Apologize!

Ahmad burst into tears at my words.

Honestly, I hadn't meant to make him cry so blatantly, so I hurriedly tried to soothe him.

The Han-Yeong Joint Security Forces, startled by the commotion, rushed in, then left in relief after learning what had happened.

When I returned to our lodging, Ribi was already waiting, having heard the news.

"You made fun of Ahmad Qurain?"

"Yes... But it wasn't for no reason."

I told her about the discrimination I had faced on the math test.

The teacher had deliberately ignored my questions and mixed in difficult problems to trip me up.

I also told her how Ahmad had chimed in and enjoyed it.

Ribi pressed a hand to her forehead.

"......That's why you teased him?"

"Huh?"

"Raebi, Ahmad is ten years old. He's young, so of course he likes it when adults show favoritism toward him."

"But he's annoying... He acts so smug toward the other children, so I wanted to take him down a peg."

Indeed, Ahmad had behaved obnoxiously throughout the entire class.

Whenever the other students took even a little longer to solve a problem, he would sigh, 'Phew—,'

and suggest skipping ahead in the lesson since he already knew the material.

'Kazan went along with him.'

But even after hearing me out, Ribi shook her head.

She stretched my cheek out painfully and said,

"Stop being stubborn, Raebi. Admit your mistake and apologize. Why do you behave so well normally, but react so intensely whenever someone touches a nerve?"

She muttered that she couldn't tell whether I was an adult or a child.

Ribi had also given me a vague but pointed lecture during the Gale incident, saying, ‘Next time, ask the family head for help whenever possible.’

I lowered my head slightly.

Regardless of how I felt, all of it was advice that would help me.

Unlike April, she wasn't the type to play clever little tricks, so I knew I should accept it here.

"I-I get it... I'll re...!"

Ribi let out a little snort and lifted the corners of her mouth. Mischief gleamed in her eyes as she vigorously kneaded my cheek.

She soon let go and spoke in a soothing tone.

"You'll go apologize to Ahmad tomorrow, right?"

"Yep. If Ahmad reflects first."

"......"

Screeetch—!

"Waaah—!! S-sorry! I'll apologize!!"

Since I was the adult here, I decided I would apologize first.

I swallowed my complaints about Kazan's unfairness.

Although Kazan's family wasn't high-ranking, there were several other noble children there, including me.

Even so, behaving so outrageously meant, 'It doesn't matter if I do this.'

Speaking up would only tire me and those around me without changing anything.

'Still...'

"Sis, those who pass can observe the other children's tests, right?"

"Of course. They can object to the difficulty, after all. Are you going to observe?"

"Hehe, yep!"

Ribi didn't particularly try to dissuade me.

She didn't seem to like me going out of my way to interfere, but she still lifted her teacup as if to say, ‘Perhaps it's good to protect this much cuteness.’

After Ribi returned to her room, Han Jihye spoke up.

"Lady Raebi."

"......I'm sorry."

"I'm not trying to scold you. If you're going to apologize, you should first get briefed on Ahmad."

"Ah...! Please do."

It was Han Jihye's characteristic competence.

She had requested more detailed information on ‘Ahmad Qurain’ from the family immediately after the incident broke out, and apparently sorted out the key material while I was chatting with Ribi.

That night, as I began crafting an item, I recalled Han Jihye's words.

'A-rank in the magic field. Currently the youngest in the entire family. Likes cute things, despite being a boy.'

As soon as I arrived at school the next day, I greeted Ahmad. He glanced at me once, then ignored me and returned to practicing his handwriting.

I sat in the seat in front of him and was about to speak, but hesitated.

His handwriting was far better than mine, despite being a child.

'So this is a born noble...'

"Ahmad, I'm sorry. Let's make up, okay?"

"What's there to make up over? I'll smash you."

"...You're going to smash a girl?"

"My fists don't discriminate between boys and girls. You're dead next semester."

......Noble or commoner, elementary school kids were still elementary school kids.

I swallowed a wry smile and signaled to Han Jihye.

Han Jihye handed Ahmad's attendant a palm-sized box.

Ahmad looked flustered when a gift box suddenly appeared in front of him.

"What's this...?"

"Open it."

He started to raise his hand, then stopped and looked at me.

His expression was suspicious.

I gently shook my head with a smile, and Ahmad reached for the box again.

"Oh...."

It was a bracelet that emitted a subtle golden glow.

It contained the 'Recoil Control' effect, considered essential for young Awakened.

It was comparable in quality to Ribi's, but its design had been tailored to his tastes.

I pointed to the lion figure in the exact center and said,

"I heard you have a pet lion named Yasser. You probably can't see it because it's so small, but I tried to work in some of Yasser's distinctive features."

"How did you know what Yasser looks like?"

I asked your mom and dad.

With Douglas's cooperation, the family had contacted the Qurain family on an official level.

When we conveyed that I wanted to take responsibility for making a child from a high-ranking family cry, they simply sent over a photo.

Ahmad put on the bracelet without saying much. He curtly told me to return to my seat.

