TG Ch 9 Part 1

The next morning, even as his work hours approached, Sijin lay in bed, disheveled.

He had been like this ever since his conversation with Jeong Taeyul yesterday. Sijin blinked his slightly puffy eyes, then curled up, pulling the blanket over his head.

‘I really was thinking about Jeong Taeyul a lot…’

Sijin thought blankly under the covers. He hadn’t expected to feel this listless after being rejected before he could even confess his feelings.

Sijin, still curled up, finally checked the time.

[8:03 a.m.]

He barely had enough time to get ready. Still, Sijin really didn’t want to get out of bed. Usually, he would have gotten up and washed by this time, no matter how tired he was, but today he wanted to ignore everything, including the promotion test.

He really didn’t have the courage to face Jeong Taeyul today. He needed some time to sort out his feelings.

Just then, Sijin received a message. However, he checked it a bit late.

[Kwon Jiwon: Where are you?]

[Kwon Jiwon: Let’s have breakfast]

It was from his friend. He thought it was rather early for him to be awake, but considering the heavy workload that awaited the promotion examiner today, it was only natural. Sijin let go of the pad and sat there blankly for a moment, then, thinking of his friend, forced himself to get up. He had to make a living, after all.

Then, another message arrived.

[Kwon Jiwon: I’m in the 2nd-floor lounge]

[Kwon Jiwon: But why does that Seo Gyuho kid keep glaring at me?]

“Gyuho…”

Sijin chuckled wearily at the message. Even that small act of laughter seemed to alleviate his listlessness.

[Baek Sijin: Gyuho is on escort duty too… He’s just trying to look tough, so give him some encouragement]

[Baek Sijin: I’ll wash up and come down, sorry]

Sijin sent the reply and trudged to the bathroom. He firmly resolved not to think about Jeong Taeyul today.

***

It was the first time Sijin had seen all three A-ranks gathered in one place since he came to the F12 Center.

Ham Geonwu, Jeong Taeyul, Yoo Seunghwa. From early morning, the three A-rank ability users were standing in the main examination room. Examiners were busily conducting basic examinations around them. Naturally, ability users needed to be in good health to take the promotion test.

And Sijin was acting somewhat awkwardly towards Jeong Taeyul. He hesitated, then forced himself to ask as usual, “Um… Guide Jeong Taeyul. How are you feeling? Are you okay?”

“Yes.”

Despite his curt reply, he didn’t look well. He had dark circles under his eyes again. Knowing that Jeong Taeyul didn’t take good care of himself, Sijin decided to examine him personally.

“Then… let’s measure your wave readings.”

Jeong Taeyul remained silent as Sijin examined him. He stared at Sijin’s face for a moment, then looked away.

‘Is he really trying to distance himself from me now…’

Sijin felt discouraged by such a trivial gesture. Unlike yesterday, when they had at least exchanged a few words, Jeong Taeyul’s face was now completely expressionless.

Sijin felt a pang of sadness, but he awkwardly imitated Jeong Taeyul, pretending to be nonchalant.

And Ham Geonwu, oblivious to the situation, chattered away beside them.

“Noona, Seunghwa noona. Did you see my total wave capacity? Huh?”

“……”

“They said my wave capacity is already S-rank. Awesome, right? What did you get, noona? Haven’t you been measured yet?”

“……”

Ham Geonwu continued talking to Yoo Seunghwa, who didn’t respond. Sijin recorded the readings on the chart and observed the two Espers’ complexions. Yoo Seunghwa’s expression remained icy at the question, and Jeong Taeyul, standing between the two Espers, looked like he wanted to kill the noisy Ham Geonwu.

“Ham Geonwu.”

Then Yoo Seunghwa called out to him. She glanced at Ham Geonwu next to Jeong Taeyul with a blank expression, then turned her head forward and said, “It’s such a waste of talent.”

“Ah, this noona is at it again.”

“Call me Esper Yoo Seunghwa. ‘Dumbass’.”

“What did you just say?”

The two Espers glared at each other, but Jeong Taeyul, standing between them, remained expressionless.

