‘Is it here? The name seems to be correct.’
[Choi Jisu]
Knock knock knock.
Hyeonu knocked on the door after confirming the name on his smartphone matched the name on the room.
“Who is it? Come in.” A young voice could be heard from inside the room.
Hyeonu carefully opened the door and entered.
“Who is it?” There was a little girl who sounded as young as her voice.
“Hello? I’m called Gang Hyeonu. Um... Is your father here? I’m here to see your father...”
The girl replied to Hyeonu with a happy expression as if nothing was going on, “He’ll be here soon. He went to the convenience store for a while.”
“Really? By the way, what are you doing now?”
Unlike other girls her age, Choi Jisu was fiddling with a laptop. “I was watching an Arena video. I like this type of thing.”
“Shouldn’t someone your age like cartoons or something?”
“No, I like Arena better.” Choi Jisu shook her head at Hyeonu’s words.
The disease that Choi Jisu was suffering from meant it was a luxury to even walk. It was painful just taking one step. Thus, all she could do was sit and watch things. It was Arena that caught Choi Jisu’s eyes. Filled with fierce battles and brilliant magic, Arena showed Choi Jisu a new world. Then ‘he’ appeared. A man who fought more magnificently than anyone else, Alley Leader—he was Choi Jisu’s idol.
At this time, someone opened the door of the hospital room and entered. It was Choi Jisu’s father, Choi Yoon. Choi Yoon finished his business as quickly as possible and returned to the hospital room for the sake of his waiting daughter. However, it wasn’t just his daughter who was waiting in the hospital room. There was someone else waiting for him. It wasn’t someone he knew. He didn’t know a young man who dressed like this.
“Who are you?” Choi Yoon opened his mouth and questioned the mysterious man.
“Are you Choi Yoon? I came here because I have something to talk to you about. Can you give me a moment?” Hyeonu, the mysterious man, said politely to Choi Yoon.
‘What is this...’ Choi Yoon was dumbfounded but decided to listen to the story first. He didn’t know what this person wanted to say, but he didn’t have any money. All he had left was his precious daughter.
“Yes, if it is just a little bit... Jisu, wait a minute. I’ll talk to this person for a moment.”
Hyeonu and Choi Yoon left the hospital room. Both of them had stiff faces.
“I don’t know why you came, but I don’t have anything.”
Hyeonu watched Choi Yoon who spoke such words. He watched with an expression that wondered what this person was saying.
“Huh? I’m not such a person,” Hyeonu said with a flustered expression.
Then it was Choi Yoon who became so flustered that he stuttered. “Th-Then why...?”
“What do you mean? Perhaps...?”
“Yes, it is as you think. Choi Yoon has been chosen as the second student. I couldn’t help choosing such a desperate story.”
“Thank you. Thank you. Sob...” Choi Yoon fell to his knees and sobbed upon hearing Hyeonu’s words.
‘Ah, I haven’t finished speaking yet...’ Hyeonu scratched his head in embarrassment as he glanced at Choi Yoon, who didn’t give him time to speak. “I’m not finished yet...”
“Thank you, thank you very much.” Choi Yoon repeatedly said thank you without listening to Hyeonu. The kneeling Choi Yoon soon stood up and glanced at Hyeonu. “It is my daughter’s wish. It is why I watched Alley Leader’s stream. Additionally, her enjoyment comes from watching me play.”
Therefore, he desired to play a bit better. He wanted to fulfill his daughter’s wishes. The two factors combined resulted in him applying for Hyeonu’s academy.
“The result of Nike’s investigation shows that Jisu’s disease can be treated. It just costs a lot of money. Do you know this?” Hyeonu saw Choi Yoon’s expression darken and realized this person might’ve already known.
“I know this, but the cost of the surgery... It is ridiculously expensive. In the first place, the surgery is only available in the United States. I can’t...” Choi Yoon had barely calmed down, and now he started to sob again.
“After hearing Choi Yoon’s story, a sponsor appeared. They said they will support the cost of the surgery.”
“Really? Is that true?” Choi Yoon grabbed Hyeonu’s hand. It was unbelievable. Someone who would support the cost of the expensive surgery had appeared. Something he only saw on TV was happening to himself.
“I’m here to tell you this. The detailed schedule will be coordinated by phone and email.”
Hyeonu felt burdened by Choi Yoon’s attitude. He hadn’t accepted Choi Yoon as a student to be treated like this. It wasn’t an intentional part of the plan for Alley Leader Academy that Hyeonu would sponsor the costs of surgery for Choi Yoon’s daughter. That was just his own mind. Yes, it was just a whim of the moment.
“Then I’ll see you next time.”
Hyeonu exited the hospital like someone was chasing him.
***
“You’re late. Did something happen?”
“I’m sorry. There was a situation... I ended up meeting Your Majesty separately from my master.” Hyeonu bowed his head and paid homage to Emperor Alexander. Currently, Hyeonu was in the imperial palace. To be precise, it was in the great hall with the emperor.
“Well, it isn’t a big deal. I heard the report. Didn’t you do a great job smashing that fool?” Emperor Alexander sat on the throne and stared at Hyeonu. “I don’t know if you know, but Alkyl’s leader, Edward, is my brother—the empire’s second prince.”
The emperor was murmuring in a low voice, but it left a deep impression in Hyeonu’s ears. “He was behind me in everything—swordsmanship, politics. He wasn’t even popular with the people of the empire. It was natural. It is the crown prince who would rise to the throne and become emperor. However, he didn’t acknowledge it. Thus, he pulled out his sword at my coronation. Then I told him—”
The emperor got up.
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