I deliberately didn't add that I had made it myself.

"I handled that well, right?"

"Yes... But if you observe the test, you'll only make things worse again."

......Right.

I suddenly found myself hesitating. ‘Qurain’ ranked even higher than Korea's Asadal.

I worried that I might only invite trouble by doing something pointless.

When I subtly sounded him out later, Ahmad answered with an incredulous expression.

"I don't care what you do. I won't lose to the others. And..."

"Yeah?"

"Stop loitering around me and go. Why are you wandering around when you've already completed your required attendance days?"

Afterward, Ahmad burned with determination and achieved the impressive results of an average score of 98 and an A- learning speed.

Though the gap between him and me, the top student, was already substantial, his results were still better than expected.

He assured me that he had no hard feelings since he had received an apology and achieved fairly good results.

***

"Have you been well, Lady Iroha?"

"Have you been well too, Lady Raebi?"

Iroha and I ended up meeting more often than expected.

She had initially requested a tea time because she was curious about my trouble with Ahmad, but afterward she began asking to meet with ridiculous excuses like, 'The weather is cloudy.'

But it wasn't bad.

Everyone was busy aiming for high scores, and there weren't many people who had time to play with me.

"By the way, how are things going for you, Lady Iroha?"

"You mean classes? I'm taking it easy. My father doesn't place much importance on the traditional subjects."

"Lucky you..."

"Hehe, but the second semester is supposed to be quite difficult. A Hunter naturally has to score high in practical exams."

So Iroha was on the Hunter track too.

Honestly, with looks like hers, she could make a living as a celebrity, so it still struck me as surprising.

When I asked whether she was pursuing the Hunter profession because she wanted to, she answered,

"Since nobles receive special treatment, there's a belief that we should put the power we possess to use.

I don't know about Douglas Kim, but most high-ranking families aren't free from that pressure."

"But that's just commoners' opinion. Couldn't you simply ignore it to a reasonable extent and live your life?"

"That's what I say. But since we have more money and power than we could ever need, they say the only thing left to seek in life is honor."

Afterward, Iroha changed the subject, saying we should stop talking about depressing things.

The fact that she wasn't particularly eager to live the life of a Hunter revealed the image of an ordinary high school girl rather than an S-rank noblewoman.

"By the way, do you have any plans for the future, Lady Raebi?"

"......I have something to say about that, too."

"What is it?"

"I may be out of contact for a while."

“Huh? Really? Hmm… It looks like you don't plan to tell me why. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“There is—cheer me on!”

Since I had some free time, I decided to clear the 'Path of the Sea Folk' again.

It was a decision I made after going through the Inwangsan reverse Gate and the Gale incident one after another.

'Not entering dungeons isn't the answer.'

If Gale had been an A-rank or higher, someone might have been killed or injured.

And if Inwangsan had happened to be an S-rank Gate...

‘Ugh.’

There was no guarantee that the misfortunes that had appeared so far were the end, so I decided to prepare for the possibility of worse things.

That night, I told the attendants,

"I'm going to bed early starting today!"

"Understood. Then your wake-up time will..."

"The same!"

......Click.

'Enter dungeon.'

Ding-

[Entering dungeon 'Path of the Sea Folk'.]

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Gold and experience can be acquired

Available areas: Lighthouse on the Beach

Coral Zone

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......So I can choose between two areas now.

There was no need to revisit the place where I had awakened. I clicked Coral Zone immediately.

Thoom!

As before, my body was moved in an instant.

A glittering blue view filled my eyes, and an unfamiliar sensation began to envelop me.

-Blubblub...!

'...! What the hell.'

I had the distinct feeling that something was terribly wrong.

Air bubbles poured out every time I exhaled.

My body felt heavy as lead, while my hair swayed freely of its own accord.

Startled, I wildly spun my body around,

...and soon realized that I was underwater.

Kwaaagh-!!

‘Whoa…!’

Something sped past, cleaving through the water.

The coral zone was overgrown like a jungle. From within it, tridents longer than I was began flying at me like rockets from a multiple rocket launcher.

I instinctively pulled an item from my inventory.

Spot-

[Opal-Bearing Command Spear]

-------------------------------------

A weapon used by the chieftain of the sea folk.

An ancient jewel of the sea is melted into it.

Water-element magic and attack power bonuses.

When equipped, the skill 'Summon Mermaid Horde' becomes available.

(3400 MP cost)

※The mermaid horde automatically disappears after 5 minutes.

Attack Power: 210 (X3 in water)

------------------------------------

Shop purchase price: 35 million G

Shop sale price: 6 million G

------------------------------------

‘This… this is it! Summon Mermaid Horde!’

There was no time to ponder or weigh my options. Even though I could breathe, my body was still slow underwater, and I couldn't pinpoint exactly where the hidden enemies were. Using summons of their own kind was the best option.

I activated the skill immediately.

Kwaaah—!!!!!!!!

Dozens of mermaids poured out of the trident. They shot into the coral zone, and violent pulses of magical energy began surging from all around.

After a moment, red began blooming here and there.