How to get on the protagonist’s flower path

A large build. Thick hands. A somewhat rough impression.

It was Mikell, the blacksmith of the Savior raid team.

“Mikell!”

As soon as I saw Mikell, I ran over to her with a bright expression.

Mikell greeted me when she saw me.

“Oh, it’s been a while. Did you have a problem with your weapon?”

“No, the weapon is perfectly fine! It’s great. Thank you!”

“Good. Then what’s going on?”

“Well….”

I quickly told Mikell about Yggdrasil’s rampage.

Listening to the entire story with a serious expression, Mikell sighed and rubbed her forehead.

“Phew, that girl certainly only focuses on talent and ability when she looks at humans. It’s usually a helpful trait, but it can be quite troublesome at times like this.”

“Yeah. So, I was wondering if you could talk to her a bit.”

“Hm….”

Mikell calmly closed her eyes and nodded.

“I’ll talk to her.”

“Thank you!”

I informed Mikell about the day Yggdrasil would visit the orphanage and then took my leave.

Finally, the day arrived.

I had been restless since the morning, anxiously looking out the window.

The first to arrive was Mikell.

I pulled Mikell along to greet the teacher. The teacher also mentioned she had heard a lot about me and naturally exchanged pleasantries with Mikell.

After some time, Yggdrasil’s confident figure appeared at the entrance of the orphanage.

“I’m here!”

Hearing her booming voice, I sighed deeply as I watched Kangu rush outside. Seriously….

Mikell and I also moved to greet Yggdrasil.

“Hmm? Mikell?”

“Yeah, it’s me. It’s been a while.”

“What brings you here?”

“Your apprentice asked me to talk to you a bit.”

“Hm….”

Yggdrasil narrowed her eyes and glared at me.

I avoided her gaze and led everyone into the teacher’s room, which was called the reception room. The deeply sagging sofa was filled when the five of us sat down.

Yggdrasil, plopping down on the sofa, politely addressed the teacher.

“Teacher, as I mentioned over the phone before, Kang-yu has talent. I want to develop that outstanding talent as quickly as possible. Spending three years in a regular school would be a huge disadvantage for Kang-yu. I will take full responsibility for all expenses and training. Please allow him to prepare for the academy entrance exam.”

“Hmm….”

“I want to advance a grade. Teacher, you know I’ve already completed all my studies up to middle school! I’m healthy now! I really want this!”

The teacher had a subtle expression in response to the strong assertions from both Yggdrasil and Kang-yu.

At times like this, I regretted that Kang-yu was so smart. If studying were the issue, we could at least try to work with that!

“But Kang-yu is still too young!”

“Just because he’s young doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be able to use the advanced placement system for talented students. Besides, any immaturity can be properly taken care of by me.”

“It seems Kang-yu is quite firm in his desire….”

“Yes!”

“Hmm…”

After a long silence, Mikael, who had been quietly observing the situation, crossed his arms.

“So you’re saying the advanced placement and transfer exam are official systems?”

“Yes!”

Is he finally going to speak? I nodded with anticipation.

However, Mikael was addressing me, not Yggdrasil.

He looked at me calmly and said, “But you’re opposing because you think your brother is too young.”

“Yes!”

“Exactly what aspect are you worried about?”

At that, I hesitated. What aspect was I worried about…?

“Well, the academy’s practical training is too dangerous, and Kang-yu is still too young to have experience harming monsters…”

“I see. Then why are you concerned about Yggdrasil’s training?”

“Isn’t it… too dangerous? It’s rough.”

“Since practical training is closer to real combat, that’s a fair judgment. But do you really feel that way about Yggdrasil’s training? Don’t you know her thoroughness?”

“That’s…!”

“I think you’re overly worried about Kang-yu right now. …Well, considering Yggdrasil’s reckless behavior at the moment, it’s understandable.”

Hearing those words felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown over me.

…That’s right. I recalled Yggdrasil carefully taking care of us and training us.

I felt Kang-yu’s steady gaze on me. His hand overlapped with mine, holding it tightly.

Only then did I feel my rationality returning.

I had also lost my composure.

This child was so precious that I had merely wanted to protect him.

“I’m sorry, Kang-yu.”

“Hmm. It’s okay.”

“…Still, I think the academy’s practical training is still too early for you, Kang-yu. I hope that gets resolved.”

Mikael fell silent, as if he had said all he needed to say, looking at Yggdrasil.

Yggdrasil made a thoughtful sound, pondering something and unable to speak easily.

The teacher, who had been silently observing, finally seemed to make a decision and spoke up.

“What is the intensity of the training that Yggdrasil conducts?”

“It varies according to what the individual wants. But I will never create situations that would seriously harm their bodies. I swear it on my name.”

“If Kang-yu enrolls in the academy, will he follow the same curriculum as regular students?”

“Generally, yes.”

“What about practical training like monster hunting?”

“Yes. But in the case of practical training…”

I felt Yggdrasil’s gaze on me.

The madness had somewhat faded from her eyes when we met.

“…Perhaps diving straight into real combat might be too fast, so we will apply the learning curriculum used for newly awakened individuals in their early teenage years from awakened families before proceeding.”

“…!”

Yggdrasil’s eyes dropped as she calmly said,

“…But still, I hope you keep in mind that the best way to improve one’s skills is through real combat.”