In fact, Jeong Taeyul looked like he wanted to disappear from the face of the earth. Seeing that, Sijin thought worriedly, ‘Jeong Taeyul looks sensitive again… His readings have dropped to -62% too.’

Perhaps it was because of the situation, but Sijin noticed that Jeong Taeyul was stressed again. Fortunately, a small deviation like this was permissible for the promotion test if approved by the diagnostic examiner.

Meanwhile, Ham Geonwu and Yoo Seunghwa continued their confrontation.

“Ha, I’m an idiot for talking to ice.”

“That’s the first sensible thing you’ve said.”

“…What did you say?”

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense. The reason Sijin thought so was because metal chairs around Ham Geonwu started floating due to his telekinesis. And behind Yoo Seunghwa, ice fangs the size of a human torso formed instantly.

“Does your Guide even know you’re an emotionless ice block?”

“…Why do you care about my Guide?”

Suddenly, the number of ice shards around Yoo Seunghwa multiplied. Seeing this, Sijin hurriedly put down his documents and intervened.

“Ham Geonwu, Esper Yoo Seunghwa, stop that right now…!”

Clang!!

But before Sijin could finish speaking, the situation was resolved. Jeong Taeyul had grabbed both Espers firmly by the shoulders.

Yoo Seunghwa’s ice shattered into powder, and the metal chairs that had been floating due to telekinesis clattered to the floor. As if their waves had been absorbed, both Espers winced in pain.

“Uh… T-Thanks.”

Sijin said awkwardly.

Jeong Taeyul tightened his grip on their shoulders once more before letting go. The two Espers finally calmed down, wincing in pain and falling silent.

Kwon Jiwon, observing the three A-ranks, commented casually, “What would your center do without that Guide?”

“Right…”

Sijin agreed glumly. He hadn’t realized that Yoo Seunghwa and Ham Geonwu had such a bad relationship…

Fortunately, Yoo Seunghwa and Jeong Taeyul weren’t on bad terms. Like predators guarding their own territories, the two A-ranks ignored each other and only cooperated when absolutely necessary. Still, they didn’t actively cause each other stress, so at least they weren’t enemies.

“Now, since preparations are complete, let’s start with introductions.”

Kwon Jiwon stepped forward with a chart in hand and said, “I’m Kwon Jiwon, the S-rank promotion examiner dispatched from the Seoul Central Center. Nice to meet you.”

Kwon Jiwon spoke, holding a thick stack of documents. Behind him stood Sijin and Examiner Shin Dayoung. The F12 Center examiners were also scheduled to assist with the S-rank promotion examination in order. It was only natural, with not one, but three A-ranks taking the test.

“I’m A-rank Esper Yoo Seunghwa.”

Yoo Seunghwa naturally offered a handshake to Kwon Jiwon first. The other two A-ranks only offered a perfunctory salute, still maintaining their cold demeanor.

“Yes, nice to meet you.”

Kwon Jiwon shook her hand firmly. Yoo Seunghwa smiled at him. The atmosphere wasn’t bad.

After a moment, Yoo Seunghwa looked at Kwon Jiwon and murmured, “You’re not who I expected.”

“Yes? Ah, yes. There were some internal changes.”

“I see.”

Yoo Seunghwa nodded as if in understanding. The tone was a bit strange, but Kwon Jiwon didn’t pay much attention to it. He had a lot to do.

“Now then, before we begin the promotion examination… Let’s see. As you know, the S-rank promotion test follows the standards set by the World Ability User Association and the Korean Standard Test method. Since it can cause fatal mental and physical injuries, the test will be conducted one person at a time.”

Kwon Jiwon continued his explanation quickly, as if he himself was bored reading from the documents.

“The ability user can stop the promotion test at any time, in which case the score will not be reflected. As you know, if you fail the S-rank promotion test, the next opportunity will be in a year… This and that~. You’ve all read the documents, right? Now, any questions?”

Kwon Jiwon asked the ability users, but they remained silent. It was all information they had already been given.

Seemingly pleased with their efficient attitude, Kwon Jiwon closed the thick file with a thud and said, “Then, let’s begin the S-rank promotion test.”

***