Chapter 137
Heaven’s Door (3)
***
For a moment, his body froze like a statue, but within his mind, a violent storm raged.
Even though he was wearing the mask, his symptoms—the ones bordering on mental illness—were manifesting.
At that instant, Lee Hyun found himself resenting Sa Jaehyuk just a little.
It was Sa Jaehyuk who always said that the most important thing for a mage was composure, and it was also he who constantly told Lee Hyun that his greatest weakness was his lack of composure.
Following that advice, Lee Hyun had been diligently attending meditation classes.
But even now, he couldn’t control the surge of emotions within him… Could it be that Sa Jaehyuk had lied?
“There’s no need to stand. Just stay where you are.”
In contrast to Lee Hyun’s internal turmoil, the black-haired girl remained calm.
Baek Seoyeon, her expression unchanged, walked gracefully to the sofa and sat down.
As the white skirt lifted slightly under the pull of gravity, the black stockings tracing her elegant curves came into full view.
Her demeanor toward him was purely businesslike, exuding nothing but cold professionalism.
This was a far cry from her last encounter with him, where she had anxiously inquired about his well-being.
Lee Hyun quickly realized the reason for this change.
There were no other eyes here. In this completely sealed room, the only people present were the two of them.
There was no need for her to maintain the facade of kindness she was known for in public.
It was just like when Kwon Yuri had summoned him at the beginning of the semester.
And… like that day two years ago in the hospital.
Of course, she had called him anonymously.
There was no way Lee Hyun, who was associated with Yeon Minha’s faction, would respond to a call from Baek Seoyeon.
Unable to endure it any longer, Lee Hyun stood up.
“Stop.”
The unrefined torrent of thoughts continued to swirl violently in his head.
One thing was clear.
Whatever business she had with ‘Yu Jinhyun,’ he didn’t have to go along with it.
“I said stop.”
Ignoring Baek Seoyeon’s command, Lee Hyun strode toward the door.
“If you walk out now, you’ll severely damage the reputation of Heukryeon.”
But her sweet, teasing voice halted his hand just as it touched the doorknob.
-Crack…
Unconsciously, his grip tightened on the handle.
The soft metal beneath his fingers deformed under the pressure, leaving an imprint of his hand.
A tense silence filled the room, so thick it seemed ready to snap at any moment.
After a long pause, Lee Hyun finally forced his mouth open.
“…What are you talking about?”
“You’ll understand if you listen.”
“Explain.”
“It’s a long story. You should sit.”
But even as she spoke, Seoyeon’s voice remained as calm as ever.
That familiarity brought a wave of nostalgia, pulling him back into the depths of his memories.
The only way to escape was to leave.
But he couldn’t refuse the black-haired girl’s proposal.
Because she wasn’t just speaking for herself—she was speaking in the name of Heukryeon.
“…”
A long moment passed.
Finally, with great reluctance, Lee Hyun walked back to the sofa and sat down.
The moment he did, Seoyeon let out a quiet sigh of relief, silently.
Contradictory emotions of both relief and tension enveloped her at the same time.
But outwardly, she maintained her expressionless facade as she parted her red-stained lips.
“I apologize for calling you when you’re busy with your studies. I know this week starts the period for external assignments. So…”
“Get to the point.”
“…”
His voice was dry, cutting her off, filled with nothing but hostility.
Even someone as skilled in controlling and concealing emotions as Seoyeon couldn’t help but waver.
Her once-calm golden eyes rippled, and she bit her lips, gnawing at them.
Lee Hyun wasn’t looking at her.
Thus, he didn’t catch the subtle shift in her emotions.
After taking a moment to steady herself, Seoyeon spoke again, her tone slightly subdued.
“…The reason I called you today is to offer the compensation we discussed for the Jeokhwa incident.”
Her words made Lee Hyun recall his conversation with Baek Ilyong at the hearing.
He had forgotten, but yes, they had discussed that.
Still, he shook his head.
“I won’t accept it.”
“You should.”
“I don’t want anything from you. Not compensation, not anything.”
“It’s in your best interest to accept it. Didn’t I mention earlier that Heukryeon’s reputation could be greatly tarnished?”
At Seoyeon’s words, Lee Hyun, who had been avoiding her gaze, finally turned to look at her.