“Tsk. Yggdrasil, this isn’t an age where the top is open. Why are you rushing? I’ve heard that you’ve become calmer recently.”

At those words, Yggdrasil glanced at us and gulped down the green tea in front of her in one go.

Thud! Her empty teacup was slammed down roughly on the table.

“Because the seal is deteriorating.”

“…What…?”

“A seal…?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Yggdrasil shook her head at the teacher’s question and continued speaking.

“It seems I’ve become sensitive without realizing it due to the increase in dangerous anomalies. I’m sorry.”

I fell silent, watching Yggdrasil’s tone, which genuinely seemed concerned about the anomalies.

Until now, I—and Na Yu-han—had thought of Yggdrasil as a reliable figure, yet I hadn’t told her about the ‘flood of disasters’ that would occur.

Even though it was clear she would be a significant asset if she were on our side, I hadn’t spoken the truth because, despite her being a good teacher, I hadn’t fully given her my trust.

‘Yggdrasil was the one who caused the flood of disasters in the game.’

That vague phrase resurfaced in my mind, sending a chill down my spine.

I had to prevent the flood of disasters that had become reality in this novel. Above all else, I had to be more cautious than anyone else.

What on earth had happened?

Was there something I didn’t know?

Could it be… that Yggdrasil’s current worries were merely an act, just like mine?

The confusion briefly stirred my heart.

At that moment, Yggdrasil shouted.

“Anyway! Would this condition be acceptable?”

“Yes?! Yes!”

“Great! Then, guardian teacher, what do you think?”

“Sounds good.”

“Kang-yu!”

“Yes!”

Yggdrasil quickly received our trio’s consent and grinned triumphantly.

“Hmm! Then there should be no problems now! We’ll start training right away! Kang-yu! Step forward! Kang Na-hyun! You too!”

“Me too?!”

“Since it’s come to this, I’ll train you both together!”

I sighed and replied, “I have an appointment in a few weeks, so please let me go by then.”

“Alright!”

As our conversation seemed to come to an end, Mikell slowly started to get up from his seat.

“I guess I’ll be on my way. I was called here to persuade Yggdrasil, but it seems I ended up convincing you instead. Sorry about that; you looked too impatient.”

“Oh, thank you! I’m sorry for making you go through all this.”

“It’s nothing. I understand your concerns. We’ll see each other again. And if that little one needs a Meister weapon, come find me.”

“Really?!”

“Yeah. Since I like you, I’ll make one for you for free.”

“Awesome, Kang-yu!”

I beamed at the unexpected windfall.

As if to express jealousy at our cheerful exchange, Yggdrasil tugged on our arms.

“What are you doing? Let’s go! Kang-yu! Kang Na-hyun!”

“Yes!”

“Wait a minute!”

With that final farewell to Mikell, Kang-yu and I plunged into Yggdrasil’s hellish training.

***

Weeks flew by in the blink of an eye.

“Have a good trip!”

“After you get back, it’s back to training!”

“Yes…!”

I moved away from the training area, seeing off the two of them.

“…I thought I was going to die.”

I shook my head as I walked towards the pajama party.

Knowing that Kang-yu was watching, Yggdrasil had ruthlessly trained me too….

No, let’s not dwell on those painful days.

Today is a day for a fun pajama party!

I boarded the bus that had finally arrived in front of me, despite my legs trembling from muscle soreness.

The destination was, of course, Na Yu-ri’s house.

“Wow….”

I marveled at the scenery outside the window.

At that moment, my device vibrated in my hand. It was a message from Park Si-woo.

Park Si-woo
Photo
Park Si-woo
I went to my grandma’s house for the first time in a while. You said you’re training with Yggdrasil, right? How’s it going?

The photo Park Si-woo sent showed a quaint, well-kept Western-style house that was old but had a calm and friendly atmosphere.

I thought I was going to die!
You should’ve joined in…! We could’ve died together…! Haha, just kidding.

A reply came quickly to my playful text.

Park Si-woo
I don’t think it would be so bad to die together with you.
Park Si-woo
I’m kidding too.

…What kind of joke is that?

I cooled my slightly flushed cheeks with the back of my hand and looked out the window again.

As the bus headed towards Na Yu-ri’s house, the streets became increasingly tidy.

The cars driving down the roads gradually transformed into more expensive models, and the houses were of such large size that they could be called mansions.

Indeed, this was the center of the safe zone, where only the wealthy lived.

Someday, I want to live in a place like this with my siblings and my teacher.

As I admired the view, the bus announced that it was approaching my stop.

I grabbed my suitcase and quickly hopped off the bus.

After walking for a while while dragging my suitcase, I finally realized that my destination was a mansion that was of a different scale compared to the other nearby mansions.

As I hesitated and approached the enormous mansion, I faintly saw shimmering blonde hair moving at the entrance.

“Welcome, Na-hyun!”

It was Na Yu-ri.

Na Yu-ri seemed to have been waiting at the entrance for a while, and as soon as she spotted me, she beamed with a bright smile.

“Hey, Yu-ri!”

The other kids were scheduled to arrive later in the evening, so there was no need to wait any longer.

Na Yu-ri and I slowly walked through the vast garden towards the mansion.

Seeing her friend after several weeks made Na Yu-ri particularly excited, and as we chatted, she suddenly glanced at her device. It was vibrating; she must have received a message.

“What’s up?”

“Um, ma’am”