saiki

60.1

Ch. 60.1 - Masquerade (4)
The pace of progress for Team Baek Yu-Seol was quite rapid. They had never encountered any significant obstacles thus far, and most of the riddles were quickly solved.

Despite encountering Gates that seemed impossible to interpret, their breakthrough speed was remarkably fast.

But the question remained, would other teams fare the same?

With a determined expression, Hong Bi-Yeon trailed after Baek Yu-Seol.

"That way. You can lean against that statue. This stage seems to detect weight. The statue's dance is a waltz performed by two people. Since you're alone, the weight won't match."

"Ah! I'll do that!" Upon Baek Yu-Seol’s suggestion, other students followed suit and approached the statue, taking their positions.

When Baek Yu-Seol spoke, everyone agreed.

Hong Bi-Yeon herself was no exception.

Even now, wasn’t she resonating with his words without needing to think twice? There was no fault in his words, and she found herself in harmony with them before even pondering over them.

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't understand this aspect. It wasn't in her nature to seek attention so conspicuously.

If she had wanted to stand out, she could have done so anytime in ordinary circumstances, and if she had wanted to receive good grades, she could have always scored a perfect score.

Yet, Baek Yu-Seol consistently maintained grades just above failing in most subjects. He didn't bother answering exams properly, never submitted assignments on time, and had a messy attitude in class.

But, anyone who had come face to face with him could quickly realize it.

The knowledge in his mind was not at the level of a first-year student.

The moment he opened his mouth, specialized terminology poured out, and he effortlessly solved problems that even prestigious Stella students couldn't comprehend, and devising strategies that others couldn't even conceive.

How was that possible?

Even in Stella, where geniuses gathered, how could someone possess such exceptional experience and knowledge?

... It wasn't in her character to ponder alone.

"Hey, do you know your place? I'll go that way."

As Baek Yu-Seol tried to head towards his place, she quickly grabbed hold of him.

"Wait, Commoner."

"Yeah?"

"There's something I'm curious about."

Hong Bi-Yeon’s red eyes settled calmly like a lake.

"You, where did that knowledge and experience come from?"

Upon hearing that, Baek Yu-Seol visibly flinched, and his expression wavered.

‘Oh damn, did I rush too much?’

He thought it would catch her attention, but he didn't expect to hear it so directly. He averted his gaze and spoke.

"Well, it's just... I've had these kinds of experiences... for a long time."

It wasn't a lie.

He was actually acting based on his experiences.

"I see."

Hong Bi-Yeon took it in a slightly different way.

His appearance made him look younger than the average 17-year-old student, but from his actions, speech, and knowledge, he didn't behave like a typical 17-year-old boy.