TSIT 02

Her already large eyes sparkled twice as brightly as usual. Her cheeks, damp with anticipation, were flushed like ripe peaches.

Alternating between walking and breaking into excited little runs, she reached the imposing main gate in less than half a shijin (about an hour).

She had to crane her neck far back to see the tall entrance. Above it hung a pure white signboard.

Baekryeon Academy.

Just looking at the bold, dignified calligraphy made her shoulders shrink involuntarily.

Soram steadied her breathing, fingering the half jade pendant tucked inside her clothes as though it were a talisman.

Stepping through the wide-open gate, she found the courtyard filled with people like mountains and seas.

Clutching the strap of her travel pack tightly, she went to stand at the very end of the long line.

There seemed to be well over a hundred heads in front of her; it didn’t look like she would be able to register her name anytime soon.

Would she really be able to find her benefactor in such a vast place?

Her anxious gaze wavered briefly before firming with resolve.

After coming all the way to the capital!

Rather than wait idly, Soram decided to prepare for the first examination that would take place that afternoon. There were three major subjects in total, and the preliminary test questioned the contents of the Confucian classics.

As she rummaged through the books she had borrowed, she suddenly paused. A faint scent carried on the breeze brushed past her nose.

It was definitely a familiar fragrance…

Just as Soram lifted her small white nose into the air, the back of the man in front of her suddenly lurched closer.

He staggered and fell—and she tumbled onto the dirt ground along with him.

“Ow…”

Her nose throbbed painfully from the impact, and her backside stung from hitting the ground. Worse still, the man’s body collapsed on top of her and was unbearably heavy.

Pinned beneath the unfamiliar man’s back, Soram struggled for air.

“Ugh!”

Only after the man scrambled to his feet could she take a proper breath.

As Soram stood up, her eyes stung hotly.

She had been told that a grown person must not cry like a child…

She forced strength into her eyelids to hold back the tears and brushed the dirt off her skirt, steadying herself.

Only after swallowing down her panic did she raise her face. The poorly dressed man—just as shabby as she was—could only nod helplessly.

“I am truly sorry, miss…”

Just as Soram was about to say it was all right, several other men appeared and surrounded them.

In the confusion she hadn’t realized—these were the ones who had tripped the man earlier.

Among them, a particularly ill-tempered young master stepped forward.

“When our sleeves brushed earlier, wasn’t it you who took it?”

Clad in fine silk, he shoved the shabby man hard in the shoulder.

The man recoiled, too shaken even to brush off the dirt clinging to his clothes.

“N-no. I don’t even know what item you are referring to, sir.”

“Hah? What a shameless thief. Do you think the likes of you deserve to enter Baekryeon Academy? Weren’t you approaching me from the start to steal my belongings?”

Oh? This is…

A chilling sensation brushed through Soram’s mind—like the sharp instinct she once had for sensing danger.

Her grandmother had once warned her: someone as simple and guileless as she was must never linger near muddy waters. If disputes or arguments arose, she was to run without looking back.

And wasn’t this precisely such muddy water?

Her face turning pale, Soram slowly edged backward.

She had to slip away from between the young masters surrounding her. But just as she tried to disappear, her hope was dashed.

“Isn’t that one your accomplice?”

“…Pardon?”

They trapped Soram like a mouse cornered with no escape.

A dark shadow loomed oppressively over her small frame.

“Didn’t he steal my gold tiger-claw ornament and secretly pass it to you?”

“T-tiger claw?”

“Yes! The tiger-claw charm my mother personally strung together to pray for my success!”

Soram shook her head vigorously. Tiger claw or not—she had no idea what they were talking about!

“I-I-I don’t know anything about it. I only came to take the entrance examination.”

“Until I find my item!”

Startled, Soram’s back stiffened at his booming voice.

It seemed she was thoroughly entangled in this dispute. To think she might not even set foot in the exam hall before misfortune struck…

Ah… not her tail—her tailbone throbbed again. The tears she had barely suppressed threatened to spill.

