(Yoo Jinhyuk POV)
[Novice – Veritas]
'So that's Kim Hajin, huh?' I thought, inwardly making a weird face.
I am currently sitting beside Yoo Yeonha, chatting and flirting while observing the supposed author of this world. Not directly looking, since my back is turned to him, but one of my skills gives me 360-degree vision.
'How come nobody notices that?'
That face of his it isn't just an oval with a question mark? He looks like the figure in a game when you're just starting and customizing your character.
'He still isn't synchronized with his laptop.'
This evening, he'll get the laptop that will make him overpowered…? Nah, while that laptop made him strong, it didn't make him overpowered. He just becomes semi-omniscient about this world.
'Can that laptop give me answers about how I reincarnated here?'
While I'm certainly curious about how or who gave me this second chance to live, it's not my major concern more like a side quest. Living and experiencing emotions is already a plus to me, and I definitely won't antagonize the one who brought me here.
'That doesn't mean I won't fight back if he tries to take it from me. If he did… heh.'
"It will be hard but, I'll destroy them," I muttered, smiling coldly.
"Destroy who?"
As I was having my small villain arc inwardly, a sweet voice interrupted my thoughts. Looking back, I saw Yoo Yeonha with an amused look on her face.
"What?"
"Who are you going to destroy?"
"Nothing."
"Hmm…" Not believing me, Yoo Yeonha looked at me with half-lidded eyes, which made her look cute and adorable in my eyes.
"Are you seducing me?"
"Wha-what?" Yoo Yeonha exclaimed in a flustered tone.
"No?"
"Of course not! You idiot! How am I seducing you??"
"Then why are you being adorable?"
"Khh—!"
Speechless, Yoo Yeonha looked away from me. Even though I couldn't see her face, I could definitely imagine her flustered expression from the redness of her ears.
"Kuhum… Anyway, aren't you being more expressive today?"
Seemingly calmed down, Yoo Yeonha looked back at me, still with a blush on her face.
"Expressive?" I said, tilting my head.
"You're showing more emotion on your face today."
"Did I?"
Now that I think of it, in my past life, living without emotions caused me to always have an emotionless face.
'I can't have that, can I?'
In a dangerous world, not controlling my expressions would become a weakness. While showing emotions like a normal human is fine, in a battlefield, uncontrolled expressions reveal what you're thinking and definitely a big no.
"Hmmm… It's your fault, isn't it?"
"Me?"
"I mean, who made you so adorable?"
"….. Y-You bitch! Why do you keep doing this?!"
"Haha."
Having enough of my constant teasing, Yoo Yeonha lightly hit my shoulder repeatedly, her face bright red.
It's pleasant, isn't it? Feeling these emotions. Having a great time with your loved ones… enjoying a slice-of-life arc.
'I hope these moments continue forever,'
I thought, looking at Yoo Yeonha warmly.
---
(Yoo Yeonha POV)
"Next, Cube is objective. The only indicator of your success will be your grade…"
Instructor Kim Soohyuk was saying something, but my thoughts were on my boyfriend, Yoo Jinhyuk.
From the corner of my eye, I watched him listening to the instructor, face resting on his palm, a small smile on his lips. At some point, I didn't know when, he took glasses out of his inventory and put them on, enhancing his already perfect face.
'I don't think he needs that, considering his gift enhances his physical body to another level.'
"Ha…"
'He just wants to look cool,' I scoffed, glancing at him as he winked at me, clearly noticing my gaze.
He was more flirty today. I loved that because I had his undivided attention. I loved the way he looked at me warmly, the way it made me melt every time. His possessiveness, the way he always initiated physical contact as if declaring I was his… even the cold expression he made when jealous. I loved all of it because it was directed only at me.
Also, I'm not sure if he noticed or if he's pretending, but he is more…
'What do I call it? Cheerful? Excited?'
Like he discovered something that made him happy. I didn't know what it was, but I hoped it was about me.
While I was lost in thought, Instructor Kim was nearly done.
"…There will be no kind training here. Remember that."
Then he announced:
"Now get ready. Today's first task is main weapon selection."
---
"Any weapon you can think of should be here." said Instructor Kim Soohyuk.
A main weapon was exactly what it sounded like. High-ranking Heroes used 'treasured weapons,' while weapons above [Unique] grade were called 'armaments.'
My weapon is a whip, perfect for me. I don't have the mana and accuracy for long-range classes like archers or mages, nor the physical strength for close-combat weapons like swords. The whip is exactly what I want: long enough to disarm enemies before they get close.
At my side, I noticed Yoo Jinhyuk's attention wasn't on me but on someone else, which annoyed me.
Following his gaze, I saw an ordinary-looking guy standing dazedly with a gun in his hand.
"A gun?"
"Yeah, interesting choice, isn't it?" Jinhyuk smiled, patting my head like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"But that's the worst choice, right?"
"Yeah… but only if you don't have enough mana."
"Are you saying that guy has enough mana to do that?"
