The Conjurer of the Academy

Chapter 73

“Hmm, I can’t see very well…”

The distance was closing, and Shin Seo-ha looked around from the palm of the giant’s hand. Without being in a merged state, it was difficult to locate the jellyfish hidden in the fog with the naked eye.

“We’re almost at the place where your parents are.”

Taking advantage of the moment, I whispered to Shin Seo-jun in a low voice.

“Go ahead. You know where they are now, don’t you?”

This was to give Shin Seo-jun some time to properly say goodbye to his parents. Understanding my intention, Shin Seo-jun nodded.

[But I can’t reveal myself. Even with a temporary contract, manifesting would just erase me…]

“Don’t worry about that.”

I opened my palm, revealing a cloud-like fog.

“It’s the jellyfish’s fog. I’m layering a new fog on top of it.”

Here’s my plan:

The fog induces hallucinations in the target. By overlaying a new fog, we can create a different illusion.

‘I can decide what to show.’

According to the skill description, I have the freedom to choose what the fog shows. Therefore, there’s only one thing I want to show.

“I’ll overlay your existence itself on top of the hallucination.”

By doing this, it won’t be a direct manifestation, so there’s no risk of Shin Seo-jun’s existence being erased.

“What do you think, Yomi?”

[For you, that’s quite clever. There shouldn’t be any problems.]

Yomi nodded in agreement.

[But are you sure about this? Even if you convey what you want to say, your parents might dismiss it as a hallucination.]

[It’s okay.]

Determination could be felt from Shin Seo-jun, who had clenched his lips tightly.

[If I don’t do this now, I might never get another chance.]

[If that’s your decision.]

With the method in place and the determination sufficient, it was time to proceed.

“Then go.”

All I could do now was see Shin Seo-jun off, hoping he’d achieve his goal.

As I blew air onto my palm, the fog surrounded Shin Seo-jun like a cloak.

[Thank you, Ha Baek. I’ll be back soon!]

Spreading his wings, Shin Seo-jun flew off into the distance. Watching him grow smaller and smaller, I couldn’t help but mutter to myself.

“Hope you have a good time with your family.”

* * *

Memories of Shin Seo-jun were like Pandora’s box for Han Ga-young and Shin Woo-taek—full of pain but ultimately compelling them to open it.

“Mom, it hurts so much…”

And this was the deepest abyss of Pandora’s box for them, the manifestation of their denied guilt and torment.

“Aah.”

Tears pooled in Han Ga-young’s eyes.

Even though they were prepared for the fog to show nightmares, some things were beyond what parents could bear.

“I don’t want to die, Dad.”

As the fog thickened, the image of their deceased son became increasingly reminiscent of his tragic state at the time of his death.

“I think I need another smoke.”

Shin Woo-taek fumbled through his inner pocket. However, it seemed the last cigarette he smoked was his only one; his pocket was completely empty.

“Why did you abandon me?”

A sharp hand extended from the fog, clawing and tearing at Shin Seo-jun’s body.

“We didn’t abandon you, Seo-jun!”

Just as Han Ga-young reached out towards the fog.

Whoosh—

A brilliant light erupted from the left side of the field. Shortly after, someone walked out through the halo of light.

“Mom, Dad.”

An oddly calm voice. His immaculate appearance was exactly as Han Ga-young and Shin Woo-taek remembered Shin Seo-jun before he died.

“I’m here.”

Shin Seo-jun’s lips quivered as he looked at his parents.

“I, I…”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Shin Seo-jun exhaled heavily.

He had called out so many times before. Tried countless times to reach out. But it had always been in vain, merely passing through empty air.

Up until now, all Shin Seo-jun could do was watch from the sidelines like an invisible man. Whenever his family laughed, he had to endure loneliness, and when they were sad, he was consumed by guilt.

But now, their gazes finally met. The people he had called out to so desperately were now looking straight at him.

“There’s something I desperately need to tell you, Mom and Dad!”

Shin Seo-jun couldn’t bring himself to get closer. He lacked the courage to approach. His legs froze, and he couldn’t take a single step forward.

“Are you really Seo-jun?”

Han Ga-young’s legs gave out as she collapsed to the ground.

“Phew, it seems I have no choice.”

Finally breaking his silence, Shin Woo-taek stepped forward in front of Han Ga-young and looked up at the sky.

“I know. I know I carry heavy guilt. I know you’ve been pretending to be strong all this time because of my shortcomings.”

