LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 14
“…Ah.”
“Cradle…?”
The members finally showed understanding expressions. However, Lee Hyun furrowed his brow lightly as if he didn’t get it.
“Right.”
“What is that?”
“Ah.”
At Lee Hyun’s question, Sa Jaehyeok let out a small sigh. The existence of the cradle was common knowledge for wizards.
A reason to send that guy to the cradle just popped up, Sa Jaehyeok thought.
“In simple terms, just think of it as a school. Precisely, it falls under the category of an academy.”
“An academy…?”
“Yeah. It’s a very exemplary educational institution aimed at properly educating young wizards like you to contribute to the nation’s prosperity and social stability. For now, that’s it.”
“Pff…”
“For now, let’s say this…”
Hearing Sa Jaehyeok’s additional comment, the members let out small chuckles. However, Lee Hyun still didn’t fully understand what he had said.
“…I roughly get what kind of place it is. So what am I supposed to do there? Bodyguard duty?”
“Bodyguard duty? What kind of nonsense? If a student goes to school, they should obviously study.”
“Student…?”
Sa Jaehyeok continued speaking in a calm voice.
“Right. Lee Hyun. You’re going to enroll in the Cradle Academy this year as a recommended student from our Heukryeon family. And…”
“…What nonsense is this? Are you messing with me…”
“Does this look like I’m joking?”
“…”
As the nonsensical conversation continued, Lee Hyun couldn’t hold back any longer and snapped.
However, he lost his words again at Sa Jaehyeok’s confident demeanor.
“…I suppose I should hear the explanation to the end? Now…”
Seeing this, Sa Jaehyeok let out a light sigh. He then continued speaking.
The Heukryeon family, Sa Jaehyeok’s clan, was one of several wizard families deeply involved in the establishment of the Cradle.
These clans were granted the right to enroll students they designated without an entrance exam every year, under the pretext of nurturing capable talents for national development.
However, for the past 15 years, the Heukryeon family had not exercised their right for recommended enrollment even once.
“…We’ve left the position vacant for too long. Thanks to that, our influence in the Cradle is steadily decreasing.”
“…So?”
“You’ll understand soon enough, but the Cradle is not just a basic educational institution. The relationships formed there typically last a lifetime, and it’s one of the few times to connect freely with the children of prestigious families. Not only that, if you have the skills, you can build friendly relations with not just notable figures but also companies that offer sponsorship. In a way, it can be seen as one of the most crucial periods in life.”
“That’s true. They say, ‘Three years at the Cradle are more important than the following thirty years’…”
Ryu Sehwa, who was listening to the conversation, chimed in to support Sa Jaehyeok.
“…Well said. Anyway, that’s how it is. I don’t really care about national development, but if things continue like this, our family’s influence will completely vanish. And that’s in such an important place. And the means to prevent that is you.”
After hearing Sehwa’s words, Sa Jaehyeok nodded and continued. Lee Hyun questioned Sa Jaehyeok in a puzzled voice.
“…Let’s say the squad leader is right. But why does it have to be me? If it’s that I’m not wanted in the squad…”
“Stop with the nonsense; honestly, I wouldn’t want to do this myself. But we’re all old, you know.”
Sa Jaehyeok shrugged. However, the protest came not from Lee Hyun but unexpectedly from another source.
“Old…!”
“Hey! Sa Jaehyeok!! You can’t take that back!!”
“No, no…!”
Yejin was stunned into silence, while Yoon Chaewon pointed at Sa Jaehyeok and protested vehemently. Ryu Sehwa covered her head with both hands and muttered to herself.
“Hey! Can you quiet down? How much have you had to drink?”
Sa Jaehyeok shouted at the members.
After a while, after calming down, Sa Jaehyeok turned back to Lee Hyun and said.
“…Ahem. Anyway, that’s how it is. And it’s about time you started earning your keep.”
“Earning my keep? What do you mean?”
“What do you mean, what? I’m talking about the food you’ve eaten all this time. Not only that, the medical expenses you’ve incurred, testing fees, fuel expenses, the custom-made Stellar Blade you use, high-end defensive gear, and even that mask. There’s not a single thing that hasn’t cost me…”
“What the… who charges those things to their subordinate…!”
Lee Hyun fiercely protested at the shocking statement, but Sa Jaehyeok continued explaining in a calm voice.
“Let me remind you, all the money spent on you was paid out of my pocket. It doesn’t even scratch what’s in the unit’s budget.”
“You said it was a fair trade. I’ve been participating in battling rebels and monsters…”
“You haven’t formally enlisted as a combatant in our unit. Legally, you’re still an assistant. Your combat achievements are not recorded. You can’t consider that a trade.”
“That’s such a stretch…!”
“I have been fulfilling my duties diligently. I’ve fed you, housed you, trained you, equipped you, and even taught you our family’s unique magic. But I trust you’re not thinking of just closing your mouth after just cleaning up a few scraps.”
“…I’m 18 years old. I’m sure you can enroll at 17 in such a place…”
“To a wizard, physical age isn’t that important. What matters is when you awaken your powers. You might be a special case, but nobody pays attention if there’s just a year or two difference. Plus, legally, you’re 17. You didn’t forget that, did you?”
“There will be a lot of kids from good families… I don’t know any etiquette. I’ll just tarnish the reputation…”
“Do you think the Cradle is just a noble school? Half the students there are from backgrounds like yours. Learning a few important things from your sisters is more than enough.”
“I’m not good at studying… I don’t know anything about magic theory…”
“The Cradle was made to teach kids like you. And while I may not be quite like me, you’re pretty smart yourself, so you don’t need to worry.”
“Pff…”
“Seriously talking nonsense… We know too well about our Cradle days…”
Ryu Sehwa and Yejin could no longer restrain themselves and burst into laughter. Sa Jaehyeok tried hard to ignore their murmuring and pressed Lee Hyun again.
