover, the first-year students in Class A had directly experienced abnormal incidents during their field training, so they understood how serious the situation was from experience.

However, perhaps due to the media embargo, the hunter community and society outside the academy still maintained a peaceful atmosphere without a sense of crisis.

I only found out today just how serious the situation had become.

When I read it in a novel, it was just a line that said, “The progression of destruction has accelerated,” but now that this was my reality, hearing rumors from various people made the gravity of the situation more palpable.

“Hey, Na-hyun.”

At that moment, Na-yu-han entered the classroom and greeted me.

Perhaps he had been busy during the break, as he looked slightly worn out, but he seemed to be doing okay overall.

I greeted him with a big smile.

“Hey, Yu-han! How have you been?”

“Um… so-so. I’ve been a bit busy.”

“Oh really? What’s been going on?”

I spoke to Na-yu-han with a bright smile, trying to catch up on what had happened since the trip, especially since I hadn’t appeared in the story during the remaining vacation.

The original story had already diverged quite a bit, so it was essential to gather this kind of information carefully.

For instance, Na-yu-han had probably had contact with the ‘Valder’ family during this vacation. There were many important incidents related to this contact, so I had to be vigilant.

…And while he was out wandering around, he might have gotten hurt without me knowing.

However, Na-yu-han seemed to mumble evasively.

“I just helped out a friend with some stuff.”

Where do you even have a friend! I wanted to scold him, but I just smiled and went along with it.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Not really.”

Well, that’s good.

“Hey, if you’re having a hard time, you have to tell me, okay?”

I grabbed Na-yu-han’s hand tightly, putting half of my sincerity into it.

I should be used to contact by now, but Na-yu-han’s cheeks turned slightly red, showing that he was still awkward with this kind of thing.

“Uh? Yu-han.”

“…Okay.”

He mumbled that while avoiding my gaze, and then he naturally sat next to me.

“We’re partners again!”

I said with a laugh, and Na-yu-han nodded silently.

At that moment, another familiar figure walked in through the door.

I glanced at Park Si-woo, who had just entered the classroom and was waving at me.

When I gave him a slight smile, he shyly returned it and strode over.

“Have you been well?”

“Yeah! How about you?”

“Me too. I wanted to invite you to my grandma’s house at least once, but it’s a pity we couldn’t find a time that worked.”

“It can’t be helped. Let’s go together next time.”

“…Where are we going together?”

Just then, Na-yu-han’s low voice interrupted. He looked displeased, glancing at Park Si-woo with a frown.

“Just the two of you, huh?”

Na-yu-han’s emphasis on “just the two of you” gave me a rather uneasy feeling.

Oh wait, is this a bit dangerous?

Park Si-woo, help! I shook my head slightly, trying to give him a hint, but for some reason, he completely missed the point.

“Probably, yeah.”

No! Stop with the jealousy strategy!

“No way!”

…Huh? Why are you?

I gave Na-yu-han a puzzled look for his unexpected outburst.

However, Na-yu-han himself seemed confused, covering his mouth with one hand. It appeared he didn’t even know why he had said that.

“Uh, I mean… what if we all went together if we’re going?”

“Oh, if Si-woo is okay with it, going together like last time could be nice.”

At my added suggestion, Park Si-woo fell silent for a moment, staring intently at Na-yu-han, then readily nodded.

“Sounds good. There’s enough space at my place.”

A trip, huh!

Even though the travel plans were still uncertain, I could feel my heart fluttering a little. I must have really enjoyed myself during the last vacation.

Just as the conversation started to die down, the next person barged in. As expected, it was Na-yu-ri’s attack.

“Na-hyun!”

“Ugh—”

Her body attack was as heavy as ever.

I nearly toppled backward, but Park Si-woo quietly supported my back.

“Thanks, Si-woo.”

“No problem.”

“You two seem to be getting along~”

“Hey.”

“Oh, seniors! Long time no see! Did you have a good trip?”

Choi Soo-jung had arrived with a playful smile, accompanied by Lee Ha-na.

Finally, just before the bell rang, Shin Ba-ran and Min Jae-yun, who seemed to have rushed to school together, joined us in a hurry.

“That was close…”

“That’s because you overslept.”