“It’s true I bumped into the young master, but I absolutely did not steal anything. This young lady is unrelated as well. If you don’t believe me, you may search my pack.”

Unable to stand it any longer, the shabby man spoke bravely. The noble youth’s lips twisted.

“Oh?”

At his slight nod, the other young masters reached out.

In an instant, the patched-up pack was turned inside out. Its contents were as pitiful as Soram’s own belongings.

Failing to find what he wanted, the nobleman turned his gaze to Soram.

The man hurriedly picking up his scattered things noticed the shift.

“The young lady truly has nothing to do with this…!”

“How would we know without checking?”

“Young master! Why behave like a child throwing a tantrum!”

The previously silent man clenched his trembling fists.

“What?”

“Just because someone is poor does not mean their heart is wicked. We came seeking learning—how can you commit such rudeness!”

The noble youth’s face darkened with anger. He grabbed the shabby man by the collar first.

Soram, who had been shrinking back, could no longer endure it and rushed forward.

“P-please don’t hit him!”

As she came between them, the nobleman waved his hand dismissively, as though swatting away a bug.

She was flung backward, legs flailing like paper.

She was going to fall. If she landed on her backside again, it would hurt enough to make her burst into tears!

Soram squeezed her eyes shut.

In the darkness, she wobbled—then suddenly her head struck something firm.

At that moment, amid a subtle scent of tea, a cool fragrance swept over her.

Like a blue bamboo grove at dawn—chill and clear.

It felt unfamiliar, yet strangely familiar.

Slowly, she opened her eyes and lifted her head.

Reflected in her watery gaze were a man’s features—handsome and refined as his neat attire and bearing.

He stood a head taller than the others, with a sturdy yet elegant build. There was nothing heavy about him; his figure was long and well-proportioned—beautiful, one might say.

Even his physique alone would have drawn attention, but his features were exceptional as well.

A smooth forehead, brows dark and clean as if painted with ink. Cold eyes holding jet-black pupils. A sharply defined nose, leading down to a firm jawline and red lips.

His appearance was flawless.

Dressed in white robes, his noble bearing combined with his cool expression created an almost mystical aura.

He cast a chilly gaze toward Soram, who had collided into his chest, then stepped back.

He seemed like a white heron appearing among a flock of noisy crows.

“What is going on?”

He addressed the two men clutching each other’s collars.

“As a lecturer of this academy, I will ascertain the cause of this disturbance and take action.”

The noble youth’s expression changed unpleasantly, as if he recognized him.

“P-Professor Nak?”

Though the man in white did not respond, he was certain.

The second son of a grand general’s family, top graduate of Baekryeon Academy, and the youngest lecturer since its founding—Nak Cheongyeon.

A crane among chickens. Even at a glance, he could tell this was that very professor.

Of all people—it had to be the famous Professor Nak!

Quickly releasing his grip, he began explaining the situation.

Cheongyeon listened in silence, his cold gaze sweeping over the instigators.

When their eyes met, Soram shrank instinctively.

Yes. The familiarity of his scent must surely be her imagination.

As she took small steps backward, Cheongyeon spoke.

“One who steals another’s property cannot take the examination, nor become a student.”

At his icy words, the men’s expressions split between relief and despair—though the noble youth’s brightened face did not last long.

“A false accusation without evidence is also a crime. All those involved in this disturbance will step out of the line.”

“P-Professor! I am the second son of the Seo family. My cousin is currently discussing marriage with your elder brother. Are we not practically family? Please understand my grievance.”

He leaned closer and whispered,

“As we will soon be meeting as relatives at a wedding, there’s no need for confrontation here, is there?”

“I am merely a lecturer who guides students. If you wish to speak privately, do so outside the academy.”

Even appeals to familial ties earned only an unbending response.

The man looked as though he would sooner break than bend.