LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 79
Chapter 79
Han Siha walked forward with his head bowed low.
He was caught red-handed. He couldn’t argue even if he was expelled right now.
However, lingering at the back wouldn’t solve anything, so he had no choice but to step forward.
But then…
“What’s your name?”
“Han, Han… Siha.”
“Ah, Han Siha. And you?”
“Yoon Haul.”
Doesn’t that professor know who the top student in his department is?
And not just any student, but one of the most brilliant minds in the history of the Department of Theology?
I thought I’d be caught immediately, but maybe I can get away with this.
The real problem lies with the theology students…
“….”
It’s astonishing how indifferent they are.
Some of them seemed to recognize me, but they just buried their faces back in their books, as if they couldn’t care less.
The only one who showed any meaningful reaction was Yoon Haul.
“Huh…?”
Shh—.
Han Siha put a finger to his lips, signaling Yoon Haul to stay quiet.
Yoon Haul quickly assessed the situation, his eyes darting around.
Only one scenario came to his mind.
“Ah.”
‘They must be here for a tour.’
He arrived at a rather odd conclusion.
‘You’re really interested in astrology?’
Surprising.
Yoon Haul rubbed his chin, impressed by Han Siha’s newfound interest.
‘And you might even be good at it?’
From what Yoon Haul had observed, Han Siha was someone who often displayed unexpected talents in the most surprising areas.
Maybe astrology would be another one of those areas.
While Yoon Haul was looking back at him with hopeful anticipation, Han Siha was signaling to a nervous Won behind him that everything was okay.
Professor Supreme lifted his round glasses with a twisted smile.
“Today, we’ll be doing some tarot readings. It’s not too difficult, so just follow along.”
It’s difficult. I don’t even know what astrology is.
What am I supposed to do?
Han Siha nodded vigorously, planning to quietly observe and slip away when possible.
When you don’t understand what’s going on, the least you can do is act like you’re on board.
“Let’s read each other’s fortunes for today. Can you manage?”
“Y-Yes.”
“It’s not hard, right?”
“Shall we read each other’s fortunes?”
“Yep!”
Han Siha’s fortune, huh…
Yoon Haul decisively drew a card from the spread that fanned out on the floor.
A woman holding a wooden staff.
Yoon Haul quickly deciphered its meaning.
It was the card representing the White Ram’s Bow, meaning Aries.
Yoon Haul closed his eyes and rapidly calculated a complex formula.
In his mind, the celestial sphere rotated a couple of times.
He analyzed the position of Mars, plotted the angles in his mind, and then, with a flash of certainty, he opened his eyes.
Astrology had a lot in common with mathematics.
It wasn’t just about intuition.
It was the result of countless studies and practice.
“I can sense a strong auspicious energy. It seems like you’ll have a productive afternoon.
Mars will be at its peak above your head around 3 PM, so that would be the best time to tackle any tasks you’ve been putting off. Is there something you’ve been preparing?”
Gulp.
Han Siha gave an awkward smile and shook his head.
Yoon Haul scrutinized him for a moment, then drew another card.
“It says you’re doing well without getting caught. Hm, have you gotten yourself into some trouble?”
“As if! I live a very quiet life.”
“…Strange.”
Yoon Haul muttered something coldly and clasped his hands together.
The way he looked up at Professor Supreme, his eyes twinkling like a playful otter, seemed to ask for praise.
Professor Supreme, satisfied, opened his mouth.
“That was excellent. You’re really good… Are all students these days this skilled?”
No, that guy’s the top student.
Overwhelmed by a crushing sense of pressure, Han Siha forced a deranged smile.
Sadly, it was now his turn.
“Just do it comfortably. Follow your instincts.”
‘If I follow my instincts, I’ll end up talking nonsense.’
Medicine should be sold by someone who knows what they’re doing. If someone like me tried to sell it, I’d get caught immediately.
Han Siha swallowed hard and opened his mouth.