I handed water to the two of them, who were panting, while observing everyone’s reactions. There was something I wanted to say right now.

Specifically, I wanted to mention Kang-yu’s transfer to the Guardian Academy.

As his older sister, I thought it would be good to ask for their support. Kang-yu had only recently recovered from his illness and wasn’t a character from the original work.

Noticing that I was looking for a chance to speak, Park Si-woo asked me.

“Na-hyun, do you have something to say?”

“Oh, um. You know, my brother is coming to the academy—”

At that moment, the bell rang, cutting off my words.

Simultaneously, I heard the sound of eager footsteps approaching from the other side.

Normally, they were a bit late, but today, they were so quick it could only be described as a precise arrival.

However, the footsteps echoing in the hallway weren’t from just one person.

I shut my mouth again.

My expression must have looked quite awkward. Park Si-woo, still curious, quietly turned his head, keeping his mouth shut like the others.

Bang—!

Then, Iggdrasil kicked the door open with force.

A familiar silver-haired figure came into view of the students. Following closely was someone with blue hair and blue eyes, who would surely be unfamiliar to everyone.

The mood in the classroom instantly heated up.

“A transfer student? An international student?!”

“Wow! So cute!”

“Is she a mermaid hybrid? Hmmm….”

“It’s a new student, is it thanks to the lucky letter?”

Iggdrasil didn’t seem at all interested in calming the students’ excitement; instead, he shrugged his shoulders and enjoyed the noisy atmosphere.

“It’s rare for a new student to come to Class A; how fascinating~”

“Indeed….”

I awkwardly laughed at Choi Soo-jung’s comment.

Right.

Whether it’s a foreign student or a transfer student, it’s very difficult to come into Class A through the mid-term entrance exams.

So, it was truly surprising news for Class A, who hadn’t anticipated a new student at all.

Iggdrasil, thoroughly enjoying the students’ enthusiastic reactions, eventually thumped the side of the teacher’s desk and shouted.

“Everyone, quiet!”

Only then did Iggdrasil look happily at the students, who had closed their mouths like clams, and began the introduction.

“As you might have guessed, she’s a transfer student! She’s younger than you!”

I felt a cold sweat trickle down my back as I glanced at Na-yu-han.

He looked surprised at the appearance of Kang-yu, a character who hadn’t appeared in the novel, but surprisingly, he remained calm and examined Kang-yu. However, his eyes widened in astonishment as he looked at the podium.

And it was no wonder because Kang-yu was…

[Status]

Name: Kang-yu

Class: Mage

Level: 1

Strength: C

Agility: C

Endurance: C

Magic: S+

Magic Attribute: Water

[Skills]

Passive: Blessing of Magic (Water)
An endless blessing of magic.
Even if magic runs out, if water or water’s magic is present nearby, magic is restored.

Active: Magic Conversion (Water)
Can convert magic from other attributes into water or water’s magic.

Active: One Mind and Body (Water)
Can handle water or water’s magic as if it were part of oneself.

He possesses outrageous stats….

The reason it was difficult to treat Kang-yu’s hyperawakening syndrome was that his innate magic was too strong.

His treatment costs consumed most of our orphanage’s budget.

If it hadn’t been for the anonymous donor’s continuous contributions, Kang-yu might have died a long time ago.

…So I am really grateful to that person.

“My name is Kang-yu! I’m fourteen years old! Nice to meet you!”

While I was lost in thought, Kang-yu finished his self-introduction in quite a lively tone.

I saw Iggdrasil next to him, satisfied, crossing his arms and nodding his head.

“Okay! That’s it! Kang-yu! The empty seat is by the classroom door!”

“Yes!”

However, contrary to his cheerful response, Kang-yu started to walk straight toward my seat by the classroom window.

“Huh? Where are you going?”

“Uh?”

Iggdrasil asked in confusion, and Na-yu-han also looked flustered as he stepped closer to Kang-yu.

Other students began to whisper about Kang-yu’s sudden behavior.

But regardless of that, Kang-yu reached Na-yu-han’s seat, which was next to mine, and smiled brightly as he said,

“Hyung.”

“Uh, yes?”

“Give me this seat!”

“What?”

“Give me this seat.”

Kang-yu—!!!