The World’s Strongest Daughter.

A few days passed after the incident with So-yeon smoking.

I started attending the Academy earnestly and slowly adapted to the unfamiliar school life while experiencing various things.

However…

“So-yeon, um…”

Before I could finish my sentence, Min So-yeon ignored me and left.

“…Sigh…”

A heavy sigh escaped from my frustrated heart.

…This is a big problem, really…

After the first day of school, I still hadn’t been able to have a proper conversation with So-yeon.

The day I first encountered So-yeon, did I make a mistake?

Returning to the classroom, I slowly recalled what happened that day.

Shocked to discover my daughter smoking, I fell into deep contemplation.

How should I act as a parent when I’m not one?

Amidst countless worries, I chose to just say a few warm words.

Cigarettes are bad for your health, so smoke in moderation.

I thought it was the best choice I could make at the time.

But… was my thinking too short-sighted?

So-yeon left, saying not to interfere in someone else’s life.

“…”

The brief words uttered by So-yeon, my beloved daughter, flew like a sharp dagger and pierced my heart.

Oh my, someone else’s life…

From the day she was born and cried, her days in kindergarten, elementary, and middle school are still vivid in my mind.

But someone else’s life!

Those words, “someone else’s life,” left by my beloved daughter, tore my heart to shreds.

After that, even after attending the Academy, I tried to talk to her several times, but she often ignored my words.

Due to her label as the “Black Swordsman’s daughter,” she received a lot of attention from other students.

But it wasn’t just me she was cold to. She pushed away all the students equally and insisted on being alone.

I don’t know if this should be considered fortunate or not…

Ironically, there were several students who approached me as well.

But I was only interested in So-yeon, so I didn’t particularly want to get close to the other kids.

Nevertheless, there were students who persistently tried to talk to me, but that was about it.

Neither So-yeon nor I were interested in others, so naturally, our interactions with other students decreased.

That’s right.

The father and daughter became loners together.

*

The price of becoming a loner wasn’t as significant as I thought.

No, it might even be a good thing.

“Okay, everyone has decided on their partners, right?”

The large, middle-aged teacher, Lee Dae-san, said to us.

Following his words, the students naturally paired up, and only two students didn’t.

Min So-yeon and me.

“…”

The students’ attention was focused on me and So-yeon.

Then, the young female teacher standing next to Lee Dae-san, Lim Cha-kyung, spoke to us.

“…Why don’t you two have partners? Could it be that you two…”
“…No, it’s not.”

At Min So-yeon’s sharp reaction, Lim Cha-kyung made a displeased expression.

And at that moment…

…Oh, isn’t this an opportunity?

I thought it might be a chance.

The Academy has a “partner” system.

Two students with different ability types form a pair for 1 year.

The Academy has numerous students, and their abilities vary greatly.

Some abilities are suitable for direct combat, while others focus on rear support.

Of course, there is no hierarchy among abilities, so no ability is good or bad.

My ability is magic. Specifically, I specialize in nature magic.

Fortunately, I was resurrected with the same ability as in my previous life. Although the power may be weaker than before, I have the experience and know-how, so it will be better than using an ability for the first time.

The job of a “Hunter” has a very high retirement rate.

Recently, gate stabilization has progressed greatly, but they are still dangerous places, so various accidents occur.

I also died in such an accident.

For that reason, hunters often form pairs to work together, and the Academy’s curriculum is designed accordingly.

Both So-yeon and I must find a partner, so if I take this opportunity, I can close the distance between us.

Great…

With a determined mind, I casually approached Min So-yeon and naturally spoke.

“So-yeon. Neither you nor I have a partner, so together…”

But at that moment, Min So-yeon cut me off with a cold gaze.

“…I don’t want to.”

…This child, really…

I desperately suppressed my surging emotions and tried to continue the conversation.

“Still, we have no choice if we want to take the class.”

Min So-yeon sighed deeply as if she really didn’t want to.

…Is that it? Nothing else?

I was taken aback by her cold reaction.

