Chapter 9: Companion ②

Yu Hyesun landed softly and sniffed the air, openly taking in my scent.

Her expression was so serious, I couldn’t even think to stop her.

…This is seriously getting under my skin.

“This is your natural body scent?”

“……Yes.”

“Then why did you come clean about it? You could’ve kept your mouth shut and walked away with an A-rank servant beast for free.”

Yu Hyesun’s eyes took on a cryptic gleam.
Eyes with unknowable depths.

Somehow, I had the gut feeling that lying to her just wouldn’t work.

…How should I phrase this so I don’t sound like a complete idiot?

Even though I knew she might laugh, I just said it like it was.

“Just because.”

“More detail.”

“Just… because lying is bad?”

“What?”

Her face twisted into an expression like she couldn’t believe what she’d just heard.
Maybe my awkward cheek-scratching sealed the deal, because her mouth dropped open.

“Ha.”

Ha?

“Hahaha. Nyaaahahaha! What is this little weirdo! Nyaahahahahaha!”

She burst into laughter and started rolling on the ground.

I stood there awkwardly, watching her.

“To think there’s another creature like Kizel in this messed-up city…”

Finally calming down, Yu Hyesun sat cross-legged on the ground.

“I like you even more now.”

Her smile bloomed wide.

“Iran, where do you live?”

“Dorm 7.”

“Oh? Same as me. Perfect. Come visit Class 1 after roll call tonight. I’ll give you the servant beast.”

My head tilted slightly.

“You’re really giving it to me for free?”

“No need to refuse, and no need to feel pressured. I like weirdos like you. And if you ever need anything else, just say the word.”

Just as I was about to respond, Yu Hyesun’s pupils suddenly split vertically.

Her large eyes darted back and forth rapidly.

“Hehe. You must’ve been really moved by my beautiful handwriting.”

“……?”

“Never mind. Off you go now. See you after roll call.”

I tried to get another word in, but she waved her hand, clearly done talking.

With no other choice, I turned and walked away.

“Iran’s back?”

As soon as I stepped into the classroom, the kids came swarming over—same as always.
I was used to it by now.

I headed straight to the showers.

What followed was the usual routine.

Dinner, a bit of rest, then cleaning duty.
Once we finished cleaning, I gathered everyone in the class.

“Hey everyone, Iran’s got something to say!”

All eyes locked on me, filled with curiosity.

I paused for a moment to find the right words, then began.

“What’s your goal for the upcoming evaluation match?”

“Our goal?”

Serena, who’s basically been acting as my vice rep lately, echoed the question.

I nodded, and the others hesitated.

Eventually, Serena lowered her gaze and answered for the group.

“Honestly… we were just thinking of forfeiting…”

Yeah. These kids are way below the average level of dorm students.
Backing out and playing it safe probably felt like the smartest option.

“Is there anyone here who actually wants to join a ‘team’?”

The kids started glancing around nervously.
One girl carefully raised her voice.

“But… we’re weak…”

Perfect.

I smiled inwardly.
Looking the girl in the eyes, I asked,

“So if you could, you’d want to be on a team?”

“I… yes.”

“Thanks for your honesty.”

I smiled warmly, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

I glanced around at the rest of the kids. Most avoided my eyes.

“Everyone who, like Ellie, wants to join a team but gave up because you think you’re not good enough—raise your hand.”

A few hesitant hands went up.

Only four.

Even just this much was more than I could’ve hoped for.

“Those who didn’t raise your hands, go take a break.”

The kids hesitated, then slowly dispersed one by one.

I made eye contact with each of the ones who remained.

Two girls and two boys.

I patted the bed.

“Serena, sit next to me. The rest of you, sit on the bed across from mine.”

A flash of joy crossed Serena’s face.
She dusted off her pants and carefully sat beside me.

The others took their seats across from us.

“You’ve probably guessed what I’m about to say.”

“……”

“I’ll keep it short. The five of us will form a team for the evaluation match.”

The kids nodded with serious expressions.
Then one of the girls—Ellie—looked worried.

“B-But… can we really be of any help to you, Iran-nim…?”

It wasn’t just her. Everyone was looking at me with the same concern.

“That’s what we’re going to fix. I got permission from my teacher to use a training ground. We’ll start training tomorrow.”

“A training ground…?”

Ellie’s face clouded with confusion.
There weren’t many people in Telon who had access to a private training facility.

Now that I thought about it, I’d never actually told them who my teacher was.

“Right now, my teacher is Durek. I’ve been training under him.”

“D-Durek? Ironblood Durek?! Are you serious?!”

One of the boys jumped to his feet.
The others all stared in shock.

“T-Then, Yureon…?”

“Yeah. Yureon is my senior apprentice.”

Understanding dawned across their faces, even if they didn’t fully get it.

No need to mention I’d only been his disciple for a month.

“Wow, Iran, you’re amazing!”

Serena clenched her fists, eyes sparkling with excitement.

Once everyone calmed down a bit, I continued.

“I only ask one thing from you. When we’re up against a group, just hold your ground for as long as you can while I pick them off one by one. Just one minute. That’s all I need.”

“One minute…”

One minute.
That’s no easy task.

Because what I was asking for… was to hold the line for one full minute, no matter who we were up against.

A determined light flared in the kids’ eyes.

“We’ll do it. Whatever it takes, just teach us. No—please teach us.”

“…No need to be so formal. Anyway, good. You’re all set then? We start first thing tomorrow.”

“”Okay!!””

Nice.

Honestly, I hadn’t expected much.
But seeing them now, I felt like I could count on them after all.

I nodded in satisfaction—but then I felt a timid presence nearby.

“U-Um… Master…”

The ex-class rep was fidgeting like a dog that needed to pee, staring at me with nervous eyes.

“C-Could I… join too…?”

“……”

I hesitated for a second, then gave a nod.
At that, the ex-rep started spinning in circles, giddy with joy.

…Is this really okay?

It was after roll call, on my way to Class 1.

A boy was walking toward me from down the hall.

An average build, face covered in clown-like makeup.

Crown.
Officially, Class 1’s class rep.

When he spotted me, his cheek twitched.

“Hey there, Class 8’s rep. Long time no see.”

“It’s been a while.”

I hear you’re playing babysitter to bugs starting tomorrow. Your family must be real proud.

“Yours must be just as proud.”

Crown and Yu Hyesun were notorious for not getting along.

Even within Class 1, there were two factions—those who followed Crown and those who followed Yu Hyesun.
It was a known source of drama.

“Ah, that? Our side’s all sorted now.”

“…Sorted?”

“Hehe. Good luck with yours, too.”

Crown patted my shoulder and walked off.

I understood what he meant as soon as I arrived at Class 1.

“What the f*ck… Why hasn’t Yu Hyesun shown up for roll call?!”

“I-I don’t know… She always came to roll call before…”

“She’s seriously just gonna take the penalty? F*ck, I didn’t think she was that kind of person…”

‘Sorted,’ huh.

My eyes widened, practically tearing at the corners.