“I’ll give it a try.”
Han Siha drew a card with a hazy expression.
Of course, he had no idea what it meant.
‘I have to say something. I need to bluff well, Han Siha.’
He hesitated for a moment, covering the card slightly.
If he showed the card, his clumsy interpretation might get exposed, so he decided to keep it to himself.
“Well… What is this?”
It was a complete disaster.
Han Siha looked at the card depicting a sword piercing a heart and his face grew grim.
He didn’t know what constellation it represented…
“Seems like Capricorn.”
There was no reason for it. He just happened to be born under Capricorn.
The problem was those sparkling eyes, staring at him as if they were taking his nonsense seriously.
Stop looking at me!
It’s all just nonsense!
“Uh… Well.”
Screw it, let’s just go for it!
If a sword pierces a heart, it must be something really painful.
The first thing that came to mind was…
“Have you recently been heartbroken?”
“…Yes.”
Wait, why is that actually true?
“…Wow.”
“Impressive.”
“Who is he?”
“Han, Han Siha?”
“Never seen him before.”
“He looks like that guy from the Department of Magic.”
“I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.”
Murmurs spread through the room.
Han Siha, at a loss for words, gaped at Yoon Haul.
No, really, why is this actually true?
“It feels like I got rejected even though I didn’t confess… sniff.”
So, uh, how do I comfort someone in this situation?
Han Siha pondered this seriously, but there wasn’t much time to think.
“The person you were thinking about… they must be a Capricorn.”
Finally, Han Siha blurted out whatever came to mind. He tried to combine it with what he had said earlier, even though he knew it was probably nonsense.
“…That’s correct. How did you know?”
Wait, why does this keep being true?
“Did he just guess that right?”
“Wow, that’s some advanced astrology.”
“Isn’t that something really hard to guess?”
Admiration was the last thing Han Siha needed right now.
Yoon Haul lowered his head, looking despondent.
Han Siha turned to look at Won, completely unsure of what to do.
‘This guy is a genius.’
Won nodded his head vigorously and gave Han Siha a thumbs up.
Han Siha wanted to punch him.
This wasn’t the time to be impressed!
To make matters worse, the students sitting in the front started cheering up Yoon Haul.
Hey, theology students! I thought you didn’t care about others.
Why are you suddenly like this?
“Don’t cry! Don’t cry! Don’t cry!”
“It’s okay! It’s okay! It’s okay!”
Damn it, this is a disaster.
Han Siha quickly drew another card.
He honestly didn’t know what it meant, but he felt he should offer some kind of consolation.
“Even though I don’t know who this person is… perhaps they have feelings for you too.”
“Really?”
Yoon Haul, who had been looking downcast, suddenly brightened up, his eyes sparkling.
“Stay strong! Stay strong! Stay strong!”
His face had changed completely from the one that had looked so gloomy just moments before.
It seemed the consolation had worked.
Although Han Siha was still confused, he decided to let it go.
‘Well, it’s not my problem, so I guess it’s fine.’
Yoon Haul, now beaming, spoke with confidence.
“I’m fine now! I thought it was one-sided, but it turns out it’s mutual!”
“Huh?”
“It’s such a relief that they know about my feelings too.”
“Ah, congratulations.”
It’s good that it got resolved well.
Han Siha placed the card down, trying to shake off the guilty feeling.
But suddenly, he felt a chill down his spine.
Professor Supreme was smiling at him with a satisfied, yet unsettling, gaze.
“What did you say your names were again?”
“Yoon Haul!”
“Han, Han Siha?”
“Would you two like to assist with astrology research in my lab…?”
“No, I’m really fine, thank you.”
The tone of the professor’s voice snapped Han Siha back to his senses.
He quickly waved his hands in refusal, frantically declining the offer.
‘That was close.’
…Graduate school? No, thank you!