Her hair, dark as the night sky.
Her eyes, shimmering like molten gold.
Her small, delicate face, framed by long lashes and a sharp nose—a face so perfectly proportioned it seemed as if a god had sculpted it.
All the beauty that had once been his.
That very perfection twisted his insides, making it natural for him to avoid facing her.
Seoyeon had been watching him intently from the start with her characteristic cold eyes.
It was as if she had never once taken her gaze off him.
“We had every right to subdue Jeokhwa. They were already rebels guilty of high treason. There was no reason to hesitate in eliminating their forces.”
The black-haired girl continued her explanation, as if in response to his unspoken demand.
“But you, unfortunately, got caught up in the situation. Our attack on you violated the Magi’s Oath. Our Paechun family publicly acknowledged our wrongdoing. And as a gesture of apology, we’ve prepared this compensation.”
“…”
“However, if you continue to act this way… wouldn’t it be a bit disgraceful for us?”
“Disgraceful…?”
“Yes. Disgraceful. We’ve already bent over backward for you. I might even let it slip to your friends about the humiliation I’ve suffered.”
It took Lee Hyun a moment to realize the meaning behind her words.
In the past two years, she had firmly established her name among the students, and in a positive light.
Unlike Yeon Minha.
It wasn’t the student council president but Baek Seoyeon who wielded the greatest influence over the students.
Even though Heukryeon had regained power and was sharing the leadership with Paechun in the Supreme Council, Paechun still held overwhelming dominance within the Cradle.
For someone like Seoyeon, twisting words to manipulate others would be incredibly easy.
And the one who would suffer the most damage wasn’t him but Yeon Minha.
Having said her piece, Seoyeon reached into the pocket of her jacket and pulled out a small box.
It was small enough to fit in the palm of her hand, a neat square shape made of a luxurious metallic material.
When her thin, pale fingers pressed lightly on the center of the box, a soft *click* sounded, and the lid opened automatically.
Inside was something that resembled a translucent gemstone, about the size of a small bird’s egg.
At first glance, it looked like a polished gem, but upon closer inspection, it was clear that it wasn’t merely an ornament.
Fine lines, barely visible without squinting, ran across the surface and interior of the stone.
The lines connected to form several geometric patterns.
Even without fully understanding its meaning, it was obvious that this was a magical formula.
“It’s a newly-developed piece of defensive equipment from Dosan Precision. It’s made from high-purity Stellite ore, mixed with other elements, and inscribed with an adaptive three-dimensional magic formula.”
Seoyeon explained as she casually turned the small object in her hand, showing it to Lee Hyun.
“Stellite is a mineral that absorbs nearby expelled particles. This product enhances that property to its maximum potential. When the particles reach their limit, a barrier spell is automatically activated around the wearer. It’s a one-time-use item, but… it’ll protect you from a serious impact at least once.”
With that, Seoyeon gently pushed the box toward Lee Hyun.
“It’s not a mass-produced item. It’s custom-made in limited quantities for the direct descendants of the Paechun family. Take it. This should be enough compensation for having your life put in danger.”
Despite her urging, Lee Hyun didn’t take the box.
Once again, a heavy silence settled between them.
Lee Hyun, his voice weary and laden with conflict, finally spoke.
“Why… Why are you doing this?”
“I already told you. It’s compensation. There’s no other reason…”
“Lies.”
“…”
“Don’t lie. Do you really think anyone would believe that? You could’ve ended this with a token gesture. But instead, you’re offering a rare item reserved for your direct bloodline? You, of all people?”
His voice, once controlled, began to crack, like drops of rain falling on parched land, bringing with them the first signs of anger.
The emotions that had been swirling within him now began to spill out.
“Don’t you remember what you said at the beginning of the semester? Why are you going so far for this? Why treat me this way now, just because I’m not some unknown outcast anymore but an esteemed member of Heukryeon? Are you trying to buy me off?”
But Seoyeon, her expression unreadable, simply gazed at him.
As if she were willing to embrace his anger fully, she offered a bitter smile and shook her head.
With a calm voice, she replied.
“…No. I know well enough that you’re not the kind of person to be swayed by that.”
“And what do you think you know about me?”
“I know more than you think. At least more than Yeon Minha does.”