Whoosh—

Shin Woo-taek’s entire body erupted in flames. Black flames reminiscent of hellfire. His demonic figure raised a fist towards the sky.

“It’s time to wake up from this dream.”

The highest level a hunter can realistically achieve is A+. S-rank is a nominal title for those who have surpassed human limits. S-rank hunters serve as humanity’s last line of defense and are extremely rare worldwide.

Shin Woo-taek was one of them.

Whoosh—

The black flames engulfed the entire coastline and the sea. A massive jellyfish emerged from the wavering fog.

Wooooong—

The flames covering the jellyfish’s body slowly spread to its tentacles. Shin Woo-taek’s black flames incinerated not only the monster but also the supernatural abilities of the awakened.

“What… how is this possible—”

As the fog lifted, the blood-stained vision of Shin Seo-jun vanished as well.

“Honey, are you alright?”

With the black flames dissipated, Shin Woo-taek placed a hand on the shoulder of the collapsed Han Ga-young. He then glanced through his glasses at the one remaining vision that hadn’t disappeared.

“…Why isn’t it disappearing?”

“Dad.”

The final vision, thought to be a hallucination, didn’t vanish. The real Shin Seo-jun stood there.

“Seo-jun…”

“Mom.”

The fog hadn’t completely dissipated.

Shin Seo-jun slowly approached his parents.

“Thank you.”

Shin Seo-jun knelt down and hugged Han Ga-young. For the first and last time, she could feel his warmth.

“Thank you for giving birth to me, for scolding me when I went astray, for cooking whenever I was hungry, and for always loving me.”

“Seo-jun…”

Han Ga-young burst into tears.

“Are you really our Seo-jun?”

Shin Woo-taek looked up. Shin Seo-jun had a mischievous smile on his face.

“Dad, don’t bully Noona too much. And don’t be hurt if she says something harsh. She loves you a lot despite being embarrassed to show it.”

“…”

Shin Woo-taek looked up with tears in his eyes.

“It’s time for me to go.”

The fog would eventually clear. Until the very last moment, Shin Seo-jun didn’t let go of the hug.

“In the next life, I’ll be born as your child again.”

With those words, Shin Seo-jun turned into a wisp of light and disappeared.

“Wait, Seo-jun!”

Reaching out her hand, but it didn’t reach him.

No matter how loud she shouted, the words wouldn’t reach.

“My only son…”

The fog cleared.

Fireflies rose up, filling the sky.

(T/N): Who’s cutting onions?（>﹏<）

* * *

“Mom, Dad!”

By the time they arrived at the shore, the fog was already lifting. Shin Seo-ha, seeing the two figures in the distance, ran quickly towards them.

“That was quite a spectacle.”

The charred remains of the jellyfish were scattered along the shore.

“How was it?”

I asked the spiritual energy I felt behind me.

[It’s really goodbye now.]

Shin Seo-jun’s gaze matched mine. Even without seeing his face, I could sense the myriad of emotions in his voice.

“No, you’ll meet again someday.”

[True. I hope it’s not too soon, though.]

Shin Seo-jun chuckled.

“By the way…”

Han Ga-young collapsed on the ground, and Shin Woo-taek stood by her side.

“You’ve finally gotten honest.”

More than anything, Shin Seo-ha, who was tightly hugging her parents. The types of tears people shed don’t require Spirit Sight to understand. Sadly, there was no place for me in that moment.

‘Family, huh…’

I decided to sit down and wait for the three of them. I didn’t want to ruin the touching reunion.

* * *

The day after the fog cleared.

Sizzle—

The sound of BBQ sizzling on the grill and the sweet smell of the barbecue being perfectly cooked filled the air.

“It feels like a dream to be able to relax like this.”

Seated under a parasol, I gazed out at the shoreline.

Shin Woo-taek was grilling, Han Ga-young was sunbathing, and Shin Seo-ha was swimming alone.

‘As expected, the scale is extraordinary.’

It seemed we were ordered to stay near the beach until the dispatched hunter team finished disposing of the jellyfish remains. Thanks to that, it felt like we were freely using a private ocean.

When I asked if we should be in constant combat readiness, akin to a five-minute standby unit, I was told it was practically an order to take a short rest after completing the mission.

‘Whether that’s true or not, who knows.’

Maybe this is the privilege given to S-rank and A+ hunters. It felt a bit uneasy being carried along, but I didn’t refuse.

“What are you doing alone?”