* * *
“How did you do it? I mean, it was Yoon Haul from the Department of Theology. How did you get everything right on the spot? I almost thought you were a psychic.”
“…It was just a lucky guess.”
“Hey, it wasn’t just about guessing the situation. Guessing the heartbreak was one thing, but how did you manage to guess the person’s zodiac sign correctly? There are 12 signs, you know.”
Won spoke excitedly, but Han Siha sighed and let his words go in one ear and out the other.
Honestly, it was purely luck.
The others around didn’t seem to believe that, though.
“I think we can do this!”
Natalie grabbed Han Siha’s arm with a look of excitement, while Adela clicked her tongue and added her own comment.
“They think they saw hope in your amazing astrology skills.”
“…Maybe it was despair instead?”
“It was definitely hope!”
“You’re mistaken. Everyone’s mistaken. Are your eyes broken?”
“It’s just… too hopeful!”
This overwhelming pressure…
Han Siha waved his hands, trying to prepare them for the truth.
Just thinking about how Adela and Won would keep pestering him to study astrology, a subject he knew nothing about, was already giving him a headache.
“I’ll study hard, but honestly, I know nothing.”
“I’ve noticed that good grades come from humility. Just like you, Han Siha!”
“Please, Natalie, have mercy.”
“Such admirable humility…!”
Han Siha grabbed his head in frustration and took a step back.
But the others were already in a festive mood.
“Let’s aim for first place.”
“First place! First place! Three credits! Three credits!”
“Nothing beats legit slacking.”
They were already practically celebrating victory.
Trying to calm the cheering group, Han Siha spoke up.
“Guys, let’s not lose our heads.”
Just then, it happened.
Thud.
While trying to rein in the overly excited group, Han Siha accidentally bumped into someone in the hallway.
“Oh… Oops!”
Instinctively, he bowed his head.
“Ah, sorry….”
Swoosh.
A black collar brushed past his shoulder as the person walked by.
It had been quite a hard collision, but the person didn’t seem to care and just kept walking away.
Han Siha turned sharply, his lower lip jutting out.
“Hmm….”
Something about this felt familiar.
There was a strange sense of familiarity in the air.
But Han Siha couldn’t recall anyone he knew with a similar presence.
He tilted his head, mumbling quietly to himself.
“Must be my imagination.”
* * *
“Have all the external judges arrived?”
The astrology contest, one of the annual events in the Department of Theology, was strictly evaluated by external judges.
Although the Department of Theology had a small number of students, their output was excellent.
Just like with magicians, there were only a handful of true prophets on the continent.
Because of this, the Tower also placed professional judges and professors to nurture potential seers.
The astrology contest was one of these efforts.
Although the prize and benefits were modest, as one would expect from a school competition, the event carried significant meaning.
It wasn’t just about the money or grades. It was about selecting talents who could open a new era.
“It seems most of them have arrived.”
“Ah, but he hasn’t shown up yet.”
Professor Supreme lifted his glasses and turned his head.
He should have arrived by now. Just as he was about to grumble under his breath, the quiet conference room door creaked open.
“Ah.”
A man, dressed in black attire that reached down to his legs—clothing that didn’t suit the warming weather—entered the room.
His walk was elegant, and he was adorned in high-end luxury from head to toe.
Even though he was an external judge, just like the others, no one could criticize the man’s tardiness.
In fact, their eyes were filled with desperation to please him.
“You’re here. We’ve been saving a seat for you.”
“It’s been a while. You look even healthier.”
“Haha, nice to meet you for the first time. You have an aura that radiates… I look forward to working with you.”
Even Professor Supreme wasn’t an exception.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Supreme.”
“I’d like to start the meeting.”
The man sat down stiffly and placed a napkin in his pocket.
His imposing voice commanded everyone’s attention.
He gave a sly smile as he crossed his arms.
Someone spoke up respectfully in response to his words.
“Commissioner Han Si-hyuk, we will begin the meeting now.”
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