“I’m sure you’ve done your research. But no more nonsense. I need a real reason. Speak.”
Lee Hyun, who had somehow closed the gap between them, now loomed over her, his presence threatening.
“Do you not have any fear? Or any sense of caution? Being alone with a man in a place like this… Do you know what could happen to you? If you don’t want to find out, you should start explaining your true motives.”
The ominous aura radiating from him seemed to suffocate the room, a tingling sensation creeping through Seoyeon’s body.
But she didn’t resist.
She simply let it happen.
Welcoming him to explore every inch of her, to ravage her as he pleased.
“Why? What do you want to do to me?”
Instead, Seoyeon countered, her voice steady.
“Do you want to ruin me? Do you want to tear my clothes apart with your hands? Is that how you want to make me crawl at your feet?”
Her calm words held a baffling confidence.
Her gaze, hidden beneath her long lashes, stared up at him.
The sensuousness of her presence took his breath away, rendering the masked boy speechless.
Lee Hyun suddenly remembered something.
He had never once won a verbal exchange with Seoyeon in the past.
“…”
And so, the time passed without further words.
Though the conversation had begun in the early evening, now the soft glow of moonlight filtered through the reception room’s window.
Seoyeon continued to look up at him without blinking.
Her pale skin had taken on a faint blush.
Her heartbeat resounded in her chest, and without realizing it, her breaths had become irregular.
She remained defenseless, offering no resistance to the man who loomed over her.
As if she were inviting him to take her, hoping he would give in to his desires and claim her.
“…I would never.”
But those were the only words Lee Hyun uttered before turning away.
As the disappointment washed over her face, Seoyeon barely suppressed a silent sigh.
The masked boy snatched the small stone from the table.
Without even glancing at her, he said:
“I won’t thank you. This is just compensation, after all.”
“…Understood.”
Seoyeon nodded quietly.
“…You don’t have to concern yourself with me.”
She added in a small whisper.
“My body is mine to protect. No one will ever lay a finger on me. I’ll remain clean and pure for as long as I choose.”
There was no response.
Her words, which had an air of cold warning, carried an undercurrent of another meaning.
Without a word, Lee Hyun stood still for a moment, then finally turned the knob and left the reception room.
His footsteps echoed down the corridor, growing more distant with each step.
When the sound had completely faded, Seoyeon finally allowed herself to relax, slumping in her seat.
There was something she hadn’t told him.
The item she had given him as compensation was not what he was originally supposed to receive.
There was no need to offer such a practical and powerful defensive tool to the heir of a rival family.
After all, it was entirely possible that the one seeking his life might be someone from her own family.
The item she had given him had once been hers.
It was made from the highest-grade Stellite ore, so rare that it cost an astronomical sum. Moreover, it was inscribed with a custom barrier magic formula, crafted using her unique magic.
Only two of these existed—one for her and one for her family’s head.
His suspicions were valid and entirely justified.
The only saving grace was that he was unfamiliar with the financial intricacies of high society.
Had he known its true value, he would have been even less inclined to accept the compensation.
It may have seemed like she had forced it on him to some extent, but… it was better for him to resent her than to be harmed.
Even if that resentment brought her unbearable pain.
She had vowed to stay away from him until everything was resolved.
But when she was ordered to quickly settle the Jeokhwa compensation and eliminate any grounds for future attacks…
She had found herself, before she knew it, feeling a strange sense of joy.
“Haah…”
Seoyeon, still sitting on the floor, wrapped her arms around herself.
As if trying to gather the lingering echoes of the hollow conversation they had just shared.
***
Lee Hyun walked not to the Beech Dormitory but toward the pond at the back of the campus.
He staggered forward, his head bowed.
His fingers and arms trembled as if they belonged to someone gravely ill.
As he followed the path, illuminated by streetlights, he eventually reached the pond, which lay just beyond a cluster of large trees and grass.
The pond was so massive that it seemed more like a lake.
He collapsed by the water’s edge.
After sitting there for a while, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the small box.
He glared at the box in his palm as if he wanted to destroy it. Then, he clenched his fist tightly, hiding it from view.
As if he were about to throw it into the dark water.
“Why… why is this happening…”
But no sound came from the pond that night.
End of Chapter