“Be quiet. So, do you have anything more to ask?”
“…”
Since he seemed to have run out of things to say, Lee Hyun remained silent. Seeing this, Sa Jaehyeok delivered the final nail in the coffin.
“I think you understand roughly now. So let’s summarize.”
“…”
“Lee Hyun. Enter the Cradle as a recommended student from the Heukryeon family. And carry out social and networking activities on behalf of me and our family. Also, as a student, acquire various knowledge and actively participate in various tests on the school grounds.”
“…”
“Complete three years of Cradle life diligently and earn excellent grades. Thus, ultimately, restore our Heukryeon family’s reputation and influence at the Cradle. That’s it.”
“…Is that a command?”
“Yeah. It’s a command. This is a command from your superior and a legitimate request as a party to the trade.”
Sa Jaehyeok’s response was like a sword. Lee Hyun asked in a resigned tone.
“…If it’s a command, I’ll follow it. When does it start?”
“There’s still plenty of time left. Now that the big operation is over, for the time being, you can do some chores and learn the knowledge you need from your sisters. I’ll let you know the detailed schedule later.”
“…Got it.”
Lee Hyun answered in a downcast voice. He then prepared to put the mask back on and return to his room.
Seeing this, Yoon Chaewon stopped Lee Hyun.
“Hyun, are you leaving already? You haven’t even had dinner yet. Just eat a little…”
“…I’m sorry. I’m not really in the mood to eat… I’ll go ahead. Good night.”
“Hey…!”
Before Chaewon could finish her statement, Lee Hyun quickly exited the office. A momentary silence hung in the air where he had just been.
“Geez… it makes me want to cry every time I see him…”
Ryu Sehwa muttered as she looked at the spot Lee Hyun had just vacated.
“Who wouldn’t? More importantly, Jaehyeok. Don’t you think you were a bit too harsh on that kid? What’s this about the food fee? You could’ve said it in a nicer way!”
“…You’re not wrong.”
Yoon Chaewon chimed in softly with her effortful reproach. Sa Jaehyeok sank into the sofa and responded.
“Shut it. That kid needs to be pushed like that. Otherwise, he’ll just follow us around for life. Would you like that?”
“Not really… but still…”
Realizing some truth in that, Chaewon trailed off.
“He’s smart enough and should have figured most of it out. So let’s dial back a bit. Because you two are still treating him like…”
“By the way, squad leader, you made a surprisingly good excuse there, didn’t you? I almost got fooled myself.”
“Exactly. Anyone who hears that would think you’re someone who pays attention to reputation… Would someone like that be roughing it out in the outskirts for over ten years?”
Yejin changed the subject, and Sehwa chimed in right away.
Including Chaewon, they all understood Sa Jaehyeok’s motives for sending Lee Hyun to the Cradle.
They had grown attached to him over the past two years, so they didn’t really want to let him go.
However, he needed different experiences.
Though it was grandiosely called social and networking activities, in reality, it meant just having fun and enjoying school life with peers.
But if stated plainly, Lee Hyun’s personality wouldn’t have accepted that easily.
That was the reason Sa Jaehyeok used the strong term of ‘command’.
They had saved Lee Hyun that day, but it wasn’t easy for a child who had lost everything to regain his life.
Unexpectedly, Lee Hyun showed interest in a field that was unexpected.
Since he started learning magic seriously from Sa Jaehyeok and the members, Lee Hyun had always strongly desired to go to the battlefield.
Initially, they rejected him out of concern for his mental state, but the battlefield was a situation that always flowed unpredictably.
Moreover, the northeastern front was the frontline where demonic creatures were constantly invading, along with bandits collaborating with them running rampant.
Ultimately, after deciding that sticking together would be safer, Sa Jaehyeok granted him permission to go into action. From then on, Lee Hyun began to showcase his talents wholeheartedly.
He brutally slaughtered demonic creatures and rebels alike.
Even though they themselves were merciless, Lee Hyun’s brutality was particularly pronounced.
If Sa Jaehyeok hadn’t intervened, he would have been court-martialed multiple times.
Given his past, such hatred was understandable, but that didn’t mean the current situation could be considered normal.
Lee Hyun was like a glass bottle, as if he could shatter at any moment.
So, despite Sa Jaehyeok’s rough methods, not a single member objected to the decision itself.
“But while I’m naturally in favor of him enrolling at the Cradle… do you think he can do well…?”
Ryu Sehwa murmured with a worried voice.
“…Honestly, I’m a little concerned about that too…”
“He’ll do well. You managed to graduate from the Cradle just fine…”
Just as Chaewon was about to chime in, Sa Jaehyeok brusquely cut off that statement.
“Well, true, even a messed-up guy like the squad leader graduated healthily, so you can’t argue against that…”
“Ugh…”
“Pff…”
Hearing Sa Jaehyeok’s words, Yejin muttered. Sehwa and Chaewon desperately tried to hold back their laughter.
*
Lee Hyun stood in front of the mirror after returning to his room.
The small, lamp-less room was pitch-black. Only the sound of the wind slipping through the window echoed noisily.
Lee Hyun slowly brought his hand to his face. Soon with a click– the mask came off.
Lee Hyun’s bare face reflected back in the mirror.
“Ugh…”
It was the moment Lee Hyun faced his face. A pain like his skin was being scorched by fire spread from the scar.
His skin itched like bugs were crawling all over it. His vision narrowed and his heart pounded loudly.
Unable to endure any longer, Lee Hyun put the mask back on.
As soon as he did so, all discomfort vanished as if it had never happened, and comfort enveloped him again.
Even then, Lee Hyun couldn’t bear to look in the mirror.