Festival R18 (6)
The Red Mountain Ginseng inside the box was emitting mana abundantly.
"Uh... It seems to have a good effect."
Regardless of what the effect was, just looking at it, the ginseng appeared to be of high quality. It was brimming with mana.
"Try it right away."
"Now?"
"Yeah, I'm here."
Well... it doesn't really matter. Considering both Moon Soorin and Im Sol told me to eat it right away in their respective situations, it might be considered polite to consume the item immediately in front of the person who gave it.
I took the Red Mountain Ginseng out of the box.
"All at once?"
"Right. I'll assist you. Just swallow it."
Im Sol stood behind me, placing her hand on my shoulder and sending mana flowing through me. Actually, assistance wasn't necessary, but I didn't object to her suggestion.
I put the ginseng in my mouth and started chewing.
"Ugh...!"
The hot energy emanating from the ginseng as it went down my throat spread throughout my entire body. It felt as if I had entered a sauna, and the overall temperature of my body began to rise. I immediately controlled my mana and guided it so that it wouldn't leak out around my body.
Im Sol surrounded me with her mana to aid in the process. After a few minutes of sweating profusely to the point where my uniform was soaked, I successfully absorbed the Red Mountain Ginseng completely.
"Phew..."
"You did well."
As Im Sol clapped her hands, the moisture on my body disappeared instantly.
"Thank you."
"Remarkable. The absorption rate was incredible."
Im Sol scanned my body with her mana and looked surprised. Well, considering I absorbed mana like drinking water, it's not that surprising.
"Well... Like a great professor, like a great disciple, right?"
"Shut up..." Im Sol laughed heartily and ruffled my hair.
"Now, professor, do you want me to help in your magic research until your evening appointment?"
"Yeah, help me out a bit."
Actually, it's been quite a while since I last engaged in magic research with her. With exams and everything, I've been quite busy.
"How's the progress on the research paper on the core circuit?"
"It's almost complete. Just need to do the final verification. By the way, you're a co-author."
"Huh, me?"
Sure, I provided the idea, but I barely helped with the research paper. Why am I being included as a co-author? Is it okay? Is it right to include me? I've never made a research paper, so I don't know.
"Well... Contributing the idea is quite significant."
"But if I become a co-author on the paper, where will it be presented?"
"If this paper is recognized, it will be registered with the Mage Society. It's an immense honor as a mage." Im Sol beamed with joy at the mere thought.
"Oh... that's cool."
Honestly, I'm not interested in honor, but I can't show that in front of someone who likes it so much.
"Exactly. Once the paper is publicized, the magic world will be turned upside down."
★ Heroine Status Window
[Im Sol]
[Affection: 62]
[Lust: 25]
[Appetite: 30]
[Fatigue: 39]
Current Status: Time is running out. The day to be acknowledged is approaching...
"Hmm."
Honestly, since Im Sol isn't a heroine in the original story, I don't fully grasp the situation. I only know she's a beautiful female professor with a passion for magic. However, as we've grown closer, I've noticed her aspirations extend beyond the progress of magic to include a desire for personal honor.
I wonder what happened.
I'll need to find out gradually. Patience is key. There seems to be some underlying circumstance, and hastily attempting to understand it might backfire.
"Well then, let's begin by reviewing the research paper together."
We delved into Im Sol's research results together.
***
I received a magic lesson after reviewing Im Sol's research paper together. Flames burst from my hand and turned into ice crystals.
"This way, you can smoothly link magic between different attributes."
"Wow... that makes sense."
"She said it's okay. Let's go."
"Did you two become close during the survival test?"
"The conversation flew quite well between us. You're also a common topic. Anyway, is it okay to have a meal with her?"
Unexpectedly, it seems like Im Sol's appointment companion is Baek Ahyeong. They seem to be surprisingly close. That's good.
"Yes. I'm fine with that."
I timed it just right to catch up with Ahyeong, so everything fell into place. We cleaned up the space and headed out together.
I'm feeling a bit peckish too. With Ahyeong joining, it's like hitting two birds with one stone.
"Is there something you're craving?"
"I'm good with anything. Where did you plan?"
"There's this place called Pungmidang, a Korean restaurant. If you're not into it, we can change plans."
"Pungmidang... Ah, sounds good. I like it there too."
Every time I made plans with Moon Soorin, we went to a Korean restaurant called Pungmidang. Even though it's a place without a signboard, it seems to be quite famous. Im Sol knows about it too.
"You're familiar? Let's just go there. Ahyeong is probably already waiting."
The lively festival was in full swing, brimming with energy. Various street foods on display made me want to grab something too.
"Professor, want one of these?"
"I steer clear of street snacks. Hygiene is a concern."
"It's called Choco Banana. You really won't try it?"
"Where...?"
A bit later, Im Sol waltzed up while wielding a Choco Banana in both hands. Even I, just observing, thought it looked tempting, so I snagged one too.
"Oh, delicious. Must be a pricey magic banana. No wonder it's so expensive. I was griping about it being ridiculously pricey—five thousand won each."
"Hmm..."
As I turned my head, Im Sol put the banana in her mouth and sucked on it. She seemed to be teasing me with that sly smile.
"Your banana's tastier."
"Uh, that's..."
Even though I knew she was teasing me, it was still embarrassing. And of course, she reveled in it.
We soon arrived at Pungmidang. Guided by the waiter, we shuffled upstairs and entered our designated room.
"You're here?!" Baek Ahyeong, already planted in her seat, sprang up to greet us.
"Why so hyped to see Lee Hoyeon?"
"Hi, Miss Ahyeong."
"Lee Hoyeon, hi. And Sola, come sit here."
Baek Ahyeong greeted me with a smile, grabbed Im Sol's hand, and plunked her down. Then, out of nowhere, she launched into a sermon.
"You, as a professor, shouldn't be staying late in the lab with a student. You're a professor, and Lee Hoyeon is a student."
"So what? We're both adults." Im Sol, seeming unfazed, took a sip of the water in front of her.
"Huh...?! You two didn't do anything strange, did you?"
"We worked hard on magic research, right?"
"Yes, uh,
it
was hard."
"Oh... I get it. I understand."
Understand what?
While she holds the title of the academy's nurse, seeing her act like this only to Im Sol made her somewhat cute. Is it a form of restraint?
"Ahyeong, eat first. I'm hungry."
"Oh, right."
Baek Ahyeong seemed relieved that nothing out of the ordinary happened between me and Professor Im Sol.
★ Heroine Status Window
[Baek Ahyeong]
[Affection: 90] (+0.6)
[Lust: 72]
[Appetite: 30]
[Fatigue: 45]
Current Status: Thank goodness my darling is safe...
I wonder what I should do with this Nurse Ahyeong...
Meanwhile, my lower part reacted as it pleased.
"Well, shall we chat while stuffing our faces?" Im Sol grabbed her chopsticks first, and Baek Ahyeong and I started our meal.