"No."
"No?" I asked, puzzled. "Then isn't he just stupid then?"
If he didn't have enough mana, he'd need magic bullets to compensate it and those weren't cheap. A bow would be a better choice for long range.
"Maybe, but that's what makes it interesting, isn't it?" he said with a mysterious smile.
"Anyway, check this out."
Jinhyuk clasped his hands, gathering mana before opening them to reveal a transparent light-blue forty-inch broadsword.
I gaped. That thing was absurd pure compressed mana. When he let it drop, it made a solid thud and would have pierced the floor if not for enhancement.
"What do you think?" he asked with a slight smile.
"Th-that's amazing! Can I touch it?"
"Go on."
Touching it, I felt how solid it was like a real broadsword, but tougher and sharper. Yet when I lifted it, it was light as a feather.
"Amazing, isn't it? I can also change it by applying different elements depending on the situation."
He transformed it into a fire sword, heating the air. Then an ice sword, wind sword, and even a Holy Sword that made me squint at its brightness and holiness of it.
"As expected of you…"
Before we knew it, someone approached.
Instructor Kim Soohyuk stared at the sword in awe.
"Thank you, but it's nothing special," Jinhyuk said accepting the compliment.
"I just imagine it and order the mana to do it. It will be strange if i cannot do something as simple as this."
"Mana Dominion… that gift of yours is really out of this world," the instructor muttered.
"Amazing!"
"As expected of the 'Child Beloved by Mana'!"
Looking around, everyone stared including the ordinary guy earlier, his mouth hanging open. Seeing them i raise my chin proudly as if I'm the one who accomplished it.
"Hey, can you teach me how to use the sword again?"
A sweet, slightly boyish voice cut in. I turned and saw Chae Nayun standing beside Jinhyuk, looking up at him, hands behind her back, and with that irritating smile on her.
"The school just started and you're already thinking about training? Aren't you shameless?" I snapped before Jinhyuk could answer.
Chae Nayun's smile faltered before she forced it back.
"It has nothing to do with you, isn't it? I'm asking him. It's not like you can teach me anything."
A vein almost popped in my temple, but I held it in. I had the upper hand here.
"Nothing? Did you forget I'm his girlfriend? We have a date after this, so can you not bother us?"
"Grrr—!"
Her calm expression cracked. She gritted her teeth, ready to argue, when Jinhyuk stepped in.
"Can you please not fight in the middle of class?"
He pulled me to his side, distancing me from Chae Nayun, who now looked like a cat about to pounce after seing our connected hands. I shot her a victorious look and held his hand tightly.
"I'm sorry, Nayun. I already promised Yeonha. I'll talk to you later about my free time," he said, showing his smartwatch.
"…Okay."
Chae Nayun muttered dejectedly.
I wanted to add more, but Jinhyuk dragged me out of the class. Even though I was still unsatisfied, I followed after giving her one last smug glance.
That thieving cat won't give up.
But for now, I know I'm the winner Jinhyuk is mine.
I smiled as we walked through the portal.
---
(Yoo Jinhyuk POV)
Outside the class, I opened a portal to my dorm while still pulling Yoo Yeonha along.
"Ha… There's no need to antagonize her like that, isn't?"
I sighed at Yeonha, who was pouting with crossed arms while sitting on my bed.
"Hmph! She deserved it. Are you really that dense or what?"
…She wasn't wrong. Nayun liked me, she liked me even before I met Yeonha. I only realized it after regaining my memories. I had been looking for romance when someone nearby already felt that way. My childhood friend.
That's why she didn't talk to me after I got my first girlfriend. She also wasn't angry because I 'cheated' she was jealous. And I was too dense to notice. Also, he become focused on Yoo Yeonha after experiencing his first love.
"I know, okay? I know. But she's my childhood friend. I can't just ignore her like that. And is your trust in me really that little? I won't cheat on you."
I lowered my voice at the end.
"I-I'm sorry. It's just… I'm jealous. I didn't mean it like that."
Feeling guilty, Yeonha apologized and hugged me, rubbing her cheek against my chest.
"It's okay," I murmured, sitting down and pulling her onto my lap before hugging her tightly.
I meant every word. Experiencing this emotion called love is important to me.
Cheating? It's not in my dictionary now that I've found her.
She's mine.
And I'll treasure her.
And cheating on her…
'I WILL NOT DO THAT.'
---
Author's Note
Hello, good day. I'll say it again in case you didn't read the tags: This is a HAREM.
First of all, I created this novel because I was dissatisfied with the original ending, where Hajin ended up with Boss only (side stories not included).
Also, yes, I think I overdid it in the last part by making their love so intense it feels impossible to add a harem but remember, the MC in his past life couldn't feel any emotion. But, that doesn't excuse everything, but trust me. I hate lame harem excuses like "she can't satisfy him, I need some help" blah blah blah.
Anyway, see you in the next chapter. It could be next week, tomorrow whenever the next one is ready.
Ciao!