“…Min So-yeon?”

Then, Lim Cha-kyung’s voice came from behind.

When Min So-yeon and I turned around, Lim Cha-kyung stood with an unfamiliar male student.

…Huh?

Curly blonde hair, tall height, fair skin.

He was a student who looked like he could make girls cry.

As Min So-yeon and I stared blankly, Lim Cha-kyung gently pushed the male student forward and introduced him to us.

“A student from the next class wanted to be partners with Min So-yeon, so I brought him here.”

What? Our So-yeon… with this pretty boy?

As soon as the introduction was over, the male student sprang forward as if he had been waiting and greeted Min So-yeon.

“Hi! My name is Jang Su-won.”

Min So-yeon glanced at the hand Jang Su-won extended and simply nodded her head.

She’s always so consistent.

Even though Jang Su-won could have been embarrassed, he burst into laughter and continued.

“…Min So-yeon, I came here specifically to be your partner.”

…Huh?

I was slightly taken aback by Jang Su-won’s straightforward words.

So-yeon doesn’t seem to know who he is… Does he have a one-sided crush on her?

Leaving me behind, Jang Su-won smiled brightly at Min So-yeon and said,

“If it’s okay with you, as partners…”

At Jang Su-won’s actions, I quickly intervened between the two.

“Wait.”

And with my back to Min So-yeon, I stared straight at Jang Su-won and said,

“Sorry, but So-yeon and I agreed to be partners.”
“…Really?”
“Yeah. So, it would be faster for you to find someone else…”

At that moment, Min So-yeon slightly pushed me and said in a low voice,

“Hey. Why are you deciding partners on your own?”
“S-So-yeon?”

Watching our conversation, Jang Su-won smiled slightly as if he had noticed something.

“… That’s a relief. It seems you haven’t decided yet, so with me…”
“No, I told you So-yeon is going to be with me.”

As Jang Su-won and I were engaged in a verbal battle, Lim Cha-kyung, who had been quietly observing from behind, intervened.

“Both of you want the same partner, so let’s have So-yeon decide.”

Min So-yeon’s choice.

At Lim Cha-kyung’s words, all eyes were on Min So-yeon.

With the attention focused on her, Min So-yeon lowered her head, avoiding eye contact as if feeling a bit burdened.

…Still, we’re in the same class… and we’ve met before, so she’ll choose me, right?

With a small hope, I also sent an intense gaze toward her.

Did my earnest feelings reach her? Min So-yeon, who had her head lowered, let out a short sigh and said in a low voice, alternating glances between us with an annoyed expression.

“…I don’t want either of you.”

In the end, we were both rejected together.

*

Anyway, one cannot go against the school rules.

So both Jang Su-won and I were still waiting to be chosen by Min So-yeon.

The only thing left was Min So-yeon’s choice.

It’s a bit unfortunate for the student to be left alone, but it can’t be helped.

I have a reason why I must become Min So-yeon’s partner.

Jang Su-won and I, left in a corner of the training ground, had been at a stalemate since earlier.

Jang Su-won seemed to really want to be Min So-yeon’s partner, as he showed no intention of backing down.

“Yoo Ji-hwan. This time, you should yield. I’ll be her partner this year, and next year…”
“So-yeon is my partner this year and next year.”

We were so engrossed in our heated arguments that the gazes of the surrounding students felt a bit sharp.

“Then there is only one way to decide this. A duel.”

Meanwhile, Min So-yeon, as if losing interest, left the decision to us and blended in with the other students.

Seeing her like that, I felt slightly puzzled.

No matter how much of a teenage phase she’s in, can she really show such indifference?

I recalled Min So-yeon’s behavior that I had observed so far.

She responded to all the attention and goodwill directed toward her with disregard and indifference.

Then, has there been a single instance where she showed interest in anything?

There wasn’t.

…At this rate, doesn’t she seem like a little child being forced to do something she doesn’t want to?

Translator’s Corner

Helloooo, I hope you enjoyed the read!

-Seraloves

You should be.

-Ruminas