At that moment, Shin Woo-taek approached me, carrying the strong scent of barbecue. Wearing a Hawaiian shirt and trading his usual gold-rimmed glasses for sunglasses, he held a skewer laden with sausages, vegetables, and meat.

“Here, take this. I haven’t even given one to my wife yet.”

“Really?”

“What’s so surprising? You’re just acting as a taste tester.”

Shin Woo-taek grinned, revealing his perfect teeth.

Through the sky-blue Hawaiian shirt he wore, his washboard abs were visible.

“Thank you.”

“Why the reaction? Don’t worry, there’s no poison or anything.”

“No, I just thought you didn’t like me very much.”

“…Was it that obvious?”

“Yes, quite a bit.”

Shin Seo-ha’s natural cheekiness must come from her father. I couldn’t believe he had tried to hide it.

“Imagine being a father with a precious daughter, and suddenly, this strange boy appears out of nowhere. Wouldn’t you be annoyed?”

“I probably would be.”

“Exactly, that’s what I’m saying.”

Shin Woo-taek looked as excited as if he had found his first ally.

Naturally, he sat down beside me and handed me the skewer, which I took a bite of.

“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. After losing Seo-jun, there was only one time Seo-ha brought a boy from her class home.”

“Seo-ha did?”

“Yes, it is surprising, isn’t it? My wife and I were very welcoming because Seo-ha had been so down since Seo-jun passed away. We thought at least she had a friend at school who understood her.”

Crunch—

Shin Woo-taek unconsciously bit down on the skewer, snapping the top part of the metal skewer.

“But that wasn’t the case. The boy pretended to understand, but he had ulterior motives. Because of that, Seo-ha became even more distrustful of people.”

A fierce sense of anger emanated from Shin Woo-taek.

“That brat, if my wife hadn’t stopped me, I would’ve wrung his neck.”

“Oh, I see…”

Knowing he wasn’t just saying that made it all the more chilling.

“But I could be one of those types too.”

“No, you’re different.”

The heated expression on Shin Woo-taek’s face softened a bit.

“I’ve been watching you all along.”

“You mean eavesdropping from behind the door that day…”

“No, not that.”

Embarrassed, Shin Woo-taek cleared his throat.

“Why did you think I always came to call you guys during mealtime? It’s because I actually watched you two train from afar before calling.”

A smile formed on Shin Woo-taek’s lips as he adjusted his sunglasses.

“Even though you were weak as hell, you had such high pride… You couldn’t give up and kept pushing yourself until you collapsed. It was quite a sight.”

Despite the harsh criticism, Shin Woo-taek added at the end,

“You reminded me of myself when I was younger.”

His eyes held a distant look, as if reflecting on the past.

Shin Woo-taek’s face bore a resemblance to Seol Ha-Baek’s in some ways.

“Anyway, take care of our Seo-ha. If you ever try anything funny, I’ll wring your neck.”

“I’ll be careful. But I don’t think so; Seo-ha is the one bullying me…”

“Surely not our precious princess.”

As he handed me the skewer, Shin Woo-taek was about to head back to the grill.

“Oh, right. If anything happens, call me or my wife. Seo-ha doesn’t usually show when something’s bothering her.”

“In other words, you want me to be her watchdog.”

“Bingo.”

Shin Woo-taek grinned.

I expected something like this, but to actually hear it…

“What were you and Dad talking about?”

I looked up to see Shin Seo-ha in a rash guard, staring straight at me.

“Oh, the princess is here. I guess I better take my leave.”

“Who’s the princess?”

Shin Seo-ha glared at the retreating figure of her father. Then she untied her hair and plopped down beside me.

“We should be having fun at the beach. What are you doing here?”

“Aren’t you tired?”

“Why would I be tired? Who knows when we’ll get to come to the beach again.”

“You have a point.”

Shin Seo-ha and I sat side by side, gazing out at the blue horizon. The sea breeze caressed the back of our necks, and we enjoyed a moment of unspoken silence.

‘I should tell her.’

I can reveal my ability to Shin Seo-ha.

“Hey, about my ability…”

For once, I hesitated to speak.

Would she hate me for approaching while pretending not to know about Shin Seo-jun?

“You don’t have to tell me.”

Shin Seo-ha’s voice was soft. Her gaze remained fixed on the sea.

“Weren’t you curious to know?”

“It’s okay.”

Shin Seo-ha’s gaze turned towards me, and for a moment, I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

“You didn’t ask me anything either.”

Red hair fluttering in the wind.

A gentle smile tinged with a blush.

“So let’s leave it at that.”

It was summer.